Cattle Market Pulse

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, September 28, 2026

5,481 head sold ·Official USDA report

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

heavy 5-weight M&L 1 steers $424.24/cwt +11.43 vs last sale · ≈ $2,422/hd at 571 lb · 230 head
light 8-weight M&L 1 heifers $329.18/cwt -7.98 vs last sale · ≈ $2,713/hd at 824 lb · 223 head
heavy 7-weight M&L 1 heifers $347.55/cwt -0.45 vs last sale · ≈ $2,690/hd at 774 lb · 220 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 5,481 9,101 4,523
Feeder cattle 3,952 2,228 3,163
Slaughter cattle 991 767 937
Replacement cattle 538 379 423

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Yearling steers were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however weak undertones were noticed. Yearling heifers under 850 lbs sold mostly 5.00-8.00 higher, heifers over 850 lbs sold generally steady to weak. Steer and heifer calves both sold generally steady in a narrow comparison. Yearlings and calves both sold on mostly moderate to good demand and offerings. Yearlings were offered in mostly moderate to load lot packages while calves were offered in small to moderate packages. Cooperate packer demand was good for long strings of yearlings. Canadians buyers remain the largest buyer of calves as they continue to show very good demand for cattle to ship north and feed. Demand for cattle to ship east was lighter this week as much of the northern plains have received heavy rainfall and lots are very muddy. CME positions were mixed this week as lower corn prices sparked some interest in feeder cattle. However late week struggles with fat cattle marketing's caused some downward pressure. The October contract closed Friday at 334.625, 0.30 lower than last Fridays close. The November contact close Friday at 331.15 0.825 higher than last Fridays close. The January contract closed at 324.55 Friday. Market activity was mostly active with very good buyer participation noticed. A larger crowd of buyers was on hand for this weeks sale. Weigh up cows sold on mostly light demand for light to moderate offerings. Demand for feeding cows is light as many American feeders have cows ready for immediate harvest. Packer bids for premium white cows have fallen to unprofitable levels and feeders are not willing to put more cows on feed after taking heavy losses. Feeding cows continue to fall in value as a result. Canadian buyers continue to show demand to buy cows to feed but with little competitions from American packers or private feeders feeding cows sold lower. Feeding cows sold 4.00-6.00 lower. Slaughter cows also sold on light demand as packers continue to bid cows lower. Breaking cows sold mostly 2.00 lower, boning and lean cows sold mostly 2.00-3.00 lower. Slaughter bulls sold mostly steady. Good demand continues to be seen from feeding bull buyers forcing packers to keep slaughter prices near steady. Young age offerings sold on good to very good demand. Several very attractive sets of wet bag two and three year old cows were seen this week. Young age offerings sold mostly 10.00-15.00 higher as rebreed buyers re-enter the market.

