Feeder steers
$300 to $525
Illinois Cattle Auction Prices
Feeder steer prices in Illinois ran from about $300 to $525 per cwt this week, with lighter calves bringing more per hundredweight than heavy yearlings; feeder heifers ran about $295 to $500 per cwt. Prices are from the USDA weekly cattle auction summary for the week ending Sep 12, 2026. These are auction sale prices reported by USDA Market News; feeder cattle are quoted per hundredweight (cwt).
Feeder heifers
$295 to $500
Auction receipts
600 head
Week ending
Sep 12, 2026
Illinois Feeder Steers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250-300 lb | 281 lb | 5 | $440.00 | $500.00 | $475.64 |
| 300-350 lb | 338 lb | 2 | $485.00 | $490.00 | $487.52 |
| 300-350 lb | 323 lb | 2 | $405.00 | $455.00 | $428.26 |
| 300-350 lb | 343 lb | 2 | $480.00 | $500.00 | $489.93 |
| 350-400 lb | 389 lb | 6 | $525.00 | $525.00 | $525.00 |
| 350-400 lb | 382 lb | 8 | $455.00 | $500.00 | $475.04 |
| 400-450 lb | 430 lb | 4 | $470.00 | $510.00 | $494.85 |
| 400-450 lb | 431 lb | 3 | $425.00 | $430.00 | $428.38 |
| 450-500 lb | 479 lb | 10 | $440.00 | $480.00 | $461.52 |
| 450-500 lb | 467 lb | 5 | $400.00 | $477.50 | $461.89 |
| 450-500 lb | 450 lb | 1 | $372.00 | $372.00 | $372.00 |
| 500-550 lb | 508 lb | 15 | $400.00 | $457.00 | $449.07 |
| 500-550 lb | 540 lb | 1 | $375.00 | $375.00 | $375.00 |
| 500-550 lb | 520 lb | 26 | $420.00 | $430.00 | $428.47 |
| 550-600 lb | 571 lb | 19 | $352.50 | $400.00 | $374.98 |
| 550-600 lb | 593 lb | 9 | $335.00 | $395.00 | $388.53 |
| 600-650 lb | 604 lb | 4 | $350.00 | $385.00 | $358.91 |
| 600-650 lb | 630 lb | 1 | $307.50 | $307.50 | $307.50 |
| 600-650 lb | 632 lb | 47 | $342.50 | $380.00 | $374.08 |
| 650-700 lb | 662 lb | 3 | $300.00 | $317.50 | $305.95 |
| 650-700 lb | 654 lb | 37 | $350.00 | $381.00 | $378.93 |
| 650-700 lb | 665 lb | 2 | $467.50 | $467.50 | $467.50 |
| 700-750 lb | 724 lb | 45 | $335.00 | $370.00 | $348.98 |
| 700-750 lb | 740 lb | 1 | $307.50 | $307.50 | $307.50 |
| 700-750 lb | 735 lb | 1 | $322.50 | $322.50 | $322.50 |
| 750-800 lb | 789 lb | 22 | $310.00 | $341.00 | $339.60 |
| 800-850 lb | 837 lb | 26 | $325.00 | $325.00 | $325.00 |
| 800-850 lb | 815 lb | 5 | $310.00 | $320.00 | $311.97 |
| 850-900 lb | 863 lb | 13 | $330.00 | $330.00 | $330.00 |
Illinois Feeder Heifers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250-300 lb | 260 lb | 1 | $400.00 | $400.00 | $400.00 |
| 300-350 lb | 335 lb | 3 | $440.00 | $450.00 | $446.77 |
| 350-400 lb | 381 lb | 8 | $445.00 | $500.00 | $465.32 |
| 350-400 lb | 362 lb | 3 | $395.00 | $400.00 | $396.75 |
| 400-450 lb | 428 lb | 20 | $420.00 | $490.00 | $472.72 |
| 400-450 lb | 405 lb | 1 | $350.00 | $350.00 | $350.00 |
| 400-450 lb | 420 lb | 2 | $420.00 | $420.00 | $420.00 |
| 450-500 lb | 467 lb | 14 | $385.00 | $445.00 | $419.95 |
| 450-500 lb | 462 lb | 3 | $300.00 | $380.00 | $351.46 |
| 500-550 lb | 517 lb | 23 | $375.00 | $406.00 | $398.55 |
| 500-550 lb | 545 lb | 1 | $320.00 | $320.00 | $320.00 |
| 500-550 lb | 533 lb | 4 | $375.00 | $390.00 | $383.10 |
| 550-600 lb | 557 lb | 39 | $367.50 | $390.00 | $381.74 |
| 550-600 lb | 586 lb | 5 | $300.00 | $352.50 | $324.43 |
| 600-650 lb | 615 lb | 1 | $312.00 | $312.00 | $312.00 |
| 600-650 lb | 624 lb | 34 | $331.00 | $352.00 | $342.11 |
| 600-650 lb | 628 lb | 3 | $337.50 | $355.00 | $345.16 |
| 650-700 lb | 664 lb | 7 | $320.00 | $350.00 | $341.41 |
| 650-700 lb | 665 lb | 1 | $300.00 | $300.00 | $300.00 |
| 700-750 lb | 700 lb | 1 | $295.00 | $295.00 | $295.00 |
