light 8-weight N/N/A steers$130.50/cwt≈ $1,062/hd at 814 lb · 14 head
light 8-weight N/N/A heifers$111.00/cwt≈ $920/hd at 829 lb · 13 head
Receipts
Head
This sale
Last sale
Last year
Total receipts
1,105
1,307
—
Feeder cattle
113
936
—
Slaughter cattle
276
371
—
Market comments — Decatur Livestock Market
Stocker Heifers, 211 Stocker Bulls/Steers, 135 Feeder Heifers, 161 Feeder Steers. The market on calves was steady to stronger in some areas - a positive tone for the week. 2-4 weights were steady while 5-8 were $1-$7/cwt higher on average. Demand for weaned calves/yearlings outweighs the supply. Limited options on bred cows and pairs this week. Packer cows and bulls were in much demand with prices $4-$12/cwt higher.
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.
Stocker Heifers, 211 Stocker Bulls/Steers, 135 Feeder Heifers, 161 Feeder Steers. The market on calves was steady to stronger in some areas - a positive tone for the week. 2-4 weights were steady while 5-8 were $1-$7/cwt higher on average. Demand for weaned calves/yearlings outweighs the supply. Limited options on bred cows and pairs this week. Packer cows and bulls were in much demand with prices $4-$12/cwt higher.