Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · Weekly summary · Mon, May 26
● As filed150 lines reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1778

The state in one line

Counts as USDA filed them
Montana reported 150 priced lines covering 3,235 head across feeder cattle, slaughter cattle, replacement cattle. USDA puts feeder cattle receipts at 1,460 head. slaughter cattle receipts at 1,401 head. replacement cattle receipts at 1,278 head. Counted as USDA files them — 294 of those are cow-calf pairs, each counted once.

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Mon May 26, 2025
USDA Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News · Federal-State Market News Service, Billings, MT (LS-BL)
Feeder CattleReceipts 1,460Last week 400Year ago 1,046
Slaughter CattleReceipts 1,401Last week 974Year ago 676
Replacement CattleReceipts 1,278Last week 1,506Year ago 270

Compared to last week: Feeder cattle were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Quality this week was mixed from plain to attractive. Offerings were light to moderate. Demand was mostly good. Many fall born cattle were seen this past week, and most offerings were weaned. Fall born cattle offered the best quality for cattle under 600 lbs. Many unreportable, blemished cattle continue to be seen as cattle feeders continue to clean up their remaining cattle. The internet was active this week with several buyers noticed. Demand for cutting bulls remains strong as many of these offerings were attractive. Several buyers were looking for this class of cattle this week. Market activity this week was mostly active with good buyer participation noticed, both over the internet and in the stands. Weigh up cows sold on moderate to good demand for moderate offerings. Slaughter cow demand was slightly stronger this week as packers pushed to find cows for immediate harvest. Packers purchased higher yielding, better quality cows this week to send to harvest. Slaughter cows on a dressed basis cost from 295.00-315.00. Breaking cows sold mostly steady to firm, boning cows sold 1.00-3.00 higher, lean cows sold 5.00-7.00 higher. The volume of cows going to immediate harvest remains small, however larger than last week. Feeding cow demand was very good again this week. Canadian cow feeders remain a large player in all auction markets pushing packer buyers to own high quality feeding cows. Feeding cows sold steady to firm. Ranches continue to brand and sort off dry cows and bring them to market this has helped increase cows supplies. Cow quality this week was average to attractive with many reputation ranches selling open, dry cows this week. Slaughter bulls sold mostly steady to 2.00 higher. A portion of the bull offering continues to be purchased to feed, especially light weight, thin bulls which could see quick improvements to yield. Feeding bulls sold fully steady. Young age cows suitable to rebreed sold mostly 10.00-15.00 higher. