Topeka Livestock Auction market report — October 20, 2026
Topeka, IN · Tuesday sale · USDA report published 10/20/2026 · Sale days
Last year 382
Compared to last week, slaughter heifers were 5.00 lower based on a limited comparison. Slaughter cows were 6.00 lower based on a limited comparison while Holstein slaughter cows were mostly steady. Slaughter bulls were 13.00 higher and Holstein slaughter bulls were trending lower based on a limited comparison. Note: There is no Topeka Hay or Livestock Auction next week on 10/27/26.
USDA Market News reporter, October 20, 2026
Feeder steers — Oct 20
| Weight | Head | Avg wt | $/cwt | $/head | vs last week | vs last year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400–499 lb | 1 | 445 lb | $245.00† | $1,090 | — | −65.00 |
| 600–699 lb | 3 | 631 lb | $265.00† | $1,672 | +17.50 | — |
Feeder heifers — Oct 20
| Weight | Head | Avg wt | $/cwt | $/head | vs last week | vs last year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600–699 lb | 2 | 680 lb | $265.00† | $1,802 | — | — |
Slaughter cows — Oct 20
| Grade | Dressing | Head | Avg wt | Avg $/cwt | Range $/cwt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boner 80-85% | Average | 1 | 1,250 lb | $137.00 | $137.00–$137.00 |
| Breaker 75-80% | Average | 1 | 1,865 lb | $105.00 | $105.00–$105.00 |
Price trends
Steers 500–599 lb Falling
- Latest (week of June 1, 2026)
- $260.00/cwt
- 4-week average
- $260.00
- 13-week average
- $310.00
- 4-week vs 13-week
- −16.1%
Sales in 3 of the last 13 weeks.
Steers 700–799 lb Falling
- Latest (week of October 20, 2025)
- $170.00/cwt
- 4-week average
- $170.00
- 13-week average
- $205.13
- 4-week vs 13-week
- −17.1%
Sales in 3 of the last 13 weeks.
Heifers 500–599 lb Steady
- Latest (week of October 12, 2026)
- $212.30/cwt
- 4-week average
- $212.30
- 13-week average
- $212.30
- 4-week vs 13-week
- 0.0%
Sales in 1 of the last 13 weeks.
Direction compares the 4-week average with the 13-week average: Rising +1% or more, Steady within ±1%, Easing −1% to −3%, Falling −3% or more. Weekly prices are head-weighted averages of Medium and Large No. 1 and 1–2 feeder cattle, regular lots.
The label describes recent prices; it is not a forecast. In our backtest of every barn since 2019 (about 35,000 barn-weeks), barns labeled Falling went on to beat other barns' average move over the next 13 weeks 61% of the time, and barns labeled Rising trailed it 56% of the time.
Last 52 weeks
Price history since 2020
When to sell: the seasonal pattern
5-weight steers
Not enough history yet for a seasonal pattern.
7-weight steers
Not enough history yet for a seasonal pattern.
Recent sales
| Sale | Head sold | Steers 500–599 $/cwt | Steers 700–799 $/cwt | Heifers 500–599 $/cwt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue Oct 20 | 577 | — | — | — |
| Tue Oct 13 | 307 | — | — | $212.30† |
| Tue Oct 6 | 386 | — | — | — |
| Tue Sep 29 | 301 | — | — | — |
| Tue Sep 22 | 330 | — | — | — |
| Tue Sep 15 | 452 | — | — | — |
| Tue Sep 1 | 356 | — | — | — |
| Tue Aug 25 | 86 | — | — | — |
| Tue Aug 18 | 193 | — | — | — |
| Tue Aug 11 | 120 | — | — | — |
| Tue Aug 4 | 235 | — | — | — |
| Tue Jul 28 | 296 | — | — | — |
| Tue Jul 21 | 388 | — | — | — |
Nearby barns this week
| Barn | Distance | Sale | Steers 500–599 | Steers 700–799 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shipshewana Livestock Auction, Shipshewana | 9 mi | Oct 21 | — | — |
Sale days
| Sale | Latest report | Head | Sales in 52 weeks | USDA report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | October 20, 2026 | 577 | 43 | AMS_3415 |
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry and Grain Market News, “Topeka Livestock Auction - Topeka, IN” (AMS_3415). See something wrong? Report a correction. Feeder prices are Medium and Large frame No. 1 and 1–2 cattle, $/cwt, grouped into 100-lb bands by average weight and weighted by head count. Value-added, unweaned and No. 2 lots are shown in their own columns; other lot types (fancy, fleshy, thin-fleshed, spayed, replacement) are left out. $/head = $/cwt × average weight ÷ 100.