Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, November 30, 2020

17,693 head sold ·Official USDA report

This is an archived report. See the latest Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary report →

light 5-weight M&L 1 steers $172.06/cwt +14.93 vs last sale · ≈ $897/hd at 522 lb · 766 head
heavy 4-weight M&L 1 steers $191.98/cwt +15.70 vs last sale · ≈ $907/hd at 472 lb · 722 head
light 4-weight M&L 1 heifers $159.62/cwt +9.84 vs last sale · ≈ $689/hd at 431 lb · 535 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 17,693 10,512 14,649
Feeder cattle 7,576 4,966 7,841
Slaughter cattle 2,781 3,122 418
Replacement cattle 1,289 2,424 2,382

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Yearling steer and heifers were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Last week was a short week due to the holiday. Unweaned steer calves under 550 lbs sold sharply higher with most sales 10.00-15.00 higher on a much more attractive offering this week. Steers over 550 lbs sold steady to 6.00 higher. Unweaned heifer calves under 550 lbs sold steady to 10.00 higher. Unweaned heifers 550-599 lbs sold 4.00-6.00 higher; Heifers over 600 lbs sold generally steady. Quality this week was mostly attractive with many sets of high quality reputation cattle on offer. Demand for grass cattle was very good this week. Many sets of light calves suitable to run on grass sold for more dollars per head than their heavier siblings. Overall demand was good to very good for moderate to heavy offerings. Market activity was mostly active this week with many bidders and buyers actively bidding on offerings. Weigh up cows sold on mixed demand this week. Demand was light to start the week and improved drastically as the week progressed. Packers became more aggressive on slaughter cows as the week progressed. Slaughter cows sold uneven this week from 1.00 lower to 3.00 higher. Feeding cow demand was good throughout the week. Feeding cows sold generally steady. Packers and cow feeders continue to put thin cows away for the holiday break and these cows sold near steady with some increased demand seen late in the week due to increased slaughter demand. Slaughter bulls sold steady to 2.00 higher. Feeding bull buyers continue to but bulls away on feed these offerings sold steady to firm as packers showed slightly more demand for slaughter bulls this week. Weigh up conditions were mostly average to below average again this week. Demand for rebreed type cattle was mixed this week. Good demand was seen for high quality one iron cattle suitable to rebreed while feeding type cattle sold with lower undertones. This class of cows sold steady to 3.00 lower.

