Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, December 9, 2024

16,801 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 $324.34/cwt -1.31 vs last sale · ≈ $1,864/hd at 575 lb · 560 head
light 5-weight M&L 1 heifers $320.31/cwt +4.89 vs last sale · ≈ $1,677/hd at 524 lb · 484 head
heavy 4-weight M&L 1 steers $382.68/cwt +6.62 vs last sale · ≈ $1,820/hd at 476 lb · 480 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 16,801 17,629 6,205
Feeder cattle 6,777 9,160 3,740
Slaughter cattle 1,467 2,045 1,844
Replacement cattle 8,557 841 621

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Steer calves under 450 lbs sold 5.00-10.00 lower on a smaller offering and poorer quality. Steers 450-549 lbs sold generally steady to 5.00 higher. Steers 550-599 lbs sold steady to 5.00 lower. Steers over 600 lbs sold mostly steady to 5.00 higher. Heifer calves under 450 lbs sold steady to weak. 450-599 lbs sold mostly 5.00 higher. heifers over 600 lbs sold generally steady to firm. Yearling steers and heifers were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Demand remains very good for all offerings. Offerings were moderate. Quality was mixed this week from plain to very attractive. Most light weight offerings continue to go south to wheat or west to winter grass. Demand for light weight offerings remains good, however fewer buyers were seen for this class of calves this week. CME positions continue to gain some ground after last weeks lower movement. The January contract closed Friday at 257.65, 1.825 higher than last Fridays close. The March contract closed Friday at 254.675 257.67, 2.995 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 moderate offerings. Packers showed mostly light to moderate demand for slaughter cows this week and slightly stronger demand for slaughter cows this week compared to last. Slaughter cows sold mostly 3.00 on breaking cows, boning and lean cows sold steady to firm. 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 steady 2.00 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, suitable to feed to premium white sold mostly steady to firm. Slaughter bulls sold mostly steady. Cow and bull quality this week was average to attractive. Weigh conditions were mostly average this past week. Young cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold mostly steady to 5.00 higher. Quality overall, was average to very attractive this week. With very good demand seen for 1 iron home raised cows all off one ranch.

