Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, June 5, 2023

6,223 head sold ·Official USDA report

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

light 6-weight M&L 1 steers $301.67/cwt +31.10 vs last sale · ≈ $1,885/hd at 625 lb · 105 head
heavy 5-weight M&L 1 heifers $258.26/cwt +23.26 vs last sale · ≈ $1,526/hd at 591 lb · 71 head
heavy 6-weight M&L 1 heifers $216.60/cwt -17.35 vs last sale · ≈ $1,477/hd at 682 lb · 45 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 6,223 3,879 6,348
Feeder cattle 714 546 1,062
Slaughter cattle 1,649 1,427 1,869
Replacement cattle 858 1,906 973

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: All feeder cattle were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Demand was mostly good to very good on light offerings. Quality was mixed from plain to attractive. Packages were small with many singles on offer. The best demand continues to be for cattle suitable to run on grass. Rain showers continue to fall as additional rain was seen almost every afternoon this past week. Pasture and range conditions are good to very good in many locations. Several ranchers were in attendance this week trying to fill summer pastures and showed very good demand as they competed with order buyers over offerings. Higher slaughter cattle prices continue to be seen providing market support for cattle too heavy to go to grass. Market activity was mostly active this week. Weigh up cows sold on mostly good to very good demand for moderate offerings. Packers showed lighter demand than last week for cows for immediate harvest, however demand for cows suitable to feed was very good. Slaughter cows sold 1.00-3.00 lower on all offerings. High quality cows suitable to feed, sold steady to weak. Cow quality was attractive to very attractive this week. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 3.00 lower. Weigh up conditions were mixed. Most cattle have been out on grass and offered buyers very good weigh up, especially in the morning, however sales that progressed into the afternoon saw weigh conditions deteriorate as cattle tanked up on water. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold steady to 5.00 higher. More takers were seen for this class of cows this week. Several buyers purchased this class of cows to feed as many rebreed buyers have stepped out of the market. Quality was mostly average, and similar to last week.

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
533–535 535 33 300.00–302.00 $301.88 $1,615 +11.88
560–585 566 7 291.00–300.00 $292.49 $1,655 +2.22
607–629 thin fleshed 625 105 300.00–302.00 $301.67 $1,885 —
654–662 657 9 265.00–285.00 $278.28 $1,828 +31.48
658 thin fleshed 658 5 302.00 $302.00 $1,987 —
742 742 6 230.00 $230.00 $1,707 —
775 775 4 231.00 $231.00 $1,790 —
810–835 816 4 222.00–223.00 $222.74 $1,818 —
953 953 2 192.00 $192.00 $1,830 —
991 991 4 186.00 $186.00 $1,843 —
1043 1043 4 182.00 $182.00 $1,898 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
490 490 6 290.00 $290.00 $1,421 +25.00
505–527 522 8 275.00–280.00 $278.79 $1,455 -1.21
565–593 583 8 260.00–290.00 $278.56 $1,624 —
618 618 3 283.00 $283.00 $1,749 —
720 720 2 224.00 $224.00 $1,613 -2.33
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
474 474 7 250.00 $250.00 $1,185 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
790 790 2 220.00 $220.00 $1,738 —

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
477–498 493 30 264.00–273.00 $270.97 $1,336 +2.97
500–538 523 30 262.00–273.00 $271.11 $1,418 +23.46
579–592 591 71 244.50–260.00 $258.26 $1,526 +23.26
610–630 628 37 244.00–245.00 $244.08 $1,533 +16.85
653–693 682 45 205.00–240.00 $216.60 $1,477 -17.35
705–728 718 7 210.00–213.00 $211.29 $1,517 +8.29
758–760 758 11 205.00–210.00 $209.54 $1,588 —
830 830 5 199.00 $199.00 $1,652 —
850 850 5 188.00 $188.00 $1,598 —
943 943 9 181.00 $181.00 $1,707 +2.29
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
383 383 5 247.50 $247.50 $948 —
460–485 481 7 227.50–245.00 $231.68 $1,114 —
548 548 3 252.00 $252.00 $1,381 +29.00
552–587 571 13 225.00–239.50 $232.44 $1,327 -8.02
720 720 2 195.00 $195.00 $1,404 +11.00
935 935 4 179.00 $179.00 $1,674 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
469 469 9 234.00 $234.00 $1,097 —
530 530 2 210.00 $210.00 $1,113 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
488 488 5 225.00 $225.00 $1,098 —