New to these tables? Plain-English explainers ↓

Feeder Steers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
305–339 unweaned 331 79 202.50–213.00 $209.46 $693 +27.46
373–394 unweaned 386 52 178.00–211.00 $197.13 $761 +12.71
401–447 unweaned 412 301 188.00–216.00 $208.41 $859 +31.22
404–444 417 21 204.00–210.00 $207.87 $867 +26.87
460 fancy 460 88 197.50 $197.50 $908 —
454–499 unweaned 473 583 176.00–195.00 $192.08 $909 +20.12
468–496 484 51 175.00–187.50 $181.28 $877 -7.72
501–534 516 162 164.00–179.50 $172.71 $891 +12.89
503–549 unweaned 523 604 152.00–178.00 $171.89 $899 +15.02
550–593 unweaned 579 124 144.00–160.00 $151.67 $878 +3.70
550–598 580 64 149.50–159.50 $156.12 $905 +6.97
600–649 unweaned 620 324 132.00–155.00 $149.52 $927 +7.93
608–638 622 24 143.00–155.00 $148.99 $927 +4.14
650–692 unweaned 676 56 129.00–150.00 $141.35 $956 +6.57
650–692 687 97 140.00–152.00 $149.26 $1,025 +11.86
706–734 721 55 137.00–144.00 $142.65 $1,029 +9.50
706–740 unweaned 722 30 131.00–141.50 $139.16 $1,005 +9.65
756–777 764 74 136.00–139.50 $139.26 $1,064 —
814–843 825 11 133.00–140.00 $137.40 $1,134 +1.90
891 891 8 126.00 $126.00 $1,123 —
895 895 7 133.00 $133.00 $1,190 —
958–980 964 12 121.00–133.00 $129.46 $1,248 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
303 303 15 187.50 $187.50 $568 —
322 unweaned 322 9 175.00 $175.00 $564 -2.50
376–398 386 65 157.00–190.00 $181.86 $702 —
406–445 unweaned 425 62 160.00–189.00 $180.74 $768 +15.64
415–443 431 19 169.00–185.00 $177.87 $767 —
540 540 43 155.00 $155.00 $837 +11.00
542–545 unweaned 542 11 142.50–159.50 $157.95 $856 +7.53
571 571 9 146.00 $146.00 $834 —
553–595 unweaned 572 25 138.00–147.00 $144.64 $827 +2.64
608 608 4 127.00 $127.00 $772 —
620 620 3 132.00 $132.00 $818 —
620–648 unweaned 638 18 134.00–138.00 $136.42 $870 +2.42
656 656 4 135.00 $135.00 $886 —
650–689 unweaned 679 8 135.00–136.75 $135.42 $920 +8.42
753 753 7 134.00 $134.00 $1,009 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
382 unweaned 382 24 158.00 $158.00 $604 —
476 unweaned 476 6 148.00 $148.00 $704 —
630 630 6 138.00 $138.00 $869 —
1019 1019 4 127.00 $127.00 $1,294 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
668 668 11 130.00 $130.00 $868 —
756 756 25 134.25 $134.25 $1,015 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
476 unweaned 476 5 150.00 $150.00 $714 —
546 546 19 134.00 $134.00 $732 —

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
323 unweaned 323 48 175.00 $175.00 $565 +10.00
355–363 362 29 165.00–168.00 $165.20 $598 —
362–397 unweaned 384 236 149.50–177.50 $170.05 $653 +17.19
406–439 430 160 150.00–163.00 $155.11 $667 +4.11
406–448 unweaned 432 375 145.00–167.00 $161.54 $698 +11.77
455–482 fancy 469 102 167.00–167.50 $167.24 $784 —
450–498 unweaned 476 174 139.00–159.00 $150.38 $716 +4.90
456–499 481 255 148.00–159.50 $153.53 $738 +17.03
509 fancy 509 16 160.00 $160.00 $814 —
505–536 523 125 144.00–152.00 $149.04 $779 +11.48
502–542 unweaned 524 297 130.50–156.00 $147.00 $770 +7.34
565–596 580 109 135.50–145.00 $142.56 $827 +25.06
550–592 unweaned 581 80 135.00–140.50 $138.84 $807 +6.85
588 588 5 130.50 $130.50 $767 +13.00
603–649 unweaned 619 56 124.50–134.00 $132.58 $821 +6.77
614–641 633 69 129.00–137.50 $132.57 $839 +6.49
655–697 unweaned 669 41 129.00–133.50 $132.86 $889 +8.69
665–690 680 23 132.50–140.00 $134.68 $916 —
750–762 760 20 128.00–129.50 $128.30 $975 +1.37
800–849 812 159 124.00–137.00 $131.21 $1,065 +4.03
835 835 26 124.50 $124.50 $1,040 -2.68
870–890 881 13 124.00–133.00 $131.22 $1,156 +4.35
903–923 fancy 914 99 136.50 $136.50 $1,248 —
911–936 924 34 120.50–130.00 $125.50 $1,160 +3.79
958–962 961 23 119.00–127.00 $120.73 $1,160 +0.63
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
304 304 7 159.00 $159.00 $483 —
348 unweaned 348 11 157.00 $157.00 $546 +12.52
358 358 4 155.00 $155.00 $555 —
415–446 432 30 145.00–152.00 $149.21 $645 +2.21
407–442 unweaned 435 83 141.00–151.00 $148.06 $644 +4.44
450–497 unweaned 480 14 138.00–146.00 $141.74 $680 +4.29
530–532 unweaned 531 21 129.00–135.00 $131.58 $699 -3.58
581 581 4 131.00 $131.00 $761 +2.00
586 unweaned 586 5 132.00 $132.00 $774 +8.04
798 798 3 127.00 $127.00 $1,013 +1.93
809 809 8 127.00 $127.00 $1,027 +1.00
860–878 874 4 113.00–118.00 $114.23 $998 -6.77
900 900 4 113.00 $113.00 $1,017 —
952–982 968 10 112.00–117.00 $114.58 $1,109 +0.58
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1003 unweaned 1003 3 118.00 $118.00 $1,184 —
1013 1013 7 102.00 $102.00 $1,033 -16.54
1028 1028 3 122.50 $122.50 $1,259 +3.96
1090 1090 1 120.50 $120.50 $1,313 —
1113 1113 6 100.00 $100.00 $1,113 -5.00
1117–1122 1119 14 106.50–110.50 $109.07 $1,220 +4.07
1123 1123 4 95.00 $95.00 $1,067 -10.00
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
343 unweaned 343 13 136.00 $136.00 $466 —
397 unweaned 397 13 135.00 $135.00 $536 —
1160 1160 1 104.00 $104.00 $1,206 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
710–733 724 23 122.00–125.00 $123.85 $897 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
547 547 5 114.00 $114.00 $624 —
690 690 7 127.50 $127.50 $880 +2.50
718 718 4 119.00 $119.00 $854 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
417 417 3 134.00 $134.00 $559 —
863 863 3 111.00 $111.00 $958 —

