Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, May 4, 2026

3,529 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 $365.55/cwt -21.18 vs last sale · ≈ $2,595/hd at 710 lb · 58 head
light 6-weight M&L 1-2 steers $471.88/cwt +43.00 vs last sale · ≈ $2,895/hd at 614 lb · 56 head
heavy 5-weight M&L 1-2 steers $500.41/cwt +27.69 vs last sale · ≈ $2,789/hd at 557 lb · 37 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 3,529 4,680 3,137
Feeder cattle 925 2,529 887
Slaughter cattle 1,065 751 958
Replacement cattle 1,539 1,400 1,292

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Feeder cattle were all too lightly tested this week to develop an accurate market trend, however steady undertones were noticed. Quality this week was mostly plain to average. Demand overall for feeder cattle was moderate. Light offerings and lower quality limited demand this week. Fewer buyers were in the stands as light offerings and poorer quality kept most buyers out of the market. Most cattle were offered in small packages or as singles. CME positions moved sharply higher and lower throughout the week but finished lower overall. The May contract closed Friday at 367.375, 4.025 lower than last Friday. The August contract closed Friday at 364.225, 7.95 lower than last Fridays close. The September contract closed Friday at 362.175. Market activity was mostly moderate with a small pool of buyers noticed. 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 steady on all cows suitable to feed. Major American packers showed light demand for cows as they tried to buy cows lower. However, strong demand from Canadian buyers and order buyers buying for private feeders helped keep cow prices fully steady. A large portion of the cow offerings were purchased to ship north to Canada again 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 weakened slightly as southern packers showed slightly lighter demand for slaughter cows. Breaking, boning and lean slaughter cows were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however weak undertones were noticed on all offerings. Slaughter bulls sold fully 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 mostly 3.00-5.00 higher on very good demand. Feeding bull buyers showed good to very good demand for bulls as they bid against each other. 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 10.00-12.00 higher. Quality was mixed from plain to attractive. Several long strings of young offerings sold this week. Most were sold by year brand and buyers were willing to take up to 7 year old cows to try and rebreed. A few pairs are starting to be marketed as dry conditions persist across the state. Demand for pairs has softened slightly as ranchers are all in the same boat as they worry about drought conditions and increasing hay prices.

New to these tables? Plain-English explainers ↓

Feeder Steers

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
290 unweaned 290 2 600.00 $600.00 $1,740 —
370–395 379 4 600.00–605.00 $601.22 $2,279 —
415–435 unweaned 422 3 560.00–570.00 $566.56 $2,391 —
500–544 522 31 490.00–516.00 $499.61 $2,608 -10.75
554 thin fleshed 554 32 507.50 $507.50 $2,812 —
579 579 5 455.00 $455.00 $2,634 -17.72
613 thin fleshed 613 51 475.00 $475.00 $2,912 —
619 619 5 440.00 $440.00 $2,724 +11.12
655–667 662 7 372.50–427.00 $400.09 $2,649 -29.91
681 thin fleshed 681 28 445.00 $445.00 $3,030 —
700–735 712 3 392.50–395.00 $393.36 $2,801 -4.16
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
406 406 4 610.00 $610.00 $2,477 —
419 unweaned 419 7 585.00 $585.00 $2,451 —
468 468 5 577.50 $577.50 $2,703 -12.50
508 unweaned 508 22 532.50 $532.50 $2,705 —
587 587 3 474.00 $474.00 $2,782 -49.42
652–657 654 8 435.00–437.00 $435.75 $2,850 -22.71
713 713 3 410.00 $410.00 $2,923 -6.35
722 722 15 383.00 $383.00 $2,765 -33.35
760–763 762 3 385.00–391.00 $386.99 $2,949 -9.64
909 909 10 351.00 $351.00 $3,191 +21.23
913 913 6 341.00 $341.00 $3,113 +11.23
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
376 thin fleshed 376 4 540.00 $540.00 $2,030 —
486 thin fleshed 486 11 447.50 $447.50 $2,175 —
523 unweaned 523 3 450.00 $450.00 $2,354 —
510–544 537 5 447.50–460.00 $449.87 $2,416 —
577 thin fleshed 577 7 420.00 $420.00 $2,423 —
585 585 4 432.00 $432.00 $2,527 —
615–633 629 9 400.00–415.00 $403.26 $2,537 -6.74
658 thin fleshed 658 4 377.50 $377.50 $2,484 —
710–722 717 5 367.50–385.00 $378.07 $2,711 —
763 763 2 360.00 $360.00 $2,747 —
885 885 3 330.00 $330.00 $2,920 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1127 1127 11 278.00 $278.00 $3,133 —
Small 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
409 409 10 2,000.00 $2,000.00 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
508 508 2 495.00 $495.00 $2,515 +25.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
73 73 2 750.00 $750.00 —

