USDA Report Reveals Mixed Livestock Market Trends for October 2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its National Daily Feeder and Stocker Summary Report for October 5, 2026, providing detailed auction results, futures settlements, slaughter data, and wholesale price information. The report highlighted varying prices for feeder steers and heifers across several livestock markets, with notable differences in price ranges based on weight classes and locations.

In Crawford, Nebraska, feeder steers weighing 300 to 400 pounds sold for $580.00 to $678.00, while feeder heifers in the same weight class ranged from $495.00 to $575.00. Prices varied significantly for different weight categories, with steers at 700 to 800 pounds fetching $383.50. In Ft. Pierre, South Dakota, feeder steers at 400 to 500 pounds sold for $477.50 to $555.00, and heifers at 500 to 600 pounds brought $406.00 to $424.00.

On the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle futures for October settled at $218.850, down $0.450, while December and February contracts saw larger declines. Feeder cattle futures also experienced decreases, with October settling at $334.625, down $4.250. Grain futures for December corn, March corn, and May corn all showed slight declines, as did soybean and wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade and Kansas City Board of Trade.

Slaughter estimates for the week indicated a total of 510,000 head, compared with 548,000 a year earlier. Daily boxed beef cutout values showed Choice at $374.19, down $2.60, and Select at $354.49, up $1.60. The report also included data on negotiated slaughter cattle trade, with live steers averaging $219.90 and dressed steers averaging $346.37. Additional details were provided on breaking-grade and boning-grade cattle prices in Torrington, Wyoming.