Cattle Market Pulse

South Carolina Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

South Carolina · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, October 16, 2023

3,004 head sold ·Official USDA report

This is an archived report. See the latest South Carolina Weekly Livestock Auction Summary report →

light 4-weight M&L 2 heifers $207.30/cwt +6.80 vs last sale · ≈ $883/hd at 426 lb · 39 head
light 5-weight M&L 2 steers $241.79/cwt +18.48 vs last sale · ≈ $1,227/hd at 507 lb · 39 head
heavy 4-weight M&L 3 bulls $203.93/cwt +13.79 vs last sale · ≈ $973/hd at 477 lb · 38 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 3,004 3,038 2,950
Feeder cattle 1,912 1,885 1,778
Slaughter cattle 545 501 468
Replacement cattle 155 146 143

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week, feeder steers were 4.00 higher. Feeder heifers were steady. Feeder bulls were 2.00 higher based on limited comparable sales. Slaughter cows were 2.00 lower. Slaughter bulls were 4.00 lower.

New to these tables? Plain-English explainers ↓

Feeder Steers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
260 260 1 265.00 $265.00 $689 —
300–317 313 4 255.00 $255.00 $798 -1.75
360 fancy 360 1 280.00 $280.00 $1,008 +6.28
350–398 389 20 255.00–272.50 $259.96 $1,011 +4.32
400–445 418 20 250.00–267.50 $255.96 $1,070 +17.68
465 fancy 465 1 270.00 $270.00 $1,256 —
450–495 472 14 237.50–265.00 $253.26 $1,195 +0.82
520–545 526 9 250.00–262.00 $258.64 $1,360 +7.01
550–585 566 18 235.00–266.00 $245.16 $1,388 -8.01
605–645 635 15 236.00–250.00 $244.22 $1,551 +2.56
660 660 1 244.00 $244.00 $1,610 +4.02
740 740 11 225.00 $225.00 $1,665 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
255–295 282 3 235.00–245.00 $239.76 $676 -5.24
305–338 331 5 235.00–245.00 $243.16 $805 +13.39
360–380 368 18 230.00–245.00 $233.63 $860 +11.41
410–425 418 6 220.00–235.00 $224.15 $937 +0.90
450–495 469 8 205.00–245.00 $225.98 $1,060 +4.56
504 value added 504 22 246.00 $246.00 $1,240 —
505–525 512 17 210.00–240.00 $236.34 $1,210 +13.03
555–595 585 10 215.00–239.00 $223.80 $1,309 +5.09
610–645 633 6 220.00–230.00 $226.19 $1,432 +10.82
655–685 671 6 202.50–235.00 $214.19 $1,437 +1.94
731 value added 731 6 225.00 $225.00 $1,645 —
770 770 1 200.00 $200.00 $1,540 —
801 value added 801 4 216.00 $216.00 $1,730 —
Medium and Large 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
230 230 1 225.00 $225.00 $518 —
315–345 328 5 200.00–210.00 $205.91 $675 +8.00
360–390 375 4 190.00–202.50 $198.05 $743 +8.05
425–440 433 2 220.00–225.00 $222.46 $963 +17.60
450–495 466 4 200.00–220.00 $214.09 $998 +22.38
503–545 521 10 185.00–215.00 $201.16 $1,048 +0.48
560–585 569 5 180.00–215.00 $197.93 $1,126 -0.40
600–620 609 6 170.00–215.00 $200.83 $1,223 +3.78
655–690 675 3 195.00–210.00 $200.68 $1,355 —
705 705 1 210.00 $210.00 $1,480 —
790 790 1 185.00 $185.00 $1,462 ±0.00

