Cattle Market Pulse

Tennessee Weekly Cattle Auction Summary

Tennessee · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, August 26, 2024

7,914 head sold ·Official USDA report

This is an archived report. See the latest Tennessee Weekly Cattle Auction Summary report →

heavy 4-weight M&L 1 heifers $255.44/cwt +1.96 vs last sale · ≈ $1,208/hd at 473 lb · 227 head
light 5-weight M&L 1 heifers $240.13/cwt -3.20 vs last sale · ≈ $1,255/hd at 523 lb · 189 head
heavy 5-weight M&L 1 heifers $233.69/cwt -2.32 vs last sale · ≈ $1,337/hd at 572 lb · 170 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 7,914 8,896 7,258
Feeder cattle 6,053 6,908 5,800
Slaughter cattle 1,331 1,457 1,009
Replacement cattle 530 531 449

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week, Feeder Steers under 500lbs sold 2.00-5.00 higher, with Steers over 500lbs selling sharply lower; Feeder Heifers under 500lbs sold steady to 8.00 lower, with Heifers over 500lbs selling 3.00-6.00 lower; Slaughter Cows sold 2.00-3.00 lower, with Slaughter Bulls selling mostly steady with a firm market undertone.

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
205–240 227 5 300.00–325.00 $312.86 $710 -21.53
250–295 277 17 305.00–352.00 $330.12 $914 +10.36
300–344 330 35 280.00–345.00 $304.54 $1,005 -12.08
350–398 380 43 280.00–325.00 $303.87 $1,155 +0.63
417–431 value added 423 15 309.00–310.00 $309.66 $1,310 -5.34
400–447 426 43 255.00–317.50 $294.38 $1,254 +4.91
440–446 thin fleshed 446 15 307.00–309.00 $308.87 $1,378 —
447 447 2 267.50 $267.50 $1,196 -21.97
450–484 value added 471 40 242.00–310.00 $303.68 $1,430 +1.50
450–497 476 70 260.00–288.00 $276.80 $1,318 +1.58
500–546 528 95 235.00–282.00 $263.57 $1,392 -14.43
501–545 value added 534 42 256.00–295.00 $287.54 $1,535 -15.11
550–598 575 108 232.50–275.00 $253.42 $1,457 -9.12
550–595 value added 578 12 275.00–281.00 $278.08 $1,607 +1.48
560–595 578 2 230.00–242.50 $236.44 $1,367 -26.10
605–626 value added 615 16 247.50–274.00 $264.13 $1,624 -7.72
600–645 624 84 220.00–262.50 $243.45 $1,519 -10.94
630 630 1 220.00 $220.00 $1,386 -34.39
645 645 1 225.00 $225.00 $1,451 -29.39
650–655 653 3 230.00 $230.00 $1,502 ±0.00
650–699 668 77 230.00–252.50 $242.23 $1,618 +1.72
650–692 value added 676 43 225.00–270.00 $257.00 $1,737 —
710–719 value added 717 12 226.00–235.00 $232.77 $1,669 -12.90
700–748 719 64 200.00–245.00 $234.43 $1,686 +10.20
750–796 771 37 209.00–235.00 $221.18 $1,705 -5.87
780–798 value added 789 4 218.00–228.00 $222.94 $1,759 -14.36
800–843 817 17 176.00–227.00 $210.38 $1,719 -6.03
800–839 value added 827 130 197.00–236.75 $232.87 $1,926 -1.40
870–874 value added 871 70 229.50–231.00 $229.72 $2,001 -5.28
855–895 880 7 200.00–225.00 $216.08 $1,902 +1.22
900 900 1 200.00 $200.00 $1,800 -10.84
918–941 value added 939 62 205.00–225.50 $223.63 $2,100 +0.63
955–970 value added 970 55 193.00–224.00 $223.44 $2,167 —
980 980 1 207.00 $207.00 $2,029 -14.00
1015–1045 1030 3 184.00–202.00 $190.33 $1,960 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
220–245 232 3 290.00–305.00 $299.71 $695 +13.30
255–285 272 6 250.00–310.00 $273.82 $745 -20.23
320 thin fleshed 320 1 315.00 $315.00 $1,008 —
300–345 324 25 250.00–305.00 $281.60 $912 +15.59
355–395 379 13 232.50–290.00 $269.72 $1,022 -0.62
400–445 426 28 200.00–280.00 $258.83 $1,103 +3.00
445 445 1 220.00 $220.00 $979 -35.83
455–495 475 28 215.00–265.00 $249.23 $1,184 -10.65
503–545 value added 521 15 242.50–275.00 $252.30 $1,314 -45.20
500–545 523 29 210.00–270.00 $245.57 $1,284 -10.48
535 535 1 227.00 $227.00 $1,214 -29.05
550–595 578 39 210.00–252.00 $235.26 $1,360 -13.35
585–590 value added 587 7 243.50–270.00 $258.59 $1,518 —
600–648 629 22 220.00–245.00 $233.41 $1,468 +6.71
650–695 673 14 182.50–240.00 $221.21 $1,489 +0.05
685–697 value added 693 10 224.00–228.00 $226.44 $1,569 —
700–745 739 39 202.50–226.00 $223.92 $1,655 +13.00
746 value added 746 23 233.00 $233.00 $1,738 —
775–790 781 4 215.00–225.00 $217.48 $1,699 +31.99
867 value added 867 3 234.00 $234.00 $2,029 —
870–892 885 3 190.00–209.00 $202.77 $1,795 +12.77
930 930 1 172.50 $172.50 $1,604 —
975 975 1 187.00 $187.00 $1,823 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
370 370 2 285.00 $285.00 $1,054 +25.00
402 402 2 270.00 $270.00 $1,085 +12.96
491 491 21 269.00 $269.00 $1,321 +6.83
506 506 6 240.00 $240.00 $1,214 -16.05
576 576 4 239.00 $239.00 $1,377 -4.63
607 value added 607 36 247.50 $247.50 $1,502 —
Small 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
425–440 432 3 240.00–265.00 $248.20 $1,072 -4.34
510–515 513 2 235.00–255.00 $245.05 $1,257 -16.49
575 575 1 190.00 $190.00 $1,092 —
600–620 610 2 207.50–220.00 $213.85 $1,304 -36.15
Medium and Large 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
345 345 2 245.00–250.00 $247.50 $854 +14.71
442 442 3 252.50 $252.50 $1,116 —
525 525 1 220.00 $220.00 $1,155 +7.44
565 565 1 230.00 $230.00 $1,300 +0.09

