Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, January 13, 2025

9,145 head sold ·Official USDA report

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

light 5-weight M&L 1 heifers $332.21/cwt -6.89 vs last sale · ≈ $1,721/hd at 518 lb · 597 head
light 6-weight M&L 1 steers $327.41/cwt -3.84 vs last sale · ≈ $2,028/hd at 619 lb · 551 head
heavy 5-weight M&L 1 steers $345.36/cwt -3.08 vs last sale · ≈ $1,982/hd at 574 lb · 539 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 9,145 6,007 2,217
Feeder cattle 6,698 4,879 1,614
Slaughter cattle 1,210 860 450
Replacement cattle 1,237 268 153

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last report(12-16-24): Steer calves under 450 lbs were too lightly tested to develop a full market trend, however steady to lower undertones were noticed. Steers 450 lbs and heavier sold mostly steady to 10.00 lower, except 500-549 lbs which sold steady to 5.00 higher. Heifers under 450 lbs were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market however steady undertones were noticed. Heifers 450 lbs and heavier sold steady to 8.00 lower. Demand was mostly good for heavy offerings. Ranchers continue to market cattle early as many are opting to sell cattle due to very good market conditions. CME positions have moved higher since the holidays fueled by higher slaughter cattle prices. The January contract closed Friday at 273.50, 1.15 higher than last Fridays close. The March contract closed Friday at 268.05, 1.35 lower than last Fridays close. Quality this week was mostly average to very attractive. Package sizes were mostly moderate this week as several sales had feeder cattle specials. A large crowd of bidders were at the sale ringside as well as over the internet actively bidding on offerings. Market activity was active as a result. Weigh up cows sold on mostly moderate to good demand for light to moderate offerings. Packers showed slightly stronger demand for slaughter cows compared to last week as they showed need for cows for immediate harvest. Slaughter cows sold steady to 4.00 higher on breaking cows, boning and lean cows sold unevenly steady from 2.00 lower to 3.00 higher. Feeding cow demand remains very good. Private buyers and packer buyers both showed very good demand for any cows suitable to feed. Even slightly lame or slightly blemished cows sold to feeding buyers. Feeding cows sold mostly steady to 1.00 higher on both short term and high quality cows suitable to feed to premium white. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 1.00-3.00 higher. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Quality this week was mostly average. A large portion of the young cow offering was purchased to feed 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
275 275 1 530.00 $530.00 $1,458 —
300–333 322 5 470.00–510.00 $483.30 $1,556 +1.10
357–380 362 14 458.00–495.00 $472.60 $1,711 +11.94
386 unweaned 386 5 447.50 $447.50 $1,727 —
408–444 416 116 394.00–453.00 $430.88 $1,792 +9.60
450–493 472 257 370.00–417.50 $388.32 $1,833 -1.58
500–549 527 346 347.00–389.00 $368.31 $1,941 +5.92
550–598 574 539 330.00–355.00 $345.36 $1,982 -3.08
603 thin fleshed 603 49 341.50 $341.50 $2,059 —
600–647 621 502 305.00–336.50 $326.03 $2,025 -5.22
655–699 685 242 290.00–310.00 $300.73 $2,060 -17.88
701–748 718 210 280.00–308.50 $297.87 $2,139 +3.29
758–788 771 23 270.00–284.00 $275.23 $2,122 -7.02
808–845 833 134 260.00–270.00 $266.68 $2,221 -1.39
881–895 883 8 261.00–264.00 $263.62 $2,328 -3.08
931 931 30 256.00 $256.00 $2,383 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
333–345 340 8 445.00–475.00 $464.27 $1,579 —
362–398 379 29 415.00–465.00 $431.78 $1,636 +7.88
428–446 441 11 377.50–387.50 $384.85 $1,697 +6.35
474 unweaned 474 8 315.00 $315.00 $1,493 —
453–496 476 71 350.00–375.00 $363.17 $1,729 -9.50
505–541 519 24 321.00–357.00 $341.63 $1,773 -7.15
576 unweaned 576 23 281.00 $281.00 $1,619 —
556–599 588 104 290.00–337.00 $312.97 $1,840 -8.79
608 unweaned 608 5 271.00 $271.00 $1,648 —
605–640 624 37 287.00–309.00 $296.09 $1,848 -20.73
650–695 671 17 279.00–306.00 $287.04 $1,926 +16.12
725–743 735 9 275.00–285.00 $278.89 $2,050 -3.05
757–779 774 12 259.00–278.00 $263.65 $2,041 -13.01
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
325 325 3 465.00 $465.00 $1,511 —
430–449 441 26 367.50–375.00 $371.91 $1,640 +7.91
458–492 478 13 345.00–363.00 $355.40 $1,699 —
507–535 521 28 320.00–355.00 $345.88 $1,802 —
567–599 578 115 316.50–328.00 $323.09 $1,867 —
637 637 48 305.00 $305.00 $1,943 —
750 750 11 265.00 $265.00 $1,988 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
601–625 608 18 277.00–305.00 $286.61 $1,743 —
704–736 709 40 272.50–286.00 $274.60 $1,947 —
792–795 794 14 254.00–276.00 $271.30 $2,154 —
1170 1170 3 222.00 $222.00 $2,597 +7.00
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
425 425 3 345.00 $345.00 $1,466 -42.50
477–490 482 5 325.00–350.00 $339.84 $1,638 +29.84
589 589 5 297.50 $297.50 $1,752 —
741 741 4 283.00 $283.00 $2,097 —
797 797 3 264.00 $264.00 $2,104 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
445 445 9 383.00 $383.00 $1,704 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
540 540 7 312.50 $312.50 $1,688 —
Medium 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
441 441 4 270.00 $270.00 $1,191 —

