light 6-weight M 1 steers$293.50/cwt≈ $1,796/hd at 612 lb · 99 head
heavy 7-weight M&L 1 steers$248.58/cwt≈ $1,889/hd at 760 lb · 62 head
light 5-weight M 1-2 heifers$273.40/cwt≈ $1,392/hd at 509 lb · 59 head
Receipts
Head
This sale
Last sale
Last year
Total receipts
822
388
827
Feeder cattle
575
189
625
Slaughter cattle
160
170
200
Replacement cattle
87
29
2
Market comments — USDA reporter
Compared to last reported sale (8/06/24): Feeder steers and heifers were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however lower undertones were noticed on both steers and heifers. CME feeder cattle positions have continued to sell off since late July but have rebounded slightly this past week. However, traders remain on edge and are buying feeders lower. Feeder cattle were mostly off grass this week and most were in very light flesh. Quality was mixed from plain to attractive. Heifer quality was much more attractive than steer quality today as several consignments of tested open replacement heifers were seen. Market activity was mostly moderate. Weigh up cows sold on mostly moderate to good demand for light offerings. Packers showed need for cows both to feed and for immediate harvest. Cow quality was mostly average this week. Feeding cows demand remains stronger than slaughter cow demand. Most sound cows were purchased to feed this week. Seasonally lower yields were noticed as cows with freshly weaned calves and cows out of dry country were seen. While prices for all cows were lower than the beginning of the month, but so were yields which made cows very similar in price on a dressed basis. Feeding cows sold mostly 4.00-5.00 lower than the last reported sale at the beginning of the month. Slaughter cows sold generally steady on breaking cows, boning and lean cows sold 3.00-4.00 lower. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 3.00-5.00 lower in a narrow comparison. Weigh up conditions were mostly average to below average today, with most cows were pushing moderate to heavy amounts of fill. Young cows suitable to feed or rebreed were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Quality was mostly average today.
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 last reported sale (8/06/24): Feeder steers and heifers were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however lower undertones were noticed on both steers and heifers. CME feeder cattle positions have continued to sell off since late July but have rebounded slightly this past week. However, traders remain on edge and are buying feeders lower. Feeder cattle were mostly off grass this week and most were in very light flesh. Quality was mixed from plain to attractive. Heifer quality was much more attractive than steer quality today as several consignments of tested open replacement heifers were seen. Market activity was mostly moderate. Weigh up cows sold on mostly moderate to good demand for light offerings. Packers showed need for cows both to feed and for immediate harvest. Cow quality was mostly average this week. Feeding cows demand remains stronger than slaughter cow demand. Most sound cows were purchased to feed this week. Seasonally lower yields were noticed as cows with freshly weaned calves and cows out of dry country were seen. While prices for all cows were lower than the beginning of the month, but so were yields which made cows very similar in price on a dressed basis. Feeding cows sold mostly 4.00-5.00 lower than the last reported sale at the beginning of the month. Slaughter cows sold generally steady on breaking cows, boning and lean cows sold 3.00-4.00 lower. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 3.00-5.00 lower in a narrow comparison. Weigh up conditions were mostly average to below average today, with most cows were pushing moderate to heavy amounts of fill. Young cows suitable to feed or rebreed were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Quality was mostly average today.