Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, September 7, 2026

2,596 head sold ·Official USDA report

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

light 9-weight M&L 1 heifers $308.17/cwt +7.24 vs last sale · ≈ $2,849/hd at 924 lb · 95 head
heavy 3-weight M&L 1-2 heifers $451.85/cwt ≈ $1,740/hd at 385 lb · 70 head
heavy 5-weight M&L 1 steers $402.60/cwt -7.40 vs last sale · ≈ $2,326/hd at 578 lb · 69 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 2,596 1,783 3,479
Feeder cattle 1,644 921 2,484
Slaughter cattle 799 689 727
Replacement cattle 153 173 268

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Yearling steers were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Yearling heifer under 900 lbs were too lightly tested to develop a full market trend, however steady undertones were noticed. Yearling heifers over 900 lbs sold steady to 5.00 higher in a narrow comparison. Steer calves were too lightly tested this week to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to higher undertones were noticed. Heifer calves were all too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on heifers under 450 lbs and steady undertones were noticed on heifers over 450 lbs. Quality this week was mixed from plain to attractive. Cattle were offered in small to moderate size packages. Lots of variation in breed type and quality were noticed. Many calves continue to come out of dry country as ranchers are being forced to market early due to dry conditions. Buyers showed moderate to good demand for both yearling and calves despite light offerings. CME feeder cattle positions moved sharply higher this past week as buyers continue to rebound from oversold positions. The September closed last Friday at 337.825, 13.00 higher than last Friday. The October closed at 332.50, 12.35 higher than last Fridays close and the November closed at 328.175, 13.45 higher than last Fridays close. Market activity was mostly active despite light offerings. Weigh up cows sold on mostly light to moderate demand for light offerings. Cow quality remains mostly plain to average with many blemished cows seen. Very few attractive feeding cows were seen this past week. Feeding cows sold generally steady on all offerings. Slaughter cows sold mostly steady in a narrow comparison on all classes. Slaughter bulls sold fully steady. Young age offerings were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Good demand was noticed for 2 year old heifers which never had calves as buyers purchased these offerings to feed. Many of these offerings have been out on grass and were in light to moderate flesh. Demand from rebreed buyers remains light and very few were purchased for that purpose this 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
300–345 unweaned 335 17 562.50–582.50 $574.58 $1,925 —
383–386 unweaned 385 12 537.50–545.00 $541.24 $2,084 —
405–425 unweaned 421 57 501.00–545.00 $515.77 $2,171 —
455–477 unweaned 463 33 447.50–472.50 $467.39 $2,164 —
500–537 unweaned 532 34 407.00–445.00 $420.26 $2,236 —
576 576 11 408.00 $408.00 $2,350 —
567–594 unweaned 578 58 381.00–410.00 $401.58 $2,321 -8.42
623–640 unweaned 637 12 375.00–380.00 $379.19 $2,415 -6.81
652 unweaned 652 5 362.00 $362.00 $2,360 +4.00
720 unweaned 720 7 355.00 $355.00 $2,556 —
735 735 3 382.00 $382.00 $2,808 —
778 778 9 379.00 $379.00 $2,949 +7.73
805 805 3 347.50 $347.50 $2,797 —
902 902 7 316.00 $316.00 $2,850 —
953–960 958 17 310.00–311.00 $310.77 $2,977 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
268 unweaned 268 3 580.00 $580.00 $1,554 —
368–398 unweaned 391 31 475.00–510.00 $490.51 $1,918 —
403–445 unweaned 433 14 440.00–490.00 $476.05 $2,061 —
492 unweaned 492 5 442.50 $442.50 $2,177 +17.49
537 unweaned 537 3 397.50 $397.50 $2,135 —
587 unweaned 587 26 382.50 $382.50 $2,245 —
764 764 5 356.00 $356.00 $2,720 —
809–845 810 34 340.00–349.00 $348.72 $2,825 —
835 835 13 335.00 $335.00 $2,797 —
902–905 903 4 317.50–322.50 $321.25 $2,901 —
943 943 3 312.00 $312.00 $2,942 —
974–998 984 7 295.00–296.00 $295.57 $2,908 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
602 unweaned 602 5 359.00 $359.00 $2,161 —
665–668 unweaned 667 22 342.00 $342.00 $2,281 —
1050 1050 6 289.00 $289.00 $3,034 —
1109 1109 7 276.50 $276.50 $3,066 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
678 unweaned 678 4 326.00 $326.00 $2,210 —
799 799 10 342.50 $342.50 $2,737 —
878 878 15 314.00 $314.00 $2,757 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
679–693 690 28 345.00–349.00 $348.02 $2,401 +13.02
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
863 863 8 324.00 $324.00 $2,796 +1.00
919 919 6 316.00 $316.00 $2,904 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
673 673 3 380.00 $380.00 $2,557 —
783 783 2 345.00 $345.00 $2,701 —
846 846 8 342.00 $342.00 $2,893 —

