Compared to last week (4-29-26): Feeder cattle too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Most feeders were offered in small packages or as singles. Feeder quality this week was mostly plain to average. Market activity was mostly moderate to active, despite light offerings. Weigh up cows sold on good to very good demand again this week. Almost every cow purchased today was once again purchased to feed in some capacity. Feeding cows sold generally steady to firm on all classes. Quality this week was mostly average to attractive. Buyers continue to show very good demand for young and high yielding offerings. Young to middle age feeding cows continue to sell with the best demand as feeding and rebreed buyers both bid aggressively over cows that fit their orders. Weigh up conditions were mostly average to above average this week, however weigh conditions were not as attractive this week as they were last week. The volume of cows purchased for immediate harvest remains very low. Slaughter cows were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however steady undertones were noticed. Slaughter bulls sold generally steady to firm in a narrow comparison. Feeding bull buyers continue to show very good demand for light weight and lower dressing bulls that would improve on feed. Feeding bulls sold mostly 3.00 higher in a narrow comparison. Bull quality this week was mostly average to attractive. Demand for young cows remains very good. Young age offerings sold mostly steady. Quality this week was average to attractive. A few pairs are starting to be marketed due to dryness. Demand for pairs was mostly moderate this sale. Demand has lightened as concern for drought is keeping ranchers from bidding on pairs. There was a large crowd of ranchers in the stands today, however most were just there to watch.
→ Feeder cattle: Feeder cattle too lightly tested to develop any market trend
→ Slaughter bulls: Slaughter bulls sold generally steady to firm in a narrow comparison
→ Slaughter cows: Slaughter cows were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend
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 (4-29-26): Feeder cattle too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Most feeders were offered in small packages or as singles. Feeder quality this week was mostly plain to average. Market activity was mostly moderate to active, despite light offerings. Weigh up cows sold on good to very good demand again this week. Almost every cow purchased today was once again purchased to feed in some capacity. Feeding cows sold generally steady to firm on all classes. Quality this week was mostly average to attractive. Buyers continue to show very good demand for young and high yielding offerings. Young to middle age feeding cows continue to sell with the best demand as feeding and rebreed buyers both bid aggressively over cows that fit their orders. Weigh up conditions were mostly average to above average this week, however weigh conditions were not as attractive this week as they were last week. The volume of cows purchased for immediate harvest remains very low. Slaughter cows were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however steady undertones were noticed. Slaughter bulls sold generally steady to firm in a narrow comparison. Feeding bull buyers continue to show very good demand for light weight and lower dressing bulls that would improve on feed. Feeding bulls sold mostly 3.00 higher in a narrow comparison. Bull quality this week was mostly average to attractive. Demand for young cows remains very good. Young age offerings sold mostly steady. Quality this week was average to attractive. A few pairs are starting to be marketed due to dryness. Demand for pairs was mostly moderate this sale. Demand has lightened as concern for drought is keeping ranchers from bidding on pairs. There was a large crowd of ranchers in the stands today, however most were just there to watch.