Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, September 14, 2026

3,195 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 $309.39/cwt +1.21 vs last sale · ≈ $2,878/hd at 930 lb · 196 head
heavy 9-weight M&L 1 heifers $306.45/cwt +14.64 vs last sale · ≈ $2,970/hd at 969 lb · 173 head
heavy 8-weight M&L 1 steers $349.26/cwt ≈ $3,070/hd at 879 lb · 130 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 3,195 2,596 1,783
Feeder cattle 2,188 1,644 1,386
Slaughter cattle 804 799 263
Replacement cattle 203 153 134

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 higher undertones were noticed. Yearling heifers over 900 lbs sold steady to 3.00 higher in a narrow comparison. Steer and heifer calves were too lightly tested this week to develop an accurate market trend, however lower undertones were noticed. Quality this week was mostly average to attractive. Cattle were offered in small to moderate size packages. Many attractive packages of heavy weight replacement heifers were seen this week. Heifer quality was mostly attractive and buyers showed good demand as a result. Calves continue to come out of dry country as ranchers are being forced to market early due to dry conditions. Buyers showed mostly good demand for yearlings while calves were met with light to moderate demand. Too few calves of the same quality were seen this week for buyers to build matching loads which limited calf demand this week. CME feeder cattle positions saw pressure this week as feeders sold off almost daily. The September closed Friday at 333.575, 4.25 lower for the week. The October contract closed Friday at 323.50, 9.00 lower than last Fridays close. The November contact close Friday at 318.00, 10.175 lower than last Fridays close. Market activity was mostly active with very good buyer participation noticed. Weigh up cows sold on mostly light to moderate demand for light to moderate offerings. Cow quality remains mostly plain to average with many blemished cows seen. Very few attractive feeding cows were seen again this past week. Feeding cows sold 3.00-6.00 lower on all offerings. Breaking slaughter cows sold mostly steady in a narrow comparison, boning and lean cows sold steady to 3.00 lower. Slaughter bulls sold fully steady. Young age offerings were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Good demand continues to be 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 moderate to moderate plus 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
230–237 235 4 675.00–690.00 $678.67 $1,595 —
265 265 1 640.00 $640.00 $1,696 —
316 316 4 572.50 $572.50 $1,809 —
417–440 428 25 455.00–490.00 $472.73 $2,023 —
470–495 483 90 425.00–465.00 $446.83 $2,158 —
505–511 507 91 425.00–440.00 $432.94 $2,195 —
560–595 581 4 380.00–393.00 $383.64 $2,229 -24.36
603–642 624 26 350.00–384.00 $369.90 $2,308 —
668–695 678 23 365.00–375.00 $373.92 $2,535 —
743 743 26 382.00 $382.00 $2,838 ±0.00
762–780 769 27 352.50–367.00 $361.26 $2,778 -17.74
802–845 819 13 350.00–362.00 $357.03 $2,924 +9.53
855–888 879 130 330.00–350.50 $349.26 $3,070 —
918–925 924 20 320.00–350.00 $331.91 $3,067 +15.91
950–978 977 45 317.00–318.00 $317.96 $3,106 +7.19
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
247 247 3 550.00 $550.00 $1,358 —
315–328 324 3 505.00–530.00 $513.11 $1,662 —
355–386 377 10 470.00–510.00 $479.11 $1,806 —
401–445 410 25 437.50–470.00 $456.18 $1,870 —
488 488 2 397.50 $397.50 $1,940 —
535 535 1 385.00 $385.00 $2,060 —
565–595 580 2 335.00–365.00 $349.61 $2,028 —
620–625 623 4 365.00–367.50 $366.26 $2,282 —
695 695 2 370.00 $370.00 $2,572 —
710–735 721 7 300.00–350.00 $330.17 $2,381 —
771–798 780 7 295.00–347.50 $326.12 $2,544 -29.88
815–840 826 6 315.00–335.00 $329.15 $2,719 -5.85
875–890 883 2 315.00–320.00 $317.48 $2,803 —
940–945 943 4 295.00–319.00 $307.26 $2,897 -4.74
963–975 968 15 295.00–314.00 $307.74 $2,979 +12.17
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1015 1015 1 300.00 $300.00 $3,045 —
1065–1089 1088 27 289.00–291.00 $289.07 $3,145 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1005–1027 1022 6 282.50–289.00 $287.02 $2,933 —
1052 1052 3 272.50 $272.50 $2,867 —

