Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, November 7, 2022

13,488 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 $198.84/cwt +0.51 vs last sale · ≈ $1,143/hd at 575 lb · 901 head
light 6-weight M&L 1 steers $189.36/cwt -2.52 vs last sale · ≈ $1,176/hd at 621 lb · 724 head
light 5-weight M&L 1 heifers $187.09/cwt -4.12 vs last sale · ≈ $990/hd at 529 lb · 708 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 13,488 19,828 20,011
Feeder cattle 8,367 10,613 12,235
Slaughter cattle 2,685 3,519 4,316
Replacement cattle 2,436 1,555 3,460

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Steer calves under 500 lbs sold unevenly steady, 500 lbs and heavier sold steady to frim. Yearling steers were too lightly tested last week develop an accurate market trend, higher undertones were noticed on a higher quality offering. Heifer calves under 500 lbs sold generally steady, heifers over 500 lbs sold steady to 3.00 higher. Yearling heifers were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however sharply higher undertones were noticed on a very attractive offering. Quality this week was mostly average to very attractive. Demand was mostly moderate to good throughout the week. Demand for light calves suitable to run on grass remains very good, however buyers were more selective pushing high quality offerings higher and allowing average quality offerings to slide in price. Heifer calves over 500 lbs continue to see good interest as ranchers are buying this class of calves to background and develop into replacements. Demand for high quality, long weaned calves was better this week. Demand for short weaned calves continues to be very light. Most short weaned offerings were dirty, stressed, and carrying some fill. 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 average to attractive. Most cows were purchased to feed this week as only very poor or severally blemished cows where purchased for immediate slaughter. All slaughter cows sold fully steady. Feeding cows continue to be purchased to put away for the holiday and to feed to premium white. These offerings both sold steady to firm. Slaughter bulls sold mostly steady to firm in a narrow comparison. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold mostly 5.00 to 10.00 lower. Quality this week was not as attractive as it has been the past few weeks and fewer taker was seen on this class of cows.

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
309–343 unweaned 321 11 280.00–296.00 $288.19 $925 +11.20
350–397 unweaned 378 140 250.00–308.00 $275.20 $1,040 +13.73
400–449 unweaned 426 91 230.00–277.00 $249.95 $1,065 -0.03
450–491 unweaned 474 414 201.00–257.50 $227.00 $1,076 +7.50
453–476 474 40 221.00–248.00 $226.05 $1,071 +14.55
512–538 527 100 202.00–212.00 $210.65 $1,110 +15.65
504–548 unweaned 529 487 193.00–215.00 $205.61 $1,088 +0.29
558 fancy 558 120 209.25 $209.25 $1,168 -1.25
551–598 569 139 191.00–205.00 $195.84 $1,114 +5.84
551–599 unweaned 579 642 182.00–210.50 $197.54 $1,144 -0.83
600–647 unweaned 621 623 166.00–199.50 $189.67 $1,178 +0.58
612–642 623 101 181.50–194.00 $187.44 $1,168 +0.44
650–687 664 167 184.00–198.00 $190.63 $1,266 +14.65
650–696 unweaned 671 170 167.00–187.00 $180.12 $1,209 +2.67
713 fancy 713 41 188.00 $188.00 $1,340 +1.00
707–743 unweaned 722 86 172.00–184.00 $177.44 $1,281 +1.84
718–744 734 65 174.00–185.00 $176.70 $1,297 -3.29
744 744 8 169.00 $169.00 $1,257 -10.99
755 unweaned 755 2 169.50 $169.50 $1,280 -0.76
798 798 11 188.50 $188.50 $1,504 +22.50
814 814 6 181.00 $181.00 $1,473 -1.26
866–892 887 107 185.50–192.00 $190.75 $1,692 +20.75
903 903 12 189.00 $189.00 $1,707 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
300–348 unweaned 331 15 257.50–280.00 $269.59 $892 +15.12
356–397 unweaned 377 40 235.00–277.50 $252.37 $951 -2.12
405–446 unweaned 435 54 217.50–245.00 $235.16 $1,023 +10.07
455–498 unweaned 464 69 188.00–217.50 $208.38 $967 +6.03
515–549 unweaned 529 30 184.00–192.00 $189.33 $1,002 -2.57
562–592 unweaned 573 46 168.00–188.00 $182.25 $1,044 +2.76
625–640 635 9 168.00–169.50 $169.01 $1,073 —
608–644 unweaned 636 48 165.00–183.00 $177.48 $1,129 +5.37
652–687 unweaned 675 13 160.00–170.00 $166.39 $1,123 —
713 713 4 168.00 $168.00 $1,198 -1.00
734 unweaned 734 5 171.00 $171.00 $1,255 +4.00
750 750 4 157.00 $157.00 $1,178 -19.00
826 826 4 170.00 $170.00 $1,404 +1.65
870 870 2 180.00 $180.00 $1,566 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
453–495 unweaned 486 14 207.00–219.00 $209.40 $1,018 —
571 unweaned 571 28 193.50 $193.50 $1,105 +8.18
629–640 unweaned 637 14 165.00–177.00 $168.39 $1,073 -1.61
656–673 unweaned 661 11 175.00–179.00 $177.89 $1,176 +8.54
720 unweaned 720 33 169.50 $169.50 $1,220 —
873 unweaned 873 9 165.00 $165.00 $1,440 —
1040 1040 9 157.50 $157.50 $1,638 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
529 unweaned 529 9 181.00 $181.00 $957 —
Medium 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
533 unweaned 533 6 110.00 $110.00 $586 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
623 623 2 174.00 $174.00 $1,084 —

