Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · Weekly summary · Mon, Apr 27
● As filed166 lines reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1778

The state in one line

Counts as USDA filed them
Montana reported 166 priced lines covering 3,778 head across feeder cattle, slaughter cattle, replacement cattle. USDA puts feeder cattle receipts at 2,529 head. slaughter cattle receipts at 751 head. replacement cattle receipts at 1,400 head. Counted as USDA files them — 171 of those are cow-calf pairs, each counted once.

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Mon Apr 27, 2026
USDA Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News · Federal-State Market News Service, Billings, MT (LS-BL)
Feeder CattleReceipts 2,529Last week 1,244Year ago 3,202
Slaughter CattleReceipts 751Last week 503Year ago 782
Replacement CattleReceipts 1,400Last week 353Year ago 1,718

Feeder cattle were all too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on all offerings. Quality this week was mostly average to attractive. Demand overall for feeder cattle was good to very good. Most cattle were offered in moderate size packages, with a few load lots on offer. Demand for all size packages was good to very good. Many sets of cattle were put together and backgrounded over the winter and spring most of these offerings were in light to moderate flesh, however a few heaver offerings were pushing heavy amounts of flesh. Cattle suitable to run on grass sold with the best demand as order buyers and ranchers both chased this weight of feeders. Record high prices were seen for some sales this week as 600 lbs steers eclipsed 500.00 cwt. CME positions moved sharply higher this week as record high slaughter cattle prices were seen this week. The April contract settled Thursday at 374.03, 6.405 higher than last Friday. The May contract closed Friday at 371.40, 10.50 higher than last Friday. The August contract closed Friday at 372.175, 11.225 higher than last Fridays close. Market activity was mostly active with a large pool of buyers noticed, both in the stands and over the internet. Weigh up cows sold on mostly good to very good demand for light to moderate offerings. Feeding cow demand remains very good. Feeding cows sold mostly 1.00 to 3.00 higher on all cows suitable to feed. Major American packers showed little to no interest for cows at higher price levels and were mostly out of the market this week. Most cows were purchased to ship north to Canada as two large Canadian buyers were in the market this week. Cow quality was mixed this week from plain to attractive. A large crowd of feeding cow buyers were present at all sales. Young feeding cows were met with very good demand again this week. Young cows were in high demand both from replacement buyers and from feeding buyers. Slaughter cow demand remains strong as packers continue to show good demand for limited slaughter offerings. Breaking, boning and lean slaughter cows were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however steady undertones were noticed on all offerings. Slaughter bulls sold mostly steady to weak. Demand remains good as packer search for lean meat to blend down excess fat currently on the market. Feeding bull demand was mostly very good. Feeding bulls sold steady on very good demand. Packers and feeding bull buyers were both competing over similar offerings this week. Demand for young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed was mostly good to very good. Cows and heifers which lost calves sold on very good demand. Demand remains good for all quality levels. Demand for young heifers which never calved remains very good as well as several buyers were looking for young offerings which still have the ability to grade choice. Young cows sold fully steady. Quality was mixed from plain to attractive. Quality was not as attractive overall compared to last week.

