Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, March 2, 2026

5,837 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 heifers $446.38/cwt -5.50 vs last sale · ≈ $2,565/hd at 575 lb · 310 head
heavy 6-weight M&L 1 heifers $408.05/cwt +18.32 vs last sale · ≈ $2,744/hd at 672 lb · 210 head
light 6-weight M&L 1 heifers $422.33/cwt -11.29 vs last sale · ≈ $2,702/hd at 640 lb · 143 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 5,837 5,268 7,471
Feeder cattle 2,062 4,727 3,291
Slaughter cattle 942 362 1,392
Replacement cattle 2,833 179 2,788

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Steers 500-749 lbs sold generally steady to weak. All other weights of steers were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to weak undertones were noticed. Heifers under 450 lbs were too lightly tested to develop any market trend, 450-649 lbs heifers sold generally steady to 10.00 lower on a lower quality offering. Heifers over 650 lbs sold generally steady in a narrow comparison. Most cattle were offered in small to moderate size packages this week and considerably smaller packages compared to last week, forcing buyers to patch together loads. Quality was mostly average this week and overall not as attractive as last weeks offering. Demand overall was good. Demand for high quality cattle, suitable to run on grass, remains very good. Replacement and feeding heifer buyers both showed very good demand for heifers which could fit both buyers needs. CME positions showed strong gains to start the week but sold off as lower cash fed cattle offers and outside influences weighted on the market. The March closed at 355.625, 0.20 higher than last Friday. The April closed at 351.62, 0.425 higher than last Friday. The May contract closed Friday at 348.075, 0.875 higher than last Friday. Market activity was mostly active despite fewer buyers and offerings. Weigh up cows sold on mostly good to very good demand for light offerings. Feeding cow demand remains the driving force in the market. Feeding cows sold mostly 3.00-8.00 higher. Private feeders pushed all offerings higher this week as they showed very good demand for offerings. A large crowd of feeding cow buyers were present at all sales this week. Feeding cows moved higher without packer support as tighter supplies and very high quality offerings helped push cow prices higher. Cow quality this week was very attractive. Weigh up conditions were mixed this week. Buyers showed willingness to take even blemished cows to feed as supplies are currently very tight as very few older cows are being marketed. Slaughter cow demand remains strong as packers continue to show good demand for limited slaughter offerings. Slaughter cows were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on all offerings. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 5.00-8.00 higher as packer search for lean meat to blend down excess fat currently on the market. Demand for young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed was mostly moderate to good this week. A few cows and heifers which lost calves are starting to be marketed. Demand for high quality offerings is very good. Coming 2 year old cows sold mostly 10.00-15.00 higher on an average to attractive quality offering. A large offering of bred cows was also on the market this week and sold on very good demand. A large crowd of ranchers were in the stands actively bidding on offerings to expand herds.

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
401–415 403 7 630.00–640.00 $638.53 $2,573 +19.73
450–495 484 62 547.50–587.50 $565.07 $2,735 -8.93
510–541 531 18 502.50–534.00 $515.64 $2,738 -1.68
575–588 577 143 462.50–488.00 $484.72 $2,797 -9.03
606–645 627 86 442.00–464.00 $453.39 $2,843 -11.69
657–680 664 42 417.50–440.00 $435.21 $2,890 +9.30
700–736 722 55 406.00–420.50 $412.72 $2,980 +10.23
750–795 754 11 377.50–397.00 $395.13 $2,979 +17.34
805–838 827 6 360.00–367.50 $365.07 $3,019 +1.66
842 842 17 350.00 $350.00 $2,947 +7.08
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
426–430 427 7 575.00–590.00 $577.16 $2,464 -7.17
450–473 451 41 520.00–575.00 $572.37 $2,581 +30.77
537 537 3 500.00 $500.00 $2,685 +0.10
595–596 596 17 460.00–470.00 $461.17 $2,749 -7.63
620–631 628 20 420.00–439.00 $432.41 $2,716 +5.90
730–740 733 6 365.00–375.00 $368.36 $2,700 -6.14
797 797 3 362.50 $362.50 $2,889 +2.00
845 845 2 350.00 $350.00 $2,958 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
595 595 4 457.50 $457.50 $2,722 +4.33
600 600 2 432.50 $432.50 $2,595 —
683 683 2 360.00 $360.00 $2,459 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
379 379 4 575.00 $575.00 $2,179 +10.00
733 733 3 367.50 $367.50 $2,694 +5.00