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
200–235 215 5 200.00–215.00 $207.23 $446 -7.77
255–295 277 3 200.00–210.00 $203.07 $563 -6.44
315–345 332 12 200.00–215.00 $204.61 $679 -1.95
350–395 367 21 197.50–217.50 $205.86 $756 -1.66
400–445 426 39 190.00–222.50 $207.30 $883 +6.80
455–490 472 38 190.00–214.00 $198.50 $937 -0.27
502–545 519 37 187.50–212.00 $196.40 $1,019 -1.00
550–590 563 8 190.00–207.00 $199.49 $1,123 +4.11
612–615 613 4 182.50–190.00 $184.38 $1,130 -3.40
691 value added 691 4 190.00 $190.00 $1,313 —
867 value added 867 5 161.00 $161.00 $1,396 —
Medium and Large 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
200–230 215 2 185.00–190.00 $187.33 $403 -0.20
280 280 1 190.00 $190.00 $532 -9.84
300–345 327 11 185.00–195.00 $187.91 $614 -1.48
355–390 378 15 180.00–190.00 $185.79 $702 -4.69
400–445 425 15 177.50–195.00 $184.32 $783 -2.07
455–495 480 28 175.00–197.50 $186.96 $897 +4.69
500–547 525 35 175.00–197.50 $184.60 $969 +5.00
550–595 563 28 175.00–196.00 $181.89 $1,024 +0.15
600–640 616 11 170.00–187.50 $177.41 $1,093 +0.59
650–695 667 6 170.00–184.00 $175.39 $1,170 +0.26
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
260–295 278 2 230.00 $230.00 $639 +10.00
300–345 327 15 217.50–230.00 $226.39 $740 +1.63
350–395 377 22 220.00–236.00 $225.08 $849 -4.01
400–425 417 13 215.00–233.00 $222.16 $926 +1.44
465 465 1 227.50 $227.50 $1,058 +12.50
510–540 523 6 215.00–232.50 $223.69 $1,170 —
565 565 1 212.50 $212.50 $1,201 —

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
220 220 1 225.00 $225.00 $495 -12.19
265–280 275 4 230.00–240.00 $237.59 $653 +2.65
305–345 329 7 220.00–245.00 $230.42 $758 -0.09
350–398 374 28 207.00–242.50 $227.68 $852 +1.39
400–445 417 29 200.00–240.00 $224.98 $938 +5.91
450–490 468 26 203.00–235.00 $222.02 $1,039 +6.17
500–540 515 37 200.00–235.00 $216.14 $1,113 +2.63
550–595 566 16 200.00–225.00 $215.67 $1,221 +4.73
600–640 612 17 200.00–220.00 $213.11 $1,304 +8.14
Medium and Large 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
220–235 228 2 210.00–215.00 $212.42 $484 +9.25
260–290 278 6 170.00–220.00 $202.87 $564 +1.47
300–345 331 16 190.00–220.00 $204.10 $676 +9.26
350–395 375 26 180.00–220.00 $202.90 $761 -1.94
400–445 425 36 180.00–220.00 $204.09 $867 +3.08
450–495 477 38 190.00–217.00 $203.93 $973 +13.79
500–545 523 14 185.00–212.50 $195.48 $1,022 +4.33
550–595 568 12 175.00–212.50 $192.78 $1,095 +3.36
600–635 619 8 175.00–195.00 $188.70 $1,168 +0.53
660–675 668 4 175.00–185.00 $178.73 $1,194 -1.41
700 700 1 192.50 $192.50 $1,348 +14.97
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
245 fancy 245 1 285.00 $285.00 $698 —
250–285 266 5 250.00–265.00 $258.25 $687 +2.85
250–280 fancy 269 5 270.00–300.00 $283.20 $762 -1.80
310–320 fancy 315 2 275.00–285.00 $279.92 $882 +8.60
305–345 321 6 245.00–255.00 $249.46 $801 -7.77
365–390 380 4 245.00–255.00 $250.02 $950 -6.21
420 420 1 260.00 $260.00 $1,092 +10.42
450–490 473 3 245.00–270.00 $256.90 $1,215 +22.43
640 640 1 235.00 $235.00 $1,504 +16.67
Medium and Large 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1275 1275 Young (2-4 yrs)N/A 1 1,550.00 $1,550.00 —

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Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
810–1580 1166 80-85% 66 66.00–95.00 $83.90 $978 —
820–1475 1208 80-85% 139 85.00–120.00 $96.21 $1,162 -1.62
1175–1280 1228 80-85% 2 115.00–117.00 $115.96 $1,424 +18.13
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
755–1310 944 85-90% 53 60.00–92.00 $79.17 $747 —
660–1245 996 85-90% 24 85.00–102.50 $92.26 $919 —
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1230–1900 1491 75-80% 7 85.00–94.00 $89.66 $1,337 -9.66
1245–2100 1554 75-80% 38 85.00–108.00 $97.45 $1,514 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1150–1995 1490 13 95.00–117.00 $107.53 $1,602 —
1105–2120 1658 20 116.00–131.00 $122.62 $2,033 -4.31

