CropInsider / morning check

Before the day starts

Cattle

Calf prices, value of gain and the forage picture.

All markets & ARC/PLC
01

Compare the cattle you actually sell

Feeder auction observations first. Match sex, grade, weight and market.

Alabama auctions

$331.38Published Avg Price of the class with most head among reported steers, Medium & Large 1. Ties select lighter average weight, then range. Rounded to cents; not a statewide price. Unit: $/cwt. Source: USDA AMS · Alabama auctions. As of 2026-11-09.$/cwt cash

Steers · Medium & Large 1 · 655-665 lbSteers are castrated male cattle; Medium & Large 1 is the reported frame and muscling grade. 655-665 lb is the actual weight band. The report's average weight is 658 lb; this is a comparison class, not a future weight forecast.

Most head in the reported grade: 11 headReported head in the selected highest-head steer class, not the whole sale. Fewer than 10 head is flagged as a small sample; ties select lighter average weight, then range. Unit: head. Source: USDA AMS · Alabama auctions. As of 2026-11-09.. Ties select the lighter average weight, then weight range.

USDA AMS · Alabama auctions ↗Report: · Observation Checked Published 2026-11-10; highest-head class, not a statewide priceUSDA AMS · Alabama auctions. This date belongs to the observation or issue shown in this panel, not the time this page was opened. Scenario and retrieval-check dates are explicitly marked. Published 2026-11-10; highest-head class, not a statewide price

Compare the same sex, grade and weight. Freight, health, lot quality and sale conditions affect your own net offer.

Alabama: compare prices by weight$/cwt · from zeroPublished Avg Price for steers, Medium & Large 1, by actual weight. Head is the reported class count; avg lb is reported average weight. Different cattle, not a future price path. Bars start at zero; the ceiling is the largest displayed value times 1.1. Bar length is value divided by ceiling, clamped to 0–100 percent. Unit: $/cwt. Source: USDA AMS · Alabama auctions. As of 2026-11-09.
305-345 lb4 head · avg 319 lb · small sample516.20 $/cwtPublished Avg Price for steers, Medium & Large 1, by actual weight. Head is the reported class count; avg lb is reported average weight. Different cattle, not a future price path. 4 head · avg 319 lb · small sample. Unit: $/cwt. Source: USDA AMS · Alabama auctions. As of 2026-11-09.
360-395 lb6 head · avg 378 lb · small sample462.89 $/cwtPublished Avg Price for steers, Medium & Large 1, by actual weight. Head is the reported class count; avg lb is reported average weight. Different cattle, not a future price path. 6 head · avg 378 lb · small sample. Unit: $/cwt. Source: USDA AMS · Alabama auctions. As of 2026-11-09.
415 lb1 head · avg 415 lb · small sample450.00 $/cwtPublished Avg Price for steers, Medium & Large 1, by actual weight. Head is the reported class count; avg lb is reported average weight. Different cattle, not a future price path. 1 head · avg 415 lb · small sample. Unit: $/cwt. Source: USDA AMS · Alabama auctions. As of 2026-11-09.
470-480 lb6 head · avg 472 lb · small sample435.83 $/cwtPublished Avg Price for steers, Medium & Large 1, by actual weight. Head is the reported class count; avg lb is reported average weight. Different cattle, not a future price path. 6 head · avg 472 lb · small sample. Unit: $/cwt. Source: USDA AMS · Alabama auctions. As of 2026-11-09.
555 lb1 head · avg 555 lb · small sample370.00 $/cwtPublished Avg Price for steers, Medium & Large 1, by actual weight. Head is the reported class count; avg lb is reported average weight. Different cattle, not a future price path. 1 head · avg 555 lb · small sample. Unit: $/cwt. Source: USDA AMS · Alabama auctions. As of 2026-11-09.
600-620 lb3 head · avg 613 lb · small sample343.26 $/cwtPublished Avg Price for steers, Medium & Large 1, by actual weight. Head is the reported class count; avg lb is reported average weight. Different cattle, not a future price path. 3 head · avg 613 lb · small sample. Unit: $/cwt. Source: USDA AMS · Alabama auctions. As of 2026-11-09.
655-665 lb11 head · avg 658 lb331.38 $/cwtPublished Avg Price for steers, Medium & Large 1, by actual weight. Head is the reported class count; avg lb is reported average weight. Different cattle, not a future price path. 11 head · avg 658 lb. Unit: $/cwt. Source: USDA AMS · Alabama auctions. As of 2026-11-09.
705-745 lb11 head · avg 709 lb310.48 $/cwtPublished Avg Price for steers, Medium & Large 1, by actual weight. Head is the reported class count; avg lb is reported average weight. Different cattle, not a future price path. 11 head · avg 709 lb. Unit: $/cwt. Source: USDA AMS · Alabama auctions. As of 2026-11-09.
755-795 lb6 head · avg 775 lb · small sample318.44 $/cwtPublished Avg Price for steers, Medium & Large 1, by actual weight. Head is the reported class count; avg lb is reported average weight. Different cattle, not a future price path. 6 head · avg 775 lb · small sample. Unit: $/cwt. Source: USDA AMS · Alabama auctions. As of 2026-11-09.
805 lb1 head · avg 805 lb · small sample300.00 $/cwtPublished Avg Price for steers, Medium & Large 1, by actual weight. Head is the reported class count; avg lb is reported average weight. Different cattle, not a future price path. 1 head · avg 805 lb · small sample. Unit: $/cwt. Source: USDA AMS · Alabama auctions. As of 2026-11-09.
Before a sale or purchase, compare like Alabama steers, Medium & Large 1, actual weight. Different cattle in one sale-day summary; regional freight and demand differ. This is not a forecast of prices after your calves gain weight.

