Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, September 30, 2024

4,050 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 $248.11/cwt -1.89 vs last sale · ≈ $1,811/hd at 730 lb · 213 head
light 8-weight M&L 1 heifers $238.22/cwt +7.04 vs last sale · ≈ $1,949/hd at 818 lb · 206 head
heavy 4-weight M&L 1 steers $315.59/cwt +24.30 vs last sale · ≈ $1,505/hd at 477 lb · 115 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 4,050 9,944 5,641
Feeder cattle 2,689 3,927 4,303
Slaughter cattle 1,049 1,235 963
Replacement cattle 312 314 375

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: 400-499 lbs steer calves offered the best test this week selling sharply higher. All other steer calves were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Heifer calves were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to higher undertones were noticed. 900-999 lbs yearling steers offered the best test this week selling mostly steady to 5.00 higher. Yearling heifers under 800 lbs sold unevenly steady from 5.00 lower to 3.00 higher. 800-899 lbs yearling heifers sold 5.00 higher, yearling heifers 900 lbs and heavier sold steady to firm. Quality this week was mixed from plain to attractive. Demand was mostly moderate to good for yearlings and mostly good for calves. Very few load lots or partial load lots were seen this week. Most cattle were offered in small packages with lots of singles noticed. Most yearlings were coming off grass with a few backgrounded lots noticed. CME positions continue to push higher this past week. The October contract closed at 249.625, 2.55 higher than last Fridays close. The November contract closed Friday at 249.275, 3.575 higher than last Fridays close. Market activity this week was mostly active, with good participation seen from bidders both ringside as well as over the internet. Weigh up cows and bulls sold on mostly light to moderate demand for light to moderate offerings. Packers showed light demand for slaughter cows this week. Feeding buyers were very active again this week purchasing cows to put on feed. Slaughter cows sold steady to 3.00 higher on all classes. Feeding cow demand was mostly good. Feeding cows sold mostly 3.00-5.00 higher, after last weeks sharply lower market. Demand from packer buyers was light this week, but demand from feeding cow buyers forced cow prices higher. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 2.00-3.00 lower. Demand for feeding bulls was light this week as packers were the main buyer of feeding bulls. Feeding bulls sold generally steady. Cow and bull quality this week was mostly average. Weigh conditions were mostly average this week. Cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold mostly steady with very strong demand seen from rebreed buyers. Demand for light offerings was very good.

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
205 unweaned 205 1 420.00 $420.00 $861 -40.00
250–285 unweaned 268 2 435.00 $435.00 $1,166 -23.08
310 310 1 420.00 $420.00 $1,302 —
338–348 unweaned 345 21 395.00–397.50 $396.56 $1,368 +19.81
350–360 unweaned 352 5 385.00–405.00 $400.91 $1,411 +70.91
401–438 unweaned 409 50 332.50–387.50 $362.24 $1,482 +45.92
451–499 unweaned 477 115 300.00–330.00 $315.59 $1,505 +24.30
500–545 unweaned 518 82 290.00–320.50 $302.69 $1,568 +21.10
533 533 6 280.00 $280.00 $1,492 —
575 575 5 291.00 $291.00 $1,673 —
565–590 unweaned 579 51 270.00–291.00 $279.33 $1,617 +11.71
604–641 unweaned 617 56 276.00–288.50 $281.08 $1,734 +19.55
654–694 unweaned 667 45 254.00–280.25 $274.73 $1,832 +21.61
703 unweaned 703 10 246.00 $246.00 $1,729 -2.00
719–722 720 8 254.00–265.00 $258.14 $1,859 -15.83
757 unweaned 757 3 241.00 $241.00 $1,824 —
801 801 4 254.50 $254.50 $2,039 -2.89
852–854 854 22 245.50–249.50 $247.16 $2,111 +6.09
905–918 912 51 235.50–240.00 $236.28 $2,155 +9.32
950–957 957 33 229.00–232.00 $231.91 $2,219 +8.43
979 979 8 215.00 $215.00 $2,105 -8.48
1038 1038 3 201.00 $201.00 $2,086 -17.50
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
250 unweaned 250 1 405.00 $405.00 $1,012 +0.31
352–383 unweaned 372 16 312.50–372.50 $346.17 $1,288 +45.17
437–440 unweaned 438 21 315.00–360.00 $324.18 $1,420 +41.40
455–495 unweaned 487 5 301.00–306.00 $305.07 $1,486 +33.14
508–541 unweaned 530 19 270.00–286.00 $280.03 $1,484 +11.26
581 unweaned 581 7 262.00 $262.00 $1,522 -9.00
650 unweaned 650 5 255.00 $255.00 $1,658 —
725 725 1 260.00 $260.00 $1,885 +3.00
786–790 787 9 254.00–258.00 $257.11 $2,023 +7.86
813–838 828 23 241.00–255.00 $250.86 $2,077 +10.14
860–880 865 20 230.00–239.00 $237.00 $2,050 +4.00
901 901 5 225.00 $225.00 $2,027 —
955–998 972 5 222.00–226.00 $224.36 $2,181 —
1013 1013 3 219.00 $219.00 $2,218 —
1019 1019 8 194.00 $194.00 $1,977 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
300–348 unweaned 324 4 355.00–375.00 $364.26 $1,180 —
451 unweaned 451 8 317.00 $317.00 $1,430 —
584 584 11 255.00 $255.00 $1,489 —
583–587 unweaned 585 5 263.00–271.00 $267.81 $1,567 —
605 unweaned 605 5 254.00 $254.00 $1,537 —
1140 1140 1 213.00 $213.00 $2,428 —
1183 1183 2 207.00 $207.00 $2,449 +4.50
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
392 unweaned 392 3 275.00 $275.00 $1,078 —
505 unweaned 505 3 235.00 $235.00 $1,187 —
810–840 828 12 221.00–243.00 $233.77 $1,936 —
Medium 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
634 634 5 240.00 $240.00 $1,522 —
763 763 5 230.00 $230.00 $1,755 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
789 789 4 248.00 $248.00 $1,957 +6.00
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1138 1138 3 204.50 $204.50 $2,327 +4.50

