Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, November 6, 2023

17,653 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 $267.44/cwt -7.42 vs last sale · ≈ $1,546/hd at 578 lb · 898 head
light 5-weight M&L 1 steers $296.50/cwt +3.02 vs last sale · ≈ $1,557/hd at 525 lb · 859 head
heavy 4-weight M&L 1 heifers $281.18/cwt +7.86 vs last sale · ≈ $1,318/hd at 469 lb · 821 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 17,653 14,314 13,488
Feeder cattle 12,570 8,897 8,367
Slaughter cattle 3,653 1,898 2,685
Replacement cattle 1,430 720 2,436

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Yearling steers were too lightly tested last week to develop any market trend. Steer calves under 500 lbs sold unevenly steady, steer calves 500-649 lbs sold generally steady, steers over 650 lbs sold steady to 10.00 lower. Yearling heifers were too lightly tested last week to develop a full market trend, steady to lower undertones were noticed. Heifer calves under 450 lbs sold steady to 10.00 lower, heifer calves 450-650 lbs sold steady to 3.00 higher, heifer calves over 650 lbs sold mostly steady to 10.00 lower. Demand this week was mostly attractive to very attractive as this week saw some of the highest quality calves of the fall. Buyers finally had the opportunity to buy cattle in load lot quantities this week and demand was very good on these offerings. Package sizes were bigger this week as a much larger run of calves was seen. Demand for packages was mostly moderate to good. CME positions nosedived this week as all contracts sold off hard on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. The November closed Friday at 229.725, with the Jan contract settling at 226.425, 10.875 and 13.325 lower for the week respectfully. Market activity this week was mostly active with a very large buyer pool seen for feeder cattle. Weight up cows sold on moderate demand for heavy offerings. Quality this week was mostly average to attractive. Breaking cows sold 5.00-6.00 lower, boning cows sold 3.00-5.00 lower, and lean cows sold 2.00-3.00 lower. Packers continue to focus on buying feeding cows again this week. Only poorer quality cows were purchased for immediate slaughter. Both packer buyers and private feeders continue to buy thin cows to feed or turn out on corn stalks this winter. This class of feeding cows sold 1.00-3.00 lower. High quality feeding cows, suitable to feed to premium white, sold 2.00 to 3.00 lower. Slaughter and feeding bulls sold generally steady on a larger offering. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold on moderate to good demand this week. Young age cows sold mostly steady to firm. Quality was average to very attractive.

