Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · Weekly summary · Mon, Mar 3
● As filed159 lines reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1778

The state in one line

Counts as USDA filed them
Montana reported 159 priced lines covering 6,476 head across feeder cattle, slaughter cattle, replacement cattle. USDA puts feeder cattle receipts at 3,291 head. slaughter cattle receipts at 1,392 head. replacement cattle receipts at 2,788 head. Counted as USDA files them — 17 of those are cow-calf pairs, each counted once.

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Mon Mar 3, 2025
USDA Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News · Federal-State Market News Service, Billings, MT (LS-BL)
Feeder CattleReceipts 3,291Last week 4,758Year ago 3,970
Slaughter CattleReceipts 1,392Last week 1,239Year ago 945
Replacement CattleReceipts 2,788Last week 647Year ago 1,929

Compared to last week: Steer calves under 600 lbs sold steady to 5.00 higher in a narrow comparison; steers over 600 lbs sold steady to weak in a narrow comparison. Heifers under 550 lbs sold generally steady in a narrow comparison. Heifers 550-599 lbs sold mostly 5.00 higher, heifers over 600 lbs sold steady to firm. Demand was mostly good to very good for moderate offerings. Feeder cattle were mixed for quality from plain to very attractive. Quality overall was similar to last week. CME positions traded mixed this week but two good trading days helped contracts finish higher than the previous week. The March contract closed Friday at 276.975, 2.00 higher than last Fridays close. The April contract closed at 278.15 on Friday, 5.15 higher than last Fridays close. Package sizes were mostly small to moderate this week with a few load lots on offer as well. Packages were similar last weeks sale. Several sets of backgrounded feeders were seen this week. Some of these cattle were moderate to fleshy and discounted as a result. Many backgrounded cattle were dirty and taggy as melting snow and mud has become bothersome to cattle feeders. Cooperate packer feeders continue to show very good demand for high quality feeder cattle as many of this past weeks very attractive offerings were purchased by cooperate packers. Several sets of high quality heifers were seen this past week and replacement buyers and packer buyers both showed very good demand for heifer offerings. This helped improve heifer prices as grass buyers and replacement buyers both showed very good demand for offerings. Market activity was active this week as bidders bid rapidly. Moderate to large buyer pools were seen at all sales with buyers both ringside as well as over the internet actively bidding on offerings. Weigh up cows sold on mostly moderate to good demand for moderate to heavy offerings. Regional packers remain active in buying cows for immediate harvest, while major packers focused most of their efforts on buying feeding cows. Breaking slaughter cows sold unevenly steady from 3.00 lower to 2.00 higher depending on which sales regional packers were actively buying. Boning and Lean cows sold generally steady. Feeding cow demand was very good this week as major packer buyers were in the market buying cows to feed. Private and cooperate buyers both showed good demand for feeding quality cows. Private buyers were more willing to take slightly lame or slightly blemished cows to feed. High quality feeding cows, suitable to feed to premium white sold mostly steady to weak lower as a heavier supply of cows were seen this week across the upper plains due to warmer weather, however demand for feeding cows remains steady with last week. Slaughter bulls sold steady. Very good demand from major packers was seen this week as bull quality was mostly attractive. Several sets of fed bulls were seen this week and were marketed as all natural. Demand for fed bull offerings was mostly good as quality was attractive. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold steady to firm. Quality this week was mostly average to attractive. Several sets of heifers which lost calves sold on very good demand. Demand from rebreed buyers was very good this week as many try to buy cows to use as recips or to rebreed. Very good demand was seen for bred cows this week as offerings were moderate to heavy. A large crowd was on hand for this weeks bred cow offering as buyers showed very good demand for cows as they try to restock pastures.

