Cattle Market Pulse

Valentine Livestock Auction Market Report

Valentine, Nebraska · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Thursday, January 21, 2021

1,780 head sold ·Official USDA report

This is an archived report. See the latest Valentine Livestock Auction report →

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 1,780 5,920 1,105
Feeder cattle 5,920
Replacement cattle 1,780 1,105

Today's Special Bred Cow and heifer auction had a nice selection of complete dispersion and liquidations from area ranchers Demand was very good for these offerings. Heifers bred to LBW bulls, majority to calve in March. A full crowd today with several buyers in the seats and high internet activity. Next Auction Date Jan 28th

New to these tables? Plain-English explainers ↓

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
994–1141 1068 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 10 1,600.00–1,625.00 $1,611.64
1000–1196 1114 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 38 1,050.00–1,275.00 $1,118.77
1185 1185 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 11 735.00 $735.00
1066–1334 1264 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 149 1,700.00–2,300.00 $2,079.87
1152–1404 1278 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 12 670.00–770.00 $724.93
1118–1531 1294 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 54 1,450.00–1,625.00 $1,551.26
1143–1588 1335 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 208 1,300.00–1,600.00 $1,469.23
1335 1335 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 12 900.00 $900.00
1335 1335 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 7 1,750.00 $1,750.00
1050–1536 1364 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 232 785.00–925.00 $854.17
1227–1648 1408 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 143 850.00–1,250.00 $1,066.80
1360–1568 1459 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 194 1,825.00–2,200.00 $2,068.70
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1157–1519 1291 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 55 1,150.00–1,200.00 $1,178.35

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Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
925–1251 1013 (<2 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 114 1,450.00–1,660.00 $1,569.57
1014 1014 (<2 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 5 1,100.00 $1,100.00
1067 1067 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 7 1,450.00 $1,450.00
1161 1161 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 21 2,375.00 $2,375.00
1060–1308 1177 (<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 141 1,775.00–2,375.00 $2,000.93

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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.