USDA Billings, MT Weekly Wtd Avg 05/04 10:05
05/04/2026 | 10:05 am CDT USDA Billings, MT Weekly Wtd Avg 05/04 10:05
AMS_1778 MARS
Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary
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Livestock Weighted Average Report for 04/27/2026 - Final
Summary This Week Last Reported Last Year
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Total Receipts:
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FEEDER CATTLE 2529 1244 3202
SLAUGHTER CATTLE 751 503 782
REPLACEMENT CATTLE 1400 353 1718
Compared to last week: 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.
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FEEDER CATTLE
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BULLS - Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
5 1077-1095 1084 295-295 295
9 1159-1159 1159 271-271 271
8 1261-1261 1261 236-236 236 Fleshy
6 1265-1290 1278 247.5-250 248.67
1 1310-1310 1310 225-225 225
BULLS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
3 1025-1030 1028 290-315 298.31
5 480-498 491 515-547.5 527.71
6 519-519 519 520-520 520
2 608-608 608 415-415 415
7 687-687 687 415-415 415
25 750-756 755 387.5-392.5 391.71
6 800-815 803 370-370 370
4 878-898 888 320-325 322.53
8 955-970 966 305-325 311.83
BULLS - Medium and Large 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
7 104-110 107 675-700 688.94
2 463-463 463 510-510 510
3 650-688 675 365-380 369.81
2 990-990 990 300-300 300
BULLS - Medium and Large 2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 443-443 443 490-490 490
HEIFERS - Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
4 1026-1026 1026 301-301 301
5 486-486 486 465-465 465
3 648-648 648 406-406 406
2 713-713 713 356-356 356
HEIFERS - Medium 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
4 625-625 625 400-400 400
HEIFERS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
11 460-479 474 510-512.5 511.84
106 505-534 526 475-495 491.85
207 553-590 569 439-471 464.36
281 603-641 620 415-444 430.28
3 647-647 647 397.5-397.5 397.5 Fleshy
194 653-695 685 377.5-406 395.88
145 700-735 722 370-391 386.73
45 750-783 768 355-378 361.53
16 779-796 787 342.5-347 345.08 Fleshy
13 813-832 822 334.5-338 335.77 Fleshy
45 805-826 823 346-350 349.37
8 949-949 949 313.5-313.5 313.5 Fleshy
HEIFERS - Medium and Large 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
3 390-390 390 510-510 510
12 400-440 415 500-525 519.2
8 456-456 456 495-495 495
12 513-520 516 460-470 461.67
30 560-597 591 424-432 427.35
21 623-640 635 392-416 401.44
15 668-699 693 350-370 366.14
12 702-732 722 350-370 358.91
2 865-865 865 335-335 335
HEIFERS - Medium and Large 2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
3 340-340 340 475-475 475
2 360-360 360 490-490 490
8 471-493 482 437.5-442.5 440.06
2 663-663 663 310-310 310
STEERS - Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
23 1090-1090 1090 313.5-313.5 313.5 Fleshy
5 1105-1127 1118 300-302.5 301.1
STEERS - Large 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
6 696-696 696 375-375 375
STEERS - Medium 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
4 365-365 365 590-590 590
17 534-534 534 470-470 470
STEERS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
3 467-467 467 590-590 590
16 500-536 533 535-560 541.65
81 570-577 576 505-525.5 523.42
49 603-645 622 466-514 489.92
102 661-694 670 442-465 458.46
133 702-746 738 407.5-427 416.35
27 751-790 772 394-400 396.63
5 786-786 786 374-374 374 Fleshy
18 803-803 803 387.5-387.5 387.5
6 860-874 869 357-360 357.99
26 858-899 888 334-350 338.34 Fleshy
18 913-931 924 323-334 329.77 Fleshy
62 915-941 940 350-352 350.09
23 971-977 974 332-334 332.87 Fleshy
STEERS - Medium and Large 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 335-335 335 600-600 600
5 410-428 424 575-595 591.14
25 453-474 472 545-572.5 570.39
22 456-487 474 580-582.5 580.98 Thin Fleshed
8 515-542 531 500-525 510.36
27 562-597 581 442.5-495 472.72
19 623-648 634 415-450 428.88
3 667-667 667 430-430 430
6 725-731 730 385-400 397.52
4 773-785 779 373-387.5 380.19
STEERS - Medium and Large 2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
4 634-634 634 410-410 410
2 930-930 930 301-301 301
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SLAUGHTER CATTLE
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BULLS - 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
3 910-1285 1120 170-180 175.18 Low Light Weight
14 1230-1858 1512 190.5-210 204.63 Low Return to Feed
22 1255-1861 1604 198-220 212.71 Average Return to Feed
3 1460-1965 1690 175.5-191 182.4 Low
33 1555-2365 2002 202-221 214.62 Average
11 1535-2375 2019 223-231 225.97 High
BULLS - 2-3 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
5 1327-1327 1327 220-220 220 Average Return to Feed
4 1473-1473 1473 200-200 200 Low Return to Feed
COWS - Boner 80-85% (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
3 1230-1420 1300 137.5-147.5 143.38 Low
188 1201-1670 1377 185-197 189.94 High Return to Feed
19 1270-1590 1427 150-163 157.97 Average
18 1315-1645 1428 154-177 170.67 Low Return to Feed
97 1255-1670 1433 175-188 183.52 Average Return to Feed
6 1455-1455 1455 185.5-185.5 185.5 High