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
355–392 384 10 375.00–400.00 $382.42 $1,468 -3.15
413–447 436 142 349.00–390.00 $360.35 $1,571 -8.64
450–490 474 240 329.00–358.00 $345.84 $1,639 -10.19
504 thin fleshed 504 74 348.50 $348.50 $1,756 -0.50
500–545 520 523 319.00–346.00 $329.90 $1,715 -9.05
554 554 69 339.50 $339.50 $1,881 +27.56
550–594 578 293 292.00–324.00 $303.94 $1,757 -8.00
600–648 624 227 285.00–299.50 $296.13 $1,848 +3.15
651 fancy 651 15 293.00 $293.00 $1,907 —
657–696 677 116 263.00–287.00 $270.83 $1,834 -7.91
698 698 2 255.00 $255.00 $1,780 -6.00
703–746 719 51 253.00–264.00 $259.65 $1,867 -7.09
778 fancy 778 30 257.00 $257.00 $1,999 —
805–817 816 33 241.00–252.00 $247.27 $2,018 -6.39
874 874 20 238.00 $238.00 $2,080 +6.00
949 949 5 230.00 $230.00 $2,183 —
970 970 1 233.00 $233.00 $2,260 +2.27
1023 1023 15 221.00 $221.00 $2,261 —
1090–1093 1091 5 119.00–213.00 $156.66 $1,709 —
1142 1142 6 209.50 $209.50 $2,392 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
344 344 10 378.00 $378.00 $1,300 +33.00
350–385 363 8 355.00–375.00 $365.69 $1,327 -4.71
400–444 420 45 320.00–347.50 $344.72 $1,448 -3.79
455–498 471 20 305.00–325.00 $313.53 $1,477 -7.00
505–545 526 64 300.00–319.00 $311.28 $1,637 -3.57
558–593 577 17 285.00–294.00 $288.64 $1,665 +2.76
600–648 632 14 244.00–280.00 $265.12 $1,676 -17.52
658–683 670 20 253.00–261.00 $257.42 $1,725 +5.42
705–740 723 11 234.00–244.00 $238.96 $1,728 -10.75
817 817 3 222.00 $222.00 $1,814 -14.00
873 873 2 231.00 $231.00 $2,017 ±0.00
907–948 929 16 202.00–230.00 $215.99 $2,007 -17.01
974 974 10 215.00 $215.00 $2,094 —
1013–1045 1030 7 210.00 $210.00 $2,163 ±0.00
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
443 443 17 312.50 $312.50 $1,384 —
481–499 485 23 310.00–329.00 $313.40 $1,520 —
534–540 537 16 275.00–295.00 $293.30 $1,575 —
570–578 574 13 280.00–286.00 $282.79 $1,623 —
600 600 17 278.00 $278.00 $1,668 —
665–688 680 3 259.00–263.00 $260.30 $1,770 —
840 840 6 220.00 $220.00 $1,848 —
1062–1068 1067 22 205.00–208.00 $207.32 $2,212 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
365 365 3 320.00 $320.00 $1,168 -35.46
413–430 424 17 312.50–340.00 $328.60 $1,393 -9.21
462 462 9 315.00 $315.00 $1,455 —
530 530 6 312.00 $312.00 $1,654 —
569 569 3 292.50 $292.50 $1,664 —
625 625 2 249.00 $249.00 $1,556 —
682 682 3 255.00 $255.00 $1,739 +14.53
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
382–398 393 9 312.50–355.00 $326.28 $1,282 —
412–432 430 24 285.00–315.00 $288.60 $1,241 —
623 623 2 245.00 $245.00 $1,526 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
443 443 5 320.00 $320.00 $1,418 -5.00
461 461 4 272.50 $272.50 $1,256 -27.50
545 545 4 267.50 $267.50 $1,458 —
597 597 3 271.00 $271.00 $1,618 —
605–620 608 5 233.00–255.00 $237.49 $1,444 —

