Cattle Market Pulse

Cattlemen's Livestock Auction Market Report

Belen, New Mexico · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Friday, May 15, 2026

521 head sold ·Official USDA report

This is an archived report. See the latest Cattlemen's Livestock Auction report →

light 7-weight M&L 1 heifers $324.99/cwt ≈ $2,317/hd at 713 lb · 19 head
heavy 5-weight M&L 1-2 heifers $368.37/cwt -1.63 vs last sale · ≈ $2,074/hd at 563 lb · 12 head
heavy 5-weight M&L 1-2 steers $395.80/cwt +4.88 vs last sale · ≈ $2,268/hd at 573 lb · 11 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 521 469 621
Feeder cattle 280 338 343
Slaughter cattle 133 75 143
Replacement cattle 108 56 135

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Steer calves had no comparable sale, while heifer calves sold steady. Feeder steers and heifers sold steady with limited comparisons. Slaughter cows and bulls sold 2.00-5.00 higher. Trade good 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
180 unweaned 180 1 535.00 $535.00 $963 —
365 unweaned 365 1 510.00 $510.00 $1,862 —
365–395 383 4 520.00–550.00 $533.42 $2,043 -9.13
415–440 426 5 480.00–515.00 $500.92 $2,134 -9.41
440 440 1 475.00 $475.00 $2,090 -35.33
470–493 490 8 445.00–470.00 $465.67 $2,282 -23.04
515 515 1 465.00 $465.00 $2,395 +1.21
565–583 573 11 380.00–420.00 $395.80 $2,268 +4.88
620–643 634 4 365.00–380.00 $372.61 $2,362 +9.66
668–685 673 4 331.00–370.00 $346.06 $2,329 +0.40
770 770 2 330.00 $330.00 $2,541 -2.49
815 815 1 310.00 $310.00 $2,526 -37.00
875 875 1 275.00 $275.00 $2,406 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
235 235 1 515.00 $515.00 $1,210 —
350–395 373 2 430.00–460.00 $444.09 $1,656 -15.81
400–435 412 8 410.00–450.00 $423.38 $1,744 -16.62
480–485 483 2 415.00–425.00 $419.97 $2,028 -0.03
510–538 520 10 375.00–420.00 $400.61 $2,083 -3.48
590 590 1 390.00 $390.00 $2,301 —
620 620 1 365.00 $365.00 $2,263 —
740 740 1 310.00 $310.00 $2,294 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
225 unweaned 225 1 580.00 $580.00 $1,305 —
335 unweaned 335 1 550.00 $550.00 $1,842 —
410 410 1 605.00 $605.00 $2,480 —
510–535 518 3 450.00–460.00 $453.44 $2,349 -33.83
560 560 2 435.00 $435.00 $2,436 -31.19
600 600 2 405.00 $405.00 $2,430 —
660–690 680 3 415.00–420.00 $418.38 $2,845 —
750 750 1 350.00 $350.00 $2,625 -2.00
Small 4 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
300 300 1 1,750.00 $1,750.00 +50.00
403 403 2 1,850.00 $1,850.00 —
518 518 4 1,700.00 $1,700.00 +124.52
Small 4 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
648 648 2 218.00 $218.00 $1,413 —
675–688 682 2 180.00–225.00 $202.71 $1,382 —
785 785 1 180.00 $180.00 $1,413 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
140 unweaned 140 1 1,050.00 $1,050.00 —
165 unweaned 165 1 1,050.00 $1,050.00 +150.00

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
245 unweaned 245 1 465.00 $465.00 $1,139 —
255–280 unweaned 268 2 450.00–490.00 $470.93 $1,262 —
270–285 278 2 530.00–535.00 $532.57 $1,481 +12.57
370–375 373 3 460.00–470.00 $466.70 $1,741 +26.70
440–445 443 2 420.00–450.00 $434.92 $1,927 -25.08
475 475 5 405.00 $405.00 $1,924 -30.00
515–540 530 4 385.00–400.00 $392.46 $2,080 +15.07
550–580 563 12 360.00–385.00 $368.37 $2,074 -1.63
605–627 622 4 350.00–355.00 $353.78 $2,201 —
675–680 677 3 315.00–320.00 $318.33 $2,155 -22.98
730 730 1 310.00 $310.00 $2,263 —
790 790 1 305.00 $305.00 $2,410 —
805 805 1 275.00 $275.00 $2,214 -20.00
896 896 1 280.00 $280.00 $2,509 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
190 unweaned 190 1 530.00 $530.00 $1,007 —
255 unweaned 255 1 585.00 $585.00 $1,492 —
310–330 320 2 505.00–515.00 $509.84 $1,631 +14.84
365–390 373 3 475.00–510.00 $486.41 $1,814 -12.33
405–420 410 3 475.00–500.00 $483.23 $1,981 +1.23
450–465 458 3 465.00–470.00 $468.36 $2,145 +11.82
525 525 1 450.00 $450.00 $2,362 +15.00
595 595 2 370.00 $370.00 $2,202 -10.98
605 605 1 355.00 $355.00 $2,148 —
706–738 713 19 320.00–327.00 $324.99 $2,317 —
755 755 3 300.00 $300.00 $2,265 —
813 813 2 325.00 $325.00 $2,642 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
390 unweaned 390 1 380.00 $380.00 $1,482 —
420 420 2 400.00 $400.00 $1,680 +1.56
475 475 3 350.00–385.00 $361.67 $1,718 -5.88
580 580 1 355.00 $355.00 $2,059 +14.91
710 710 1 280.00 $280.00 $1,988 —
Small 4 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
495 495 2 1,500.00 $1,500.00 —
Small 4 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
530 530 1 200.00 $200.00 $1,060 —