USDA AMS · Alabama auctions ↗Report: · Observation Checked Published 2026-11-10; server refreshes every 15 minutes, retaining this trade date on failureUSDA AMS · Alabama auctions. This date belongs to the observation or issue shown in this panel, not the time this page was opened. Scenario and retrieval-check dates are explicitly marked. Published 2026-11-10; server refreshes every 15 minutes, retaining this trade date on failure

Region: Alabama auctions and drought; Montgomery example forecast.

A published benchmark is not a farm-local offer. This regional example covers steers only. Do not apply it to heifers, bulls or other grades.

02

What is the added weight worth?

Make the comparison with your own numbers.

Your entries stay in this tab. Nothing is submitted or saved. No assumed costs or prices.

Current sale weight in pounds per head. Used with the current net offer to calculate present sale value.
Current net cash offer after deductions, in dollars per hundredweight (100 lb), rounded to cents. Not dollars per head.
Assumed later sale weight in pounds per head, greater than current weight. No weight gain is forecast by the page.
Assumed later net price in dollars per hundredweight (100 lb), rounded to cents. Current auction weight-class prices are not filled in as a future price.
All additional dollars per head through later sale, rounded to cents: feed, pasture, interest, health, death loss and other added costs. No cost is assumed automatically.
Your arithmetic

Enter every field to see the comparison. A blank is not treated as zero.

Extra value = later weight × later price ÷ 100 − current weight × current price ÷ 100. Subtract feed, pasture, interest, health, death loss and other added costs. Later prices and weights are assumptions.

Scenario as of . Arithmetic only; no market prediction.

Extension decision method ↗As of Scenario date, not a market observationExtension decision method. This date belongs to the observation or issue shown in this panel, not the time this page was opened. Scenario and retrieval-check dates are explicitly marked. Scenario date, not a market observation

03

Check the forage and hauling window

Montgomery, Alabama example forecast. It is not your farm location.

