Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, April 13, 2026

4,859 head sold ·Official USDA report

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

light 7-weight M&L 1 heifers $387.38/cwt +8.38 vs last sale · ≈ $2,784/hd at 719 lb · 290 head
heavy 6-weight M&L 1 heifers $398.91/cwt +4.84 vs last sale · ≈ $2,694/hd at 675 lb · 219 head
heavy 7-weight M&L 1 heifers $370.19/cwt +25.69 vs last sale · ≈ $2,838/hd at 767 lb · 180 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 4,859 1,836 5,840
Feeder cattle 3,667 553 5,620
Slaughter cattle 717 655 158
Replacement cattle 475 628 62

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Feeder cattle were all too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to higher undertones were noticed on all offerings. No feeder specials were held last week and sale sizes were small. This week Public auction yards held their annual Aprilfest feeder special and the bulk of the feeder offering was at that one sale. Quality this week was plain to attractive. Most cattle were offered in moderate size packages, with a few load lots on offer as well. Demand for feeder cattle was mostly good to very good. Many sets of cattle were put together and backgrounded over the winter and spring. Demand for load lots was very good, even on backgrounded offerings. Cattle suitable to run on grass sold with the best demand as order buyers and ranchers both chased this weight of feeders. CME positions retreated some this week after flirting with contract highs. The April closed Friday at 371.32, 2.83 lower than last Friday. The May contract closed Friday at 372.35 365.275, 7.075 lower than last Friday. The August contract closed Friday at 365.675, 6.775 lower than last Fridays close. Market activity was mostly active with a large pool of buyers noticed, both in the stands and over the internet. Weigh up cows sold on mostly good to very good demand for light to moderate offerings. Feeding cow demand remains very good. Feeding cows sold mostly generally steady. Major packers showed good to very good demand for high quality cows this week. Cow quality was mixed this week from plain to attractive. A large crowd of feeding cow buyers were present at all sales. Young feeding cows were met with very good demand again this week as more and more of these offerings are being purchased by rebreed buyers. The demand for these young to middle age cows was very good this week as both feeding and rebreed buyers bid on this age of cows. Slaughter cow demand remains strong as packers continue to show good demand for limited slaughter offerings. Breaking, boning and lean slaughter cows were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to weak undertones were noticed on all offerings. Slaughter bulls sold mostly steady. Demand remains good as packer search for lean meat to blend down excess fat currently on the market. Feeding bull demand was mostly very good. Feeding bulls sold steady to firm on very good demand. Packers and feeding bull buyers were both competing over similar offerings this week. Demand for young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed was mostly good to very good. Cows and heifers which lost calves are being marketed, but with very good weather conditions limited offerings are being seen. Demand for all offerings is very good with buyers for all quality levels. Young cows sold mostly steady to firm. Quality was average to attractive, and similar to last 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
255–290 268 6 700.00–710.00 $703.39 $1,885 —
335–348 344 5 650.00–670.00 $664.12 $2,285 —
352–375 354 29 575.00–680.00 $652.11 $2,308 —
415–437 430 69 600.00–631.00 $625.17 $2,688 -4.13
450–498 478 68 530.00–590.00 $568.00 $2,715 +30.15
500–547 534 42 475.00–552.50 $526.59 $2,812 —
550–593 577 100 450.00–526.00 $496.04 $2,862 +4.04
600–646 624 120 442.50–487.50 $457.89 $2,857 +1.37
653–690 675 89 412.50–450.00 $429.00 $2,896 —
688 688 9 381.00 $381.00 $2,621 —
708–745 722 74 399.00–425.00 $413.76 $2,987 +1.40
750–758 753 105 385.00–408.00 $401.80 $3,026 —
811–848 823 35 355.00–375.00 $361.22 $2,973 +4.22
850–897 858 82 353.00–361.00 $359.53 $3,085 —
905–930 927 11 333.00–345.00 $334.48 $3,101 —
957 957 3 341.00 $341.00 $3,263 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
385–395 391 4 550.00–605.00 $571.01 $2,233 —
424–445 435 22 525.00–585.00 $561.26 $2,441 —
455–495 481 35 425.00–517.50 $500.25 $2,406 —
515–548 542 21 420.00–482.50 $476.92 $2,585 -23.08
550–598 578 14 427.00–470.00 $440.98 $2,549 -23.81
600–643 616 68 400.00–445.00 $423.30 $2,608 +1.05
650–693 671 47 342.50–400.00 $370.44 $2,486 —
715–746 735 28 350.00–387.50 $375.54 $2,760 —
750–788 767 13 320.00–380.00 $361.76 $2,775 —
805–840 814 8 330.00–355.00 $346.80 $2,823 —
855–880 869 5 322.50–337.50 $328.68 $2,856 —
900–945 924 4 310.00–320.00 $314.96 $2,910 -15.94
960–970 964 5 307.00–318.00 $311.38 $3,002 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
390–395 393 2 480.00–510.00 $494.90 $1,945 —
400–445 416 7 420.00–520.00 $482.85 $2,009 —
480 480 1 400.00 $400.00 $1,920 —
565–595 580 2 395.00–405.00 $399.87 $2,319 -2.63
620–640 630 2 332.50–335.00 $333.77 $2,103 —
655–695 675 2 310.00–340.00 $324.56 $2,191 -57.30
769–790 771 18 325.00–340.00 $326.14 $2,515 —
800 800 1 305.00 $305.00 $2,440 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
867 867 19 335.00 $335.00 $2,904 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
646 646 7 352.50 $352.50 $2,277 —
1025–1030 1028 2 315.00 $315.00 $3,238 —

