Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, June 22, 2026

2,299 head sold ·Official USDA report

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

heavy 6-weight M&L 1 steers $445.36/cwt ≈ $2,948/hd at 662 lb · 65 head
heavy 8-weight M&L 1 steers $365.48/cwt ≈ $3,220/hd at 881 lb · 35 head
light 6-weight M&L 1 heifers $413.38/cwt +26.96 vs last sale · ≈ $2,559/hd at 619 lb · 30 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 2,299 6,281 2,807
Feeder cattle 614 339 463
Slaughter cattle 1,067 1,374 1,598
Replacement cattle 618 565 746

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Feeder cattle were all too lightly tested last week to develop any market trend. Quality this week was mixed from plain to attractive. Cattle were offered in small to moderate size groups with many singles noticed as well. Demand was mostly moderate to good. Rain continues to help improve pasture and range conditions across some parts of the state. Some renewed demand continues to be seen for cattle suitable to turn out on grass. Demand for cattle to go straight to the feed lot is very good as well, as CME positions have moved sharply higher over the last two weeks. The August contract closed Friday at 369.85, 3.25 higher than last Thursdays close (Friday was a federal holiday). The September contract closed Friday at 367.675, 3.00 higher than last Thursdays close. The October contract closed Friday at 364.60, 2.85 higher than last Thursdays close. Market activity was mostly moderate to active a slightly larger buyer pool was noticed along with a larger offering which helped attract more buyers. Weigh up cows sold on mostly good demand for moderate to heavy offerings. Feeding cow demand remains very good. A large buyer pool of feeding cow buyers was seen again this week. Canadian feeding buyers were mostly out of the market this week following a uptick in the dollar making exchange rates less favorable for Canadian buyers. Demand remained strong as private feeders and American packers showed stronger demand for cows to feed. Demand for slaughter cows was also stronger this week as packers tried to buy cows to harvest prior to the 4th of July holiday. Feeding cows sold mostly 3.00-4.00 higher on breaking flesh cows after 2 weeks of lower movement. Boning and lean fleshed cows sold generally steady to 1.00 higher. Slaughter bulls sold fully steady on an attractive quality offering. Feeding bulls sold 3.00-5.00 lower as southern packers who had been putting bulls away on feed opted to send most bulls to slaughter. Demand for feeding bulls was light to moderate this week as a result. Feeding bull quality this week was mostly plain to average. 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. Demand for all replacement cows was stronger, including for bred cows and pairs, Cows and heifers which lost calves sold on very good demand again this week. Feeding demand for young cows, which are still eligible to grade choice, was good. Young cows sold firm. Quality was mostly average to attractive.

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 unweaned 277 3 640.00–665.00 $654.73 $1,814 —
343 unweaned 343 14 640.00 $640.00 $2,195 +120.00
485 unweaned 485 1 505.00 $505.00 $2,449 —
534 534 11 525.00 $525.00 $2,804 —
555–591 585 22 480.00–496.00 $488.87 $2,860 +11.76
656–669 662 65 435.00–455.00 $445.36 $2,948 —
780–788 785 10 390.00–394.00 $392.41 $3,080 +6.38
805–815 806 7 367.00–372.50 $369.08 $2,975 —
852–886 881 35 356.00–367.00 $365.48 $3,220 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
436 thin fleshed 436 7 565.00 $565.00 $2,463 —
470 thin fleshed 470 1 522.50 $522.50 $2,456 —
475–493 488 7 520.00–530.00 $527.22 $2,573 —
519–520 thin fleshed 519 28 505.00–512.50 $512.23 $2,658 —
556–560 557 6 435.00–480.00 $472.46 $2,632 +36.81
645 645 1 450.00 $450.00 $2,902 +14.00
695 695 3 417.50 $417.50 $2,902 —
700 700 1 402.50 $402.50 $2,818 +7.50
760–779 776 6 375.00–387.50 $385.46 $2,991 +25.46
820–840 823 20 346.00–352.50 $347.00 $2,856 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
595 595 1 405.00 $405.00 $2,410 +5.00
635 635 3 407.50 $407.50 $2,588 —
665–683 673 9 357.50–382.50 $368.78 $2,482 -6.22
875 875 1 332.50 $332.50 $2,909 +12.50
Small 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
368 368 6 1,850.00 $1,850.00 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
790 790 2 350.00 $350.00 $2,765 —
870 870 3 340.00 $340.00 $2,958 —

