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 moderate to good throughout the two days. Offerings were heavy, with over 7,000 head of bred cows on offer. Quality was mostly average to very attractive. High feed costs and a prolonged drought forced many ranchers to sell down on cow numbers. Many sets of cows left the state as buyers from both the Dakotas, Idaho, and Wyoming were active in buying cows. Demand for AI'ed heifers was very good, while pasture bred heifers were met with moderate to good demand. Calving windows for cows and heifers had lots of variation, with many longer calving windows seen this sale. Market activity was mostly active throughout the two day sale. 3rd trimester is from now through Mid March, second trimester is Mid march to early June, first trimester is after early June.
| Class | Stage | Age | Avg wt | $/head | Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bred Cows | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | Young (2-4 yrs) | 1,179 | $1,801 | 1,784 |
| Bred Cows | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | Middle Aged (5-8 yrs) | 1,359 | $1,717 | 319 |
| Bred Cows | 3rd Stage (7-9 mo) | Young (2-4 yrs) | 1,250 | $1,687 | 30 |
| Bred Cows | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | Young (2-4 yrs) | 1,221 | $1,633 | 220 |
| Bred Cows | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | Middle Aged (5-8 yrs) | 1,318 | $1,460 | 43 |
| Bred Cows | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | Young (2-4 yrs) | 1,101 | $1,442 | 227 |
| Bred Cows | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs) | 1,351 | $1,399 | 459 |
| Bred Cows | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | Middle Aged (5-8 yrs) | 1,226 | $1,343 | 152 |
| Bred Cows | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs) | 1,301 | $1,274 | 46 |
| Bred Cows | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs) | 1,222 | $1,223 | 173 |
| Bred Cows | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs) | 1,110 | $1,135 | 24 |
| Bred Cows | 3rd Stage (7-9 mo) | Aged (>8 yrs) | 1,437 | $1,100 | 14 |
| Bred Cows | 1st Stage (1-3 mo) | Young (2-4 yrs) | 1,212 | $1,097 | 23 |
| Bred Cows | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | Aged (>8 yrs) | 1,296 | $1,000 | 169 |
| Bred Cows | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | Aged (>8 yrs) | 1,238 | $984 | 492 |
| Bred Cows | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | Aged (>8 yrs) | 1,212 | $903 | 45 |
| Bred Heifers | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | (<2 yrs) | 1,009 | $1,728 | 1,503 |
| Bred Heifers | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | (<2 yrs) | 995 | $1,566 | 108 |
| Bred Heifers | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | (<2 yrs) | 950 | $1,555 | 86 |
| Bred Heifers | 3rd Stage (7-9 mo) | (<2 yrs) | 973 | $1,508 | 101 |
| Class | Grade / description | Weight | Avg wt | Price | Range | Per head | Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1Fancy | — | 1,491 | 1,825.00/head | 1,825.00–1,825.00 | 1,825 | 43 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,212 | 1,097.12/head | 975.00–1,200.00 | 1,097 | 23 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,250 | 1,687.14/head | 1,450.00–1,775.00 | 1,687 | 30 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1-2 | — | 1,310 | 1,275.00/head | 1,275.00–1,275.00 | 1,275 | 4 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1Broken Mouth | — | 1,437 | 1,100.00/head | 1,100.00–1,100.00 | 1,100 | 14 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1Broken Mouth | — | 1,247 | 1,000.13/head | 900.00–1,300.00 | 1,000 | 441 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium and Large 1 | — | 971 | 1,605.87/head | 1,350.00–1,660.00 | 1,606 | 62 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium 1 | — | 893 | 1,543.80/head | 1,435.00–1,625.00 | 1,544 | 121 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium 1 | — | 886 | 1,416.58/head | 1,335.00–1,475.00 | 1,417 | 23 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,031 | 1,788.81/head | 1,525.00–2,050.00 | 1,789 | 1,154 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed | — | 1,222 | 800.00/head | 800.00–800.00 | 800 | 3 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,206 | 1,850.00/head | 1,850.00–1,850.00 | 1,850 | 5 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed | — | 888 | 1,540.99/head | 1,525.00–1,575.00 | 1,541 | 75 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,024 | 1,606.98/head | 1,475.00–1,735.00 | 1,607 | 85 |
