Feedlot marketings of fed steers from the average Kansas feed yard jumped in July to their largest point of the year, according to data collected by the Kansas State University Extension service.
KSU Extension surveys a select group of feedlots around the state for a variety of data points about their operations and cattle performance. The data then is sent to the Livestock Marketing Information Center in Denver where it is compiled to arrive at the monthly activity of the “average” Kansas feedlot and published in graph form on its website.
CLOSEOUTS SHARPLY HIGHER.
Fed cattle steer sales to packer buyers from that “average” Kansas feedlot in July numbered 5,182 head, up 1,931, or 59.4%, from 3,251 in June, up 273, or 5.56%, from 4,909 in July of last year and up 344, or 7.11%, from the 2019-2023 average of 4,838 head.
Monthly steer closeouts from that average Kansas feedlot bottomed in May, moved sharply higher in June and them rocketed up in July. Monthly steer closeouts usually peak in August at 5,381 head, but last year they peaked in July at 4,909 head.
If Kansas feed steer closeouts follow the five-year average, they went up again in August, but if they follow last year’s pattern, they began the fall decline in August. In any event, monthly closeouts mark a seasonal low in October, or November if they follow 2024.
The average number of days those July-marketed steers spent on feed declined seasonally to 185 from 190 in June but were less than 204 in July last year and less than the previous five-year average of 186.2.
HEIFER SALES ALSO UP
Fed heifer sales from the average Kansas feedlot in July also rose but did not attain to the 2025 high, which came in February. Heifer closeouts came to 3,505 head, up 562, or 19.1%, from June’s 2,943 but were down 173, or 4.70%, from last year’s 3,678 head and down 233, or 6.23%, from the previous five-year average of 3,738.
The average exit weight of heifers in July from the average Kansas feedlot declined from June but remained elevated from July 2024 and the 2019-2023 average. The final weight came in at 1,335 pounds, down four, or 0.30%, from 1,339 in June but up 32, or 2.46%, from 1,303 a year ago and up 56, or 4.38%, from the previous five-year average of 1,279.
The average number of days July-marketed heifers from the average Kansas feedlot was 177, up from 172 in June but down from 198 a year earlier and down from the 2019-2023 average of 181.2.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
The USDA reported formula and contract base prices for live FOB steers and heifers this week ranged from $242.51 per cwt to $245.69, compared with last week’s range of $242.00 to $246.00 per cwt. FOB dressed steers and heifers went for $381.53 per cwt to $383.82, compared with $379.65 to $387.65.
The USDA choice cutout Tuesday was down $1.07 per cwt at $409.69 while select was up $0.15 at $385.34. The choice/select spread narrowed to $24.35 from $25.57 with 86 loads of fabricated product and 32 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The USDA-listed the weighted average wholesale price for fresh 90% lean beef was $435.89 per cwt, and 50% beef was $157.67.
The USDA said basis bids for corn from feeders in the Southern Plains were unchanged at $1.05 to $1.20 a bushel over the Dec corn contract, which settled at $4.19 3/4, down $0.02.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Tuesday was $349.92 per cwt, down $9.25. This compares with Tuesday’s Sep contract settlement of $351.07, down $9.25.