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
280–287 285 9 505.00–525.00 $513.07 $1,462 -0.80
290 unweaned 290 1 510.00 $510.00 $1,479 ±0.00
307–346 338 27 450.00–515.00 $463.75 $1,567 -24.83
355–396 363 81 415.00–462.50 $449.42 $1,631 -16.33
355–383 unweaned 368 6 410.00–450.00 $428.82 $1,578 -14.57
408–442 unweaned 425 20 380.00–408.00 $389.55 $1,656 -22.07
400–448 433 128 400.00–440.00 $405.57 $1,756 -15.14
470 470 4 340.00 $340.00 $1,598 -37.90
450–499 471 343 360.00–411.00 $388.80 $1,831 +10.90
459–498 unweaned 488 133 357.50–391.00 $368.17 $1,797 -1.49
505–532 unweaned 526 98 346.00–361.00 $352.87 $1,856 -3.79
530 530 26 336.00 $336.00 $1,781 -18.45
500–548 535 296 335.00–371.00 $347.63 $1,860 -6.82
551–596 572 351 308.50–345.50 $328.53 $1,879 +2.40
553–589 unweaned 579 209 307.75–341.00 $317.30 $1,837 -5.30
601–639 612 195 299.00–318.00 $311.24 $1,905 +6.23
600–648 unweaned 615 194 294.00–314.00 $307.04 $1,888 +3.58
653–698 unweaned 667 118 287.00–302.00 $294.27 $1,963 +0.47
655–699 669 88 285.50–301.00 $295.86 $1,979 +6.26
704–736 unweaned 713 38 269.00–293.00 $285.99 $2,039 +19.99
700–745 714 20 279.00–299.50 $292.57 $2,089 +17.95
751–776 unweaned 764 10 259.00–276.00 $267.36 $2,043 +9.36
753–776 771 43 258.00–278.00 $267.28 $2,061 +6.73
807 unweaned 807 3 244.00 $244.00 $1,969 —
800–833 827 12 253.00–262.00 $258.78 $2,140 +5.41
860–895 881 20 254.00 $254.00 $2,238 +8.50
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
295 295 2 495.00 $495.00 $1,460 —
305 305 1 430.00 $430.00 $1,312 -10.92
370–398 388 16 375.00–405.00 $392.94 $1,525 -20.95
393–394 unweaned 393 17 397.50–405.00 $401.91 $1,580 +16.91
403–445 unweaned 426 12 365.00–392.00 $379.06 $1,615 +1.28
400–447 429 67 352.00–397.50 $374.04 $1,605 +9.01
450–490 460 46 330.00–373.00 $361.13 $1,661 +26.31
506–515 unweaned 508 16 318.00–333.00 $320.85 $1,630 -3.30
505–539 531 25 286.00–343.00 $297.54 $1,580 -35.43
555–569 unweaned 564 9 301.00–305.00 $302.31 $1,705 +3.61
551–598 580 26 293.00–309.00 $299.73 $1,738 +10.95
605–627 unweaned 622 4 285.00–295.00 $287.43 $1,788 -3.77
648 648 2 279.00 $279.00 $1,808 —
687 unweaned 687 8 280.00 $280.00 $1,924 +11.28
721–728 724 11 254.00–277.00 $268.58 $1,945 +19.58
768–788 784 11 254.00–255.00 $254.18 $1,993 +21.18
808 808 11 248.00 $248.00 $2,004 —
955 955 4 231.00 $231.00 $2,206 +6.00
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
376 376 12 405.00 $405.00 $1,523 —
416–444 425 13 367.00–375.00 $369.57 $1,571 +44.57
465 465 4 337.00 $337.00 $1,567 —
576–592 585 17 296.00–307.50 $300.66 $1,759 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
625 625 4 285.00 $285.00 $1,781 —
703 703 12 270.00 $270.00 $1,898 —
1165 1165 1 221.00 $221.00 $2,575 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
441 441 7 280.00 $280.00 $1,235 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
408 408 6 300.00 $300.00 $1,224 —