↑ Back to top

Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
225–235 unweaned 230 2 360.00–362.50 $361.22 $831 -83.78
278–295 unweaned 287 7 360.00–385.00 $373.18 $1,071 +8.18
358–377 unweaned 364 11 317.50–335.00 $328.27 $1,195 +4.92
402–445 unweaned 426 24 306.00–342.50 $313.28 $1,335 -6.23
453–460 457 12 288.00–294.00 $291.52 $1,332 —
458–481 unweaned 466 83 285.00–301.00 $294.28 $1,371 +7.45
488 488 4 280.00 $280.00 $1,366 —
500–538 unweaned 523 41 277.00–283.00 $279.96 $1,464 +19.31
544 544 21 287.00 $287.00 $1,561 +53.00
571–588 575 9 260.00–277.00 $263.86 $1,517 —
553–590 unweaned 576 67 255.00–273.00 $263.61 $1,518 +23.67
581 581 6 225.00 $225.00 $1,307 —
614 614 5 261.00 $261.00 $1,603 -13.63
601–631 unweaned 616 10 247.00–255.00 $251.06 $1,547 +15.75
663 unweaned 663 6 241.00 $241.00 $1,598 +2.00
704–748 730 213 246.50–250.00 $248.11 $1,811 +15.61
756–794 781 104 238.00–248.00 $240.32 $1,877 -0.70
784 784 6 237.50 $237.50 $1,862 -3.52
811 811 12 225.00 $225.00 $1,825 -9.32
801–838 818 187 233.50–244.50 $239.28 $1,957 +4.96
835 835 7 232.50 $232.50 $1,941 +10.50
858 858 5 227.00 $227.00 $1,948 +6.50
869 869 4 222.00 $222.00 $1,929 -6.30
850–897 881 91 224.00–234.00 $227.36 $2,003 +9.09
913 913 3 213.00 $213.00 $1,945 -9.73
900–945 919 51 219.00–232.00 $224.53 $2,063 +1.80
956–998 975 44 212.00–219.50 $217.01 $2,116 +9.48
1001–1035 1009 23 206.00–215.50 $209.86 $2,117 +15.86
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
283–298 unweaned 293 9 320.00–355.00 $341.06 $999 +7.05
328–348 unweaned 340 12 315.00–317.50 $316.49 $1,076 +3.99
350–392 unweaned 374 16 310.00–325.00 $318.45 $1,191 +25.23
404–421 unweaned 417 37 279.00–305.00 $293.07 $1,222 -1.93
472–499 unweaned 483 21 257.50–285.00 $275.78 $1,332 +25.78
500–536 unweaned 520 16 248.00–274.00 $263.07 $1,368 -1.93
707–747 726 14 230.00–246.00 $238.43 $1,731 +3.60
733 733 3 222.00 $222.00 $1,627 -12.83
760–765 761 7 225.00–238.50 $236.56 $1,800 +0.56
800–845 819 12 217.50–235.00 $226.74 $1,857 +14.98
860–897 879 2 223.00–227.00 $224.96 $1,977 +3.46
905–913 911 5 207.00–217.50 $213.09 $1,941 +8.59
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
309 unweaned 309 5 335.00 $335.00 $1,035 —
365 unweaned 365 2 270.00 $270.00 $986 —
402 unweaned 402 11 302.50 $302.50 $1,216 —
875 875 23 224.00 $224.00 $1,960 —
1055–1095 1065 26 204.00–210.00 $208.34 $2,219 +5.54
1073 1073 3 196.50 $196.50 $2,108 -6.30
1110 1110 1 197.50 $197.50 $2,192 +2.00
1208 1208 3 194.00 $194.00 $2,344 —
1260 1260 3 152.00 $152.00 $1,915 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
562–584 570 25 250.00 $250.00 $1,425 +5.50
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
415 unweaned 415 12 288.00 $288.00 $1,195 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
303 unweaned 303 2 270.00 $270.00 $818 —
380 unweaned 380 4 245.00 $245.00 $931 —
Small 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
597 597 5 210.00 $210.00 $1,254 —