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
587 587 5 270.00 $270.00 $1,585 —
645 645 2 265.00 $265.00 $1,709 —
701 701 5 208.00 $208.00 $1,458 -4.03
818–840 828 4 188.00–212.00 $204.47 $1,693 —
900 900 1 190.00 $190.00 $1,710 +20.40
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1035 1035 7 169.00 $169.00 $1,749 +4.00
1094 1094 7 158.50 $158.50 $1,734 +7.50
1100 1100 2 162.00 $162.00 $1,782 +21.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
327 327 3 235.00 $235.00 $768 —
408 408 2 271.00 $271.00 $1,106 —
450 450 8 245.00 $245.00 $1,102 —
800 800 2 182.50 $182.50 $1,460 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
100 100 2 275.00 $275.00 —
198 198 3 500.00 $500.00 ±0.00
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1083 1083 2 155.00 $155.00 $1,679 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
70 70 1 100.00 $100.00 —

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Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1155–1570 1364 80-85% 72 94.00–102.50 $97.34 $1,328 -4.32
1248–1525 1368 80-85% 99 95.00–105.00 $99.97 $1,368 -1.69
1277–1608 1385 80-85% 33 103.00–116.50 $107.21 $1,485 +13.03
1305–1768 1424 80-85% 56 85.00–94.00 $91.21 $1,299 -16.40
1238–1659 1432 80-85% 350 103.50–114.50 $108.93 $1,560 +1.50
1300–1645 1457 80-85% 18 89.00–97.00 $94.07 $1,371 —
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
705 705 85-90% 1 62.00 $62.00 $437 —
850–995 946 85-90% 9 72.00–84.00 $78.92 $747 —
915–985 962 85-90% 3 88.00–91.50 $89.11 $857 -4.91
995 995 85-90% 1 97.00 $97.00 $965 +2.98
1070–1135 1113 85-90% 4 88.00–92.00 $89.26 $993 —
1011–1280 1164 85-90% 41 100.00–111.00 $102.29 $1,191 +11.93
1015–1435 1183 85-90% 110 74.00–91.00 $87.47 $1,035 -2.69
1058–1280 1203 85-90% 47 102.00–111.00 $107.73 $1,296 +0.23
1025–1320 1208 85-90% 185 90.00–99.00 $94.77 $1,145 -12.73
1215–1335 1278 85-90% 27 92.00–98.00 $96.64 $1,235 —
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1420–1555 1484 75-80% 21 105.50–108.00 $107.39 $1,594 —
1498–1573 1534 75-80% 20 107.50–112.00 $109.39 $1,678 +6.96
1385–1795 1625 75-80% 17 104.00–107.00 $105.51 $1,715 —
1549–1915 1625 75-80% 12 107.00–111.50 $109.43 $1,778 —
1495–1845 1643 75-80% 18 94.00–104.50 $99.32 $1,632 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1195 1195 1 137.00 $137.00 $1,637 —
1188–1445 1266 11 97.00–115.00 $109.06 $1,381 —
1278–1490 1390 7 116.00–128.00 $122.10 $1,697 +23.10
1355–2020 1674 29 101.00–115.00 $110.18 $1,844 -1.37
1427–2443 1831 84 113.50–126.00 $120.43 $2,205 -3.01
1920–2305 1977 21 127.00–131.00 $128.16 $2,534 —
1665–2390 2012 40 125.00–138.00 $129.72 $2,610 —
2015 2015 1 125.00 $125.00 $2,519 —
2540–2545 2543 2 129.00–136.00 $132.50 $3,369 —

