Feeder steers
$298 to $715
Montana Cattle Auction Prices
Feeder steer prices in Montana ran from about $298 to $715 per cwt this week, with lighter calves bringing more per hundredweight than heavy yearlings; feeder heifers ran about $259 to $590 per cwt. Prices are from the USDA weekly cattle auction summary for the week ending Oct 31, 2026. These are auction sale prices reported by USDA Market News; feeder cattle are quoted per hundredweight (cwt).
Feeder heifers
$259 to $590
Auction receipts
1,541 head
Week ending
Oct 31, 2026
Montana Feeder Steers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200-250 lb | 227 lb | 3 | $655.00 | $715.00 | $676.18 |
| 200-250 lb | 239 lb | 3 | $590.00 | $650.00 | $608.44 |
| 250-300 lb | 268 lb | 8 | $630.00 | $650.00 | $634.97 |
| 250-300 lb | 272 lb | 7 | $660.00 | $705.00 | $666.27 |
| 300-350 lb | 314 lb | 10 | $410.00 | $540.00 | $526.74 |
| 300-350 lb | 329 lb | 16 | $570.00 | $625.00 | $596.87 |
| 300-350 lb | 329 lb | 15 | $615.00 | $665.00 | $633.16 |
| 350-400 lb | 371 lb | 8 | $509.00 | $520.00 | $515.69 |
| 350-400 lb | 382 lb | 65 | $537.50 | $642.50 | $577.16 |
| 350-400 lb | 367 lb | 47 | $517.50 | $590.00 | $552.05 |
| 400-450 lb | 428 lb | 54 | $480.00 | $527.50 | $494.79 |
| 400-450 lb | 444 lb | 46 | $440.00 | $505.00 | $473.75 |
| 400-450 lb | 446 lb | 4 | $465.00 | $465.00 | $465.00 |
| 400-450 lb | 435 lb | 23 | $465.00 | $465.00 | $465.00 |
| 400-450 lb | 426 lb | 264 | $522.50 | $582.50 | $556.35 |
| 450-500 lb | 480 lb | 49 | $420.00 | $475.00 | $456.71 |
| 450-500 lb | 499 lb | 7 | $472.50 | $472.50 | $472.50 |
| 450-500 lb | 484 lb | 7 | $380.00 | $430.00 | $402.07 |
| 450-500 lb | 476 lb | 224 | $467.50 | $520.00 | $501.24 |
| 450-500 lb | 470 lb | 47 | $445.00 | $472.50 | $447.20 |
| 500-550 lb | 529 lb | 93 | $400.00 | $440.00 | $429.17 |
| 500-550 lb | 538 lb | 2 | $400.00 | $400.00 | $400.00 |
| 500-550 lb | 521 lb | 793 | $432.50 | $507.50 | $468.11 |
| 500-550 lb | 522 lb | 31 | $411.00 | $426.00 | $420.79 |
| 500-550 lb | 510 lb | 13 | $470.00 | $470.00 | $470.00 |
| 550-600 lb | 560 lb | 6 | $367.50 | $367.50 | $367.50 |
| 550-600 lb | 581 lb | 12 | $410.00 | $410.00 | $410.00 |
| 550-600 lb | 575 lb | 48 | $376.00 | $415.00 | $400.28 |
| 550-600 lb | 564 lb | 53 | $430.50 | $430.50 | $430.50 |
| 550-600 lb | 569 lb | 7 | $385.00 | $385.00 | $385.00 |
| 550-600 lb | 568 lb | 7 | $355.00 | $362.50 | $359.21 |
| 550-600 lb | 582 lb | 10 | $406.00 | $406.00 | $406.00 |
| 550-600 lb | 583 lb | 914 | $407.00 | $449.50 | $423.69 |
| 600-650 lb | 613 lb | 6 | $382.50 | $390.00 | $386.30 |
| 600-650 lb | 633 lb | 3 | $389.00 | $389.00 | $389.00 |
| 600-650 lb | 620 lb | 1 | $365.00 | $365.00 | $365.00 |
| 600-650 lb | 619 lb | 997 | $377.00 | $421.00 | $406.84 |
| 600-650 lb | 628 lb | 62 | $365.00 | $387.00 | $379.25 |
| 600-650 lb | 628 lb | 7 | $372.50 | $372.50 | $372.50 |
| 650-700 lb | 688 lb | 12 | $345.00 | $360.00 | $355.01 |
| 650-700 lb | 677 lb | 404 | $370.00 | $403.00 | $386.01 |
| 650-700 lb | 695 lb | 4 | $355.00 | $355.00 | $355.00 |
| 650-700 lb | 672 lb | 55 | $353.00 | $371.00 | $360.80 |
| 650-700 lb | 691 lb | 4 | $325.00 | $325.00 | $325.00 |
| 650-700 lb | 681 lb | 5 | $360.00 | $360.00 | $360.00 |
