NATIONAL FEEDER & STOCKER CATTLE SUMMARY – WEEK ENDING 08/23/2025

By USDA-MO Dept of Ag Market News

RECEIPTS: Auctions Direct Video/Internet Total
This Week: 132,400 37,000 153,200 322,600
Last Week: 124,300 24,700 128,700 277,700
Year Ago: 146,200 38,100 230,300 414,600

Compared to last week, steers and heifers sold 5.00 to 12.00 higher.

Good to very good demand nationwide this week as the bulls continue to rule the market as futures and auction (live and video) prices continue to move higher to record-setting levels.

Cattle feeders are eager to buy high quality yearlings as they become available and ranchers are willing to not worry about hitting of the market as they take home rather handsome checks for selling their stock. Auctions and video sales are as hot the Midwest the last couple of weeks.

Last Monday, Northern Livestock Video started off their Early Fall Preview sale with 780 head of 405 lb base weight steers from Wyoming right off the cow for October delivery at $607.50 per cwt.

This demand for lightweight steers that will be suitable for development into yearlings is unprecedented as the cattle market continues to roll to new heights.

It is currently hard to find any big groups of lighter weight calves as most have been selling in small groups due to the time of year. That will change in the next month as producers with bigger groups will be getting closer to be ready to sell.

As of Friday, fall through spring Feeder Cattle futures have gained $40.00 or more in the last 5 weeks even though there were some large losses occurring in some individual days in that time period.

Pastures seem to be in better condition than last year, but there are some dry pockets in the Mississippi River Valley and central Nebraska through Wyoming and Montana.

Cooler weather in many places forecasted is a welcome sight for those that need a break from the scorching temps.

Feed costs are much cheaper than last year, which is helping to support the feeder cattle market as well.

The Monthly Cattle on Feed Report was released on Friday with On-Feed numbers at 98 pct of last year; marketings were at 94 pct, both nearly even with pre-report estimates.

Placements were at 94 pct which was just slightly under the top end of the pre-report estimates.

Negotiated sales of fed cattle in the Southern Plains sold 5.00 higher at 240.00.

In Nebraska, live sales were steady to 2.00 higher at 245.00; while dressed sales were 5.00 to 7.00 higher at 385.00 to 392.00.

For the week, Choice Boxed beef closed on Friday at 407.91, 7.34 higher and Select closed at 383.66, 12.90 higher.

Weekly Cattle Slaughter under federal inspection estimated at 547K, 17K more than last week and 62K less than a year ago.

Auction volume this week included 56 percent weighing over 600 lbs and 42 percent heifers.