Feeder Cattle

As reported
HeadWt rangeAvg wtPrice rangeAvg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
2550–600583300.00300.00
3650–700685285.00285.00
11700–750731270.00270.00
15750–800763252.50–265.00258.28
8850–900861235.00–259.00250.69
6900–950934235.00235.00
13950–1000971223.00–236.00235.01
11050–11001,095205.00205.00
Bulls — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
41150–12001,186207.00207.00
Bulls — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
3550–600582295.00295.00
6650–700669284.00284.00
2800–850833232.50–238.00235.29
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
19350–400372367.50–390.00382.20
30400–450438325.00–360.00344.02
33450–500480325.00–340.00331.40
23500–550529312.00–326.00321.60
17550–600578285.00–311.00305.52
10600–650636277.00–285.00283.38
10650–700673268.00–273.00269.49
2700–750743257.00257.00
1750–800785268.00268.00
Heifers — Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
3600–650628250.00250.00
Heifers — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
17550–600582312.00–320.00313.86
9700–750716268.00268.00
Heifers — Medium 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
3350–400375365.00365.00
Heifers — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
13350–400375391.00391.00
26450–500489302.50–321.00317.57
7550–600583305.00305.00
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
6550–600558312.00312.00
12650–700662277.00–278.00277.74
48700–750736270.00–271.00270.15
9750–800764260.00–263.00260.99
3800–850808257.00257.00
9900–950923237.00–239.00237.44
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Fancy$ per cwt · actual wt
6700–750720290.00290.00
Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
17400–450430349.00–384.00366.21
76450–500476342.50–365.00355.07
263500–550522330.00–349.00341.79
200550–600565318.00–334.00327.13
185600–650624289.00–314.00304.73
80650–700673278.00–290.00284.45
70700–750716277.00–283.00278.76
20750–800755274.00–279.00274.77
58800–850821267.00–273.00272.41
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Replacement$ per cwt · actual wt
116650–700671294.00–321.00316.05
Heifers — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
4400–450444290.00290.00
5500–550525270.00270.00
Steers — Large 1 · Thin Fleshed$ per cwt · actual wt
48600–650600331.00331.00
Steers — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
19500–550538344.00344.00
Steers — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
2400–450428370.00370.00
6750–800784266.00266.00
Steers — Medium 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
2600–650608267.50267.50
12650–700677265.00–267.50265.81
Steers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
4300–350349462.50462.50
61400–450415415.00–440.00431.71
51450–500478388.00–416.00393.30
78500–550522365.00–398.00379.02
377550–600576341.00–377.50359.69
56600–650613321.00–343.00331.84
210650–700671309.00–325.75320.71
52700–750720286.00–305.00301.28
102750–800774270.00–281.50280.10
21850–900863270.00–273.00272.26
Steers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
10300–350344460.00460.00
7350–400354400.00–420.00414.22
13400–450434388.00–410.00402.64
25450–500483350.00–381.00366.94
16500–550508341.00–364.00348.12
59550–600584315.00–342.50320.87
34600–650632300.00–323.00314.10
10650–700679285.00–301.00291.69
11700–750714275.00–288.00284.10
8750–800767265.00–267.50266.05
3800–850843257.00257.00
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
5400–450411390.00390.00
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
12700–750740278.00278.00
3750–800753255.00255.00
2800–850800267.00267.00
4900–950933253.00253.00
Steers — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
8400–450417370.00370.00
4500–550546318.00318.00
5700–750731273.50273.50