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
465–480 467 34 505.00–512.50 $506.08 $2,363 -5.76
514–539 534 24 460.00–480.00 $473.01 $2,526 -18.84
559–590 564 16 422.50–455.00 $449.84 $2,537 -14.52
610–645 625 5 411.00–420.00 $414.38 $2,590 -15.90
673–689 676 30 386.00–407.50 $403.85 $2,730 +7.97
694 694 5 365.00 $365.00 $2,533 -30.88
701–706 704 15 335.00–341.50 $337.16 $2,374 -49.57
705–726 712 43 362.00–384.00 $375.45 $2,673 -11.28
755–760 757 22 354.00–359.00 $357.18 $2,704 -4.35
837 837 12 341.50 $341.50 $2,858 -7.87
891 891 8 317.00 $317.00 $2,824 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
365 365 1 525.00 $525.00 $1,916 +15.00
428–446 441 10 505.00–513.00 $509.04 $2,245 -10.16
515–535 523 9 439.00–441.00 $440.44 $2,304 -21.23
585 585 12 417.50 $417.50 $2,442 -9.85
615–628 625 4 375.00–382.50 $380.65 $2,379 -20.79
650–695 682 9 340.00–381.00 $363.75 $2,481 -2.39
710–745 732 9 341.00–358.00 $349.64 $2,559 -9.27
783 783 3 350.00 $350.00 $2,740 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
431 431 11 502.50 $502.50 $2,166 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
520–545 533 4 405.00–430.00 $412.38 $2,198 —
630 630 1 347.50 $347.50 $2,189 —
847 847 5 312.00 $312.00 $2,643 —
Small 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
372 372 7 2,000.00 $2,000.00 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
635 635 3 377.50 $377.50 $2,397 -28.50
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
565 565 1 385.00 $385.00 $2,175 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
100 100 1 950.00 $950.00 —

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
558–585 561 9 415.00–450.00 $445.94 $2,502 —
668 668 4 392.50 $392.50 $2,622 +22.69
705–723 715 6 355.00–370.00 $361.70 $2,586 —
785 785 2 347.50 $347.50 $2,728 —
803–848 827 6 300.00–347.00 $330.64 $2,734 —
1024 1024 4 262.50 $262.50 $2,688 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
588 588 4 457.50 $457.50 $2,690 —
922 922 14 327.00 $327.00 $3,015 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1009–1038 1017 7 301.00–306.00 $304.54 $3,097 —
1063–1083 1074 8 275.00–295.00 $286.69 $3,079 -8.31
1240 1240 2 230.00 $230.00 $2,852 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
85–97 88 7 925.00 $925.00 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
734 734 6 347.00 $347.00 $2,547 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1080–1095 1090 3 275.00–280.00 $276.65 $3,015 —

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Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1245–1435 1338 80-85% 4 130.00–157.00 $144.59 $1,935 —
1214–1580 1358 80-85% 188 185.00–194.00 $190.12 $2,582 +0.18
1250–1535 1399 80-85% 35 153.00–175.00 $166.83 $2,334 -23.11
1225–1700 1408 80-85% 98 175.00–188.00 $182.36 $2,568 +24.39
1275–1700 1431 80-85% 14 150.00–164.00 $157.95 $2,260 -25.57
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
890 890 85-90% 1 155.00 $155.00 $1,380 —
955 955 85-90% 1 125.00 $125.00 $1,194 —
975 975 85-90% 2 110.00–115.00 $112.50 $1,097 —
1010–1175 1089 85-90% 9 100.00–125.00 $115.97 $1,263 —
908–1390 1109 85-90% 21 120.00–142.50 $134.97 $1,497 -26.02
910–1273 1122 85-90% 45 150.00–174.00 $163.87 $1,839 +46.34
1032–1290 1131 85-90% 45 175.00–188.00 $182.23 $2,061 +64.70
1000–1250 1179 85-90% 5 146.00–162.50 $153.34 $1,808 +12.72
1165–1280 1207 85-90% 3 164.00–175.00 $170.79 $2,061 -13.96
1080–1330 1218 85-90% 133 186.00–196.00 $191.32 $2,330 +0.77
N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1509–1955 1823 65-75% 86 175.00–180.00 $179.67 $3,275 —
1735–1930 1833 65-75% 2 150.00–155.00 $152.37 $2,793 —
2165 2165 65-75% 1 175.50 $175.50 $3,800 —
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1520–1585 1564 75-80% 5 165.00–171.00 $167.79 $2,624 —
1510–1855 1602 75-80% 24 182.50–195.50 $188.73 $3,023 +6.83
1605–1740 1646 75-80% 12 172.00–184.00 $177.87 $2,928 —
1503–1805 1686 75-80% 12 165.00–171.00 $167.04 $2,816 +12.37
1505–1995 1704 75-80% 14 153.00–164.00 $160.10 $2,728 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1370 1370 1 187.50 $187.50 $2,569 —
1295–1635 1466 4 160.00–185.00 $170.04 $2,493 —
1320–2190 1643 67 202.00–223.00 $217.07 $3,566 —
1380–2125 1685 20 180.00–212.00 $203.47 $3,428 +21.07
1410–1980 1711 10 175.00–206.00 $193.50 $3,311 —
1510–2490 1956 42 202.00–221.00 $215.71 $4,219 —
1736–2340 2059 23 222.00–236.50 $225.75 $4,648 —
YG2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1845–2210 2028 2 211.00–218.00 $214.82 $4,357 —
2124–2168 2146 16 223.00–227.00 $225.02 $4,829 —

