Feeder steers
$267 to $520
Iowa Cattle Auction Prices
Feeder steer prices in Iowa ran from about $267 to $520 per cwt this week, with lighter calves bringing more per hundredweight than heavy yearlings; feeder heifers ran about $295 to $440 per cwt. Prices are from the USDA weekly cattle auction summary for the week ending Aug 1, 2026. These are auction sale prices reported by USDA Market News; feeder cattle are quoted per hundredweight (cwt).
Feeder heifers
$295 to $440
Auction receipts
2,082 head
Week ending
Aug 1, 2026
Iowa Feeder Steers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per head) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 350-400 lb | 383 lb | 4 | $1,825.00 | $1,825.00 | $1,825.00 |
| 350-400 lb | 391 lb | 4 | $520.00 | $520.00 | $520.00 |
| 450-500 lb | 471 lb | 16 | $445.00 | $468.00 | $451.95 |
| 500-550 lb | 517 lb | 11 | $450.00 | $450.00 | $450.00 |
| 550-600 lb | 583 lb | 24 | $411.00 | $419.00 | $417.05 |
| 550-600 lb | 574 lb | 7 | $375.00 | $379.00 | $376.65 |
| 600-650 lb | 643 lb | 13 | $370.00 | $370.00 | $370.00 |
| 600-650 lb | 630 lb | 25 | $395.00 | $415.00 | $406.31 |
| 700-750 lb | 710 lb | 4 | $324.00 | $324.00 | $324.00 |
| 700-750 lb | 727 lb | 34 | $349.00 | $385.50 | $374.59 |
| 750-800 lb | 773 lb | 84 | $341.00 | $370.00 | $360.90 |
| 800-850 lb | 825 lb | 308 | $341.00 | $364.00 | $362.06 |
| 850-900 lb | 867 lb | 302 | $330.50 | $371.50 | $354.37 |
| 900-950 lb | 914 lb | 271 | $316.00 | $360.50 | $357.01 |
| 950-1000 lb | 990 lb | 35 | $305.00 | $312.50 | $311.87 |
| 1000-1050 lb | 1027 lb | 10 | $304.00 | $304.00 | $304.00 |
| 1100-1150 lb | 1143 lb | 8 | $267.00 | $267.00 | $267.00 |
Iowa Feeder Heifers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per head) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400-450 lb | 413 lb | 3 | $2,000.00 | $2,000.00 | $2,000.00 |
| 450-500 lb | 490 lb | 13 | $423.00 | $440.00 | $428.15 |
| 500-550 lb | 523 lb | 15 | $415.00 | $422.50 | $416.96 |
| 500-550 lb | 533 lb | 4 | $388.00 | $388.00 | $388.00 |
| 550-600 lb | 577 lb | 26 | $368.00 | $402.50 | $377.79 |
| 600-650 lb | 615 lb | 14 | $343.00 | $353.00 | $348.88 |
| 650-700 lb | 689 lb | 29 | $337.00 | $352.50 | $350.36 |
| 700-750 lb | 736 lb | 98 | $335.00 | $350.00 | $346.81 |
| 750-800 lb | 782 lb | 19 | $313.00 | $313.00 | $313.00 |
| 750-800 lb | 774 lb | 51 | $324.00 | $343.00 | $333.26 |
| 800-850 lb | 810 lb | 74 | $322.00 | $331.50 | $330.61 |
| 850-900 lb | 885 lb | 109 | $295.00 | $316.50 | $311.80 |
| 900-950 lb | 916 lb | 133 | $310.00 | $316.50 | $313.20 |
| 950-1000 lb | 951 lb | 7 | $297.00 | $297.00 | $297.00 |
Iowa Slaughter Steers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1122 lb | 3 | $204.00 | $216.00 | $210.73 |
| N/A | 1627 lb | 2 | $227.50 | $227.50 | $227.50 |
| N/A | 1695 lb | 1 | $224.00 | $224.00 | $224.00 |
| N/A | 1084 lb | 15 | $200.00 | $255.00 | $219.48 |
| N/A | 1741 lb | 9 | $228.00 | $238.00 | $235.29 |
| N/A | 1297 lb | 57 | $220.00 | $229.00 | $226.16 |
| N/A | 1391 lb | 68 | $223.00 | $229.00 | $227.12 |
| N/A | 915 lb | 6 | $260.00 | $260.00 | $260.00 |
| N/A | 1242 lb | 12 | $223.00 | $231.00 | $228.84 |
| N/A | 1432 lb | 310 | $228.00 | $239.50 | $233.77 |
Iowa Slaughter Heifers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 933 lb | 3 | $237.00 | $242.00 | $240.37 |