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
915 thin fleshed 915 (<2 yrs)Open 1 147.00 $147.00 $1,345
823–1355 1010 (<2 yrs)Open 145 115.00–183.00 $160.10 $1,617
805–1430 1164 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 206 92.50–169.00 $116.93 $1,361
1245–1325 1285 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 2 91.00–109.00 $99.72 $1,281
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
823–1265 969 (<2 yrs)Open 8 113.00–157.00 $130.51 $1,265
975–1133 1058 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 4 110.00–124.00 $116.98 $1,238
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
915–1020 999 (<2 yrs)Open 6 127.00–135.00 $128.22 $1,281

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1308 1308 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 1,675.00 $1,675.00
1445 1445 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 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
125–133 130 3 50.00–85.00 $61.19 $80 —
194–195 194 8 85.00–90.00 $86.25 $167 —
205–225 215 2 54.00–71.00 $62.90 $135 —
210–240 230 3 76.00–80.00 $78.61 $181 —
250–260 253 3 61.00–69.00 $63.74 $161 —
270–275 273 3 73.00–78.00 $76.35 $208 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
205 205 Lambs (<1 yr)N/A 1 86.00 $86.00 $176 —

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Bucks Billies

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
60 60 1 155.00 $155.00 $93 —
75 75 3 145.00 $145.00 $109 —
85 85 2 142.50–155.00 $148.75 $126 —
85 85 2 175.00 $175.00 $149 —
103–110 105 3 160.00–162.50 $161.63 $170 —
110–135 118 3 187.50–210.00 $195.25 $230 —
120 120 2 170.00 $170.00 $204 —

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Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1175–1313 1226 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 38 2,700.00–2,775.00 $2,739.77 -72.61
1294–1598 1432 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 46 1,875.00–2,000.00 $1,961.30 —
1182–1627 1449 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 10 2,300.00–2,650.00 $2,422.02 —
1451–1828 1583 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 21 2,100.00–2,425.00 $2,271.54 —
Medium 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1051 1051 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 18 2,375.00 $2,375.00 —
1080 1080 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 16 2,535.00 $2,535.00 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1296 1296 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 4 1,975.00 $1,975.00 —
1368 1368 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 2,400.00 $2,400.00 +525.00

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Ewes

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
118–133 121 42 72.00–75.00 $74.13 $90 —
128–130 129 34 41.00–42.00 $41.67 $54 —
125–145 130 19 44.00–52.00 $50.61 $66 —
122–138 135 16 20.00–23.00 $22.49 $30 —
134–147 144 93 53.00–61.00 $55.33 $80 —
153–170 156 45 45.00–49.50 $46.92 $73 —
158–188 168 95 50.00–63.00 $55.66 $94 —
175–180 176 18 44.00–51.00 $48.25 $85 —
165–191 182 26 64.00–74.00 $66.36 $121 —
160–198 185 54 52.00–63.00 $56.55 $105 —
202–225 210 28 56.00–63.00 $58.28 $122 —
223 223 3 69.00 $69.00 $154 —
250–265 260 3 59.00–64.00 $60.94 $158 —
264 264 5 41.00 $41.00 $108 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
133 133 Middle Aged (4-6 yrs)Open 6 45.00 $45.00 $60 —
133–140 137 Yearlings (1-2 yrs)Open 9 80.00–102.00 $92.50 $127 —
162 162 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 14 68.00 $68.00 $110 —

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Hair Breeds

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
65 65 69 190.00 $190.00 $124 —
71 71 11 140.00 $140.00 $99 —
71 71 8 180.00 $180.00 $128 —
107 107 23 165.00 $165.00 $177 —

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Hair Bucks

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
140 140 5 132.00 $132.00 $185 —
145 145 1 100.00 $100.00 $145 —
185 185 2 82.00 $82.00 $152 —
250 250 1 79.00 $79.00 $198 —

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Hair Ewes

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
125 125 1 20.00 $20.00 $25 —
159 159 11 61.00 $61.00 $97 —

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Hair Lambs

Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
58 58 63 152.50 $152.50 $88 —

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Heifer Pairs

Medium 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
901 901 (<2 yrs)Open 18 2,150.00 $2,150.00 —
992 992 (<2 yrs)Open 10 2,275.00 $2,275.00 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1210–1236 1223 (<2 yrs)Open 20 2,825.00–2,950.00 $2,886.84 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1148 1148 (<2 yrs)Open 4 2,385.00 $2,385.00 —

