Sale Barn Study | October 2025

Fall Market Forecast

contributed article by Roman Schooley

Bloomfield Livestock Market, Inc., Bloomfield, Iowa

bloomfieldlivestockiowa.com

Fall is moving in and so are the calf runs! Pastures are starting to show some stress for the first time in several weeks due to lack of rain in southern Iowa. That means producers are preparing to move yearlings and calves to market.

The second week of September the market seemed very volatile. For example, on a Tuesday the feeder board was down the limit at 9.25. This was a concern to many who have been buying those record selling yearlings. But then the next day, with uncertainty in the markets, our early bird calf run saw over 1,500 new crop calves come to town.

Many of this year’s calves were pulled straight off the cow as producers seemed to be running to capture the high demand. It was much higher than expected with many 4wt steers bringing way north of 5.00 to 5.80. Your 5wt was just as impressive up towards 5.00. Demand was excellent with many farmer feeders in attendance.

Box beef cutouts were a bit lower at the time of publication with choice selling for 400.79 about 10 dollars higher than August. Select cuts were up to 379.95 up 13.00 from last visit. Slaughter was down 27,000 during a week in September compared to the same time last year. With average carcass weight at 953 pounds, you can see they continue to want big yearling feds.

Fat cattle in the North the second week of September started at 237 after the board limit down to rally by the end of the week at 242. That was 2 to 6 lower than last meeting. The South actually gained ground to the North this week finishing at 240, with all the Mexico cattle not being available due to the border closed in the South.

Supplies are very tight and that has helped the fed cattle market in the southern region. Cow and bull slaughter continue to be steady with many cows 1.40 to 1.75. Bulls are steady to a pinch lower at 1.40 to 2.25. Feeder calf runs this fall have been steady to higher due to record breaking prices. We held our anniversary yearling sale, and it was full of optimism with many 8wt steers bringing north of 3.75. Market also saw several guys looking for top quality replacement heifers topping out at 2,880 per head.

Your CME index for the week of September 12 closed at 365.47, that was 22.00 higher than last visit. Demand seems to be in full swing as many farmers are looking for cheap gains through the corn.

October 1st will be another great opportunity to buy several strings of fancy new crop calves. A majority of the groups will be weaned for this sale. Breeding stock seems to be very quiet as many guys are into full swing of fall calving. I know several producers looking for pairs to run yet this fall, but supplies are very short. I expect the cow runs to start up towards November once the farmers exit the fields. I look for stock cows to be in full demand come winter!

Hopefully you will find some time to relax and enjoy your family this fall. Seems like fall is the best weather for working and enjoying the outdoors. Take some time in the evenings to disconnect from the noises and visit with family and friends. As always, I appreciate your time and your efforts as we continue to push forward breaking new records in the beef business!

Roman Schooley, Bloomfield, Iowa

Roman Schooley owns Bloomfield Livestock Market and Schooley Cattle Co. in Bloomfield, Iowa. As president of Schooley Cattle Co., Roman leads the breeding decisions of the seedstock operation which consists of 550 registered Simmental and Angus cows. Schooley Cattle Co. utilizes IVF to produce breed leading genetic advancement. The company hosts an annual production sale the first Friday in February at the ranch; selling 18-month-old and yearling bulls and a select group of open and bred heifers. Roman also owns and assists in the operations at Bloomfield Livestock Market which primarily serves producers in Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have three children: Hannah (23), Haven (20), Houstin (17), and one grandson, Weaver (2 months).