Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, April 17, 2023

4,248 head sold ·Official USDA report

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

heavy 6-weight M&L 1 heifers $215.96/cwt +0.67 vs last sale · ≈ $1,454/hd at 673 lb · 47 head
light 7-weight M&L 1 heifers $208.94/cwt +5.35 vs last sale · ≈ $1,504/hd at 720 lb · 30 head
heavy 4-weight M&L 2 heifers $203.69/cwt ≈ $992/hd at 487 lb · 24 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 4,248 5,445 5,094
Feeder cattle 572 3,953 1,894
Slaughter cattle 682 898 900
Replacement cattle 452 594 511

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: All feeder cattle were too lightly tested this week to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to firm undertones were noticed on all offerings. Demand was mostly good to very good this week for light offerings. Quality was plain to average and not as attractive as last week. Most offerings sold in small lots or as singles. CME positions continue to push higher giving more support for feeder cattle. The best demand continues to be seen for grass cattle as both order-buyers and local ranchers compete over cattle. Market activity was mostly active this week as ranchers and order-buyers both bid actively over limited offerings. Weigh up cows sold on mostly good demand for light to moderate offerings. Packer buyers showed good demand for both slaughter and feeding cows again this week. Slaughter cows sold mostly steady to firm on breaking cows, boning and lean cows sold generally steady to 1.00 lower. Slaughter bulls sold 2.00-4.00 higher. Feeding cows sold generally steady in a narrow comparison. Cow and bull quality was average this week. Weigh up conditions were mixed from below average to above average. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold on very good demand. These offerings sold generally steady.

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
439 439 11 295.00 $295.00 $1,295 -4.68
455–458 457 5 275.00–295.00 $287.03 $1,312 -2.69
513 513 6 272.50 $272.50 $1,398 -5.39
558–583 573 5 257.00–265.00 $260.12 $1,490 -1.81
613–645 624 3 249.00–250.00 $249.34 $1,556 -1.03
655–689 679 15 224.00–242.00 $230.47 $1,565 +1.79
703–718 713 9 215.00–223.00 $218.10 $1,555 +2.15
750–796 774 17 193.00–207.50 $200.71 $1,553 +3.77
850 850 3 191.00 $191.00 $1,624 +15.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
345 345 1 260.00 $260.00 $897 —
378 378 12 295.00 $295.00 $1,115 ±0.00
435–449 444 6 270.00–280.00 $273.26 $1,213 -1.32
498 498 2 262.50 $262.50 $1,307 -6.07
510 510 1 265.00 $265.00 $1,352 -0.84
591 591 4 251.00 $251.00 $1,483 +11.85
615 615 1 232.50 $232.50 $1,430 -5.53
730 730 1 208.00 $208.00 $1,518 +12.00
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
558 558 3 230.00 $230.00 $1,283 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
480 480 1 240.00 $240.00 $1,152 —

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
373–390 376 6 255.00–267.50 $257.16 $967 -13.93
403–433 419 21 257.50–275.00 $269.10 $1,128 -1.78
490–491 491 12 255.00–267.50 $266.46 $1,308 +2.47
517–524 522 9 255.00–257.00 $256.34 $1,338 +1.58
553–580 568 18 222.50–246.00 $238.65 $1,356 -7.43
620–636 629 9 232.00–237.00 $234.19 $1,473 +4.29
655–696 673 45 212.50–227.00 $217.78 $1,466 +2.49
678 678 2 175.00 $175.00 $1,186 -40.29
714–722 720 30 206.00–210.00 $208.94 $1,504 +5.32
755 755 7 169.00 $169.00 $1,276 -19.79
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
386 386 8 245.00 $245.00 $946 +5.19
413–425 415 5 240.00–252.50 $249.94 $1,037 +1.50
461–496 474 11 225.00–235.00 $229.87 $1,090 -10.30
503 503 6 222.00–225.00 $223.00 $1,122 -9.11
553–595 578 9 210.00–229.00 $214.80 $1,242 -16.60
620–646 635 11 207.50–226.00 $219.89 $1,396 +9.84
665–699 688 6 202.00–205.00 $204.03 $1,404 +7.46
767–791 781 7 160.00–163.00 $161.74 $1,263 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
425 425 1 222.50 $222.50 $946 —
469–498 487 24 200.00–212.50 $203.69 $992 —
700 700 1 165.00 $165.00 $1,155 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
594 594 4 192.00 $192.00 $1,140 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
427 427 3 240.00 $240.00 $1,025 —

