light 9-weight M&L 1 steers$238.74/cwt+5.01 vs last sale · ≈ $2,215/hd at 928 lb · 1,662 head
heavy 9-weight M&L 1 steers$227.60/cwt-0.93 vs last sale · ≈ $2,217/hd at 974 lb · 1,127 head
heavy 8-weight M&L 1 steers$251.76/cwt+3.37 vs last sale · ≈ $2,180/hd at 866 lb · 998 head
Receipts
Head
This sale
Last sale
Last year
Total receipts
12,747
10,806
17,595
Feeder cattle
12,130
9,838
16,983
Slaughter cattle
617
968
612
Market comments — USDA reporter
Compared to last week: Feeder steers under 950 lbs 5.00 to 10.00 higher, over 950 lbs steady. Feeder heifers under 800 lbs 2.00 to 5.00 higher, instances to 10.00 higher, over 800 lbs steady to 5.00 lower. Very good demand for steers and heifers, yet the best demand remains on those cattle that will reach finished weights this winter. There is some uncertainty still hanging over the cattle market which is causing the futures contracts to be rather volatile. Cattle producers are bullish on the future as cattle numbers are down but there is apprehension as well as they fully remember the black swan events of the past. Turnout time has arrived, which is keeping demand for grass type cattle red hot. Flesh is a major factor as the first cost of buying feeder cattle is so high. Breakeven cost are higher than the futures markets as producers continue to bet the market will rise. Auction receipts are dwindling as producers have taken advantage of the high feeder market and sold cattle instead of holding and waiting for a better market. Cash fed cattle market was a little disappointing at 187.00 as cattle feeders thought they had a chance at 190.00 but with a declining boxed beef market packers along with negative margins, packers are trying to keep the market from rising that far. Slaughter cows steady to 2.00 higher, except Lean cows 1.00 to 2.00 lower. Bulls steady.
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 950 lbs 5.00 to 10.00 higher, over 950 lbs steady. Feeder heifers under 800 lbs 2.00 to 5.00 higher, instances to 10.00 higher, over 800 lbs steady to 5.00 lower. Very good demand for steers and heifers, yet the best demand remains on those cattle that will reach finished weights this winter. There is some uncertainty still hanging over the cattle market which is causing the futures contracts to be rather volatile. Cattle producers are bullish on the future as cattle numbers are down but there is apprehension as well as they fully remember the black swan events of the past. Turnout time has arrived, which is keeping demand for grass type cattle red hot. Flesh is a major factor as the first cost of buying feeder cattle is so high. Breakeven cost are higher than the futures markets as producers continue to bet the market will rise. Auction receipts are dwindling as producers have taken advantage of the high feeder market and sold cattle instead of holding and waiting for a better market. Cash fed cattle market was a little disappointing at 187.00 as cattle feeders thought they had a chance at 190.00 but with a declining boxed beef market packers along with negative margins, packers are trying to keep the market from rising that far. Slaughter cows steady to 2.00 higher, except Lean cows 1.00 to 2.00 lower. Bulls steady.