| 650-700 lb | 658 lb | 8 | $336.00 | $372.50 | $345.29 |
| 700-750 lb | 701 lb | 6 | $389.00 | $389.00 | $389.00 |
| 700-750 lb | 710 lb | 8 | $345.00 | $345.00 | $345.00 |
| 700-750 lb | 728 lb | 26 | $324.00 | $360.00 | $326.71 |
| 700-750 lb | 717 lb | 7 | $350.00 | $350.00 | $350.00 |
| 700-750 lb | 711 lb | 58 | $352.50 | $377.50 | $367.97 |
| 700-750 lb | 741 lb | 4 | $330.00 | $330.00 | $330.00 |
| 750-800 lb | 779 lb | 18 | $339.00 | $339.00 | $339.00 |
| 750-800 lb | 798 lb | 4 | $327.00 | $327.00 | $327.00 |
| 750-800 lb | 763 lb | 47 | $350.50 | $363.00 | $358.04 |
| 800-850 lb | 827 lb | 28 | $324.00 | $331.00 | $326.45 |
| 850-900 lb | 885 lb | 13 | $327.00 | $327.00 | $327.00 |
| 850-900 lb | 855 lb | 5 | $330.00 | $330.00 | $330.00 |
| 900-950 lb | 947 lb | 13 | $319.00 | $319.00 | $319.00 |
| 1000-1050 lb | 1019 lb | 5 | $297.50 | $299.00 | $298.70 |
Montana Feeder Heifers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250-300 lb | 274 lb | 6 | $540.00 | $590.00 | $565.78 |
| 300-350 lb | 326 lb | 33 | $515.00 | $555.00 | $537.04 |
| 300-350 lb | 324 lb | 22 | $465.00 | $510.00 | $491.04 |
| 350-400 lb | 384 lb | 5 | $465.00 | $465.00 | $465.00 |
| 350-400 lb | 382 lb | 140 | $460.00 | $515.00 | $494.52 |
| 350-400 lb | 393 lb | 4 | $335.00 | $335.00 | $335.00 |
| 350-400 lb | 377 lb | 24 | $425.00 | $490.00 | $467.31 |
| 350-400 lb | 397 lb | 14 | $430.00 | $430.00 | $430.00 |
| 400-450 lb | 430 lb | 4 | $390.00 | $390.00 | $390.00 |
| 400-450 lb | 429 lb | 285 | $451.00 | $525.00 | $481.26 |
| 400-450 lb | 430 lb | 100 | $380.00 | $470.00 | $444.12 |
| 400-450 lb | 429 lb | 22 | $417.50 | $441.00 | $426.93 |
| 450-500 lb | 479 lb | 106 | $370.00 | $440.00 | $402.07 |
| 450-500 lb | 475 lb | 3 | $435.00 | $435.00 | $435.00 |
| 450-500 lb | 472 lb | 327 | $407.50 | $470.00 | $443.02 |
| 450-500 lb | 463 lb | 14 | $365.00 | $445.00 | $411.19 |
| 500-550 lb | 525 lb | 4 | $335.00 | $335.00 | $335.00 |
| 500-550 lb | 531 lb | 100 | $400.00 | $448.00 | $425.27 |
| 500-550 lb | 521 lb | 110 | $346.00 | $395.00 | $377.40 |
| 500-550 lb | 525 lb | 468 | $380.00 | $428.00 | $400.15 |
| 500-550 lb | 547 lb | 19 | $360.00 | $360.00 | $360.00 |
| 500-550 lb | 520 lb | 3 | $365.00 | $365.00 | $365.00 |
| 550-600 lb | 589 lb | 34 | $383.00 | $383.00 | $383.00 |
| 550-600 lb | 579 lb | 39 | $340.00 | $350.00 | $344.81 |
| 550-600 lb | 599 lb | 7 | $352.50 | $352.50 | $352.50 |
| 550-600 lb | 570 lb | 346 | $357.00 | $389.00 | $373.82 |
| 550-600 lb | 590 lb | 21 | $340.00 | $340.00 | $340.00 |
| 550-600 lb | 595 lb | 2 | $362.00 | $362.00 | $362.00 |
| 550-600 lb | 569 lb | 14 | $355.00 | $359.00 | $356.96 |
| 600-650 lb | 612 lb | 200 | $340.50 | $374.00 | $358.70 |
| 600-650 lb | 613 lb | 27 | $325.00 | $352.50 | $343.01 |
| 600-650 lb | 646 lb | 53 | $372.50 | $372.50 | $372.50 |
| 600-650 lb | 645 lb | 3 | $315.00 | $315.00 | $315.00 |
| 650-700 lb | 676 lb | 7 | $334.00 | $334.00 | $334.00 |
| 650-700 lb | 689 lb | 4 | $336.00 | $336.00 | $336.00 |
| 650-700 lb | 663 lb | 43 | $340.00 | $351.00 | $344.49 |
| 650-700 lb | 678 lb | 12 | $337.00 | $337.00 | $337.00 |
| 650-700 lb | 650 lb | 3 | $330.00 | $330.00 | $330.00 |
| 650-700 lb | 664 lb | 12 | $320.00 | $330.00 | $325.76 |
| 700-750 lb | 719 lb | 23 | $338.00 | $339.00 | $338.13 |
