The Public Auction Yards held their Annual Blue Ribbon Sale over the last two days. Buyers filled the stands both days from all over Montana and neighboring states. Buyers bid both ringside as well as on the internet throughout the two day sale. Demand was mostly light to moderate for heavy offerings. Quality was mostly average to very attractive. A heavy offering of bred heifers was seen this year as over 3,000 head sold over the two day sale. A.I.ed heifers and heifers which were represented to calve in tight windows sold with the best demand. Light to moderate flesh conditions were seen on both cow and heifers. Noticeably fewer re-breed cows were seen this year compared to last. A heavy offering of March April and May calving cows were seen this year as many ranchers have moved back calving dates due to difficult winters and heavy death losses. Market activity was moderate to active throughout the two day sale.
| Class | Grade | Dressing | Avg wt | $/cwt | $/head | Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cows | Breaker 75-80% | Low | 1,715 | 57.32 | 983 | 3thin |
| Cows | Lean 85-90% | Low | 1,239 | 42.00 | 520 | 5thin |
| Class | Grade / description | Weight | Avg wt | Price | Range | Per head | Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Cows | Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed | — | 1,205 | 50.00/cwt | 50.00–50.00 | 603 | 1 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1Fancy | — | 1,245 | 1,550.00/cwt | 1,550.00–1,550.00 | 19,298 | 10 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1Fancy | — | 1,417 | 1,825.00/cwt | 1,825.00–1,825.00 | 25,860 | 28 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1Broken Mouth | — | 1,362 | 877.94/cwt | 700.00–1,125.00 | 11,958 | 711 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1-2Broken Mouth | — | 1,474 | 785.00/cwt | 785.00–785.00 | 11,571 | 7 |
| Stock Cows | Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed | — | 1,258 | 42.66/cwt | 41.50–49.00 | 537 | 17 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed | — | 831 | 1,218.76/cwt | 1,125.00–1,235.00 | 10,128 | 76 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed | — | 885 | 1,150.00/cwt | 1,150.00–1,150.00 | 10,178 | 145 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium 1Thin Fleshed | — | 784 | 960.00/cwt | 960.00–960.00 | 7,526 | 18 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed | — | 1,124 | 1,199.79/cwt | 1,100.00–1,260.00 | 13,486 | 48 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed | — | 1,131 | 850.00/cwt | 850.00–850.00 | 9,614 | 8 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed | — | 1,205 | 1,057.21/cwt | 1,025.00–1,075.00 | 12,739 | 11 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,323 | 1,328.53/cwt | 1,100.00–1,460.00 | 17,576 | 334 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1-2 | — | 1,423 | 1,056.29/cwt | 1,025.00–1,125.00 | 15,031 | 34 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1-2 | — | 1,562 | 1,000.00/cwt | 1,000.00–1,000.00 | 15,620 | 9 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1-2 | — | 1,263 | 1,182.01/cwt | 1,175.00–1,200.00 | 14,929 | 55 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,316 | 900.23/cwt | 850.00–1,000.00 | 11,847 | 26 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,391 | 941.48/cwt | 925.00–950.00 | 13,096 | 29 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium 1 | — | 896 | 1,212.64/cwt | 1,100.00–1,225.00 | 10,865 | 40 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,184 | 1,313.86/cwt | 1,200.00–1,400.00 | 15,556 | 119 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,205 | 1,318.89/cwt | 1,200.00–1,360.00 | 15,893 | 132 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,205 | 1,449.16/cwt | 1,275.00–1,600.00 | 17,462 | 1,385 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,200 | 1,600.00/cwt | 1,600.00–1,600.00 | 19,200 | 32 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,253 | 999.07/cwt | 975.00–1,100.00 | 12,518 | 20 |
| Stock Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,248 | 65.24/cwt | 65.00–66.00 | 814 | 4 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,020 | 1,387.60/cwt | 1,225.00–1,510.00 | 14,154 | 386 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,002 | 1,345.19/cwt | 1,235.00–1,525.00 | 13,479 | 1,255 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium and Large 1-2 | — | 1,133 | 1,050.00/cwt | 1,050.00–1,050.00 | 11,897 | 2 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,028 | 1,280.40/cwt | 1,210.00–1,350.00 | 13,163 | 150 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium and Large 1 | — | 964 | 1,379.21/cwt | 1,310.00–1,475.00 | 13,296 | 465 |
| Stock Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,399 | 58.97/cwt | 56.00–68.50 | 825 | 37 |
| Stock Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,400 | 59.87/cwt | 53.00–62.00 | 838 | 32 |
| Stock Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,098 | 69.46/cwt | 61.00–80.00 | 763 | 25 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,351 | 1,077.01/cwt | 900.00–1,225.00 | 14,550 | 432 |
| Bred Cows | Medium 1 | — | 1,025 | 1,144.60/cwt | 1,135.00–1,150.00 | 11,732 | 31 |
| Cows | Lean 85-90% | — | 1,265 | 44.50/cwt | 44.50–44.50 | 563 | 2 |
| Cows | Lean 85-90% | — | 1,225 | 35.00/cwt | 35.00–35.00 | 429 | 2 |
| Cows | Lean 85-90% | — | 1,215 | 51.00/cwt | 51.00–51.00 | 620 | 1 |
| Cows | Breaker 75-80% | — | 1,715 | 57.32/cwt | 56.50–58.00 | 983 | 3 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium and Large 1Fancy | — | 1,021 | 1,731.45/cwt | 1,700.00–1,750.00 | 17,678 | 68 |
The Public Auction Yards held their Annual Blue Ribbon Sale over the last two days. Buyers filled the stands both days from all over Montana and neighboring states. Buyers bid both ringside as well as on the internet throughout the two day sale. Demand was mostly light to moderate for heavy offerings. Quality was mostly average to very attractive. A heavy offering of bred heifers was seen this year as over 3,000 head sold over the two day sale. A.I.ed heifers and heifers which were represented to calve in tight windows sold with the best demand. Light to moderate flesh conditions were seen on both cow and heifers. Noticeably fewer re-breed cows were seen this year compared to last. A heavy offering of March April and May calving cows were seen this year as many ranchers have moved back calving dates due to difficult winters and heavy death losses. Market activity was moderate to active throughout the two day sale.