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
230 230 4 250.00–300.00 $281.25 $647 +5.20
253–295 281 17 220.00–320.00 $270.19 $759 -2.80
300–346 325 36 220.00–305.00 $268.17 $872 -9.04
340 340 1 237.50 $237.50 $808 -39.71
350–396 382 84 210.00–292.00 $270.35 $1,033 +1.01
382 382 4 242.50 $242.50 $926 -26.84
410 410 2 235.00–238.00 $236.50 $970 -25.21
407–433 value added 412 21 244.00–279.00 $265.21 $1,093 -6.30
400–448 427 79 210.00–275.00 $251.63 $1,074 -10.08
445 445 1 217.50 $217.50 $968 -44.21
451–475 value added 455 33 276.00–277.00 $276.45 $1,258 +14.91
455 455 3 205.00 $205.00 $933 -48.23
450–498 476 186 220.00–272.00 $253.49 $1,207 +0.26
455–490 480 5 200.00–232.50 $219.45 $1,053 -33.78
504–521 value added 510 35 260.00 $260.00 $1,326 +6.42
505–545 522 12 208.00–230.00 $222.00 $1,159 +1.49
500–545 526 142 215.00–264.00 $236.76 $1,245 -5.72
550–595 569 8 187.50–227.50 $217.55 $1,238 -19.06
550–595 571 141 205.00–254.00 $233.66 $1,334 -2.95
555–593 value added 581 21 236.00–259.00 $240.08 $1,395 +1.59
600–649 620 135 187.50–235.00 $223.76 $1,387 -2.09
610–635 623 8 199.00–220.00 $209.61 $1,306 -16.24
650–690 671 5 195.00–215.00 $199.90 $1,341 -16.44
652–680 value added 671 80 217.00–225.00 $224.01 $1,503 -7.52
650–698 678 55 186.00–233.00 $213.84 $1,450 -2.50
706–713 value added 712 71 222.00–222.50 $222.08 $1,581 -3.50
700–748 721 24 180.00–218.00 $207.80 $1,498 -5.26
755–775 765 2 170.00–185.00 $177.60 $1,359 -11.17
755–795 771 10 180.00–211.00 $198.32 $1,529 -5.68
785 785 1 189.00 $189.00 $1,484 -22.05
761–790 value added 788 68 210.00–213.25 $213.07 $1,679 -14.39
810–825 818 2 180.00 $180.00 $1,472 -10.00
817–822 value added 818 19 206.00–213.00 $210.78 $1,724 -9.72
805–840 825 5 185.00–196.00 $191.97 $1,584 +1.97
970–995 983 2 176.00–181.00 $178.53 $1,755 +18.53
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
250–295 273 9 212.50–290.00 $254.88 $696 -15.43
300–343 329 28 220.00–287.00 $251.15 $826 -8.89
355–395 371 37 220.00–277.00 $250.33 $929 -4.81
400–445 424 63 215.00–262.00 $242.12 $1,027 -2.20
430 430 1 203.00 $203.00 $873 -41.32
450–498 474 98 212.00–255.00 $234.39 $1,111 -7.60
499 value added 499 5 261.00 $261.00 $1,302 -11.50
500 500 1 227.50 $227.50 $1,138 -3.29
500–527 value added 520 9 230.00–238.00 $235.28 $1,223 —
500–545 522 47 200.00–246.00 $226.11 $1,180 -4.68
550–595 575 42 194.00–237.50 $218.60 $1,257 -11.92
590 590 1 200.00 $200.00 $1,180 -30.52
600–645 622 40 191.00–230.00 $214.30 $1,333 -4.50
650–690 668 21 180.00–217.50 $205.22 $1,371 -5.09
682 value added 682 2 200.00 $200.00 $1,364 —
700–738 722 6 194.00–207.50 $198.79 $1,435 +2.39
765–795 780 2 200.00–211.00 $205.39 $1,602 +5.39
800 800 1 170.00 $170.00 $1,360 —
905–920 910 3 160.00–175.00 $169.95 $1,547 —
Medium and Large 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
228 228 2 235.00 $235.00 $536 —
253–265 255 6 225.00–260.00 $235.15 $600 +10.15
315–340 328 2 200.00–210.00 $205.19 $673 +5.19
368–390 372 6 200.00–230.00 $208.56 $776 -12.71
400–440 420 6 205.00–237.50 $217.78 $915 +0.37
450–490 477 14 190.00–220.00 $208.56 $995 -16.09
510–540 523 3 195.00–220.00 $208.47 $1,090 +0.95
550–565 558 2 215.00–217.50 $216.27 $1,207 -3.59
656 656 6 200.00 $200.00 $1,312 —
Small 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
375 375 1 192.50 $192.50 $722 —
415 415 1 232.00 $232.00 $963 -5.02
465 465 1 235.00 $235.00 $1,093 +11.80
500–540 520 3 200.00–220.00 $206.67 $1,075 -13.17
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
635 635 2 221.00 $221.00 $1,403 +20.00