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
220 220 1 580.00 $580.00 $1,276 —
265–280 273 2 540.00–580.00 $560.55 $1,530 —
345 345 4 485.00 $485.00 $1,673 —
355–395 364 15 445.00–492.50 $466.89 $1,699 —
400–436 426 11 417.00–465.00 $431.53 $1,838 —
455–499 488 126 395.00–430.00 $410.47 $2,003 +37.11
502–538 516 35 350.00–411.00 $397.10 $2,049 —
552–590 562 12 348.00–362.50 $357.39 $2,009 +7.39
621–630 623 5 359.00 $359.00 $2,237 —
653–693 675 13 341.00–347.00 $343.82 $2,321 —
701–748 705 33 347.00–356.00 $355.36 $2,505 —
750 750 11 352.50 $352.50 $2,644 +15.00
808–848 837 97 320.00–345.00 $330.95 $2,770 +2.00
846 846 11 322.00 $322.00 $2,724 -6.95
857–860 858 11 320.00–333.00 $322.37 $2,766 +7.50
850–895 865 54 315.00–335.00 $322.65 $2,791 +7.78
924 924 23 312.75 $312.75 $2,890 +0.29
900–948 931 173 304.00–313.00 $308.94 $2,876 -3.52
953–990 969 173 289.00–311.00 $306.45 $2,970 +2.92
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
240 240 1 410.00 $410.00 $984 —
275–295 287 3 415.00–430.00 $421.74 $1,210 —
315–348 340 4 440.00–445.00 $441.16 $1,500 —
380–393 388 21 430.00–442.50 $435.43 $1,689 —
410–441 417 58 355.00–437.00 $420.83 $1,755 —
554–580 558 7 325.00–331.00 $330.11 $1,842 —
600–610 603 3 300.00–305.00 $301.69 $1,819 —
705 705 1 330.00 $330.00 $2,326 +10.00
798 798 2 310.00 $310.00 $2,474 —
810–840 829 14 285.00–326.00 $310.23 $2,572 +3.88
870–895 880 4 290.00–310.00 $301.70 $2,655 —
910–940 930 3 280.00–296.00 $290.44 $2,701 +0.12
950–995 978 73 260.00–300.00 $294.77 $2,883 +14.77
996 996 12 284.00 $284.00 $2,829 +4.00
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1000–1048 1022 123 282.00–300.50 $294.58 $3,011 —
1053–1098 1080 40 281.00–291.00 $287.77 $3,108 +17.42
1118–1143 1126 27 284.00–288.50 $287.15 $3,233 +17.15
1160 1160 2 285.00 $285.00 $3,306 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1005–1040 1028 8 260.00–275.00 $270.37 $2,779 —
1070–1096 1080 24 270.00–279.50 $277.05 $2,992 +14.55
1100–1110 1108 6 260.00–272.00 $268.84 $2,979 —
1160 1160 1 271.00 $271.00 $3,144 +35.00

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
320 320 1 510.00 $510.00 $1,632 —
415–425 420 2 485.00–495.00 $489.94 $2,058 —
452 452 18 447.50 $447.50 $2,023 —
508–523 516 15 395.00–417.00 $404.11 $2,085 —
565–570 568 2 370.00–377.50 $373.77 $2,123 —
629–645 632 5 357.50–370.00 $360.05 $2,276 —
670–685 676 4 345.00–360.00 $350.04 $2,366 —
753 753 2 342.50 $342.50 $2,579 —
895 895 1 320.00 $320.00 $2,864 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
320 320 1 490.00 $490.00 $1,568 -35.00
360 360 1 420.00 $420.00 $1,512 —
400–445 423 12 395.00–425.00 $415.13 $1,756 —
465–490 472 11 390.00–440.00 $426.97 $2,015 -8.03
511 511 8 380.00 $380.00 $1,942 —
653–665 659 6 322.50–332.50 $327.55 $2,159 —
702–705 703 4 310.00–322.50 $319.36 $2,245 -23.14
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1035 1035 1 240.00 $240.00 $2,484 —
1160–1166 1165 8 232.00–235.00 $234.63 $2,733 —
1213–1218 1218 23 226.00–230.00 $226.35 $2,757 —

