Cattle Market Pulse

Public Auction Yards Livestock Cattle Auction Market Report

Billings, Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Wednesday, June 24, 2026

1,729 head sold ·Official USDA report

This is an archived report. See the latest Public Auction Yards Livestock Cattle Auction 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 ≈ $2,559/hd at 619 lb · 30 head
Billings, MT 6-weight steers brought $445/cwt. MT 6-weight steers are down $23 from their mid-May peak of $457/cwt. What this means — computed from this report and its neighbors

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 1,729 962 913
Feeder cattle 544 180 239
Slaughter cattle 656 521 422
Replacement cattle 529 261 252

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week (6-17-26): Feeder cattle were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Quality this week was mixed from plain to attractive, with lots of variation noticed. Most offerings were in small to moderate size packages. Demand was mostly good to very good. CME positions pushed sharply higher again today with most contracts 2.00-5.00 higher. Demand for fall and lightweight spring calves was good to very good. Offerings were mixed for weaning status but all offerings sold on very good demand. Market activity was moderate to active with a moderate crowd on hand. Internet bidding was active. Weigh up cows sold on mostly moderate to good demand. Feeding cows sold steady to firm on boning and lean cows. Breaking fleshed feeding cows sold 4.00-6.00 higher after two weeks of lower movement. Demand for grass fat cows was light to moderate, but stronger this week compared to last week and more offerings were purchased to feed compared to the last two weeks. Demand for feeding cows was very good this week with a large buyer pool noticed. Slaughter cows sold on good to very good demand as packers all showed need for cows for immediate harvest. Slaughter cows sold 2.00-4.00 higher on breaker cows, boning and lean cows sold steady to 3.00 higher in a narrow comparison. Slaughter bulls sold steady to firm. Feeding bulls sold steady to 5.00 lower. Weigh up conditions were mixed this week, with lots of variation noticed. Cow quality this week was mostly average to attractive. Demand for young cows suitable to feed or rebreed was good this week, and similar to last week. Quality was mostly average to attractive. Young cows sold mostly steady to firm in a narrow comparison.

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 —
656–669 662 65 435.00–455.00 $445.36 $2,948 —
780–788 785 10 390.00–394.00 $392.41 $3,080 —
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
475–493 488 7 520.00–530.00 $527.22 $2,573 —
556–560 557 6 435.00–480.00 $472.46 $2,632 +52.46
645 645 1 450.00 $450.00 $2,902 —
695 695 3 417.50 $417.50 $2,902 —
700 700 1 402.50 $402.50 $2,818 —
760–779 776 6 375.00–387.50 $385.46 $2,991 —
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 —
665–683 673 9 357.50–382.50 $368.78 $2,482 —
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 —

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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 —
601–625 619 30 401.00–417.00 $413.38 $2,559 —
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 —
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
508–545 520 3 415.00–425.00 $421.51 $2,192 +8.95
553–598 580 5 385.00–410.00 $394.53 $2,288 +18.20
625 625 1 390.00 $390.00 $2,438 +12.50
670 670 1 365.00 $365.00 $2,446 +5.00
703–737 728 9 350.00–365.00 $361.51 $2,632 —
760–780 770 2 340.00–350.00 $344.94 $2,656 —
812 812 3 301.00 $301.00 $2,444 —
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 —

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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 —
654 654 5 400.00 $400.00 $2,616 —
745 745 3 370.00 $370.00 $2,756 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/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 —
1035 1035 1 295.00 $295.00 $3,053 -5.00
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1105 1105 2 278.00 $278.00 $3,072 +13.00
1162–1195 1175 5 252.50–271.00 $263.48 $3,096 +3.48
1226–1240 1231 6 240.00 $240.00 $2,954 —
1273 1273 2 237.50 $237.50 $3,023 —
Large 1-2 ($/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 —

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Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1340 1340 80-85% 1 168.00 $168.00 $2,251 +20.75
1355 1355 80-85% 1 137.00 $137.00 $1,856 —
1265–1545 1379 80-85% 75 176.00–187.00 $182.50 $2,517 —
1233–1583 1394 80-85% 130 187.00–195.00 $188.72 $2,631 —
1153–1735 1413 80-85% 29 155.00–176.00 $168.06 $2,375 -20.17
1265–1598 1474 80-85% 10 161.00–166.00 $164.18 $2,420 —
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
780 780 85-90% 1 90.00 $90.00 $702 —
850 850 85-90% 1 152.50 $152.50 $1,296 —
1005–1250 1128 85-90% 2 160.00–164.00 $162.22 $1,830 +6.27
1070–1255 1160 85-90% 7 130.00–147.00 $142.52 $1,653 +4.92
1048–1280 1172 85-90% 21 175.00–185.00 $181.09 $2,122 +43.49
1015–1275 1175 85-90% 9 187.00–199.00 $189.40 $2,225 +51.80
1010–1280 1182 85-90% 23 150.00–174.00 $163.73 $1,935 +26.13
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1325–1810 1551 75-80% 13 161.00–174.00 $164.91 $2,558 -8.71
1567 1567 75-80% 8 186.00 $186.00 $2,915 +12.38
1549–1650 1590 75-80% 17 175.00–183.50 $180.24 $2,866 +6.62
1540–1728 1623 75-80% 8 161.00–167.00 $164.31 $2,667 +6.03
1735 1735 75-80% 1 178.00 $178.00 $3,088 —
1640–1810 1758 75-80% 8 166.00–176.00 $170.52 $2,998 +8.80
1805 1805 75-80% 1 142.50 $142.50 $2,572 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1252–1865 1393 14 207.00–224.00 $213.94 $2,980 +6.94
1280–1765 1512 16 180.00–210.00 $199.23 $3,012 —
1315–1905 1587 13 187.00–210.50 $200.75 $3,186 -12.37
1645–2400 1901 37 209.00–225.00 $218.24 $4,149 —
1880–2463 2056 33 224.00–251.00 $230.33 $4,736 —
2510 2510 1 228.00 $228.00 $5,723 —

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
843–1270 1044 (<2 yrs)Open 60 215.00–328.00 $282.41 $2,948
940–1390 1161 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 85 190.00–305.00 $231.91 $2,692
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
810–1083 958 (<2 yrs)Open 6 245.00–312.50 $274.00 $2,625
915–1235 1027 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 27 189.00–287.50 $236.45 $2,428
Medium 1 ($/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

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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

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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

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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 —
1385–1710 1512 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 29 4,150.00–4,350.00 $4,261.85 —
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 —

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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 —
1900 1900 75-80% 1 140.00 $140.00 $2,660 —

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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 —

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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.