↑ Back to top

Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
323 unweaned 323 4 552.00 $552.00 $1,783 —
351 unweaned 351 4 530.00 $530.00 $1,860 —
463 unweaned 463 3 470.00 $470.00 $2,176 —
580–588 583 15 418.00–421.00 $419.86 $2,448 -0.14
601–625 619 30 401.00–417.00 $413.38 $2,559 +26.96
712–746 737 11 367.50–370.50 $369.71 $2,725 -5.29
765–797 793 17 356.00–370.00 $357.96 $2,839 -10.04
854–864 860 12 330.00–334.00 $331.67 $2,852 -13.33
913 913 3 329.00 $329.00 $3,004 —
968 968 9 308.00 $308.00 $2,981 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
390 390 1 422.50 $422.50 $1,648 -67.50
508–545 520 3 415.00–425.00 $421.51 $2,192 +7.73
553–598 580 5 385.00–410.00 $394.53 $2,288 +18.20
600–625 613 2 390.00–397.50 $393.67 $2,413 +16.17
670 670 1 365.00 $365.00 $2,446 +6.21
703–745 732 12 333.00–365.00 $354.26 $2,593 +9.26
760–780 770 2 340.00–350.00 $344.94 $2,656 +21.59
812 812 3 301.00 $301.00 $2,444 -21.50
920 920 3 310.00 $310.00 $2,852 —
Medium 2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
519 519 9 275.00 $275.00 $1,427 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
448 448 3 445.00 $445.00 $1,994 —

↑ Back to top

Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
570–593 589 9 405.00–412.50 $410.04 $2,415 —
603–608 604 10 410.00–420.00 $417.99 $2,525 +17.99
654 654 5 400.00 $400.00 $2,616 +35.00
745 745 3 370.00 $370.00 $2,756 —
945 945 1 327.50 $327.50 $3,095 +12.50
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
350 unweaned 350 3 565.00 $565.00 $1,978 —
510 unweaned 510 8 485.00 $485.00 $2,474 —
630 630 2 432.50 $432.50 $2,725 —
863–885 867 10 325.00–332.50 $330.97 $2,870 +0.97
1035 1035 1 295.00 $295.00 $3,053 -4.37
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1105 1105 2 278.00 $278.00 $3,072 +9.00
1162–1195 1175 5 252.50–271.00 $263.48 $3,096 -6.53
1226–1240 1231 6 240.00 $240.00 $2,954 -20.00
1265–1273 1270 3 237.50–240.00 $238.33 $3,027 —
1314 1314 6 231.00 $231.00 $3,035 -5.00
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1100 1100 1 260.00 $260.00 $2,860 —
1217 1217 3 230.00 $230.00 $2,799 —

↑ Back to top

Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1355 1355 80-85% 1 137.00 $137.00 $1,856 —
1152–1660 1404 80-85% 175 176.00–188.00 $184.51 $2,591 -3.77
1153–1735 1411 80-85% 41 155.00–178.50 $168.95 $2,384 -19.33
1290–1605 1412 80-85% 3 168.00–175.50 $172.67 $2,438 -15.61
1233–1640 1427 80-85% 250 187.00–198.00 $188.97 $2,697 +27.62
1265–1598 1467 80-85% 11 156.00–166.00 $163.47 $2,398 —
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1415–1725 1571 75-80% 12 186.00–189.00 $186.65 $2,932 —
1325–1950 1610 75-80% 16 161.00–176.50 $167.00 $2,689 -11.03
1549–1743 1621 75-80% 73 175.00–184.50 $182.45 $2,958 +4.42
1540–1955 1689 75-80% 10 161.00–174.50 $166.67 $2,815 -17.83
1735–1775 1755 75-80% 2 178.00–182.00 $180.02 $3,159 +17.48
1640–1810 1758 75-80% 8 166.00–176.00 $170.52 $2,998 +7.98
1805 1805 75-80% 1 142.50 $142.50 $2,572 —
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
830 830 85-90% 1 140.00 $140.00 $1,162 —
850 850 85-90% 1 152.50 $152.50 $1,296 +40.17
780–965 873 85-90% 2 90.00–117.50 $105.21 $918 -7.12
1005–1250 1128 85-90% 2 160.00–164.00 $162.22 $1,830 +8.45
1070–1255 1160 85-90% 7 130.00–147.00 $142.52 $1,653 +3.28
1010–1285 1181 85-90% 27 147.50–174.00 $163.44 $1,930 -18.39
1015–1275 1183 85-90% 10 187.00–199.00 $189.14 $2,238 +7.31
1048–1297 1191 85-90% 32 175.00–185.00 $180.96 $2,155 +16.81
1255 1255 85-90% 1 170.00 $170.00 $2,134 -17.44

