WEST PLAINS, MO., Jun 17, 2026 — Compared to last week, slaughter cows sold steady to $3 lower on Tuesday at the Ozarks Regional Stockyards, and slaughter bulls were mostly steady. It was another week with a majority of replacement cattle, consisting mostly of groups of bred cows with many over 5 years old. Demand was good on a moderate supply. Total receipts were 766 head.
Pricing Averages Snapshot
• Breaker Cows (75-80% dressing): Averaged $174.54/cwt.
• Boner Cows (80-85% dressing): Averaged $174.62/cwt.
• Lean Cows (85-90% dressing): Averaged $157.82/cwt.
• Slaughter Bulls (Yield Grade 1-2): Averaged $215.04/cwt.
Calves jump sharply higher on strong futures
Based on very limited receipts from last week's sale, pee-wee steer and heifer calves under 500 lbs sold with a sharply higher undertone. The best test of 500 to 700 lb steers sold $4 to $13 higher, and 500 to 650 lb heifers were mostly $8 to $20 higher. Heavier weights had nothing to compare to last week, but some attractive load lots came through that demanded impressive prices.
The futures board had significant gains the beginning of this week and buyers jumped in today for the high quality offering. Demand was good on a moderate supply of 2,457 head.
Pricing Snapshot (Per Cwt / Avg Price)
• Steers (Medium & Large 1):
◦ 400-444 lbs (430 lbs avg): Averaged $549.16.
◦ 450-468 lbs (459 lbs avg): Averaged $534.41.
◦ 557-584 lbs (569 lbs avg): Averaged $447.13.
◦ 605-640 lbs (623 lbs avg): Averaged $430.79.
◦ 853 lbs: Averaged $375.
◦ 927-935 lbs (931 lbs avg): Averaged $350.37.
• Heifers (Medium & Large 1):
◦ 400-430 lbs (417 lbs avg): Averaged $520.30.
◦ 450-488 lbs (467 lbs avg): Averaged $486.67.
◦ 500-548 lbs (522 lbs avg): Averaged $446.76.
◦ 600-634 lbs (612 lbs avg): Averaged $386.33.
Video auction sees good demand on moderate supply
Demand was good on a moderate supply for this video auction held in conjunction with ORS' regular feeder cattle sale. Total receipts were 885 head. All cattle offered are in Arkansas, Missouri and Mississippi. Current deliveries are cattle that will be delivered up to 14 days from the video sale date, running through June 30.
Video Auction Highlights
• South Central Steers (M&L 1): Current delivery (550 lbs avg) sold for $518/cwt.
• South Central Steers (M&L 1): Current delivery (900 lbs avg) sold for $350.50/cwt.
• Southeast Steers (M&L 1-2): Current delivery (820 lbs avg) sold for $360/cwt.
• Southeast Steers (M&L 1-2): Current delivery (860 lbs avg) sold for $348/cwt.
• South Central Heifers (M&L 1): Current delivery (500 lbs avg) sold for $505.50/cwt.
• Southeast Heifers (M&L 1): Current delivery (750 lbs avg) sold for $343/cwt.
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News MO Dept of Ag Market News - Grace Erickson Butler, Market Reporter Jefferson City, MO | (573) 751-5618 www.ams.usda.gov/lpgmn
