# What’s the difference between 2025 and 2026 fall calf markets?

> NDSU Extension's Tim Petry compares fall North Dakota 550-600 pound steer calf prices, which the USDA put at an average of $442/cwt in 2026 versus $463/cwt in 2025. Prices rose through the first half of 2026 and then declined seasonally, while 2025 saw a counterseasonal climb to record highs.

- Date: 2026-11-12 · published 2026-11-13T06:08:42.901Z
- Category: market · region US · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/97191-what-s-the-difference-between-2025-and-2026-fall-calf-markets
- Commodities: [Feeder Cattle](https://feedsoft.ai/c/FCATTLE.md), [Live Cattle](https://feedsoft.ai/c/LCATTLE.md), [Corn](https://feedsoft.ai/c/CORN.md)

## Why it matters

Calf prices track expected feeder supply, corn costs and distant live cattle futures, so the lower 2026 level signals softer cattle-feed demand relative to last year's record run. Feed buyers should watch corn and fed cattle prices as the main drivers of calf value.

## Read by commodity

- CORN: neutral
- FCATTLE: bearish ▼
- LCATTLE: neutral

## Sources

- ndsu.edu: https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/whats-difference-between-2025-and-2026-fall-calf-markets

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.