Feeder steers
$277 to $583
Montana Cattle Auction Prices
Feeder steer prices in Montana ran from about $277 to $583 per cwt this week, with lighter calves bringing more per hundredweight than heavy yearlings; feeder heifers ran about $236 to $535 per cwt. Prices are from the USDA weekly cattle auction summary for the week ending Sep 12, 2026. These are auction sale prices reported by USDA Market News; feeder cattle are quoted per hundredweight (cwt).
Feeder heifers
$236 to $535
Auction receipts
1,644 head
Week ending
Sep 12, 2026
Montana Feeder Steers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250-300 lb | 268 lb | 3 | $580.00 | $580.00 | $580.00 |
| 300-350 lb | 335 lb | 17 | $562.50 | $582.50 | $574.58 |
| 350-400 lb | 385 lb | 12 | $537.50 | $545.00 | $541.24 |
| 350-400 lb | 391 lb | 31 | $475.00 | $510.00 | $490.51 |
| 400-450 lb | 421 lb | 57 | $501.00 | $545.00 | $515.77 |
| 400-450 lb | 433 lb | 14 | $440.00 | $490.00 | $476.05 |
| 450-500 lb | 492 lb | 5 | $442.50 | $442.50 | $442.50 |
| 450-500 lb | 463 lb | 33 | $447.50 | $472.50 | $467.39 |
| 500-550 lb | 532 lb | 34 | $407.00 | $445.00 | $420.26 |
| 500-550 lb | 537 lb | 3 | $397.50 | $397.50 | $397.50 |
| 550-600 lb | 578 lb | 58 | $381.00 | $410.00 | $401.58 |
| 550-600 lb | 576 lb | 11 | $408.00 | $408.00 | $408.00 |
| 550-600 lb | 587 lb | 26 | $382.50 | $382.50 | $382.50 |
| 600-650 lb | 602 lb | 5 | $359.00 | $359.00 | $359.00 |
| 600-650 lb | 637 lb | 12 | $375.00 | $380.00 | $379.19 |
| 650-700 lb | 678 lb | 4 | $326.00 | $326.00 | $326.00 |
| 650-700 lb | 652 lb | 5 | $362.00 | $362.00 | $362.00 |
| 650-700 lb | 667 lb | 22 | $342.00 | $342.00 | $342.00 |
| 650-700 lb | 690 lb | 28 | $345.00 | $349.00 | $348.02 |
| 650-700 lb | 673 lb | 3 | $380.00 | $380.00 | $380.00 |
| 700-750 lb | 735 lb | 3 | $382.00 | $382.00 | $382.00 |
| 700-750 lb | 720 lb | 7 | $355.00 | $355.00 | $355.00 |
| 750-800 lb | 764 lb | 5 | $356.00 | $356.00 | $356.00 |
| 750-800 lb | 783 lb | 2 | $345.00 | $345.00 | $345.00 |
| 750-800 lb | 778 lb | 9 | $379.00 | $379.00 | $379.00 |
| 750-800 lb | 799 lb | 10 | $342.50 | $342.50 | $342.50 |
| 800-850 lb | 810 lb | 34 | $340.00 | $349.00 | $348.72 |
| 800-850 lb | 846 lb | 8 | $342.00 | $342.00 | $342.00 |
| 800-850 lb | 805 lb | 3 | $347.50 | $347.50 | $347.50 |
| 800-850 lb | 835 lb | 13 | $335.00 | $335.00 | $335.00 |
| 850-900 lb | 878 lb | 15 | $314.00 | $314.00 | $314.00 |
| 850-900 lb | 863 lb | 8 | $324.00 | $324.00 | $324.00 |
| 900-950 lb | 902 lb | 7 | $316.00 | $316.00 | $316.00 |
| 900-950 lb | 903 lb | 4 | $317.50 | $322.50 | $321.25 |
| 900-950 lb | 919 lb | 6 | $316.00 | $316.00 | $316.00 |
| 900-950 lb | 943 lb | 3 | $312.00 | $312.00 | $312.00 |
| 950-1000 lb | 958 lb | 17 | $310.00 | $311.00 | $310.77 |
| 950-1000 lb | 984 lb | 7 | $295.00 | $296.00 | $295.57 |
| 1050-1100 lb | 1050 lb | 6 | $289.00 | $289.00 | $289.00 |
| 1100-1150 lb | 1109 lb | 7 | $276.50 | $276.50 | $276.50 |
Montana Feeder Heifers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250-300 lb | 280 lb | 2 | $535.00 | $535.00 | $535.00 |
| 300-350 lb | 344 lb | 9 | $465.00 | $465.00 | $465.00 |
| 300-350 lb | 336 lb | 21 | $485.00 | $495.00 | $487.86 |
| 350-400 lb | 391 lb | 15 | $400.00 | $405.00 | $400.99 |
| 350-400 lb | 385 lb | 70 | $420.00 | $460.00 | $451.85 |
| 400-450 lb | 423 lb | 11 | $410.00 | $430.00 | $417.39 |
| 400-450 lb | 423 lb | 28 | $455.00 | $473.00 | $471.10 |
| 450-500 lb | 483 lb | 12 | $371.00 | $378.00 | $373.36 |
| 450-500 lb | 475 lb | 12 | $360.00 | $437.50 | $394.94 |
| 450-500 lb | 478 lb | 30 | $385.00 | $415.00 | $408.23 |
| 500-550 lb | 518 lb | 7 | $364.00 | $364.00 | $364.00 |
| 500-550 lb | 535 lb | 9 | $365.00 | $365.00 | $365.00 |
| 550-600 lb | 575 lb | 6 | $335.00 | $360.00 | $347.78 |
| 550-600 lb | 592 lb | 18 | $347.50 | $348.00 | $347.81 |
| 550-600 lb | 596 lb | 28 | $350.00 | $350.00 | $350.00 |
