Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, June 8, 2026

4,627 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 $370.90/cwt -1.71 vs last sale · ≈ $2,743/hd at 740 lb · 94 head
light 8-weight M&L 1-2 steers $368.25/cwt +11.25 vs last sale · ≈ $2,987/hd at 811 lb · 58 head
heavy 7-weight M&L 1 heifers $362.50/cwt +0.91 vs last sale · ≈ $2,773/hd at 765 lb · 41 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 4,627 2,293 4,810
Feeder cattle 878 543 1,062
Slaughter cattle 1,901 1,217 2,027
Replacement cattle 1,848 533 1,721

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Feeder cattle were all too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Quality this week was mixed from plain to attractive. Most cattle were offered in small groups or as singles. Rains have helped improve pasture and range conditions across much of the state. Some renewed demand was seen this week for cattle suitable to turn out on grass. A few sets of fall calves continue to be seen. These offerings sold with moderate to good demand. Overall demand for feeder cattle was mostly good. CME positions were volatile this past week. A confirmed case of New World screw worm whip sawed futures before pushing them the limit higher on Thursday. The August contract closed Friday at 357.425, 3.525 higher than last Fridays close. The September contract closed Friday at 354.55, 3.725 higher than last Fridays close. The October contract closed Friday at 350.925, 3.705 higher than last Fridays close. Market activity was mostly moderate to active despite a small buyer pool. Weigh up cows sold on mostly good demand for moderate to heavy offerings. Feeding cow demand remains very good. Feeding cows sold mostly steady to 1.00 lower on breaking and boning cows. Thin lean feeding cows sold steady to 3.00 lower. Good demand was seen this week from both private feeders and Canadian buyers. Canadian buyers were active again this week as they bought thinner fleshed, lower yielding offering to put on feed. American packers showed a desire to buy cows lower. They picked around trying to find cows to fit their orders and budget but purchased very few cows throughout the week. Slaughter cow demand was mostly light to moderate this week and significantly lower than the last few weeks. The best demand continues to be for fleshy breaking cows as these offerings have the most yield and heaviest carcass at harvest. Breaking cows sold 2.00-4.00 lower. Boning and lean cows sold 2.00-3.00 lower in a narrow comparison. Very few cows are being sold to go to harvest immediately. Most purchased for slaughter are too blemished to feed. Slaughter bulls sold steady to 2.00 lower. Feeding bulls sold 4.00-5.00 lower. Demand for feeding bulls was light to moderate this week. Demand for young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed was mostly good. Rain continues to give buyers some relief as pastures have greened in many places and some buyers continue to buy cows to turn out and breed. Cows and heifers which lost calves sold on very good demand this week. Feeding demand for young cows which are still eligible to grade choice was good. Buyers took heifers up to 3 years old to put on feed again this week. Young cows sold generally steady. Quality was mostly average to attractive.

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
393 393 4 535.00 $535.00 $2,103 +15.00
502 502 3 500.00 $500.00 $2,510 —
563–566 565 9 437.50–445.00 $439.16 $2,481 —
633 633 2 440.00 $440.00 $2,785 +9.96
682 682 14 404.00 $404.00 $2,755 -1.00
802–822 811 58 360.00–372.50 $368.25 $2,987 +11.25
851 851 4 358.00 $358.00 $3,047 —
968–970 970 14 317.50–332.00 $329.93 $3,200 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
425 425 1 465.00 $465.00 $1,976 —
605–643 630 3 320.00–392.50 $369.30 $2,327 —
665–680 673 8 347.50–375.00 $361.10 $2,430 -25.12
710–730 715 15 335.00–370.00 $344.17 $2,461 +1.67
770 770 2 330.00 $330.00 $2,541 -17.50
803 803 4 352.50 $352.50 $2,831 —
923 923 4 315.00 $315.00 $2,907 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
645 645 2 442.50 $442.50 $2,854 +0.49
684 684 16 419.00 $419.00 $2,866 -22.15
710 710 1 405.00 $405.00 $2,876 -14.91
935 935 2 345.00 $345.00 $3,226 -3.00
Small 3 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
426 426 6 2,050.00 $2,050.00 —
513 513 14 2,100.00 $2,100.00 —
Small 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
606 606 10 163.00 $163.00 $988 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
455–456 456 5 460.00–485.00 $480.01 $2,189 —
575 575 1 440.00 $440.00 $2,530 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
509 509 4 475.00 $475.00 $2,418 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
605 605 2 395.00 $395.00 $2,390 —
1163 1163 2 271.00 $271.00 $3,152 —

