Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, December 7, 2020

23,442 head sold ·Official USDA report

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

heavy 5-weight M&L 1 steers $158.20/cwt +5.02 vs last sale · ≈ $904/hd at 572 lb · 1,052 head
light 5-weight M&L 1 steers $169.14/cwt -2.92 vs last sale · ≈ $888/hd at 525 lb · 1,049 head
heavy 4-weight M&L 1 heifers $159.02/cwt +3.88 vs last sale · ≈ $753/hd at 474 lb · 825 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 23,442 17,693 22,133
Feeder cattle 12,429 7,576 12,513
Slaughter cattle 2,903 2,781 523
Replacement cattle 8,110 1,289 9,097

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Yearling steer were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Yearling heifers sold generally steady in a narrow comparison. Unweaned steer calves under 500 lbs sold steady to 10.00 lower. Steers 500-549 lbs sold fully steady; steers over 550 lbs sold steady to 3.00 higher. Unweaned heifer calves under 400 lbs sold 5.00-10.00 higher; Unweaned heifers 400-499 lbs sold steady to 5.00 higher; Heifers 500-649 lbs sold steady to 3.00 higher. Heifers calves over 650 lbs sold with lower undertones in a narrow comparison. Quality this week was mixed from average to attractive; however quality overall was not as attractive as last week, especially on steer under 500 lbs. Demand was mixed this week with good demand seen Friday of last week and to start the week and waning demand seen as the week progressed. Demand for light weight heifers improved drastically this week as more buyers were willing takers of light weight heifers suitable to run on grass. Market activity was mostly moderate to active. Weigh up cows sold on mixed demand for heavy offerings. Slaughter cows sold mostly steady to 2.00 higher. Packers started the week purchasing cows on light demand but demand improved sharply as the week progressed. Feeding buyers and packer buyers both competed over offerings throughout the week. Feeding cows sold steady to 2.00 higher. Slaughter bulls sold generally steady. Feeding bull buyers continue to buy bulls away from packers. Demand for bulls was moderate to good. Weigh up conditions were mostly average to below average again this week. Demand for rebreed type cattle was mostly light this week. Quality was lower than last week with no high quality one iron cows on offer this week. This class of cows sold 5.00-8.00 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
302–337 unweaned 318 24 175.00–223.00 $196.36 $624 -13.10
335–349 341 58 185.00–212.00 $202.47 $690 —
352–384 unweaned 373 23 185.00–205.00 $189.50 $707 -7.63
350–399 386 110 186.00–205.00 $191.38 $739 —
400–438 unweaned 419 132 170.00–193.00 $186.01 $779 -22.40
400–449 431 362 165.00–193.50 $179.63 $774 -28.24
453–494 unweaned 476 147 167.00–189.00 $178.48 $850 -13.60
452–497 479 655 165.00–193.00 $176.48 $845 -4.80
500–543 unweaned 522 399 151.00–179.50 $169.05 $882 -2.84
502–545 527 647 160.00–177.00 $169.29 $892 -3.42
545 545 3 149.00 $149.00 $812 -23.71
550–596 unweaned 566 225 146.00–163.00 $157.89 $894 +6.22
550–594 573 817 150.00–164.50 $158.46 $908 +2.34
584 584 10 144.00 $144.00 $841 -12.12
600–645 unweaned 614 201 140.00–161.50 $150.43 $924 +0.91
600–647 619 413 147.00–162.00 $153.45 $950 +4.46
653–677 unweaned 663 18 145.00–146.00 $145.50 $965 +4.15
678 678 5 136.00 $136.00 $922 -13.26
653–698 680 152 138.00–148.50 $146.26 $995 -3.00
707–725 unweaned 717 32 135.00–138.50 $137.55 $986 -1.61
703–744 718 46 136.00–150.50 $144.37 $1,037 +1.72
717–728 721 10 136.00–137.00 $136.40 $983 -6.25
752 unweaned 752 3 134.00 $134.00 $1,008 —
771–779 774 24 133.50 $133.50 $1,033 -5.76
803 803 3 136.00 $136.00 $1,092 -1.40
882–899 888 25 128.50–135.50 $132.08 $1,173 +6.08
906 906 4 133.50 $133.50 $1,210 —
956 956 5 126.50 $126.50 $1,209 -2.96
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
336 336 6 182.00 $182.00 $612 -5.50
339 unweaned 339 12 185.00 $185.00 $627 +10.00
356–393 380 109 175.50–187.00 $181.47 $690 -0.39
375–388 unweaned 384 13 166.00–174.00 $171.60 $659 —
404–438 unweaned 431 62 146.50–178.00 $165.34 $713 -15.40
403–443 432 83 159.00–179.00 $169.68 $733 -8.19
452–494 unweaned 473 106 151.00–169.00 $156.96 $742 —
462–494 473 54 164.00–169.00 $165.43 $782 —
501–546 530 44 140.00–165.00 $150.23 $796 -4.77
549 unweaned 549 6 153.50 $153.50 $843 -4.45
558–592 unweaned 577 36 131.50–152.00 $136.56 $788 -8.08
558–598 581 31 141.00–150.50 $147.75 $858 +1.75
614–633 unweaned 621 9 134.00–143.00 $138.84 $862 +2.42
600–634 626 32 135.50–140.00 $137.72 $862 +5.72
655–698 unweaned 681 5 137.00–140.00 $138.15 $941 +2.73
695 695 2 138.50 $138.50 $963 —
712–734 729 14 127.00–135.50 $133.72 $975 —
994 994 7 119.00 $119.00 $1,183 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
329–337 333 24 181.00–185.50 $183.04 $610 —
374–389 387 65 169.00–187.00 $175.87 $681 —
432 432 9 181.00 $181.00 $782 —
481 481 17 164.00 $164.00 $789 —
503 503 2 159.00 $159.00 $800 —
782 782 7 132.50 $132.50 $1,036 -1.75
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1016 1016 15 122.50 $122.50 $1,245 -4.50
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
385 385 6 167.50 $167.50 $645 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
499 unweaned 499 6 133.00 $133.00 $664 -17.00