↑ Back to top

Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1170–1430 1313 4 156.00–182.50 $165.71 $2,176 —
1252–1865 1398 15 207.00–224.00 $213.66 $2,987 +6.66
1430 1430 1 190.00 $190.00 $2,717 —
1280–1765 1512 16 180.00–210.00 $199.23 $3,012 —
1315–2110 1676 19 187.00–210.50 $198.17 $3,321 —
1645–2415 1922 64 203.00–225.00 $215.64 $4,145 —
1800–2463 2070 54 219.00–251.00 $228.66 $4,733 —
2510–2515 2513 2 228.00–240.00 $234.01 $5,881 -16.99
YG2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1835–2355 2170 3 198.00–214.00 $206.89 $4,490 —
2150–2485 2318 2 218.00–219.00 $218.46 $5,064 —

↑ Back to top

Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
805–1320 1074 (<2 yrs)Open 77 215.00–328.00 $278.30 $2,989
920–1390 1185 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 124 190.00–315.00 $234.49 $2,779
1255–1463 1395 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 14 186.00–192.00 $187.38 $2,614
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
810–1185 980 (<2 yrs)Open 11 227.50–312.50 $281.39 $2,758
915–1485 1046 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 31 189.00–287.50 $232.61 $2,433
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
778–885 822 (<2 yrs)Open 5 320.00–327.50 $323.79 $2,662
980 980 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 202.50 $202.50 $1,984
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
843 843 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 245.00 $245.00 $2,065

↑ Back to top

Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1240–1365 1294 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 5 3,500.00–3,700.00 $3,638.10
1225–1460 1374 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 14 4,000.00–4,050.00 $4,018.97
1235–1492 1389 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 5 2,700.00–2,800.00 $2,764.44
1505 1505 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 1 3,000.00 $3,000.00
1648 1648 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 2,650.00 $2,650.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1115–1253 1192 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 4 3,500.00–3,700.00 $3,548.05
1195 thin fleshed 1195 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 2,500.00 $2,500.00
1505 1505 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 3,100.00 $3,100.00
1530 1530 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 3,100.00 $3,100.00

↑ Back to top

Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1033 1033 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 4 3,700.00 $3,700.00
1033 1033 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 4 3,250.00 $3,250.00

↑ Back to top

Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1095 1095 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 4,200.00 $4,200.00 —
1424 1424 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 12 4,100.00 $4,100.00 -250.00
1385–1710 1512 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 29 4,150.00–4,350.00 $4,261.85 -388.15
1564–1590 1567 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 9 4,000.00–4,050.00 $4,044.36 —
1375–1887 1577 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 27 4,200.00–4,500.00 $4,388.36 —
1810 1810 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 5,350.00 $5,350.00 —
1883 1883 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 10 4,700.00 $4,700.00 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1135 1135 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 4,100.00 $4,100.00 —
1616–1675 1639 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 10 4,500.00–4,600.00 $4,589.78 —
1678 1678 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 3 4,400.00 $4,400.00 —
1708 1708 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 3 4,450.00 $4,450.00 +450.00
1800 1800 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 5 4,600.00 $4,600.00 —

↑ Back to top

Dairy Cows

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1155 1155 85-90% 1 125.00 $125.00 $1,444 —
1375 1375 80-85% 1 137.50 $137.50 $1,891 -32.50
1900 1900 75-80% 1 140.00 $140.00 $2,660 —

↑ Back to top

Heifer Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1418 1418 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 4,600.00 $4,600.00 —

↑ 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.