↑ Back to top

Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
580 580 1 430.00 $430.00 $2,494 -10.00
638–644 642 6 390.00–411.00 $396.96 $2,548 +5.73
688 688 9 381.00 $381.00 $2,621 +11.00
701–744 731 40 362.50–384.00 $369.48 $2,701 -3.13
745–746 746 54 371.00–375.00 $371.96 $2,775 -0.65
765 765 41 362.50 $362.50 $2,773 +0.91
958 958 11 300.00 $300.00 $2,874 —
1036 1036 28 259.00 $259.00 $2,683 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
402–420 405 19 420.00–470.00 $462.44 $1,873 —
455–488 473 5 400.00–445.00 $425.14 $2,011 —
507 507 6 445.00 $445.00 $2,256 —
550–598 579 21 365.00–405.00 $383.86 $2,223 -26.14
710–738 724 5 350.00–357.50 $353.46 $2,559 -1.39
780 780 3 275.00 $275.00 $2,145 -70.06
820 820 2 325.00 $325.00 $2,665 -0.22
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
521 521 15 440.00 $440.00 $2,292 —
597 597 14 424.00 $424.00 $2,531 —
639 639 11 406.00 $406.00 $2,594 —
730 730 3 355.00 $355.00 $2,592 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
528 528 4 407.50 $407.50 $2,152 ±0.00
663 663 6 340.00 $340.00 $2,254 —
868 868 9 255.00 $255.00 $2,213 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
420 420 3 410.00 $410.00 $1,722 —
547 547 3 360.00 $360.00 $1,969 -25.00
570 570 1 380.00 $380.00 $2,166 ±0.00
605 605 1 365.00 $365.00 $2,208 —
715 715 2 325.00 $325.00 $2,324 —
Small 3 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
464 464 5 2,100.00 $2,100.00 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
466 466 4 380.00 $380.00 $1,771 —

↑ Back to top

Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
465 unweaned 465 —— 5 490.00 $490.00 $2,278 —
755 755 —— 1 375.00 $375.00 $2,831 +10.00
840 840 —— 1 350.00 $350.00 $2,940 +5.00
867–872 869 —— 9 332.50 $332.50 $2,889 —
902–905 903 —— 6 327.50–335.00 $333.75 $3,014 +12.75
970 970 —— 6 315.00 $315.00 $3,056 —
981 981 —— 6 318.00 $318.00 $3,120 —
1035 1035 —— 1 290.00 $290.00 $3,002 —
1075 1075 —— 1 280.00 $280.00 $3,010 —
1090–1640 1414 (<2 yrs)N/A 15 223.00–285.00 $238.34 $3,370 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1117–1141 1125 19 260.00–270.00 $263.20 $2,961 -12.53
1160–1173 1167 4 247.50–255.00 $251.23 $2,932 -15.29
1260 1260 1 237.50 $237.50 $2,992 +5.33
1370 1370 1 230.00 $230.00 $3,151 -2.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
723 723 2 350.00 $350.00 $2,530 —
845 845 2 337.50 $337.50 $2,852 +13.01
852–896 876 13 315.00–320.00 $317.75 $2,783 -0.25
973 973 3 305.00 $305.00 $2,968 —
1023 1023 3 280.00 $280.00 $2,864 —
Small 3 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
313 313 4 1,950.00 $1,950.00 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
692 692 3 350.00 $350.00 $2,422 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
765 765 1 330.00 $330.00 $2,524 —

↑ Back to top

Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1265–1475 1332 80-85% 5 135.00–139.00 $137.02 $1,825 -6.98
1175–1602 1402 80-85% 239 185.00–196.50 $188.32 $2,640 +3.94
1218–1725 1405 80-85% 615 175.00–186.00 $183.01 $2,571 -1.37
1238–1685 1419 80-85% 99 145.00–179.00 $170.53 $2,420 -13.85
1315–1655 1433 80-85% 8 145.00–165.00 $155.38 $2,227 -29.00
1305–1712 1610 80-85% 4 166.00–172.00 $170.78 $2,750 —
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
700–975 851 85-90% 9 85.00–111.00 $102.99 $876 +5.67
885–900 893 85-90% 2 137.50–145.00 $141.22 $1,261 +43.90
845–945 924 85-90% 6 112.50–137.50 $122.47 $1,132 -0.37
1005–1275 1113 85-90% 10 137.50–157.00 $147.29 $1,639 +26.11
1000–1335 1138 85-90% 20 112.50–142.50 $130.62 $1,486 +1.65
955–1335 1150 85-90% 52 142.50–177.00 $163.90 $1,885 +13.27
1070–1235 1160 85-90% 3 160.00–165.00 $162.89 $1,890 +12.26
1180 1180 85-90% 1 108.00 $108.00 $1,274 -42.63
985–1290 1202 85-90% 38 185.00–190.00 $186.69 $2,244 —
970–1298 1211 85-90% 121 175.00–186.00 $180.44 $2,185 —
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1550–1640 1588 75-80% 8 185.00–187.00 $185.50 $2,946 —
1440–1840 1614 75-80% 183 176.00–185.00 $182.22 $2,941 -0.63
1530–1945 1653 75-80% 23 153.00–175.00 $167.74 $2,773 -15.88
1545–1995 1789 75-80% 20 157.00–166.00 $163.62 $2,927 —
1730–1930 1853 75-80% 9 168.00–171.50 $169.11 $3,134 —
1790–2015 1903 75-80% 2 175.00 $175.00 $3,330 —
2230 2230 75-80% 1 163.00 $163.00 $3,635 —