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
326–331 330 20 167.00–180.00 $170.21 $562 —
331–342 unweaned 339 13 180.00–183.00 $182.10 $617 +7.10
354–399 381 173 158.00–192.50 $174.63 $665 +9.43
360–398 unweaned 385 74 156.50–170.00 $161.72 $623 -8.33
406 fancy 406 19 176.50 $176.50 $717 —
415 415 10 169.00 $169.00 $701 +13.89
400–449 422 578 152.00–174.00 $162.29 $685 +7.18
406–443 unweaned 425 107 146.00–165.50 $155.76 $662 -5.78
452–492 unweaned 472 166 140.00–165.50 $157.85 $745 +7.47
450–499 474 659 145.00–168.50 $159.31 $755 +5.78
501–539 unweaned 520 317 136.00–153.00 $147.81 $769 +0.81
503–543 524 390 142.00–158.00 $150.85 $790 +1.81
506–540 525 18 152.50–157.00 $154.43 $811 +5.39
556 fancy 556 80 151.75 $151.75 $844 —
552–597 571 396 134.00–145.00 $139.59 $797 -2.97
554–599 unweaned 575 205 132.00–144.50 $137.69 $792 -1.15
591 591 49 144.00 $144.00 $851 +13.50
603–628 unweaned 618 26 128.00–134.00 $132.31 $818 -0.27
601–649 624 180 130.00–139.50 $133.59 $834 +1.02
655–659 unweaned 658 17 125.00–126.50 $125.26 $824 -7.60
650–673 671 52 124.00–130.00 $128.12 $860 -6.56
703–736 725 42 124.50–135.00 $129.71 $940 —
768 unweaned 768 2 122.00 $122.00 $937 —
779–798 784 39 128.50–132.50 $130.64 $1,024 +2.34
809–848 831 28 126.00–133.25 $131.73 $1,095 +7.23
855–895 875 44 122.00–129.00 $127.79 $1,118 -3.43
900–944 925 39 123.00–129.25 $127.46 $1,179 +1.96
960–978 972 21 121.00–122.50 $121.49 $1,181 +0.76
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
318–347 331 40 157.50–165.00 $161.12 $533 +2.12
390 390 10 152.00 $152.00 $593 -3.00
366–397 unweaned 393 41 154.00–156.50 $154.30 $606 —
402–435 unweaned 409 48 143.00–151.00 $147.29 $602 -0.77
409–449 426 37 152.00–157.50 $153.80 $655 +4.59
469–494 480 53 135.00–150.00 $145.69 $699 —
476–493 unweaned 488 41 125.00–141.00 $130.00 $634 -11.74
509–549 unweaned 527 48 127.00–139.00 $135.38 $713 +3.80
542–545 543 38 142.50–144.50 $142.98 $776 —
608–638 631 9 124.00–127.00 $124.64 $786 —
768 768 8 121.00 $121.00 $929 -6.00
823 823 3 122.50 $122.50 $1,008 -4.50
852 852 7 122.50 $122.50 $1,044 +8.27
953 953 6 115.00 $115.00 $1,096 +0.42
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1046 1046 32 115.00 $115.00 $1,203 -7.50
1062 1062 13 115.50 $115.50 $1,227 -5.00
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
357–383 unweaned 366 9 125.00–131.00 $128.91 $472 —
393 393 5 140.00 $140.00 $550 —
418 418 13 140.00 $140.00 $585 +6.00
495 unweaned 495 3 128.50 $128.50 $636 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
378 378 9 140.00 $140.00 $529 —
518 518 3 124.00 $124.00 $642 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
367 367 8 130.00 $130.00 $477 —