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
298 unweaned 298 2 605.00 $605.00 $1,803 —
305–320 unweaned 312 14 600.00–627.50 $624.26 $1,948 —
370–399 unweaned 386 9 510.00–570.00 $530.65 $2,048 -22.69
400–443 unweaned 432 90 480.00–537.50 $497.98 $2,151 -23.79
457–499 unweaned 478 155 430.00–495.00 $474.67 $2,269 +2.61
510–545 unweaned 526 192 435.00–474.00 $450.65 $2,370 +1.00
551–599 unweaned 571 230 387.00–442.50 $424.24 $2,422 +10.74
604–640 unweaned 624 139 378.00–409.00 $399.26 $2,491 +7.39
657–679 unweaned 668 17 379.00–395.00 $387.08 $2,586 +11.48
705–722 unweaned 716 11 365.00–375.00 $370.07 $2,650 +11.07
805–817 813 35 345.00–351.00 $348.79 $2,836 -19.99
882–893 887 46 339.00–344.00 $341.51 $3,029 -3.35
921–924 923 100 336.25 $336.25 $3,104 +7.83
952 952 53 315.00 $315.00 $2,999 -10.00
962 962 50 336.50 $336.50 $3,237 +11.50
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
243 unweaned 243 2 600.00 $600.00 $1,458 —
310–345 unweaned 325 12 500.00–602.50 $573.18 $1,863 —
399 unweaned 399 4 497.50 $497.50 $1,985 +7.24
407–446 unweaned 417 33 445.00–492.50 $476.60 $1,987 +4.10
452–486 unweaned 467 37 435.00–462.00 $450.93 $2,106 -24.07
505–533 unweaned 521 46 395.00–440.00 $428.80 $2,234 -16.20
550–593 unweaned 569 36 375.00–408.00 $400.65 $2,280 +10.60
588 588 2 372.00 $372.00 $2,187 —
610–618 unweaned 613 5 385.00–387.50 $386.49 $2,369 —
850–891 877 20 330.00–335.00 $331.03 $2,903 -8.97
915–944 927 14 310.00–325.00 $318.36 $2,951 -2.64
1038 1038 5 302.00 $302.00 $3,135 -4.00
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
466–497 unweaned 473 20 406.00–440.00 $425.40 $2,012 —
599 unweaned 599 21 390.00 $390.00 $2,336 +7.50
660 660 7 372.00 $372.00 $2,455 +7.00
780 780 4 335.00 $335.00 $2,613 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
503–526 unweaned 515 9 375.00–447.50 $412.13 $2,122 —
612 unweaned 612 10 388.00 $388.00 $2,375 —
655 unweaned 655 2 375.00 $375.00 $2,456 —
1072 1072 3 290.00 $290.00 $3,109 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
420 unweaned 420 2 417.50 $417.50 $1,754 —
507–525 unweaned 512 7 375.00–415.00 $403.28 $2,065 —
813–848 826 8 310.00–329.00 $321.69 $2,657 —
1018 1018 2 290.00 $290.00 $2,952 +5.00

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
250 unweaned 250 1 570.00 $570.00 $1,425 —
303–344 unweaned 335 22 510.00–565.00 $521.15 $1,746 +19.74
360–394 unweaned 377 39 470.00–510.00 $490.68 $1,850 +20.68
405–438 unweaned 423 74 440.00–465.00 $456.96 $1,933 +1.68
455–497 unweaned 476 140 395.00–465.00 $433.09 $2,062 +8.76
524 524 5 412.50 $412.50 $2,162 —
501–546 unweaned 525 148 382.50–422.00 $405.95 $2,131 +20.46
553–591 unweaned 567 76 367.50–398.00 $384.31 $2,179 -1.21
608–644 unweaned 618 50 357.00–382.50 $372.31 $2,301 +5.14
622 thin fleshed 622 19 370.00 $370.00 $2,301 —
661 unweaned 661 4 365.00 $365.00 $2,413 +10.00
663–668 667 34 354.00–360.00 $355.67 $2,372 —
702–732 726 28 360.00–360.50 $360.40 $2,617 +10.31
754–795 774 220 339.00–355.00 $347.55 $2,690 -0.45
809 thin fleshed 809 29 354.50 $354.50 $2,868 —
801–848 826 149 315.00–340.00 $326.42 $2,696 -7.28
828 828 45 322.00 $322.00 $2,666 -11.70
857–896 869 128 307.00–327.50 $321.64 $2,795 +3.99
904–948 918 149 292.50–310.50 $307.03 $2,819 -2.69
941 941 6 290.00 $290.00 $2,729 -13.09
960 960 6 283.50 $283.50 $2,722 -16.60
963–993 974 133 290.00–303.00 $300.24 $2,924 +0.14
1006–1043 1016 48 282.00–300.00 $289.75 $2,944 -2.38
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
340 unweaned 340 1 470.00 $470.00 $1,598 +13.00
365–380 unweaned 368 20 455.00–480.00 $474.37 $1,746 +37.50
422–444 unweaned 434 13 442.50–445.00 $443.62 $1,925 +3.94
468–497 unweaned 490 43 360.00–410.00 $404.81 $1,984 +35.06
513–542 unweaned 535 8 370.00–384.00 $373.36 $1,997 —
583 unweaned 583 3 355.00 $355.00 $2,070 +12.64
670 unweaned 670 3 347.50 $347.50 $2,328 +8.50
709–749 734 40 330.00–342.00 $337.51 $2,477 -2.49
752–790 769 9 313.00–334.00 $327.42 $2,518 +4.69
800–813 805 23 305.00–322.00 $313.06 $2,520 -12.56
865–898 883 5 295.00–308.00 $299.93 $2,648 -3.87
942 942 34 284.00 $284.00 $2,675 -10.57
990 990 4 280.00–285.00 $282.50 $2,797 -5.50
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
513 unweaned 513 4 385.00 $385.00 $1,975 —
979 979 12 279.00 $279.00 $2,731 —
1028 1028 6 288.00 $288.00 $2,961 —
1051–1066 1062 19 282.50–291.00 $284.53 $3,022 -7.31
1185 1185 1 270.00 $270.00 $3,200 -4.22
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
269 unweaned 269 4 475.00 $475.00 $1,278 —
583 583 3 358.00 $358.00 $2,087 —
675 675 5 322.50 $322.50 $2,177 -22.50
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
436 unweaned 436 4 430.00 $430.00 $1,875 —
765 765 2 322.50 $322.50 $2,467 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
772 772 5 307.50 $307.50 $2,374 —

