Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, August 28, 2023

8,506 head sold ·Official USDA report

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

light 8-weight M&L 1 heifers $233.73/cwt +6.26 vs last sale · ≈ $1,933/hd at 827 lb · 159 head
heavy 8-weight M&L 1 heifers $225.97/cwt +6.32 vs last sale · ≈ $1,965/hd at 869 lb · 99 head
heavy 6-weight M 1 steers $269.82/cwt +2.82 vs last sale · ≈ $1,797/hd at 666 lb · 91 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 8,506 732 5,627
Feeder cattle 1,349 303 944
Slaughter cattle 562 401 579
Replacement cattle 19 28 151

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Only two sales were held last week as auctions continue with summer sale schedules. Feeder steers were too lightly tested to develop any market trend, yearling heifers sold with steady to weak undertones in a narrow comparison. Demand remains good despite light offerings. Quality this week was mostly plain to average and mostly offered in small packages or as singles. Flesh conditions continue to be light as most offerings were coming off grass. CME positions floated sideways and ended the week very close to the previous Fridays close. The September contract closed Friday at 251.85 while the October closed at 254.65. Market activity this week was mostly active. Weigh up cows sold on mostly good demand for light offerings. Packers opted to send the majority of cows to immediate harvest again this week. Slaughter cows sold mostly steady to weak on breaking cows. Boning cows sold 1.00-3.00 lower. Lean cows sold 2.00-5.00 lower. Feeding cows sold mostly 2.00 to 4.00 lower in a narrow comparison. Cow quality was significantly lower this week as many sets of cows sold out of country decimated by grasshoppers. The yield on many of these cows was significantly lower than anything seen since last spring. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 1.00-2.00 lower. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed were too lightly tested this week and last to develop any market trend. Quality this week was mostly average.

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
305–323 unweaned 321 9 330.00–350.00 $332.11 $1,066 —
373 unweaned 373 2 332.50 $332.50 $1,240 -5.61
430 unweaned 430 1 317.50 $317.50 $1,365 —
461–470 unweaned 462 10 297.50–301.00 $300.64 $1,389 +15.64
500 unweaned 500 1 280.00 $280.00 $1,400 —
645 645 5 276.00 $276.00 $1,780 —
651 651 7 276.00 $276.00 $1,797 —
710–712 712 11 267.00 $267.00 $1,901 ±0.00
759–771 769 49 257.00–259.00 $257.96 $1,984 —
853–875 859 28 233.00–245.00 $238.36 $2,048 —
913 913 5 220.00 $220.00 $2,009 -6.00
928–947 941 24 229.50–234.00 $230.79 $2,172 +4.79
956–962 959 9 231.00–231.50 $231.28 $2,218 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
499 499 8 286.50 $286.50 $1,430 —
665–679 666 91 266.00–270.00 $269.82 $1,797 +2.82
723 723 2 257.00 $257.00 $1,858 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
505–529 525 23 283.00 $283.00 $1,486 —
673 673 6 267.50 $267.50 $1,800 -4.35
735–744 740 32 257.00–262.50 $259.56 $1,921 —
760–786 779 17 242.00–255.50 $247.14 $1,925 —
800–845 815 10 241.00–245.00 $243.20 $1,982 —
865–890 876 7 225.00–235.00 $231.03 $2,024 —
976 976 5 230.00 $230.00 $2,245 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1032 1032 3 215.00 $215.00 $2,219 —
1048 1048 8 205.00 $205.00 $2,148 —
1051–1056 1053 12 210.00–214.00 $212.33 $2,236 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
549 549 5 267.00 $267.00 $1,466 —