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
407–439 424 8 235.00–270.00 $255.82 $1,085 —
480–485 483 6 240.00–250.00 $245.03 $1,183 -6.59
519 519 11 261.00 $261.00 $1,355 +29.99
995 995 1 156.00 $156.00 $1,552 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1110 1110 1 139.00 $139.00 $1,543 —
1178 1178 2 139.00 $139.00 $1,637 —
1215–1225 1220 4 131.00–135.00 $132.62 $1,618 -6.88
1252 1252 3 129.50 $129.50 $1,621 +0.50
1355 1355 1 135.00 $135.00 $1,829 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
760 760 1 196.00 $196.00 $1,490 +8.00
813–817 815 7 174.00–176.00 $174.86 $1,425 —
905 905 1 169.00 $169.00 $1,529 +8.88
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
533–542 538 5 212.50–215.00 $213.49 $1,149 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1105 1105 1 128.00 $128.00 $1,414 —

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Slaughter Cows

Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
765–970 928 85-90% 9 74.00–87.50 $80.84 $750 -5.16
955 955 85-90% 2 87.00 $87.00 $831 —
970 970 85-90% 1 73.00 $73.00 $708 —
1125 1125 85-90% 1 88.00 $88.00 $990 +3.70
1015–1330 1157 85-90% 35 74.00–86.50 $83.34 $964 -7.63
1035–1275 1185 85-90% 3 100.00–102.00 $100.72 $1,194 +9.75
1105–1225 1193 85-90% 10 96.00–103.00 $98.33 $1,173 +7.36
900–1318 1197 85-90% 53 85.00–97.00 $90.20 $1,080 -0.77
1035–1295 1197 85-90% 93 85.50–95.00 $89.10 $1,067 -1.87
Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1095–1503 1368 80-85% 21 81.00–89.00 $86.46 $1,183 -0.78
1265–1655 1384 80-85% 68 90.00–100.00 $94.65 $1,310 +7.41
1225–1580 1393 80-85% 70 89.00–100.50 $93.51 $1,303 +6.27
1388–1445 1417 80-85% 4 88.00–89.50 $88.77 $1,258 -5.89
1295–1655 1421 80-85% 7 101.00–110.00 $103.82 $1,475 +14.77
1459 1459 80-85% 5 103.00 $103.00 $1,503 —
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1385–1650 1577 75-80% 6 96.00–100.50 $98.90 $1,560 —
1525–1755 1624 75-80% 13 101.50–108.00 $103.70 $1,684 +5.37
1463–1790 1651 75-80% 26 94.00–100.50 $97.38 $1,608 —
1636–1735 1656 75-80% 5 93.00–93.50 $93.40 $1,547 —
1680–1799 1753 75-80% 10 87.00–93.50 $90.06 $1,579 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1290–1595 1423 10 109.00–125.00 $116.87 $1,663 —
1265–1748 1439 10 103.00–112.00 $109.15 $1,571 —
1230–2060 1616 7 92.00–111.00 $104.64 $1,691 —
1497–2250 1783 34 111.00–127.00 $116.71 $2,081 —
1610–2300 1917 18 123.00–146.00 $132.24 $2,535 -4.17
2555 2555 1 129.00 $129.00 $3,296 —