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
337 unweaned 337 5 545.00 $545.00 $1,837 —
355 unweaned 355 1 545.00 $545.00 $1,935 —
500–513 unweaned 507 25 411.00–430.00 $420.65 $2,133 —
555–559 unweaned 558 9 392.50–405.00 $393.88 $2,198 —
655 unweaned 655 2 370.00 $370.00 $2,424 —
987 987 13 297.50 $297.50 $2,936 —
1050 1050 2 270.00 $270.00 $2,835 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
568 unweaned 568 6 405.00 $405.00 $2,300 —
1090 1090 1 265.00 $265.00 $2,888 —
1120 1120 1 247.50 $247.50 $2,772 -11.66
1155 1155 1 260.00 $260.00 $3,003 —
1200–1227 1219 9 232.50–240.00 $234.71 $2,861 -5.29
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
435 unweaned 435 2 495.00 $495.00 $2,153 —
998 998 2 260.00 $260.00 $2,595 -35.00
1040–1045 1043 2 232.50–252.50 $242.52 $2,529 -17.48
1125 1125 1 235.00 $235.00 $2,644 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1105–1140 1123 2 235.00–245.00 $240.08 $2,696 +10.08
1195 1195 1 220.00 $220.00 $2,629 -10.00
1245 1245 1 220.00 $220.00 $2,739 —
1268 1268 2 222.50 $222.50 $2,821 +7.50
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
945 945 4 235.00 $235.00 $2,221 —
995 995 1 240.00 $240.00 $2,388 —
Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1095 1095 1 227.50 $227.50 $2,491 —

