Compared to last week: Slaughter steers and heifers steady to 2.00 higher. Good demand for this nice offering of longtime fed steers and heifers. Weights continue heavy as feeding conditions have been rather ideal over the winter, and cattle producers fed longer as was necessary to reach profitable levels. The market was rather active as the futures contracts continue their rally with the June contract leading the way. 2 full loads of steers, 7 full loads of heifers, balance part loads and stock trailer loads.
Slaughter lambs under 100 lbs 10.00 to 30.00 lower, 100 lbs and heavier steady to firm. Feeder lambs sold with lower undertones, slaughter ewes steady to firm. Moderate to good demand for non-traditional weight slaughter lambs, good demand for those of the heavier, traditional weights. There was a large offering of those lightweight, light fleshed lambs to feed. Good demand for slaughter ewes. Demand for feeder lambs was more moderate than has been seen in recent weeks. Good demand for the long strings of bred ewes.
→ Feeder heifers: 7 full loads of heifers
→ Feeder steers: 2 full loads of steers
▲ Slaughter cattle: Slaughter steers and heifers steady to 2.00 higher
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 steady to 2.00 higher. Good demand for this nice offering of longtime fed steers and heifers. Weights continue heavy as feeding conditions have been rather ideal over the winter, and cattle producers fed longer as was necessary to reach profitable levels. The market was rather active as the futures contracts continue their rally with the June contract leading the way. 2 full loads of steers, 7 full loads of heifers, balance part loads and stock trailer loads. Slaughter lambs under 100 lbs 10.00 to 30.00 lower, 100 lbs and heavier steady to firm. Feeder lambs sold with lower undertones, slaughter ewes steady to firm. Moderate to good demand for non-traditional weight slaughter lambs, good demand for those of the heavier, traditional weights. There was a large offering of those lightweight, light fleshed lambs to feed. Good demand for slaughter ewes. Demand for feeder lambs was more moderate than has been seen in recent weeks. Good demand for the long strings of bred ewes.