↑ Back to top

Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
303–341 324 90 375.00–409.00 $389.15 $1,261 -12.13
368–391 unweaned 381 36 347.50–400.00 $377.68 $1,439 +7.27
362–399 383 35 360.00–395.00 $378.45 $1,449 -6.49
400–439 413 168 344.00–375.00 $357.50 $1,476 +10.54
402–449 unweaned 428 30 341.00–365.00 $350.33 $1,499 +0.05
452–498 463 219 311.00–360.00 $339.67 $1,573 +10.14
456–495 unweaned 477 212 314.00–342.00 $334.81 $1,597 +5.76
500–539 unweaned 518 133 285.00–331.00 $322.73 $1,672 +12.41
502–548 524 248 311.00–330.00 $318.31 $1,668 +1.49
530 530 103 322.00 $322.00 $1,707 +5.18
552–557 556 109 302.00–309.50 $308.20 $1,714 +14.46
555–597 unweaned 573 70 275.00–307.00 $296.63 $1,700 +0.05
553–599 582 173 276.00–309.00 $292.03 $1,700 -1.71
600–644 unweaned 622 137 262.00–286.00 $274.32 $1,706 +0.51
603–646 633 63 265.00–282.00 $272.71 $1,726 +0.90
653–674 661 37 251.00–265.00 $258.71 $1,710 -3.01
660–675 unweaned 668 11 244.00–259.00 $250.73 $1,675 -7.84
704 704 30 255.75 $255.75 $1,800 +14.20
705–742 713 102 240.00–255.00 $251.37 $1,792 +9.82
730 unweaned 730 1 242.00 $242.00 $1,767 +1.71
783 783 9 239.00 $239.00 $1,871 -12.63
810–846 821 20 239.00–249.50 $246.65 $2,025 +8.65
849 849 5 224.00 $224.00 $1,902 -8.93
888 888 5 242.00 $242.00 $2,149 -6.14
913–924 918 61 226.00–247.00 $237.25 $2,178 -0.94
958 958 3 216.00 $216.00 $2,069 -4.21
1000–1037 1011 40 213.75–219.50 $215.35 $2,177 +1.18
1175 1175 3 191.00 $191.00 $2,244 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
317–336 331 14 365.00–400.00 $378.89 $1,254 +5.78
354–397 367 39 320.00–370.00 $350.82 $1,288 +6.06
401–422 unweaned 408 9 325.00–335.00 $328.45 $1,340 +19.49
409–448 436 101 315.00–335.00 $327.57 $1,428 +4.15
462–499 483 22 297.00–320.00 $313.87 $1,516 +4.73
504–545 unweaned 516 23 280.00–300.00 $296.17 $1,528 +14.18
505–549 537 51 262.50–301.00 $289.08 $1,552 -8.02
559–598 573 18 261.00–294.00 $274.15 $1,571 +16.81
583 unweaned 583 8 268.00 $268.00 $1,562 +3.84
614–640 unweaned 632 22 241.00–255.00 $246.46 $1,558 -4.68
620–648 635 8 248.00–263.00 $254.47 $1,616 +8.47
663 663 2 251.00 $251.00 $1,664 —
709–730 721 27 239.00–246.00 $243.48 $1,755 +2.48
778 778 12 245.00 $245.00 $1,906 -2.50
840 840 8 242.00 $242.00 $2,033 +17.73
855 855 1 215.00 $215.00 $1,838 -7.90
853–861 859 10 222.00–226.00 $225.21 $1,935 +2.31
944 944 11 225.00–227.00 $226.09 $2,134 —
988 988 6 218.00 $218.00 $2,154 +12.72
1033–1046 1041 18 206.00–211.00 $207.76 $2,163 +2.76
1093 1093 7 201.00 $201.00 $2,197 +29.00
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
314 314 11 395.00 $395.00 $1,240 +30.99
364–371 369 34 355.00–362.50 $360.76 $1,331 +23.84
403 403 3 322.50 $322.50 $1,300 -1.50
422–428 425 11 330.00–344.00 $336.41 $1,430 +12.41
486 486 9 262.50 $262.50 $1,276 -39.50
546 546 7 288.00 $288.00 $1,572 +2.00
563 563 6 263.00 $263.00 $1,481 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
430–448 446 8 304.00–318.00 $316.31 $1,411 —
499 499 34 304.00 $304.00 $1,517 —
570–595 591 7 264.00–277.50 $265.86 $1,571 -14.14
638 638 4 258.00–262.00 $260.00 $1,659 —
1180 1180 4 185.00 $185.00 $2,183 -8.93
1205–1223 1217 6 182.00–189.00 $186.69 $2,272 —
Medium 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
575 575 14 220.00 $220.00 $1,265 —
685–699 692 14 220.00–226.00 $224.44 $1,553 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
293 unweaned 293 4 345.00 $345.00 $1,011 —
458 unweaned 458 3 284.00 $284.00 $1,301 +0.48
541 unweaned 541 4 240.00 $240.00 $1,298 —
708 708 5 230.00 $230.00 $1,628 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
387 387 7 277.50 $277.50 $1,074 —

