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

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.

Source: Cownty (cownty.com), from USDA data.