heavy 5-weight M&L 1 heifers$255.95/cwt+23.45 vs last sale · ≈ $1,513/hd at 591 lb · 209 head
heavy 7-weight M&L 1 steers$245.65/cwt+13.40 vs last sale · ≈ $1,887/hd at 768 lb · 185 head
light 7-weight M&L 1 heifers$240.08/cwt+1.23 vs last sale · ≈ $1,705/hd at 710 lb · 150 head
Receipts
Head
This sale
Last sale
Last year
Total receipts
5,314
2,809
2,807
Feeder cattle
3,613
2,149
2,629
Slaughter cattle
801
360
168
Replacement cattle
900
300
10
Market comments — USDA reporter
Compared to the last sale two weeks ago, the higher quality weaned steer calves under 550 lbs sold 5.00-10.00 to spots of 15.00 higher while the heavier calves over 550 lbs and yearling steers sold steady to firm. Heifers sold mostly steady except for a few larger drafts of 590 lb heifers that sold with a higher undertone. However, as a whole the calf market was much more uneven than it has been and in places the market was lower, with some wide price ranges and differences in quality which is typical in the middle of summer. Demand was moderate to good, by far the best for the longer weaned calves and yearlings, but the heat was definitely a factor and some of the un-weaned calves, bulls, those carrying some flesh or hair and those of lesser quality had a tougher time finding a home. Also, local demand for calves to take is home is lighter due to the drought and some of those that turned out early have brought those cattle back to sell sooner than they wanted too. Supply was heavy following the break with a special cow sale after the feeders as some producers have no choice but to move some, if not all of their cows as the rains have been spotty and too little too late for many.
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 the last sale two weeks ago, the higher quality weaned steer calves under 550 lbs sold 5.00-10.00 to spots of 15.00 higher while the heavier calves over 550 lbs and yearling steers sold steady to firm. Heifers sold mostly steady except for a few larger drafts of 590 lb heifers that sold with a higher undertone. However, as a whole the calf market was much more uneven than it has been and in places the market was lower, with some wide price ranges and differences in quality which is typical in the middle of summer. Demand was moderate to good, by far the best for the longer weaned calves and yearlings, but the heat was definitely a factor and some of the un-weaned calves, bulls, those carrying some flesh or hair and those of lesser quality had a tougher time finding a home. Also, local demand for calves to take is home is lighter due to the drought and some of those that turned out early have brought those cattle back to sell sooner than they wanted too. Supply was heavy following the break with a special cow sale after the feeders as some producers have no choice but to move some, if not all of their cows as the rains have been spotty and too little too late for many.