Compared to last week: Slaughter steers and heifers 3.00 to 5.00 higher, Holstein steers scarce. Good demand for this lighter offering of slaughter cattle, receipts reduced this week due to the bitter cold temps which resulted in most of the cattle being offered in a fair weighing condition. Cattle hides were dirty, some consignments carrying 1% of their body weight in tag, estimated dressed cost 181.00 to 184.00. A large volume of steers weighing over 1600 lbs. Packer buyers more active this week, two way buyers less active as few 2-way cattle offered. Slaughter cows 1.00 to 2.00 higher except Breaker cows 4.00 to 7.00 higher, Bulls steady.
Traditional slaughter lambs 3.00 to 4.00 lower. Slaughter ewes in a light test, few comparable lots 10.00 higher. Good demand for this light offering of nice slaughter lambs, very good demand for slaughter ewes.
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: Slaughter steers and heifers 3.00 to 5.00 higher, Holstein steers scarce. Good demand for this lighter offering of slaughter cattle, receipts reduced this week due to the bitter cold temps which resulted in most of the cattle being offered in a fair weighing condition. Cattle hides were dirty, some consignments carrying 1% of their body weight in tag, estimated dressed cost 181.00 to 184.00. A large volume of steers weighing over 1600 lbs. Packer buyers more active this week, two way buyers less active as few 2-way cattle offered. Slaughter cows 1.00 to 2.00 higher except Breaker cows 4.00 to 7.00 higher, Bulls steady. Traditional slaughter lambs 3.00 to 4.00 lower. Slaughter ewes in a light test, few comparable lots 10.00 higher. Good demand for this light offering of nice slaughter lambs, very good demand for slaughter ewes.