Ring cheat sheet Nov 15, 2026

Wheat stocker (example) · steers · 250 mi of Potter County, TX · $50/hd goal · freight $6/loaded mi · example numbers

Back to the limits

Barn	400 lb	500 lb
Barn	walk-away $4.34/lbbefore freight · open $429.15–$431.15	walk-away $3.85/lbbefore freight · open $380.08–$382.08
WildoradoWildorado, TX · 23 mi · Nov 10, 2026	$4.34HOLD OFFopen $428.87–$430.87max $433.87 · USDA $501.33 · frt $1	$3.85HOLD OFFopen $379.80–$381.80max $384.80 · USDA $439.26 · frt $1
DalhartDalhart, TX · 70 mi · Nov 12, 2026	$4.33HOLD OFFopen $428.31–$430.31max $433.31 · USDA $531.14 · frt $3	$3.84HOLD OFFopen $379.24–$381.24max $384.24 · USDA $459.69 · frt $4
TuliaTulia, TX · 72 mi · Nov 12, 2026	$4.33HOLD OFFopen $428.28–$430.28max $433.28 · USDA $469.88 · frt $3	$3.84HOLD OFFopen $379.22–$381.22max $384.22 · USDA $438.05 · frt $4
ClovisClovis, NM · 122 mi · Nov 11, 2026	$4.33HOLD OFFopen $427.68–$429.68max $432.68 · USDA $508.19 · frt $6	$3.84HOLD OFFopen $378.62–$380.62max $383.62 · USDA $432.44 · frt $7
BeaverBeaver, OK · 149 mi · Nov 10, 2026	$4.32HOLD OFFopen $427.36–$429.36max $432.36 · USDA $524.77 · frt $7	$3.83HOLD OFFopen $378.29–$380.29max $383.29 · USDA $472.06 · frt $9
WoodwardWoodward, OK · 190 mi · Nov 12, 2026	$4.32HOLD OFFopen $426.87–$428.87max $431.87 · USDA $533.56 · frt $9	$3.83HOLD OFFopen $377.80–$379.80max $382.80 · USDA $450.86 · frt $11
Dodge CityDodge City, KS · 232 mi · Nov 11, 2026	$4.31HOLD OFFopen $426.36–$428.36max $431.36 · USDA $485.54 · frt $11	$3.82HOLD OFFopen $377.30–$379.30max $382.30 · USDA $446.33 · frt $14
La Junta WinterLa Junta, CO · 240 mi · Nov 10, 2026	$4.31BUYopen $426.27–$428.27max $431.27 · USDA $383.32 · frt $12	$3.82WATCHopen $377.20–$379.20max $382.20 · USDA $380.38 · frt $14
La Junta LJLCLa Junta, CO · 241 mi · Nov 11, 2026	$4.31HOLD OFFopen $426.25–$428.25max $431.25 · USDA $475.56 · frt $12	$3.82HOLD OFFopen $377.19–$379.19max $382.19 · USDA $427.73 · frt $14
ApacheApache, OK · 244 mi · Nov 12, 2026	$4.31HOLD OFFopen $426.22–$428.22max $431.22 · USDA $571.05 · frt $12	$3.82HOLD OFFopen $377.15–$379.15max $382.15 · USDA $468.35 · frt $15
RoswellRoswell, NM · 244 mi · Nov 9, 2026	$4.31HOLD OFFopen $426.22–$428.22max $431.22 · USDA $473.19 · frt $12	$3.82HOLD OFFopen $377.15–$379.15max $382.15 · USDA $423.30 · frt $15

Big number: the most to pay per lb at that barn, after freight home. Max is the same limit per cwt. USDA is that barn's last head-weighted average for the weight class. Zone: BUY = USDA under your limit by $3.00+/cwt, WATCH = still under, but by less than $3.00, HOLD OFF = over your limit by any amount (or the line is short). Your numbers and past USDA sales, not a quote.

Informational only, not advice. Futures: USDA LSPDFSS, Nov 13, 2026. Sources

Feeder futures settlements as printed by USDA (USDA AMS LSPDFSS (National Daily Feeder & Stocker Summary PM)): Nov 339.025, Jan 335.350, Mar 332.050. USDA report.

Where the selling defaults come from (type your own on the plan):

Sale shrink 2%. USDA prices Texas direct feeder cattle on net weights after a 2-3% shrink. We use the low end, 2%. Cattle hauled to a barn and weighed off the truck lose about this much. USDA AMS Texas Direct Cattle Report (AMS_2710), week ending Nov 6, 2026
Commission 2.5%. Texas sale barns usually charge 3-4% of the gross. Posted Texas schedules show 4% with a $20/head minimum. We use 2.5% as a typical default, a little under those schedules, because load lots, video sales and flat per-head fees often come in lower. Type your barn's rate. Texas A&M thesis, Changes in Texas Livestock Auction Markets 1969-2014 (3-4%); Gulf Coast Livestock Auction posted fees (4%, $20/hd min) · posted fees
Selling costs $45/head. Checkoff, yardage, brand inspection and trucking out, per head sold. Texas A&M's 2024 Rolling Plains grazeout stocker budget carries $23/head marketing before trucking. This is our estimate. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, 2024 Stocker Calf Budget, Grazeout, Rolling Plains (D3)

Bid limits come from your own numbers, past USDA-reported barn sales (Cownty's head-weighted averages of USDA AMS lots) and CME feeder futures settlements as printed in USDA's daily LSPDFSS report, held flat to your sell date. They are not a forecast or a quote. Interest is an estimate under the terms on the plan, not a lender statement. Check with the barn and your lender before you buy.