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
329 unweaned 329 4 187.50 $187.50 $617 +27.50
363 unweaned 363 2 190.00 $190.00 $690 +7.50
413–415 unweaned 413 12 179.00–199.00 $182.35 $753 —
530 530 2 160.00 $160.00 $848 —
548 unweaned 548 5 144.00 $144.00 $789 —
582 unweaned 582 3 143.00 $143.00 $832 -6.00
605–623 unweaned 619 8 130.00–135.00 $131.22 $812 —
642 642 3 134.00 $134.00 $860 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1010 1010 2 89.00 $89.00 $899 —
1268 1268 2 87.00 $87.00 $1,103 —

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Slaughter Cows

Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
840–995 897 85-90% 7 22.50–38.00 $31.40 $282 -3.81
810–990 930 85-90% 10 36.50–42.00 $39.22 $365 -2.53
935–995 962 85-90% 3 42.00–47.00 $44.39 $427 —
962–1345 1081 85-90% 68 25.00–38.00 $34.15 $369 -4.01
939–1350 1154 85-90% 349 38.00–49.00 $44.24 $511 -1.09
890–1378 1156 85-90% 77 38.50–48.00 $43.05 $498 -2.28
1040–1202 1166 85-90% 5 36.00 $36.00 $420 -9.33
940–1385 1187 85-90% 198 46.50–57.00 $50.33 $597 -0.74
940–1360 1199 85-90% 19 46.50–51.00 $47.53 $570 -3.54
1129–1296 1201 85-90% 14 57.50–59.00 $58.31 $700 -4.01
Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
958 958 80-85% 2 43.00 $43.00 $412 —
980 980 80-85% 1 45.00 $45.00 $441 —
1095–1635 1338 80-85% 341 47.00–62.00 $55.53 $743 —
1259–1528 1361 80-85% 59 44.00–50.00 $47.11 $641 -7.35
1200–1645 1372 80-85% 51 60.00–65.00 $62.57 $858 -1.99
1235–1518 1447 80-85% 4 62.00–63.75 $63.38 $917 —
1255–1670 1452 80-85% 29 41.00–50.50 $46.47 $675 +10.47
1295–1694 1490 80-85% 26 49.00–54.00 $52.07 $776 +16.07
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1470 1470 75-80% 1 62.00 $62.00 $911 —
1420–1685 1538 75-80% 10 46.00–60.00 $55.87 $859 -10.32
1270–1956 1610 75-80% 29 58.50–65.00 $62.64 $1,009 —
1658 1658 75-80% 2 67.00 $67.00 $1,111 —
1530–1810 1670 75-80% 2 50.50–52.00 $51.31 $857 —
1810 1810 75-80% 1 69.00 $69.00 $1,249 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1190–2048 1652 25 64.00–74.00 $71.18 $1,176 +1.60
1530–2080 1836 27 75.00–83.00 $79.16 $1,453 —
1485–2315 1842 30 54.00–74.00 $69.52 $1,281 —
1555–2090 1868 18 75.50–84.00 $80.97 $1,513 +2.21
1860–1920 1890 2 83.00–85.00 $83.98 $1,587 +5.22
1870–2255 2003 3 84.00–84.50 $84.34 $1,689 —

