Feeder Cattle Prices Today: Steer & Heifer Prices by Weight
This week’s feeder cattle prices: the average price per hundredweight for feeder steers and heifers by weight class, combined from USDA weekly auction reports in 13 cattle states, plus the latest sale at the Oklahoma National Stockyards, one of the largest feeder cattle markets in the country.
Last updated: September 26, 2026
A price trend chart will appear here as daily data builds up.
Feeder cattle prices by weight (multi-state average)
| Weight | Steers ($/cwt) | Steer head | Steer value/head | Heifers ($/cwt) | Heifer head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300–399 lb | $506.63 | 1,499 | ≈ $1,773 | $446.56 | 2,280 |
| 400–499 lb | $458.40 | 4,837 | ≈ $2,063 | $400.39 | 6,155 |
| 500–599 lb | $406.54 | 7,407 | ≈ $2,236 | $360.64 | 8,492 |
| 600–699 lb | $368.29 | 8,639 | ≈ $2,394 | $338.86 | 7,669 |
| 700–799 lb | $348.31 | 9,096 | ≈ $2,612 | $326.74 | 5,987 |
| 800–899 lb | $332.81 | 9,123 | ≈ $2,829 | $309.56 | 3,478 |
| 900–999 lb | $320.63 | 6,383 | ≈ $3,046 | $290.76 | 1,747 |
Feeder cattle prices by state
| State | Steers 500–599 | Steers 700–799 | Heifers 500–599 | Week ending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $376.90 | $343.27 | $348.75 | 9/26/2026 |
| Oklahoma | $398.64 | $345.97 | $356.13 | 9/26/2026 |
| Kansas | $437.41 | $352.77 | $388.06 | 9/26/2026 |
| Nebraska | $444.62 | $372.25 | $407.04 | 9/26/2026 |
| Iowa | $419.30 | $350.98 | $375.61 | 9/26/2026 |
| Missouri | $410.24 | $349.97 | $364.66 | 9/26/2026 |
| Kentucky | $397.77 | $354.30 | $354.78 | 9/26/2026 |
| Tennessee | $372.88 | $335.21 | $344.78 | 9/26/2026 |
| Alabama | $393.46 | $327.60 | $350.16 | 9/26/2026 |
| Arkansas | $396.37 | $344.72 | $360.42 | 9/26/2026 |
| Mississippi | $398.20 | $323.99 | $353.12 | 9/26/2026 |
| Virginia | $389.10 | $325.48 | $329.87 | 9/26/2026 |
| North Carolina | $387.39 | $327.70 | $346.82 | 9/26/2026 |
Head-weighted averages of Medium and Large Frame No. 1 and 1–2 feeder steers and heifers from USDA weekly state auction summaries, calculated by FarmingAround. Value per head = average price × middle of the weight range.
Oklahoma National Stockyards: latest sale (September 29, 2026)
| Weight | Steers ($/cwt) | Steer head | Steer value/head | Heifers ($/cwt) | Heifer head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300–399 lb | $496.02 | 54 | ≈ $1,736 | $417.42 | 125 |
| 400–499 lb | $416.82 | 269 | ≈ $1,876 | $378.45 | 257 |
| 500–599 lb | $381.01 | 383 | ≈ $2,096 | $342.37 | 578 |
| 600–699 lb | $359.46 | 933 | ≈ $2,337 | $340.93 | 319 |
| 700–799 lb | $346.51 | 769 | ≈ $2,599 | $323.80 | 455 |
| 800–899 lb | $331.90 | 310 | ≈ $2,821 | $304.42 | 155 |
| 900–999 lb | $313.48 | 137 | ≈ $2,978 | $274.35 | 35 |
USDA market comment (OKC): Compared to last week: Feeder steers mostly steady to 3.00 lower. Feeder heifers unevenly steady. Demand good for feeder cattle. Steer calves 5.00-15.00 lower. Heifer calves 2.00-8.00 lower. Demand moderate for calves. Quality average to attractive, end plain. Most cattle in average flesh conditions, few fleshy. Weigh-ups average to full. Wheat farmers busy sowing wheat or working ground ahead of forecasted rains for this week.
Source: USDA AMS Market News weekly cattle auction summaries for Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Virginia, North Carolina, and the Oklahoma National Stockyards report. Reported averages, not live quotes. Checked for new reports every weekday evening. Not financial advice.
Looking for older prices? See feeder cattle price history: yearly and monthly USDA prices with long-term charts.
Cattle Prices by State
- Texas cattle prices
- Oklahoma cattle prices
- Kansas cattle prices
- Nebraska cattle prices
- Iowa cattle prices
- Missouri cattle prices
- Kentucky cattle prices
- Tennessee cattle prices
- Alabama cattle prices
- Arkansas cattle prices
- Mississippi cattle prices
- Virginia cattle prices
- North Carolina cattle prices
Why Lighter Calves Bring More per Pound
Look down the weight table and the price per cwt falls as weight rises. This is the price slide. A buyer who purchases a 450 lb calf gets to add the next few hundred pounds cheaply on grass or feed, so light calves carry a premium per pound. Heavier feeders bring less per cwt but more dollars per head.
That’s why the value-per-head column matters: selling heavier cattle usually earns more total dollars, as long as the extra gain costs less than it brings in.
What “Medium and Large 1–2” Means
- Frame size (Small, Medium, Large): the animal’s skeletal size and expected finished weight.
- Muscle score (1 to 4): 1 is thick-muscled, typical of good beef breeds; 2 is slightly less; 3 and 4 are thin-muscled.
- Medium and Large Frame No. 1–2 is the most common class of feeder cattle, so it’s the fairest one to compare between states and weeks.
What Moves Feeder Cattle Prices
- Fed cattle prices: feedlots pay more for feeders when fed cattle prices are high.
- Corn prices: cheaper feed means feedlots can pay more for calves. See corn prices today.
- Herd size: a small US cattle herd means fewer calves and stronger prices.
- Pasture and weather: rain and good grass let stocker operators buy more calves; drought forces selling.
- Season: fall is the peak calf-selling season, which can pressure prices.
Thinking about raising beef? Read our guide to the most profitable farm animals and see hay prices for winter feed costs.
FAQ
What are feeder cattle?
Young cattle, usually 300 to 1,000 lb, sold to stocker operators or feedlots to be grown and finished before slaughter.
How much is a 500 lb calf worth?
Multiply the price per cwt for its weight class by 5. At $400/cwt, a 500 lb steer calf is worth about $2,000. The table above shows the approximate value per head for each weight range.
Why are heifers cheaper than steers?
Heifers gain more slowly and less efficiently in the feedlot, so buyers pay less per pound for them, although some are bought as herd replacements.
How often is this updated?
State auction summaries are weekly. We check for new reports every weekday evening and update the averages when a new week is published.