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
280 unweaned 280 2 535.00 $535.00 $1,498 —
336–337 unweaned 336 21 485.00–495.00 $487.86 $1,639 —
418–424 unweaned 423 28 455.00–473.00 $471.10 $1,993 —
458–485 unweaned 478 30 385.00–415.00 $408.23 $1,951 —
480–489 483 12 371.00–378.00 $373.36 $1,803 —
527–546 unweaned 535 9 365.00 $365.00 $1,953 -6.04
580–599 unweaned 592 18 347.50–348.00 $347.81 $2,059 —
596 596 28 350.00 $350.00 $2,086 —
604 unweaned 604 5 347.00 $347.00 $2,096 —
660–676 unweaned 671 6 327.50–330.00 $328.32 $2,203 -1.68
728–746 741 7 335.00 $335.00 $2,482 -4.72
758 758 2 337.50 $337.50 $2,558 +4.05
780 780 6 321.00 $321.00 $2,504 -12.45
807–840 836 29 325.00–334.00 $328.95 $2,750 +17.02
860–896 879 31 310.00–327.00 $314.87 $2,768 -1.04
907–929 918 27 295.00–300.00 $297.38 $2,730 -3.70
922–933 927 68 306.00–316.00 $312.46 $2,897 +11.38
953–994 979 26 294.00–309.00 $303.53 $2,972 +6.07
973–984 983 39 284.00 $284.00 $2,792 -13.46
1001–1048 1019 51 287.50–299.50 $296.34 $3,020 +5.76
1033–1041 1039 13 272.00–282.50 $278.93 $2,898 -3.02
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
344 unweaned 344 9 465.00 $465.00 $1,600 +44.00
353–398 unweaned 385 70 420.00–460.00 $451.85 $1,740 —
401–443 unweaned 423 11 410.00–430.00 $417.39 $1,766 +32.39
458–491 unweaned 475 12 360.00–437.50 $394.94 $1,876 —
518 unweaned 518 7 364.00 $364.00 $1,886 +21.50
615–635 unweaned 621 5 321.00–327.50 $323.90 $2,011 —
715 715 3 320.00 $320.00 $2,288 ±0.00
803–835 818 23 297.50–314.00 $306.35 $2,506 -14.54
915–938 927 9 282.50–305.00 $290.32 $2,691 —
990 990 1 280.00 $280.00 $2,772 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
562–588 unweaned 575 6 335.00–360.00 $347.78 $2,000 —
608 unweaned 608 5 312.50 $312.50 $1,900 —
904–920 912 8 305.00 $305.00 $2,782 —
1061 1061 10 288.00 $288.00 $3,056 +13.00
1071–1082 1076 12 267.00–275.00 $270.35 $2,909 -4.65
1103–1110 1107 5 251.00–254.00 $252.80 $2,798 —
1138 1138 4 270.00 $270.00 $3,073 —
1285 1285 2 269.50 $269.50 $3,463 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
387–392 unweaned 391 15 400.00–405.00 $400.99 $1,568 —
820 820 2 290.00 $290.00 $2,378 —
986 986 7 266.00 $266.00 $2,623 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
720 720 1 332.50 $332.50 $2,394 —
752 752 9 321.00 $321.00 $2,414 —
765 765 3 304.00 $304.00 $2,326 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1084 1084 8 262.50 $262.50 $2,846 —
1175 1175 4 236.00 $236.00 $2,773 —

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
338 unweaned 338 10 570.00 $570.00 $1,927 —
372 unweaned 372 14 535.00 $535.00 $1,990 —
415–418 unweaned 415 26 500.00–515.00 $513.84 $2,132 +38.84
455 unweaned 455 2 465.00 $465.00 $2,116 —
571 unweaned 571 4 385.00 $385.00 $2,198 —
605–646 unweaned 618 31 350.00–385.00 $373.20 $2,306 —
653 unweaned 653 2 345.00 $345.00 $2,253 —
823 823 5 335.00 $335.00 $2,757 -13.00
911 911 11 322.50 $322.50 $2,938 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
325 325 2 525.00 $525.00 $1,706 —
368–390 unweaned 374 4 470.00–485.00 $481.08 $1,799 +21.08
475 unweaned 475 4 422.50 $422.50 $2,007 —
484 484 5 435.00 $435.00 $2,105 +25.00
585 unweaned 585 2 360.00 $360.00 $2,106 —
733 733 2 342.50 $342.50 $2,511 —
951–960 953 5 295.00–305.00 $302.98 $2,887 —
1240 1240 1 207.50 $207.50 $2,573 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1252–1295 1263 4 227.50–235.00 $229.42 $2,898 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1265 1265 1 222.50 $222.50 $2,815 —