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Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1225–1275 1253 80-85% 3 162.00–166.00 $163.52 $2,049 —
1280–1368 1312 80-85% 7 151.00–154.00 $152.03 $1,995 -17.55
1250–1475 1344 80-85% 35 134.00–148.00 $142.46 $1,915 +22.97
1234–1630 1355 80-85% 96 140.00–162.50 $151.71 $2,056 +9.19
1235–1623 1363 80-85% 86 137.00–155.50 $142.81 $1,947 +0.29
1298–1580 1371 80-85% 33 122.00–137.50 $132.35 $1,815 -10.17
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1000 1000 85-90% 1 165.00 $165.00 $1,650 —
910–1080 1020 85-90% 3 152.00–155.00 $153.94 $1,570 —
810–1355 1123 85-90% 30 115.00–127.50 $120.16 $1,349 +17.44
970–1310 1130 85-90% 17 102.50–117.50 $110.84 $1,252 +8.12
805–1345 1148 85-90% 45 130.00–142.50 $135.18 $1,552 +32.46
1125–1195 1154 85-90% 8 146.00–157.50 $150.03 $1,731 +8.41
807–1278 1161 85-90% 35 132.00–146.00 $139.34 $1,618 -2.28
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1425 1425 75-80% 1 157.00 $157.00 $2,237 —
1400–1543 1479 75-80% 34 148.00–164.00 $155.14 $2,295 —
1370–1870 1541 75-80% 12 131.00–138.00 $134.60 $2,074 —
1430–1700 1547 75-80% 15 135.00–146.00 $141.91 $2,195 —
1410–1811 1595 75-80% 30 141.00–151.00 $146.12 $2,331 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1150–1230 1197 8 205.00–215.00 $211.21 $2,528 —
1307–1780 1425 4 188.00–195.00 $192.81 $2,748 —
1230–2300 1735 95 160.00–179.00 $170.21 $2,953 +0.54
1200–2165 1737 23 171.00–205.00 $182.85 $3,176 +13.18
1210–2430 1816 87 169.00–193.00 $178.42 $3,240 —
1520–2320 1960 16 170.00–177.00 $173.53 $3,401 —

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
836–1271 1003 (<2 yrs)Open 49 250.00–265.00 $258.76 $2,595
1055–1384 1203 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 22 175.00–240.00 $217.80 $2,620
1005–1340 1215 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 10 195.00–212.50 $202.38 $2,459
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
910–1275 1033 (<2 yrs)Open 22 222.50–247.50 $235.60 $2,434
977–1245 1080 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 18 190.00–210.00 $201.84 $2,180
1060–1176 1139 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 8 180.00–187.50 $184.77 $2,105

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
840–985 939 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 4 2,400.00–2,800.00 $2,553.13
1100–1140 1120 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 2 2,700.00–2,900.00 $2,801.79
1217 1217 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 3 1,950.00 $1,950.00
905–1455 1232 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 13 2,050.00–2,900.00 $2,620.45
1150–1403 1271 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 3 2,500.00–2,800.00 $2,676.48
1318 1318 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 2 2,400.00 $2,400.00
1375–1520 1419 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 14 2,100.00–2,325.00 $2,191.65
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
962–1280 1015 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 12 3,200.00–3,250.00 $3,210.51

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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
1085 1085 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 1 1,800.00 $1,800.00 —
1080–1130 1105 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 2 2,200.00–2,250.00 $2,224.43 —
1455 1455 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 1 2,250.00 $2,250.00 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1463 1463 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 3 3,800.00 $3,800.00 —

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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.