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
261 261 10 177.50 $177.50 $463 —
342 342 30 182.00 $182.00 $622 —
393 393 48 182.00 $182.00 $715 —
420–449 440 10 165.00–172.00 $170.00 $748 —
485 unweaned 485 2 152.50 $152.50 $740 —
501 501 4 142.00 $142.00 $711 -18.00
536–548 unweaned 538 16 144.00–157.00 $155.34 $836 +11.34
554 554 19 145.00 $145.00 $803 —
558–570 unweaned 564 4 135.00–138.00 $136.48 $770 -6.52
679 unweaned 679 7 126.00 $126.00 $856 —
698 698 3 125.00 $125.00 $872 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
433 unweaned 433 14 140.00 $140.00 $606 —
490 490 10 144.00 $144.00 $706 —
525 525 4 139.00 $139.00 $730 —
799 799 4 108.00 $108.00 $863 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1140 1140 1 91.00 $91.00 $1,037 —

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Slaughter Cows

Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
915–948 937 85-90% 3 41.00 $41.00 $384 +1.78
853–960 944 85-90% 21 30.00–35.00 $31.88 $301 -7.34
993 993 85-90% 3 48.50 $48.50 $482 +4.11
1040–1395 1089 85-90% 98 27.00–40.00 $37.40 $407 +3.25
980–1230 1108 85-90% 10 59.50–64.00 $61.09 $677 —
820–1365 1151 85-90% 229 38.00–51.00 $45.46 $523 +1.22
835–1328 1174 85-90% 366 36.00–50.00 $46.35 $544 +10.35
920–1355 1191 85-90% 132 44.50–55.00 $49.70 $592 -0.63
840–1495 1201 85-90% 453 45.00–57.00 $51.03 $613 -7.28
Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1176–1575 1337 80-85% 78 50.50–59.00 $54.97 $735 -0.56
1008–1695 1358 80-85% 264 49.00–61.00 $56.21 $763 +9.10
1234–1610 1376 80-85% 61 61.00–69.00 $63.22 $870 +0.65
1260–1685 1377 80-85% 52 44.00–51.00 $47.89 $659 -14.68
1238–1573 1383 80-85% 33 40.00–49.00 $46.52 $643 -16.05
1370–1577 1520 80-85% 8 62.00–65.00 $64.18 $976 —
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1418–1795 1551 75-80% 9 55.00–62.00 $58.62 $909 —
1380–1835 1560 75-80% 6 63.00–65.50 $64.98 $1,014 —
1320–1795 1576 75-80% 31 47.00–66.00 $54.81 $864 —
1451–1795 1620 75-80% 19 54.00–68.00 $61.03 $989 -1.61
1730–2050 1821 75-80% 7 67.00–71.00 $68.10 $1,240 -0.90
N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1950 1950 65-75% 1 71.50 $71.50 $1,394 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1332–1730 1446 15 59.00–75.00 $66.98 $969 —
1155–2170 1718 30 54.00–77.00 $71.16 $1,223 —
1235–1923 1793 19 74.50–82.50 $78.39 $1,406 —
1330–2230 1801 32 73.00–83.00 $79.26 $1,427 +0.10
1895 1895 1 84.50 $84.50 $1,601 +0.52
1735–2165 1897 9 84.00–86.00 $84.60 $1,605 +0.62

