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Iowa Feeder Cattle Prices

Feeder steer and heifer cash prices near Des Moines, IA by weight class. Source: USDA AMS MARS Report 2489. Updated weekly (Friday releases).

USDA AMS Report 2489 · Weekly (Friday) · Iowa / Southern Minnesota benchmark
Sample Data Free preview — 1 weight class shown. Pro unlocks all weight classes, heifer prices, and trend history.
Feeder Steers (500–600 lb)
Iowa / S. Minnesota · Medium & Large #1
$278.25 / cwt
USDA AMS 2489
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Feeder Steers (700–800 lb)
Iowa / S. Minnesota · Medium & Large #1
$256.50 / cwt
USDA AMS 2489
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Cattle Feeding Margin
At current feeder + fed prices
+$142 / head
Derived — USDA AMS + NASS
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Iowa Feeder Cattle Market Context

Iowa ranks #2 nationally in fed cattle on feed. The state's cattle belt runs from the Missouri River corridor east through the Corn Belt, where proximity to cheap corn makes Iowa feedlots among the most cost-competitive in the country.

Key Markets and Buyers Near Des Moines

Tyson Foods in Perry and Columbus Junction; Iowa Premium Beef in Tama; National Beef Packing

Understanding the Iowa/S. Minnesota Benchmark

USDA AMS Report 2489 reports feeder cattle prices for the Iowa/Southern Minnesota region — the primary feeder procurement zone for the central Corn Belt feedlot industry. Iowa feeder prices trade at a basis to this benchmark that reflects distance to feedlots, local forage conditions, and regional demand from backgrounding operations.

Related Iowa Livestock Pages

Iowa Fed Cattle Prices
Finished steer and heifer cash prices
Cattle Feeding Margin Signal
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All Livestock Prices
Fed cattle, feeder cattle, hogs

Track Iowa Feeder Cattle Prices Weekly

GrainBrief Pro delivers all feeder weight classes, heifer prices, and Cattle Feeding Margin each Friday after USDA releases Report 2489. Price alerts fire when feeder bids move more than 5% week-over-week.

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Page reviewed: 2026-06-03 Topic: iowa feeder cattle prices Sources: USDA AMS, cattle auction references, corn feed cost context, and GrainBrief livestock margin models

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