Compared to two weeks ago, slaughter cows were 4.00 to 6.00 higher, while bulls were 8.00 to 9.00 higher on a fairly light test. Feeder steers were sharply higher; there were too few feeder bulls and heifers to establish an adequate market comparison, however, a higher undertone was noted. Demand, market activity, and buyer interest were moderate. Offerings of cattle were fairly light. Cattle quality was average. Baby calves ranged 5.00 to 15.00 per head.
USDA feeder grades describe frame size and muscle thickness, not quality of
the individual animal. "Medium and Large" is the frame score; the number is
muscle (1 = heaviest muscled). "Medium and Large 1–2" pens mix both muscle
scores — common across the Southeast.
What is $/cwt?
Dollars per hundredweight — per 100 lb of animal. A 500-lb calf at
$450/cwt brings 5 × $450 = $2,250. Lighter cattle usually bring more per
cwt but less per head.
Why are some prices per head?
Bred cows, cow-calf pairs, and some replacement classes sell by the
head, not by weight. We show those exactly as USDA reports them — a
$/head figure is never converted into $/cwt on this site.
Where do these numbers come from?
From the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's Livestock Market News —
federal reporters at the sale. We publish each report in full and link the
official USDA document at the top of the page.
Cattle Market
Compared to two weeks ago, slaughter cows were 4.00 to 6.00 higher, while bulls were 8.00 to 9.00 higher on a fairly light test. Feeder steers were sharply higher; there were too few feeder bulls and heifers to establish an adequate market comparison, however, a higher undertone was noted. Demand, market activity, and buyer interest were moderate. Offerings of cattle were fairly light. Cattle quality was average. Baby calves ranged 5.00 to 15.00 per head.