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
258 unweaned 258 2 405.00 $405.00 $1,045 +41.41
315–348 unweaned 328 34 370.00–390.00 $378.12 $1,240 +25.62
361–399 unweaned 385 141 360.00–400.00 $371.35 $1,430 +15.22
400 400 23 362.50 $362.50 $1,450 —
402–447 unweaned 429 370 327.50–382.50 $340.69 $1,462 -0.98
440 440 3 320.00 $320.00 $1,408 —
461–467 464 14 305.00–312.50 $308.77 $1,433 —
479 479 14 295.00 $295.00 $1,413 —
452–499 unweaned 482 503 300.00–346.00 $310.90 $1,499 -1.10
502–549 unweaned 524 795 278.00–310.25 $297.02 $1,556 +3.54
537–539 538 64 276.00–296.00 $290.05 $1,560 —
564 564 5 282.00 $282.00 $1,590 —
550–598 unweaned 578 860 245.00–286.00 $267.75 $1,548 -7.11
553–590 578 33 256.00–259.50 $257.14 $1,486 —
605 605 27 248.00 $248.00 $1,500 —
609–622 fancy 612 132 268.00–272.00 $271.17 $1,660 —
608–622 614 28 265.00–266.00 $265.57 $1,631 +30.57
601–646 unweaned 622 513 249.00–265.00 $258.53 $1,608 +0.94
650–689 unweaned 667 362 235.00–252.50 $245.35 $1,636 -2.59
680 680 43 243.50 $243.50 $1,656 +18.50
716 716 17 233.00 $233.00 $1,668 +11.00
702–745 unweaned 726 133 225.00–240.00 $233.85 $1,698 -11.60
750–788 unweaned 782 18 231.00–237.00 $232.25 $1,816 -1.64
775–794 782 24 218.00–229.00 $222.19 $1,738 -19.82
815 815 2 225.50 $225.50 $1,838 —
825 unweaned 825 3 223.00 $223.00 $1,840 —
901–935 905 31 214.00–223.00 $220.66 $1,997 —
969 969 10 211.00 $211.00 $2,045 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
275 unweaned 275 4 280.00 $280.00 $770 —
302–322 unweaned 315 9 350.00–365.00 $360.21 $1,135 +15.07
350–398 unweaned 368 48 252.50–365.00 $333.59 $1,228 +11.04
395 395 17 340.00 $340.00 $1,343 —
405–449 unweaned 425 79 285.00–332.50 $310.09 $1,318 -2.76
450–497 unweaned 476 158 275.00–299.00 $294.73 $1,403 +8.86
500–548 unweaned 537 64 250.00–290.00 $269.93 $1,450 -3.34
558–595 unweaned 580 160 234.00–261.00 $248.34 $1,440 -1.79
600–647 unweaned 620 55 215.00–247.00 $242.05 $1,501 +3.35
650–696 unweaned 669 79 225.00–236.50 $233.33 $1,561 -1.64
919 919 4 199.00 $199.00 $1,829 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
311 311 8 320.00 $320.00 $995 —
337 unweaned 337 11 322.50 $322.50 $1,087 —
392 unweaned 392 20 315.00 $315.00 $1,235 -10.00
393 393 15 352.50 $352.50 $1,385 —
413–448 unweaned 420 60 300.00–337.50 $323.84 $1,360 —
472 472 15 292.50 $292.50 $1,381 -7.50
459–498 unweaned 493 93 280.00–295.50 $291.42 $1,437 -1.08
513 unweaned 513 6 220.00 $220.00 $1,129 -56.00
539 539 29 274.00 $274.00 $1,477 —
555–591 unweaned 573 80 205.00–251.00 $245.31 $1,406 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
277 unweaned 277 5 315.00 $315.00 $873 —
355–393 unweaned 372 34 305.00–315.00 $306.96 $1,142 —
408–425 unweaned 414 12 275.00–315.00 $301.30 $1,247 —
485 unweaned 485 1 230.00 $230.00 $1,116 —
535 unweaned 535 2 235.00 $235.00 $1,257 —
560–575 unweaned 562 8 213.00–225.00 $223.46 $1,256 —
718 718 6 214.00 $214.00 $1,537 —
745 unweaned 745 2 216.00 $216.00 $1,609 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
410 unweaned 410 3 362.00 $362.00 $1,484 —
465–496 unweaned 489 9 285.00–300.00 $288.17 $1,409 +3.54
525 unweaned 525 10 282.00 $282.00 $1,480 +11.29
555–567 unweaned 565 16 252.50–256.00 $254.97 $1,441 -1.51
633 unweaned 633 11 241.00 $241.00 $1,526 +7.04
815 815 3 215.00 $215.00 $1,752 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
341 341 7 290.00 $290.00 $989 —
428 428 28 296.00 $296.00 $1,267 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
585 unweaned 585 16 215.00 $215.00 $1,258 —
719 unweaned 719 8 187.50 $187.50 $1,348 —
940 940 3 196.00 $196.00 $1,842 —
Medium 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
453 unweaned 453 7 195.00 $195.00 $883 —