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Kids

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
20–28 25 3 80.00–85.00 $83.68 $21 —
24–27 27 37 130.00–140.00 $133.03 $36 —
28 28 3 145.00 $145.00 $41 —
30 30 1 55.00 $55.00 $16 —
33–35 34 17 250.00 $250.00 $85 —
35–36 36 7 50.00–67.50 $62.60 $23 —
38 38 7 295.00 $295.00 $112 —
38 38 2 95.00 $95.00 $36 —
40 40 1 150.00 $150.00 $60 —
42–43 42 7 90.00–95.00 $91.45 $38 —
41–49 44 51 205.00–245.00 $228.99 $101 —
45 45 2 255.00 $255.00 $115 —
45–46 46 30 255.00–270.00 $256.47 $118 —
50 50 1 180.00 $180.00 $90 —
51–59 56 33 275.00–280.00 $276.24 $155 —
55–56 56 10 257.50–282.50 $259.96 $146 —
56 56 4 210.00 $210.00 $118 —
58 58 3 130.00 $130.00 $75 —
60–61 61 12 227.50–240.00 $228.53 $139 —
65–68 67 16 267.50–277.50 $276.13 $185 —
78 78 136 258.00 $258.00 $201 —
84 84 4 140.00 $140.00 $118 —

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Lambs

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
49 49 21 210.00 $210.00 $103 —
56–58 57 29 205.00–206.00 $205.39 $117 —
62–66 64 85 195.00–208.00 $200.32 $128 —
67 67 16 173.00 $173.00 $116 —
74–75 75 142 169.00–177.50 $177.15 $133 —
71–79 76 166 192.00–209.00 $198.03 $151 —
81 fancy 81 11 207.00 $207.00 $168 —
82–88 87 159 189.00–197.00 $194.41 $169 —
90–96 92 131 185.00–197.00 $192.49 $177 —
103 103 92 193.00 $193.00 $199 —
110–114 112 31 183.00–195.00 $188.77 $211 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
51–55 52 11 190.00–200.00 $193.81 $101 —
61 61 5 190.00 $190.00 $116 —
62 62 10 155.00 $155.00 $96 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
52–58 56 22 172.50–181.00 $175.76 $98 —

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Nannies Does

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
40 40 —— 1 95.00 $95.00 $38 —
55 55 —— 1 92.50 $92.50 $51 —
60–63 62 —— 4 50.00–90.00 $69.51 $43 —
65 65 —— 1 145.00 $145.00 $94 —
75 75 —— 1 205.00 $205.00 $154 —
75 75 —— 1 130.00 $130.00 $98 —
78 78 —— 2 103.00 $103.00 $80 —
80 80 —— 1 150.00 $150.00 $120 —
80–85 83 —— 7 152.50–160.00 $155.00 $129 —
95 95 —— 1 147.50 $147.50 $140 —
106 106 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 4 175.00 $175.00 $186 —
110 110 —— 1 55.00 $55.00 $60 —
100–128 112 —— 34 110.00–147.50 $122.06 $137 —
100–133 122 —— 84 137.50–162.50 $140.46 $171 —
125 125 —— 1 102.50 $102.50 $128 —
150–167 157 —— 8 112.50–125.00 $118.03 $185 —

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Wethers

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
61 61 4 155.00 $155.00 $95 —
83–88 87 19 160.00–192.50 $168.55 $147 —
120 120 1 202.50 $202.50 $243 —
120 120 1 170.00 $170.00 $204 —
150–185 160 4 162.50–175.00 $166.69 $267 —

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Wooled & Shorn

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
57 57 10 174.00 $174.00 $99 —
57 57 3 204.00 $204.00 $116 —
63–64 63 16 190.00–191.00 $190.75 $120 —
68 68 6 185.00 $185.00 $126 —
72 72 17 151.00 $151.00 $109 —
70–79 77 179 200.00–213.00 $210.02 $162 —
80–81 81 39 194.00–212.00 $207.89 $168 —
92 92 3 160.00 $160.00 $147 —
100–112 103 50 191.00–194.00 $193.37 $199 —

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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.