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
765 thin fleshed 765 (<2 yrs)Open 1 55.00 $55.00 $421
830 thin fleshed 830 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 57.00 $57.00 $473
755–1430 977 (<2 yrs)Open 201 60.00–89.00 $76.57 $748
870–1255 1039 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 85 52.00–77.50 $65.88 $684
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
580–1195 985 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 169 61.50–88.00 $76.95 $758
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
996–1230 1074 (<2 yrs)Open 6 60.00–64.00 $62.47 $671

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
891–1194 thin fleshed 1056 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 123 1,075.00–1,475.00 $1,312.41
1081–1240 1094 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 12 1,050.00–1,560.00 $1,511.84
985–1345 1118 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 253 900.00–1,500.00 $1,407.10
1018–1359 1142 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 40 1,075.00–1,375.00 $1,260.65
1077–1330 1151 Aged (>8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 40 600.00–750.00 $714.52
980–1404 1156 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1,135 1,050.00–1,600.00 $1,516.45
1023–1327 thin fleshed 1187 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 114 600.00–735.00 $684.37
1159–1258 thin fleshed 1194 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 17 875.00–950.00 $902.89
1202–1237 1213 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 77 1,250.00–1,350.00 $1,281.79
1165–1430 1232 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 211 750.00–925.00 $836.26
1237 thin fleshed 1237 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 3 660.00 $660.00
1185–1290 1238 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 4 1,050.00–1,075.00 $1,061.97
1245 1245 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 20 1,375.00 $1,375.00
1216–1289 1248 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 9 1,450.00–1,510.00 $1,482.47
1244–1265 fancy 1250 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 130 1,650.00–1,700.00 $1,661.29
1222–1299 1270 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 25 775.00–925.00 $883.73
1196–1469 1273 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 212 800.00–1,060.00 $998.25
1276 1276 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 15 1,275.00 $1,275.00
1296 thin fleshed 1296 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 10 950.00 $950.00
1127–1531 1316 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 319 1,100.00–1,510.00 $1,325.27
1169–1541 1325 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 581 750.00–1,050.00 $883.43
1349 1349 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 6 760.00 $760.00
1129–1690 1354 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 506 850.00–1,400.00 $1,107.37
1388 1388 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 8 1,700.00 $1,700.00
1390 thin fleshed 1390 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 4 860.00 $860.00
1403 1403 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 5 975.00 $975.00
1412 fancy 1412 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 29 1,675.00 $1,675.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1084–1211 1149 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 45 1,200.00–1,435.00 $1,396.93
1204–1226 1218 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 17 800.00–925.00 $881.40
1605 1605 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 3 1,250.00 $1,250.00
Medium 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
948–984 973 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 27 1,375.00–1,400.00 $1,392.79

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Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
870 thin fleshed 870 (<2 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 5 1,000.00 $1,000.00
865–904 thin fleshed 883 (<2 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 127 1,260.00–1,325.00 $1,306.85
889–1058 914 (<2 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 30 1,100.00–1,275.00 $1,188.92
856–1257 998 (<2 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1,037 1,350.00–1,825.00 $1,499.60
983–1087 1051 (<2 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 96 1,550.00–1,650.00 $1,592.19
1109 1109 (<2 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 10 1,950.00 $1,950.00
Medium 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
759–798 769 (<2 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 19 925.00–975.00 $961.35
830–914 876 (<2 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 215 1,100.00–1,350.00 $1,262.12

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Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1507–1525 1510 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 14 1,410.00–1,575.00 $1,433.81 —

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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.