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
405 unweaned 405 3 495.00 $495.00 $2,005 —
449 449 8 525.00 $525.00 $2,357 -14.37
455–493 477 129 487.50–500.00 $495.66 $2,364 -16.72
513–543 529 65 455.00–487.50 $472.17 $2,498 -1.59
535 unweaned 535 10 440.00 $440.00 $2,354 —
574 574 118 456.00 $456.00 $2,617 +4.12
558–598 575 192 425.00–454.00 $440.46 $2,533 -11.42
632 632 8 380.00 $380.00 $2,402 -52.34
617–648 638 86 408.00–428.00 $421.89 $2,692 -14.01
644 644 49 430.00 $430.00 $2,769 -5.90
654–698 661 37 382.50–407.00 $398.24 $2,632 +12.21
674 674 36 376.00 $376.00 $2,534 -10.03
659–680 675 137 412.50–421.00 $419.12 $2,829 +33.09
700–727 707 26 367.00–381.00 $376.67 $2,663 -27.68
761 761 4 365.00 $365.00 $2,778 +5.21
818–848 839 49 345.00–353.00 $348.31 $2,922 +5.53
866 866 8 343.00 $343.00 $2,970 —
933 933 8 334.00 $334.00 $3,116 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
389 389 4 515.00 $515.00 $2,003 —
460–495 482 24 455.00–485.00 $479.27 $2,310 -17.21
505 505 2 460.00 $460.00 $2,323 —
565–598 592 32 400.00–425.00 $414.34 $2,453 -18.52
615–636 629 10 380.00–405.00 $395.10 $2,485 +5.53
665 665 2 366.00 $366.00 $2,434 -7.52
745 745 2 360.00 $360.00 $2,682 +4.41
750–780 770 6 348.00–357.00 $350.92 $2,702 +11.92
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
351 351 8 470.00 $470.00 $1,650 —
463 463 3 460.00 $460.00 $2,130 —
505–519 516 8 405.00–417.50 $414.44 $2,139 —
624–643 631 24 345.00–350.00 $348.09 $2,196 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
439 439 5 485.00 $485.00 $2,129 -20.00
543 543 20 424.00 $424.00 $2,302 -24.96
618 618 3 405.00 $405.00 $2,503 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
489 489 5 325.00 $325.00 $1,589 —

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
463 unweaned 463 2 530.00 $530.00 $2,454 —
453–471 465 6 555.00–570.00 $559.87 $2,603 —
550 550 1 465.00 $465.00 $2,558 +35.00
582 unweaned 582 10 460.00 $460.00 $2,677 —
625–640 634 5 410.00–412.50 $411.51 $2,609 +7.97
707–729 717 25 365.00–370.00 $367.24 $2,633 -7.76
824 824 9 340.00 $340.00 $2,802 +5.46
882 882 22 340.00 $340.00 $2,999 —
937 937 7 315.00 $315.00 $2,952 —
975–980 978 3 310.00–312.50 $311.67 $3,048 —
1008 1008 2 285.00 $285.00 $2,873 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
458 458 13 510.00 $510.00 $2,336 +25.06
575–594 590 5 427.50–430.00 $427.99 $2,525 —
990 990 16 302.50 $302.50 $2,995 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1051 1051 15 294.00 $294.00 $3,090 —
1071 1071 11 282.50 $282.50 $3,026 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
587 587 9 427.50 $427.50 $2,509 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
723 723 4 350.00 $350.00 $2,530 —
1062 1062 3 282.00 $282.00 $2,995 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
338 338 4 595.00 $595.00 $2,011 —

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Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1290–1450 1350 80-85% 9 144.00–162.00 $153.07 $2,066 +1.49
1033–1610 1370 80-85% 47 144.00–171.00 $163.50 $2,240 -16.74
1115–1660 1388 80-85% 148 167.00–185.00 $177.17 $2,459 +43.29
1265–1498 1401 80-85% 77 170.00–200.00 $189.69 $2,658 +32.52
1365–1483 1440 80-85% 4 125.00–148.00 $138.03 $1,988 -35.83
1575 1575 80-85% 1 171.00 $171.00 $2,693 —
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1480 1480 75-80% 1 189.00 $189.00 $2,797 —
1315–1705 1496 75-80% 6 155.00–161.00 $158.32 $2,368 —
1455–1546 1505 75-80% 137 180.00–191.25 $189.43 $2,851 —
1139–1855 1525 75-80% 26 156.00–168.50 $165.66 $2,526 —
1438–1810 1564 75-80% 75 162.00–184.00 $178.55 $2,793 +15.55
1365–1875 1719 75-80% 15 164.00–172.00 $167.07 $2,872 —
1725 1725 75-80% 1 173.00 $173.00 $2,984 —
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
875 875 85-90% 1 110.00 $110.00 $962 —
1010 1010 85-90% 1 150.00 $150.00 $1,515 —
1038–1270 1159 85-90% 11 122.50–135.00 $128.16 $1,485 +16.91
1051–1295 1171 85-90% 37 130.00–165.00 $156.28 $1,830 +45.03
1015–1290 1173 85-90% 13 132.50–158.00 $146.37 $1,717 +35.12
1180 1180 85-90% 1 165.00 $165.00 $1,947 +53.75
1160–1230 1186 85-90% 6 178.00–184.00 $181.18 $2,149 +69.93
1090–1284 1216 85-90% 45 167.50–178.50 $173.73 $2,113 -5.71
N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1555 1555 65-75% 1 201.00 $201.00 $3,126 —
1671–1725 1707 65-75% 45 168.00–172.50 $169.47 $2,893 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1295–1413 1363 5 147.50–175.00 $158.61 $2,162 —
1160–1838 1419 23 175.00–199.50 $189.44 $2,688 —
1314–2040 1506 25 183.00–204.00 $196.44 $2,958 —
1455–2035 1623 16 155.00–199.00 $183.75 $2,982 —
1788 1788 6 210.00 $210.00 $3,755 —
1580–2110 1867 33 190.00–218.00 $205.24 $3,832 —
1970–2190 2131 4 214.00–224.00 $218.09 $4,647 —
YG2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
2000–2335 2087 12 204.50–215.00 $211.94 $4,423 —
2230 2230 1 216.00 $216.00 $4,817 —
2620 2620 1 204.00 $204.00 $5,345 —