COWS - Breaker 75-80% (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
24 1430-1630 1546 186-192.5 187.71 High Return to Feed
22 1480-1775 1602 178-186 181.9 Average Return to Feed
7 1570-1825 1661 170-177 173.93 Low Return to Feed
3 1505-1825 1665 151-162 154.67 Low
9 1650-1945 1742 167-175 169.41 Average
COWS - Lean 85-90% (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
36 880-1298 1113 140-175 160.99 Low Return to Feed
3 1065-1245 1130 105-125 117.53 Very Low
13 1030-1300 1167 155-168 161.82 Average
10 1110-1220 1189 125-152.5 140.62 Low
21 1060-1260 1213 172-187 184.75 Average Return to Feed
60 1085-1285 1217 188-194 190.55 High Return to Feed
2 800-865 833 120-125 122.4 Low Light Weight
1 925-925 925 145-145 145 Average Light Weight
3 870-990 932 105-115 111 Very Low Light Weight
COWS - Premium White 65-75% (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
60 1695-1808 1792 178-179.75 179.23 Average
2 2010-2205 2108 155-172 163.11 Low Heavy Weight
DAIRY COWS - Boner 80-85% (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
3 1403-1403 1403 170-170 170 High
4 1420-1635 1575 150-152.5 150.69 Average
DAIRY COWS - Breaker 75-80% (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
1 1955-1955 1955 168-168 168 Average
DAIRY COWS - Lean 85-90% (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
1 1305-1305 1305 139-139 139 Low
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REPLACEMENT CATTLE
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BRED COWS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
1 1130-1130 1130 3200-3200 3200
BRED COWS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
5 1193-1360 1253 3300-3850 3673.51 T2-3
2 1395-1395 1395 3400-3400 3400 T2-3
BRED COWS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
82 1045-1490 1222 3850-4375 4149.35
6 1230-1598 1395 3200-3400 3283.71 Broken Mouth
28 1383-1526 1482 3650-4200 3983.42
48 1055-1593 1524 3300-3750 3550.34
BRED COWS - Medium and Large 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
6 1096-1190 1112 2600-3300 2724.89
BRED COWS - Medium and Large 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 1083-1083 1083 3000-3000 3000
BRED COWS - Medium and Large 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
7 1141-1141 1141 3800-3800 3800 T2-3
BRED COWS - Medium and Large 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
5 1227-1227 1227 2400-2400 2400 Thin Fleshed
4 1170-1400 1285 3100-3350 3236.19
12 1268-1317 1289 3300-3550 3509.01
18 980-1423 1294 3500-3800 3633.31
27 1265-1498 1404 2850-3050 2958.55 Broken Mouth
BRED HEIFERS - Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
1 1390-1390 1390 3600-3600 3600
BRED HEIFERS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 1188-1188 1188 3000-3000 3000
BRED HEIFERS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
19 1086-1260 1144 3700-4375 4161.37
COW-CALF PAIRS - Medium 2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
9 911-911 911 2300-2300 2300 O
COW-CALF PAIRS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
4 1480-1540 1495 5900-6050 6011.37 Registered O
6 1418-1561 1513 6500-6600 6568.77 Registered O
4 1400-1568 1522 6000-7300 6899.08 Registered O
14 1558-1558 1558 6000-6000 6000 O
20 1540-1670 1612 4200-4800 4619.33 Broken Mouth O
3 1717-1717 1717 5100-5100 5100 O
2 1770-1770 1770 5750-5750 5750 O
COW-CALF PAIRS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
15 1426-1496 1459 5050-5250 5145.72 O
2 1493-1493 1493 4000-4000 4000 Broken Mouth O
2 1683-1683 1683 5000-5000 5000 O
COW-CALF PAIRS - Medium and Large 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
3 1558-1558 1558 3550-3550 3550 Broken Mouth O
COW-CALF PAIRS - Medium and Large 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 1173-1173 1173 2700-2700 2700 Thin Fleshed O
3 1202-1202 1202 4300-4300 4300 O
21 1342-1500 1391 3125-3500 3251.15 Broken Mouth O
27 1408-1586 1491 3350-3950 3666.63 O
4 1103-1888 1496 3900-4200 4089.37 O
HEIFER PAIRS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
30 1097-1442 1209 5400-6800 5808.96 O
STOCK COWS - Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
18 958-1380 1084 201-310 242.82 O
2 1375-1375 1375 242-242 242 Fleshy O
2 1270-1490 1380 188-205 195.82 O
STOCK COWS - Medium 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 740-855 798 300-300 300 O
16 730-898 813 305-332.5 317.95 O
STOCK COWS - Medium 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
1 790-790 790 240-240 240 O
5 875-895 885 245-285 274.93 O
STOCK COWS - Medium 2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
1 1195-1195 1195 167.5-167.5 167.5 O
STOCK COWS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
202 797-1255 1024 222.5-350 301.18 O
132 915-1470 1127 191-330 253 O
12 1240-1318 1280 216-243 227.07 Fleshy O
30 1170-1475 1299 184-220 194.45 O
1 1415-1415 1415 189.5-189.5 189.5 Fleshy O
1 1600-1600 1600 222.5-222.5 222.5 O
STOCK COWS - Medium and Large 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
67 900-1280 1073 182.5-300 233.74 O
43 834-1215 984 225-315 279.54 O
STOCK COWS - Medium and Large 2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 1020-1020 1020 255-255 255 O
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