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

*Cownty cattle & drought report, week ending Nov 12, 2026.*

Steer calves weighing 500–599 lb averaged $398.51 to $440.23 per hundredweight across seven USDA-reported area sales held Nov 10–12, a spread of $41.72; the top average was at Beaver. Compared with each barn's previous sale, the 5-weight steer average was higher at 6 barns and lower at 1. The seven sales reported 18,292 head in total.

USDA's market reporter at Dalhart noted: "Calves and feeders gained back what they lost last week, maybe even gaining some. Though there were few comparable sales, almost all classes of steers and heifers made gains."

On the U.S. Drought Monitor map dated Nov 10, 21 of the region's 49 counties had some severe drought (D2) or worse, and 12 had it across most of the county. Severe-or-worse coverage shrank by at least 5 points in 11 counties, including Lipscomb (TX), Hutchinson (TX), Roberts (TX), Hemphill (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 187 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 | Nov 10 | $398.51 | −$0.54 | $326.86 | $353.43 | 710 |
| Dalhart | Nov 12 | $424.26 | +$7.04 | $344.13 | $362.07 | 2,286 |
| Tulia | Nov 12 | $406.22 | +$7.91 | $306.90 | $352.44 | 944 |
| Woodward | Nov 12 | $412.88 | +$8.83 | $341.08 | $354.01 | 1,577 |
| Beaver | Nov 10 | $440.23 | +$20.52 | $345.32 | $358.72 | 5,954 |
| Clovis | Nov 11 | $400.24 | +$17.26 | $325.39 | $366.08 | 2,354 |
| Dodge City | Nov 11 | $436.57 | +$5.26 | $351.83 | $374.60 | 4,467 |
| OKC (benchmark) | Nov 9 | $420.08 | +$5.97 | $335.55 | $356.22 | 5,500 |
| Joplin (benchmark) | Nov 9 | $386.08 | −$1.66 | $333.96 | $342.14 | 5,000 |

## 60-second radio script

"This is your Cownty cattle and drought report. Prices are past sales, not a quote. Five-weight steer calves brought about 399 to 440 dollars a hundred this week, topping out at Beaver, higher than the last sale at 6 of seven area barns. The Cownty five-weight index, all seven barns averaged by head, came in at 426 dollars a hundred, up 14 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 187 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.