Summary
USDA's Kentucky summary, week of Oct 19, 2026
This week's feeder cattle market was generally stronger, supported by good to very good demand and mostly moderate supplies. Feeder steers posted the largest gains, reporting 3.00 to 12.00 higher with instances sharply higher for calves under 600 pounds. Feeder heifers also trended higher, advancing 2.00 to 8.00, although some heavier-weight classes were reported steady to 4.00 lower. Yearling cattle sold mostly steady to 6.00 higher. Demand was especially strong for lightweight calves and quality feeder offerings. Slaughter cattle markets were mixed during the week. Slaughter cows traded from 4.00 lower to 4.00 higher depending on demand and supply, but overall finished the week mostly steady to weak. Slaughter bulls were generally steady to slightly lower, although isolated markets reported gains of 1.00 to 3.00. Demand for slaughter classes was mostly moderate.
USDA Market News report narrative
Report date Oct 19, 2026 to Oct 24, 2026 · Published by USDA Oct 26, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 2, 2026 7:30 am ET · Source: USDA AMS Market News, Kentucky Weekly Livestock Auction Summary (AMS_2193)
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Feeder steers
Kentucky feeder steers, week of Oct 19, 2026
Medium and Large 1-2, $/cwt. Compared with the week of Oct 12, 2026.
| Weight | Head | Range | Wtd avg | Prior week | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300-350 lbs | 21 | $422.50-547.00 | $506.83 | $494.02 | ▲ 12.81 |
| 350-400 lbs | 66 | $432.50-555.00 | $501.35 | $487.24 | ▲ 14.11 |
| 400-450 lbs | 116 | $360.00-495.00 | $454.31 | $453.35 | ▲ 0.96 |
| 450-500 lbs | 134 | $390.00-492.00 | $440.86 | $434.58 | ▲ 6.28 |
| 500-550 lbs | 248 | $350.00-439.00 | $397.68 | $398.57 | ▼ 0.89 |
| 550-600 lbs | 226 | $350.00-410.00 | $382.21 | $377.53 | ▲ 4.68 |
| 600-650 lbs | 247 | $325.00-387.00 | $364.10 | $356.25 | ▲ 7.85 |
| 650-700 lbs | 203 | $275.00-371.00 | $345.15 | $344.96 | ▲ 0.19 |
| 700-750 lbs | 192 | $313.00-352.50 | $336.36 | $336.62 | ▼ 0.26 |
| 750-800 lbs | 87 | $297.50-348.00 | $335.37 | $332.26 | ▲ 3.11 |
| 800-850 lbs | 117 | $307.50-340.00 | $329.29 | $326.94 | ▲ 2.35 |
| 850-900 lbs | 63 | $304.00-336.50 | $320.26 | $313.56 | ▲ 6.70 |
| 900-950 lbs | 21 | $275.00-321.00 | $302.26 | $308.84 | ▼ 6.58 |
| 950-1000 lbs | 29 | $235.00-314.00 | $306.39 | $303.36 | ▲ 3.03 |
Feeder heifers
Kentucky feeder heifers, week of Oct 19, 2026
Medium and Large 1-2, $/cwt. Compared with the week of Oct 12, 2026.
| Weight | Head | Range | Wtd avg | Prior week | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300-350 lbs | 80 | $350.00-460.00 | $426.88 | $419.50 | ▲ 7.38 |
| 350-400 lbs | 128 | $350.00-447.50 | $408.79 | $402.77 | ▲ 6.02 |
| 400-450 lbs | 168 | $340.00-427.50 | $386.43 | $383.09 | ▲ 3.34 |
| 450-500 lbs | 380 | $265.00-430.00 | $370.89 | $366.49 | ▲ 4.40 |
| 500-550 lbs | 389 | $320.00-367.50 | $347.44 | $347.81 | ▼ 0.37 |
| 550-600 lbs | 343 | $310.00-375.00 | $335.41 | $331.02 | ▲ 4.39 |
| 600-650 lbs | 274 | $282.50-339.00 | $320.78 | $318.42 | ▲ 2.36 |
| 650-700 lbs | 224 | $270.00-337.50 | $316.57 | $310.99 | ▲ 5.58 |
| 700-750 lbs | 105 | $277.50-321.00 | $302.12 | $300.25 | ▲ 1.87 |
| 750-800 lbs | 48 | $279.00-316.00 | $299.90 | $306.86 | ▼ 6.96 |
| 800-850 lbs | 21 | $272.50-302.50 | $288.94 | $292.25 | ▼ 3.31 |
| 850-900 lbs | 29 | $230.00-310.00 | $285.64 | $289.67 | ▼ 4.03 |
| 900-950 lbs | 3 | $245.00-292.50 | $260.83 | $274.16 | ▼ 13.33 |
| 950-1000 lbs | 8 | $260.00-278.00 | $269.91 | $230.04 | ▲ 39.87 |
Feeder bulls
Kentucky feeder bulls, week of Oct 19, 2026
Medium and Large 1-2, $/cwt. Compared with the week of Oct 12, 2026.
