Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, January 20, 2025

7,598 head sold ·Official USDA report

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

heavy 4-weight M&L 1 heifers $356.78/cwt +10.94 vs last sale · ≈ $1,698/hd at 476 lb · 201 head
heavy 5-weight M&L 1 heifers $311.78/cwt +1.06 vs last sale · ≈ $1,830/hd at 587 lb · 166 head
heavy 5-weight M&L 1 steers $344.42/cwt -0.94 vs last sale · ≈ $1,964/hd at 570 lb · 166 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 7,598 9,145 12,482
Feeder cattle 2,627 6,698 6,196
Slaughter cattle 454 1,210 2,036
Replacement cattle 720 1,237 1,267

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last report(12-16-24): Steer calves under 500 lbs were too lightly tested to develop a full market trend, however steady to weak undertones were noticed. Steers 450-699 lbs sold mostly steady; steers over 700 lbs sold mostly 4.00-8.00 higher in a narrow comparison. Heifers under 450 lbs were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market however higher undertones were noticed. Heifers 450-649 lbs sold mostly steady to 15.00 higher. Heifers over 650 lbs sold 5.00-10.00 higher. Demand was mostly very good for moderate offerings. Higher fed cattle prices continues to spur demand for feeder cattle as feedlots attempt to fill empty bunk space. Many sets of cattle were purchased to develop into yearlings, either on California grass or southern wheat pastures. Canadian buyers have taken a back seat for the last few weeks but showed more interest this week following higher fed cattle prices. The cattle on feed report was released this past Friday showing 11.8 million head on feed down 1% from last January. Placements were 1.64 million head, 3% lower than the previous year, marketing's totaled 1.74 million head 1% above last year. CME positions moved higher this week fueled by speculation of a positive cattle on feed report and higher slaughter cattle prices. The January contract closed Friday at 278.70, 5.20 higher than last Fridays close. The March contract closed Friday at 276.575, 8.525 higher than last Fridays close. The April contract closed at 275.45 on Friday. Quality this week was mostly average to very attractive. Package sizes were mostly moderate this week but not as large as last weeks sales. Fewer bidders were at the sale ringside this week, however demand remained strong for all offerings. Market activity was active with all bidders quickly bidding on offerings. Weigh up cows sold on mostly good demand for light offerings. Packers showed stronger demand for slaughter cows compared to last week as they showed need for cows for immediate harvest. All cows purchased by packers were purchased for immediate harvest this week. Slaughter cows sold 6.00 to 10.00 higher on breaking and boning cows, lean cows sold 2.00-4.00 higher. Feeding cow demand remains very good. Private buyers were very aggressive as they bid on cows to feed. Even slightly lame or slightly blemished cows sold to feeding buyers. Feeding cows sold mostly 5.00-10.00 higher on both short term and high quality cows suitable to feed to premium white. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 3.00-6.00 higher driven by strong demand from packers for immediate harvest. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold 5.00-10.00 higher. Quality this week was mostly average to attractive. Very good demand was seen from feeder buyers this week as many try to blend these older offerings in with yearlings.

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
365–371 368 30 425.00–440.00 $433.03 $1,594 -39.57
405–440 427 60 405.00–437.50 $419.12 $1,790 -11.76
467–495 483 86 373.00–396.00 $385.05 $1,860 -3.27
501–548 521 116 345.00–379.00 $369.61 $1,926 +1.30
550–593 570 162 331.00–352.00 $344.90 $1,966 -0.46
584 584 4 325.00 $325.00 $1,898 -20.36
601–647 629 146 314.00–330.00 $322.92 $2,031 -3.11
660–667 665 15 287.00 $287.00 $1,909 -13.73
676 676 4 295.00 $295.00 $1,994 -5.73
655–696 683 71 292.00–313.00 $303.95 $2,076 +3.22
708–726 713 44 293.00–304.50 $301.73 $2,151 +3.86
750–790 785 79 274.00–287.50 $281.47 $2,210 +6.24
808–818 812 54 268.00–280.50 $275.07 $2,234 +8.39
851 fancy 851 49 278.50 $278.50 $2,370 —
893 893 3 255.00 $255.00 $2,277 -8.62
940 940 4 247.00 $247.00 $2,322 -9.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
368 368 3 410.00 $410.00 $1,509 -21.78
401–445 428 44 372.00–415.00 $392.94 $1,682 +8.09
488 488 2 365.00 $365.00 $1,781 +1.83
578–598 591 24 319.00–328.00 $322.44 $1,906 +9.47
640 640 2 294.00 $294.00 $1,882 -2.09
652–665 654 7 295.00–299.00 $298.42 $1,952 +11.38
708–745 729 13 276.00–286.00 $280.24 $2,043 +1.35
752 752 3 275.00 $275.00 $2,068 +11.35
876 876 6 249.00 $249.00 $2,181 —
914 914 5 249.00 $249.00 $2,276 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
500–525 512 6 337.50–342.50 $341.65 $1,749 —
646 646 7 277.50 $277.50 $1,793 —
663 663 12 287.00 $287.00 $1,903 —
717–733 722 14 260.00–281.00 $268.10 $1,936 -6.50
774–784 782 24 261.00–275.50 $271.29 $2,121 -0.01
835 835 3 266.00 $266.00 $2,221 —
987 987 3 236.00 $236.00 $2,329 —
1296 1296 4 193.50 $193.50 $2,508 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
466 466 4 310.00 $310.00 $1,445 -29.84
634 634 8 292.50 $292.50 $1,854 —
657 657 6 267.50 $267.50 $1,757 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1109 1109 9 225.00 $225.00 $2,495 —