| 600-650 lb | 621 lb | 5 | $321.00 | $327.50 | $323.90 |
| 600-650 lb | 608 lb | 5 | $312.50 | $312.50 | $312.50 |
| 600-650 lb | 604 lb | 5 | $347.00 | $347.00 | $347.00 |
| 650-700 lb | 671 lb | 6 | $327.50 | $330.00 | $328.32 |
| 700-750 lb | 715 lb | 3 | $320.00 | $320.00 | $320.00 |
| 700-750 lb | 720 lb | 1 | $332.50 | $332.50 | $332.50 |
| 700-750 lb | 741 lb | 7 | $335.00 | $335.00 | $335.00 |
| 750-800 lb | 752 lb | 9 | $321.00 | $321.00 | $321.00 |
| 750-800 lb | 780 lb | 6 | $321.00 | $321.00 | $321.00 |
| 750-800 lb | 765 lb | 3 | $304.00 | $304.00 | $304.00 |
| 750-800 lb | 758 lb | 2 | $337.50 | $337.50 | $337.50 |
| 800-850 lb | 820 lb | 2 | $290.00 | $290.00 | $290.00 |
| 800-850 lb | 836 lb | 29 | $325.00 | $334.00 | $328.95 |
| 800-850 lb | 818 lb | 23 | $297.50 | $314.00 | $306.35 |
| 850-900 lb | 879 lb | 31 | $310.00 | $327.00 | $314.87 |
| 900-950 lb | 918 lb | 27 | $295.00 | $300.00 | $297.38 |
| 900-950 lb | 927 lb | 9 | $282.50 | $305.00 | $290.32 |
| 900-950 lb | 927 lb | 68 | $306.00 | $316.00 | $312.46 |
| 900-950 lb | 912 lb | 8 | $305.00 | $305.00 | $305.00 |
| 950-1000 lb | 979 lb | 26 | $294.00 | $309.00 | $303.53 |
| 950-1000 lb | 990 lb | 1 | $280.00 | $280.00 | $280.00 |
| 950-1000 lb | 986 lb | 7 | $266.00 | $266.00 | $266.00 |
| 950-1000 lb | 983 lb | 39 | $284.00 | $284.00 | $284.00 |
| 1000-1050 lb | 1019 lb | 51 | $287.50 | $299.50 | $296.34 |
| 1000-1050 lb | 1039 lb | 13 | $272.00 | $282.50 | $278.93 |
| 1050-1100 lb | 1076 lb | 12 | $267.00 | $275.00 | $270.35 |
| 1050-1100 lb | 1061 lb | 10 | $288.00 | $288.00 | $288.00 |
| 1050-1100 lb | 1084 lb | 8 | $262.50 | $262.50 | $262.50 |
| 1100-1150 lb | 1138 lb | 4 | $270.00 | $270.00 | $270.00 |
| 1100-1150 lb | 1107 lb | 5 | $251.00 | $254.00 | $252.80 |
| 1150-1200 lb | 1175 lb | 4 | $236.00 | $236.00 | $236.00 |
| 1250-1300 lb | 1285 lb | 2 | $269.50 | $269.50 | $269.50 |
Montana Feeder Bulls prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300-350 lb | 338 lb | 10 | $570.00 | $570.00 | $570.00 |
| 300-350 lb | 325 lb | 2 | $525.00 | $525.00 | $525.00 |
| 350-400 lb | 374 lb | 4 | $470.00 | $485.00 | $481.08 |
| 350-400 lb | 372 lb | 14 | $535.00 | $535.00 | $535.00 |
| 400-450 lb | 415 lb | 26 | $500.00 | $515.00 | $513.84 |
| 450-500 lb | 484 lb | 5 | $435.00 | $435.00 | $435.00 |
| 450-500 lb | 475 lb | 4 | $422.50 | $422.50 | $422.50 |
| 450-500 lb | 455 lb | 2 | $465.00 | $465.00 | $465.00 |
| 550-600 lb | 571 lb | 4 | $385.00 | $385.00 | $385.00 |
| 550-600 lb | 585 lb | 2 | $360.00 | $360.00 | $360.00 |
| 600-650 lb | 618 lb | 31 | $350.00 | $385.00 | $373.20 |
| 650-700 lb | 653 lb | 2 | $345.00 | $345.00 | $345.00 |
| 700-750 lb | 733 lb | 2 | $342.50 | $342.50 | $342.50 |
| 800-850 lb | 823 lb | 5 | $335.00 | $335.00 | $335.00 |
| 900-950 lb | 911 lb | 11 | $322.50 | $322.50 | $322.50 |
| 950-1000 lb | 953 lb | 5 | $295.00 | $305.00 | $302.98 |
| 1200-1250 lb | 1240 lb | 1 | $207.50 | $207.50 | $207.50 |
| 1250-1300 lb | 1263 lb | 4 | $227.50 | $235.00 | $229.42 |
| 1250-1300 lb | 1265 lb | 1 | $222.50 | $222.50 | $222.50 |
Montana Slaughter Bulls prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1643 lb | 6 | $175.00 | $180.00 | $177.42 |
| N/A | 1678 lb | 10 | $167.00 | $175.00 | $172.83 |
| N/A | 2008 lb | 10 | $187.00 | $197.00 | $191.26 |
| N/A | 825 lb | 1 | $155.00 | $155.00 | $155.00 |
| N/A | 1949 lb | 42 | $172.00 | $187.00 | $180.33 |
| N/A | 1722 lb | 28 | $160.00 | $174.00 | $169.67 |
Montana Slaughter Cows prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1273 lb | 5 | $164.00 | $165.00 | $164.19 |
| N/A | 1416 lb | 83 | $135.00 | $154.00 | $145.72 |
| N/A | 1267 lb | 40 | $149.00 | $159.00 | $149.29 |
| N/A | 1614 lb | 16 | $141.00 | $151.00 | $144.93 |
| N/A | 1644 lb | 14 | $131.00 | $142.00 | $137.95 |
| N/A | 1204 lb | 24 | $133.00 | $145.00 | $137.70 |
