It continues to be a seller’s market for dairy replacement heifers, heifer calves, and beef-cross calves. Prices for top-quality Holstein springers continue to hit $4,000 at the top end. Pot loads of Holstein springers averaged $3,350-3,700 at the February sale at the Turlock Livestock Auction Yard in Turlock, Calif., with “cattle headed all over the western and midwestern U.S. with strong demand.”
Calf prices, too, are hanging in strong, with beef-cross calves hitting new highs of $1,200/head. For Holstein heifer calves, the most recent USDA National Dairy Comprehensive Report lists an average price of $588.25/cwt., which closely aligns with reported markets. For reference, that same value a year ago was $159.20/cwt., and 5 years ago it was $29.08/cwt.
| Springing Heifers | Heifer Calves | Beef Cross Calves | ||
| Location (sale date) | Supreme/ Top | Approved/ Medium | 90-120 pounds | 60-100 pounds |
| Turlock, Calif. (2-21-25) | $3000- $4,000 | $2,500- $2,900 | ||
| Lomira, Wis. (2-28-25) | $1,800- $2,400 | $1,200- $1,700 | $350- $500 | $680- $1,200 |
| Pipestone, Minn. (2-20-25) | $3,850- $3,900 | $3,600- $3,850 | No test | No test |
| New Holland, Pa. (2-24-25) | No report | No report | $500- $975 | $825- $1,210 |
