Iowa Cattle Auction Prices
Feeder steer prices in Iowa ran from about $276 to $568 per cwt this week, with lighter calves bringing more per hundredweight than heavy yearlings; feeder heifers ran about $218 to $515 per cwt. Prices are from the USDA weekly cattle auction summary for the week ending Oct 31, 2026. These are auction sale prices reported by USDA Market News; feeder cattle are quoted per hundredweight (cwt).
Iowa Feeder Steers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per head) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300-350 lb | 321 lb | 4 | $1,640.00 | $1,640.00 | $1,640.00 |
| 300-350 lb | 348 lb | 3 | $514.00 | $514.00 | $514.00 |
| 350-400 lb | 391 lb | 6 | $1,660.00 | $1,750.00 | $1,705.63 |
| 350-400 lb | 395 lb | 3 | $505.00 | $505.00 | $505.00 |
| 400-450 lb | 422 lb | 27 | $455.00 | $490.00 | $473.32 |
| 400-450 lb | 438 lb | 95 | $412.00 | $567.50 | $536.30 |
| 400-450 lb | 435 lb | 4 | $310.00 | $310.00 | $310.00 |
| 450-500 lb | 487 lb | 4 | $402.50 | $402.50 | $402.50 |
| 450-500 lb | 471 lb | 9 | $425.00 | $425.00 | $425.00 |
| 450-500 lb | 470 lb | 15 | $430.00 | $473.00 | $457.87 |
| 450-500 lb | 473 lb | 98 | $447.00 | $540.00 | $496.78 |
| 500-550 lb | 522 lb | 218 | $402.50 | $480.00 | $449.80 |
| 500-550 lb | 507 lb | 6 | $415.00 | $415.00 | $415.00 |
| 500-550 lb | 540 lb | 36 | $415.00 | $444.00 | $440.48 |
| 550-600 lb | 551 lb | 3 | $2,200.00 | $2,200.00 | $2,200.00 |
| 550-600 lb | 560 lb | 10 | $315.00 | $381.00 | $352.33 |
| 550-600 lb | 574 lb | 273 | $410.00 | $452.50 | $431.38 |
| 550-600 lb | 577 lb | 22 | $389.00 | $415.00 | $403.57 |
| 600-650 lb | 620 lb | 82 | $380.00 | $426.00 | $408.52 |
| 600-650 lb | 625 lb | 154 | $354.00 | $420.00 | $394.55 |
| 600-650 lb | 607 lb | 6 | $1,950.00 | $1,950.00 | $1,950.00 |
| 600-650 lb | 645 lb | 28 | $371.50 | $371.50 | $371.50 |
| 600-650 lb | 647 lb | 7 | $373.00 | $373.00 | $373.00 |
| 600-650 lb | 646 lb | 14 | $369.00 | $370.00 | $369.64 |
| 650-700 lb | 661 lb | 8 | $331.00 | $331.00 | $331.00 |
| 650-700 lb | 685 lb | 5 | $351.00 | $351.00 | $351.00 |
| 650-700 lb | 672 lb | 68 | $360.00 | $397.00 | $378.89 |
| 650-700 lb | 695 lb | 3 | $2,100.00 | $2,100.00 | $2,100.00 |
| 650-700 lb | 670 lb | 184 | $339.00 | $411.00 | $366.47 |
| 700-750 lb | 740 lb | 3 | $329.00 | $329.00 | $329.00 |
| 700-750 lb | 720 lb | 179 | $329.00 | $382.00 | $363.48 |
| 750-800 lb | 780 lb | 287 | $337.00 | $370.25 | $356.08 |
| 750-800 lb | 761 lb | 10 | $316.00 | $316.00 | $316.00 |
| 800-850 lb | 826 lb | 486 | $323.00 | $361.50 | $354.34 |
| 850-900 lb | 888 lb | 6 | $319.00 | $319.00 | $319.00 |
| 850-900 lb | 882 lb | 512 | $326.00 | $351.00 | $348.35 |
| 900-950 lb | 917 lb | 525 | $310.00 | $347.25 | $339.59 |
| 900-950 lb | 946 lb | 4 | $305.00 | $305.00 | $305.00 |
| 950-1000 lb | 986 lb | 142 | $292.00 | $318.50 | $317.21 |
| 950-1000 lb | 975 lb | 23 | $276.00 | $281.00 | $280.11 |
| 1000-1050 lb | 1033 lb | 11 | $308.00 | $308.00 | $308.00 |