| Bred Heifers | Large 1 | — | 993 | 1,506.28/head | 1,400.00–1,675.00 | 1,506 | 153 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,360 | 1,718.37/head | 1,275.00–2,075.00 | 1,718 | 318 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium 1 | — | 895 | 1,422.08/head | 1,400.00–1,475.00 | 1,422 | 24 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1Broken Mouth | — | 1,304 | 1,025.96/head | 900.00–1,050.00 | 1,026 | 140 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1Broken Mouth | — | 1,212 | 903.49/head | 860.00–1,050.00 | 903 | 45 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,319 | 1,478.66/head | 1,385.00–1,525.00 | 1,479 | 39 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed | — | 1,256 | 874.13/head | 850.00–885.00 | 874 | 29 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,191 | 1,831.32/head | 1,500.00–2,300.00 | 1,831 | 1,630 |
| Bred Heifers | Medium 1 | — | 961 | 1,490.42/head | 1,485.00–1,550.00 | 1,490 | 96 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed | — | 1,014 | 1,314.27/head | 1,150.00–1,375.00 | 1,314 | 49 |
| Bred Cows | Medium 1 | — | 894 | 1,566.13/head | 1,300.00–1,610.00 | 1,566 | 48 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,223 | 1,636.65/head | 1,500.00–1,735.00 | 1,637 | 218 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,301 | 1,273.64/head | 1,025.00–1,400.00 | 1,274 | 46 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,223 | 1,224.17/head | 1,000.00–1,375.00 | 1,224 | 172 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1-2Broken Mouth | — | 1,158 | 850.00/head | 850.00–850.00 | 850 | 48 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1-2 | — | 1,390 | 1,400.00/head | 1,400.00–1,400.00 | 1,400 | 13 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,337 | 1,354.47/head | 1,125.00–1,575.00 | 1,354 | 416 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1-2 | — | 1,010 | 1,250.00/head | 1,250.00–1,250.00 | 1,250 | 2 |
| Bred Cows | Large 1 | — | 1,219 | 1,387.30/head | 1,300.00–1,485.00 | 1,387 | 29 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1-2 | — | 1,135 | 1,050.00/head | 1,050.00–1,050.00 | 1,050 | 1 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed | — | 1,020 | 1,486.99/head | 1,350.00–1,650.00 | 1,487 | 64 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,226 | 1,346.59/head | 1,175.00–1,510.00 | 1,347 | 142 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1-2 | — | 1,130 | 1,300.00/head | 1,300.00–1,300.00 | 1,300 | 1 |
| Bred Cows | Medium 1 | — | 1,221 | 1,285.00/head | 1,285.00–1,285.00 | 1,285 | 10 |
| Bred Cows | Medium and Large 1 | — | 1,135 | 1,502.53/head | 1,425.00–1,600.00 | 1,503 | 159 |
| Bred Cows | Large 1 | — | 1,110 | 1,135.00/head | 1,135.00–1,135.00 | 1,135 | 24 |
| Bred Cows | Medium 1 | — | 1,039 | 1,260.00/head | 1,260.00–1,260.00 | 1,260 | 19 |
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 moderate to good throughout the two days. Offerings were heavy, with over 7,000 head of bred cows on offer. Quality was mostly average to very attractive. High feed costs and a prolonged drought forced many ranchers to sell down on cow numbers. Many sets of cows left the state as buyers from both the Dakotas, Idaho, and Wyoming were active in buying cows. Demand for AI'ed heifers was very good, while pasture bred heifers were met with moderate to good demand. Calving windows for cows and heifers had lots of variation, with many longer calving windows seen this sale. Market activity was mostly active throughout the two day sale. 3rd trimester is from now through Mid March, second trimester is Mid march to early June, first trimester is after early June.