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
270 270 2 515.00 $515.00 $1,390 —
343 unweaned 343 6 465.00 $465.00 $1,595 —
360 360 2 430.00 $430.00 $1,548 +20.00
456 456 6 372.50 $372.50 $1,699 +21.27
517 unweaned 517 6 357.50 $357.50 $1,848 —
530 530 5 340.00 $340.00 $1,802 —
591–597 594 18 274.00–309.00 $293.48 $1,743 —
671 671 7 270.00 $270.00 $1,812 -12.00
717 717 3 275.00 $275.00 $1,972 +0.57
758 758 12 244.00 $244.00 $1,850 —
862–879 869 10 252.00–256.00 $253.62 $2,204 —
1005 1005 1 219.00 $219.00 $2,201 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
463 463 4 345.00 $345.00 $1,597 —
519–528 521 17 320.00–360.00 $327.16 $1,705 —
570 570 1 322.50 $322.50 $1,838 —
622–628 625 6 280.00–290.00 $285.02 $1,781 —
678–688 683 4 254.00–282.50 $268.15 $1,831 —
748 748 2 209.00 $209.00 $1,563 —
975 975 1 226.00 $226.00 $2,204 —
1050 1050 3 224.00 $224.00 $2,352 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
433 433 6 345.00 $345.00 $1,494 —
561 561 5 305.00 $305.00 $1,711 —
1209 1209 6 199.00 $199.00 $2,406 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
868 868 3 244.00 $244.00 $2,118 —

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Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1248–1715 1386 80-85% 30 91.00–111.00 $102.40 $1,419 -24.18
1255–1720 1392 80-85% 224 117.00–133.00 $127.42 $1,774 +0.84
1265–1670 1409 80-85% 18 106.00–125.00 $117.05 $1,649 +14.57
1290–1665 1422 80-85% 38 99.00–117.00 $112.29 $1,597 +9.81
1240–1653 1437 80-85% 97 130.00–139.75 $135.76 $1,951 +22.99
1395–1685 1489 80-85% 12 115.00–140.50 $132.36 $1,971 -1.51
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
740–990 858 85-90% 6 91.00–100.00 $93.17 $799 —
865–930 895 85-90% 4 93.00–113.00 $103.39 $925 —
875–990 939 85-90% 5 75.00–85.00 $78.41 $736 -9.09
955–1235 1093 85-90% 19 67.50–88.00 $81.09 $886 —
1050–1170 1127 85-90% 3 123.00–125.00 $124.00 $1,397 +36.00
975–1355 1130 85-90% 55 87.00–104.00 $95.19 $1,076 +7.19
945–1313 1152 85-90% 69 93.00–117.50 $108.37 $1,248 +28.09
905–1312 1186 85-90% 107 116.00–129.00 $123.41 $1,464 +28.00
1035–1295 1196 85-90% 14 108.00–122.00 $113.28 $1,355 +17.87
1060–1266 1210 85-90% 29 129.00–134.00 $130.75 $1,582 +1.63
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1345–1808 1529 75-80% 48 117.00–136.50 $124.86 $1,909 -6.14
1330–1965 1568 75-80% 144 118.00–135.00 $127.21 $1,995 —
1540–1665 1603 75-80% 2 92.00–101.00 $96.68 $1,550 -36.22
1365–1980 1608 75-80% 9 105.00–126.00 $113.25 $1,821 -19.65
1235–2015 1629 75-80% 10 131.00–148.00 $142.06 $2,314 +9.16
1630–2015 1783 75-80% 8 137.50–142.00 $139.38 $2,485 —
1940 1940 75-80% 1 120.00 $120.00 $2,328 —
2125 2125 75-80% 1 132.00 $132.00 $2,805 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1280 1280 1 135.00 $135.00 $1,728 —
1110–1743 1391 11 142.00–157.00 $145.50 $2,024 —
1375–1875 1640 3 131.00–140.00 $135.89 $2,229 —
1365–2075 1701 39 116.00–140.00 $131.12 $2,230 —
1420–2218 1842 26 140.00–155.00 $144.92 $2,669 +15.13
YG2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1890–2415 2153 2 150.00–161.00 $154.83 $3,333 —
2405 2405 1 146.00 $146.00 $3,511 —
2575 2575 1 111.00 $111.00 $2,858 —