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
340 unweaned 340 1 305.00 $305.00 $1,037 —
377 unweaned 377 8 296.00 $296.00 $1,116 —
425 unweaned 425 1 277.00 $277.00 $1,177 -8.00
631 631 67 257.00 $257.00 $1,622 —
710 710 4 235.00–240.00 $237.50 $1,686 —
752–794 772 49 231.00–245.00 $236.87 $1,829 —
800–847 827 159 223.00–239.75 $233.73 $1,933 +6.26
850–897 869 90 219.00–235.00 $227.17 $1,974 +3.55
874 874 9 214.00 $214.00 $1,870 -9.62
903–942 926 55 209.50–228.00 $221.25 $2,049 +9.25
950–993 962 63 202.50–224.00 $211.50 $2,035 +1.65
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
500–511 506 7 255.00–285.00 $272.30 $1,378 —
560–593 572 11 246.00–247.00 $246.62 $1,411 —
593–599 595 15 246.00–255.00 $250.02 $1,488 —
618 618 18 251.00 $251.00 $1,551 —
662 662 12 243.00 $243.00 $1,609 —
785–796 791 13 225.00–227.00 $225.92 $1,787 —
811 811 9 217.00 $217.00 $1,760 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
521 521 25 248.00 $248.00 $1,292 —
669 669 12 234.00 $234.00 $1,565 —
702–738 716 17 240.00–241.50 $241.08 $1,726 —
750–778 767 5 222.50–234.00 $227.00 $1,741 —
845 845 1 230.00 $230.00 $1,944 +8.68
860 860 2 212.00 $212.00 $1,823 +4.50
945 945 3 210.50 $210.50 $1,989 +2.50
970 970 2 198.00 $198.00 $1,921 -3.00
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
835 835 10 220.00 $220.00 $1,837 —
866 866 5 218.50 $218.50 $1,892 —
1000–1018 1011 6 202.00–213.00 $206.19 $2,085 —
1055–1090 1078 11 186.50–199.00 $193.39 $2,085 —
1100 1100 5 193.50 $193.50 $2,128 —
1163 1163 2 184.00 $184.00 $2,140 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
623 623 8 242.50 $242.50 $1,511 —
675 675 2 232.00 $232.00 $1,566 —
788 788 2 215.00 $215.00 $1,694 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
693 693 2 221.00 $221.00 $1,532 —

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Feeder Bulls

Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1012 1012 3 189.00 $189.00 $1,913 -3.50
1138 1138 9 161.00 $161.00 $1,832 -21.70
1178 1178 2 162.00 $162.00 $1,908 -16.19
1225 fancy 1225 1 183.00 $183.00 $2,242 —
1295 1295 1 157.50 $157.50 $2,040 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
390 unweaned 390 1 320.00 $320.00 $1,248 —
408 unweaned 408 5 317.50 $317.50 $1,295 —
925 925 2 220.00 $220.00 $2,035 +5.02
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
468 unweaned 468 3 260.00 $260.00 $1,217 —

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Slaughter Cows

Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
840 840 85-90% 1 79.00 $79.00 $664 —
1029–1098 1046 85-90% 8 110.00–111.00 $110.74 $1,158 —
1070–1350 1121 85-90% 21 82.00–97.00 $89.60 $1,004 —
1062–1345 1128 85-90% 52 64.00–78.00 $70.01 $790 —
1156 1156 85-90% 8 58.00 $58.00 $670 -38.32
915–1240 1187 85-90% 15 101.00–107.00 $105.45 $1,252 +9.13
1000–1375 1211 85-90% 70 80.00–96.00 $90.47 $1,096 -10.11
1029–1370 1238 85-90% 67 97.00–107.00 $101.98 $1,263 -5.81
Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1398–1410 1399 80-85% 13 112.75–114.00 $112.85 $1,579 +3.76
1295–1675 1417 80-85% 43 103.00–111.00 $106.58 $1,510 +4.48
1415–1435 1418 80-85% 18 96.50–98.00 $96.75 $1,372 -5.35
1200–1595 1419 80-85% 7 94.00–102.00 $98.91 $1,404 -3.19
1265–1560 1451 80-85% 23 102.00–111.00 $106.31 $1,543 -5.26
1425–1520 1466 80-85% 4 112.00–115.00 $113.24 $1,660 +1.67
1582 1582 80-85% 8 80.50 $80.50 $1,274 -35.51
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1465 1465 75-80% 1 115.00 $115.00 $1,685 —
1285–1660 1515 75-80% 6 105.00–108.50 $106.54 $1,614 —
1535–1695 1556 75-80% 14 108.50–114.50 $113.81 $1,771 +9.81
1630 1630 75-80% 2 109.00 $109.00 $1,777 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1180 1180 1 104.00 $104.00 $1,227 —
1288–1828 1535 28 112.00–122.00 $117.83 $1,809 —
1330–1990 1618 22 102.00–114.00 $107.68 $1,742 -9.28
1065–2030 1623 25 88.00–111.00 $102.54 $1,664 -14.42
1455–2370 1875 28 113.00–121.00 $116.95 $2,193 -2.85
1775–2260 2036 8 124.00–135.00 $127.73 $2,601 -0.97
YG2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
2255 2255 1 111.00 $111.00 $2,503 —