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
212 212 3 237.50 $237.50 $504 -42.17
305–320 313 2 260.00–300.00 $280.48 $878 -12.94
350–395 374 42 232.50–312.50 $282.47 $1,056 -9.20
400–445 421 59 230.00–300.00 $277.15 $1,167 -8.21
435–445 440 2 250.00–260.00 $254.94 $1,122 -30.42
450–480 470 6 250.00–255.00 $253.35 $1,191 -21.25
450–498 476 64 230.00–285.00 $259.94 $1,237 -14.66
500–545 522 87 225.00–265.00 $247.75 $1,293 -6.85
535 535 1 242.50 $242.50 $1,297 -12.10
550 550 1 232.50 $232.50 $1,279 -11.40
550–598 571 63 220.00–252.50 $236.58 $1,351 -7.32
600–647 621 62 200.00–237.50 $222.11 $1,379 -9.71
655 655 1 225.00 $225.00 $1,474 +10.35
650–691 668 35 195.00–236.00 $214.52 $1,433 -0.13
700–745 723 25 185.00–220.00 $199.87 $1,445 -9.81
750–790 777 14 175.00–202.00 $187.97 $1,461 -2.76
800–830 810 6 180.00–205.00 $190.53 $1,543 +6.16
855–885 868 5 162.50–175.00 $168.46 $1,462 -21.13
935 935 1 152.50 $152.50 $1,426 -21.99
975–990 983 2 150.00–153.00 $151.51 $1,489 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
335–340 338 2 260.00–280.00 $270.07 $913 —
350–395 375 20 235.00–302.50 $265.73 $996 +5.30
400–448 425 28 220.00–287.50 $249.35 $1,060 -3.92
450–495 476 46 217.50–262.00 $243.33 $1,158 -6.37
500–545 524 48 200.00–245.00 $224.33 $1,175 -8.08
550–598 577 34 195.00–245.00 $220.08 $1,270 -7.62
600–648 626 12 190.00–222.00 $206.03 $1,290 -8.53
655–695 673 17 185.00–220.00 $210.84 $1,419 -0.09
700–745 724 8 172.50–215.00 $201.63 $1,460 +5.64
770–785 777 5 181.00–190.00 $184.72 $1,435 -4.45
800–835 809 15 162.00–190.00 $182.36 $1,475 +11.77
Medium and Large 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
390 390 1 217.50 $217.50 $848 —
460–495 477 3 195.00–245.00 $216.07 $1,031 -20.34
520–545 534 7 191.00–225.00 $211.93 $1,132 -20.44
570–575 573 2 210.00 $210.00 $1,203 -5.23
620–645 633 2 190.00–200.00 $195.10 $1,235 —
850 850 1 173.00 $173.00 $1,470 —
Small 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
435 435 1 240.00 $240.00 $1,044 -17.49
455 455 1 242.50 $242.50 $1,103 -3.57
450–495 479 7 220.00–255.00 $239.71 $1,148 -6.36
515–545 530 2 210.00–220.00 $214.86 $1,139 +6.44
620–635 628 2 200.00 $200.00 $1,256 -18.43
725 725 1 189.00 $189.00 $1,370 -13.63
970 970 1 140.00 $140.00 $1,358 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
495 495 1 237.00 $237.00 $1,173 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1145 1145 (<2 yrs)N/A 1 1,975.00 $1,975.00 —
Small 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
705 705 1 157.00 $157.00 $1,107 —