↑ Back to top

Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
313 313 19 605.00 $605.00 $1,894 —
360–380 373 3 515.00–520.00 $518.39 $1,934 -15.08
405–440 421 91 470.00–615.00 $594.73 $2,504 +44.73
450–499 482 97 492.50–560.00 $509.61 $2,456 +10.39
508–548 535 156 447.50–505.00 $487.04 $2,606 +21.90
552–593 582 131 420.00–475.00 $448.33 $2,609 +11.95
600–649 629 152 390.00–431.00 $411.08 $2,586 -15.05
651–698 668 163 373.00–414.00 $395.79 $2,644 +1.72
697 697 56 408.00 $408.00 $2,844 +13.93
711–733 716 42 390.00–401.00 $398.32 $2,852 +19.32
700–749 719 248 358.00–415.00 $385.53 $2,772 +6.53
752–767 759 108 361.00–384.00 $375.57 $2,851 +31.07
759–790 778 72 325.00–375.00 $362.13 $2,817 +17.63
802–848 817 27 328.00–350.50 $343.63 $2,807 +3.63
825 825 15 342.00 $342.00 $2,822 +2.00
850–883 859 20 325.00–357.50 $341.94 $2,937 —
908–935 913 64 339.00–353.50 $346.49 $3,163 —
900–934 923 24 320.00–352.50 $336.26 $3,104 —
965–988 982 4 317.50–330.00 $326.93 $3,210 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
572–594 584 23 2,600.00–2,725.00 $2,671.81 —
735–742 736 38 2,885.00–2,900.00 $2,887.39 —
785 785 8 2,900.00 $2,900.00 —
823–847 839 192 3,050.00–3,200.00 $3,179.76 —
851–893 864 178 2,925.00–3,250.00 $3,154.25 —
907–912 909 114 3,335.00 $3,335.00 —
961–963 961 14 3,100.00–3,150.00 $3,107.16 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
280–295 288 2 550.00–570.00 $559.74 $1,612 —
370–395 376 10 450.00–525.00 $512.75 $1,928 —
410–445 430 23 475.00–530.00 $510.40 $2,195 —
460–490 482 18 400.00–495.00 $442.32 $2,132 -32.68
505–545 528 31 410.00–465.00 $447.46 $2,363 +0.08
555–595 585 15 355.00–437.50 $391.98 $2,293 -36.02
608–645 624 25 342.50–383.00 $370.64 $2,313 -24.19
650–691 671 29 361.00–389.00 $368.31 $2,471 +4.08
705–749 732 43 315.00–358.00 $343.71 $2,516 -22.60
800–840 814 4 315.00–327.50 $319.48 $2,601 —
870–875 873 2 260.00–325.00 $292.41 $2,553 —
903–930 910 4 290.00 $290.00 $2,639 —
905–945 930 4 305.00–310.00 $308.15 $2,866 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
370–393 384 4 440.00–450.00 $444.88 $1,708 —
410–440 429 6 305.00–450.00 $379.78 $1,629 —
465–493 484 4 360.00–415.00 $389.26 $1,884 -20.35
505–515 510 2 305.00–350.00 $327.28 $1,669 —
561 561 5 380.00 $380.00 $2,132 —
613–625 614 20 270.00–357.00 $352.57 $2,165 —
675–690 683 2 325.00–330.00 $327.53 $2,237 -17.47
715 715 1 300.00 $300.00 $2,145 —
765–798 789 7 250.00–310.00 $285.96 $2,256 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
555 555 1 430.00 $430.00 $2,386 —
660–688 682 7 356.00–380.00 $367.92 $2,509 —
805 805 1 325.00 $325.00 $2,616 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
500–525 517 3 335.00–355.00 $341.45 $1,765 —