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
415 415 1 490.00 $490.00 $2,034 —
470 470 1 395.00 $395.00 $1,856 —
530 530 1 345.00 $345.00 $1,828 -45.00
550 550 1 290.00 $290.00 $1,595 -29.80
615 615 1 365.00 $365.00 $2,245 +30.00
1100 1100 1 200.00 $200.00 $2,200 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
660 660 1 250.00 $250.00 $1,650 —
985 985 1 230.00 $230.00 $2,266 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
485 485 1 460.00 $460.00 $2,231 —
565 565 1 390.00 $390.00 $2,204 —

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Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
735–1375 1054 80-85% 7 157.00–164.00 $159.90 $1,685 -12.29
845–1340 1054 80-85% 35 165.00–177.00 $170.76 $1,800 -1.43
1005–1390 1216 80-85% 18 165.00–174.00 $170.16 $2,069 —
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
620–635 628 85-90% 2 145.00–147.00 $146.01 $917 —
685–720 703 85-90% 2 110.00–114.00 $112.05 $788 —
710 710 85-90% 1 140.00 $140.00 $994 —
725–760 743 85-90% 2 115.00–127.00 $121.14 $900 —
675–960 853 85-90% 5 145.00–157.50 $152.63 $1,302 -4.26
875 875 85-90% 1 161.00 $161.00 $1,409 +4.11
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1350 1350 75-80% 1 173.00 $173.00 $2,336 —
1610 1610 75-80% 1 159.00 $159.00 $2,560 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1000–2195 1435 16 163.00–195.00 $187.92 $2,697 —
1190–1935 1589 16 196.00–208.00 $201.94 $3,209 —
1430–2105 1698 3 199.00–207.00 $202.61 $3,440 —
1450–2240 1828 6 210.00–217.00 $213.87 $3,910 +2.45

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
715–990 857 (<2 yrs)Open 9 245.00–280.00 $260.00 $2,228
665–1080 891 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 7 225.00–255.00 $240.71 $2,145
990 990 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 1 230.00 $230.00 $2,277
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
640–950 696 (<2 yrs)Open 9 280.00–312.00 $297.67 $2,072
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
760 760 (<2 yrs)Open 1 252.00 $252.00 $1,915

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
905 905 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 3,100.00 $3,100.00
940–1085 998 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 3 3,025.00–3,450.00 $3,250.00
860–1250 1044 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 4 2,925.00–3,075.00 $2,975.00
1170 1170 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 2,600.00 $2,600.00
1133–1260 1181 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 8 2,600.00–3,000.00 $2,750.00
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
895–1295 1067 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 8 3,500.00–3,700.00 $3,553.13
885–1193 1090 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 3 3,225.00–3,250.00 $3,241.67
1135–1365 1288 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 3 3,000.00–3,050.00 $3,033.33
1080–1605 1343 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 2 3,300.00–3,400.00 $3,350.00
Medium 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
660–880 770 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 1,200.00–1,800.00 $1,500.00
925–1115 1020 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 1,600.00–1,900.00 $1,750.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
730–1155 885 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 3 175.00–215.00 $191.67 $1,696
970 970 Aged (>8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 171.00 $171.00 $1,659

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Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
805–1190 998 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 3,900.00–3,975.00 $3,937.50 +187.50
1055 1055 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 1 3,925.00 $3,925.00 —
780–1465 1072 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 6 3,975.00–4,325.00 $4,208.33 —
1100 1100 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 1 4,125.00 $4,125.00 —
975–1208 1130 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 3 3,875.00–4,400.00 $4,225.00 —
1250–1590 1420 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 2 3,825.00–3,900.00 $3,862.50 —
1650 1650 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 1 4,800.00 $4,800.00 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
705–850 778 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 2,900.00 $2,900.00 —
750–1270 937 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 3 3,000.00–3,550.00 $3,316.67 —
900–1115 1028 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 4 3,000.00–3,575.00 $3,343.75 —
1090 1090 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 1 3,800.00 $3,800.00 —
1165 1165 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 1 2,500.00 $2,500.00 -700.00
1080–1345 1240 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 3 3,550.00–4,325.00 $3,866.67 +800.00
Medium 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1065 1065 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 1 3,800.00 $3,800.00 —
Medium 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
950 950 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 2,400.00 $2,400.00 —

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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.