| Age | Stage | Head | Wt range | Avg wt | Price range | Avg price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Thin Fleshed$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| Young (2-4 yrs) | Open | 1 | — | 1,205 | 50.00 | 50.00 |
| Aged (>8 yrs) | Open | 17 | — | 1,258 | 41.50–49.00 | 42.66 |
| Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| (<2 yrs) | Open | 4 | — | 1,248 | 65.00–66.00 | 65.24 |
| Middle Aged (5-8 yrs) | Open | 37 | — | 1,399 | 56.00–68.50 | 58.97 |
| Aged (>8 yrs) | Open | 32 | — | 1,400 | 53.00–62.00 | 59.87 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | Open | 25 | — | 1,098 | 61.00–80.00 | 69.46 |
| Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Fancy$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| Aged (>8 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 10 | — | 1,245 | 1,550.00 | 1,550.00 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 28 | — | 1,417 | 1,825.00 | 1,825.00 |
| Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Broken Mouth$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| Aged (>8 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 711 | — | 1,362 | 700.00–1,125.00 | 877.94 |
| Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2 · Broken Mouth$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| Aged (>8 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 7 | — | 1,474 | 785.00 | 785.00 |
| Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Thin Fleshed$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 48 | — | 1,124 | 1,100.00–1,260.00 | 1,199.79 |
| Middle Aged (5-8 yrs) | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | 8 | — | 1,131 | 850.00 | 850.00 |
| Middle Aged (5-8 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 11 | — | 1,205 | 1,025.00–1,075.00 | 1,057.21 |
| Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| Middle Aged (5-8 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 334 | — | 1,323 | 1,100.00–1,460.00 | 1,328.53 |
| Aged (>8 yrs) | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | 26 | — | 1,316 | 850.00–1,000.00 | 900.23 |
| Aged (>8 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 29 | — | 1,391 | 925.00–950.00 | 941.48 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | 119 | — | 1,184 | 1,200.00–1,400.00 | 1,313.86 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 132 | — | 1,205 | 1,200.00–1,360.00 | 1,318.89 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 1,385 | — | 1,205 | 1,275.00–1,600.00 | 1,449.16 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 3rd Stage (7-9 mo) | 32 | — | 1,200 | 1,600.00 | 1,600.00 |
| Middle Aged (5-8 yrs) | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | 20 | — | 1,253 | 975.00–1,100.00 | 999.07 |
| Aged (>8 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 432 | — | 1,351 | 900.00–1,225.00 | 1,077.01 |
| Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| Middle Aged (5-8 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 34 | — | 1,423 | 1,025.00–1,125.00 | 1,056.29 |
| Aged (>8 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 9 | — | 1,562 | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 55 | — | 1,263 | 1,175.00–1,200.00 | 1,182.01 |
| Bred Cows — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 31 | — | 1,025 | 1,135.00–1,150.00 | 1,144.60 |
| Bred Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Thin Fleshed$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| (<2 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 76 | — | 831 | 1,125.00–1,235.00 | 1,218.76 |
| (<2 yrs) | 3rd Stage (7-9 mo) | 145 | — | 885 | 1,150.00 | 1,150.00 |
| Bred Heifers — Medium 1 · Thin Fleshed$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| (<2 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 18 | — | 784 | 960.00 | 960.00 |
| Bred Heifers — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| (<2 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 40 | — | 896 | 1,100.00–1,225.00 | 1,212.64 |
| Bred Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| (<2 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 386 | — | 1,020 | 1,225.00–1,510.00 | 1,387.60 |
| (<2 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 1,255 | — | 1,002 | 1,235.00–1,525.00 | 1,345.19 |
| (<2 yrs) | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | 150 | — | 1,028 | 1,210.00–1,350.00 | 1,280.40 |
| (<2 yrs) | 3rd Stage (7-9 mo) | 465 | — | 964 | 1,310.00–1,475.00 | 1,379.21 |
| Bred Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| (<2 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 2 | — | 1,133 | 1,050.00 | 1,050.00 |
| Bred Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Fancy$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| (<2 yrs) | 3rd Stage (7-9 mo) | 68 | — | 1,021 | 1,700.00–1,750.00 | 1,731.45 |
| Head | Wt range | Avg wt | Price range | Avg price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cows — Lean 85-90%$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 2 | — | 1,265 | 44.50 | 44.50 |
| 2 | — | 1,225 | 35.00 | 35.00 |
| 1 | — | 1,215 | 51.00 | 51.00 |
| Cows — Breaker 75-80%$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 3 | — | 1,715 | 56.50–58.00 | 57.32 |