Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, October 24, 2022

13,504 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 $201.21/cwt +7.87 vs last sale · ≈ $1,157/hd at 575 lb · 811 head
light 5-weight M&L 1 heifers $190.75/cwt +8.24 vs last sale · ≈ $992/hd at 520 lb · 526 head
light 5-weight M&L 1 steers $210.90/cwt +5.44 vs last sale · ≈ $1,103/hd at 523 lb · 501 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 13,504 18,331 22,814
Feeder cattle 7,168 8,515 10,690
Slaughter cattle 2,008 2,720 5,546
Replacement cattle 4,328 1,537 6,578

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Steer calves under 500 lbs sold sharply higher, with most sales 20.00-40.00 higher. 500 lbs and heavier sold mostly 5.00-10.00 higher. Yearling steers were too lightly tested to develop a full market trend, however steady to firm undertones were noticed. Heifer calves under 450 lbs sold mostly 6.00-12.00 higher, heifers over 450 lbs sold 4.00-8.00 higher. Yearling heifers were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however lower undertones were noticed on a lower quality offering. Quality this week was average to attractive. Demand was mostly good to very good throughout the week. Higher finished cattle prices helped improve demand and added additional optimism as buyers bid on offerings. Demand for light calves suitable to run on grass was very good as rain in the southern planes helped spur bidding on high quality light weight calves. A good crowed was on hand at every sale this week with both order buyers and farmer feeders actively bidding on offerings. Market activity this week was mostly active. Weigh up cows sold on mostly light to moderate demand for moderate to heavy offerings. Quality this week was mostly plain to average. Many cows continue to sell out of dry country and were very thin. Breaking cows sold steady to firm, boning and lean cows sold mostly steady to 2.00 lower. Slaughter bulls sold mostly steady to firm in a narrow comparison. Feeding cows sold with the best demand this week as packers try to put away high quality cows to feed to premium white. Feeding cows sold steady to 3.00 higher. Feeding cow quality was more attractive this week and more cows were purchased to feed as a result. Packers continue to put bulls away on feed these offerings sold fully steady. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold unevenly steady. Good demand and higher prices were seen on cattle suitable to rebreed, however feeding quality offerings sold 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
304–349 unweaned 324 47 245.00–315.00 $283.60 $919 +30.95
351 fancy 351 8 319.00 $319.00 $1,120 —
350–395 unweaned 376 108 240.00–300.00 $270.87 $1,018 +15.27
400–449 unweaned 423 175 217.00–289.00 $270.06 $1,142 +32.48
450–499 unweaned 477 393 206.00–261.00 $231.08 $1,102 +14.36
500–549 unweaned 523 501 190.50–224.00 $210.90 $1,103 +5.44
563–590 571 19 193.50–210.00 $204.86 $1,170 —
550–598 unweaned 575 792 186.00–214.50 $201.12 $1,156 +7.78
600–648 unweaned 623 396 180.00–197.00 $190.36 $1,186 +5.32
625 625 23 195.00 $195.00 $1,219 +4.50
651–695 unweaned 668 171 168.50–189.00 $181.90 $1,215 +5.84
712 712 9 179.00 $179.00 $1,274 +7.62
700–748 unweaned 721 56 170.00–179.00 $175.26 $1,264 -0.95
755 755 7 180.50 $180.50 $1,363 +5.00
773 unweaned 773 14 174.00 $174.00 $1,345 +6.84
829 unweaned 829 6 154.00 $154.00 $1,277 —
838–845 842 12 180.00 $180.00 $1,516 —
909 fancy 909 28 185.00 $185.00 $1,682 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
313–348 unweaned 329 16 220.00–253.00 $244.08 $803 +16.30
360–396 unweaned 386 19 220.00–267.00 $243.37 $939 +20.36
404–443 unweaned 414 41 212.50–262.50 $223.51 $925 +9.83
452–498 unweaned 487 95 202.00–217.00 $207.93 $1,013 +8.62
500–548 unweaned 531 51 174.00–208.00 $192.89 $1,024 +4.07
555–588 unweaned 576 34 176.00–191.00 $185.33 $1,068 +10.05
600–644 unweaned 618 32 161.00–178.00 $171.02 $1,057 -2.48
685–697 unweaned 694 8 162.00–171.00 $166.01 $1,152 +3.01
715 715 3 173.00 $173.00 $1,237 -2.00
764 unweaned 764 11 154.00 $154.00 $1,177 —
833 833 4 167.00 $167.00 $1,391 -3.50
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
346 unweaned 346 7 225.00 $225.00 $778 —
362 unweaned 362 5 240.00 $240.00 $869 —
440 unweaned 440 5 214.00 $214.00 $942 —
502–530 unweaned 520 25 191.50–205.00 $196.19 $1,020 +11.19
615–643 629 9 174.00–176.00 $175.13 $1,102 —
630 unweaned 630 4 163.00 $163.00 $1,027 —
711 unweaned 711 6 171.00 $171.00 $1,216 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
607–645 unweaned 622 5 165.00–181.00 $174.37 $1,085 —
713–729 unweaned 722 17 164.00–171.00 $167.62 $1,210 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
370 unweaned 370 13 227.50 $227.50 $842 —
612 612 7 161.00 $161.00 $985 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
544 unweaned 544 4 171.00 $171.00 $930 —

