Cattle Market Pulse

Cattlemen's Livestock Auction Market Report

Belen, New Mexico · USDA-reported Auction Livestock · usually sells Fridays

Sale of Friday, July 24, 2026

465 head sold ·Official USDA report · Past reports (261)

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 465 647 809
Feeder cattle 212 359 539
Slaughter cattle 93 180 127
Replacement cattle 160 108 143

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Steer and heifer calves, and feeder steers and heifers, there was no good comparable sales. Slaughter cows and bulls sold 3.00-5.00 lower. Trade and demand moderate.

New to these tables? Plain-English explainers ↓

Feeder Steers

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
230–240 unweaned 237 3 450.00–470.00 $463.52 $1,099 —
260–264 unweaned 263 5 475.00–510.00 $503.09 $1,323 -41.38
325–340 333 2 435.00–450.00 $442.33 $1,473 -60.09
365–370 368 2 427.00–455.00 $440.90 $1,623 -49.10
400–425 408 5 400.00–430.00 $416.09 $1,698 -0.54
458–480 465 3 395.00 $395.00 $1,837 -38.21
615–625 622 3 315.00–320.00 $318.35 $1,980 -19.15
685 685 2 330.00 $330.00 $2,260 -17.34
768–790 774 4 310.00–320.00 $316.70 $2,451 —
900–925 913 3 285.00–295.00 $288.34 $2,633 —
950 950 1 290.00 $290.00 $2,755 —
1055 1055 1 235.00 $235.00 $2,479 —
1115 1115 1 240.00 $240.00 $2,676 —
1305 1305 1 195.00 $195.00 $2,545 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
270–280 unweaned 275 2 440.00–445.00 $442.45 $1,217 +0.02
305 unweaned 305 1 370.00 $370.00 $1,128 —
360–370 365 3 405.00–420.00 $410.00 $1,496 —
393 unweaned 393 3 330.00 $330.00 $1,297 —
450–485 468 2 365.00–375.00 $370.19 $1,732 -29.81
525–530 528 2 345.00–350.00 $347.51 $1,835 -16.70
550–595 561 4 335.00–375.00 $364.40 $2,044 -13.03
610–628 624 5 282.00–320.00 $289.42 $1,806 -40.58
690 690 2 290.00 $290.00 $2,001 —
755 755 1 250.00 $250.00 $1,888 +25.00
850 850 1 265.00 $265.00 $2,252 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
295 unweaned 295 2 525.00 $525.00 $1,549 -50.00
300 unweaned 300 2 510.00 $510.00 $1,530 -40.00
415–440 433 6 435.00–445.00 $440.01 $1,905 -42.52
605 605 1 370.00 $370.00 $2,238 -35.00
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
700–715 708 2 220.00 $220.00 $1,558 —
770 770 2 240.00 $240.00 $1,848 —
815 815 2 225.00 $225.00 $1,834 —
Small 4 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
365 365 1 250.00 $250.00 $912 —
520–530 525 2 200.00–275.00 $237.86 $1,249 -27.14
575 575 1 300.00 $300.00 $1,725 +30.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
120 unweaned 120 1 720.00 $720.00 —
160 unweaned 160 1 800.00 $800.00 —
Small 4 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
465 465 1 1,275.00 $1,275.00 —
605 605 1 1,400.00 $1,400.00 —

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
220 unweaned 220 1 435.00 $435.00 $957 —
276–290 279 5 455.00–460.00 $456.04 $1,272 +1.17
280 unweaned 280 2 400.00 $400.00 $1,120 —
320 unweaned 320 1 380.00 $380.00 $1,216 —
350 350 4 415.00–435.00 $427.50 $1,496 -24.90
477 477 3 345.00 $345.00 $1,646 -22.72
580 580 2 320.00 $320.00 $1,856 —
620–625 623 2 320.00–325.00 $322.49 $2,009 +4.96
683 683 2 310.00 $310.00 $2,117 +15.00
835 835 1 300.00 $300.00 $2,505 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
275 275 1 400.00 $400.00 $1,100 —
320–330 unweaned 325 2 325.00–335.00 $329.92 $1,072 —
350 unweaned 350 1 360.00 $360.00 $1,260 —
420 unweaned 420 1 270.00 $270.00 $1,134 —
420–440 430 2 350.00–385.00 $367.09 $1,578 -4.11
495 495 3 295.00 $295.00 $1,460 -32.51
500–540 528 4 305.00–320.00 $313.73 $1,656 -11.23
645 645 1 275.00 $275.00 $1,774 -10.00
665 665 1 275.00 $275.00 $1,829 —
721 721 5 280.00 $280.00 $2,019 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
450–490 477 3 255.00–275.00 $261.29 $1,246 —
520 520 2 275.00 $275.00 $1,430 —
805 805 2 225.00 $225.00 $1,811 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
245 unweaned 245 2 465.00 $465.00 $1,139 —
465 465 1 465.00 $465.00 $2,162 —
520 520 2 405.00 $405.00 $2,106 +15.00