| N/A | 720 lb | 4 | $122.50 | $125.00 | $123.87 |
| N/A | 1120 lb | 7 | $90.00 | $107.50 | $102.72 |
| N/A | 1620 lb | 2 | $144.00 | $145.00 | $144.50 |
| N/A | 1552 lb | 22 | $156.00 | $162.50 | $159.56 |
| N/A | 1300 lb | 2 | $168.00 | $171.00 | $169.58 |
| N/A | 1459 lb | 238 | $155.00 | $164.00 | $161.32 |
| N/A | 1613 lb | 68 | $150.00 | $157.00 | $153.48 |
| N/A | 920 lb | 1 | $137.50 | $137.50 | $137.50 |
| N/A | 980 lb | 1 | $140.00 | $140.00 | $140.00 |
| N/A | 1185 lb | 39 | $112.50 | $138.00 | $130.00 |
| N/A | 1171 lb | 12 | $139.00 | $145.00 | $141.62 |
| N/A | 1362 lb | 19 | $140.00 | $148.00 | $142.52 |
| N/A | 1444 lb | 21 | $127.50 | $139.00 | $135.26 |
| N/A | 1328 lb | 2 | $119.00 | $120.00 | $119.49 |
| N/A | 915 lb | 1 | $97.50 | $97.50 | $97.50 |
Montana Slaughter Dairy Cows prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1299 lb | 5 | $119.00 | $119.00 | $119.00 |
Montana Cow-Calf Pairs prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per head) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 770 lb | 3 | $1,100.00 | $1,100.00 | $1,100.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1877 lb | 10 | $3,650.00 | $3,650.00 | $3,650.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1220 lb | 2 | $3,500.00 | $3,500.00 | $3,500.00 |
Montana Bred Cows prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per head) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium and Large | 1475 lb | 2 | $2,200.00 | $2,200.00 | $2,200.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1265 lb | 1 | $3,050.00 | $3,050.00 | $3,050.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1177 lb | 5 | $2,325.00 | $2,325.00 | $2,325.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1125 lb | 1 | $3,000.00 | $3,000.00 | $3,000.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1196 lb | 22 | $3,300.00 | $3,300.00 | $3,300.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1430 lb | 6 | $2,675.00 | $2,675.00 | $2,675.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1415 lb | 2 | $2,650.00 | $2,650.00 | $2,650.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1132 lb | 4 | $2,850.00 | $2,850.00 | $2,850.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1205 lb | 5 | $2,250.00 | $2,250.00 | $2,250.00 |
Montana Bred Heifers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium and Large | 1017 lb | 9 | $288.00 | $288.00 | $288.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1125 lb | 2 | $3,200.00 | $3,200.00 | $3,200.00 |
Montana Stock Cows prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium and Large | 1230 lb | 1 | $166.00 | $166.00 | $166.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1325 lb | 1 | $171.00 | $171.00 | $171.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1140 lb | 1 | $161.00 | $161.00 | $161.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1255 lb | 1 | $195.00 | $195.00 | $195.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1235 lb | 1 | $167.00 | $167.00 | $167.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1152 lb | 3 | $177.00 | $205.00 | $191.27 |
| Medium and Large | 1262 lb | 15 | $166.00 | $205.00 | $171.81 |
| Medium and Large | 885 lb | 1 | $227.50 | $227.50 | $227.50 |
| Small and Medium | 861 lb | 4 | $140.00 | $140.00 | $140.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1189 lb | 21 | $207.50 | $273.00 | $235.60 |
Auction volume
@endif
Montana auctions reported 1,644 head this week@if ($report->receipts_week_ago), compared with 1,842 head last week@if ($report->receipts_year_ago) and 2,484 head a year ago@endif.
Montana cattle markets
Montana is an important Northern Plains cow-calf state, with large ranches across the eastern plains, central grasslands, and mountain valleys. Many calves are raised on native range and marketed after weaning to buyers in the Northern Plains, Midwest, and feedlot regions. Sale activity commonly builds during fall calf runs, while some ranches market replacement and bred cattle in late fall and spring. Livestock markets around Miles City, Billings, and other regional trade centers serve as established gathering points for cattle.
