heavy 5-weight M&L 1 steers$215.59/cwt+8.38 vs last sale · ≈ $1,240/hd at 575 lb · 1,380 head
heavy 6-weight M&L 1 steers$198.80/cwt+5.44 vs last sale · ≈ $1,338/hd at 673 lb · 1,179 head
light 6-weight M&L 1 steers$204.78/cwt+9.00 vs last sale · ≈ $1,286/hd at 628 lb · 922 head
Receipts
Head
This sale
Last sale
Last year
Total receipts
13,946
9,223
19,883
Feeder cattle
13,946
9,223
19,883
Market comments — USDA reporter
Compared to last week: Feeder steers under 650 lbs 5.00 to 10.00 higher, over 650 lbs 3.00 to 5.00 higher except 800-850 lbs steady to 2.00 lower. Feeder heifers under 600 lbs 3.00 to 5.00 higher, 600-850 lbs unevenly steady, over 850 lbs 3.00 to 5.00 lower. Very good demand for light steers and heifers suitable for backgrounding, only moderate demand for heavier weight cattle as the supply of this class is so much greater. With the break in the weather, feeder cattle producers were able to get cattle loaded and shipped to town but the cattle feeders who buy the cattle are now dealing with the adverse affects of the weather and are feeling much more defensive about receiving cattle. Costs of gain in the feedyards has risen with the cold, wet weather and the fat cattle market did not rise as high as hoped, causing cattle feeders to temper their expectations. Very large auction receipts expected again next week as cattle producers continue their winter marketings.
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 week: Feeder steers under 650 lbs 5.00 to 10.00 higher, over 650 lbs 3.00 to 5.00 higher except 800-850 lbs steady to 2.00 lower. Feeder heifers under 600 lbs 3.00 to 5.00 higher, 600-850 lbs unevenly steady, over 850 lbs 3.00 to 5.00 lower. Very good demand for light steers and heifers suitable for backgrounding, only moderate demand for heavier weight cattle as the supply of this class is so much greater. With the break in the weather, feeder cattle producers were able to get cattle loaded and shipped to town but the cattle feeders who buy the cattle are now dealing with the adverse affects of the weather and are feeling much more defensive about receiving cattle. Costs of gain in the feedyards has risen with the cold, wet weather and the fat cattle market did not rise as high as hoped, causing cattle feeders to temper their expectations. Very large auction receipts expected again next week as cattle producers continue their winter marketings.