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
930–1305 1181 (<2 yrs)Open 6 123.00–167.50 $135.66 $1,602
990–1247 1184 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 6 118.00–122.00 $119.56 $1,416
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
970 970 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 3 107.00 $107.00 $1,038

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Bucks

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
125 125 1 140.00 $140.00 $175 —
185 185 1 83.00 $83.00 $154 —
173–194 190 16 74.00–77.00 $76.49 $145 —
201–225 205 6 83.00–86.00 $83.55 $171 —
220–243 233 13 73.00–75.00 $73.31 $171 —
315 315 1 71.00 $71.00 $224 —

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Bucks Billies

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
50–56 55 —— 7 130.00–160.00 $133.89 $74 —
72 72 —— 5 140.00 $140.00 $101 —
73 73 —— 2 135.00 $135.00 $99 —
75 75 —— 1 187.50 $187.50 $141 —
80–85 81 —— 4 180.00–187.50 $185.00 $150 —
83 83 —— 3 135.00 $135.00 $112 —
80–88 85 —— 3 170.00–200.00 $179.38 $152 —
95 95 —— 1 175.00 $175.00 $166 —
100–120 110 —— 2 200.00–202.50 $201.36 $221 —
110 110 —— 1 165.00 $165.00 $182 —
113 113 —— 2 162.50 $162.50 $184 —
125 125 —— 2 75.00 $75.00 $94 —
120–145 127 —— 5 172.50–192.50 $186.38 $237 —
135 135 Kids (<1 yr)N/A 1 195.00 $195.00 $263 —
170 170 Kids (<1 yr)N/A 1 200.00 $200.00 $340 —
205 205 —— 1 192.50 $192.50 $395 —

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Ewes

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
143–148 148 43 42.00–48.00 $42.88 $63 —
148 148 3 54.00 $54.00 $80 —
150–164 154 92 42.00–49.50 $47.99 $74 —
163 163 4 39.00 $39.00 $64 —
157–170 168 29 63.00–69.00 $65.06 $109 —
167–191 176 63 49.00–59.00 $54.04 $95 —
183 183 4 55.00 $55.00 $101 —
200–217 208 12 51.00–55.00 $52.40 $109 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
128 128 Yearlings (1-2 yrs)Open 3 165.00 $165.00 $211 —
132–138 137 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 14 61.00–80.00 $64.93 $89 —

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Hair Breeds

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
57–58 57 23 165.00–175.00 $168.95 $96 —
66–69 67 25 190.00–210.00 $204.22 $137 —
69 69 20 157.50 $157.50 $109 —
85–89 85 55 181.00–190.00 $184.73 $157 —
85 85 13 167.50 $167.50 $142 —
95 95 3 190.00 $190.00 $180 —
111 111 6 167.00 $167.00 $185 —

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Hair Bucks

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
130 130 1 65.00 $65.00 $84 —
139 139 8 77.00 $77.00 $107 —
156 156 4 100.00 $100.00 $156 —
205–230 218 2 76.00–79.00 $77.59 $169 —
250–270 260 2 75.00–79.00 $76.92 $200 —

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Hair Ewes

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
96 96 8 47.50 $47.50 $46 —
125–146 135 11 41.00–49.00 $43.57 $59 —
160 160 12 49.00 $49.00 $78 —

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Hair Lambs

Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
69 69 25 170.00 $170.00 $117 —

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Kids

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
24 24 4 50.00 $50.00 $12 —
27 27 10 92.50 $92.50 $25 —
30–38 36 52 225.00–240.00 $232.66 $84 —
32–37 36 13 100.00–125.00 $119.85 $43 —
34–38 36 20 70.00–115.00 $83.32 $30 —
34–36 36 25 120.00–144.00 $124.58 $45 —
35–38 36 38 192.50–220.00 $199.43 $72 —
40 40 7 90.00 $90.00 $36 —
42–48 45 26 150.00–155.00 $152.27 $69 —
42–48 45 60 165.00–232.50 $215.76 $97 —
52–59 55 26 195.00–225.00 $205.95 $113 —
53–57 55 24 125.00–185.00 $160.00 $88 —
55 55 1 232.50 $232.50 $128 —
55–57 57 18 235.00–242.50 $235.81 $134 —
57 57 32 227.50 $227.50 $130 —
57 57 3 110.00 $110.00 $63 —
60 60 1 165.00 $165.00 $99 —
60–64 63 19 225.00–237.50 $232.50 $146 —
65 65 5 220.00 $220.00 $143 —
70 70 2 145.00 $145.00 $102 —
70–75 71 44 220.00–227.50 $222.85 $158 —
75 75 9 197.50 $197.50 $148 —
80–87 82 10 212.50–225.00 $222.32 $182 —
85 85 10 192.50 $192.50 $164 —
90 90 2 210.00 $210.00 $189 —
92 92 13 182.50 $182.50 $168 —
110 110 2 200.00 $200.00 $220 —
N/N/A ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
20 20 12 7.50 $7.50 —