| 1050-1100 lb | 1057 lb | 15 | $285.50 | $285.50 | $285.50 |
Iowa Feeder Heifers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300-350 lb | 312 lb | 3 | $380.00 | $380.00 | $380.00 |
| 300-350 lb | 331 lb | 6 | $475.00 | $475.00 | $475.00 |
| 350-400 lb | 389 lb | 34 | $463.00 | $515.00 | $483.01 |
| 350-400 lb | 375 lb | 4 | $365.00 | $365.00 | $365.00 |
| 350-400 lb | 378 lb | 9 | $1,660.00 | $1,885.00 | $1,787.94 |
| 400-450 lb | 434 lb | 64 | $430.00 | $480.00 | $454.09 |
| 400-450 lb | 423 lb | 13 | $427.50 | $450.00 | $439.34 |
| 400-450 lb | 416 lb | 5 | $412.50 | $412.50 | $412.50 |
| 450-500 lb | 453 lb | 10 | $465.00 | $465.00 | $465.00 |
| 450-500 lb | 480 lb | 123 | $400.00 | $443.00 | $419.10 |
| 450-500 lb | 481 lb | 16 | $390.00 | $425.00 | $405.21 |
| 500-550 lb | 503 lb | 3 | $369.00 | $369.00 | $369.00 |
| 500-550 lb | 529 lb | 7 | $363.00 | $363.00 | $363.00 |
| 500-550 lb | 518 lb | 57 | $341.00 | $394.00 | $376.76 |
| 500-550 lb | 527 lb | 195 | $330.00 | $419.00 | $394.56 |
| 550-600 lb | 564 lb | 24 | $365.00 | $377.00 | $372.13 |
| 550-600 lb | 580 lb | 14 | $351.00 | $354.00 | $351.87 |
| 550-600 lb | 578 lb | 135 | $345.00 | $407.00 | $370.39 |
| 600-650 lb | 618 lb | 18 | $326.00 | $345.00 | $339.05 |
| 600-650 lb | 625 lb | 132 | $370.00 | $381.00 | $376.92 |
| 600-650 lb | 620 lb | 98 | $330.00 | $366.00 | $341.07 |
| 650-700 lb | 672 lb | 147 | $320.00 | $341.00 | $334.65 |
| 650-700 lb | 673 lb | 6 | $320.00 | $320.00 | $320.00 |
| 650-700 lb | 687 lb | 14 | $306.00 | $335.00 | $320.28 |
| 700-750 lb | 717 lb | 23 | $287.50 | $311.00 | $301.87 |
| 700-750 lb | 725 lb | 96 | $306.00 | $353.00 | $327.01 |
| 750-800 lb | 798 lb | 5 | $276.00 | $276.00 | $276.00 |
| 750-800 lb | 786 lb | 24 | $309.00 | $337.00 | $315.57 |
| 800-850 lb | 812 lb | 163 | $300.00 | $327.75 | $312.91 |
| 800-850 lb | 821 lb | 5 | $295.00 | $295.00 | $295.00 |
| 850-900 lb | 862 lb | 217 | $286.00 | $301.50 | $301.21 |
| 850-900 lb | 854 lb | 6 | $285.00 | $285.00 | $285.00 |
| 900-950 lb | 918 lb | 58 | $276.00 | $296.00 | $289.20 |
| 950-1000 lb | 965 lb | 10 | $285.00 | $285.00 | $285.00 |
| 1000-1050 lb | 1024 lb | 12 | $251.00 | $266.00 | $261.10 |
| 1000-1050 lb | 1026 lb | 4 | $245.00 | $245.00 | $245.00 |
| 1100-1150 lb | 1138 lb | 5 | $246.50 | $246.50 | $246.50 |
| 1200-1250 lb | 1242 lb | 4 | $217.50 | $217.50 | $217.50 |
Iowa Feeder Bulls prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600-650 lb | 628 lb | 8 | $348.00 | $348.00 | $348.00 |
Iowa Slaughter Steers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1370 lb | 6 | $230.75 | $230.75 | $230.75 |
| N/A | 1442 lb | 26 | $220.50 | $225.75 | $224.53 |
| N/A | 1522 lb | 201 | $220.00 | $228.00 | $223.73 |
| N/A | 1841 lb | 5 | $223.50 | $224.50 | $223.70 |
| N/A | 1421 lb | 16 | $225.50 | $226.50 | $226.05 |
| N/A | 1540 lb | 7 | $223.00 | $225.00 | $223.86 |
| N/A | 1535 lb | 6 | $225.75 | $225.75 | $225.75 |