↑ Back to top

Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
328 unweaned 328 3 407.50 $407.50 $1,337 —
360–375 unweaned 365 3 335.00–340.00 $336.71 $1,229 -5.79
409–435 unweaned 414 11 337.50–387.50 $377.94 $1,565 +117.94
480 unweaned 480 1 322.50 $322.50 $1,548 —
510 unweaned 510 17 304.00 $304.00 $1,550 —
550 unweaned 550 1 282.50 $282.50 $1,554 +37.50
1055 1055 1 192.00 $192.00 $2,026 +10.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
363 unweaned 363 4 330.00 $330.00 $1,198 —
422 unweaned 422 3 310.00 $310.00 $1,308 —
454 unweaned 454 4 290.00 $290.00 $1,317 —
515 unweaned 515 1 270.00 $270.00 $1,390 +30.00
638 638 6 226.00 $226.00 $1,442 —
915 915 3 206.00–218.00 $210.00 $1,922 +10.00
960–987 976 5 214.00–218.00 $216.43 $2,112 —
1000 1000 1 182.50 $182.50 $1,825 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
457 unweaned 457 3 230.00 $230.00 $1,051 —
540 unweaned 540 3 242.50 $242.50 $1,310 —
1100–1149 1137 6 189.00–207.00 $203.36 $2,312 +20.34
1180 1180 2 201.00 $201.00 $2,372 +18.03
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1130 1130 1 195.00 $195.00 $2,204 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
790 790 1 213.00 $213.00 $1,683 —

↑ Back to top

Slaughter Cows

Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
940–960 950 85-90% 2 106.00–107.50 $106.74 $1,014 +27.50
940–980 971 85-90% 5 91.00–99.50 $96.54 $937 +3.39
1015–1128 1081 85-90% 14 72.00–93.00 $88.52 $957 —
920–1310 1166 85-90% 77 102.00–117.00 $112.27 $1,309 +13.59
1030–1315 1181 85-90% 12 106.00–120.00 $115.40 $1,363 -5.08
900–1368 1194 85-90% 299 116.00–127.00 $121.97 $1,456 +1.49
965–1265 1202 85-90% 34 127.00–134.00 $129.39 $1,555 +1.39
1055–1350 1211 85-90% 15 91.00–111.00 $101.78 $1,233 -9.01
Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
940 940 80-85% 1 102.00 $102.00 $959 —
1205–1540 1337 80-85% 17 132.50–139.00 $136.07 $1,819 —
1270–1525 1375 80-85% 17 108.00–117.00 $113.60 $1,562 +1.57
1245–1590 1377 80-85% 17 104.00–114.00 $108.60 $1,495 -3.43
1090–1645 1406 80-85% 207 118.00–132.00 $126.23 $1,775 -5.92
1263–1715 1407 80-85% 64 113.00–126.50 $121.09 $1,704 -11.06
1230–1560 1413 80-85% 4 124.00–139.00 $129.15 $1,825 -3.00
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1133–1700 1427 75-80% 5 114.00–117.00 $115.13 $1,643 —
1567 1567 75-80% 6 132.50 $132.50 $2,076 +10.58
1415–1625 1574 75-80% 8 125.00–129.50 $127.46 $2,006 +10.14
1442–1885 1680 75-80% 28 122.00–129.50 $124.51 $2,092 —
1680–1690 1685 75-80% 2 111.00–117.00 $114.01 $1,921 —

↑ Back to top

Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1260–1365 1313 2 125.00–129.00 $126.92 $1,666 —
1270–1700 1500 14 127.00–143.00 $136.80 $2,052 +0.27
1245–2020 1573 13 142.00–155.00 $145.89 $2,295 —
1365–2155 1706 51 122.00–145.00 $136.81 $2,334 —
1545–2170 1821 48 142.00–158.00 $147.32 $2,683 -3.61
2010–2115 2045 3 160.00–170.00 $163.45 $3,343 —
YG2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1829 1829 15 151.00 $151.00 $2,762 —

↑ Back to top

Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
810–1185 981 (<2 yrs)Open 100 143.00–196.00 $183.13 $1,797
975–1535 1103 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 97 125.50–182.50 $150.93 $1,665
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
773–1080 930 (<2 yrs)Open 9 140.00–180.00 $160.65 $1,494
825–1460 1027 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 17 125.00–152.50 $137.47 $1,412
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
770 770 (<2 yrs)Open 1 143.00 $143.00 $1,101

↑ Back to top

Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1080–1455 1234 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 31 1,950.00–2,200.00 $1,987.10
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1038 1038 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 4 1,875.00 $1,875.00
1125–1155 1144 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 4 1,475.00–1,800.00 $1,587.76

↑ Back to top

Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
715 715 (<2 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 12 246.00 $246.00 $1,759
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
988 988 (<2 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 4 2,000.00 $2,000.00

↑ Back to top

Dairy Cows

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
958 958 85-90% 2 98.00 $98.00 $939 —
775–1445 1110 85-90% 2 75.00–89.00 $84.11 $934 —

↑ Back to top

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.