We had a pet steer once named Cutie Pie. When he was getting old, we had him butchered, ground into hamburger, and donated it all to a food bank. SInce it was going to a food bank, the butcher shop only charged something like $100.

Cutie Pie had been just one out of a pen of cattle, but he had obviously been raised by hand. He would follow you around like a dog. My niece got attached to him so when it came time to send them to the feedlot, Cutie Pie stayed around. I think she was about 4 or 5 at the time.

Right now bull or steer does not make much difference and there is not that big a drop on heifers either. I don't know what the problem at Mid Tex is but at every sale in this part of the country, Cuero, Halletsville, Gonzales, El Campo, Wharton, Edna, Beeville and Nixon anything above 450# is going to bring a $1,000.
I sold a trailer load of "culls" at Cuero 2 weeks ago, had 5 pure bred solid white Brahman bulls that averaged around 600# acouple of really dogie 450# heifers and 5 fair (low 1's mid 2's) steers weighing around 500# my check was for almost 13k after commission, yardage, brand inspection, beef check off, insurance and all.
That was take home!! Had a buddy that sold 6 at Halletsville and his check was over 6k.
Maybe you ought to haul a few down here it will sure pay the freight!!

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Maybe beef is different but there is more to getting a good eating bird than throwing it in the yard and hoping for the breast.

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Last weeks Auction Barn Prices here http://www.southernlivestock.com/market_reports?filterByState=TX $2.50 is low for some places

We raise a lot of our own beef and it is definitely worth it. Granted we dont take our calves to 1200lbs+ for slaugher, usually butcher the calf at about 700lbs. If you do a lot of the work yourself you can save a lot on processing. Cleaning a steer is the same as cleaning a deer, the steer is just bigger. Quarter into a few ice chest then take to the butcher to have your good cuts processed . We have our own grinder (you can get meet grinders for cheap and make your own hamburger. Extremely cost effective on our end, plus some pride in eating what you grow.

Exactly when you're selling steers and heifers at 700 lbs 1.85-2.05 at mid tex is about right.

Yesterday in Lexington we got

440 @$272.50
535 @$235.00
470 @$247.50
590 @$217.50

A). I like grass fed beef as well

B). Deer/steer, same difference.

Selling in lots does not necessarily mean more money per head. We've always made the most selling separately. Most sales by lot will net you less per head, from my personal experience.