light 8-weight M&L 1 steers$226.12/cwt-2.91 vs last sale · ≈ $1,865/hd at 825 lb · 641 head
heavy 5-weight M&L 1 steers$292.99/cwt+17.52 vs last sale · ≈ $1,679/hd at 573 lb · 555 head
heavy 6-weight M&L 1 steers$260.13/cwt+8.06 vs last sale · ≈ $1,756/hd at 675 lb · 550 head
Receipts
Head
This sale
Last sale
Last year
Total receipts
7,385
8,762
9,223
Feeder cattle
7,385
8,762
9,223
Market comments — USDA reporter
Compared to three weeks ago: Feeder steers under 700 lbs 8.00 to 10.00 higher, instances of 18.00 to 20.00 higher. Feeder heifers 4.00 to 8.00 higher. Very good demand for feeder cattle as auction markets resumed their normal sale schedule after the Christmas break. There was new life breathed into the feeder market as the cash fed cattle rebounded back up out of the 160s and lept back to a positive basis over the spot futures month, cash fat market at 175.00 this week. Cattle futures contracts are still 20.00 off their highs for Live Cattle and 35.00 off for Feeder Cattle, but the freefall stopped and that fact added great support to the feeder market. Cattle producers have their cattle weaned, more the most part, and flesh condition is a tick heavy at times, as the lack of typical winter weather has allowed cattle to stay comfortable and gain easily. The cattle that aren't weaned are generally in lighter flesh condition, making them very attractive even if they haven't been started on feed. Artic-like weather, and snow in the forecast for next week as winter moves in.
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 three weeks ago: Feeder steers under 700 lbs 8.00 to 10.00 higher, instances of 18.00 to 20.00 higher. Feeder heifers 4.00 to 8.00 higher. Very good demand for feeder cattle as auction markets resumed their normal sale schedule after the Christmas break. There was new life breathed into the feeder market as the cash fed cattle rebounded back up out of the 160s and lept back to a positive basis over the spot futures month, cash fat market at 175.00 this week. Cattle futures contracts are still 20.00 off their highs for Live Cattle and 35.00 off for Feeder Cattle, but the freefall stopped and that fact added great support to the feeder market. Cattle producers have their cattle weaned, more the most part, and flesh condition is a tick heavy at times, as the lack of typical winter weather has allowed cattle to stay comfortable and gain easily. The cattle that aren't weaned are generally in lighter flesh condition, making them very attractive even if they haven't been started on feed. Artic-like weather, and snow in the forecast for next week as winter moves in.