Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, April 27, 2026

4,680 head sold ·Official USDA report

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

light 6-weight M&L 1 heifers $429.93/cwt +24.31 vs last sale · ≈ $2,667/hd at 620 lb · 284 head
heavy 5-weight M&L 1 heifers $464.36/cwt +31.08 vs last sale · ≈ $2,642/hd at 569 lb · 207 head
heavy 6-weight M&L 1 heifers $395.88/cwt -0.58 vs last sale · ≈ $2,712/hd at 685 lb · 194 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 4,680 4,781 5,702
Feeder cattle 2,529 1,244 3,202
Slaughter cattle 751 503 782
Replacement cattle 1,400 353 1,718

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Feeder cattle were all too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on all offerings. Quality this week was mostly average to attractive. Demand overall for feeder cattle was good to very good. Most cattle were offered in moderate size packages, with a few load lots on offer. Demand for all size packages was good to very good. Many sets of cattle were put together and backgrounded over the winter and spring most of these offerings were in light to moderate flesh, however a few heaver offerings were pushing heavy amounts of flesh. Cattle suitable to run on grass sold with the best demand as order buyers and ranchers both chased this weight of feeders. Record high prices were seen for some sales this week as 600 lbs steers eclipsed 500.00 cwt. CME positions moved sharply higher this week as record high slaughter cattle prices were seen this week. The April contract settled Thursday at 374.03, 6.405 higher than last Friday. The May contract closed Friday at 371.40, 10.50 higher than last Friday. The August contract closed Friday at 372.175, 11.225 higher 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 1.00 to 3.00 higher on all cows suitable to feed. Major American packers showed little to no interest for cows at higher price levels and were mostly out of the market this week. Most cows were purchased to ship north to Canada as two large Canadian buyers were in the market 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. Young cows were in high demand both from replacement buyers and from feeding buyers. 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 undertones were noticed on all offerings. Slaughter bulls sold mostly steady to weak. 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 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 sold on very good demand. Demand remains good for all quality levels. Demand for young heifers which never calved remains very good as well as several buyers were looking for young offerings which still have the ability to grade choice. Young cows sold fully steady. Quality was mixed from plain to attractive. Quality was not as attractive overall compared 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
467 467 3 590.00 $590.00 $2,755 —
500–536 533 16 535.00–560.00 $541.65 $2,887 —
570–577 576 81 505.00–525.50 $523.42 $3,015 —
603–645 622 49 466.00–514.00 $489.92 $3,047 +37.23
661–694 670 102 442.00–465.00 $458.46 $3,072 +28.46
702–746 738 133 407.50–427.00 $416.35 $3,073 +6.52
751–790 772 27 394.00–400.00 $396.63 $3,062 +37.63
786 786 5 374.00 $374.00 $2,940 +15.00
803 803 18 387.50 $387.50 $3,112 +20.78
860–874 869 6 357.00–360.00 $357.99 $3,111 —
858–899 888 26 334.00–350.00 $338.34 $3,004 —
913–931 924 18 323.00–334.00 $329.77 $3,047 -9.03
915–941 940 62 350.00–352.00 $350.09 $3,291 —
971–977 974 23 332.00–334.00 $332.87 $3,242 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
335 335 2 600.00 $600.00 $2,010 —
410–428 424 5 575.00–595.00 $591.14 $2,506 —
453–474 472 25 545.00–572.50 $570.39 $2,692 +22.15
456–487 thin fleshed 474 22 580.00–582.50 $580.98 $2,754 —
515–542 531 8 500.00–525.00 $510.36 $2,710 +13.29
562–597 581 27 442.50–495.00 $472.72 $2,747 —
623–648 634 19 415.00–450.00 $428.88 $2,719 -6.12
667 667 3 430.00 $430.00 $2,868 +22.30
725–731 730 6 385.00–400.00 $397.52 $2,902 +15.02
773–785 779 4 373.00–387.50 $380.19 $2,962 +8.19
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1090 1090 23 313.50 $313.50 $3,417 —
1105–1127 1118 5 300.00–302.50 $301.10 $3,366 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
365 365 4 590.00 $590.00 $2,154 —
534 534 17 470.00 $470.00 $2,510 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
696 696 6 375.00 $375.00 $2,610 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
634 634 4 410.00 $410.00 $2,599 +8.27
930 930 2 301.00 $301.00 $2,799 —