Next published forecast periodsFind your local NWS forecast ↗
  • Tonight49°FPublished NWS forecast temperature for this valid period, in degrees Fahrenheit. This regional example does not establish field conditions. Valid Nov 10, 8:00 PM to Nov 11, 6:00 AM CT. Unit: °F. Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. As of 2026-11-10 · 5:06 PM CT.Mostly CloudyPublished NWS short forecast for this valid period. No weather score or financial return is calculated. Valid Nov 10, 8:00 PM to Nov 11, 6:00 AM CT. Unit: forecast text. Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. As of 2026-11-10 · 5:06 PM CT.Rain 2%Published NWS probability of precipitation for this valid period, in percent; not rainfall inches. Not supplied means the source gave no probability. Valid Nov 10, 8:00 PM to Nov 11, 6:00 AM CT. Unit: %. Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. As of 2026-11-10 · 5:06 PM CT.Wind 0 mphPublished NWS wind speed for this valid period, in miles per hour. No spraying or hauling suitability score is calculated. Valid Nov 10, 8:00 PM to Nov 11, 6:00 AM CT. Unit: mph. Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. As of 2026-11-10 · 5:06 PM CT.
  • Veterans Day73°FPublished NWS forecast temperature for this valid period, in degrees Fahrenheit. This regional example does not establish field conditions. Valid Nov 11, 6:00 AM to Nov 11, 6:00 PM CT. Unit: °F. Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. As of 2026-11-10 · 5:06 PM CT.Slight Chance Rain ShowersPublished NWS short forecast for this valid period. No weather score or financial return is calculated. Valid Nov 11, 6:00 AM to Nov 11, 6:00 PM CT. Unit: forecast text. Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. As of 2026-11-10 · 5:06 PM CT.Rain 15%Published NWS probability of precipitation for this valid period, in percent; not rainfall inches. Not supplied means the source gave no probability. Valid Nov 11, 6:00 AM to Nov 11, 6:00 PM CT. Unit: %. Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. As of 2026-11-10 · 5:06 PM CT.Wind 0 to 5 mphPublished NWS wind speed for this valid period, in miles per hour. No spraying or hauling suitability score is calculated. Valid Nov 11, 6:00 AM to Nov 11, 6:00 PM CT. Unit: mph. Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. As of 2026-11-10 · 5:06 PM CT.
  • Wednesday Night56°FPublished NWS forecast temperature for this valid period, in degrees Fahrenheit. This regional example does not establish field conditions. Valid Nov 11, 6:00 PM to Nov 12, 6:00 AM CT. Unit: °F. Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. As of 2026-11-10 · 5:06 PM CT.Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain ShowersPublished NWS short forecast for this valid period. No weather score or financial return is calculated. Valid Nov 11, 6:00 PM to Nov 12, 6:00 AM CT. Unit: forecast text. Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. As of 2026-11-10 · 5:06 PM CT.Rain 16%Published NWS probability of precipitation for this valid period, in percent; not rainfall inches. Not supplied means the source gave no probability. Valid Nov 11, 6:00 PM to Nov 12, 6:00 AM CT. Unit: %. Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. As of 2026-11-10 · 5:06 PM CT.Wind 5 mphPublished NWS wind speed for this valid period, in miles per hour. No spraying or hauling suitability score is calculated. Valid Nov 11, 6:00 PM to Nov 12, 6:00 AM CT. Unit: mph. Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. As of 2026-11-10 · 5:06 PM CT.
  • Thursday71°FPublished NWS forecast temperature for this valid period, in degrees Fahrenheit. This regional example does not establish field conditions. Valid Nov 12, 6:00 AM to Nov 12, 6:00 PM CT. Unit: °F. Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. As of 2026-11-10 · 5:06 PM CT.SunnyPublished NWS short forecast for this valid period. No weather score or financial return is calculated. Valid Nov 12, 6:00 AM to Nov 12, 6:00 PM CT. Unit: forecast text. Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. As of 2026-11-10 · 5:06 PM CT.Rain 0%Published NWS probability of precipitation for this valid period, in percent; not rainfall inches. Not supplied means the source gave no probability. Valid Nov 12, 6:00 AM to Nov 12, 6:00 PM CT. Unit: %. Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. As of 2026-11-10 · 5:06 PM CT.Wind 5 to 15 mphPublished NWS wind speed for this valid period, in miles per hour. No spraying or hauling suitability score is calculated. Valid Nov 12, 6:00 AM to Nov 12, 6:00 PM CT. Unit: mph. Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. As of 2026-11-10 · 5:06 PM CT.

NOAA / National Weather Service ↗Report: Checked Issued 5:06 PM CT · source checkedNOAA / National Weather Service. This date belongs to the observation or issue shown in this panel, not the time this page was opened. Scenario and retrieval-check dates are explicitly marked. Issued 5:06 PM CT · source checked

Check current local alerts before field work. Forecasts do not establish field trafficability, spraying suitability or a financial return.

U.S. Drought Monitor map of Alabama, valid 2026-11-03. Official map with original date and legend.
Alabama drought observation · . Weekly map, not pasture availability or a forecast.Unaltered official weekly Alabama drought map with its own date and categories. Conditions range from D0 abnormally dry to D4 exceptional drought; this is not a forage inventory or forecast. Unit: drought categories. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · official map. As of 2026-11-03.