↑ Back to top

Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
341 341 33 455.00 $455.00 $1,552 —
382 382 70 425.00 $425.00 $1,624 —
500–548 532 19 321.00–325.00 $323.78 $1,723 —
560 unweaned 560 2 305.00–315.00 $310.00 $1,736 +7.54
560–595 589 19 301.00–309.00 $305.88 $1,802 -0.12
614 614 17 293.00 $293.00 $1,799 —
642 unweaned 642 5 280.00 $280.00 $1,798 -4.00
718 718 5 242.00 $242.00 $1,738 —
762 unweaned 762 3 245.00 $245.00 $1,867 —
774–794 784 23 234.00–238.00 $236.11 $1,851 —
855 855 1 232.00 $232.00 $1,984 —
975 975 3 222.00 $222.00 $2,164 -0.50
1020 1020 17 219.00 $219.00 $2,234 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1130 1130 1 212.50 $212.50 $2,401 +2.50
1180 1180 1 180.00 $180.00 $2,124 —
1280 1280 4 154.00 $154.00 $1,971 —
1332 1332 4 186.00 $186.00 $2,478 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
530–545 538 4 290.00–319.00 $304.70 $1,639 -13.30
605 605 3 294.00 $294.00 $1,779 +16.91
685 685 2 227.50 $227.50 $1,558 —
Medium 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1005 1005 5 119.50 $119.50 $1,201 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1173 1173 2 182.50 $182.50 $2,141 —

↑ Back to top

Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1205–1635 1360 80-85% 71 125.00–131.50 $126.88 $1,726 -1.77
1263–1675 1398 80-85% 142 91.00–116.50 $107.41 $1,502 -1.41
1268–1750 1404 80-85% 354 113.00–126.00 $120.02 $1,685 +23.38
1310–1688 1465 80-85% 21 87.00–102.00 $93.46 $1,369 -17.08
1470 1470 80-85% 1 120.00 $120.00 $1,764 +9.46
1315–1685 1509 80-85% 16 103.00–118.00 $110.00 $1,660 —
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
750–995 889 85-90% 8 82.50–99.00 $90.76 $807 +0.27
810–985 925 85-90% 14 65.00–85.00 $74.55 $690 —
980–1365 1133 85-90% 174 92.00–114.00 $106.05 $1,202 +11.17
1015–1300 1153 85-90% 29 60.00–87.00 $78.75 $908 —
1005–1243 1160 85-90% 21 87.50–101.00 $95.24 $1,105 -21.37
1015–1230 1186 85-90% 90 124.00–132.50 $127.65 $1,514 +11.04
1000–1301 1199 85-90% 192 110.00–124.50 $117.53 $1,409 +0.92
1165–1225 1199 85-90% 4 104.00–110.50 $106.91 $1,282 -9.70
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1455–1694 1597 75-80% 26 120.00–123.00 $122.34 $1,954 +10.33
1497–1795 1602 75-80% 26 111.50–120.50 $116.66 $1,869 +0.39
1614–1739 1682 75-80% 16 124.00–127.00 $124.99 $2,102 +3.98
1465–1962 1722 75-80% 12 109.00–121.00 $117.26 $2,019 —
1530–2040 1785 75-80% 2 129.50–134.50 $131.64 $2,350 —
1875 1875 75-80% 1 131.00 $131.00 $2,456 —

↑ Back to top

Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1065–1335 1266 7 110.00–126.00 $120.18 $1,521 —
1385 1385 1 144.00 $144.00 $1,994 —
1320–2002 1608 27 126.00–146.00 $135.88 $2,185 -1.46
1588–1863 1709 7 144.00–148.00 $146.04 $2,496 +15.34
1365–2390 1839 48 117.50–146.00 $136.49 $2,510 —
1500–2355 1933 23 139.00–150.00 $146.20 $2,826 —
2080 2080 1 151.00 $151.00 $3,141 —

↑ Back to top

Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
775 thin fleshed 775 (<2 yrs)Open 1 190.00 $190.00 $1,472
728–1315 924 (<2 yrs)Open 582 140.00–234.50 $207.06 $1,913
793–1490 1103 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 198 121.00–201.00 $150.78 $1,663
1147–1233 1201 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 32 124.00–141.00 $130.09 $1,562
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
835 thin fleshed 835 (<2 yrs)Open 1 175.00 $175.00 $1,461
815–1382 1016 (<2 yrs)Open 19 131.00–193.00 $161.09 $1,637
795–1270 1026 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 19 114.00–175.00 $134.61 $1,381
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
780–955 868 (<2 yrs)Open 2 160.00–195.00 $175.73 $1,525
945–1155 1050 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 130.00–175.00 $150.25 $1,578

