heavy 6-weight M&L 1 steers$280.76/cwt-2.23 vs last sale · ≈ $1,912/hd at 681 lb · 2,941 head
light 6-weight M&L 1 steers$300.82/cwt+2.16 vs last sale · ≈ $1,886/hd at 627 lb · 2,062 head
heavy 7-weight M&L 1 steers$253.19/cwt-1.23 vs last sale · ≈ $1,965/hd at 776 lb · 1,950 head
Receipts
Head
This sale
Last sale
Last year
Total receipts
31,260
37,521
22,562
Feeder cattle
29,963
36,343
21,639
Slaughter cattle
1,297
1,178
923
Market comments — USDA reporter
Compared to last week: Feeder steers under 650 lbs 3.00 to 6.00 higher, over 650 lbs steady to 2.00 lower. Feeder heifers under 700 lbs 1.00 to 3.00 higher, except 400-500 lbs to 8.00 higher, over 700 lbs mostly steady. Very good demand for steers and heifers for backgrounding operations as the CME Feeder Cattle futures continues to make weekly gains, and those fall months are at a very lofty level that is greatly enticing for those operators. The market for cattle bound for finishing yards is not as active as those cattle feeders are struggling with a current cash fat market that is below their breakeven cost. A winter storm rolled across parts of the state, but a mild winter remains as temps into the next week will reach into the 50s and 60s. Cattle feeders have had to deal with a great amount of mud already, which tamped down their enthusiasm some, but pen conditions have improved. Very large auction receipts as feeder cattle producers are quick to act to sell their cattle at these high prices. Slaughter cows 2.00 to 5.00 higher, except Lean cows weak, bulls steady to weak.
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 under 650 lbs 3.00 to 6.00 higher, over 650 lbs steady to 2.00 lower. Feeder heifers under 700 lbs 1.00 to 3.00 higher, except 400-500 lbs to 8.00 higher, over 700 lbs mostly steady. Very good demand for steers and heifers for backgrounding operations as the CME Feeder Cattle futures continues to make weekly gains, and those fall months are at a very lofty level that is greatly enticing for those operators. The market for cattle bound for finishing yards is not as active as those cattle feeders are struggling with a current cash fat market that is below their breakeven cost. A winter storm rolled across parts of the state, but a mild winter remains as temps into the next week will reach into the 50s and 60s. Cattle feeders have had to deal with a great amount of mud already, which tamped down their enthusiasm some, but pen conditions have improved. Very large auction receipts as feeder cattle producers are quick to act to sell their cattle at these high prices. Slaughter cows 2.00 to 5.00 higher, except Lean cows weak, bulls steady to weak.