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Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
850–1435 1188 80-85% 57 118.00–136.00 $127.30 $1,512 -11.64
800–1820 1223 80-85% 226 124.00–148.00 $135.23 $1,654 +5.26
955–1545 1262 80-85% 31 137.00–163.00 $145.89 $1,841 -6.07
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
770–1315 1020 85-90% 49 90.00–120.00 $110.79 $1,130 —
815–1470 1083 85-90% 115 113.00–135.00 $123.36 $1,336 -5.65
890–1430 1095 85-90% 31 125.00–146.00 $131.54 $1,440 +2.53
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
980–1890 1417 75-80% 119 124.00–153.00 $137.83 $1,953 -13.93
1125–1900 1429 75-80% 31 139.00–159.00 $151.26 $2,162 -0.50
1210–1650 1434 75-80% 21 120.00–137.00 $127.74 $1,832 -13.22

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1005–1325 1169 9 144.00–164.00 $152.19 $1,779 -0.64
1070–2320 1588 31 142.00–160.00 $153.01 $2,430 —
1135–2405 1756 85 153.00–176.00 $165.60 $2,908 —
1535–2210 1809 19 166.00–181.00 $174.34 $3,154 -3.40

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1035 1035 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 1,700.00 $1,700.00
1025–1085 1055 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 1,350.00–1,390.00 $1,369.43
1105 1105 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 1,825.00 $1,825.00
1100–1200 1150 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 1,750.00–2,150.00 $1,950.00
1150–1300 1225 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 1,450.00–1,475.00 $1,462.50
1255 1255 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 1,525.00 $1,525.00
1100–1430 1295 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 6 1,320.00–2,075.00 $1,829.49
1105–1655 1304 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 4 1,575.00–2,175.00 $1,837.51
1100–1700 1371 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 7 1,400.00–2,100.00 $1,794.29
Medium and Large 2-3 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
870–1175 1043 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 4 1,300.00–2,175.00 $1,739.93
995–1150 1060 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 3 1,300.00–1,700.00 $1,556.76
1100 1100 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 1,290.00 $1,290.00
1045–1260 1136 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 7 1,375.00–1,800.00 $1,584.51
1005–1310 1146 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 4 1,725.00–1,900.00 $1,836.25
1065–1345 1185 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 4 1,660.00–1,900.00 $1,775.30
1185–1195 1190 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 2 1,875.00–2,000.00 $1,937.76
Medium and Large 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1080 1080 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 1,320.00 $1,320.00
Small 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
810 810 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 1,210.00 $1,210.00
Small 2-3 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
935 935 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 1,275.00 $1,275.00

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Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
845 845 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 1,300.00 $1,300.00

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Beef Dairy Steers

Large 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
445 445 1 220.00 $220.00 $979 —
555 555 1 207.50 $207.50 $1,152 —
695 695 1 205.00 $205.00 $1,425 —
770 770 1 190.00 $190.00 $1,463 —

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Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1045–1385 1201 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 9 1,725.00–3,450.00 $2,455.97 —
1205 1205 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 1 2,010.00 $2,010.00 —
1305 1305 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 1 1,650.00 $1,650.00 —
1380 1380 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 1 1,850.00 $1,850.00 —
1380 1380 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 3,400.00 $3,400.00 —
1525 1525 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 3,650.00 $3,650.00 —
— — Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 1 1,800.00 $1,800.00 —
— — Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 3 2,195.00–2,225.00 $2,205.00 —
Medium and Large 2-3 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
980–1075 1028 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 2 1,600.00–1,850.00 $1,719.22 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1400 1400 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 1 2,450.00 $2,450.00 —

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Dairy Bulls

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1115–1580 1308 3 146.00–160.00 $153.52 $2,008 —

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Dairy Cows

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1155–1355 1255 85-90% 2 116.00–117.00 $116.54 $1,463 —
1355–1495 1425 75-80% 2 131.00–135.00 $133.10 $1,897 —

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Dairy Steers

Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
512 512 4 185.00 $185.00 $947 —

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Heifer Pairs

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1025 1025 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 1,875.00 $1,875.00 —

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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.