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
275–295 unweaned 282 11 222.50 $222.50 $627 -17.23
313–340 unweaned 328 40 212.50–240.00 $223.98 $735 +0.84
350–399 unweaned 373 91 197.50–229.00 $214.14 $799 -4.20
412–439 421 23 199.00–208.00 $204.74 $862 +5.74
403–449 unweaned 428 241 196.00–221.00 $210.40 $901 +4.82
472–484 475 43 188.50–193.00 $191.42 $909 -19.58
453–499 unweaned 477 271 182.00–214.50 $196.93 $939 +2.89
513–549 519 65 189.00–205.50 $201.45 $1,046 +20.95
503–525 fancy 520 63 192.50–194.50 $194.10 $1,009 -0.99
500–547 unweaned 530 428 171.50–194.00 $183.13 $971 -4.45
523–543 534 152 183.00–191.50 $189.18 $1,010 -12.56
569 569 26 184.00 $184.00 $1,047 +13.99
550–593 unweaned 575 501 165.00–186.00 $178.06 $1,024 +3.53
583–596 590 74 173.00–178.50 $176.00 $1,038 +17.50
604 604 20 175.00 $175.00 $1,057 +6.00
606 606 8 180.00 $180.00 $1,091 +11.00
608–634 unweaned 616 181 168.00–179.00 $176.01 $1,084 +5.23
651 651 4 151.50 $151.50 $986 -8.97
683–692 unweaned 690 26 160.00–166.00 $164.40 $1,134 +8.09
707 unweaned 707 5 156.00 $156.00 $1,103 +1.25
730 thin fleshed 730 17 196.00 $196.00 $1,431 —
770 770 7 164.00 $164.00 $1,263 -2.50
750–796 thin fleshed 793 172 193.50–194.00 $193.97 $1,538 —
811–834 thin fleshed 831 60 183.00–187.00 $183.59 $1,526 —
833 833 18 165.00 $165.00 $1,374 -1.25
869–884 thin fleshed 879 32 183.50–186.50 $184.52 $1,622 —
903 thin fleshed 903 17 181.50 $181.50 $1,639 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
327–332 unweaned 329 15 194.00–208.00 $202.35 $666 -2.33
353–393 unweaned 377 21 190.00–210.00 $204.90 $772 +6.56
408 408 2 192.50 $192.50 $785 +12.50
421–443 unweaned 433 65 184.00–194.00 $190.05 $823 +2.10
455–491 unweaned 480 33 160.00–184.00 $180.89 $868 -0.47
495 495 11 177.50–183.50 $178.59 $884 —
505–549 unweaned 524 32 169.00–179.00 $173.30 $908 -3.16
530 530 3 170.00 $170.00 $901 +4.00
559–590 unweaned 570 17 150.00–167.00 $157.74 $899 +2.43
614–648 unweaned 624 31 151.00–165.00 $157.92 $985 +7.58
686 unweaned 686 14 153.50 $153.50 $1,053 —
830–831 831 10 155.00–172.00 $163.49 $1,359 +8.49
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
431 unweaned 431 7 233.00 $233.00 $1,004 +43.65
490 unweaned 490 2 189.00 $189.00 $926 +7.42
528 unweaned 528 6 176.00 $176.00 $929 +11.51
575 unweaned 575 9 164.00 $164.00 $943 -1.24
583 583 15 165.00 $165.00 $962 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
449 unweaned 449 15 207.00 $207.00 $929 —
692 692 13 178.50 $178.50 $1,235 +17.74
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
485 unweaned 485 4 140.00 $140.00 $679 -12.50
503 503 24 146.00 $146.00 $734 —

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
355–383 unweaned 370 12 230.00–258.00 $238.84 $884 +14.24
426 unweaned 426 5 240.00 $240.00 $1,022 +15.46
467–481 unweaned 474 15 194.00–199.00 $196.63 $932 -5.82
516–535 unweaned 524 26 189.00–197.00 $193.54 $1,014 +13.92
563–573 unweaned 571 13 165.00–170.50 $169.25 $966 +3.19
688 unweaned 688 3 165.00 $165.00 $1,135 +4.42
738 738 5 157.00 $157.00 $1,159 —
805 unweaned 805 2 158.00 $158.00 $1,272 —