| 700-750 lb | 708 lb | 19 | $330.00 | $330.00 | $330.00 |
| 700-750 lb | 706 lb | 4 | $330.00 | $330.00 | $330.00 |
| 750-800 lb | 775 lb | 18 | $319.00 | $320.00 | $319.38 |
| 800-850 lb | 810 lb | 8 | $307.00 | $307.00 | $307.00 |
| 800-850 lb | 819 lb | 8 | $302.00 | $310.00 | $306.11 |
| 800-850 lb | 810 lb | 4 | $304.00 | $304.00 | $304.00 |
| 850-900 lb | 869 lb | 24 | $292.50 | $318.00 | $306.41 |
| 900-950 lb | 918 lb | 6 | $299.00 | $302.00 | $300.47 |
| 900-950 lb | 904 lb | 11 | $291.00 | $291.00 | $291.00 |
| 900-950 lb | 923 lb | 19 | $300.00 | $313.00 | $307.55 |
| 950-1000 lb | 983 lb | 38 | $295.00 | $301.00 | $299.15 |
| 1000-1050 lb | 1042 lb | 3 | $294.00 | $294.00 | $294.00 |
| 1050-1100 lb | 1074 lb | 32 | $281.00 | $292.50 | $286.28 |
| 1100-1150 lb | 1119 lb | 34 | $277.50 | $277.50 | $277.50 |
| 1150-1200 lb | 1168 lb | 7 | $259.00 | $259.00 | $259.00 |
| 1150-1200 lb | 1157 lb | 7 | $273.00 | $276.00 | $274.28 |
| 1150-1200 lb | 1153 lb | 4 | $272.50 | $272.50 | $272.50 |
| 1200-1250 lb | 1230 lb | 14 | $260.00 | $260.00 | $260.00 |
Montana Feeder Bulls prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300-350 lb | 341 lb | 4 | $475.00 | $475.00 | $475.00 |
| 300-350 lb | 318 lb | 2 | $610.00 | $610.00 | $610.00 |
| 350-400 lb | 359 lb | 4 | $535.00 | $535.00 | $535.00 |
| 350-400 lb | 363 lb | 23 | $545.00 | $590.00 | $550.63 |
| 350-400 lb | 398 lb | 7 | $425.00 | $425.00 | $425.00 |
| 400-450 lb | 420 lb | 13 | $460.00 | $505.00 | $483.88 |
| 400-450 lb | 405 lb | 31 | $527.50 | $540.00 | $537.95 |
| 450-500 lb | 477 lb | 18 | $440.00 | $467.50 | $456.71 |
| 450-500 lb | 498 lb | 5 | $412.50 | $425.00 | $420.00 |
| 500-550 lb | 533 lb | 11 | $385.00 | $417.50 | $401.36 |
| 550-600 lb | 576 lb | 9 | $340.00 | $375.00 | $356.78 |
| 550-600 lb | 550 lb | 1 | $415.00 | $415.00 | $415.00 |
| 600-650 lb | 616 lb | 5 | $355.00 | $379.00 | $364.39 |
| 600-650 lb | 645 lb | 2 | $349.00 | $349.00 | $349.00 |
| 650-700 lb | 658 lb | 6 | $335.00 | $340.00 | $336.65 |
| 650-700 lb | 685 lb | 1 | $322.50 | $322.50 | $322.50 |
| 1000-1050 lb | 1000 lb | 1 | $282.50 | $282.50 | $282.50 |
| 1050-1100 lb | 1083 lb | 2 | $270.00 | $270.00 | $270.00 |
| 1100-1150 lb | 1120 lb | 1 | $250.00 | $250.00 | $250.00 |
| 1150-1200 lb | 1186 lb | 4 | $247.50 | $247.50 | $247.50 |
| 1200-1250 lb | 1231 lb | 5 | $242.50 | $242.50 | $242.50 |
| 1250-1300 lb | 1273 lb | 5 | $230.00 | $230.00 | $230.00 |
Montana Slaughter Bulls prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1829 lb | 41 | $143.00 | $171.00 | $160.34 |
| N/A | 2288 lb | 3 | $180.00 | $183.00 | $181.37 |
| N/A | 1422 lb | 5 | $135.00 | $150.00 | $140.09 |
| N/A | 1604 lb | 41 | $149.00 | $170.00 | $163.76 |
| N/A | 1727 lb | 33 | $170.00 | $180.00 | $174.69 |
| N/A | 1959 lb | 30 | $170.00 | $182.00 | $174.87 |
| N/A | 2497 lb | 3 | $161.00 | $163.00 | $161.64 |
Montana Slaughter Cows prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1174 lb | 255 | $110.00 | $136.00 | $125.99 |
| N/A | 1228 lb | 25 | $147.00 | $153.00 | $150.69 |
| N/A | 2105 lb | 3 | $113.00 | $119.00 | $115.09 |
| N/A | 1364 lb | 46 | $87.50 | $111.00 | $100.37 |
| N/A | 1521 lb | 5 | $121.00 | $125.00 | $123.59 |
| N/A | 1430 lb | 50 | $105.00 | $120.00 | $113.85 |