| Weight | Head | Range | Wtd avg | Prior week | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300-350 lbs | 36 | $400.00-560.00 | $495.26 | $480.33 | ▲ 14.93 |
| 350-400 lbs | 79 | $435.00-545.00 | $483.11 | $465.92 | ▲ 17.19 |
| 400-450 lbs | 145 | $395.00-487.50 | $442.49 | $429.06 | ▲ 13.43 |
| 450-500 lbs | 173 | $370.00-465.00 | $428.55 | $425.24 | ▲ 3.31 |
| 500-550 lbs | 189 | $337.50-415.00 | $374.70 | $369.21 | ▲ 5.49 |
| 550-600 lbs | 300 | $315.00-390.00 | $353.08 | $355.51 | ▼ 2.43 |
| 600-650 lbs | 179 | $302.00-365.00 | $336.03 | $333.32 | ▲ 2.71 |
| 650-700 lbs | 167 | $292.50-355.00 | $324.41 | $317.56 | ▲ 6.85 |
| 700-750 lbs | 116 | $277.50-330.00 | $303.36 | $301.86 | ▲ 1.50 |
| 750-800 lbs | 48 | $262.50-310.00 | $293.16 | $297.57 | ▼ 4.41 |
| 800-850 lbs | 16 | $240.00-290.00 | $265.92 | $264.38 | ▲ 1.54 |
| 850-900 lbs | 8 | $252.00-290.00 | $275.38 | $273.42 | ▲ 1.96 |
| 900-950 lbs | 4 | $212.50-242.50 | $225.15 | $251.04 | ▼ 25.89 |
| 950-1000 lbs | 4 | $217.50-247.00 | $225.37 | $233.53 | ▼ 8.16 |
Cull cows
Kentucky slaughter cows, week of Oct 19, 2026
$/cwt. Compared with the week of Oct 12, 2026.
| Grade | Head | Wtd avg | Prior week | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breaker 75-80%, High dressing | 44 | $142.79 | $144.24 | ▼ 1.45 |
| Breaker 75-80%, Average dressing | 126 | $131.88 | $130.92 | ▲ 0.96 |
| Breaker 75-80%, Low dressing | 30 | $122.29 | $124.67 | ▼ 2.38 |
| Breaker 75-80%, Very Low dressing | 2 | $109.01 | $106.37 | ▲ 2.64 |
| Boner 80-85%, High dressing | 110 | $146.73 | $147.81 | ▼ 1.08 |
| Boner 80-85%, Average dressing | 396 | $131.34 | $131.10 | ▲ 0.24 |
| Boner 80-85%, Low dressing | 138 | $119.29 | $121.65 | ▼ 2.36 |
| Boner 80-85%, Very Low dressing | 23 | $114.89 | $110.06 | ▲ 4.83 |
| Lean 85-90%, High dressing | 23 | $137.72 | $136.18 | ▲ 1.54 |
| Lean 85-90%, Average dressing | 173 | $118.73 | $119.37 | ▼ 0.64 |
| Lean 85-90%, Low dressing | 142 | $106.93 | $110.17 | ▼ 3.24 |
| Lean 85-90%, Very Low dressing | 88 | $92.86 | $96.98 | ▼ 4.12 |
Every line USDA published this week, including replacement cows, pairs and lots described as fleshy or value added, is on the Kentucky cattle prices page. The change column is this week's weighted average minus the prior week's for the same weight class.
Questions
Questions about Kentucky Cattle Prices This Week | Weekly Auction Report
What are cattle selling for in Kentucky this week?
USDA's Kentucky summary for the week of Oct 19, 2026 put Medium and Large 1-2 steers weighing 500-550 lbs at $397.68/cwt on 248 head. The tables above have every weight.
Are cattle prices up or down this week?
500-550 lb steers were $397.68/cwt against $398.57 the week before. USDA's own summary of the market is quoted at the top of this page.
How do I read a cattle market report?
Prices are dollars per hundredweight (100 lbs). Each row is a 50 lb weight class; the range is the lowest and highest price paid and the weighted average accounts for how many head sold at each price. "Medium and Large 1" is the feeder grade: frame size and muscling.
Where does this report come from?
USDA Market News publishes the Kentucky Weekly Livestock Auction Summary each week from the Kentucky auctions its reporters covered.