heavy 6-weight M&L 1 steers$268.81/cwt+8.90 vs last sale · ≈ $1,817/hd at 676 lb · 660 head
heavy 5-weight M&L 1 steers$311.36/cwt+19.87 vs last sale · ≈ $1,787/hd at 574 lb · 604 head
light 6-weight M&L 1 steers$289.72/cwt+12.98 vs last sale · ≈ $1,825/hd at 630 lb · 557 head
Receipts
Head
This sale
Last sale
Last year
Total receipts
9,449
1,907
9,870
Feeder cattle
9,449
1,907
9,870
Market comments — USDA reporter
Compared to last week: Feeder steers under 700 lbs 8.00 to 12.00 higher, over 700 lbs steady to 5.00 higher. Feeder heifers under 700 lbs 8.00 to 13.00 higher, instances to 20.00 higher on 450 lbs, over 700 lbs 4.00 to 7.00 higher. Very good demand for steers and heifers as the severe winter weather eased up. Backgrounders were very active in their bidding as they were willing to compete heavily to get the light cattle they need bought. The CME Feeder Cattle fall contracts are back up to 270.00, giving yearling producers the clear signal they need to have cattle to sell during that time period. Cattle feeders were a little more cautious in their pursuit as they are facing large losses on outgoing fed cattle. Packers had to give more money to get fats bought, up to 178.00, this fact and with April Live Cattle futures at 181.00, cattle feeders are feeling hopeful that the Live Cattle futures will rally and keep pace with the Feeder futures.
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 700 lbs 8.00 to 12.00 higher, over 700 lbs steady to 5.00 higher. Feeder heifers under 700 lbs 8.00 to 13.00 higher, instances to 20.00 higher on 450 lbs, over 700 lbs 4.00 to 7.00 higher. Very good demand for steers and heifers as the severe winter weather eased up. Backgrounders were very active in their bidding as they were willing to compete heavily to get the light cattle they need bought. The CME Feeder Cattle fall contracts are back up to 270.00, giving yearling producers the clear signal they need to have cattle to sell during that time period. Cattle feeders were a little more cautious in their pursuit as they are facing large losses on outgoing fed cattle. Packers had to give more money to get fats bought, up to 178.00, this fact and with April Live Cattle futures at 181.00, cattle feeders are feeling hopeful that the Live Cattle futures will rally and keep pace with the Feeder futures.