Illinois Cattle Auction Prices
These are auction sale prices reported by USDA Market News; feeder cattle are quoted per hundredweight (cwt).
Illinois Slaughter Steers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1475 lb | 1 | $225.00 | $225.00 | $225.00 |
| N/A | 1420 lb | 2 | $237.00 | $237.00 | $237.00 |
| N/A | 1212 lb | 3 | $195.00 | $223.00 | $208.37 |
| N/A | 1391 lb | 121 | $225.00 | $240.50 | $235.23 |
Illinois Slaughter Heifers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1235 lb | 113 | $225.00 | $240.25 | $231.45 |
| N/A | 1170 lb | 1 | $220.00 | $220.00 | $220.00 |
| N/A | 1060 lb | 1 | $222.00 | $222.00 | $222.00 |
| N/A | 1080 lb | 1 | $201.00 | $201.00 | $201.00 |
| N/A | 883 lb | 2 | $180.00 | $187.50 | $183.46 |
| N/A | 1030 lb | 1 | $231.00 | $231.00 | $231.00 |
| N/A | 1190 lb | 1 | $221.00 | $221.00 | $221.00 |
Illinois Slaughter Bulls prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1845 lb | 2 | $221.00 | $225.00 | $223.09 |
| N/A | 1442 lb | 3 | $210.00 | $210.00 | $210.00 |
Illinois Slaughter Cows prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1299 lb | 4 | $150.00 | $167.00 | $156.68 |
| N/A | 1370 lb | 1 | $183.00 | $183.00 | $183.00 |
| N/A | 945 lb | 1 | $127.50 | $127.50 | $127.50 |
Illinois Slaughter Beef/Dairy Heifers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1197 lb | 7 | $220.00 | $225.00 | $222.52 |
Illinois Slaughter Beef/Dairy Steers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1392 lb | 7 | $220.00 | $228.00 | $223.26 |
Illinois Slaughter Dairy Steers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1437 lb | 19 | $200.00 | $210.00 | $202.67 |
| N/A | 1363 lb | 2 | $215.00 | $220.00 | $217.59 |
Illinois auctions reported 384 head this week@if ($report->receipts_week_ago), compared with 683 head last week@if ($report->receipts_year_ago) and 583 head a year ago@endif.
Illinois cattle markets
Illinois contributes to the beef supply chain through cow-calf herds, stocker and backgrounding operations, and cattle feeding supported by the state's grain production. Cattle are raised across the state, with activity often tied to mixed crop and livestock farms and regional auction markets. Spring-born calves are commonly marketed in the fall after weaning, while some producers retain ownership through backgrounding. Corn and other feed resources support feeder-cattle development and finishing operations, particularly in agricultural areas with established livestock infrastructure.
These are auction sale prices reported by USDA Market News from livestock auctions across Illinois, summarized weekly. Feeder cattle are quoted per hundredweight (cwt); breeding and replacement cattle are often quoted per head or per pair. Prices move with the futures market, feed costs, and demand, so confirm current values at your local auction.
Source: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, report AMS_2041, published Jul 27, 2026. Original USDA report (PDF). This page is informational and is not market or investment advice.
Illinois cattle price frequently asked questions
How much are feeder steers in Illinois right now?
Exact prices depend on weight, frame, and quality, shown in the tables above.
Why do lighter cattle cost more per hundredweight?
Buyers usually pay a higher price per pound for lighter calves than for heavy yearlings, a pattern often called the price slide, because lighter cattle have more weight left to gain. That is why a 5-weight steer can post a higher per-cwt price than an 8-weight steer at the same auction.
How often are these cattle prices updated?
USDA Market News publishes Illinois auction summaries weekly, and this page refreshes after each new report. Auction prices can change from week to week, so check the report date shown above.
Page updated Aug 4, 2026.