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
460–479 474 11 510.00–512.50 $511.84 $2,426 +11.84
505–534 526 106 475.00–495.00 $491.85 $2,587 +20.56
553–590 569 207 439.00–471.00 $464.36 $2,642 +31.08
603–641 620 281 415.00–444.00 $430.28 $2,668 +24.66
647 647 3 397.50 $397.50 $2,572 -8.12
653–695 685 194 377.50–406.00 $395.88 $2,712 -15.12
700–735 722 145 370.00–391.00 $386.73 $2,792 +24.40
750–783 768 45 355.00–378.00 $361.53 $2,777 +5.53
779–796 787 16 342.50–347.00 $345.08 $2,716 -10.92
813–832 822 13 334.50–338.00 $335.77 $2,760 -9.73
805–826 823 45 346.00–350.00 $349.37 $2,875 +3.87
949 949 8 313.50 $313.50 $2,975 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
390 390 3 510.00 $510.00 $1,989 -40.00
400–440 415 12 500.00–525.00 $519.20 $2,155 -2.47
456 456 8 495.00 $495.00 $2,257 +1.63
513–520 516 12 460.00–470.00 $461.67 $2,382 +4.90
560–597 591 30 424.00–432.00 $427.35 $2,526 +26.63
623–640 635 21 392.00–416.00 $401.44 $2,549 +16.44
668–699 693 15 350.00–370.00 $366.14 $2,537 -7.20
702–732 722 12 350.00–370.00 $358.91 $2,591 —
865 865 2 335.00 $335.00 $2,898 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
340 340 3 475.00 $475.00 $1,615 —
360 360 2 490.00 $490.00 $1,764 +30.00
471–493 482 8 437.50–442.50 $440.06 $2,121 —
663 663 2 310.00 $310.00 $2,055 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
486 486 5 465.00 $465.00 $2,260 —
648 648 3 406.00 $406.00 $2,631 —
713 713 2 356.00 $356.00 $2,538 —
1026 1026 4 301.00 $301.00 $3,088 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
625 625 4 400.00 $400.00 $2,500 —

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
480–498 491 5 515.00–547.50 $527.71 $2,591 —
519 519 6 520.00 $520.00 $2,699 —
608 608 2 415.00 $415.00 $2,523 -12.50
687 687 7 415.00 $415.00 $2,851 +2.92
750–756 755 25 387.50–392.50 $391.71 $2,957 —
800–815 803 6 370.00 $370.00 $2,971 —
878–898 888 4 320.00–325.00 $322.53 $2,864 —
955–970 966 8 305.00–325.00 $311.83 $3,012 —
1025–1030 1028 3 290.00–315.00 $298.31 $3,067 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1077–1095 1084 5 295.00 $295.00 $3,198 +10.00
1159 1159 9 271.00 $271.00 $3,141 —
1261 1261 8 236.00 $236.00 $2,976 —
1265–1290 1278 6 247.50–250.00 $248.67 $3,178 —
1310 1310 1 225.00 $225.00 $2,948 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
104–110 107 7 675.00–700.00 $688.94 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
463 463 2 510.00 $510.00 $2,361 -25.00
650–688 675 3 365.00–380.00 $369.81 $2,496 -18.10
990 990 2 300.00 $300.00 $2,970 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
443 443 2 490.00 $490.00 $2,171 —

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Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1230–1420 1300 80-85% 3 137.50–147.50 $143.38 $1,864 —
1201–1670 1377 80-85% 188 185.00–197.00 $189.94 $2,615 +72.44
1270–1590 1427 80-85% 19 150.00–163.00 $157.97 $2,254 -22.17
1315–1645 1428 80-85% 18 154.00–177.00 $170.67 $2,437 -9.47
1255–1670 1433 80-85% 97 175.00–188.00 $183.52 $2,630 +3.38
1455 1455 80-85% 6 185.50 $185.50 $2,699 —
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
800–865 833 85-90% 2 120.00–125.00 $122.40 $1,020 —
925 925 85-90% 1 145.00 $145.00 $1,341 —
870–990 932 85-90% 3 105.00–115.00 $111.00 $1,035 —
880–1298 1113 85-90% 36 140.00–175.00 $160.99 $1,792 -2.23
1065–1245 1130 85-90% 3 105.00–125.00 $117.53 $1,328 -45.69
1030–1300 1167 85-90% 13 155.00–168.00 $161.82 $1,888 +9.42
1110–1220 1189 85-90% 10 125.00–152.50 $140.62 $1,672 -11.78
1060–1260 1213 85-90% 21 172.00–187.00 $184.75 $2,241 -3.41
1085–1285 1217 85-90% 60 188.00–194.00 $190.55 $2,319 +2.39
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1430–1630 1546 75-80% 24 186.00–192.50 $187.71 $2,902 —
1480–1775 1602 75-80% 22 178.00–186.00 $181.90 $2,914 +1.90
1570–1825 1661 75-80% 7 170.00–177.00 $173.93 $2,889 +9.59
1505–1825 1665 75-80% 3 151.00–162.00 $154.67 $2,575 -9.67
1650–1945 1742 75-80% 9 167.00–175.00 $169.41 $2,951 +1.46
N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1695–1808 1792 65-75% 60 178.00–179.75 $179.23 $3,212 —
2010–2205 2108 65-75% 2 155.00–172.00 $163.11 $3,438 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
910–1285 1120 3 170.00–180.00 $175.18 $1,962 —
1230–1858 1512 14 190.50–210.00 $204.63 $3,094 +5.99
1255–1861 1604 22 198.00–220.00 $212.71 $3,412 +2.78
1460–1965 1690 3 175.50–191.00 $182.40 $3,083 —
1555–2365 2002 33 202.00–221.00 $214.62 $4,297 -14.16
1535–2375 2019 11 223.00–231.00 $225.97 $4,562 -2.81
YG2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1327 1327 5 220.00 $220.00 $2,919 —
1473 1473 4 200.00 $200.00 $2,946 —