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
326 326 18 305.00 $305.00 $994 —
349 unweaned 349 12 296.00–320.00 $304.00 $1,061 -12.19
350–398 unweaned 375 126 292.00–320.00 $304.27 $1,141 +3.19
391–399 392 54 296.00–300.00 $299.32 $1,173 —
400–448 unweaned 423 256 270.00–302.00 $289.58 $1,225 +3.23
462–471 463 137 274.00–291.50 $289.99 $1,343 +37.49
450–495 unweaned 470 684 260.00–293.00 $279.41 $1,313 +4.33
515 fancy 515 21 278.00 $278.00 $1,432 +1.00
500–548 unweaned 524 461 249.00–278.00 $260.17 $1,363 -3.54
523–530 526 23 250.00–252.00 $251.52 $1,323 -7.98
550–595 unweaned 567 497 237.00–257.00 $248.69 $1,410 -0.11
558–578 fancy 570 41 258.00–262.00 $259.53 $1,479 -11.19
555–591 572 59 239.00–253.00 $245.65 $1,405 -15.35
600–627 unweaned 615 83 224.00–244.00 $238.84 $1,469 +0.52
618–649 644 23 240.00–244.00 $240.67 $1,550 —
660 660 23 247.50 $247.50 $1,634 +24.50
670–689 unweaned 682 61 222.00–231.00 $225.82 $1,540 -8.55
700–711 unweaned 706 16 218.50–224.00 $221.05 $1,561 -0.99
734–746 741 32 213.00–224.00 $219.57 $1,627 +8.57
763–789 778 74 221.00–226.00 $223.12 $1,736 —
803–842 831 112 215.00–224.00 $219.86 $1,827 +1.15
867 fancy 867 92 223.00 $223.00 $1,933 —
865–893 882 89 213.50–218.50 $214.91 $1,896 +1.17
900–935 919 62 214.50–219.50 $217.82 $2,002 +4.07
953 unweaned 953 2 201.00 $201.00 $1,916 —
954 954 11 215.50 $215.50 $2,056 +5.50
1028 1028 7 190.00 $190.00 $1,953 —
1080 1080 113 189.50 $189.50 $2,047 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
274–289 unweaned 282 9 272.50–295.00 $282.20 $796 -12.80
308–345 unweaned 325 20 270.00–291.00 $278.22 $904 -14.41
350–395 unweaned 380 57 270.00–287.00 $279.40 $1,062 +4.61
400–445 unweaned 417 67 252.00–277.00 $262.34 $1,094 -1.90
450–499 unweaned 481 148 244.00–265.00 $255.57 $1,229 +2.09
501–549 unweaned 528 195 210.00–254.00 $242.65 $1,281 +2.04
552–593 unweaned 577 44 211.00–238.00 $225.57 $1,302 -10.04
602–631 unweaned 613 11 220.00–230.00 $223.75 $1,372 -4.59
654 unweaned 654 7 224.00 $224.00 $1,465 +3.00
743 unweaned 743 5 209.00 $209.00 $1,553 -5.00
758–792 780 58 202.00–219.00 $211.52 $1,650 -14.17
818–840 827 5 202.50–205.00 $203.52 $1,683 -6.75
854–899 872 30 198.00–212.00 $204.43 $1,783 -6.06
903–937 918 34 194.00–203.00 $199.40 $1,830 -3.60
966–997 973 21 192.00–196.00 $192.98 $1,878 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
347 unweaned 347 8 282.50 $282.50 $980 -7.00
397 397 21 287.00 $287.00 $1,139 —
406–407 unweaned 407 11 265.00–276.00 $268.99 $1,095 —
418 418 6 217.50 $217.50 $909 —
440 440 5 220.00 $220.00 $968 —
495 unweaned 495 3 232.50 $232.50 $1,151 -13.96
498 498 44 260.00 $260.00 $1,295 —
513 513 2 242.00 $242.00 $1,241 —
511–541 unweaned 518 34 235.00–254.00 $249.69 $1,293 +22.55
667–696 689 47 218.00–223.00 $221.87 $1,529 —
705–711 708 11 213.00–218.00 $215.26 $1,524 —
753–776 760 24 205.00–215.00 $207.98 $1,581 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
527–530 unweaned 528 24 234.00–250.00 $241.36 $1,274 +20.29
576 unweaned 576 4 209.00 $209.00 $1,204 -26.99
609–638 unweaned 623 30 226.50–233.00 $229.25 $1,428 +18.25
688 unweaned 688 3 218.00 $218.00 $1,500 +2.59
1104 1104 8 180.00 $180.00 $1,987 —
1239 1239 23 171.00 $171.00 $2,119 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
327 unweaned 327 5 245.00 $245.00 $801 -37.74
448 unweaned 448 3 210.00 $210.00 $941 -7.50
495 unweaned 495 6 207.50 $207.50 $1,027 -23.50
593 unweaned 593 4 228.50 $228.50 $1,355 +23.11
738 738 19 182.50 $182.50 $1,347 —
948 948 5 166.00 $166.00 $1,574 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
505 unweaned 505 22 210.00 $210.00 $1,060 —
Medium 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
453 unweaned 453 16 195.00 $195.00 $883 —

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
381–383 unweaned 382 15 285.00–304.00 $291.36 $1,113 —
426 unweaned 426 5 255.00 $255.00 $1,086 -26.00
514–547 unweaned 534 13 225.00–235.00 $227.96 $1,217 -22.55
760 760 2 200.00 $200.00 $1,520 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
355 unweaned 355 1 330.00 $330.00 $1,172 -29.24
585 unweaned 585 4 235.00 $235.00 $1,375 —
610–648 unweaned 621 10 220.00–231.00 $227.56 $1,413 +1.81