↑ Back to top

Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
503–525 509 5 457.50–517.50 $496.25 $2,526 +6.25
550–597 585 4 435.00–460.00 $440.87 $2,579 —
605–648 646 47 400.00–430.00 $401.32 $2,593 —
675 675 1 400.00 $400.00 $2,700 +3.77
724–730 725 14 360.00–385.00 $365.39 $2,649 —
760–770 768 8 335.00–357.50 $340.26 $2,613 —
800–840 820 3 330.00–365.00 $346.79 $2,844 —
860 860 1 345.00 $345.00 $2,967 —
923–945 930 7 312.50–330.00 $327.11 $3,042 +16.11
973–975 974 3 315.00 $315.00 $3,068 —
1020–1035 1023 5 272.50–307.50 $300.42 $3,073 —
1075–1087 1085 7 284.00–300.00 $286.26 $3,106 —
1190 1190 2 260.00 $260.00 $3,094 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
225 225 1 560.00 $560.00 $1,260 —
465–475 472 3 425.00–470.00 $453.53 $2,141 —
505–515 512 3 410.00–470.00 $450.26 $2,305 -27.24
551–575 562 9 430.00–440.00 $436.14 $2,451 +21.14
885 885 1 317.50 $317.50 $2,810 —

↑ Back to top

Slaughter Cows

Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1238–1750 1512 75-80% 51 173.00–184.00 $180.29 $2,726 —
1335–1807 1516 75-80% 84 179.00–191.00 $184.66 $2,799 —
1330–1705 1521 75-80% 14 137.50–163.00 $153.81 $2,339 —
1410–1805 1541 75-80% 19 161.00–178.00 $167.86 $2,587 —
1330–1845 1633 75-80% 32 159.00–175.50 $170.20 $2,779 —
Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1165–1485 1292 80-85% 12 169.00–176.00 $172.77 $2,232 —
1000–1535 1303 80-85% 116 175.00–187.50 $183.33 $2,389 —
1120–1490 1322 80-85% 24 156.00–175.00 $165.10 $2,183 —
1210–1520 1351 80-85% 9 187.00–196.00 $189.99 $2,567 —
1180–1490 1383 80-85% 3 165.00–166.00 $165.36 $2,287 -12.33
1435–1538 1486 80-85% 3 151.00–159.00 $155.91 $2,317 —
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
800–1255 1071 85-90% 21 120.00–146.00 $133.04 $1,425 —
900–1340 1117 85-90% 7 95.00–127.50 $115.47 $1,290 -13.18
770–1340 1120 85-90% 25 135.00–161.00 $151.07 $1,692 +22.42
715–1290 1158 85-90% 18 160.00–182.50 $174.69 $2,023 +26.01
930–1340 1160 85-90% 9 152.00–177.50 $165.20 $1,916 +16.52
1038–1324 1205 85-90% 24 181.00–188.50 $184.20 $2,220 +85.45