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
795–1247 973 (<2 yrs)Open 122 231.00–341.00 $302.60 $2,944
895–1380 1112 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 282 197.00–335.00 $274.73 $3,055
1177 1177 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 3 207.50 $207.50 $2,442
1160–1450 1300 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 40 185.00–210.00 $194.66 $2,531
1330–1595 1418 (<2 yrs)Open 6 216.00–225.00 $221.63 $3,143
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
970–1175 1028 (<2 yrs)Open 11 255.00–300.00 $272.07 $2,797
935–1295 1116 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 32 189.00–315.00 $232.46 $2,594
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
740–885 788 (<2 yrs)Open 3 300.00–315.00 $305.61 $2,408
870–895 883 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 307.50–315.00 $311.20 $2,748
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1175–1235 1220 (<2 yrs)Open 4 237.00–242.00 $238.20 $2,906
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
810 810 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 265.00 $265.00 $2,146

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1088–1190 1114 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 4 3,100.00–3,300.00 $3,153.44
1153 thin fleshed 1153 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 6 3,600.00 $3,600.00
1156 1156 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 5 4,000.00 $4,000.00
1163–1262 1187 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 15 3,900.00–4,300.00 $4,006.01
1131–1415 1212 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 281 4,000.00–5,400.00 $5,056.76
1053–1378 1229 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 168 4,200.00–4,800.00 $4,623.73
1237 thin fleshed 1237 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 10 2,550.00 $2,550.00
1279 thin fleshed 1279 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 4 3,600.00 $3,600.00
1203–1518 1282 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 8 2,650.00–3,250.00 $3,072.35
1256–1321 thin fleshed 1294 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 93 3,000.00–3,125.00 $3,059.21
1325 thin fleshed 1325 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 30 3,400.00–3,600.00 $3,486.67
1188–1577 1327 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 30 3,400.00–4,375.00 $4,218.85
1327 1327 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 9 3,950.00 $3,950.00
1326–1378 1339 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 8 2,700.00–2,750.00 $2,712.86
1106–1550 1343 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 107 4,300.00–5,400.00 $4,813.08
1330–1421 1360 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 29 4,300.00–4,550.00 $4,450.95
1239–1514 1417 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 357 3,650.00–4,450.00 $3,999.15
1320–1565 1422 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 41 2,800.00–3,200.00 $2,997.67
1272–1657 1451 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 150 3,700.00–4,550.00 $4,201.09
1405–1625 1477 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 5 3,550.00–3,800.00 $3,715.51
1454–1674 1489 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 146 3,700.00–4,300.00 $4,085.15
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1033–1035 1033 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 9 3,250.00–3,950.00 $3,405.79
1050–1085 1055 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 7 2,900.00–3,000.00 $2,914.69
1037–1408 1138 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 11 3,600.00–3,900.00 $3,701.21
1126–1377 1176 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 10 4,050.00–4,425.00 $4,337.20
1236 thin fleshed 1236 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 17 2,500.00 $2,500.00
1145–1281 thin fleshed 1240 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 42 2,650.00–2,725.00 $2,713.79
1263 1263 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 8 2,625.00 $2,625.00
1307 1307 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 6 3,000.00 $3,000.00
1254–1385 1356 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 18 3,750.00 $3,750.00
1275–1404 1364 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 61 2,900.00–3,450.00 $3,338.68
1388 1388 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 4 3,700.00 $3,700.00
1390 1390 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 3 2,450.00 $2,450.00
1203–1450 1403 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 27 2,800.00–3,350.00 $3,234.47
1193–1510 1426 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 13 3,550.00–4,150.00 $3,682.13
1645 1645 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 3,400.00 $3,400.00

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Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1012–1142 1083 (<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 78 4,050.00–4,500.00 $4,304.36
1099–1165 1103 (<2 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 15 3,800.00–3,900.00 $3,892.96
Medium 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
864–945 912 (<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 88 3,900.00–4,400.00 $4,248.71

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Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1386 1386 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 8 3,900.00 $3,900.00 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1478 1478 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 6 4,500.00 $4,500.00 —

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Dairy Cows

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
680 680 85-90% 1 105.00 $105.00 $714 —

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Dairy Steers

Large 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
679 679 4 270.00 $270.00 $1,833 —

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Heifer Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1278 1278 (<2 yrs)Open 13 5,700.00 $5,700.00 —

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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.