U.S. Drought Monitor · official map ↗Report: Publication date not supplied · Observation Checked Weekly map; server refreshes every 15 minutes, retaining this date on failureU.S. Drought Monitor · official map. This date belongs to the observation or issue shown in this panel, not the time this page was opened. Scenario and retrieval-check dates are explicitly marked. Weekly map; server refreshes every 15 minutes, retaining this date on failure

Current Alabama drought map ↗

The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Map courtesy of NDMC.

04

Keep feed and downstream cash in view

Two distinct markets. Neither is a complete feeding budget.

Kansas City terminalsCurrent delivered truck bid · published average. This published market is a regional comparison, not a farm-local offer. $/bu means dollars per bushel.

$4.54Published Kansas City current delivered truck bid Average for US #2 yellow corn. Displayed to 2 decimals; no local adjustment. Period: Current delivery. Unit: $/bu. Source: USDA Market News · Missouri Daily Grain Bids · 2932. As of 2026-11-10.$/bu cash

US #2 Yellow · bulkPublished quality: US #2 Yellow · bulk. The grade and delivery basis define the comparison; no adjustment to a farm lot is calculated.

USDA Market News ↗Report: Checked Published benchmark, not an executable bidUSDA Market News. This date belongs to the observation or issue shown in this panel, not the time this page was opened. Scenario and retrieval-check dates are explicitly marked. Published benchmark, not an executable bid

Current delivered truck bid · published average. Compare with your own buyer on the same delivery, quality and deductions.

Five areas · CO, IA/MN, KS, NE, TX/OK/NMNegotiated · live FOB · weighted average. This published market is a regional comparison, not a farm-local offer. $/cwt means dollars per hundredweight (100 lb).

$224.00Published five-area all-beef, all-grade negotiated live FOB weighted average. Downstream context, not a calf replacement price. Displayed to 2 decimals; no local adjustment. Period: Daily negotiated weighted average. Unit: $/cwt. Source: USDA Market News · 5 Area Daily Negotiated Cattle · LM_CT100 / 2466. As of 2026-10-30.$/cwt cash

All beef type · all gradesPublished quality: All beef type · all grades. The grade and delivery basis define the comparison; no adjustment to a farm lot is calculated.

USDA Market News ↗Report: Check failed ; showing the Oct 30, 2026 CT report · USDA source fetch or body read failed. Last successful read .Latest retained report; not a current-day quoteUSDA Market News. This date belongs to the observation or issue shown in this panel, not the time this page was opened. Scenario and retrieval-check dates are explicitly marked. Latest retained report; not a current-day quote

Negotiated · live FOB · weighted average. Compare with your own buyer on the same delivery, quality and deductions.

Use your delivered feed/hay quote and ration in the worksheet. Five-area fed cattle are downstream context, not a replacement price for a calf or stocker.

05

What changed in reported exposure?

Live-cattle managed-money positions: downstream context for calf and stocker operators.

Managed money · net contractsManaged money is the CFTC reporting category for money managers. A contract is a futures position count, not pounds or bushels. Futures-only excludes options.

49,691 contractsManaged-money long minus short futures-only contracts. Positive is net long; negative is net short. Tuesday counts describe reported exposure, not current trading or a price forecast. Unit: contracts. Source: CFTC · disaggregated futures-only positions. As of 2026-11-03.

Long positions minus short positions. Tuesday observations are normally released later in the week; these counts do not describe this morning’s trading.

CFTC · disaggregated futures-only positions ↗Report: Publication date not supplied · Observation Checked Weekly; source checked this sessionCFTC · disaggregated futures-only positions. This date belongs to the observation or issue shown in this panel, not the time this page was opened. Scenario and retrieval-check dates are explicitly marked. Weekly; source checked this session

