Cattle Market St. Onge Livestock Auction Market Report
St. Onge, South Dakota · USDA-reported Auction Livestock
Sale of Friday, December 6, 20243,200 head sold ·Official USDA report
This is an archived report. See the latest St. Onge Livestock Auction report →
Receipts
| Head | This sale | Last sale | Last year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total receipts | 3,200 | 2,704 | 2,598 |
| Feeder cattle | 3,200 | 2,704 | 2,598 |
Market comments — USDA reporter
New to these tables? Plain-English explainers ↓
Feeder Steers
| Weight (lb) | Avg wt | Head | Price range | Avg $ | ≈ $/hd | Δ last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 305 | 305 | 6 | 445.00 | $445.00 | $1,357 | +25.00 |
| 350–399 | 390 | 96 | 390.00–425.00 | $412.93 | $1,610 | -43.27 |
| 411–415 | 413 | 31 | 415.00–416.00 | $415.58 | $1,716 | +18.14 |
| 414–440 | 425 | 31 | 362.50–373.00 | $367.07 | $1,560 | -30.37 |
| 458–493 | 477 | 163 | 365.00–392.00 | $373.77 | $1,783 | +5.43 |
| 500–534 | 523 | 160 | 331.00–363.00 | $351.92 | $1,841 | +6.29 |
| 561–599 | 578 | 300 | 313.00–333.00 | $328.22 | $1,897 | +10.85 |
| 624–630 | 625 | 37 | 292.00–307.50 | $304.97 | $1,906 | +6.95 |
| 685 | 685 | 9 | 279.00 | $279.00 | $1,911 | -3.23 |
| Weight (lb) | Avg wt | Head | Price range | Avg $ | ≈ $/hd | Δ last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 448 | 448 | 13 | 300.00 | $300.00 | $1,344 | -59.07 |
| 492–493 | 492 | 41 | 315.00–349.00 | $332.40 | $1,635 | -4.17 |
| 593 | 593 | 23 | 285.00 | $285.00 | $1,690 | -20.38 |
| 632 | 632 | 9 | 261.00 | $261.00 | $1,650 | -9.00 |
| 702 | 702 | 10 | 244.00 | $244.00 | $1,713 | — |
Feeder Heifers
| Weight (lb) | Avg wt | Head | Price range | Avg $ | ≈ $/hd | Δ last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300–333 | 318 | 28 | 370.00–380.00 | $377.19 | $1,199 | +12.19 |
| 351–385 | 371 | 101 | 337.50–362.50 | $352.33 | $1,307 | -7.54 |
| 402–440 | 422 | 158 | 325.00–342.00 | $335.54 | $1,416 | -13.80 |
| 452–488 | 470 | 265 | 307.00–336.00 | $326.28 | $1,534 | +6.62 |
| 514–545 | 526 | 23 | 306.00–327.00 | $318.49 | $1,675 | +20.84 |
| 553–564 | 562 | 127 | 307.00–310.00 | $307.65 | $1,729 | +24.91 |
| 825 | 825 | 12 | 248.50 | $248.50 | $2,050 | +6.00 |
| 960 | 960 | 14 | 233.50 | $233.50 | $2,242 | +10.50 |
| Weight (lb) | Avg wt | Head | Price range | Avg $ | ≈ $/hd | Δ last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 384–396 | 392 | 16 | 307.50–310.00 | $308.42 | $1,209 | — |
| 466 | 466 | 14 | 281.00 | $281.00 | $1,309 | -19.00 |
| 521 | 521 | 5 | 262.00 | $262.00 | $1,365 | -24.00 |
| 557 | 557 | 17 | 262.00 | $262.00 | $1,459 | — |
| 676 | 676 | 5 | 212.50 | $212.50 | $1,436 | — |
| Weight (lb) | Avg wt | Head | Price range | Avg $ | ≈ $/hd | Δ last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 383 | 383 | 5 | 210.00 | $210.00 | $804 | — |
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.
Compared to two weeks ago: The best comparable weight range for Steer Calves was 450-600lbs, 6.00 higher. Heifer Calves best comparable weights 350-450lbs were trending lower on a light test from the previous reports smaller numbers; 450-500, 7.00 higher. Demand was very good, especially for nice heifers, likely headed back to a breeding program. Quality was mixed, with some calves carrying some tag or fill, but carried light to moderate flesh. Market was active with buyers and producers in the stands. Smaller sale today, with the holidays coming up and fewer calves coming to town. The next sale is December 13, and will be the final Feeder Calf Special of the year. On Dec. 20, there will be a Bred Heifer and Cow Special.