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
665–785 717 (<2 yrs)Open 3 898.00–1,000.00 $939.15
840–895 870 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 3 756.00–886.00 $840.47
870–1035 938 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 5 759.00–983.00 $833.09
Small 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
670–780 728 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 3 637.00–764.00 $702.86
755–785 770 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 2 628.00–687.00 $656.93
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
835 835 (<2 yrs)Open 1 142.50 $142.50 $1,190
840–1005 897 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 3 85.00–130.00 $102.79 $922
Small 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
625–840 723 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 3 70.00–82.50 $78.44 $567
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
860–995 928 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 137.50–145.00 $141.52 $1,313
Small 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
665–790 728 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 100.00 $100.00 $728
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1280 1280 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 1,267.00 $1,267.00
Small 3 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
700 700 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 1 420.00 $420.00

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
740–1085 936 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 5 696.00–1,310.00 $957.58
780–1150 992 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 8 671.00–1,115.00 $953.69
875–1240 1046 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 10 960.00–1,200.00 $1,103.98
835–1335 1057 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 9 825.00–1,275.00 $1,100.98
870–1480 1073 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 20 775.00–1,300.00 $1,100.68
1090–1175 1133 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 2 900.00–1,200.00 $1,055.63
Small 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
695–790 755 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 3 710.00–800.00 $751.39
680–950 833 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 8 600.00–1,050.00 $890.66
870 870 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 775.00 $775.00
775–995 894 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 5 600.00–1,050.00 $888.55
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1110 1110 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 1,050.00 $1,050.00
1210–1345 1272 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 3 1,200.00–1,400.00 $1,305.40
1115–1535 1273 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 4 1,025.00–1,600.00 $1,394.77
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1135–1205 1170 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 2 93.00–94.00 $93.49 $1,094
1200 1200 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 99.00 $99.00 $1,188
Small 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
810–925 868 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 2 97.50–108.00 $102.40 $889
985 985 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 102.50 $102.50 $1,010
Small 3 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
615 615 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 400.00 $400.00
710 710 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 540.00 $540.00
765 765 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 460.00 $460.00
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1005 1005 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 95.00 $95.00 $955

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Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
765 765 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 887.00 $887.00

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Barrows & Gilts

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
145 145 1 45.00 $45.00 $65 -15.61
113–185 153 21 80.00–115.00 $94.04 $144 —
125–188 155 6 50.00–60.00 $54.07 $84 —
190 190 1 72.50 $72.50 $138 —
205–295 223 8 55.00–70.00 $62.02 $138 -18.29
220–295 258 2 100.00 $100.00 $258 —
343 343 2 49.00 $49.00 $168 -25.04
335–355 348 3 57.50–77.00 $65.65 $228 -8.39
407 407 6 36.00 $36.00 $147 -41.50
440 440 1 45.00 $45.00 $198 +10.35
445 445 1 52.50 $52.50 $234 +17.85

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Boars

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
320–395 372 5 5.00–7.50 $5.95 $22 —
425–460 443 2 7.50–12.00 $9.66 $43 -0.34

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Bucks Billies

N/N/A ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
50 50 —— 1 70.00 $70.00 -20.00
50 50 Kids (<1 yr)N/A 1 185.00 $185.00 +95.00
70 70 —— 1 90.00 $90.00 -25.00
70 70 —— 7 80.00–90.00 $84.29 -30.71
80 80 —— 1 145.00 $145.00 +7.50
80 80 Kids (<1 yr)N/A 1 230.00 $230.00 +92.50
80 80 —— 1 120.00 $120.00 -17.50
80 80 —— 1 80.00 $80.00 -57.50
80 80 —— 6 140.00 $140.00 +2.50
90 90 —— 1 120.00 $120.00 -17.50
100–130 108 —— 9 140.00–220.00 $163.89 -41.11
100–130 113 —— 6 120.00–180.00 $143.33 -61.67
140 140 Kids (<1 yr)N/A 1 340.00 $340.00 +207.50
150 150 —— 1 390.00 $390.00 +140.00
200 200 —— 1 400.00 $400.00 —