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
965 965 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 1 112.50 $112.50 $1,086
985 985 (<2 yrs)Open 2 151.00 $151.00 $1,487
775–1288 1027 (<2 yrs)Open 197 143.00–212.50 $185.70 $1,907
835–1445 1074 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 68 132.00–212.00 $159.93 $1,718
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
728–1280 933 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 15 127.50–170.00 $141.48 $1,320
820–1080 985 (<2 yrs)Open 11 137.50–195.00 $163.10 $1,607
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
695–814 797 (<2 yrs)Open 7 202.00–215.00 $203.62 $1,623
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
680–795 738 (<2 yrs)Open 2 130.00–190.00 $157.66 $1,164
Medium 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
880 880 (<2 yrs)Open 1 152.50 $152.50 $1,342

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1090 1090 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 2 2,200.00 $2,200.00
1110 1110 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 9 2,700.00 $2,700.00
1070–1180 1171 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 35 2,425.00–2,850.00 $2,816.70
1150–1355 1194 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 10 2,700.00–2,750.00 $2,728.20
1179–1293 thin fleshed 1216 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 34 1,900.00 $1,900.00
1261 1261 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 8 2,425.00 $2,425.00
1313 thin fleshed 1313 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 4 1,800.00 $1,800.00
1356 1356 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 4 2,400.00 $2,400.00
1382–1440 1389 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 8 1,900.00–2,050.00 $2,030.57
1356–1493 1390 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 8 2,000.00–2,050.00 $2,036.58
1401 1401 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 6 2,925.00 $2,925.00
1249–1533 1403 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 94 2,075.00–2,485.00 $2,288.53
1288–1735 1466 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 92 2,000.00–2,375.00 $2,163.89
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1059 thin fleshed 1059 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 11 1,450.00 $1,450.00
1020–1313 1152 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 5 2,300.00–2,450.00 $2,363.92
1163–1223 1211 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 10 1,500.00–1,775.00 $1,722.18
1085–1408 1220 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 31 2,400.00–2,675.00 $2,507.15
1250 1250 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 2,250.00 $2,250.00
1170–1440 1306 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 5 1,700.00–2,200.00 $1,987.75
1287–1344 1329 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 12 1,700.00–1,800.00 $1,775.79
1287–1520 1339 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 25 1,625.00–1,950.00 $1,840.25
1306–1520 1376 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 12 1,850.00–2,050.00 $1,884.58
Medium 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
958 958 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 5 2,150.00 $2,150.00
943–967 959 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 12 2,025.00–2,700.00 $2,478.75
Medium 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
904–935 924 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 11 1,100.00–1,350.00 $1,188.97
Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1475 1475 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 2 1,750.00 $1,750.00
1471–1537 1496 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 8 2,375.00–2,675.00 $2,490.60
Small 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
661 661 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 5 775.00 $775.00
770 770 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 2 800.00 $800.00

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Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
941–965 952 (<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 73 2,825.00–2,975.00 $2,908.32
1208 1208 (<2 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 9 3,000.00 $3,000.00
Medium 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
857–955 865 (<2 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 13 1,400.00–1,850.00 $1,811.76
873 873 (<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 38 2,535.00 $2,535.00
Medium 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
867 867 (<2 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 3 1,700.00 $1,700.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1023 1023 (<2 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 2 2,250.00 $2,250.00

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Dairy Cows

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1270 1270 85-90% 2 80.00 $80.00 $1,016 —
1310 1310 85-90% 2 108.00 $108.00 $1,415 —
1683 1683 80-85% 2 92.00 $92.00 $1,548 —

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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.