Strong Demand Drives Higher Cattle and Lamb Prices at Northern Livestock Video Auction

July 23, 2026

Cattle and sheep prices continue to run well ahead of last year's pace, bringing welcome optimism to ranch country. At this year's 2026 Northern Livestock Video Auction Summertime Classic, that strength was on full display.

Joe Goggins with Northern Livestock Video Auction says the market started strong with the lamb sale.

"We started this morning with the lamb sale, and these lambs are loved. Most lambs last year were bringing $205 to $206, and this year they're bringing $342 to $370. So, huge demand and a huge uptick for the lamb market as well."

That strength is carrying over to the cattle market.

"We sold a lot of these steer calves yesterday and this morning, bringing from $65 to $150 a hundredweight more than they did a year ago. A lot of these calves are bringing $400 to $700 a head more than they did a year ago."

While the market has backed off some from the June highs, demand remains strong.

"I'd say our steer calves are probably $20 to $25 cheaper than they were in June, but the heifer calves are probably steady. There's a huge demand for these heifer calves, especially those producers might want to make into cows."

Source: Western Ag Network