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
730–1455 979 (<2 yrs)Open 236 125.00–197.00 $161.78 $1,584
820–1115 1030 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 6 96.00–102.50 $99.95 $1,029
880–1520 1107 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 108 90.00–152.00 $116.01 $1,284
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
805–1200 986 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 8 93.00–110.00 $99.95 $986
795–1263 1016 (<2 yrs)Open 11 120.00–151.00 $130.76 $1,329
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
892–1085 940 (<2 yrs)Open 4 130.00–152.00 $145.65 $1,369
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
685–740 713 (<2 yrs)Open 2 152.50–162.00 $157.43 $1,122

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1355 1355 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 3 1,750.00 $1,750.00

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Bucks

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
182 182 8 78.00 $78.00 $142 —
193–199 197 9 80.00–85.00 $82.88 $163 —
205–218 212 12 68.00–78.00 $75.53 $160 —
220 220 3 88.00 $88.00 $194 —
219–235 224 7 85.00–85.50 $85.35 $191 —
265 265 3 76.00 $76.00 $201 —
285–286 286 10 64.00–75.50 $67.44 $193 —

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Bucks Billies

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
95 95 1 170.00 $170.00 $162 —
106 106 4 197.50 $197.50 $209 —
120–145 135 3 175.00–200.00 $184.20 $249 —
155–185 170 2 192.50 $192.50 $327 —
173–190 179 3 170.00–172.50 $170.89 $306 —
208–220 214 4 180.00–200.00 $194.22 $416 —

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Dairy Heifers

Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
679 679 12 167.00 $167.00 $1,134 —
779 779 11 168.50 $168.50 $1,313 —

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Dairy Steers

Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
683 683 24 199.00 $199.00 $1,359 —
850 850 20 180.00 $180.00 $1,530 —

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Ewes

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
123–127 124 51 32.50–40.00 $34.90 $43 —
123–134 126 48 46.00–53.00 $49.54 $62 —
120–146 135 60 50.00–58.00 $55.61 $75 —
130–145 135 3 70.00–71.00 $70.36 $95 —
120–149 137 216 59.00–69.00 $63.55 $87 —
150–165 155 9 73.00–79.00 $76.87 $119 —
151–167 156 50 53.00–58.00 $55.09 $86 —
150–185 162 300 60.00–71.50 $65.75 $107 —
160–181 178 43 78.00–82.00 $78.87 $140 —
161–198 181 176 68.00–77.00 $72.81 $132 —
200–210 202 5 77.00–78.00 $77.21 $156 —
200–210 203 14 73.00–76.00 $74.59 $151 —
203 203 14 63.50 $63.50 $129 —
203–240 212 89 65.00–76.00 $71.45 $151 —
255–260 256 8 68.00–71.00 $69.38 $178 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
129 129 Lambs (<1 yr)Open 23 237.50 $237.50 $306 —
182 182 Middle Aged (4-6 yrs)Exposed 42 80.00 $80.00 $146 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
108 108 Lambs (<1 yr)Open 5 190.00 $190.00 —
141 141 Middle Aged (4-6 yrs)Open 13 75.00 $75.00 —

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Hair Breeds

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
80 80 44 220.00 $220.00 $176 —
83 83 2 237.50 $237.50 $197 —
97 97 5 210.00 $210.00 $204 —
111–123 113 14 139.00–152.00 $149.97 $169 —

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Hair Bucks

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
100–130 110 3 147.50–155.00 $152.05 $167 —
133 133 4 110.00 $110.00 $146 —
152 152 5 90.00 $90.00 $137 —

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Hair Ewes

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
113 113 20 95.00 $95.00 $107 —
115–140 119 41 86.00–99.00 $95.92 $114 —
129 129 14 105.00 $105.00 $135 —
190 190 18 65.00 $65.00 $124 —