↑ Back to top

Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1295 1295 1 195.00 $195.00 $2,525 —
1475 1475 1 181.00 $181.00 $2,670 —
1315–1900 1539 24 205.00–220.00 $210.90 $3,246 —
1285–2140 1597 23 184.00–205.00 $193.49 $3,090 —
1350–2135 1743 20 180.00–208.00 $195.71 $3,411 +4.47
1500–2420 1963 45 202.00–223.00 $213.68 $4,195 —
1665–2455 2008 34 220.00–244.00 $228.09 $4,580 —
2455 2455 1 222.50 $222.50 $5,462 —
2555–2600 2578 2 224.00 $224.00 $5,775 —
YG2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1965 1965 1 195.00 $195.00 $3,832 —
2250–2475 2348 3 217.00–218.00 $217.50 $5,107 +3.50
2230–2485 2358 2 206.00–209.00 $207.42 $4,891 —

↑ Back to top

Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
830–1415 1074 (<2 yrs)Open 242 210.00–332.50 $280.45 $3,012
915–1445 1167 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 142 186.00–312.50 $234.64 $2,738
994–1287 1224 (<2 yrs)Open 33 202.50–290.00 $243.14 $2,976
1061–1428 1263 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 72 186.00–220.00 $196.29 $2,479
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
925–1260 1085 (<2 yrs)Open 31 192.50–305.00 $237.04 $2,572
930–1310 1113 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 38 186.00–285.00 $219.53 $2,443
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
700–915 833 (<2 yrs)Open 16 285.00–325.00 $306.72 $2,555
875 875 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 280.00 $280.00 $2,450
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
965–1330 1121 (<2 yrs)Open 6 200.00–285.00 $221.64 $2,485
1088–1500 1235 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 4 187.00–195.00 $191.13 $2,360
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
730–880 844 (<2 yrs)Open 7 225.00–275.00 $254.16 $2,145
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
985 985 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 225.00 $225.00 $2,216

↑ Back to top

Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1018–1385 1139 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 6 3,400.00–3,700.00 $3,601.73
1256–1470 1350 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 13 3,800.00–4,150.00 $3,955.74
1409 1409 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 7 4,050.00 $4,050.00
1375–1628 1507 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 27 3,450.00–3,950.00 $3,778.18
1530 1530 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 3 3,750.00 $3,750.00
1518–1568 1548 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 5 4,050.00–4,100.00 $4,069.61
1475–1663 1621 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 19 3,500.00–4,150.00 $4,059.48
1650 1650 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 3 3,550.00 $3,550.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1203 1203 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 3 3,300.00 $3,300.00
1275–1497 1353 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 17 2,700.00–3,000.00 $2,904.81
1265–1381 1355 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 9 3,300.00–3,400.00 $3,379.26
1505 thin fleshed 1505 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 2 2,500.00 $2,500.00

↑ Back to top

Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1095–1245 1145 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 3 3,400.00–3,800.00 $3,544.98
1305–1363 1344 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 3 3,800.00–3,950.00 $3,901.44

↑ Back to top

Beef Dairy Heifers

Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
887 887 33 316.00 $316.00 $2,803 —
Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
777 777 3 311.00 $311.00 $2,416 —

↑ Back to top

Beef Dairy Steers

Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
913 913 28 344.00 $344.00 $3,141 —
1044 1044 7 317.00 $317.00 $3,309 —

↑ Back to top

Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1329–1474 1371 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 24 4,700.00–4,750.00 $4,734.32 —
1403–1645 1446 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 74 5,000.00–5,900.00 $5,769.76 —
1453–1561 1525 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 9 4,200.00–4,300.00 $4,231.76 —
1503–1672 1604 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 5 4,450.00–4,550.00 $4,512.53 —
1555–1729 1625 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 55 4,150.00–4,600.00 $4,455.49 +636.05
1653 1653 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 18 4,300.00 $4,300.00 —
1615–1830 1689 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 170 4,575.00–5,425.00 $5,328.24 —
1635–1714 1691 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 24 4,900.00–4,925.00 $4,917.95 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1223 1223 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 5 4,600.00 $4,600.00 —
1355 thin fleshed 1355 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 3 3,600.00 $3,600.00 —
1320–1620 1425 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 14 3,850.00–4,200.00 $4,083.98 —
1443 1443 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 4,600.00 $4,600.00 —
1508–1582 1542 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 14 3,700.00–4,250.00 $4,156.42 —
1591–1600 1593 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 11 4,000.00–4,550.00 $4,413.31 —
Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1461 1461 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 5 4,000.00 $4,000.00 —

↑ Back to top

Dairy Steers

Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
990 990 5 215.00 $215.00 $2,128 —

↑ Back to top

Heifer Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1230 1230 (<2 yrs)Open 33 5,550.00 $5,550.00 —

↑ 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.