| N/A | 1304 lb | 166 | $224.00 | $238.00 | $231.48 |
| N/A | 1075 lb | 22 | $200.00 | $230.00 | $222.14 |
| N/A | 1162 lb | 19 | $222.00 | $227.50 | $225.73 |
| N/A | 1075 lb | 2 | $223.50 | $225.00 | $224.24 |
| N/A | 1210 lb | 4 | $219.00 | $220.00 | $219.73 |
| N/A | 1234 lb | 35 | $220.00 | $229.00 | $225.53 |
Iowa Slaughter Bulls prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1646 lb | 23 | $197.00 | $235.00 | $222.83 |
| N/A | 1688 lb | 5 | $237.00 | $275.00 | $248.02 |
| N/A | 1137 lb | 5 | $182.50 | $225.00 | $207.47 |
Iowa Slaughter Cows prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1567 lb | 19 | $191.00 | $213.00 | $199.91 |
| N/A | 1161 lb | 19 | $175.00 | $259.00 | $195.71 |
| N/A | 893 lb | 8 | $125.00 | $164.00 | $142.38 |
| N/A | 933 lb | 2 | $180.00 | $181.00 | $180.47 |
| N/A | 1472 lb | 32 | $177.00 | $191.00 | $184.43 |
| N/A | 1251 lb | 34 | $154.00 | $179.00 | $168.43 |
| N/A | 1370 lb | 15 | $180.00 | $214.00 | $193.26 |
| N/A | 1161 lb | 15 | $130.00 | $156.00 | $142.94 |
Iowa Slaughter Dairy Steers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1638 lb | 17 | $226.00 | $233.00 | $229.53 |
| N/A | 1520 lb | 6 | $217.50 | $223.50 | $219.57 |
| N/A | 1085 lb | 2 | $195.00 | $195.00 | $195.00 |
Auction volume
@endif
Iowa auctions reported 2,082 head this week@if ($report->receipts_week_ago), compared with 0 head last week@if ($report->receipts_year_ago) and 6,065 head a year ago@endif.
Iowa cattle markets
Iowa is an important cattle-feeding state, supported by abundant corn and a network of feedlots that finish cattle for beef production. Cow-calf and backgrounding operations are also common, particularly in the southern and western parts of the state. Feeder cattle move through livestock auctions and direct marketing channels across the state, often after weaning. Spring calving is common, and fall brings a substantial run of weaned calves and yearlings.
Iowa cattle market commentary
Compared to last week: There were no feeder cattle from the last report to trend. Average dressing slaughter cows sold unevenly steady; bulls 1.00 lower. In the slaughter cattle supply, average dressing slaughter steers sold 7.00 to 11.00 lower, average dressing slaughter dairy steers sold 1.00 to 2.00 lower, and average dressing slaughter heifers sold 7.00 to 9.00 lower. Trade was active on moderate to very good demand.
Market commentary above is quoted from the USDA Market News report.
About this data
These are auction sale prices reported by USDA Market News from livestock auctions across Iowa, 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_2167, published Jul 27, 2026. Original USDA report (PDF). This page is informational and is not market or investment advice.
Iowa cattle price frequently asked questions
How much are feeder steers in Iowa right now?
Feeder steer prices in Iowa ran from about $267 to $520 per cwt this week, with lighter calves bringing more per hundredweight than heavy yearlings; feeder heifers ran about $295 to $440 per cwt. Prices are from the USDA weekly cattle auction summary for the week ending Aug 1, 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 Iowa 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.
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