Cattle Marketing Services Analyzes Beef x Dairy Feeder Cattle Market

Texas-based auction house provides insights on key drivers of prices for this growing cattle segment.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 1:31am

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Cattle Marketing Services, Inc. (CMS Auction), a leading marketer of feeder cattle in Amarillo, Texas, has analyzed its 2025 sale results on beef x dairy feeder cattle sold through its internet-based auction platform. The analysis provided insights into factors affecting prices in this growing market segment, including the significant premium for Angus-sired calves and cattle from Holstein dams, as well as the impact of weight, group size, and non-hormone-treated status.

Why it matters

Beef x dairy feeder cattle have become an increasingly important source of inventory for feedyard operators across the U.S. as their numbers have grown substantially in recent years. Understanding the key price drivers in this market can help both buyers and sellers make more informed decisions.

The details

CMS analyzed data on 469 groups of beef x dairy feeders representing 94,932 head sold in 2025. Key findings include a $176/cwt increase in prices from January 2025 to January 2026, a record-high $60/cwt price slide for each additional 100 lbs of weight, a $26.83/cwt premium for calves out of Holstein dams versus other dairy breeds, a $15.07/cwt premium for Angus-sired calves, and an $8.76/cwt premium for non-hormone-treated cattle. The analysis also found that group size had only a minor impact on prices, while genetics verified by the Top Dollar Angus program commanded a $20.26/cwt premium.

  • The analysis covered cattle sold through CMS Auction in 2025.
  • Beef x dairy feeder cattle numbers have grown substantially over the past 8-10 years.

The players

Cattle Marketing Services, Inc. (CMS Auction)

A leading marketer of feeder cattle based in Amarillo, Texas that has been selling beef x dairy cattle since 2006 as their numbers have increased.

Delbert Hollis

President of Cattle Marketing Services, Inc.

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What they’re saying

“We wanted to better understand the factors affecting beef x dairy feeder prices, so we can advise our clients on how to create cattle buyers really want.”

— Delbert Hollis, President, Cattle Marketing Services, Inc.

The takeaway

This analysis provides valuable insights into the growing beef x dairy feeder cattle market, highlighting key price drivers that both buyers and sellers can use to make more informed decisions. As this segment continues to grow in importance, understanding these market dynamics will be critical for success.