CATTLE REPORTS
Published 11:00 am Saturday, October 17, 2026
Drought conditions persist, affecting slaughter market
WEST PLAINS — Compared to last week, slaughter cows were steady and slaughter bulls were $2 to $4 higher on Wednesday at the Ozarks Regional Stockyards. Demand was good on a moderate supply of slaughter animals and a heavy supply of replacement cattle. Replacement cattle numbers continue to outpace slaughter animals by a 2-to-1 margin as drought conditions continue to affect the area. Showers on Wednesday, although welcomed, were not enough to provide any relief. Total receipts were 845 head.
Top Prices of the Day
• The top slaughter bull sold for $206/cwt.
• The top slaughter cow sold for $146/cwt.
• On the replacement side, the top pairs sold for $6,050/pair.
• The top bred cows sold for $3,550/head.
• One stick-out draft was 30 head of 1,050 lb Red Angus heifers in the 1st/2nd stage which sold for $3,900/head.
Pricing Averages Snapshot
• Breaker Cows (75-80% dressing): Averaged $131.85/cwt.
• Boner Cows (80-85% dressing): Averaged $131.65/cwt.
• Lean Cows (85-90% dressing): Averaged $116.37/cwt.
• Slaughter Bulls (Yield Grade 1-2): Averaged $184.42/cwt.
Preconditioned calves aggressively sought amid weather whiplash
Compared to last week, feeder steers and steer calves were $5 to $10 higher with spots on the calves $20 higher on Tuesday. Feeder heifers and heifer calves were steady to $5 higher. Demand was good on a moderate supply of 1,562 head. The quality of the offering was above average with buyers aggressively looking for preconditioned calves.
The CME Feeder and Live Cattle Futures made a small downward correction on Tuesday, following big gains on Monday, due to the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) report released Oct. 9. The report raised estimates on corn production and lowered estimates on cattle production, which translated to lower feed cost for an already short beef supply.
Most of the talk in the sale barn centered around the lack of water and loss of fall pastures. Much of the area was in the 90s that day with forecasted lows this weekend in the 30s.
Market Highlight
• Feeder cattle supply over 600 lbs made up 51% of the offering.
Pricing Snapshot (Per Cwt / Avg Price)
• Steers (Medium & Large 1):
◦ 402-448 lbs (426 lbs avg): Averaged $495.51.
◦ 502-543 lbs (520 lbs avg): Averaged $434.36.
◦ 551-572 lbs (567 lbs avg): Averaged $406.28.
◦ 650-669 lbs (664 lbs avg): Averaged $370.06.
◦ 701-732 lbs (717 lbs avg): Averaged $344.59.
◦ 805-829 lbs (818 lbs avg): Averaged $330.97.
• Heifers (Medium & Large 1):
◦ 455-492 lbs (472 lbs avg): Averaged $401.94.
◦ 501-537 lbs (516 lbs avg): Averaged $376.33.
◦ 614-640 lbs (633 lbs avg): Averaged $366.84.
◦ 658 lbs: Averaged $343.42.
Heavy supply met with good demand
Demand was good on a heavy supply for this video auction held in conjunction with ORS’ feeder cattle sale. Total receipts were 916 head. All cattle offered are in Arkansas and Mississippi. All deliveries are current through Oct. 27, meaning cattle will be delivered up to 14 days from the video sale date.
Video Auction Highlights
• Southeast Steers (M&L 1, 815 lbs avg): Current delivery sold for $331.50/cwt.
• Southeast Steers (M&L 1, 900 lbs avg): Current delivery sold for $309/cwt.
• Southeast Steers (M&L 1, 922 lbs avg): Current delivery averaged $318.45/cwt.
• Southeast Steers (M&L 1, 960 lbs avg): Current delivery sold for $309.50/cwt.
• Southeast Steers (M&L 1, 1,013 lbs avg): Current delivery averaged $298.91/cwt.
• Southeast Heifers (M&L 1, 762 lbs avg): Current delivery averaged $322.92/cwt.
• Southeast Heifers (M&L 1, 800 lbs avg): Current delivery sold for $299/cwt.
