This week at the sale barn
Feeder cattle auction results from 242 barns in 29 states, straight from USDA market reports.
MARKET REPORT - WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2026- 203 of 242 tracked sale barns reported an auction in the last 8 days (as of ).
- Combined receipts at reporting barns: 199,013 head.
- 500–600 lb Medium & Large 1 steers averaged $428.26/cwt across 11,528 head this week.
- 700–800 lb steers averaged $349.36/cwt across 5,724 head.
- That is 10.13 higher than the week before ($418.13/cwt), by our head-weighted average.
- Boner cows (80–85%) averaged $139.16/cwt on 4,719 head - full cull market.
This week's steer market
| Steer weight | Medium & Large 1 ($/cwt) | On |
|---|---|---|
| 400-500 lbs | $479.97 | 6,625 head |
| 500-600 lbs | $428.26 | 11,528 head |
| 600-700 lbs | $374.61 | 6,865 head |
| 700-800 lbs | $349.36 | 5,724 head |
| 800-900 lbs | $336.70 | 6,813 head |
All barns reporting in the last 8 days. Head-weighted average of Medium & Large 1 steers across all reporting barns; individual sales vary by flesh, fill and quality.
Latest reports
All 242 barns → · Browse by state → · The sale calendar →
Beyond the ledger
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Questions ranchers ask
What does $/cwt mean at a cattle auction?
Cwt is a hundredweight - 100 pounds of live animal. A 500 lb calf at $400/cwt brings 5 × $400 = $2,000. Bred stock is sold per head instead.
When are sale barn results posted?
USDA market reporters publish each barn's report the evening of the sale or the next morning. This site refreshes every morning and after the big Monday–Wednesday runs.
Where do these prices come from?
Every number is from the USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News report for that barn - each page links to the official PDF.
Why do heifers sell lower than steers?
Steers convert feed to weight faster and finish heavier, so feedyards pay more for them. The spread at auction commonly runs $20-40/cwt at the same weight, wider on lighter calves. Each barn's ledger shows both classes side by side.
What does Medium & Large 1 mean?
It is USDA's frame-and-muscling grade for feeder cattle: medium to large framed, thickly muscled - the standard class behind quoted market averages. Smaller-framed or lighter-muscled cattle grade lower and typically bring less.