| Age | Stage | Head | Wt range | Avg wt | Price range | Avg price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Fancy$ per head · actual wt | ||||||
| Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 43 | — | 1,491 | 1,825.00 | 1,825.00 |
| Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt | ||||||
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 1st Stage (1-3 mo) | 23 | — | 1,212 | 975.00–1,200.00 | 1,097.12 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 3rd Stage (7-9 mo) | 30 | — | 1,250 | 1,450.00–1,775.00 | 1,687.14 |
| Middle Aged (5-8 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 318 | — | 1,360 | 1,275.00–2,075.00 | 1,718.37 |
| Middle Aged (5-8 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 39 | — | 1,319 | 1,385.00–1,525.00 | 1,478.66 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 1,630 | — | 1,191 | 1,500.00–2,300.00 | 1,831.32 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 218 | — | 1,223 | 1,500.00–1,735.00 | 1,636.65 |
| Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 46 | — | 1,301 | 1,025.00–1,400.00 | 1,273.64 |
| Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs) | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | 172 | — | 1,223 | 1,000.00–1,375.00 | 1,224.17 |
| Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 416 | — | 1,337 | 1,125.00–1,575.00 | 1,354.47 |
| Middle Aged (5-8 yrs) | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | 142 | — | 1,226 | 1,175.00–1,510.00 | 1,346.59 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | 159 | — | 1,135 | 1,425.00–1,600.00 | 1,502.53 |
| Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per head · actual wt | ||||||
| Middle Aged (5-8 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 4 | — | 1,310 | 1,275.00 | 1,275.00 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 13 | — | 1,390 | 1,400.00 | 1,400.00 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 2 | — | 1,010 | 1,250.00 | 1,250.00 |
| Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs) | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | 1 | — | 1,135 | 1,050.00 | 1,050.00 |
| Middle Aged (5-8 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 1 | — | 1,130 | 1,300.00 | 1,300.00 |
| Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt | ||||||
| Aged (>8 yrs) | 3rd Stage (7-9 mo) | 14 | — | 1,437 | 1,100.00 | 1,100.00 |
| Aged (>8 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 441 | — | 1,247 | 900.00–1,300.00 | 1,000.13 |
| Aged (>8 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 140 | — | 1,304 | 900.00–1,050.00 | 1,025.96 |
| Aged (>8 yrs) | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | 45 | — | 1,212 | 860.00–1,050.00 | 903.49 |
| Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Thin Fleshed$ per head · actual wt | ||||||
| Aged (>8 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 3 | — | 1,222 | 800.00 | 800.00 |
| Aged (>8 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 29 | — | 1,256 | 850.00–885.00 | 874.13 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | 49 | — | 1,014 | 1,150.00–1,375.00 | 1,314.27 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 64 | — | 1,020 | 1,350.00–1,650.00 | 1,486.99 |
| Bred Cows — Medium 1$ per head · actual wt | ||||||
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 48 | — | 894 | 1,300.00–1,610.00 | 1,566.13 |
| Middle Aged (5-8 yrs) | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | 10 | — | 1,221 | 1,285.00 | 1,285.00 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | 19 | — | 1,039 | 1,260.00 | 1,260.00 |
| Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt | ||||||
| Aged (>8 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 48 | — | 1,158 | 850.00 | 850.00 |
| Bred Cows — Large 1$ per head · actual wt | ||||||
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 29 | — | 1,219 | 1,300.00–1,485.00 | 1,387.30 |
| Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs) | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | 24 | — | 1,110 | 1,135.00 | 1,135.00 |
| Bred Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt | ||||||
| (<2 yrs) | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | 62 | — | 971 | 1,350.00–1,660.00 | 1,605.87 |
| (<2 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 1,154 | — | 1,031 | 1,525.00–2,050.00 | 1,788.81 |
| (<2 yrs) | 3rd Stage (7-9 mo) | 5 | — | 1,206 | 1,850.00 | 1,850.00 |
| (<2 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 85 | — | 1,024 | 1,475.00–1,735.00 | 1,606.98 |
| Bred Heifers — Medium 1$ per head · actual wt | ||||||
| (<2 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 121 | — | 893 | 1,435.00–1,625.00 | 1,543.80 |
| (<2 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 23 | — | 886 | 1,335.00–1,475.00 | 1,416.58 |
| (<2 yrs) | 1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) | 24 | — | 895 | 1,400.00–1,475.00 | 1,422.08 |
| (<2 yrs) | 3rd Stage (7-9 mo) | 96 | — | 961 | 1,485.00–1,550.00 | 1,490.42 |
| Bred Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Thin Fleshed$ per head · actual wt | ||||||
| (<2 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 75 | — | 888 | 1,525.00–1,575.00 | 1,540.99 |
| Bred Heifers — Large 1$ per head · actual wt | ||||||
| (<2 yrs) | 2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) | 153 | — | 993 | 1,400.00–1,675.00 | 1,506.28 |