Thursday set new national weighted average records for 5-, 7-, and 9-weight steers, with unprecedented prices of $425.86, $367.63, and $325.20/cwt, respectively. Leading the 500–599 lb class were 15 head at 525 lbs from Farmers Ranchers (Salina, KS) at $490.00, 12 head at 502 lbs from MO-Kan (Butler, MO) at $482.00, and 25 head at 527 lbs from Farmers Ranchers at $470.00. In the 700–799 lb division, top sales included 20 head at 714 lbs from Farmers Ranchers at $400.00, 46 head at 723 lbs from El Dorado (El Dorado, KS) at $395.50, and 32 head at 720 lbs from El Dorado at $389.00. For the 900–999 lb category, the highest prices came from Farmers Ranchers with 37 head at 907 lbs bringing $335.00, 46 head at 913 lbs at $334.00, and 23 head at 908 lbs also at $334.00.

Farmers & Ranchers Livestock in Salina, KS, earned the Superior Steel Sales, home of Superior Standard Cattle Equipment, Stickout Sale of the Day, as announced by Corbitt Wall on his Friday Feeder Flash, for delivering a powerhouse market that drew cattle from across the region and commanded exceptional prices. Feeder cattle sold $2–$5 higher, with some 950 lb steers as much as $12 higher. The barn showcased top-quality runs across all weight classes, including 172 head of 5-weight steers averaging 549 lbs at $435.90/cwt, 190 head of 6-weights at 639 lbs bringing $394.79, and an impressive 430 head of 7-weights averaging 745 lbs at $376.60. Heavy feeders held strong as well, with 855 head of 8-weights at 836 lbs averaging $346.92 and 1,147 head of 9-weights at 941 lbs bringing $327.27.

Orland Livestock Commission Yard delivered a powerhouse sale on Thursday, setting 17 new barn records and establishing new all-time highs for 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, and 9-weight steers. The 7-weight division was especially dominant, with the top four prices in barn history all set in one day—25 head at 711 lbs brought $371.00/cwt, 16 head at 710 lbs sold for $366.00, 31 head at 725 lbs made $364.00, and 29 head at 739 lbs hit $356.00.   The 8-weights followed suit, rewriting their own record book with 30 head at 830 lbs fetching $330.00, 15 head at 821 lbs at $321.00, and 28 head at 871 lbs for $309.00.  Lighter cattle were just as impressive—6-weights saw 15 head at 609 lbs bring $410.00/cwt, 16 head at 623 lbs at $407.50, and 10 head at 604 lbs at $400.00, all setting new barn bests. 

Paris Stockyard (Paris, KY) posted several standout sales on Thursday, with four of the highest-priced 8-weight steer strings in barn history all set in one day: 60 head at 874 lbs brought $339.25/cwt, 122 head at 880 lbs sold for $339.00, 62 head at 890 lbs brought $337.75, and 58 head at 857 lbs sold for $336.75. In the 9-weight category, 60 head at 922 lbs sold for $327.00/cwt, setting a new barn record. A 7-weight draft of 60 head at 734 lbs brought $369.50/cwt, ranking 2nd all-time for that class.

El Dorado Livestock Auction in Kansas turned in an outstanding sale on Thursday, posting barn-leading prices across multiple weight classes.   The top 7-weight string—46 head averaging 723 lbs—brought $395.50/cwt, the new number one for that class at the barn and ranking 4th nationally. Heavier feeders impressed as well, with 15 head at 824 lbs selling for $340.00, the highest 8-weight price in barn history. 

Enid Livestock (Enid, OK) saw standout action on Thursday with multiple record-setting sales. A draft of 83 head at 724 lbs brought $372.50/cwt, setting a new all-time barn record for 7-weights. In the 9-weight class, 120 head at 934 lbs sold for $320.00/cwt, also a barn record. Additionally, 24 head at 846 lbs brought $334.50/cwt, the 5th highest 8-weight price in barn history.

Bluegrass Stockyards South in Stanford, KY posted several standout sales on Thursday, led by three exceptional 7-weight drafts: 66 head at 759 lbs brought $370.50/cwt (1st all-time), 69 head at 797 lbs sold for $368.50 (3rd), and 42 head at 741 lbs brought $367.50 (4th). In the 8-weight category, 62 head at 820 lbs brought $341.00/cwt, ranking 3rd all-time at the barn, while two additional drafts—62 head at 870 lbs and 58 head at 898 lbs—each sold for $333.25/cwt, placing 7th and 8th all-time, respectively.

On Thursday, August CME Feeder Cattle futures closed at $348.65/cwt, up $3.625, nearly matching the cash market’s top levels. The RTI 7-Day Feeder Index rose $1.96 to $343.59, sitting $5.06 under the August contract, while the National Steer Price climbed $2.73 to $348.70—just five cents above futures. The tight spread between futures and cash underscores a strong, aligned market tone, with both indicators holding near record highs.

• CME Feeder Cattle (AUG):  $348.65  (+3.625) 
• RTI Feeder Index (7-Day):  $343.59  (+1.96)  
• National Steer Price:  $348.70   (+2.73)

The largest sale on Thursday was Farmers Ranchers (Salina, KS) with 4,448 head, followed by El Dorado (El Dorado, KS) with 2,429 head, Enid (Enid, OK) with 2,028 head, Bluegrass South (Stanford, KY) with 1,888 head, and Pratt (Pratt, KS) with 1,813 head.  Receipts on Thursday were up 8% from last Thursday.