Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, November 25, 2024

5,423 head sold ·Official USDA report

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

light 4-weight M&L 1 heifers $348.68/cwt +17.28 vs last sale · ≈ $1,480/hd at 425 lb · 279 head
light 5-weight M&L 1 steers $343.47/cwt +6.72 vs last sale · ≈ $1,821/hd at 530 lb · 208 head
light 4-weight M&L 1 steers $409.69/cwt +13.15 vs last sale · ≈ $1,725/hd at 421 lb · 186 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 5,423 15,628 10,880
Feeder cattle 2,183 7,818 7,496
Slaughter cattle 1,220 2,455 2,670
Replacement cattle 2,020 5,355 714

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: All calves were too lightly tested to develop a full market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on steers, heifers sold with steady to higher undertones. Yearling steers and heifers were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however steady undertones were noticed. Only 3 sales were held this week due to the holiday. Demand remains very good, despite a lighter offering. Quality was also not as attractive this past week as many small consignments of plainer type cattle were seen. Most light weight offerings continue to go south to wheat or west to winter grass. Demand for light weight offerings is very good. More weaned offerings are starting to be seen and these offerings are met with good demand. Calf quality this week was mostly plain to average, with a limited offering of attractive cattle seen. Cattle over 500 lbs were purchased heavily by Canadian buyers again. Most of these offerings are being shipped to Canada to feed. CME positions saw higher movement again this past week. The January contract closed Friday at 259.475, 5.175 higher than last Fridays close. The March contract closed Friday at 258.625, 5.50 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 heavy offerings. Packers showed mostly light demand for slaughter cows this week, however slaughter cow demand was slightly stronger this week compared to last. Slaughter cows sold mostly steady to 3.00 higher on all offerings. Private feeding cow buyers continue to buy all types of cows to put on feed, even lame or slightly blemished cows continue to be sent to feed. Packers purchased slightly blemished cows to put on short term feed for the upcoming holiday. These type offerings sold 1.00 to 3.00 higher. Feeding cow demand was stronger this week compared to last week. Demand was mostly good to very good, with many takers seen for all types of cows. High quality feeding cows sold mostly 1.00-3.00 higher. Slaughter bulls sold mostly generally steady. Cow and bull quality this week was mixed from plain to very attractive. Weigh conditions were mixed this week. Young cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold mostly steady. Quality overall, was average to attractive this 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
260 unweaned 260 1 525.00 $525.00 $1,365 +30.21
273 273 23 500.00 $500.00 $1,365 -12.88
305–345 322 31 450.00–480.00 $460.41 $1,483 -9.59
305–346 unweaned 334 18 440.00–480.00 $463.90 $1,549 -10.29
350–398 unweaned 379 17 415.00–426.00 $422.61 $1,602 -15.04
366–392 380 23 424.00–425.00 $424.46 $1,613 -17.68
400–449 417 71 384.00–433.00 $420.68 $1,754 +16.45
404–445 unweaned 419 57 379.00–418.00 $403.83 $1,692 +11.32
428 value added 428 58 402.00 $402.00 $1,721 —
450–478 463 36 356.00–388.00 $370.01 $1,713 +8.94
465–490 unweaned 470 37 352.00–382.50 $377.20 $1,773 +8.53
520 520 46 351.50 $351.50 $1,828 +31.50
506–548 unweaned 533 162 334.50–360.00 $341.19 $1,819 +2.81
553–562 unweaned 560 70 324.00–328.00 $325.96 $1,825 +11.51
552–585 561 11 314.00–331.00 $326.17 $1,830 +7.73
610–638 unweaned 629 46 298.00–303.00 $299.34 $1,883 +3.39
666–680 unweaned 672 10 285.00–285.50 $285.30 $1,917 -3.92
827 827 9 244.00 $244.00 $2,018 +1.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
298 298 2 450.00 $450.00 $1,341 —
365–390 unweaned 378 4 402.50–407.50 $404.92 $1,531 +27.03
423 423 6 377.50 $377.50 $1,597 +22.86
418–443 unweaned 440 19 365.00–378.00 $376.70 $1,657 +15.23
452–463 unweaned 457 9 334.00–340.00 $337.30 $1,541 +3.60
523–540 unweaned 531 16 312.50–341.00 $331.68 $1,761 +22.74
617–639 unweaned 631 17 271.00–298.00 $281.91 $1,779 -0.52
663 unweaned 663 2 261.00 $261.00 $1,730 -4.50
778 unweaned 778 4 239.50 $239.50 $1,863 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
398 unweaned 398 2 330.00 $330.00 $1,313 —
515 unweaned 515 1 290.00 $290.00 $1,494 +7.50
553 unweaned 553 5 282.50 $282.50 $1,562 +42.50