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
797–1255 1024 (<2 yrs)Open 202 222.50–350.00 $301.18 $3,084
915–1470 1127 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 132 191.00–330.00 $253.00 $2,851
1240–1318 1280 (<2 yrs)Open 12 216.00–243.00 $227.07 $2,906
1170–1475 1299 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 30 184.00–220.00 $194.45 $2,526
1415 1415 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 189.50 $189.50 $2,681
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
834–1215 984 (<2 yrs)Open 43 225.00–315.00 $279.54 $2,751
900–1280 1073 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 67 182.50–300.00 $233.74 $2,508
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
958–1380 1084 (<2 yrs)Open 18 201.00–310.00 $242.82 $2,632
1375 1375 (<2 yrs)Open 2 242.00 $242.00 $3,328
1270–1490 1380 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 188.00–205.00 $195.82 $2,702
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
740–855 798 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 300.00 $300.00 $2,394
730–898 813 (<2 yrs)Open 16 305.00–332.50 $317.95 $2,585
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
790 790 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 240.00 $240.00 $1,896
875–895 885 (<2 yrs)Open 5 245.00–285.00 $274.93 $2,433
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1020 1020 (<2 yrs)Open 2 255.00 $255.00 $2,601
Medium 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1195 1195 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 167.50 $167.50 $2,002
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1600 1600 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 1 222.50 $222.50

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1130 1130 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 1 3,200.00 $3,200.00
1045–1490 1222 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 82 3,850.00–4,375.00 $4,149.35
1193–1360 1253 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 5 3,300.00–3,850.00 $3,673.51
1230–1598 1395 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 6 3,200.00–3,400.00 $3,283.71
1395 1395 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 2 3,400.00 $3,400.00
1383–1526 1482 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 28 3,650.00–4,200.00 $3,983.42
1055–1593 1524 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 48 3,300.00–3,750.00 $3,550.34
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1083 1083 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 3,000.00 $3,000.00
1096–1190 1112 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 6 2,600.00–3,300.00 $2,724.89
1141 1141 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 7 3,800.00 $3,800.00
1227 thin fleshed 1227 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 5 2,400.00 $2,400.00
1170–1400 1285 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 4 3,100.00–3,350.00 $3,236.19
1268–1317 1289 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 12 3,300.00–3,550.00 $3,509.01
980–1423 1294 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 18 3,500.00–3,800.00 $3,633.31
1265–1498 1404 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 27 2,850.00–3,050.00 $2,958.55

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Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1086–1260 1144 (<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 19 3,700.00–4,375.00 $4,161.37
1188 1188 (<2 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 2 3,000.00 $3,000.00
Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1390 1390 (<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 3,600.00 $3,600.00

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Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1426–1496 1459 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 15 5,050.00–5,250.00 $5,145.72 —
1493 1493 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 2 4,000.00 $4,000.00 —
1480–1540 1495 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 4 5,900.00–6,050.00 $6,011.37 —
1418–1561 1513 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 6 6,500.00–6,600.00 $6,568.77 —
1400–1568 1522 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 4 6,000.00–7,300.00 $6,899.08 —
1558 1558 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 14 6,000.00 $6,000.00 —
1540–1670 1612 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 20 4,200.00–4,800.00 $4,619.33 —
1683 1683 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 2 5,000.00 $5,000.00 —
1717 1717 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 3 5,100.00 $5,100.00 —
1770 1770 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 2 5,750.00 $5,750.00 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1173 thin fleshed 1173 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 2 2,700.00 $2,700.00 —
1202 1202 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 3 4,300.00 $4,300.00 —
1342–1500 1391 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 21 3,125.00–3,500.00 $3,251.15 —
1408–1586 1491 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 27 3,350.00–3,950.00 $3,666.63 —
1103–1888 1496 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 4 3,900.00–4,200.00 $4,089.37 —
1558 1558 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 3 3,550.00 $3,550.00 —
Medium 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
911 911 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 9 2,300.00 $2,300.00 —

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Dairy Cows

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1305 1305 85-90% 1 139.00 $139.00 $1,814 —
1403 1403 80-85% 3 170.00 $170.00 $2,385 —
1420–1635 1575 80-85% 4 150.00–152.50 $150.69 $2,373 —
1955 1955 75-80% 1 168.00 $168.00 $3,284 —

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Heifer Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1097–1442 1209 (<2 yrs)Open 30 5,400.00–6,800.00 $5,808.96 —

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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.