# Calf prices mixed across Panhandle barns; drought eases in 11 counties

*Cownty cattle & drought report, week ending Oct 15, 2026.*

Steer calves weighing 500–599 lb averaged $380.12 to $430.24 per hundredweight across seven USDA-reported area sales held Oct 13–15, a spread of $50.12; the top average was at Dalhart. Compared with each barn's previous sale, the 5-weight steer average was higher at 3 barns and lower at 4. The seven sales reported 19,284 head in total.

USDA's market reporter at Dalhart noted: "What a difference late rains and unseasonably warm temperatures can do to an outlook. Wheat is starting to pop around the area bringing wheat calves to the forefront."

On the U.S. Drought Monitor map dated Oct 13, 32 of the region's 49 counties had some severe drought (D2) or worse, and 20 had it across most of the county. Severe-or-worse coverage shrank by at least 5 points in 11 counties, including Dallam (TX), Hartley (TX), Moore (TX), Hutchinson (TX) and 7 more, and grew that much in none.

All 49 region counties are on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program list. Applications for 2026 losses are due March 1, 2027; FSA decides each operation's eligibility.

The nearest active New World screwworm zone in Texas (TAHC) is roughly 296 miles from Amarillo in a straight line. Animals leaving an infested zone need TAHC inspection and treatment.

| Barn | Sale | Steers 500–599 | vs last sale | Steers 700–799 | Heifers 500–599 | Receipts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildorado | Oct 13 | $380.12 | −$33.10 | $335.85 | $352.49 | 1,274 |
| Dalhart | Oct 15 | $430.24 | +$31.32 | $353.07 | $360.97 | 2,586 |
| Tulia | Oct 15 | $410.77 | −$7.70 | $340.55 | $321.71 | 719 |
| Woodward | Oct 15 | $392.08 | +$3.49 | $348.07 | $349.15 | 1,453 |
| Beaver | Oct 13 | $406.17 | −$14.77 | $345.13 | $364.78 | 6,543 |
| Clovis | Oct 14 | $401.06 | −$17.80 | $320.19 | $351.72 | 3,711 |
| Dodge City | Oct 14 | $427.74 | +$20.83 | $347.41 | $384.30 | 2,998 |
| OKC (benchmark) | Oct 12 | $392.62 | +$15.95 | $356.36 | $357.98 | 5,496 |
| Joplin (benchmark) | Oct 12 | $393.09 | +$0.51 | $347.14 | $349.69 | 8,287 |

## 60-second radio script

"This is your Panhandle cattle and drought report from Cownty. Prices are past sales, not a quote. Five-weight steer calves brought about 380 to 430 dollars a hundred this week, topping out at Dalhart, higher than the last sale at 3 of seven area barns. The Cownty five-weight index, all seven barns averaged by head, came in at 407 dollars a hundred, down 4 dollars from last week. On the drought map, severe drought eased in 11 of our 49 counties and grew in none. All 49 of our counties are on this year's Livestock Forage Disaster Program list, and applications are due March first at your county FSA office. Texas's nearest New World screwworm zone is about 296 miles from Amarillo. Barn-by-barn prices and county drought maps are free at cownty dot com."

Source: Cownty (cownty.com), from USDA AMS Market News and the U.S. Drought Monitor. Prices are head-weighted averages of USDA-reported lots ($/cwt), past sales, not quotes. Information only; FSA decides eligibility. Not affiliated with USDA.