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Kids

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
31 31 5 160.00 $160.00 $50 —
32–36 35 38 140.00 $140.00 $49 —
35 35 1 230.00 $230.00 $80 —
38 38 12 372.50 $372.50 $142 —
42–45 43 4 330.00–337.50 $331.97 $143 —
43 43 16 175.00 $175.00 $75 —
45 45 1 325.00 $325.00 $146 —
40–48 47 15 255.00–292.50 $290.39 $136 —
48 48 3 225.00 $225.00 $108 —
50 50 7 220.00 $220.00 $110 —
50 50 19 345.00 $345.00 $172 —
50 50 1 235.00 $235.00 $118 —
50–57 55 9 230.00–270.00 $242.20 $133 —
51–59 55 12 312.50–337.50 $322.29 $177 —
53–58 55 5 150.00–200.00 $186.25 $102 —
55 55 1 182.50 $182.50 $100 —
58 58 4 175.00 $175.00 $102 —
60 fancy 60 1 335.00 $335.00 $201 —
61 61 4 200.00 $200.00 $122 —
63–65 63 15 290.00–317.50 $315.61 $199 —
65 65 2 150.00 $150.00 $98 —
65–69 68 22 260.00–285.00 $264.33 $180 —
73–75 73 22 265.00–295.00 $293.60 $214 —
72–77 74 37 195.00–207.50 $201.08 $149 —
75 75 9 212.50 $212.50 $159 —
75 75 3 230.00 $230.00 $172 —
82 82 7 202.50 $202.50 $166 —
83 83 8 240.00 $240.00 $199 —
87 87 3 210.00 $210.00 $183 —
90 90 1 275.00 $275.00 $248 —
92 92 20 230.00 $230.00 $212 —
93 93 3 205.00 $205.00 $191 —
96 96 15 207.50 $207.50 $199 —
100 100 1 197.50 $197.50 $198 —

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Nannies Does

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
38 38 —— 2 160.00 $160.00 $61 —
55 55 —— 2 150.00 $150.00 $82 —
63–65 64 —— 12 107.50–125.00 $110.87 $71 —
68 68 —— 3 127.50 $127.50 $87 —
75 75 —— 4 117.50 $117.50 $88 —
79 79 —— 4 107.50 $107.50 $85 —
82 82 Aged (>6yrs)Open 3 110.00 $110.00 $90 —
83–89 86 —— 29 112.50–130.00 $122.83 $106 —
80–89 88 —— 12 122.50–140.00 $123.82 $109 —
90 90 —— 46 105.00 $105.00 $94 —
92–95 92 —— 40 125.00–130.00 $129.62 $119 —
95 95 —— 1 170.00 $170.00 $162 —
100–140 109 —— 83 107.50–132.50 $127.63 $139 —
105–120 113 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 145.00–162.50 $153.17 $173 —
100–143 124 —— 18 127.50–152.50 $133.92 $166 —
125–140 133 Middle Aged (4-6 yrs)Open 2 132.50–135.00 $133.82 $178 —
152–160 154 —— 4 122.50–132.50 $129.90 $200 —

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Wethers

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
75 75 7 172.50–187.50 $185.36 $139 —
83 83 2 160.00 $160.00 $133 —
85 85 1 157.50 $157.50 $134 —
103–110 107 4 182.50–195.00 $188.54 $202 —
122 122 7 125.00 $125.00 $152 —
124–134 130 12 172.50–185.00 $177.65 $231 —
160 160 1 162.50 $162.50 $260 —
163–170 165 3 185.00 $185.00 $305 —
200–225 215 4 180.00–187.50 $183.10 $394 —

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Wooled & Shorn

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
52–58 55 6 200.00–230.00 $215.82 $119 —
55 55 1 177.50 $177.50 $98 —
61–65 63 11 230.00–232.50 $230.88 $145 —
63–65 64 7 175.00–180.00 $175.72 $112 —
73–74 73 11 225.00–236.00 $230.96 $169 —
70–78 77 11 162.50–170.00 $163.75 $126 —
80–87 84 15 230.00–241.00 $236.82 $199 —
89 89 6 155.00 $155.00 $138 —
93–97 95 8 187.50–192.50 $190.58 $181 —
93–96 95 6 157.50–160.00 $159.18 $151 —
96–98 97 20 139.00–142.50 $141.10 $137 —
107 107 3 202.00 $202.00 $216 —
104–117 108 24 160.00–170.00 $164.00 $177 —
130–138 137 13 145.00–158.00 $157.05 $215 —

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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.