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Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1230–1370 1300 80-85% 2 168.00–171.00 $169.58 $2,205 —
1310–1345 1328 80-85% 2 119.00–120.00 $119.49 $1,587 —
1250–1690 1362 80-85% 19 140.00–148.00 $142.52 $1,941 -23.29
1215–1610 1416 80-85% 83 135.00–154.00 $145.72 $2,063 +14.25
1280–1620 1444 80-85% 21 127.50–139.00 $135.26 $1,953 +3.79
1235–1610 1459 80-85% 238 155.00–164.00 $161.32 $2,354 —
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
650–875 720 85-90% 4 122.50–125.00 $123.87 $892 —
915 915 85-90% 1 97.50 $97.50 $892 -52.50
980 980 85-90% 1 140.00 $140.00 $1,372 —
1010–1340 1120 85-90% 7 90.00–107.50 $102.72 $1,150 —
1035–1250 1171 85-90% 12 139.00–145.00 $141.62 $1,658 -22.21
1070–1365 1185 85-90% 39 112.50–138.00 $130.00 $1,540 -33.83
1050–1292 1204 85-90% 24 133.00–145.00 $137.70 $1,658 +10.13
1195–1270 1267 85-90% 40 149.00–159.00 $149.29 $1,892 -12.71
1210–1289 1273 85-90% 5 164.00–165.00 $164.19 $2,090 +2.19
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
920 920 75-80% 1 137.50 $137.50 $1,265 —
1428–1735 1552 75-80% 22 156.00–162.50 $159.56 $2,476 -1.65
1503–1730 1613 75-80% 68 150.00–157.00 $153.48 $2,476 +1.26
1493–1875 1614 75-80% 16 141.00–151.00 $144.93 $2,339 -7.29
1620 1620 75-80% 2 144.00–145.00 $144.50 $2,341 -7.72
1500–1955 1644 75-80% 14 131.00–142.00 $137.95 $2,268 -14.27

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
825 825 1 155.00 $155.00 $1,279 —
1200–1983 1643 6 175.00–180.00 $177.42 $2,915 —
1310–1771 1678 10 167.00–175.00 $172.83 $2,900 -4.67
1265–2120 1722 28 160.00–174.00 $169.67 $2,922 —
1655–2370 1949 42 172.00–187.00 $180.33 $3,515 —
1640–2175 2008 10 187.00–197.00 $191.26 $3,841 +2.75

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1005–1275 1152 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 3 177.00–205.00 $191.27 $2,203
1145–1225 1189 (<2 yrs)Open 21 207.50–273.00 $235.60 $2,801
1230 1230 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 166.00 $166.00 $2,042
1255 1255 (<2 yrs)Open 1 195.00 $195.00 $2,447
1325 1325 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 1 171.00 $171.00 $2,266
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
885 885 (<2 yrs)Open 1 227.50 $227.50 $2,013
1140 1140 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 1 161.00 $161.00 $1,835
980–1445 1262 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 15 166.00–205.00 $171.81 $2,168
Small 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
861 861 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 4 140.00 $140.00 $1,205
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1235 1235 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 167.00 $167.00 $2,062

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1125 1125 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 3,000.00 $3,000.00
1196 1196 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 22 3,300.00 $3,300.00
1265 1265 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 3,050.00 $3,050.00
1415 1415 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 2 2,650.00 $2,650.00
1430 1430 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 6 2,675.00 $2,675.00
1475 1475 Aged (>8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 2 2,200.00 $2,200.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1047–1385 1132 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 4 2,850.00 $2,850.00
1177 1177 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 5 2,325.00 $2,325.00
1205 1205 Aged (>8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 5 2,250.00 $2,250.00

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Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1017 1017 (<2 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 9 288.00 $288.00 $2,929
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1125 1125 (<2 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 3,200.00 $3,200.00

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Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1220 1220 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 3,500.00 $3,500.00 —
1877 1877 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 10 3,650.00 $3,650.00 —
Small 3 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
770 770 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 3 1,100.00 $1,100.00 —

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Dairy Cows

N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1299 1299 85-90% 5 119.00 $119.00 $1,546 —

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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.