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
244 unweaned 244 6 230.00 $230.00 $561 —
300–346 unweaned 331 99 213.00–244.00 $226.26 $749 +6.90
355–398 unweaned 382 121 204.00–230.00 $221.86 $848 +13.37
401–442 unweaned 418 295 191.00–225.00 $208.79 $873 +7.40
451–499 unweaned 474 406 180.00–210.50 $194.70 $923 +5.30
502–547 unweaned 518 363 173.00–195.50 $186.56 $966 +6.68
502–539 fancy 524 163 200.00–200.25 $200.09 $1,048 +4.09
553 fancy 553 9 187.00 $187.00 $1,034 —
567 567 3 171.00 $171.00 $970 +15.00
550–598 unweaned 575 313 165.00–187.00 $180.34 $1,037 +7.20
550–597 587 103 190.00–198.50 $195.22 $1,146 +39.22
603–649 unweaned 624 132 159.00–177.00 $173.06 $1,080 +7.08
650–697 unweaned 674 31 161.00–175.50 $170.00 $1,146 +8.31
703–735 732 104 166.00–180.00 $177.73 $1,301 +10.23
754–789 776 31 164.00–170.50 $166.33 $1,291 —
822–847 825 25 164.00–169.75 $169.04 $1,395 -0.28
869 869 5 159.00 $159.00 $1,382 -3.90
905–938 934 20 155.00–160.50 $157.25 $1,469 -5.61
974 974 10 151.00 $151.00 $1,471 -5.25
998 998 6 151.00 $151.00 $1,507 -5.25
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
315–343 unweaned 335 9 207.50–217.50 $211.56 $709 +11.28
353–396 unweaned 380 33 204.00–213.00 $209.63 $797 +15.11
410–421 unweaned 416 27 180.00–200.00 $190.17 $791 +2.25
455–495 unweaned 480 102 161.00–186.50 $177.51 $852 +4.03
514 514 6 165.00 $165.00 $848 +32.50
505–546 unweaned 526 47 160.00–176.00 $171.44 $902 +6.52
555–585 unweaned 566 21 151.00–168.00 $159.22 $901 +6.81
605–617 unweaned 614 13 150.00–153.00 $151.54 $930 —
653 unweaned 653 2 156.00 $156.00 $1,019 —
869–892 883 10 155.00–156.00 $155.39 $1,372 +3.39
928 928 2 155.00 $155.00 $1,438 —
955 955 1 145.00 $145.00 $1,385 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
568–574 unweaned 570 13 165.00–169.00 $166.55 $949 +13.55
619–635 unweaned 626 7 152.00 $152.00 $952 —
1010–1011 1011 8 152.00–152.50 $152.44 $1,541 +3.44
1050–1073 1053 35 148.50–155.25 $154.46 $1,626 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
556 unweaned 556 4 165.00 $165.00 $917 +8.54
601–635 unweaned 620 9 152.00–156.00 $153.72 $953 —
643 643 23 164.00 $164.00 $1,055 +3.00
654–683 674 19 160.00–168.00 $164.90 $1,111 +0.90
755 755 2 161.00 $161.00 $1,216 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
360 unweaned 360 8 170.00 $170.00 $612 —
432–435 unweaned 434 32 169.00–170.00 $169.53 $736 —
640 unweaned 640 2 136.00 $136.00 $870 —
951 951 13 143.50 $143.50 $1,365 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
675 675 3 153.00 $153.00 $1,033 -2.50

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
353–388 unweaned 367 5 220.00–242.50 $232.99 $855 -7.45
429–440 unweaned 430 9 229.00–254.00 $251.16 $1,080 +19.81
476–486 unweaned 483 23 204.00–225.00 $219.21 $1,059 +28.41
505–525 unweaned 516 9 192.50–195.00 $193.59 $999 -7.41
576 unweaned 576 31 173.50 $173.50 $999 +0.42
613–638 unweaned 623 14 157.00–162.00 $160.91 $1,002 —
660–679 unweaned 674 11 156.50–160.50 $159.43 $1,075 +3.43
715 unweaned 715 1 156.00 $156.00 $1,115 -1.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
378 unweaned 378 2 225.00 $225.00 $850 —
811 811 5 123.00 $123.00 $998 —
858 858 4 127.00 $127.00 $1,090 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1045–1048 1047 3 110.00–112.00 $111.33 $1,166 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1070 1070 1 114.00 $114.00 $1,220 —