| 700-750 lb | 734 lb | 38 | $330.00 | $330.00 | $330.00 |
| 750-800 lb | 763 lb | 33 | $315.00 | $320.00 | $316.58 |
| 750-800 lb | 781 lb | 10 | $348.00 | $348.00 | $348.00 |
Illinois Feeder Bulls prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 450-500 lb | 490 lb | 1 | $353.50 | $353.50 | $353.50 |
| 500-550 lb | 523 lb | 2 | $332.50 | $356.50 | $344.56 |
Illinois Slaughter Steers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1253 lb | 5 | $204.00 | $214.00 | $210.12 |
| N/A | 1170 lb | 1 | $213.00 | $213.00 | $213.00 |
| N/A | 1165 lb | 1 | $215.00 | $215.00 | $215.00 |
| N/A | 1368 lb | 114 | $212.50 | $225.75 | $219.47 |
| N/A | 1248 lb | 16 | $202.00 | $212.00 | $209.08 |
| N/A | 1123 lb | 2 | $175.00 | $182.50 | $178.67 |
Illinois Slaughter Heifers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1303 lb | 126 | $212.50 | $226.00 | $219.21 |
| N/A | 1134 lb | 6 | $200.00 | $213.00 | $207.14 |
| N/A | 925 lb | 3 | $155.00 | $180.00 | $165.56 |
| N/A | 995 lb | 1 | $222.50 | $222.50 | $222.50 |
| N/A | 1302 lb | 3 | $201.00 | $213.50 | $208.99 |
Illinois Slaughter Bulls prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1878 lb | 4 | $175.00 | $182.50 | $177.78 |
| N/A | 1641 lb | 6 | $190.00 | $205.00 | $193.63 |
Illinois Slaughter Cows prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1053 lb | 6 | $110.00 | $125.00 | $116.45 |
| N/A | 1141 lb | 7 | $87.50 | $107.50 | $98.68 |
| N/A | 1280 lb | 18 | $126.00 | $165.00 | $157.94 |
| N/A | 1318 lb | 4 | $146.00 | $151.00 | $148.21 |
| N/A | 1520 lb | 1 | $176.00 | $176.00 | $176.00 |
| N/A | 1619 lb | 9 | $164.00 | $175.00 | $171.08 |
| N/A | 1585 lb | 6 | $151.00 | $163.00 | $156.83 |
| N/A | 1150 lb | 1 | $132.50 | $132.50 | $132.50 |
Illinois Slaughter Beef/Dairy Heifers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1220 lb | 2 | $186.00 | $195.00 | $190.13 |
| N/A | 1275 lb | 1 | $200.00 | $200.00 | $200.00 |
| N/A | 1403 lb | 3 | $210.00 | $210.00 | $210.00 |
Illinois Slaughter Beef/Dairy Steers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1365 lb | 1 | $186.00 | $186.00 | $186.00 |
| N/A | 1572 lb | 8 | $220.00 | $222.50 | $221.40 |
| N/A | 1305 lb | 1 | $190.00 | $190.00 | $190.00 |
| N/A | 1316 lb | 7 | $215.00 | $215.00 | $215.00 |
Illinois Slaughter Bullocks prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1070 lb | 1 | $161.00 | $161.00 | $161.00 |
| N/A | 1358 lb | 2 | $176.00 | $181.00 | $178.73 |
Illinois Slaughter Dairy Bulls prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 905 lb | 1 | $170.00 | $170.00 | $170.00 |
Illinois Slaughter Dairy Steers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1485 lb | 20 | $186.00 | $200.00 | $189.44 |
| N/A | 1553 lb | 14 | $165.00 | $165.00 | $165.00 |
Auction volume
@endif
Illinois auctions reported 600 head this week@if ($report->receipts_week_ago), compared with 195 head last week@if ($report->receipts_year_ago) and 1,633 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.
About this data
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 Sep 7, 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?
Feeder steer prices in Illinois ran from about $300 to $525 per cwt this week, with lighter calves bringing more per hundredweight than heavy yearlings; feeder heifers ran about $295 to $500 per cwt. Prices are from the USDA weekly cattle auction summary for the week ending Sep 12, 2026. 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 Sep 18, 2026.
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