CLARA LIVE: đ Most Explosive Day in Feeder Cattle History as Bassettâs Barbecue Sale Sets 27 National Records đ
Bassett Livestock Auctionâs premier Annual Barbecue Yearlings & Fall Calves Auction, held Wednesday, July 9, 2025, was an historic eventâwidely regarded as one of the greatest feeder cattle sales in history, even surpassing their record-smashing sale on June 25th. The barn shattered 40 of 80 all-time records across multiple weight classes, with new all-time highs set for the 3-, 4-, 6-, 7-, 9-, and 10-weight categories. Remarkably, all top 10 highest prices for both 9- and 10-weight steers were set during Wednesdayâs sale. In a feat never before seen, 27 national records were broken in a single day, including new all-time national highs for 6-, 7-, 9-, and 10-weights.
Wednesday marked the strongest day in cash feeder cattle market history, with new all-time weighted average price records set across the 400â499, 500â599, 600â699, 700â799, and 900â999 lb weight classes. Leading the surge, 400â499 lb calves averaged $447.75/cwt, while 5-weights came in at $411.80, 6-weights at $375.61, 7-weights at $340.53, and 9-weights at $310.07. Meanwhile, 800- and 1000-lb steers missed their all-time highs by less than $1/cwt, underscoring just how widespread and intense Wednesdayâs rally was. It was, by all measures, the most explosive day ever recorded for cash feeder cattle sales.
Hats off to OKC West (El Reno, OK), following up yesterdayâs strong showing with another standout performance today. The barn set new all-time records for both 8-weights and 9-weights, with 59 head at 807 lbs selling for $324.00 and a massive string of 308 head at 906 lbs bringing $309.50. Adding to the momentum, 22 head at 700 lbs sold for $340.00, marking the second-highest 7-weight price ever recorded at OKC West.
Emporia Livestock had a standout day on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, setting new all-time record highs for 8-, 9-, and 10-weight feeder steers. The market was led by 123 head at 939 lbs selling for $305.50, setting a new high for 9-weights. In the 8-weight class, 14 head at 880 lbs brought $299.50, while 55 head at 1,088 lbs sold for $292.00, establishing a new 10-weight record for the barn. It was a historic run across the board for Emporia.
Hub City Livestock (Aberdeen, SD) delivered a record-shattering performance on Wednesday, setting new all-time barn records for both 9- and 10-weight steers. Leading the charge was a standout draft of 62 head at 964 lbs bringing $318.25, now the highest 9-weight steer price ever recorded at the barn. Even more impressively, Hub City posted the top four 9-weight sales in its history during the same sale. On the heavy end, they maintained momentum with 57 head at 1,012 lbs selling for $307.50 and 60 head at 1,001 lbs bringing $303.50âboth of which are new barn records for 10-weights, and they also rank 4th and 8th highest nationally all time. It was a truly historic day in Aberdeen.
Stockmenâs Livestock (Yankton, SD) had a standout sale on Wednesday, setting 14 new barn records across multiple weight classes. Leading the way was a new all-time high for 6-weight steers, with 22 head at 626 lbs selling for $406.00. The barn also saw exceptional action on heavy cattle, including 230 head at 1,026 lbs bringing $300.00, and two additional draftsâ58 head at 1,067 lbs and 26 head at 1,086 lbsâeach selling for $291.50. These sales now rank as the top three highest 10-weight prices ever recorded at Stockmenâs, part of a broader showing that placed five sales in the barnâs all-time top 10 for that class. It was a memorable day of market strength in Yankton.
South Central Regional Stockyards (Vienna, MO) had an outstanding sale on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, setting new benchmarks in their feeder cattle market. The barn recorded the two highest 8-weight steer prices in its history, with 68 head at 830 lbs selling for $325.00 and 23 head at 804 lbs bringing $322.25. Additionally, a standout draft of 65 head at 707 lbs sold for $356.75.
On Wednesday, August CME Feeder Cattle futures closed at $320.475, up $1.35 on the day. In comparison, the 7-day RTI Feeder Index surged $4.17 to $320.58, putting it slightly above the futures contract. Meanwhile, the National Steer Price climbed to $327.59, gaining $2.77 and maintaining a strong premium over both futures and the index. The continued strength in the cash market highlights firm demand for feeders, especially as futures try to keep pace with historic highs set in physical sales.
The largest feeder cattle sale on Wednesday was held at Bassett, Nebraska, with a total of 9,608 head. Other high-volume auctions included OKC West in El Reno, Oklahoma with 2,969 head, Stockmens in Yankton, South Dakota with 2,621 head, South Central in Vienna, Missouri with 1,798 head, and Wright County in Mountain Grove, Missouri with 1,457 head. Receipts were up 327% from last Wednesday.
đ Historic Breakthrough: 10-Wt Steers Top $300 and Shatter Records Over Two Days
Wednesday completely rewrote the record book for 10-weight feeder cattle, building on a historic breakthrough that began Tuesday, when 10-wt steers sold above $300/cwt for the first time ever. That milestone was quickly eclipsed, as Wednesdayâs market set multiple new records. Over the course of just two daysâJuly 8 and 9âall ten of the highest-priced 10-weight sales ever recorded took place, led by standout runs at Bassett, NE, along with top sales at Hub City, SD and Kimball, SD.