heavy 5-weight M&L 1-2 heifers$212.05/cwt-2.87 vs last sale · ≈ $1,211/hd at 571 lb · 254 head
light 9-weight M&L 1 steers$209.75/cwt-2.70 vs last sale · ≈ $1,991/hd at 949 lb · 111 head
light 6-weight M&L 1 steers$253.78/cwt-3.82 vs last sale · ≈ $1,571/hd at 619 lb · 110 head
Receipts
Head
This sale
Last sale
Last year
Total receipts
3,440
4,301
6,094
Feeder cattle
3,440
4,301
6,094
Market comments — USDA reporter
Compared to last week, calves under 700 lbs. sold mostly 5.00 lower, a light test of weights under 500 lbs. had spots of 10.00 lower. Feeders over 700 lbs. sold steady to 2.00 higher although true comparisons of like kinds and weights were limited with the previous sale. The supply of feeders was moderate to heavy but has dropped off from the extremely heavy supplies seen the last couple of weeks. A significant amount of bulls was in the offering this week. Demand was moderate although as the summer heat and humidity set in buyers are extremely concerned with those calves carrying lots of hair and they are seeing sharp discounts. The extreme volatility of the futures markets both on the livestock and grain side has worn out many erasers over the last week as buyers try to figure out what may and may not have a chance at making a profit. Last Friday saw the release of the monthly cattle on feed report which was overall bearish as drought conditions led to more placements than was expected. Locally conditions are better than some other areas of the state but lack of rain has grass supplies quickly disappearing.
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, calves under 700 lbs. sold mostly 5.00 lower, a light test of weights under 500 lbs. had spots of 10.00 lower. Feeders over 700 lbs. sold steady to 2.00 higher although true comparisons of like kinds and weights were limited with the previous sale. The supply of feeders was moderate to heavy but has dropped off from the extremely heavy supplies seen the last couple of weeks. A significant amount of bulls was in the offering this week. Demand was moderate although as the summer heat and humidity set in buyers are extremely concerned with those calves carrying lots of hair and they are seeing sharp discounts. The extreme volatility of the futures markets both on the livestock and grain side has worn out many erasers over the last week as buyers try to figure out what may and may not have a chance at making a profit. Last Friday saw the release of the monthly cattle on feed report which was overall bearish as drought conditions led to more placements than was expected. Locally conditions are better than some other areas of the state but lack of rain has grass supplies quickly disappearing.