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
283 283 30 480.00 $480.00 $1,358 —
336–340 337 16 357.50–432.50 $366.97 $1,237 -4.92
380–388 unweaned 381 45 353.00–364.00 $358.28 $1,365 +2.11
409–443 414 100 322.00–369.00 $361.65 $1,497 +32.75
401–448 unweaned 428 92 325.50–355.00 $337.13 $1,443 +5.01
433 value added 433 87 346.00 $346.00 $1,498 —
452–472 463 42 318.00–334.00 $325.91 $1,509 +11.02
461–467 unweaned 464 18 316.00–321.00 $318.16 $1,476 +5.68
478 value added 478 9 324.50 $324.50 $1,551 —
521 521 11 293.00 $293.00 $1,527 -4.73
506–547 unweaned 523 157 288.00–311.00 $301.34 $1,576 -1.23
550–566 unweaned 556 55 272.00–275.00 $273.69 $1,522 -2.93
589 589 7 267.00 $267.00 $1,573 -28.50
605–641 unweaned 626 50 252.00–270.00 $266.95 $1,671 +6.85
803–849 818 12 233.00–234.00 $233.65 $1,911 -5.00
872 872 5 233.00 $233.00 $2,032 +2.38
909–920 913 18 227.50–229.50 $228.28 $2,084 +2.98
1015 1015 8 213.00 $213.00 $2,162 +1.76
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
323–345 unweaned 334 36 352.00–425.00 $360.84 $1,205 +13.29
349 349 13 337.50 $337.50 $1,178 -12.50
362–374 unweaned 365 25 322.50–342.50 $329.36 $1,202 -3.44
412–428 421 14 290.00–319.00 $302.16 $1,272 -17.33
427–444 unweaned 437 39 292.50–318.00 $307.97 $1,346 +5.46
490 unweaned 490 4 281.00 $281.00 $1,377 -12.76
543 unweaned 543 4 283.00 $283.00 $1,537 +14.03
560–587 unweaned 576 5 265.00–266.00 $265.61 $1,530 +2.14
714–741 728 32 239.00–247.00 $243.44 $1,772 +4.07
765–770 767 5 232.50–233.00 $232.80 $1,786 +2.00
893 893 2 210.00 $210.00 $1,875 -9.82
980 980 3 209.00 $209.00 $2,048 +3.86
1010–1018 1017 10 202.00 $202.00 $2,054 +3.54
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1053–1074 1069 13 200.00–202.00 $201.55 $2,155 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
488 unweaned 488 3 280.00 $280.00 $1,366 —
545 unweaned 545 5 265.00 $265.00 $1,444 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
696 696 7 244.00 $244.00 $1,698 -3.47
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
503 unweaned 503 2 283.00 $283.00 $1,423 —

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
413–447 unweaned 439 8 331.00–375.00 $341.36 $1,499 -12.30
474 474 4 342.50 $342.50 $1,623 —
481 unweaned 481 7 343.00 $343.00 $1,650 —
514 514 6 324.00 $324.00 $1,665 —
520 unweaned 520 1 311.00 $311.00 $1,617 -5.84
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
614 614 5 240.00 $240.00 $1,474 —
990 990 2 217.50 $217.50 $2,153 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1280 1280 1 170.00 $170.00 $2,176 —
1300 1300 4 175.00 $175.00 $2,275 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
497 unweaned 497 3 295.00 $295.00 $1,466 —
720 unweaned 720 1 225.00 $225.00 $1,620 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1113 1113 2 177.50 $177.50 $1,976 —

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Slaughter Cows

Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
790–980 875 85-90% 7 67.50–75.00 $72.57 $635 —
873–985 915 85-90% 5 82.50–103.00 $93.26 $853 -8.30
950–965 958 85-90% 2 99.00–101.00 $99.99 $958 +19.61
1105 1105 85-90% 1 82.50 $82.50 $912 -41.47
1065–1230 1121 85-90% 23 120.00–124.50 $122.96 $1,378 -1.01
980–1264 1134 85-90% 34 70.00–87.50 $81.64 $926 -42.33
945–1283 1153 85-90% 37 86.00–103.00 $94.35 $1,088 -5.63
1088–1285 1154 85-90% 7 103.00–106.00 $104.70 $1,208 +4.72
960–1295 1172 85-90% 214 92.00–110.00 $102.95 $1,207 +2.97
930–1287 1199 85-90% 197 108.00–122.50 $114.82 $1,377 +26.97
Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1270–1525 1373 80-85% 11 102.00–113.00 $108.97 $1,496 -8.10
1312–1620 1386 80-85% 58 123.00–125.50 $123.92 $1,718 -0.31
1208–1675 1395 80-85% 254 108.50–123.00 $117.19 $1,635 -6.81
1263–1745 1395 80-85% 71 95.00–114.00 $105.94 $1,478 -18.06
1265–1523 1405 80-85% 8 121.00–123.00 $121.36 $1,705 +16.02
1365–1610 1412 80-85% 12 85.00–91.00 $88.65 $1,252 -16.69
1305–1585 1473 80-85% 7 92.00–102.00 $97.76 $1,440 -6.81
1580 1580 80-85% 1 81.00 $81.00 $1,280 —
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1443–1805 1611 75-80% 22 117.00–125.75 $120.98 $1,949 +1.58
1530–1845 1615 75-80% 39 118.00–124.00 $121.23 $1,958 +1.83
1545–1770 1635 75-80% 4 127.50–134.25 $130.07 $2,127 +12.45
1550–1778 1695 75-80% 8 107.00–116.00 $114.09 $1,934 +21.09
1510–1945 1729 75-80% 6 110.00–116.00 $111.94 $1,935 -13.74

