Bred Heifers the Only Female Class Showing Gains

Bred Heifers the Only Female Class Showing Gains

Female prices at auction continued trending lower during September, except bred heifers, which posted gains of nearly $200 per head. 

Female markets typically find softer prices toward the end of summer, as do fed and feeder cattle. 

August and September saw a significant decline in the fed cattle trade, offering little support to other classes of cattle.

Bred heifers sold at auction for an average of $1,165 in September, up from August’s $967. Young and middle-aged bred cows posted a modest $13 per head increase to $1,145 per head. The older, bred cows dropped $189 per head.

October 2017 bred heifer prices

All classes of open females were lower. Heifferettes traded $3.75 per cwt lower, followed by young and middle-aged cows dropping $2.64 per cwt, and aged cows falling $2.33 per cwt. A 1,000-lb. open cow suitable to go back to the country is still trading at about the same price as last year.

All categories of cow-calf pairs lost ground during September. Cows with small calves dropped $9 per set, while cows with large calves fell $37 per pair. Older cows with calves declined $104 per set.

Slaughter cow prices declined more rapidly than other female categories. Utility and commercial cows sold at $63.84 per cwt, down $7.16. Canner and cutter cows sold at $58.96 per cwt, a decline of $5.46. 

 

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