Sale reports / Kentucky / Mount Sterling Livestock Auction / 2025-08-27

Mount Sterling Livestock Auction

Feeder Cattle · Slaughter Cattle · Replacement Cattle · Mt. Sterling, Kentucky · Wed, Aug 27
● Final113 lots reportedUSDA AMS · slug 2202
Feeder Cattle receipts
544 head
377 vs last sale 167 234 vs year ago 310 · +75.5%
Slaughter Cattle receipts
67 head
39 vs last sale 28 52 vs year ago 119 · 43.7%
Replacement Cattle receipts
17 head
16 vs last sale 1 21 vs year ago 38 · 55.3%
View

Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to last Wednesday the feeder market was stronger with a good quality offering. Feeder steers and heifers 650 lbs and under were 6.00 to 10.00 higher or greater in several spots with a good supply and strong demand. Yearling cattle appeared sharply higher as well, but with limited head to head comparisons. Recent gains in the feeder cattle futures market and cooler weather conditions is increasing cattle movement and the premiums buyers are willing to pay for quality feeder cattle. Slaughter cows appeared 1.00 to 3.00 higher with a light test last week, and slaughter bulls were steady with a good supply of slaughter animals this week and buyers showing good demand.

Weight class

Heifers · summary 500–600 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot
500–600 lb heifers averaged $348.30/cwt on 52 head. That ranks 3 of 30 comparable sales and sits 53.42 against this barn's trailing median of $401.72.
Average price
$348.30
52 head · 555 lb average
Value per head Derived
$1,934
Price × average weight ÷ 100
Grade differential Derived
$427
per head · Medium and Large 1-2 over Medium and Large 2-3
$60.80/cwt at this weight
vs the market
9.59
vs KY average
21.51 vs national

What quality paid 500–600 lb

Frame and muscle grade
Frame / muscleAvg wt$/cwt$/headHead
Medium and Large 1-2558354.271,97746
Medium and Large 2540317.501,7152thin
Large 1-2540300.001,6201thin
Medium and Large 2-3528293.471,5503thin
One grade step is worth $60.80/cwt here — about $427 a head. Across this sale the premium is widest at 600–700 lb. USDA reports each grade on its own line and never publishes the spread.

This barn's trailing prices 500–600 lb

30 sales
445407368330median 401.7212/1703/0404/2906/2408/19
Heifers 500–600 lb: high $431.17, low $343.72, median $401.72 across 30 sales. Sales under 10 head in this class are excluded, so a thin day cannot swing the median or the ranking.

How it compared 500–600 lb

Same class and week · spot auction only
This sale52 hd
348.30
KY average25 barns · 1,352 hd
357.89
−9.59
National average160 barns · 10,603 hd
369.81
−21.51
This barn, trailing median30 sales
401.72
−53.42
A barn can sit above the state average at one weight and below it at another — check the class you actually sell.

Slaughter cattle

By class and quality grade · $/cwt
Cull cows and bulls are graded, not weight-classed — grade is what moves the money here.
ClassGradeDressingAvg wt$/cwt$/headHead
BullsLow1,947195.733,81110
CowsBreaker 75-80%High1,476171.062,52510
CowsBoner 80-85%Low1,266170.522,15918
CowsLean 85-90%High1,132148.871,68620
HeifersSelect and ChoiceAverage1,208191.722,3162thin

Replacement cattle Per head

By class, stage and age
Bred stock and pairs are reported per head, not per hundredweight — these prices are never mixed with the $/cwt figures above.
ClassStageAgeAvg wt$/headHead
Bred Cows3rd Stage (7-9 mo)Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1,185$2,8001thin
Bred Cows1st Stage (1-3 mo)Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1,175$2,1751thin
Bred Cows1st Stage (1-3 mo)Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1,135$2,0751thin
Bred Cows1st Stage (1-3 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)865$1,8601thin
Cow-Calf PairsOpenYoung (2-4 yrs)1,332$4,1252thin
Cow-Calf Pairs2nd Stage (4-6 mo)Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1,420$4,0001thin
Cow-Calf Pairs1st Stage (1-3 mo)Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1,610$3,9501thin
Cow-Calf PairsOpenMiddle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1,530$3,9001thin