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
732 thin fleshed 732 (<2 yrs)Open 6 73.00 $73.00 $534
690–1465 929 (<2 yrs)Open 407 50.00–99.00 $83.73 $778
825–1070 thin fleshed 952 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 13 44.00–56.00 $50.72 $483
821–1332 1029 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 277 50.00–88.00 $64.98 $669

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1055 1055 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 3 800.00 $800.00
1121 thin fleshed 1121 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 9 525.00 $525.00
1055–1308 1158 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 46 650.00–675.00 $658.33
1195 1195 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 6 985.00 $985.00
1163–1244 1226 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 9 950.00–1,050.00 $1,028.92
1493 1493 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 1,085.00 $1,085.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1463 1463 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 56.00 $56.00 $819

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Bucks

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
155–185 160 6 70.00–83.00 $80.49 $129 —
170–187 185 9 106.00–125.00 $107.94 $200 —
228–235 230 4 68.00–75.00 $69.75 $160 —
208–245 233 12 77.00–83.00 $80.75 $188 —
215–245 235 6 87.00–88.00 $87.30 $205 —
275 275 1 79.00 $79.00 $217 —
315 315 1 84.00 $84.00 $265 —

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Bucks Billies

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
68 68 2 180.00 $180.00 $122 —
76 76 4 167.50 $167.50 $127 —
115–135 125 2 180.00–210.00 $196.20 $245 —
133–142 139 7 215.00–217.50 $215.68 $300 —
155–175 165 2 210.00–215.00 $212.35 $350 —
170 170 2 207.50 $207.50 $353 —
205 205 1 245.00 $245.00 $502 —

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Ewes

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
105–146 128 11 60.00–76.00 $68.22 $87 —
126–145 139 111 75.00–83.00 $80.65 $112 —
110–149 143 338 68.00–83.00 $78.57 $112 —
151–173 158 99 68.00–80.00 $74.45 $118 —
159 159 17 69.00 $69.00 $110 —
162–169 166 16 57.00–67.00 $60.65 $101 —
169 169 35 92.50 $92.50 $156 —
169 169 10 57.00 $57.00 $96 —
153–196 174 114 67.00–80.00 $72.18 $126 —
200 200 1 76.00 $76.00 $152 —
208 208 6 95.00 $95.00 $198 —
243–249 247 6 77.00–84.00 $79.30 $196 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
148 148 Yearlings (1-2 yrs)Open 15 86.00 $86.00 $127 —
174 174 Yearlings (1-2 yrs)Open 187 84.00 $84.00 $146 —

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Hair Breeds

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
38 38 6 205.00 $205.00 $78 —
53 53 9 267.50 $267.50 $142 —
71–78 72 62 207.50–227.50 $210.25 $151 —

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Hair Bucks

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
95 95 2 120.00 $120.00 $114 —
160 160 1 99.00 $99.00 $158 —