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Slaughter Cows

Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
875–995 953 85-90% 15 44.00–56.00 $51.21 $488 -5.79
965 965 85-90% 1 62.00 $62.00 $598 +5.00
964–1274 1099 85-90% 41 31.00–48.00 $42.29 $465 —
943–1341 1158 85-90% 236 51.00–62.00 $57.71 $668 +3.43
1117–1310 1176 85-90% 40 60.00–65.00 $62.31 $733 +8.03
1075–1345 1186 85-90% 18 71.00–74.50 $73.89 $876 +19.61
1005–1415 1191 85-90% 211 48.00–62.00 $54.87 $654 +0.59
1040–1413 1228 85-90% 506 60.50–72.00 $65.09 $799 -1.18
Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1283–1545 1398 80-85% 182 55.00–69.50 $63.77 $892 -0.26
1215–1590 1406 80-85% 230 69.00–80.00 $75.33 $1,059 -7.13
1295–1610 1412 80-85% 77 52.00–66.50 $60.02 $847 -14.23
1298–1695 1460 80-85% 14 66.50–76.00 $71.99 $1,051 —
1368–1552 1479 80-85% 32 80.00–84.00 $81.49 $1,205 —
1540 1540 80-85% 1 80.00 $80.00 $1,232 —
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1510 1510 75-80% 1 85.00 $85.00 $1,284 +11.18
1415–1581 1534 75-80% 35 80.00–82.00 $80.45 $1,234 +6.63
1473–1680 1566 75-80% 22 67.50–78.50 $74.72 $1,170 -5.04
1487–1743 1571 75-80% 36 79.00–83.50 $82.49 $1,296 +2.73
1481–1885 1619 75-80% 29 67.00–78.00 $73.84 $1,195 +0.63
1410–1748 1635 75-80% 3 84.50 $84.50 $1,382 +11.29
1870–1925 1898 75-80% 2 62.00 $62.00 $1,177 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1335–1355 1345 2 78.00–82.00 $80.01 $1,076 —
1240–2100 1635 18 90.00–98.00 $95.20 $1,557 +0.09
1550–1810 1680 4 99.00–100.50 $99.81 $1,677 —
1365–2170 1708 34 69.00–87.00 $81.00 $1,383 -1.37
1705–2055 1882 3 96.00–102.00 $98.94 $1,862 +5.25
1590–2270 1944 29 87.00–98.00 $93.16 $1,811 —
2545 2545 1 74.00 $74.00 $1,883 —
YG2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1525–1800 1672 12 90.00 $90.00 $1,505 —

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
669 thin fleshed 669 (<2 yrs)Open 21 110.00 $110.00 $736
950 thin fleshed 950 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 55.00 $55.00 $522
753–1330 951 (<2 yrs)Open 343 75.00–123.00 $105.92 $1,007
760–1410 1076 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 191 64.00–110.00 $78.83 $848
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
830 thin fleshed 830 (<2 yrs)Open 1 62.50 $62.50 $519
890–995 924 (<2 yrs)Open 18 78.00–92.00 $84.44 $780
970–1360 1159 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 6 61.00–72.00 $68.13 $790
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
975 975 (<2 yrs)Open 3 85.00 $85.00 $829

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
972–1232 1094 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 225 1,425.00–1,900.00 $1,774.42
988–1296 1099 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 51 1,100.00–1,625.00 $1,431.06
1141 1141 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 9 1,300.00 $1,300.00
1142 1142 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 7 1,410.00 $1,410.00
1212 1212 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 19 1,060.00 $1,060.00
1074–1300 1221 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 42 1,250.00–1,450.00 $1,359.16
1230 1230 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 3 1,275.00 $1,275.00
1233 1233 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 6 1,300.00 $1,300.00
1218–1306 thin fleshed 1260 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 25 950.00–985.00 $966.50
1198–1424 thin fleshed 1283 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 34 1,010.00–1,050.00 $1,031.09
1107–1441 1297 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 187 1,325.00–1,625.00 $1,481.47
1217–1538 1306 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 332 1,000.00–1,200.00 $1,095.86
1328 1328 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 4 950.00 $950.00
1207–1555 1336 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 406 1,075.00–1,385.00 $1,288.66
1328–1390 1342 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 21 1,085.00–1,300.00 $1,186.74
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
973 973 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 11 1,310.00 $1,310.00
1139 1139 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 7 985.00 $985.00
1203 1203 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 8 1,035.00 $1,035.00
1299 1299 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 7 1,275.00 $1,275.00
1339 1339 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 4 1,235.00 $1,235.00
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1262 1262 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 18 75.00 $75.00 $946

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Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
930–1107 1024 (<2 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 72 1,460.00–1,725.00 $1,670.55

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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.