Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, May 29, 2023

3,879 head sold ·Official USDA report

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

light 7-weight M&L 1 heifers $210.07/cwt -10.54 vs last sale · ≈ $1,542/hd at 734 lb · 54 head
heavy 4-weight M&L 1 heifers $268.00/cwt ≈ $1,294/hd at 483 lb · 22 head
light 9-weight M&L 1 heifers $178.71/cwt ≈ $1,675/hd at 937 lb · 21 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 3,879 3,555 3,822
Feeder cattle 546 1,639 946
Slaughter cattle 1,427 1,212 1,560
Replacement cattle 1,906 704 1,316

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: All feeder cattle were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Demand was mostly good to very good on very light offerings. Quality was mostly plain to average. Packages were small with many singles on offer. The best demand continues to be for cattle suitable to run on grass. Many locations received 1.5-4.5 inches of rain over the weekend and spring pasture and range conditions are good to very good in many locations. CME live and feeder cattle positions got a shot in the arm this week as packers paid higher prices for fat cattle which helped provide support to the futures market. Corn also soften some after a 40 cent higher move last week. Market activity was mostly active this week. Weigh up cows sold on mostly good to very good demand for moderate offerings. Packers showed need for cows for immediate harvest as they pushed cow prices higher in order to secure offerings. Slaughter cows sold 1.00-3.00 higher on all offerings. Rain in the southern plains helped slow the marketing of cows in the south, this coupled with the slowing of spring culling in the north has shortened up the cow supply. High quality cows continue to be purchased to feed, however packers were slightly more selective as they purchased mostly very high quality cows for that purpose. Feeding cows sold 1.00-3.00 higher in a narrow comparison. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 1.00 to 2.00 higher. Cow and bull quality was mostly average to very attractive this week. Weigh up conditions were mixed as some cows had been out on grass and were very empty, while others were pushing some fill, especially by mid to late week, as changing weather pattern was seen. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold 5.00-8.00 lower. Fewer takers were seen for this class of cows this week, as it is getting into breeding season and many buyers have finished purchasing this class of cows. Quality was mostly average, and similar to last week. Cow calf pairs sold on good to very good demand this week.

New to these tables? Plain-English explainers ↓

Feeder Steers

Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
708 708 16 218.00 $218.00 $1,543 —
854 854 11 184.00 $184.00 $1,571 —
1046 1046 7 175.00 $175.00 $1,830 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
430 430 2 251.00 $251.00 $1,079 —
488 488 3 265.00 $265.00 $1,293 +11.68
505 505 2 280.00 $280.00 $1,414 +17.50
710–734 726 9 226.00–227.00 $226.33 $1,643 +3.33
750 750 2 215.00 $215.00 $1,612 —
800 800 1 205.00 $205.00 $1,640 +10.67
826 826 7 185.00 $185.00 $1,528 -9.33
928 928 2 187.00 $187.00 $1,735 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
540 540 2 290.00 $290.00 $1,566 -3.19
585–592 590 4 285.00–292.00 $290.27 $1,713 +17.77
600 unweaned 600 3 250.00 $250.00 $1,500 —
613–615 614 4 280.00–288.00 $286.00 $1,756 +18.95
655–665 661 11 233.00–250.00 $246.80 $1,631 -3.20
675 unweaned 675 1 234.00 $234.00 $1,580 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
498 498 3 246.00 $246.00 $1,225 —
746 746 14 208.00 $208.00 $1,552 —
Medium 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
409 409 6 200.00 $200.00 $818 —

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
402 402 6 270.00 $270.00 $1,085 —
483 483 22 268.00 $268.00 $1,294 —
515–516 515 11 240.00–261.00 $247.65 $1,275 -21.51
596 596 19 235.00 $235.00 $1,401 -25.77
620–645 635 6 226.00–229.00 $227.23 $1,443 -15.82
653–673 662 7 230.00–237.00 $233.95 $1,549 +7.93
733 733 21 203.00 $203.00 $1,488 -17.61
723–743 735 33 210.00–218.00 $214.57 $1,577 -6.04
936–938 937 21 177.00–183.00 $178.71 $1,675 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
410–412 411 9 229.00–252.00 $239.19 $983 —
528 528 2 223.00 $223.00 $1,177 -25.25
568–595 586 17 236.00–247.50 $240.46 $1,409 +10.46
615–628 622 6 222.50–230.00 $226.29 $1,408 +8.24
660–695 681 7 200.00–227.50 $218.73 $1,490 +4.53
743 743 12 184.00 $184.00 $1,367 -6.25
845 845 7 179.00 $179.00 $1,513 -5.50

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
703–715 709 —— 4 209.00–215.00 $212.03 $1,503 —
795 795 —— 4 181.00 $181.00 $1,439 -3.00
910–918 916 —— 5 168.00–170.00 $169.60 $1,554 —
955–965 960 —— 2 161.00–171.00 $166.03 $1,594 +0.03
2185 2185 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)N/A 1 138.50 $138.50 $3,026 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1010 1010 1 165.00 $165.00 $1,666 +9.00
1070 1070 1 151.00 $151.00 $1,616 -10.00
1125 1125 3 141.00 $141.00 $1,586 -5.91
1265–1270 1267 5 131.00–157.00 $142.79 $1,809 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
685 685 3 220.00 $220.00 $1,507 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
180 180 2 500.00 $500.00 —