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
775–1320 1023 (<2 yrs)Open 278 220.00–373.00 $311.84 $3,190
1030–1085 1058 (<2 yrs)Open 2 237.50–275.00 $255.76 $2,706
900–1490 1126 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 233 191.00–335.00 $263.64 $2,969
1152–1238 1171 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 9 196.00–205.00 $202.89 $2,376
1080–1515 1210 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 60 190.00–262.00 $201.91 $2,443
1250 1250 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 212.50 $212.50 $2,656
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
940–960 thin fleshed 953 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 3 196.00–275.00 $249.03 $2,373
765–1185 987 (<2 yrs)Open 23 220.00–340.00 $274.20 $2,706
905–1275 1032 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 52 195.00–310.00 $237.01 $2,446
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
645–890 825 (<2 yrs)Open 17 295.00–355.00 $322.11 $2,657
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
645–853 780 (<2 yrs)Open 7 255.00–285.00 $273.14 $2,130
820–853 842 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 3 225.00–260.00 $248.64 $2,094
883 thin fleshed 883 (<2 yrs)Open 2 215.00 $215.00 $1,898
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
957 957 (<2 yrs)Open 6 310.00 $310.00
1045 1045 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 215.00 $215.00
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1185 1185 (<2 yrs)Open 1 205.00 $205.00 $2,429
1500 1500 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 188.00 $188.00 $2,820

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
968–1343 1175 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 6 3,300.00–3,600.00 $3,517.64
1075–1403 1278 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 49 4,000.00–4,300.00 $4,187.85
1445 1445 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 4 3,700.00 $3,700.00
1390–1649 1483 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 16 3,300.00–3,550.00 $3,419.99
1320–1575 1536 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 7 3,450.00–3,800.00 $3,525.84
1513–1610 1545 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 3 3,250.00–3,400.00 $3,302.09
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1265 1265 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 1 3,350.00 $3,350.00
1290 1290 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 3,250.00 $3,250.00
1286–1565 1342 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 5 3,100.00–3,300.00 $3,253.35
1480 1480 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 2 3,700.00 $3,700.00
Medium 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
948 948 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 2 3,500.00 $3,500.00

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Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1152–1335 1191 (<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 9 3,900.00–4,100.00 $3,923.14
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1043–1095 1080 (<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 7 3,600.00–3,800.00 $3,744.82
Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1347 1347 (<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 4 3,700.00 $3,700.00

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Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1275 thin fleshed 1275 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 1 3,600.00 $3,600.00 —
1388 1388 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 10 4,750.00 $4,750.00 —
1338–1538 1404 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 21 4,200.00–4,350.00 $4,223.60 —
1435–1738 1553 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 76 3,975.00–4,300.00 $4,060.28 -1,939.72
1629 1629 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 4 4,550.00 $4,550.00 -69.33
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
997 997 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 12 4,200.00 $4,200.00 —
1285–1373 1329 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 4 4,150.00–4,500.00 $4,330.79 —
1343 1343 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 3 4,450.00 $4,450.00 —
1363 1363 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 2 3,600.00 $3,600.00 +348.85
1420–1483 1436 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 8 3,650.00–3,800.00 $3,688.73 —
Medium 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1146 1146 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 10 4,900.00 $4,900.00 —

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Heifer Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1075–1088 1080 (<2 yrs)Open 64 4,550.00–5,300.00 $5,070.60 —
1208–1292 1255 (<2 yrs)Open 27 5,300.00–5,350.00 $5,328.60 —
Medium 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
934–1049 961 (<2 yrs)Open 25 4,200.00–4,600.00 $4,452.62 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1003 1003 (<2 yrs)Open 2 4,000.00 $4,000.00 —

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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.