Replacement Cattle

As reported
AgeStageHeadWt rangeAvg wtPrice rangeAvg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open43984225.00–315.00279.54
Young (2-4 yrs)Open671,073182.50–300.00233.74
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open21,020255.00255.00
Stock Cows — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open181,084201.00–310.00242.82
Young (2-4 yrs)Open21,380188.00–205.00195.82
Stock Cows — Medium 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)Open1790240.00240.00
(<2 yrs)Open5885245.00–285.00274.93
Stock Cows — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open16813305.00–332.50317.95
Young (2-4 yrs)Open2798300.00300.00
Stock Cows — Medium 2$ per cwt · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)Open11,195167.50167.50
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)Open11,415189.50189.50
(<2 yrs)Open121,280216.00–243.00227.07
Stock Cows — Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open21,375242.00242.00
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open311,309184.00–222.50195.55
(<2 yrs)Open2021,024222.50–350.00301.18
Young (2-4 yrs)Open1321,127191.00–330.00253.00
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per head · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo)21,0833,000.003,000.00
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)41,2853,100.00–3,350.003,236.19
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)121,2893,300.00–3,550.003,509.01
Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)71,1413,800.003,800.00
Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)181,2943,500.00–3,800.003,633.31
Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)61,1122,600.00–3,300.002,724.89
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)61,3953,200.00–3,400.003,283.71
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)271,4042,850.00–3,050.002,958.55
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)51,2533,300.00–3,850.003,673.51
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)481,5243,300.00–3,750.003,550.34
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)21,3953,400.003,400.00
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)281,4823,650.00–4,200.003,983.42
Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)821,2223,850.00–4,375.004,149.35
Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)11,1303,200.003,200.00
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2 · Thin Fleshed$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)51,2272,400.002,400.00
Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium and Large 1-2$ per head · actual wt
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open41,4963,900.00–4,200.004,089.37
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open271,4913,350.00–3,950.003,666.63
Young (2-4 yrs)Open31,2024,300.004,300.00
Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open31,7175,100.005,100.00
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open21,7705,750.005,750.00
Young (2-4 yrs)Open141,5586,000.006,000.00
Young (2-4 yrs)Open151,4595,050.00–5,250.005,145.72
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open21,6835,000.005,000.00
Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium and Large 1 · Registered$ per head · actual wt
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open61,5136,500.00–6,600.006,568.77
Young (2-4 yrs)Open41,4955,900.00–6,050.006,011.37
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open41,5226,000.00–7,300.006,899.08
Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium and Large 1-2 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)Open31,5583,550.003,550.00
Aged (>8 yrs)Open211,3913,125.00–3,500.003,251.15
Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium and Large 1-2 · Thin Fleshed$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)Open21,1732,700.002,700.00
Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium 2$ per head · actual wt
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open99112,300.002,300.00
Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium and Large 1 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)Open201,6124,200.00–4,800.004,619.33
Aged (>8 yrs)Open21,4934,000.004,000.00
Bred Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
(<2 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)21,1883,000.003,000.00
(<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)191,1443,700.00–4,375.004,161.37
Bred Heifers — Large 1$ per head · actual wt
(<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)11,3903,600.003,600.00
Heifer Pairs — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open301,2095,400.00–6,800.005,808.96

Slaughter Cattle

As reported
HeadWt rangeAvg wtPrice rangeAvg price
Cows — Lean 85-90%$ per cwt · actual wt
31,130105.00–125.00117.53
131,167155.00–168.00161.82
101,189125.00–152.50140.62
Cows — Premium White 65-75% · Heavy Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
22,108155.00–172.00163.11
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
2833120.00–125.00122.40
1925145.00145.00
3932105.00–115.00111.00
Cows — Breaker 75-80% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
241,546186.00–192.50187.71
71,661170.00–177.00173.93
221,602178.00–186.00181.90
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
211,213172.00–187.00184.75
361,113140.00–175.00160.99
601,217188.00–194.00190.55
Cows — Boner 80-85% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
181,428154.00–177.00170.67
971,433175.00–188.00183.52
1881,377185.00–197.00189.94
Cows — Breaker 75-80%$ per cwt · actual wt
91,742167.00–175.00169.41
31,665151.00–162.00154.67
Cows — Boner 80-85%$ per cwt · actual wt
61,455185.50185.50
191,427150.00–163.00157.97
31,300137.50–147.50143.38
Cows — Premium White 65-75%$ per cwt · actual wt
601,792178.00–179.75179.23
Bulls — Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
31,120170.00–180.00175.18
Bulls$ per cwt · actual wt
112,019223.00–231.00225.97
332,002202.00–221.00214.62
31,690175.50–191.00182.40
Bulls — Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
221,604198.00–220.00212.71
51,327220.00220.00
41,473200.00200.00
141,512190.50–210.00204.63
Dairy Cows — Boner 80-85%$ per cwt · actual wt
41,575150.00–152.50150.69
31,403170.00170.00
Dairy Cows — Breaker 75-80%$ per cwt · actual wt
11,955168.00168.00
Dairy Cows — Lean 85-90%$ per cwt · actual wt
11,305139.00139.00