Every lot, as filed

113 lots · USDA AMS · Bluegrass Stockyard - Mt. Sterling, KY
Nothing removed and nothing rounded — the same lots as the USDA report, with per-head values added.
ClassGrade / descriptionWeightAvg wtPriceRangePer headHead
BullsMedium and Large 1-2550–600560339.73/cwt336.00–345.001,9024
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2500–550533355.69/cwt350.00–360.001,8967
BullsMedium and Large 1-2Fancy400–450422491.72/cwt485.00–497.502,0758
BullsMedium and Large 1-2950–1000990210.00/cwt210.00–210.002,0791
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2Guaranteed Open650–700660343.97/cwt327.50–345.002,27030
BullsMedium and Large 1-2300–350340440.00/cwt440.00–440.001,4961
BullsMedium and Large 1-2750–800780270.00/cwt270.00–270.002,1061
BullsMedium and Large 1-2600–650614324.32/cwt319.00–328.001,9919
BullsMedium and Large 1-2500–550525358.21/cwt345.00–367.501,88114
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2400–450432395.78/cwt390.00–397.501,7107
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2Guaranteed Open800–850816289.92/cwt287.00–310.002,3668
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2350–400376402.03/cwt395.00–410.001,5127
BullsMedium and Large 1-2400–450408466.66/cwt462.50–470.001,9043
BullsMedium and Large 1-2450–500461465.69/cwt460.00–477.502,1473
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2700–750708300.17/cwt292.50–308.002,1252
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2600–650611330.62/cwt320.00–340.002,0204
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2750–800755285.51/cwt285.00–287.502,1565
SteersMedium and Large 1-2850–900870319.82/cwt312.00–338.502,78210
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2650–700670312.96/cwt300.00–320.002,0973
BullsMedium and Large 1-2350–400379455.06/cwt452.50–457.501,7254
SteersMedium and Large 1-2450–500496420.00/cwt420.00–420.002,0835
SteersMedium and Large 1-2Value Added650–700688388.95/cwt386.00–390.002,67633
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2550–600566341.01/cwt329.00–348.001,93013
SteersMedium and Large 1-2550–600587371.65/cwt370.00–375.002,1823
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2250–300286391.79/cwt387.50–395.001,1217
SteersMedium and Large 1-2500–550500372.50/cwt372.50–372.501,8636
SteersMedium and Large 1-2Value Added750–800776359.00/cwt359.00–359.002,78613
SteersMedium and Large 1-2Value Added600–650606394.15/cwt392.00–397.002,38912
BullsMedium and Large 1-2700–750708309.00/cwt307.00–310.002,1883
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2Fancy350–400383447.55/cwt442.50–450.001,7143
BullsMedium and Large 1-2250–300290480.00/cwt480.00–480.001,3921
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2Guaranteed Open1050–11001,065202.00/cwt202.00–202.002,1511
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2Guaranteed Open700–750708354.50/cwt354.50–354.502,51017
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2Fancy400–450415416.32/cwt415.00–417.001,7286
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2Guaranteed Open600–650610345.60/cwt345.00–346.002,1085
BullsMedium and Large 1-2Fancy300–350310507.35/cwt497.50–525.001,5733
BullsMedium and Large 1-2650–700670312.00/cwt312.00–312.002,0901
BullsMedium and Large 1-2Fancy250–300290500.00/cwt500.00–500.001,4502
BullsMedium and Large 1-2Fancy500–550515390.00/cwt390.00–390.002,0091
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1-21,3324,125.00/head4,125.00–4,125.004,1252
BullsMedium and Large 1-2Fancy350–400360500.00/cwt500.00–500.001,8003
SteersMedium and Large 1-2Fancy350–400360499.86/cwt492.00–507.501,7992
SteersMedium and Large 1-2Fancy200–250237515.00/cwt515.00–515.001,2212
SteersMedium and Large 1-2Fancy300–350330500.00/cwt500.00–500.001,6501
SteersMedium and Large 1-2Fancy250–300295525.00/cwt525.00–525.001,5491
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2Fleshy550–600565300.00/cwt300.00–300.001,6951
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2Fancy450–500477407.48/cwt400.00–415.001,9446
SteersMedium and Large 1-2Fancy450–500481459.72/cwt450.00–465.002,21119
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1-21,1852,800.00/head2,800.00–2,800.002,8001
Stock CowsMedium and Large 1-2951200.34/cwt170.00–231.001,9056
CowsLean 85-90%1,230174.66/cwt160.00–180.002,1483
CowsLean 85-90%1,115144.32/cwt136.00–154.001,60917
Bulls2,220181.72/cwt176.00–185.004,0343
Bulls1,870219.00/cwt219.00–219.004,0951
CowsBoner 80-85%1,372158.96/cwt157.00–160.002,1813
CowsBoner 80-85%1,265179.27/cwt175.00–183.002,2687
CowsBreaker 75-80%1,465176.89/cwt175.00–180.002,5914
CowsBreaker 75-80%1,483167.18/cwt164.00–173.002,4796
CowsBoner 80-85%1,228167.19/cwt163.00–173.002,0538
Bulls1,727192.02/cwt187.00–197.003,3163
HeifersSelect and Choice1,208191.72/cwt187.50–196.002,3162
Bulls1,920205.70/cwt200.00–209.003,9493
Bred CowsMedium and Large 21,1752,175.00/head2,175.00–2,175.002,1751
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1-21,1352,075.00/head2,075.00–2,075.002,0751
BullsMedium 1-2450–500490367.50/cwt367.50–367.501,8012
SteersLarge 1-2550–600563350.00/cwt350.00–350.001,9713
HeifersLarge 1-2500–550540300.00/cwt300.00–300.001,6201
SteersLarge 1-2600–650622295.00/cwt295.00–295.001,8353
HeifersMedium and Large 2200–250205370.00/cwt370.00–370.007591
HeifersMedium and Large 2-3500–550528293.47/cwt285.00–300.001,5503
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1-21,5303,900.00/head3,900.00–3,900.003,9001
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1-21,4204,000.00/head4,000.00–4,000.004,0001
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1-21,6103,950.00/head3,950.00–3,950.003,9501
Bred CowsMedium and Large 28651,860.00/head1,860.00–1,860.001,8601
BullsMedium and Large 2700–750726273.80/cwt267.50–277.001,9886
HeifersMedium and Large 2-3700–750730250.00/cwt250.00–250.001,8251
HeifersMedium and Large 2-3200–250205350.00/cwt350.00–350.007181
SteersMedium and Large 2-3700–750700282.00/cwt282.00–282.001,9742
BullsMedium and Large 2-3550–600570330.00/cwt330.00–330.001,8811
BullsMedium and Large 2-3450–500460320.00/cwt320.00–320.001,4721
BullsMedium and Large 2500–550500330.00/cwt330.00–330.001,6501
HeifersMedium and Large 2550–600580317.00/cwt317.00–317.001,8391
HeifersMedium and Large 2450–500495365.00/cwt365.00–365.001,8072
HeifersMedium and Large 2400–450447350.00/cwt350.00–350.001,5652
SteersMedium and Large 1-2600–650620362.50/cwt362.50–362.502,2482
SteersMedium and Large 1-2300–350301450.00/cwt450.00–450.001,3553
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2850–900865235.00/cwt235.00–235.002,0331
SteersMedium and Large 2450–500471393.56/cwt387.50–400.001,8544
SteersMedium and Large 2400–450405377.81/cwt375.00–390.001,5306
SteersMedium and Large 1-2950–1000980242.50/cwt242.50–242.502,3771
SteersMedium and Large 1-2350–400375437.50/cwt437.50–437.501,6413
SteersMedium and Large 1-2700–750731324.00/cwt324.00–324.002,3683
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2450–500482378.36/cwt372.50–392.501,82410
HeifersMedium and Large 2600–650620295.82/cwt285.00–307.001,8342
HeifersMedium and Large 2250–300260350.00/cwt350.00–350.009101
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2Value Added500–550501382.00/cwt382.00–382.001,9144
SteersMedium and Large 1-2Value Added500–550510420.00/cwt420.00–420.002,1425
SteersMedium and Large 1-2Value Added550–600577397.31/cwt387.50–399.502,29223
SteersMedium and Large 1-2750–800795320.00/cwt320.00–320.002,5441
HeifersMedium and Large 2350–400355365.00/cwt365.00–365.001,2961
HeifersMedium and Large 2500–550500318.00/cwt318.00–318.001,5901
SteersMedium and Large 2500–550520357.50/cwt357.50–357.501,8591
HeifersMedium and Large 2300–350320350.00/cwt350.00–350.001,1202
BullsMedium and Large 2450–500469364.28/cwt363.50–372.501,70824
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2Value Added550–600572359.30/cwt354.00–362.002,05521
SteersMedium and Large 2-3300–350328347.90/cwt340.00–350.001,1415
HeifersMedium and Large 2-3450–500465318.06/cwt300.00–335.001,4792
BullsMedium and Large 2200–250215367.50/cwt367.50–367.507904
BullsMedium and Large 2600–650605300.00/cwt300.00–300.001,8151
BullsMedium and Large 2800–850836210.00/cwt210.00–210.001,7563
SteersMedium and Large 1-2Value Added700–750704391.50/cwt391.50–391.502,75616
HeifersMedium and Large 2-3300–350306339.39/cwt337.50–340.001,0394
HeifersMedium and Large 2-3650–700665240.00/cwt240.00–240.001,5961

How this sale compares

Kentucky weighted averages
One sale is one barn on one day. The state ladder is every Kentucky auction USDA reported that week, weighted by head — the fairer test of whether a lot sold well.