| N/A | 1690 lb | 23 | $102.50 | $113.00 | $110.75 |
| N/A | 1597 lb | 30 | $120.00 | $140.00 | $130.59 |
| N/A | 1548 lb | 56 | $134.00 | $149.00 | $144.39 |
| N/A | 1475 lb | 11 | $154.00 | $154.00 | $154.00 |
| N/A | 1775 lb | 7 | $120.00 | $137.00 | $131.23 |
| N/A | 1165 lb | 41 | $70.00 | $90.00 | $81.28 |
| N/A | 1132 lb | 22 | $105.00 | $120.00 | $111.89 |
| N/A | 965 lb | 1 | $127.50 | $127.50 | $127.50 |
| N/A | 1392 lb | 734 | $135.00 | $150.00 | $144.22 |
| N/A | 1167 lb | 103 | $87.50 | $111.00 | $98.70 |
| N/A | 1209 lb | 337 | $131.00 | $147.00 | $140.69 |
| N/A | 963 lb | 5 | $82.50 | $97.50 | $90.94 |
| N/A | 915 lb | 10 | $75.00 | $87.50 | $78.50 |
| N/A | 1012 lb | 3 | $105.00 | $105.00 | $105.00 |
| N/A | 1382 lb | 243 | $95.00 | $141.00 | $128.37 |
| N/A | 1399 lb | 84 | $150.00 | $157.50 | $151.06 |
| N/A | 1659 lb | 20 | $114.00 | $127.00 | $117.57 |
| N/A | 1350 lb | 2 | $82.00 | $82.50 | $82.26 |
Montana Slaughter Dairy Cows prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1265 lb | 1 | $112.50 | $112.50 | $112.50 |
| N/A | 920 lb | 1 | $72.50 | $72.50 | $72.50 |
| N/A | 1505 lb | 1 | $107.50 | $107.50 | $107.50 |
Montana Cow-Calf Pairs prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per head) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium and Large | 1868 lb | 2 | $3,900.00 | $3,900.00 | $3,900.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1674 lb | 4 | $4,150.00 | $4,250.00 | $4,193.85 |
Montana Bred Cows prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per head) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium and Large | 1340 lb | 24 | $2,200.00 | $2,525.00 | $2,423.58 |
| Medium and Large | 1317 lb | 36 | $159.00 | $2,425.00 | $290.89 |
| Medium and Large | 1264 lb | 4 | $2,150.00 | $2,150.00 | $2,150.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1253 lb | 5 | $2,850.00 | $2,850.00 | $2,850.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1258 lb | 25 | $3,000.00 | $3,425.00 | $3,251.21 |
| Medium and Large | 1392 lb | 3 | $2,400.00 | $2,500.00 | $2,433.65 |
| Medium and Large | 1359 lb | 10 | $2,650.00 | $2,875.00 | $2,783.08 |
| Medium and Large | 1499 lb | 6 | $2,500.00 | $2,575.00 | $2,551.76 |
| Medium and Large | 1123 lb | 4 | $2,850.00 | $2,850.00 | $2,850.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1375 lb | 6 | $185.00 | $185.00 | $185.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1275 lb | 3 | $157.50 | $157.50 | $157.50 |
| Medium and Large | 1332 lb | 10 | $2,300.00 | $2,500.00 | $2,421.69 |
| Medium and Large | 1013 lb | 2 | $2,800.00 | $2,800.00 | $2,800.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1275 lb | 4 | $156.00 | $156.00 | $156.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1297 lb | 7 | $140.00 | $140.00 | $140.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1265 lb | 1 | $3,050.00 | $3,050.00 | $3,050.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1315 lb | 3 | $2,450.00 | $2,650.00 | $2,520.96 |
| Medium and Large | 1101 lb | 15 | $3,100.00 | $3,600.00 | $3,516.84 |
| Medium and Large | 1352 lb | 7 | $2,250.00 | $2,500.00 | $2,400.04 |
| Medium and Large | 1257 lb | 15 | $1,900.00 | $2,200.00 | $2,089.45 |