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
365 365 1 400.00 $400.00 $1,460 +15.00
405 405 1 415.00 $415.00 $1,681 —
510 510 1 300.00 $300.00 $1,530 -70.00
638 638 2 295.00 $295.00 $1,882 ±0.00
695 695 1 315.00 $315.00 $2,189 +22.41
865 865 1 275.00 $275.00 $2,379 +50.00
950–955 953 2 210.00–242.00 $225.96 $2,153 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
485 485 1 325.00 $325.00 $1,576 +65.00
550–595 573 2 235.00 $235.00 $1,347 +30.00
685–690 688 2 235.00–285.00 $259.91 $1,788 —
Small 4 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
730 730 1 200.00 $200.00 $1,460 —

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Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
830–1150 990 80-85% 2 177.00–180.00 $178.74 $1,770 +21.66
900–1285 1078 80-85% 16 161.00–174.00 $166.14 $1,791 —
895–1435 1163 80-85% 24 150.00–160.00 $155.08 $1,804 -10.99
1120–1350 1235 80-85% 2 140.00 $140.00 $1,729 —
1360 1360 80-85% 1 154.00 $154.00 $2,094 —
1275–1490 1377 80-85% 3 162.00–165.00 $163.35 $2,249 —
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
620–700 660 85-90% 2 91.00–108.00 $98.98 $653 —
580–765 670 85-90% 4 115.00–125.00 $119.04 $798 —
615–885 738 85-90% 4 141.00–152.00 $145.48 $1,074 —
595–895 745 85-90% 2 135.00–137.00 $136.20 $1,015 —
810 810 85-90% 1 130.00 $130.00 $1,053 +14.20
825–880 853 85-90% 2 127.00–128.00 $127.48 $1,087 -6.46
820–1040 969 85-90% 7 144.00–150.00 $147.85 $1,433 +15.77
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1585–1770 1668 75-80% 3 150.00–153.00 $150.95 $2,518 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1075 1075 1 200.00 $200.00 $2,150 —
1160–1965 1402 11 160.00–195.00 $182.55 $2,559 —
1350–1720 1527 5 196.00–209.00 $201.18 $3,072 —
1573–1885 1776 3 213.00–224.00 $217.94 $3,871 +2.37

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
583–1035 827 (<2 yrs)Open 18 250.00–275.00 $259.83 $2,149
630–1120 880 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 14 220.00–252.00 $238.36 $2,098
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1159 1159 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 265.00 $265.00 $3,071

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
785–1090 914 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 5 2,400.00–2,725.00 $2,485.00
1010 1010 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 1,800.00 $1,800.00
1060–1275 1168 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 2,400.00–2,500.00 $2,450.00
1205 1205 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 1 2,900.00 $2,900.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1145 1145 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 173.00 $173.00 $1,981
1135–1250 1193 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 173.00–200.00 $186.50 $2,225
1235–1385 1298 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 5 161.00–174.00 $167.20 $2,170
Medium 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
705–790 748 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 2 1,500.00 $1,500.00
765 765 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 1,600.00 $1,600.00
780 780 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 1 1,050.00 $1,050.00
735–865 800 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 1,225.00–1,600.00 $1,412.50
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1092 1092 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 3 2,375.00 $2,375.00
Small 4 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
505–655 580 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 2 950.00–1,200.00 $1,075.00
685 685 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 1 900.00 $900.00
Medium and Large 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1185 1185 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 2,100.00 $2,100.00
1185 1185 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 1 2,100.00 $2,100.00

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Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
770–880 833 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 3 2,400.00–2,700.00 $2,566.67 —
820–1110 961 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 6 2,900.00–3,450.00 $3,216.67 +256.67
985 985 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 2 2,000.00 $2,000.00 -960.00
900–1385 1204 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 7 2,700.00–3,500.00 $2,957.14 —
1090–1440 1213 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 14 2,200.00–2,600.00 $2,360.71 —
1225 1225 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 3,750.00 $3,750.00 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1255–1371 1352 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 6 3,800.00–3,900.00 $3,816.67 +216.67
1450 1450 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 1 2,900.00 $2,900.00 —
Small 4 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
655 655 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 4 2,000.00 $2,000.00 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
765–1220 993 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 2 2,300.00–2,400.00 $2,350.00 +550.00
1095 1095 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 1 2,000.00 $2,000.00 —
Medium 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
715 715 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 2,000.00 $2,000.00 —

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Price trend

high 605.00 low 414.58 Aug 2025 Jul 2026

400–449 lb Medium and Large 1 steers — head-weighted average $/cwt by sale date, last 12 months.

Reading this report

What does "Medium and Large 1" mean?

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.

← Previous sale (Jul 17, 2026)