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
355–385 365 23 380.00–400.00 $381.76 $1,393 -0.66
419–446 428 38 350.00–397.00 $376.61 $1,612 +16.26
458–496 476 201 339.00–377.00 $356.78 $1,698 +10.94
500–542 521 123 312.00–338.50 $329.41 $1,716 -0.49
550–594 587 166 309.00–322.00 $311.78 $1,830 +7.84
602–633 608 135 281.00–300.00 $296.21 $1,801 +0.08
667–691 678 94 268.00–284.00 $276.78 $1,877 +5.95
701–737 719 54 259.00–273.00 $267.87 $1,926 +8.22
768–778 776 48 257.50–259.50 $259.07 $2,010 —
815 fancy 815 15 263.00 $263.00 $2,143 —
858 858 6 245.00 $245.00 $2,102 +7.00
905 905 9 237.00 $237.00 $2,145 —
999 999 5 228.00 $228.00 $2,278 -5.00
1003 1003 2 217.00 $217.00 $2,177 -4.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
355–386 381 12 350.00–380.00 $377.12 $1,437 +11.43
402–440 408 18 342.50–355.00 $353.40 $1,442 +8.68
450–473 463 33 312.00–340.00 $320.83 $1,485 +7.30
503–513 512 41 299.00–320.00 $317.06 $1,623 +5.78
553–577 571 87 294.50–311.00 $297.84 $1,701 +9.20
676 676 4 265.00 $265.00 $1,791 +7.58
775 775 2 251.00 $251.00 $1,945 —
858 858 2 239.00 $239.00 $2,051 +8.00
920–948 935 10 220.00–228.50 $224.79 $2,102 +8.80
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
520–537 535 9 307.00–323.00 $308.73 $1,652 +15.43
580 580 2 272.00 $272.00 $1,578 -10.79
650–670 664 4 259.00–265.00 $262.53 $1,743 +2.23
782–792 787 6 235.00–242.00 $238.48 $1,877 —
1122 1122 3 223.00 $223.00 $2,502 —
1168 1168 2 214.00 $214.00 $2,500 —
1257 1257 6 191.00 $191.00 $2,401 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
393 393 4 330.00 $330.00 $1,297 —
506 506 4 280.00 $280.00 $1,417 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
439 439 4 340.00 $340.00 $1,493 +11.40
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1110 1110 1 201.00 $201.00 $2,231 —

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
400–425 408 3 370.00–395.00 $378.67 $1,545 —
575 575 1 305.00 $305.00 $1,754 +11.52
627 627 3 300.00 $300.00 $1,881 —
685 685 12 274.50 $274.50 $1,880 +4.50
825 825 2 246.00 $246.00 $2,030 —
978 978 2 237.50 $237.50 $2,323 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
765 765 1 250.00 $250.00 $1,912 —
1040 1040 1 170.00 $170.00 $1,768 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1020 1020 1 225.00 $225.00 $2,295 —