Slaughter Cattle

As reported
HeadWt rangeAvg wtPrice rangeAvg price
Cows — Premium White 65-75%$ per cwt · actual wt
1141,685135.00–139.75137.21
Cows — Lean 85-90%$ per cwt · actual wt
71,13087.50–105.0099.88
71,207129.00–142.00134.86
451,103109.00–130.00117.20
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
790485.00–110.00100.05
493581.00–97.5085.72
Cows — Premium White 65-75% · Heavy Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
12,225120.00120.00
Cows — Boner 80-85% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
2041,381135.00–146.00140.53
651,399114.00–135.00128.53
821,427147.00–158.00149.87
Cows — Breaker 75-80%$ per cwt · actual wt
291,640138.00–148.50144.81
481,510150.50–153.50150.85
141,686115.00–139.50131.00
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
1371,188102.50–135.00124.15
221,252144.00–147.00144.77
1551,199131.00–145.00139.09
Cows — Breaker 75-80% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
181,665127.00–139.00132.45
11,565151.00151.00
281,524133.00–145.00137.68
Cows — Boner 80-85%$ per cwt · actual wt
151,406147.00–153.00150.28
451,459134.00–147.50141.91
161,404114.00–136.00124.43
11,325107.00107.00
Bulls — Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
51,456132.50–151.00144.00
11,400150.00150.00
Bulls — Natural$ per cwt · actual wt
62,194188.00–190.00188.48
21,963165.00–176.00170.27
511,919175.00–181.00179.61
Bulls — Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
41,324137.50–146.00143.54
Bulls$ per cwt · actual wt
12,285184.00184.00
32,182186.00–190.00187.31
161,930155.00–172.00166.43
131,822130.00–155.00145.74
32,315171.00–179.00175.27
Dairy Bulls$ per cwt · actual wt
21,448143.00–144.00143.49
Dairy Cows — Lean 85-90%$ per cwt · actual wt
21,413115.00115.00
Dairy Cows — Boner 80-85%$ per cwt · actual wt
11,575114.00114.00

Replacement Cattle

As reported
AgeStageHeadWt rangeAvg wtPrice rangeAvg price
Stock Cows — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)Open2938172.50172.50
Stock Cows — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open12764225.00–231.00226.44
Young (2-4 yrs)Open13789218.00–224.00221.36
Stock Cows — Medium 1 · Thin Fleshed$ per cwt · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)Open2603200.00200.00
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)Open291,010142.50–191.00165.30
(<2 yrs)Open31906165.00–222.00203.06
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)Open11,060160.00160.00
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open351,196140.00–158.00149.22
(<2 yrs)Open1541,029180.00–255.00213.94
Young (2-4 yrs)Open2161,081143.00–222.50189.00
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Fancy$ per cwt · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)Open71,015226.00226.00
Bred Cows — Medium 1$ per head · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)41,0092,800.002,800.00
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per head · actual wt
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)81,3232,550.00–2,750.002,701.90
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)41,3541,950.00–2,675.002,476.88
Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)71,3062,800.00–2,900.002,865.34
Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)91,1722,700.00–2,950.002,890.47
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)121,4252,500.00–2,925.002,742.29
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)21,2452,700.002,700.00
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)3371,4292,650.00–3,150.003,043.29
Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)681,2312,675.00–3,250.003,127.72
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)61,2662,000.00–2,300.002,105.48
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)441,4062,725.00–3,000.002,892.69
Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)181,2502,300.00–2,550.002,470.25
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)211,3292,900.00–3,050.002,933.87
Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)2161,2193,100.00–3,750.003,441.64
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)2391,3782,800.00–3,400.003,254.95
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Thin Fleshed$ per head · actual wt
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)71,2092,900.002,900.00
Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)381,2802,450.00–2,475.002,461.53
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)31,2832,800.002,800.00
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)1501,4932,750.00–2,850.002,796.04
Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)4361,4112,300.00–2,950.002,694.78
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2 · Thin Fleshed$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)41,2192,000.002,000.00
Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)101,2392,100.002,100.00
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)271,3222,200.00–2,500.002,432.79
Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)131,2362,450.00–2,600.002,486.10
Heifer Pairs — Medium 1$ per head · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open71,0293,350.003,350.00
Bred Heifers — Medium 1$ per head · actual wt
(<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)159222,800.00–2,925.002,886.77
Bred Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
(<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)2561,0553,000.00–3,450.003,314.07
(<2 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)41,0302,750.002,750.00
Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium and Large 1-2 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)Open101,3943,000.00–3,150.003,064.57
Head, weight ranges, average weights and price ranges are exactly as USDA AMS filed them — nothing recomputed, nothing rounded — in USDA's own reporting structure. This is RaisedBeef's rendering of that data, not a copy of USDA's document.
Source: USDA AMS, as filed — nothing recomputed and nothing rounded. This summary aggregates the same sales the Montana barn reports cover, so it must never be added to a state total built from those barns.