Montana cattle market commentary
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 steady undertones were noticed. Yearling heifers over 900 lbs sold steady to 5.00 higher in a narrow comparison. Steer calves were too lightly tested this week to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to higher undertones were noticed. Heifer calves were all too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on heifers under 450 lbs and steady undertones were noticed on heifers over 450 lbs. Quality this week was mixed from plain to attractive. Cattle were offered in small to moderate size packages. Lots of variation in breed type and quality were noticed. Many calves continue to come out of dry country as ranchers are being forced to market early due to dry conditions. Buyers showed moderate to good demand for both yearling and calves despite light offerings. CME feeder cattle positions moved sharply higher this past week as buyers continue to rebound from oversold positions. The September closed last Friday at 337.825, 13.00 higher than last Friday. The October closed at 332.50, 12.35 higher than last Fridays close and the November closed at 328.175, 13.45 higher than last Fridays close. Market activity was mostly active despite light offerings. Weigh up cows sold on mostly light to moderate demand for light offerings. Cow quality remains mostly plain to average with many blemished cows seen. Very few attractive feeding cows were seen this past week. Feeding cows sold generally steady on all offerings. Slaughter cows sold mostly steady in a narrow comparison on all classes. Slaughter bulls sold fully steady. Young age offerings were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Good demand was 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 light to moderate flesh. Demand from rebreed buyers remains light and very few were purchased for that purpose this week.
Market commentary above is quoted from the USDA Market News report.
About this data
These are auction sale prices reported by USDA Market News from livestock auctions across Montana, summarized weekly. Feeder cattle are quoted per hundredweight (cwt); breeding and replacement cattle are often quoted per head or per pair. Prices move with the futures market, feed costs, and demand, so confirm current values at your local auction.
Source: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, report AMS_1778, published Sep 7, 2026. Original USDA report (PDF). This page is informational and is not market or investment advice.
Montana cattle price frequently asked questions
How much are feeder steers in Montana right now?
Feeder steer prices in Montana ran from about $277 to $583 per cwt this week, with lighter calves bringing more per hundredweight than heavy yearlings; feeder heifers ran about $236 to $535 per cwt. Prices are from the USDA weekly cattle auction summary for the week ending Sep 12, 2026. Exact prices depend on weight, frame, and quality, shown in the tables above.
Why do lighter cattle cost more per hundredweight?
Buyers usually pay a higher price per pound for lighter calves than for heavy yearlings, a pattern often called the price slide, because lighter cattle have more weight left to gain. That is why a 5-weight steer can post a higher per-cwt price than an 8-weight steer at the same auction.
How often are these cattle prices updated?
USDA Market News publishes Montana auction summaries weekly, and this page refreshes after each new report. Auction prices can change from week to week, so check the report date shown above.
Page updated Sep 18, 2026.
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