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1300–1450 1376 4 140.00–144.00 $142.70 $1,964 —
1195–2005 1548 26 124.00–143.00 $137.41 $2,127 +3.22
1325–2200 1665 25 111.00–135.00 $127.41 $2,121 +2.41
1540–2150 1877 14 135.00–149.00 $141.81 $2,662 +0.14
YG2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
2058 2058 2 136.00 $136.00 $2,799 —

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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 (<2 yrs)Open 1 185.00 $185.00 $1,452
708–1310 960 (<2 yrs)Open 251 140.00–225.00 $186.85 $1,794
830–1420 1133 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 93 120.50–176.00 $136.13 $1,542
1080–1345 1231 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 7 119.00–121.00 $120.56 $1,484
1364 1364 (<2 yrs)Open 4 170.00 $170.00 $2,319
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
835 thin fleshed 835 (<2 yrs)Open 1 135.00 $135.00 $1,127
908 thin fleshed 908 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 101.00 $101.00 $917
710–1290 959 (<2 yrs)Open 21 123.00–175.00 $147.19 $1,412
865–1275 1045 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 25 115.50–145.00 $127.39 $1,331
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
665 665 (<2 yrs)Open 2 197.50 $197.50 $1,313

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1033–1128 thin fleshed 1057 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 16 1,575.00–1,585.00 $1,577.67
1125 thin fleshed 1125 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 1,775.00 $1,775.00
1138–1173 thin fleshed 1163 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 10 1,175.00–1,300.00 $1,263.29
1140–1185 1163 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 2 1,800.00–1,900.00 $1,850.97
1046–1422 1189 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 116 2,275.00–2,700.00 $2,475.98
1053–1373 1215 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 18 2,300.00–2,460.00 $2,380.51
1132–1495 1301 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 469 1,675.00–1,975.00 $1,810.46
1257–1435 1338 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 9 1,925.00–2,050.00 $1,988.43
1338 1338 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 17 1,685.00 $1,685.00
1304–1366 1343 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 43 2,200.00–2,350.00 $2,295.80
1205–1493 1368 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 32 2,200.00–2,500.00 $2,320.04
1290–1418 1368 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 36 1,675.00–1,800.00 $1,728.13
1179–1615 1372 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 241 1,750.00–2,300.00 $2,013.46
1410–1412 1411 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 34 1,800.00–1,885.00 $1,855.03
1292–1546 1415 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 57 1,950.00–2,500.00 $2,189.59
1478 1478 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 5 1,850.00 $1,850.00
1541 1541 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 9 1,950.00 $1,950.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1070 1070 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 1,750.00 $1,750.00
970–1135 1073 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 4 1,950.00–2,150.00 $2,042.46
1192 1192 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 3 1,625.00 $1,625.00
1160–1256 1252 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 26 2,200.00–2,250.00 $2,248.22
1273 1273 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 6 1,600.00 $1,600.00
1234–1414 1292 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 42 1,535.00–1,750.00 $1,591.88
1268–1395 1305 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 15 1,950.00–2,035.00 $1,997.99
1227–1426 1317 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 35 1,675.00–1,710.00 $1,693.57
1330 1330 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 2 2,000.00 $2,000.00
1350–1401 1383 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 14 1,800.00–1,875.00 $1,826.15
1383–1415 1394 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 3 1,800.00–2,000.00 $1,867.69
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1200 thin fleshed 1200 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 107.00 $107.00 $1,284
1186–1593 1281 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 44 109.00–120.00 $113.31 $1,452
1336 thin fleshed 1336 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 6 111.50 $111.50 $1,490
Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1086 1086 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 7 2,035.00 $2,035.00
1255 1255 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 4 1,750.00 $1,750.00
1282 1282 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 10 1,985.00 $1,985.00
1339 1339 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 20 1,860.00 $1,860.00
Medium 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
885 885 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 1,900.00 $1,900.00
903 903 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 1,950.00 $1,950.00

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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.