| Medium and Large | 1394 lb | 38 | $206.00 | $206.00 | $206.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1209 lb | 6 | $1,800.00 | $2,100.00 | $1,938.09 |
| Medium and Large | 1188 lb | 2 | $2,300.00 | $2,300.00 | $2,300.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1199 lb | 6 | $154.50 | $154.50 | $154.50 |
| Medium and Large | 1195 lb | 1 | $2,050.00 | $2,050.00 | $2,050.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1170 lb | 2 | $2,450.00 | $2,450.00 | $2,450.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1133 lb | 16 | $2,900.00 | $3,250.00 | $3,132.55 |
| Medium and Large | 1303 lb | 41 | $175.00 | $180.00 | $178.49 |
Montana Bred Heifers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per head) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium and Large | 1031 lb | 4 | $3,000.00 | $3,000.00 | $3,000.00 |
Montana Stock Cows prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium and Large | 984 lb | 6 | $190.00 | $235.00 | $214.95 |
| Medium and Large | 1145 lb | 3 | $159.00 | $159.00 | $159.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1135 lb | 261 | $161.00 | $322.50 | $227.47 |
| Medium and Large | 988 lb | 294 | $220.00 | $332.50 | $295.55 |
| Medium and Large | 993 lb | 4 | $230.00 | $230.00 | $230.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1135 lb | 1 | $180.00 | $180.00 | $180.00 |
| Medium | 975 lb | 1 | $252.50 | $252.50 | $252.50 |
| Medium and Large | 1274 lb | 10 | $151.00 | $205.00 | $178.85 |
| Medium and Large | 1470 lb | 1 | $151.00 | $151.00 | $151.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1410 lb | 1 | $142.50 | $142.50 | $142.50 |
| Medium and Large | 1103 lb | 65 | $149.00 | $277.50 | $192.38 |
| Medium and Large | 1060 lb | 5 | $160.00 | $186.00 | $181.17 |
| Medium | 857 lb | 12 | $280.00 | $295.00 | $291.62 |
| Large | 1115 lb | 1 | $155.00 | $155.00 | $155.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1225 lb | 3 | $150.00 | $154.00 | $152.21 |
| Medium and Large | 936 lb | 39 | $205.00 | $303.00 | $264.20 |
| Medium | 883 lb | 2 | $250.00 | $250.00 | $250.00 |
Montana Open Heifers prices
| Weight | Avg wt | Head | Low | High | Avg (per cwt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium and Large | 1357 lb | 10 | $161.00 | $225.00 | $209.72 |
| Medium | 820 lb | 1 | $210.00 | $210.00 | $210.00 |
| Medium and Large | 1230 lb | 4 | $175.00 | $210.00 | $186.77 |
| Medium and Large | 1078 lb | 51 | $215.00 | $312.50 | $266.11 |
Auction volume
@endif
Montana auctions reported 1,541 head this week@if ($report->receipts_week_ago), compared with 1,225 head last week@if ($report->receipts_year_ago) and 1,232 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 and heifers were both too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Steer calves under 400 lbs were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to higher undertones were noticed. 400-499 lbs steers sold mostly 10.00 higher; steer calves 500-599 lbs sold mostly steady to firm; steer calves 600 lbs and heavier sold mostly steady to 5.00 higher. Heifer calves under 350 lbs were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. 