heavy 4-weight M&L 1 heifers$234.99/cwt-6.33 vs last sale · ≈ $1,099/hd at 468 lb · 173 head
light 5-weight M&L 1 steers$257.91/cwt+0.13 vs last sale · ≈ $1,349/hd at 523 lb · 159 head
heavy 5-weight M&L 1 steers$253.17/cwt-5.13 vs last sale · ≈ $1,423/hd at 562 lb · 154 head
Receipts
Head
This sale
Last sale
Last year
Total receipts
3,227
2,309
2,894
Feeder cattle
2,633
2,309
2,392
Slaughter cattle
75
—
444
Replacement cattle
519
—
58
Market comments — USDA reporter
Compared to last week, the majority of steers and heifers sold steady with the exception being 450-515 lbs steers selling 5.00-10.00 higher on an attractive offering. There were a few loads of yearlings on hand but most of the offering was made up of reputation strings of quality calves with some large groups setting the market. Demand was good to very good and several drafts of steer calves under 500 lbs were selling over $3.00/lb. A good portion of the calves were un-weaned, but discounts were scarce with buyers eager to own cattle and most consignments in an acceptable condition. Supply was moderate to heavy as producers are feeling good about selling their calves at the highest prices they have seen in a number of years. Slaughter cows sold 2.00-5.00 lower when compared to the last reported cow market two weeks ago.
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.
Compared to last week, the majority of steers and heifers sold steady with the exception being 450-515 lbs steers selling 5.00-10.00 higher on an attractive offering. There were a few loads of yearlings on hand but most of the offering was made up of reputation strings of quality calves with some large groups setting the market. Demand was good to very good and several drafts of steer calves under 500 lbs were selling over $3.00/lb. A good portion of the calves were un-weaned, but discounts were scarce with buyers eager to own cattle and most consignments in an acceptable condition. Supply was moderate to heavy as producers are feeling good about selling their calves at the highest prices they have seen in a number of years. Slaughter cows sold 2.00-5.00 lower when compared to the last reported cow market two weeks ago.