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Slaughter Cows

Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
870–990 909 85-90% 4 70.00–85.00 $77.87 $708 -0.54
1020–1210 1102 85-90% 5 75.00–87.00 $81.49 $898 -42.51
935–1300 1153 85-90% 55 102.00–124.00 $115.15 $1,328 +6.78
1025–1240 1154 85-90% 17 96.00–109.00 $101.24 $1,168 -7.13
1033–1270 1195 85-90% 9 110.00–125.00 $116.48 $1,392 +3.20
1200 1200 85-90% 1 130.00 $130.00 $1,560 -0.75
985–1315 1207 85-90% 57 115.00–136.00 $129.84 $1,567 -0.91
Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1235–1415 1323 80-85% 3 99.00–102.50 $100.52 $1,330 —
1255–1490 1354 80-85% 90 123.50–138.50 $132.48 $1,794 +30.08
1325–1500 1396 80-85% 6 108.00–123.00 $117.37 $1,638 -10.05
1414–1650 1483 80-85% 9 130.50–142.00 $137.08 $2,033 +4.72
1315–1740 1502 80-85% 15 112.00–134.00 $121.69 $1,828 —
1475–1760 1588 80-85% 4 131.00–133.50 $132.05 $2,097 —
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1295–1725 1324 75-80% 25 139.00–145.00 $139.43 $1,846 —
1505 1505 75-80% 1 136.00 $136.00 $2,047 +11.14
1405–1546 1528 75-80% 16 124.00–139.00 $128.27 $1,960 +3.41
1570–1585 1578 75-80% 2 104.00–121.00 $112.46 $1,775 -14.75
1530–1825 1600 75-80% 64 124.00–141.50 $131.22 $2,100 +34.54
1485–1945 1738 75-80% 6 143.50–146.50 $145.58 $2,530 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1180–1300 1237 3 117.50–130.00 $122.35 $1,513 —
1345 1345 1 110.00 $110.00 $1,480 —
1320–2185 1745 15 119.00–143.00 $134.93 $2,355 —
1775–2235 2017 14 146.00–153.00 $150.61 $3,038 —
1985–2060 2023 2 151.00–152.00 $151.51 $3,065 —
2270 2270 1 161.00 $161.00 $3,655 —

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
893 thin fleshed 893 (<2 yrs)Open 3 187.00 $187.00 $1,670
809–1405 1022 (<2 yrs)Open 142 146.50–231.00 $190.88 $1,951
845–1433 1165 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 83 130.00–210.00 $156.91 $1,828
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
805–1030 908 (<2 yrs)Open 5 172.00–201.00 $189.37 $1,719
830–1290 1106 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 5 126.00–156.00 $133.06 $1,472

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
965–1305 1098 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 27 2,700.00–2,875.00 $2,805.80
1172 1172 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 3 2,500.00 $2,500.00
1106–1413 1205 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 41 2,500.00–2,825.00 $2,761.33
1109–1620 1243 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 111 2,050.00–2,425.00 $2,172.13
1150–1633 1306 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 27 2,250.00–2,550.00 $2,376.06
1325 1325 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 1 2,475.00 $2,475.00
1378 1378 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 3 2,550.00 $2,550.00
1389 1389 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 5 1,900.00 $1,900.00
1420 1420 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 1 1,800.00 $1,800.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1030 1030 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 1 2,350.00 $2,350.00
1055 1055 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 1 2,250.00 $2,250.00
1250–1258 1256 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 7 1,600.00–1,850.00 $1,671.10
1293 1293 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 2 1,725.00 $1,725.00
1555 1555 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 2,100.00 $2,100.00
Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1535–1607 1584 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 5 2,000.00–2,150.00 $2,111.05
Medium 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
935–950 943 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 4 1,975.00–2,600.00 $2,285.01

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Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1108–1167 1137 (<2 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 146 2,975.00–3,100.00 $3,023.78
Medium 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
890 890 (<2 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 25 2,750.00 $2,750.00

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Bucks

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
110 110 31 180.00 $180.00 $198 —
145 145 1 85.00 $85.00 $123 —
185–186 186 9 90.00–103.00 $93.77 $174 —
199 199 7 84.00 $84.00 $167 —
205–210 208 2 81.00–82.00 $81.51 $170 —
202–235 211 29 92.00–98.00 $96.21 $203 —
210–240 220 3 106.00 $106.00 $233 —
250 250 1 101.00 $101.00 $252 —
262–270 263 15 90.00–91.00 $90.86 $239 —

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Bucks Billies

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
60 60 1 165.00 $165.00 $99 —
78 78 2 210.00 $210.00 $164 —
95 95 1 170.00 $170.00 $162 —
98 98 3 180.00 $180.00 $176 —
115–145 128 3 155.00–200.00 $183.05 $234 —
123–145 128 6 205.00–217.50 $209.75 $268 —
150–157 153 7 165.00–182.50 $174.80 $267 —
215 215 1 197.50 $197.50 $425 —