350-499 lbs heifers sold generally steady, 500 lbs heifers and heavier sold mostly steady to 5.00 lower. Quality this week was mixed, from plain to very attractive. Many cutback cattle continue to be seen off summer videos this week. Trucking logistics remain difficult as buyers report trucks continue to be very tight. Several buyers filled loads and exited the market early which led to wide price spreads again this week. Light weight steers and heifers destined for western grass sold on very good demand this week. With this years late season rains fall pastures have been very good and calves on average have been heavier than historical averages, especially in Eastern Montana. CME positions posted sharp losses at the end of the week as cash fat cattle prices moved lower. The October contract closed had a final settlement of 351.26, 2.935 higher than last Fridays close. The November contact close Friday at 337.775, 10.35 lower than last Fridays close. The January contract closed at 331.775, 13.575 lower than last Fridays close, the March contract closed at 327.275. Market activity was mostly active with a moderate crowd of buyers noticed at all feeder specials. It is worth noting that receipts have been very light this fall and consistently 15%-25% less than last year. This weeks feeder cattle receipts were 25% less than the same week last year, while total receipts were 18% under last year. Weigh up cows sold on mostly moderate demand for moderate offerings. Demand for feeding cows remains good to very good with many buyers actively bidding on cows to feed. American packers and Canadian feeders both showed good demand for high quality, mostly boning and breaking cows to feed. Private feeders were active again this week as well, but mostly purchased lean and boning cows to put on feed. Many private feeders were willing to take lame or blemished cows to feed. Feeding cows sold steady to firm on breaking cows and boning cows; lean cows sold steady to 4.00 higher. A large pool of feeding cow buyers was seen again this week. Slaughter cows sold on light demand this week. The quality and yield of cows destined for immediate harvest is very low as feeding buyers continue to buy cows away from packers. Breaking cows sold generally steady, boning and lean cows sold steady to firm as feeding cow buyers forced packers to be competitive over offerings. Slaughter bulls sold steady to 3.00 higher. Bulls have started to regain some condition lost during breeding season as late fall rains have greened pasture and range conditions. Yields continue to improved as a result. Young age offerings sold on good to very good demand. Young age offerings sold generally steady to firm. Very good demand continues to be seen for young age offerings to rebreed. A few ranch tested bred cows continue to be seen these offerings are sold per cwt and are not retested or mouthed. Demand for these offerings is mostly very good.
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 Oct 26, 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 $298 to $715 per cwt this week, with lighter calves bringing more per hundredweight than heavy yearlings; feeder heifers ran about $259 to $590 per cwt. Prices are from the USDA weekly cattle auction summary for the week ending Oct 31, 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 Nov 4, 2026.
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