↑ Back to top

Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
775–1062 thin fleshed 819 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 62 2,700.00–2,875.00 $2,823.38
856–1138 955 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 25 2,100.00–2,375.00 $2,302.20
931–1096 thin fleshed 1006 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 11 2,400.00–2,500.00 $2,450.48
970–1279 1090 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 240 2,275.00–3,050.00 $2,827.70
1077–1175 thin fleshed 1129 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 17 1,700.00–1,900.00 $1,789.79
1129 1129 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 7 2,400.00 $2,400.00
929–1549 1166 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 2,491 2,375.00–3,525.00 $3,139.98
1183–1500 1199 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 20 1,950.00–2,050.00 $2,043.74
1148–1473 1234 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 41 1,650.00–2,000.00 $1,864.33
1239 1239 Aged (>8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 6 1,650.00 $1,650.00
1085–1462 1247 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 11 2,300.00–2,600.00 $2,474.61
1189–1397 1251 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 244 2,725.00–2,900.00 $2,831.73
1170–1651 1323 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 627 2,575.00–3,400.00 $3,039.12
1111–1645 1334 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 597 1,785.00–2,650.00 $2,268.68
1200–1706 1350 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 543 2,025.00–3,100.00 $2,741.14
1399–1518 1425 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 9 3,500.00–3,600.00 $3,576.33
1705 1705 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 3 3,000.00 $3,000.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
995 995 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 2 2,400.00 $2,400.00
1014 1014 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 5 1,450.00 $1,450.00
930–1365 1081 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 57 2,000.00–2,600.00 $2,498.29
1045–1125 1085 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 2 1,850.00–1,950.00 $1,898.16
1155 thin fleshed 1155 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 6 1,200.00 $1,200.00
1123–1311 1192 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 19 1,950.00–2,250.00 $2,128.47
1148–1318 1245 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 14 2,550.00 $2,550.00
1170–1479 1310 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 33 1,600.00–1,975.00 $1,873.21
1430 1430 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 2 2,000.00 $2,000.00
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1303 thin fleshed 1303 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 34 131.00 $131.00 $1,707
1392 1392 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 12 126.00 $126.00 $1,754
Medium 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
891 891 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 6 2,450.00 $2,450.00
984–995 985 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 10 1,850.00–2,550.00 $2,479.30
Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1365–1450 1429 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 4 2,000.00–2,100.00 $2,023.88
1555 1555 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 1 2,000.00 $2,000.00
Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1220 1220 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 2 1,675.00 $1,675.00

↑ Back to top

Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
895–910 thin fleshed 908 (<2 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 78 2,875.00–2,900.00 $2,878.79
849–1215 1007 (<2 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 1,243 2,300.00–3,550.00 $2,996.47
953–1188 1031 (<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 115 2,800.00–3,450.00 $3,203.26
1010–1135 1040 (<2 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 15 2,250.00–2,600.00 $2,517.52
Medium 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
880–936 thin fleshed 884 (<2 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 62 2,700.00–2,725.00 $2,704.02
863–934 913 (<2 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 10 2,000.00–2,350.00 $2,250.72
879–982 936 (<2 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 293 2,400.00–2,800.00 $2,682.70
898–953 942 (<2 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 29 1,900.00–2,500.00 $2,381.61
Medium 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
932–934 933 (<2 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 51 2,350.00–2,375.00 $2,365.67
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1005 1005 (<2 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 17 2,750.00 $2,750.00

↑ Back to top

Dairy Cows

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1370 1370 80-85% 1 122.00 $122.00 $1,671 —
1687 1687 85-90% 6 89.00 $89.00 $1,501 —

↑ 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.