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Ewes

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
110–143 132 14 50.00–75.00 $55.80 $74 —
126–136 132 49 34.00–42.50 $35.56 $47 —
133–145 137 26 79.00–87.00 $84.49 $116 —
137 137 10 65.00 $65.00 $89 —
158 158 2 90.00 $90.00 $142 —
150–179 160 120 72.00–89.00 $86.42 $138 —
150–168 167 35 48.00–60.00 $49.16 $82 —
175 175 1 105.00 $105.00 $184 —
160–198 179 151 89.00–97.00 $94.44 $169 —
200 200 1 97.00 $97.00 $194 —
206 206 10 96.00 $96.00 $198 —
225 225 1 98.00 $98.00 $220 —
270 270 2 85.00 $85.00 $230 —

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Hair Breeds

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
59 59 59 262.50–266.00 $263.86 $156 —
62–68 67 187 250.00–270.00 $266.51 $179 —
72–78 75 123 237.00–262.50 $248.69 $187 —
86 86 41 240.00 $240.00 $206 —
92–94 92 31 192.50–211.00 $208.57 $192 —
100 100 16 190.00 $190.00 $190 —
107 107 19 172.50 $172.50 $185 —
122 122 10 122.50 $122.50 $149 —
153 153 49 156.00 $156.00 $239 —

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Hair Bucks

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
123 123 2 155.00 $155.00 $191 —

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Hair Ewes

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
180 180 2 96.00 $96.00 $173 —

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Kids

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
20 20 3 90.00 $90.00 $18 —
28 28 2 355.00 $355.00 $99 —
33–36 36 24 290.00–355.00 $341.36 $123 —
40 40 1 320.00 $320.00 $128 —
42–46 43 104 370.00–385.00 $371.57 $160 —
40–48 44 9 360.00 $360.00 $158 —
41–48 47 64 300.00–362.50 $359.95 $169 —
48 48 2 345.00 $345.00 $166 —
48 48 3 290.00 $290.00 $139 —
50–58 50 107 305.00–342.50 $342.04 $171 —
50–56 55 26 350.00–360.00 $359.44 $198 —
55 55 1 205.00 $205.00 $113 —
58 58 2 345.00 $345.00 $200 —
58 58 19 335.00 $335.00 $194 —
60–67 64 56 320.00–355.00 $330.96 $212 —
63–68 66 83 302.50–320.00 $313.25 $207 —
67 67 7 232.50 $232.50 $156 —
68 68 2 175.00 $175.00 $119 —
70–75 71 48 285.00–320.00 $313.51 $223 —
71 71 4 235.00 $235.00 $167 —
73 73 88 297.50 $297.50 $217 —
80–88 83 6 190.00–255.00 $213.06 $177 —
83 83 2 275.00 $275.00 $228 —
90 90 1 220.00 $220.00 $198 —
95 95 3 225.00–240.00 $235.00 $223 —
100–103 103 21 235.00–245.00 $235.93 $243 —

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Lambs

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
55–59 58 10 260.00–265.00 $260.95 $151 —
61–67 66 22 252.50–260.00 $258.74 $171 —
74 74 6 250.00 $250.00 $185 —

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Nannies Does

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
74 74 —— 15 70.00 $70.00 $52 —
78 78 Young (2-4 yrs)Exposed 6 115.00 $115.00 $90 —
85 85 —— 1 195.00 $195.00 $166 —
90–91 91 —— 5 142.50–185.00 $150.93 $137 —
105–140 115 —— 6 110.00–137.50 $117.94 $136 —
111–140 115 —— 30 145.00–200.00 $171.45 $197 —
116 116 Young (2-4 yrs)Exposed 39 180.00 $180.00 $209 —
150 150 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 140.00 $140.00 $210 —
150–175 163 —— 2 140.00–150.00 $144.62 $236 —
189 189 —— 4 107.50 $107.50 $203 —

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Wethers

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
77 77 3 150.00 $150.00 $116 —
91 91 4 180.00 $180.00 $164 —
113 113 2 185.00 $185.00 $209 —
230 230 1 180.00 $180.00 $414 —

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Wooled & Shorn

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
62–66 63 91 240.00–269.00 $264.48 $167 —
70–79 75 369 233.00–254.00 $246.04 $185 —
80–89 87 469 210.00–230.00 $218.15 $190 —
90–99 92 540 194.00–214.00 $205.68 $189 —
107–108 107 12 179.00–186.00 $180.18 $193 —
117 117 39 186.00 $186.00 $218 —
125 125 3 175.00 $175.00 $219 —
137 137 12 142.50 $142.50 $195 —
140 140 22 152.50 $152.50 $214 —

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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.