USDA Reports Active Negotiated Cash Trade for Slaughter Cattle

Negotiated cash trade for slaughter cattle was active on good demand in Nebraska and the Western Cornbelt during Thursday's session, according to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's Morning National Slaughter Cattle Review.

The report, issued Friday, October 2, 2026, covers transactions reported as of 10:00 a.m. and draws on the mandatory reporting system for all prices, weights, and head counts. Live purchases in Nebraska came in steady to $2.00 lower than the prior week, with a range of $220.00 to $222.00. Dressed purchases in the state were mostly at $345.00, which was $3.00 to $5.00 lower than Tuesday.

In the Western Cornbelt, live purchases ranged from $218.00 to $222.00, mostly between $219.00 and $220.00, steady to $1.00 higher than the previous week. Dressed purchases there were $345.00 to $350.00, steady to $5.00 lower compared with the prior week's light test.