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Hair Ewes

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
111 111 Middle Aged (4-6 yrs)Exposed 28 105.00 $105.00 $117 —
N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
81 81 9 90.00 $90.00 $73 —
140 140 1 92.50 $92.50 $130 —

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Kids

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
27 27 18 350.00 $350.00 $94 —
31 31 12 230.00 $230.00 $71 —
33 33 8 165.00 $165.00 $54 —
34–38 36 66 372.50–377.50 $375.74 $135 —
34–37 36 39 350.00–365.00 $358.01 $129 —
40–47 44 257 340.00–370.00 $355.79 $157 —
44–47 45 13 285.00–310.00 $295.01 $133 —
44–49 49 303 320.00–332.50 $330.24 $162 —
50–58 54 342 315.00–340.00 $332.30 $179 —
51–59 55 84 260.00–312.50 $276.16 $152 —
61 61 7 225.00 $225.00 $137 —
60–68 65 192 285.00–310.00 $301.36 $196 —
65 65 2 227.50 $227.50 $148 —
65–66 66 13 260.00–275.00 $272.72 $180 —
70–78 73 139 245.00–262.50 $254.81 $186 —
71–78 74 47 210.00–240.00 $224.71 $166 —
80–83 80 16 232.50–249.00 $234.63 $188 —
83 83 24 223.00 $223.00 $185 —
94 94 4 185.00 $185.00 $174 —
98 98 2 237.50 $237.50 $233 —
103 103 2 220.00 $220.00 $227 —

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Lambs

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
84 84 16 185.00 $185.00 $155 —

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Nannies Does

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
55 55 1 125.00 $125.00 $69 —
75 75 1 132.50 $132.50 $99 —
83 83 5 147.50 $147.50 $122 —
90 90 1 152.50 $152.50 $137 —
92–99 96 45 185.00–210.00 $193.39 $186 —
104 104 28 140.00 $140.00 $146 —
112–129 117 17 165.00–180.00 $175.87 $206 —
100–126 118 16 150.00–167.50 $163.65 $193 —
140 140 4 152.50 $152.50 $214 —
150 150 2 157.50–170.00 $163.75 $246 —

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Wethers

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
61 61 7 225.00 $225.00 $137 —
80 80 1 215.00 $215.00 $172 —
93–95 94 4 215.00–225.00 $217.54 $204 —
105 105 2 205.00 $205.00 $215 —
122 122 14 170.00 $170.00 $207 —
142–144 143 14 215.00–220.00 $218.22 $312 —
175–190 182 3 192.50–215.00 $201.67 $367 —

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Wooled & Shorn

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
34 34 4 275.00 $275.00 $94 —
40–48 46 107 247.50–292.50 $267.04 $123 —
51–59 55 227 245.00–282.50 $265.36 $146 —
60–69 64 509 225.00–265.00 $241.09 $154 —
70–79 75 627 201.00–228.00 $220.67 $166 —
79 79 80 207.00 $207.00 $164 —
80–89 86 389 190.00–205.00 $196.71 $169 —
90–96 93 85 172.00–193.00 $182.96 $170 —
102–131 109 173 160.00–180.00 $172.05 $188 —

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Reading this report

What does "Medium and Large 1" mean?

USDA feeder grades describe frame size and muscle thickness, not quality of the individual animal. "Medium and Large" is the frame score; the number is muscle (1 = heaviest muscled). "Medium and Large 1–2" pens mix both muscle scores — common across the Southeast.

What is $/cwt?

Dollars per hundredweight — per 100 lb of animal. A 500-lb calf at $450/cwt brings 5 × $450 = $2,250. Lighter cattle usually bring more per cwt but less per head.

Why are some prices per head?

Bred cows, cow-calf pairs, and some replacement classes sell by the head, not by weight. We show those exactly as USDA reports them — a $/head figure is never converted into $/cwt on this site.

Where do these numbers come from?

From the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's Livestock Market News — federal reporters at the sale. We publish each report in full and link the official USDA document at the top of the page.