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Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1263–1615 1370 80-85% 95 97.00–106.00 $101.66 $1,393 +3.34
1326–1610 1386 80-85% 16 89.00–96.00 $94.18 $1,305 -11.50
1255–1625 1388 80-85% 123 95.00–106.00 $101.88 $1,414 +1.33
1345–1555 1399 80-85% 25 90.00–96.00 $93.60 $1,309 -6.95
1300–1765 1414 80-85% 88 105.00–114.00 $107.61 $1,522 +2.51
1258–1685 1444 80-85% 143 104.50–112.50 $107.43 $1,551 +2.33
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
805–980 873 85-90% 8 73.00–92.00 $85.47 $746 —
930–985 967 85-90% 3 93.00–96.00 $94.02 $909 —
1005–1078 1049 85-90% 7 71.00–84.00 $78.96 $828 —
940–1278 1150 85-90% 34 82.00–93.00 $90.36 $1,039 +0.93
1005–1309 1181 85-90% 52 80.00–97.00 $90.16 $1,065 -5.46
940–1333 1188 85-90% 122 93.00–106.00 $97.27 $1,156 +1.65
880–1290 1210 85-90% 48 102.00–111.00 $107.50 $1,301 +12.78
1015–1500 1235 85-90% 146 93.00–105.50 $98.22 $1,213 -1.49
1010–1345 1239 85-90% 49 101.00–111.00 $106.88 $1,324 +7.17
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1510–1543 1530 75-80% 5 106.50–108.00 $107.20 $1,640 +5.54
1500–1590 1534 75-80% 8 101.00–103.00 $102.43 $1,571 +0.77
1538–1628 1571 75-80% 16 108.50–112.00 $110.07 $1,729 +1.43
1500–1708 1666 75-80% 11 109.00–112.00 $109.79 $1,829 —
1575–1865 1681 75-80% 6 95.00–103.00 $100.08 $1,682 —
1570–1930 1734 75-80% 11 103.50–108.50 $105.32 $1,826 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1360 1360 1 99.00 $99.00 $1,346 -14.00
1413 1413 2 103.00 $103.00 $1,455 —
1100–1779 1433 31 112.00–132.00 $121.31 $1,738 —
1187–1970 1475 12 127.00–137.00 $134.13 $1,978 +30.13
1320–1685 1491 5 105.00–109.00 $108.29 $1,615 +4.29
1415–1985 1652 21 98.00–116.00 $111.55 $1,843 —
1370–2385 1817 57 117.00–129.00 $123.44 $2,243 +2.32
1730–1995 1863 2 117.00–128.00 $122.89 $2,289 —
1808–1917 1879 10 133.00–135.00 $134.19 $2,521 —
1810–2410 2050 26 127.00–138.00 $131.97 $2,705 —
2465 2465 1 127.00 $127.00 $3,131 —
YG2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1558 1558 4 119.00 $119.00 $1,854 —
2715 2715 1 90.00 $90.00 $2,444 —

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
850–927 thin fleshed 910 (<2 yrs)Open 9 140.00–141.00 $140.79 $1,281
800–1595 1052 (<2 yrs)Open 95 117.50–178.00 $147.31 $1,550
840–1450 1139 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 206 101.00–167.00 $118.72 $1,352
1075–1305 1241 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 32 99.00–108.50 $107.16 $1,330
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
870–1045 942 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 7 92.50–115.00 $101.65 $958
855–1200 1065 (<2 yrs)Open 10 114.00–158.00 $132.16 $1,408
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
710–863 785 (<2 yrs)Open 8 120.00–142.00 $128.69 $1,010
818 818 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 112.50 $112.50 $920
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1025 1025 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 116.00 $116.00 $1,189
880–1064 1027 (<2 yrs)Open 5 117.00–150.00 $122.65 $1,260

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1065–1308 1169 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 20 1,550.00–1,850.00 $1,778.27
1178–1350 1251 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 10 1,300.00–1,500.00 $1,397.78
1239–1518 1332 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 6 1,500.00–1,625.00 $1,547.48
1345–1587 1486 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 15 1,435.00–1,610.00 $1,547.41
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1065–1400 1288 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 3 123.00–129.00 $124.65 $1,605
1290–1435 1345 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 3 105.00–106.00 $105.68 $1,421
1285–1500 1388 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 3 100.00–110.00 $105.74 $1,468
1385–1570 1478 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 2 106.50–108.00 $107.20 $1,584
1505–1540 1523 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 2 82.00–108.00 $94.85 $1,445
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1177 1177 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 3 1,400.00 $1,400.00

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Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1079–1415 1119 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 32 2,600.00 $2,600.00 —
1232 thin fleshed 1232 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 22 2,650.00 $2,650.00 —
1162–1316 1247 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 67 2,475.00–3,000.00 $2,812.38 —
1274 thin fleshed 1274 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 21 2,485.00 $2,485.00 —
1330 1330 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 18 1,850.00 $1,850.00 —
1262–1601 1451 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 91 1,900.00–2,175.00 $2,010.06 —
1288–1698 1538 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 96 2,200.00–2,900.00 $2,653.82 —
1458–1765 1610 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 74 2,075.00–2,485.00 $2,341.81 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1340 1340 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 16 2,500.00 $2,500.00 +1,025.00
1350 1350 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 2 1,875.00 $1,875.00 —
1223–1561 1395 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 22 1,725.00–1,800.00 $1,758.29 —
1375–1718 1448 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 12 1,600.00–2,350.00 $2,102.59 —
1358–1595 1457 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 5 2,100.00–2,400.00 $2,305.90 —
Medium 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1003 1003 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 25 2,550.00 $2,550.00 —
Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1407 1407 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 15 1,775.00 $1,775.00 —

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Heifer Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1052–1093 1066 (<2 yrs)Open 9 2,500.00–2,600.00 $2,534.19 —
1223–1292 1270 (<2 yrs)Open 100 2,700.00–3,350.00 $3,208.07 —

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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.