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Slaughter Cows

Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
875–985 933 85-90% 9 51.00–62.00 $57.74 $539 -14.47
820–975 935 85-90% 12 64.00–79.00 $73.25 $685 +1.04
965 965 85-90% 1 78.00 $78.00 $753 -6.00
1018 1018 85-90% 2 62.00 $62.00 $631 —
915–1440 1126 85-90% 88 51.00–67.50 $60.86 $685 —
1167–1205 1173 85-90% 16 96.50–100.00 $98.93 $1,160 +29.04
940–1450 1174 85-90% 431 65.00–84.00 $77.59 $911 +7.70
960–1350 1204 85-90% 248 64.00–83.00 $76.92 $926 -23.19
1005–1355 1239 85-90% 416 82.50–94.00 $87.24 $1,081 -2.81
1180–1338 1252 85-90% 111 82.00–92.00 $84.21 $1,054 -3.46
Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1278–1625 1377 80-85% 160 74.00–88.00 $84.66 $1,166 -3.52
1260–1545 1381 80-85% 169 70.00–87.00 $82.21 $1,135 -5.97
1294–1648 1415 80-85% 283 88.50–103.50 $95.34 $1,349 -2.89
1370–1645 1448 80-85% 71 101.00–109.50 $104.53 $1,514 -2.63
1310–1638 1454 80-85% 30 85.00–93.00 $86.71 $1,261 -6.53
1480–1730 1647 80-85% 3 95.00–97.00 $95.60 $1,575 —
1705 1705 80-85% 1 74.00 $74.00 $1,262 —
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1535–1820 1614 75-80% 17 85.00–104.00 $96.97 $1,565 —
1608–1710 1644 75-80% 8 94.00–97.00 $96.01 $1,578 —
1520–1810 1650 75-80% 31 97.00–108.50 $103.02 $1,700 +6.55
1620–1875 1749 75-80% 7 84.50–102.00 $93.66 $1,638 —
2055 2055 75-80% 1 96.50 $96.50 $1,983 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1130–1295 1241 4 110.00–115.00 $113.34 $1,407 —
1250–1300 1275 2 84.00–92.50 $88.17 $1,124 +5.11
1210–1725 1386 13 84.00–105.00 $93.11 $1,291 —
1535–2380 1766 41 82.00–107.00 $99.72 $1,761 —
1400–2355 1867 53 106.00–116.00 $111.20 $2,076 —
1848–1948 1881 9 105.00–109.00 $107.62 $2,024 —
1955–2225 2091 4 115.00–118.00 $116.87 $2,444 —
2565 2565 1 110.00 $110.00 $2,822 —
YG2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1433 1433 3 100.00 $100.00 $1,433 —
1631–1808 1729 9 109.00–112.00 $110.74 $1,915 —

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
785 thin fleshed 785 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 127.50 $127.50 $1,001
793 thin fleshed 793 (<2 yrs)Open 12 160.00 $160.00 $1,269
816–1390 936 (<2 yrs)Open 415 108.50–189.50 $161.89 $1,515
810–1405 1040 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 250 87.50–168.00 $117.42 $1,221
1049 1049 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 4 140.00 $140.00 $1,469
1045–1144 1122 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 33 92.50–95.00 $94.16 $1,056
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
700 thin fleshed 700 (<2 yrs)Open 2 145.00 $145.00 $1,015
778–995 903 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 13 92.00–115.00 $103.96 $939
740–1110 917 (<2 yrs)Open 15 91.00–152.00 $127.41 $1,168

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1058 1058 Aged (>8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 2 1,600.00 $1,600.00
986–1264 1081 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 62 1,585.00–2,000.00 $1,889.84
1110 1110 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 4 1,550.00 $1,550.00
1008–1318 thin fleshed 1133 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 23 1,800.00–1,985.00 $1,921.02
1176 thin fleshed 1176 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 4 1,300.00 $1,300.00
1123–1240 1183 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 8 1,700.00–1,875.00 $1,812.74
1168–1272 thin fleshed 1216 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 11 1,275.00–1,300.00 $1,281.55
1207–1425 1262 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 4 1,200.00–1,500.00 $1,284.72
1100–1337 1268 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 79 2,250.00–2,650.00 $2,427.37
1120–1563 1272 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 13 1,400.00–1,600.00 $1,527.20
1289–1301 1294 Aged (>8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 12 1,300.00–1,335.00 $1,314.66
1195–1415 1296 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 67 1,300.00–1,525.00 $1,442.76
1318 1318 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 3 1,225.00 $1,225.00
1220–1546 1326 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 25 2,100.00–2,300.00 $2,226.24
1260–1535 1355 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 34 1,375.00–1,775.00 $1,602.89
1412 1412 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 5 1,225.00 $1,225.00
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1189–1204 1197 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 9 83.00–88.00 $85.79 $1,027
1208–1355 1297 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 23 85.00–96.50 $94.47 $1,225
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1118 1118 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 1,600.00 $1,600.00
1145 1145 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 1,050.00 $1,050.00
1297 1297 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 4 1,350.00 $1,350.00
1457 1457 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 3 1,550.00 $1,550.00

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Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
932–946 936 (<2 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 70 2,125.00–2,300.00 $2,251.98
961 961 (<2 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 5 1,850.00 $1,850.00

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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.