light 7-weight M&L 1 steers$145.32/cwt-0.41 vs last sale · ≈ $1,047/hd at 720 lb · 1,410 head
light 6-weight M&L 1 heifers$139.49/cwt-3.58 vs last sale · ≈ $876/hd at 628 lb · 1,291 head
heavy 7-weight M&L 1 steers$137.74/cwt-2.91 vs last sale · ≈ $1,071/hd at 777 lb · 1,288 head
Receipts
Head
This sale
Last sale
Last year
Total receipts
21,207
27,502
21,459
Feeder cattle
19,054
26,201
20,001
Slaughter cattle
2,153
1,301
1,458
Market comments — USDA reporter
Compared to last week: Feeder steers steady to 5.00 lower, heifers under 600 lbs 6.00 to 7.00 lower, over 600 lbs steady to 3.00 lower. Demand moderate to good for all weights and classes but cattle feeders definitely slowed their pace in their pursuit for feeder cattle. Concern over the cash fed cattle market failing to rise up to meet the Feb futures contract put pressure on the feeder market this week. A large offering of feeder cattle in East River auctions as cattle producers on that side of river market more cattle after the start of the new calendar year, most West River auctions didn't hold feeder cattle sales as they skip this week every year as the Black Hills Stock Show was going on. Very cold weather settled over the region which helped to keep the ground froze and keep cattle cleaner as the warm weather early in the week saw cattle getting dirty if not bedded well. Cash fed cattle sales did trade higher, up to 114.50 in Iowa on Friday and 179.00 dressed but that still left a negative 2.00 basis. Cash corn above 5.50 has raised feed cost considerably from the levels projected last fall, when cattle were placed on feed. Breakeven prices moved higher because of that fact but the deferred months of Live Cattle contracts are higher than where they were during that time. Overweight fed cattle continue to plague the industry, especially in the northern plains where the mild weather and dry yard conditions allowed cattle to grow very quickly resulting in a large amount of cattle weighing over 1600 lbs. Cattle feeders are still struggling with profitability and are careful to buy cattle that have a realistic breakeven. Extra flesh condition on feeder cattle is a thing to avoid for cattle feeders, but especially in a year of rising feed cost and a struggling fed cattle market. Green, thin fleshed cattle are easy to sell and bring top prices while those carrying too much are very hard to sell. Slaughter cows 2.00 to 3.00 higher, except Breaker cows 6.00 to 7.00 higher, bulls 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: Feeder steers steady to 5.00 lower, heifers under 600 lbs 6.00 to 7.00 lower, over 600 lbs steady to 3.00 lower. Demand moderate to good for all weights and classes but cattle feeders definitely slowed their pace in their pursuit for feeder cattle. Concern over the cash fed cattle market failing to rise up to meet the Feb futures contract put pressure on the feeder market this week. A large offering of feeder cattle in East River auctions as cattle producers on that side of river market more cattle after the start of the new calendar year, most West River auctions didn't hold feeder cattle sales as they skip this week every year as the Black Hills Stock Show was going on. Very cold weather settled over the region which helped to keep the ground froze and keep cattle cleaner as the warm weather early in the week saw cattle getting dirty if not bedded well. Cash fed cattle sales did trade higher, up to 114.50 in Iowa on Friday and 179.00 dressed but that still left a negative 2.00 basis. Cash corn above 5.50 has raised feed cost considerably from the levels projected last fall, when cattle were placed on feed. Breakeven prices moved higher because of that fact but the deferred months of Live Cattle contracts are higher than where they were during that time. Overweight fed cattle continue to plague the industry, especially in the northern plains where the mild weather and dry yard conditions allowed cattle to grow very quickly resulting in a large amount of cattle weighing over 1600 lbs. Cattle feeders are still struggling with profitability and are careful to buy cattle that have a realistic breakeven. Extra flesh condition on feeder cattle is a thing to avoid for cattle feeders, but especially in a year of rising feed cost and a struggling fed cattle market. Green, thin fleshed cattle are easy to sell and bring top prices while those carrying too much are very hard to sell. Slaughter cows 2.00 to 3.00 higher, except Breaker cows 6.00 to 7.00 higher, bulls 2.00 higher.