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Lambs

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
43–48 45 45 245.00–252.50 $250.07 $113 —
53–59 56 234 240.00–251.00 $245.90 $138 —
60–68 63 464 235.00–247.00 $242.84 $153 —
64–65 fancy 64 85 249.00–250.00 $249.26 $160 —
67 67 23 209.00 $209.00 $140 —
70–79 74 744 225.00–237.50 $231.26 $171 —
74 fancy 74 46 244.00 $244.00 $181 —
81 81 16 180.00 $180.00 $146 —
80–89 84 968 215.00–234.50 $228.64 $192 —
90 90 17 201.00 $201.00 $181 —
91–98 94 406 217.00–222.00 $220.40 $207 —
100–108 102 359 204.00–219.50 $216.24 $221 —
110 110 8 175.00 $175.00 $192 —
121 121 51 210.00 $210.00 $254 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
42 42 11 220.00 $220.00 $92 —
50–58 53 51 220.00–237.50 $232.03 $123 —
60–69 64 110 210.00–231.00 $224.08 $143 —
72–76 74 76 187.50–220.00 $200.99 $149 —
89 89 21 211.00 $211.00 $188 —
90–95 93 17 188.00–195.00 $192.21 $179 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
80–86 84 62 211.00–212.00 $211.24 $177 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
59 59 10 238.00 $238.00 $140 —
94 94 32 215.00 $215.00 $202 —
Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
90 90 31 187.50 $187.50 $169 —

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Nannies Does

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
48 48 —— 2 75.00 $75.00 $36 —
58 58 —— 5 70.00 $70.00 $41 —
63 63 —— 6 85.00 $85.00 $54 —
63–68 64 —— 15 125.00–135.00 $127.13 $81 —
63–68 66 —— 20 95.00–110.00 $102.93 $68 —
68 68 —— 6 55.00 $55.00 $37 —
70 70 —— 8 82.50–85.00 $83.13 $58 —
70–78 75 —— 10 92.50–117.50 $107.63 $81 —
75 75 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 105.00 $105.00 $79 —
75 75 —— 7 130.00 $130.00 $98 —
80 80 —— 1 115.00 $115.00 $92 —
80 80 —— 1 65.00 $65.00 $52 —
80–85 83 —— 2 94.00–95.00 $94.52 $78 —
90 90 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 137.50 $137.50 $124 —
95–96 96 —— 19 125.00–130.00 $125.26 $120 —
90–98 97 —— 9 95.00–112.50 $98.72 $96 —
100–128 104 —— 37 104.00–112.50 $107.47 $112 —
110 110 —— 1 75.00 $75.00 $82 —
115 115 —— 1 55.00 $55.00 $63 —
105–143 123 —— 37 105.00–130.00 $110.87 $136 —
180 180 —— 1 106.00 $106.00 $191 —

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Sheep

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
101 thin fleshed 101 4 22.50 $22.50 $23 —
118 118 4 42.00 $42.00 $50 —
120–129 128 21 44.00–49.00 $48.33 $62 —
131 131 17 45.00 $45.00 $59 —
134–138 thin fleshed 134 26 35.00–39.00 $38.68 $52 —
140–149 145 114 42.00–51.00 $49.57 $72 —
151 thin fleshed 151 12 30.00 $30.00 $45 —
152–159 155 100 41.00–48.00 $44.36 $69 —
160–166 163 51 41.00–52.00 $47.15 $77 —
173–177 175 10 48.00–49.00 $48.51 $85 —
182–188 185 20 45.00–58.00 $48.23 $89 —

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Wethers

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
34 34 3 190.00 $190.00 $65 —
48 48 2 130.00 $130.00 $62 —
58 58 2 140.00 $140.00 $81 —
80–88 85 3 142.50–165.00 $157.97 $134 —
93–95 94 4 182.50–205.00 $193.63 $182 —
95 95 1 165.00 $165.00 $157 —
108 108 2 190.00 $190.00 $205 —
140 140 1 137.50 $137.50 $192 —
145 145 1 187.50 $187.50 $272 —
165–185 175 3 182.50–185.00 $184.12 $322 —

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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.