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Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
875–915 900 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 3 1,400.00–1,650.00 $1,518.43 —
735–1040 928 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 5 1,000.00–1,375.00 $1,299.81 —
820–995 930 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 7 1,300.00–1,550.00 $1,434.22 —
830–1285 1071 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 7 1,000.00–1,425.00 $1,288.15 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
825 825 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 1 1,675.00 $1,675.00 —
1070 1070 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 1,700.00 $1,700.00 —
1165 1165 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 1,160.00 $1,160.00 -164.46
1180 1180 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 1 1,600.00 $1,600.00 +275.54
1250 1250 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 1 1,475.00 $1,475.00 —
1265 1265 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 1,410.00 $1,410.00 —
Small 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
675–800 743 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 3 1,075.00–1,260.00 $1,173.51 —
690–810 750 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 925.00–1,035.00 $984.40 —
Small 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
705 705 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 750.00 $750.00 —

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Families

N/N/A ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
50 50 Yearlings (1-2 yrs)Open 2 105.00 $105.00 +10.00
70 70 Yearlings (1-2 yrs)Open 1 85.00 $85.00 -235.00

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Kids

N/N/A ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
20 20 6 20.00–30.00 $23.33 ±0.00
20 20 1 15.00 $15.00 -8.33
20 20 5 35.00–37.50 $36.50 +13.17
30 30 3 20.00 $20.00 -31.47
30 30 9 30.00–60.00 $43.89 -7.58
30 30 3 42.50–80.00 $67.50 +16.03
40 40 4 60.00 $60.00 -66.67
40 40 10 35.00–80.00 $56.75 -69.92
50 50 11 50.00–110.00 $79.55 -46.08
50 50 10 100.00–150.00 $111.75 -13.88
50 50 10 65.00–80.00 $77.50 -48.13
60 60 1 125.00 $125.00 +15.00
70 70 4 120.00–140.00 $125.00 -12.50
80 80 1 135.00 $135.00 +15.00

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Nannies Does

N/N/A ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
50 50 —— 1 100.00 $100.00 -47.14
50 50 —— 3 120.00–125.00 $121.67 -25.47
50 50 Yearlings (1-2 yrs)Open 1 140.00 $140.00 -7.14
50 50 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 50.00 $50.00 -97.14
50 50 —— 4 50.00–65.00 $57.50 -89.64
60 60 —— 4 100.00–150.00 $132.50 +2.50
70 70 Kids (<1 yr)Open 1 97.50 $97.50 +17.50
80 80 Yearlings (1-2 yrs)Open 1 260.00 $260.00 +120.00
80 80 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 100.00 $100.00 -40.00
80 80 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 80.00 $80.00 -60.00
80 80 —— 2 87.50–100.00 $93.75 -46.25
80 80 —— 3 130.00–135.00 $131.67 -8.33
80 80 —— 10 50.00–85.00 $74.75 -65.25
80 80 —— 1 75.00 $75.00 -65.00
100 100 —— 6 57.50–130.00 $88.33 +43.33
100 100 —— 2 110.00–125.00 $117.50 +72.50
100 100 —— 3 142.50–152.50 $148.33 +103.33
100–130 108 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 4 152.50–200.00 $170.63 -34.37
150 150 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 7 210.00–240.00 $226.43 +46.43
150 150 —— 1 245.00 $245.00 +65.00

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Pigs

N/N/A ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
20 20 2 20.00 $20.00 +9.00
20–28 23 18 10.00–30.00 $18.95 -13.55
25 25 12 37.50–52.50 $46.25 +13.75
52 52 3 75.00 $75.00 +35.00
68 68 2 80.00 $80.00 +45.00
70 70 5 100.00 $100.00 +65.00
80 80 1 95.00 $95.00 +10.00
95 95 2 70.00–75.00 $72.50 +21.31

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Sows

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
285 285 1 85.00 $85.00 $242 +55.00
340–365 348 3 55.00–62.50 $58.25 $203 -10.88
300–390 365 9 30.00–35.00 $34.31 $125 -0.69
410–430 420 2 62.50 $62.50 $262 +27.50
405–490 457 24 12.00–35.00 $29.73 $136 —
450–485 468 2 30.00–57.50 $43.24 $202 —
507–525 514 12 12.50–35.00 $29.42 $151 —
535 535 1 57.50 $57.50 $308 —
590 590 1 47.50 $47.50 $280 —
640–660 650 2 40.00–47.50 $43.69 $284 —

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Wethers

N/N/A ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
80 80 2 100.00 $100.00 -101.43
80 80 1 180.00 $180.00 -21.43
100–120 110 2 230.00–250.00 $240.00 -1.25
140 140 1 270.00 $270.00 +28.75
150 150 1 400.00 $400.00 +60.00

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Reading this report

What does "Medium and Large 1" mean?

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.