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Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1335 1335 80-85% 1 136.00 $136.00 $1,816 —
1250–1525 1368 80-85% 31 150.00–158.00 $152.94 $2,092 -5.04
1200–1690 1371 80-85% 127 112.00–142.50 $132.15 $1,812 -25.83
1223–1630 1395 80-85% 169 136.00–153.50 $146.11 $2,038 +9.47
1190–1855 1417 80-85% 17 120.00–138.00 $129.87 $1,840 -1.19
1235–1962 1438 80-85% 24 109.00–125.00 $116.91 $1,681 -32.49
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
803–945 873 85-90% 5 120.00–125.00 $123.38 $1,077 +46.12
830–940 889 85-90% 4 72.50–85.00 $81.29 $723 +4.03
875–930 895 85-90% 3 90.00–110.00 $96.55 $864 +19.29
1113–1160 1120 85-90% 7 134.00–135.00 $134.15 $1,502 -6.34
1110–1208 1163 85-90% 5 149.00–160.00 $151.81 $1,766 -12.90
960–1280 1164 85-90% 42 95.00–122.50 $111.13 $1,294 -53.58
1060–1210 1166 85-90% 8 122.00–133.00 $128.10 $1,494 -36.61
955–1396 1197 85-90% 91 105.00–134.00 $126.22 $1,511 -3.20
1038–1285 1198 85-90% 8 85.00–97.50 $90.74 $1,087 -38.68
1040–1300 1223 85-90% 82 132.00–155.50 $141.44 $1,730 +27.06
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1408–1606 1521 75-80% 12 148.00–153.00 $148.43 $2,258 -1.06
1436–1641 1581 75-80% 45 137.50–149.50 $146.23 $2,312 +0.32
1465–1685 1589 75-80% 15 125.00–139.00 $134.00 $2,129 +19.00
1415–1790 1631 75-80% 13 132.00–136.50 $133.48 $2,177 —
1380–1910 1675 75-80% 12 123.00–132.00 $128.77 $2,157 -18.23
2085 2085 75-80% 1 117.50 $117.50 $2,450 —
2100 2100 75-80% 1 130.00 $130.00 $2,730 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1305–1410 1340 4 169.00–170.00 $169.74 $2,275 —
1365 1365 1 155.00 $155.00 $2,116 —
1285–1945 1605 40 155.00–173.00 $165.96 $2,664 —
1200–1958 1730 38 170.00–183.00 $176.00 $3,045 +13.62
1430–2155 1792 23 158.00–170.00 $163.80 $2,935 -21.20
1595–2215 1926 55 172.00–182.50 $177.55 $3,420 +2.44
2015–2300 2098 4 183.00–184.50 $183.97 $3,860 -1.38
YG2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
2690 2690 1 168.50 $168.50 $4,533 —

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
860–1320 995 (<2 yrs)Open 141 190.00–307.50 $273.60 $2,722
915–1465 1082 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 68 165.00–291.00 $243.81 $2,638
970–1350 1144 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 18 153.00–240.00 $197.39 $2,258
1150–1243 1220 (<2 yrs)Open 4 182.50–220.00 $191.34 $2,334
1242–1323 1249 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 33 160.00–170.00 $169.43 $2,116
1365 1365 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 158.00 $158.00 $2,157
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
839 thin fleshed 839 (<2 yrs)Open 5 222.50 $222.50 $1,867
805–1225 957 (<2 yrs)Open 31 187.50–270.00 $232.11 $2,221
800–1370 1064 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 15 152.00–245.00 $194.90 $2,074
1079 thin fleshed 1079 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 9 155.00 $155.00 $1,672
1105–1485 1338 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 3 137.50–147.50 $142.80 $1,911
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
918–1200 949 (<2 yrs)Open 9 185.00–225.00 $219.38 $2,082
1150 1150 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 157.50 $157.50 $1,811
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
740–750 745 (<2 yrs)Open 2 190.00–230.00 $209.87 $1,564
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1048 1048 (<2 yrs)Open 2 185.00 $185.00 $1,939
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
825 825 (<2 yrs)Open 1 280.00 $280.00 $2,310

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1225–1258 1249 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 7 170.00–210.00 $181.21 $2,263
1382 1382 Aged (>8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 21 144.50 $144.50 $1,997
1398 1398 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 6 2,375.00 $2,375.00 $33,202
1488 1488 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 4 139.00 $139.00 $2,068
1599 1599 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 6 143.00 $143.00 $2,287
Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1136 1136 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 4 3,050.00 $3,050.00
1093–1250 1159 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 4 3,100.00–3,200.00 $3,126.96
1268–1480 1298 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 7 3,450.00 $3,450.00
1321 1321 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 3 2,275.00 $2,275.00
1382–1530 1441 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 5 2,300.00–2,400.00 $2,342.46
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1289 1289 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 6 136.00 $136.00 $1,753
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1387 1387 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 3 2,500.00 $2,500.00
1472 1472 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 3 2,325.00 $2,325.00
Medium 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
963 963 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 2 2,825.00 $2,825.00

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Open Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
930–1290 1070 Young (2-4 yrs)N/A 26 240.00–295.00 $272.44 $2,915 —
1620 1620 Young (2-4 yrs)N/A 1 185.00 $185.00 $2,997 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
950–1240 1143 Young (2-4 yrs)N/A 3 151.00–240.00 $175.65 $2,008 —

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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.