↑ Back to top

Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1200–1555 1378 2 180.00–182.00 $181.13 $2,496 —
1263–1425 1379 7 233.00–250.00 $245.55 $3,386 —
1112–2230 1618 19 227.00–257.50 $238.02 $3,851 —
1170–2025 1662 47 197.50–220.00 $211.45 $3,514 —
1065–2455 1669 26 215.00–237.50 $219.99 $3,672 —
1715–2055 1812 6 185.00–195.00 $189.78 $3,439 —
1580–2321 1879 16 197.00–216.00 $208.96 $3,926 —
1603–1985 1886 8 225.00–229.00 $226.18 $4,266 —
YG1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1124–1215 1138 15 257.50–266.00 $260.74 $2,967 —
YG2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1750–2210 1980 2 207.50–209.00 $208.34 $4,125 —
2200 2200 1 215.00 $215.00 $4,730 —

↑ Back to top

Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
820–1056 968 (<2 yrs)Open 22 227.50–305.00 $285.26 $2,761
865–1345 1127 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 116 217.50–292.50 $257.70 $2,904
800–1410 1220 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 44 190.00–225.00 $207.19 $2,528
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
720–1032 965 (<2 yrs)Open 16 267.50–320.00 $306.44 $2,957
835–1250 1016 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 103 240.00–355.00 $308.17 $3,131
895–1280 1182 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 26 220.00–258.00 $240.29 $2,840
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1055–1310 1207 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 14 215.00–228.00 $219.81 $2,653
1245–1375 1301 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 6 185.00–191.00 $188.63 $2,454

↑ Back to top

Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1115–1150 1133 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 2 3,050.00–3,250.00 $3,151.55
1138–1360 1212 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 3 3,000.00–3,400.00 $3,250.39
1138–1380 1218 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 4 3,000.00–3,400.00 $3,215.23
1096–1409 1242 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 26 4,000.00–4,485.00 $4,362.78
1215–1327 1297 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 5 4,150.00–4,400.00 $4,230.41
1280–1344 1323 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 6 3,400.00–3,550.00 $3,501.61
1298–1465 1382 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 4 3,800.00–3,900.00 $3,853.02
1371–1550 1455 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 9 3,750.00–4,000.00 $3,973.08
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1125 1125 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 3,550.00 $3,550.00
970–1345 1158 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 2 2,600.00–2,800.00 $2,716.20
1100–1225 1163 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 2 2,300.00–2,600.00 $2,458.06
1045–1285 1203 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 3 2,375.00–2,550.00 $2,499.34
890–1365 1242 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 6 2,400.00–2,700.00 $2,553.52
1120–1570 1352 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 3 3,700.00–3,950.00 $3,853.21
1215–1483 1438 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 6 2,700.00–3,550.00 $3,430.33

↑ Back to top

Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
920–940 930 (<2 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 2 2,750.00–2,950.00 $2,851.08
1005 1005 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 3,750.00 $3,750.00
1040 1040 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 3,300.00 $3,300.00

↑ Back to top

Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1245–1315 1280 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 4,000.00–4,500.00 $4,243.16 —
1225–1438 1367 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 3 3,550.00–3,650.00 $3,620.13 —
1395–1413 1401 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 6 3,600.00–3,700.00 $3,633.62 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1265 1265 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 1 2,750.00 $2,750.00 —
1150–1515 1333 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 2 3,000.00–3,800.00 $3,454.78 —
Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1683 1683 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 2 2,400.00 $2,400.00 —

↑ Back to top

Heifer Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
936 936 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 7 4,200.00 $4,200.00 —

↑ 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.