| N/A | 1725 lb | 2 | $223.00 | $223.00 | $223.00 |
| N/A | 1125 lb | 17 | $192.50 | $259.00 | $222.26 |
| N/A | 1405 lb | 25 | $210.00 | $221.50 | $218.27 |
| N/A | 1270 lb | 41 | $214.00 | $240.00 | $227.81 |
Iowa Slaughter Heifers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1109 lb | 5 | $223.00 | $235.00 | $229.35 |
| N/A | 1343 lb | 13 | $225.25 | $226.25 | $225.66 |
| N/A | 1140 lb | 8 | $235.00 | $235.00 | $235.00 |
| N/A | 1299 lb | 15 | $212.00 | $221.00 | $218.55 |
| N/A | 1387 lb | 263 | $220.00 | $227.00 | $224.03 |
| N/A | 1295 lb | 4 | $217.00 | $220.00 | $217.96 |
| N/A | 1217 lb | 3 | $225.00 | $225.00 | $225.00 |
| N/A | 1075 lb | 15 | $198.00 | $233.00 | $219.11 |
Iowa Slaughter Bulls prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 930 lb | 1 | $195.00 | $195.00 | $195.00 |
| N/A | 1760 lb | 11 | $156.00 | $210.00 | $179.43 |
| N/A | 1175 lb | 1 | $142.00 | $142.00 | $142.00 |
Iowa Slaughter Cows prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1264 lb | 23 | $106.00 | $128.00 | $118.15 |
| N/A | 900 lb | 3 | $170.00 | $217.50 | $191.40 |
| N/A | 1734 lb | 7 | $127.00 | $139.00 | $131.70 |
| N/A | 1171 lb | 26 | $132.00 | $237.50 | $170.50 |
| N/A | 1352 lb | 3 | $105.00 | $124.00 | $114.33 |
| N/A | 1367 lb | 11 | $151.00 | $202.50 | $168.50 |
| N/A | 1471 lb | 26 | $135.00 | $158.00 | $145.08 |
| N/A | 1239 lb | 20 | $122.00 | $145.00 | $131.92 |
| N/A | 894 lb | 5 | $80.00 | $127.00 | $101.96 |
Iowa Slaughter Beef/Dairy Steers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1440 lb | 6 | $214.00 | $219.00 | $214.88 |
Iowa Slaughter Dairy Steers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1517 lb | 15 | $171.50 | $191.00 | $180.78 |
| N/A | 1555 lb | 13 | $197.00 | $207.00 | $201.34 |
Iowa auctions reported 5,732 head this week@if ($report->receipts_week_ago), compared with 3,204 head last week@if ($report->receipts_year_ago) and 4,924 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 steers and heifers sold unevenly steady with lower undertones noted by week's close. A lot of variance in weights and kind from this week to last. Demand was moderate to good in some cases. Slaughter steers and heifers sold steady. Slaughter cows sold 2.00 to 7.00 higher and bull sold 8.00 higher. Overall, the market was pretty good despite the sharp losses in the CME cattle boards through the week. Many farmer/feeders were back in the field trying to get crops out before the next wave of wet weather blows through from the west.
Market commentary above is quoted from the USDA Market News report.
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 Oct 26, 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 $276 to $568 per cwt this week, with lighter calves bringing more per hundredweight than heavy yearlings; feeder heifers ran about $218 to $515 per cwt. Prices are from the USDA weekly cattle auction summary for the week ending Oct 31, 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 Nov 5, 2026.