Reported net exposurecontractsManaged-money long minus short futures-only contracts. Positive is net long; negative is net short. Tuesday counts describe reported exposure, not current trading or a price forecast. Scale includes zero: low and high bound the observations; the middle tick is halfway. Each dated point is listed below. Unit: contracts. Source: CFTC · disaggregated futures-only positions. As of 2026-11-03.
028k57k2026-09-15: 47696 contracts2026-09-22: 49090 contracts2026-09-29: 53193 contracts2026-10-06: 50695 contracts2026-10-13: 48218 contracts2026-10-20: 51102 contracts2026-10-27: 56573 contracts2026-11-03: 49691 contracts09-1511-03
Before a pricing conversation, check how reported exposure changed. Eight weeks of counts distinguish net-long from net-short positions; they do not establish historical extremes or forecast prices.
Read the observations
  • 47696 contractsManaged-money long minus short futures-only contracts. Positive is net long; negative is net short. Tuesday counts describe reported exposure, not current trading or a price forecast. Unit: contracts. Source: CFTC · disaggregated futures-only positions. As of 2026-09-15.
  • 49090 contractsManaged-money long minus short futures-only contracts. Positive is net long; negative is net short. Tuesday counts describe reported exposure, not current trading or a price forecast. Unit: contracts. Source: CFTC · disaggregated futures-only positions. As of 2026-09-22.
  • 53193 contractsManaged-money long minus short futures-only contracts. Positive is net long; negative is net short. Tuesday counts describe reported exposure, not current trading or a price forecast. Unit: contracts. Source: CFTC · disaggregated futures-only positions. As of 2026-09-29.
  • 50695 contractsManaged-money long minus short futures-only contracts. Positive is net long; negative is net short. Tuesday counts describe reported exposure, not current trading or a price forecast. Unit: contracts. Source: CFTC · disaggregated futures-only positions. As of 2026-10-06.
  • 48218 contractsManaged-money long minus short futures-only contracts. Positive is net long; negative is net short. Tuesday counts describe reported exposure, not current trading or a price forecast. Unit: contracts. Source: CFTC · disaggregated futures-only positions. As of 2026-10-13.
  • 51102 contractsManaged-money long minus short futures-only contracts. Positive is net long; negative is net short. Tuesday counts describe reported exposure, not current trading or a price forecast. Unit: contracts. Source: CFTC · disaggregated futures-only positions. As of 2026-10-20.
  • 56573 contractsManaged-money long minus short futures-only contracts. Positive is net long; negative is net short. Tuesday counts describe reported exposure, not current trading or a price forecast. Unit: contracts. Source: CFTC · disaggregated futures-only positions. As of 2026-10-27.
  • 49691 contractsManaged-money long minus short futures-only contracts. Positive is net long; negative is net short. Tuesday counts describe reported exposure, not current trading or a price forecast. Unit: contracts. Source: CFTC · disaggregated futures-only positions. As of 2026-11-03.
06

Before you commit: costs, coverage, dates

Use the current official notice for your county, commodity and policy.

Feed & coverage checksDelivered feed cost includes delivery to the operation. Insurance coverage windows and drought assistance depend on official RMA and FSA notices, eligibility and location. No coverage amount or deadline is calculated here.

Check delivered feed and hay costs, animal health assumptions and marketing deductions. Coverage windows and drought assistance depend on your operation and location.

USDA FSA programs & notices ↗USDA RMA insurance dates & coverage ↗

Exchange quotes & source notes

Exchange quotes open on the exchange’s own site. This page displays public cash observations and government position counts.

CME live cattle delayed quotes ↗CME feeder cattle delayed quotes ↗Source terms & attribution

Reference links last checked .These reference destinations returned HTTP 200 on the fixed date shown. This is a link access check, not verification of eligibility, coverage or a farm deadline. No farm-specific deadline has been established. Check the official notice for actual deadlines.

Check the report date

Regional spot comparisons, auction weight classes, harvest pace and the official drought map refresh on the server. Check the observation date beside each panel; a failed refresh keeps the last verified dated report.

Daily cash and weekly series retain their last verified observation if a source cannot be reached. The date beside the value stays attached to that observation.

How this morning check is ordered

Cash and private arithmetic lead because they directly affect near-term pricing decisions. Weather, supply context and weekly positioning follow; reference sits last. This order is a research-informed design choice, not a survey finding about all farmers. Weather can be reached directly from the top navigation. This preview serves US midsize family farms, defined by USDA ERS as $350,000–$999,999 annual gross cash farm income.

All public series attempt bounded server refreshes and preserve the observation’s original date. USDA comparison reports and the official Alabama map revalidate every 15 minutes. A failed source or changed format keeps the last verified dated observation; a cold start without a successful cached report uses the saved seed.