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Slaughter Cows

Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
805–860 833 85-90% 2 40.00–41.00 $40.52 $338 -6.11
870–998 937 85-90% 17 44.50–55.00 $49.15 $461 —
995 995 85-90% 6 52.00 $52.00 $517 -14.00
1115 1115 85-90% 1 78.00 $78.00 $870 +19.86
1003–1385 1150 85-90% 99 32.50–49.00 $44.02 $506 -2.38
1005–1450 1190 85-90% 318 49.00–64.50 $55.88 $665 -21.62
975–1428 1218 85-90% 135 50.00–67.50 $59.68 $727 -6.78
910–1363 1225 85-90% 200 63.00–75.50 $68.00 $833 +1.54
1115–1373 1279 85-90% 45 60.00–69.00 $64.51 $825 —
Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1301–1605 1392 80-85% 123 57.50–70.00 $64.97 $904 -8.78
1120–1555 1396 80-85% 4 77.00–87.00 $81.73 $1,141 +7.98
1207–1665 1409 80-85% 301 68.00–81.00 $74.43 $1,049 +11.06
1303–1513 1425 80-85% 44 78.50–84.50 $80.93 $1,153 +21.42
1130–1928 1437 80-85% 70 52.50–66.00 $58.05 $834 -1.46
1325–1715 1499 80-85% 18 65.50–76.00 $70.64 $1,059 —
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1520 1520 75-80% 1 80.00 $80.00 $1,216 -0.39
1500–1840 1607 75-80% 20 78.00–83.50 $80.82 $1,299 +6.28
1563–1800 1632 75-80% 9 84.00–85.50 $84.57 $1,380 +10.03
1520–1760 1633 75-80% 23 67.00–79.00 $74.70 $1,220 +0.16
1585–1744 1712 75-80% 10 71.00–72.00 $71.19 $1,219 —
1790 1790 75-80% 1 62.00 $62.00 $1,110 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
967–1290 999 10 55.00–63.00 $56.03 $560 —
1221–1570 1260 10 101.00–102.00 $101.51 $1,279 +25.44
1165–1755 1444 13 78.00–91.00 $84.24 $1,216 —
1150–2070 1577 15 84.00–100.00 $92.63 $1,461 —
1330–2190 1748 20 72.00–95.00 $81.22 $1,420 —
1765–2005 1900 4 98.00–103.00 $99.67 $1,894 —
1520–2195 1938 26 85.00–97.00 $92.65 $1,796 —
2525 2525 1 88.00 $88.00 $2,222 —

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
746 thin fleshed 746 (<2 yrs)Open 5 112.00 $112.00 $836
835–1330 970 (<2 yrs)Open 304 81.00–128.00 $111.02 $1,077
733–1355 1062 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 138 70.00–107.50 $84.50 $897
1131–1275 1186 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 29 68.00–70.00 $68.97 $818
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
700–1170 919 (<2 yrs)Open 15 78.00–107.50 $87.69 $806
935–1145 1097 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 26 61.00–71.00 $65.76 $721

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1048 1048 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 4 1,125.00 $1,125.00
1067–1153 1112 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 163 1,150.00–2,400.00 $2,155.52
921–1473 1133 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1,378 1,200.00–2,500.00 $2,332.74
1177 thin fleshed 1177 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 12 800.00 $800.00
1227 thin fleshed 1227 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 10 875.00 $875.00
1255 thin fleshed 1255 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 935.00 $935.00
1291 1291 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 29 2,350.00 $2,350.00
1295 1295 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 17 1,125.00 $1,125.00
1307 1307 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 6 975.00 $975.00
1200–1359 1318 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 38 2,300.00–4,250.00 $2,733.53
1343 1343 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 2 985.00 $985.00
1351 1351 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 7 2,100.00 $2,100.00
1256–1458 1357 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 10 2,350.00–2,500.00 $2,430.58
1199–1548 1420 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 32 1,000.00–1,850.00 $1,338.50
1402–1539 1462 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 16 1,285.00–2,100.00 $1,724.64
1575–1636 1613 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 9 2,100.00–2,500.00 $2,322.62
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1290 1290 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 12 69.00 $69.00 $890
1379 thin fleshed 1379 Aged (>8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 5 64.00 $64.00 $883
1310–1523 thin fleshed 1417 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 4 59.00–65.00 $61.77 $875
1431–1600 1463 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 19 67.00–71.00 $69.40 $1,015
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
993 993 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 3 1,150.00 $1,150.00
1113 1113 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 1,125.00 $1,125.00

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Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
998–1133 1068 (<2 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1,918 1,700.00–2,300.00 $1,968.43
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
830 830 (<2 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 16 158.50 $158.50 $1,316

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Dairy Heifers

Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
700 700 20 141.00 $141.00 $987 —

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Dairy Steers

Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
655 655 14 159.00 $159.00 $1,041 —
741 741 20 158.00 $158.00 $1,171 —
868 868 2 147.00 $147.00 $1,276 —

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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.