Feeder Cattle

As reported
HeadWt rangeAvg wtPrice rangeAvg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
5450–500491515.00–547.50527.71
6500–550519520.00520.00
2600–650608415.00415.00
7650–700687415.00415.00
25750–800755387.50–392.50391.71
6800–850803370.00370.00
4850–900888320.00–325.00322.53
8950–1000966305.00–325.00311.83
31000–10501,028290.00–315.00298.31
Bulls — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
51050–11001,084295.00295.00
91150–12001,159271.00271.00
61250–13001,278247.50–250.00248.67
11300–13501,310225.00225.00
Bulls — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
2400–450443490.00490.00
Bulls — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
7100–150107675.00–700.00688.94
2450–500463510.00510.00
3650–700675365.00–380.00369.81
2950–1000990300.00300.00
Bulls — Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
81250–13001,261236.00236.00
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
3350–400390510.00510.00
12400–450415500.00–525.00519.20
8450–500456495.00495.00
12500–550516460.00–470.00461.67
30550–600591424.00–432.00427.35
21600–650635392.00–416.00401.44
15650–700693350.00–370.00366.14
12700–750722350.00–370.00358.91
2850–900865335.00335.00
Heifers — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
5450–500486465.00465.00
3600–650648406.00406.00
2700–750713356.00356.00
41000–10501,026301.00301.00
Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
11450–500474510.00–512.50511.84
106500–550526475.00–495.00491.85
207550–600569439.00–471.00464.36
281600–650620415.00–444.00430.28
194650–700685377.50–406.00395.88
145700–750722370.00–391.00386.73
45750–800768355.00–378.00361.53
45800–850823346.00–350.00349.37
Heifers — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
3300–350340475.00475.00
2350–400360490.00490.00
8450–500482437.50–442.50440.06
2650–700663310.00310.00
Heifers — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
4600–650625400.00400.00
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
3600–650647397.50397.50
16750–800787342.50–347.00345.08
13800–850822334.50–338.00335.77
8900–950949313.50313.50
Steers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
2300–350335600.00600.00
5400–450424575.00–595.00591.14
25450–500472545.00–572.50570.39
8500–550531500.00–525.00510.36
27550–600581442.50–495.00472.72
19600–650634415.00–450.00428.88
3650–700667430.00430.00
6700–750730385.00–400.00397.52
4750–800779373.00–387.50380.19
Steers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
3450–500467590.00590.00
16500–550533535.00–560.00541.65
81550–600576505.00–525.50523.42
49600–650622466.00–514.00489.92
102650–700670442.00–465.00458.46
133700–750738407.50–427.00416.35
27750–800772394.00–400.00396.63
18800–850803387.50387.50
6850–900869357.00–360.00357.99
62900–950940350.00–352.00350.09
Steers — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
51100–11501,118300.00–302.50301.10
Steers — Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
6650–700696375.00375.00
Steers — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
4350–400365590.00590.00
17500–550534470.00470.00
Steers — Medium and Large 1-2 · Thin Fleshed$ per cwt · actual wt
22450–500474580.00–582.50580.98
Steers — Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
231050–11001,090313.50313.50
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
5750–800786374.00374.00
26850–900888334.00–350.00338.34
18900–950924323.00–334.00329.77
23950–1000974332.00–334.00332.87
Steers — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
4600–650634410.00410.00
2900–950930301.00301.00
Head, weight ranges, average weights and price ranges are exactly as USDA AMS filed them — nothing recomputed, nothing rounded — in USDA's own reporting structure. This is RaisedBeef's rendering of that data, not a copy of USDA's document.
Source: USDA AMS, as filed — nothing recomputed and nothing rounded. This summary aggregates the same sales the Montana barn reports cover, so it must never be added to a state total built from those barns.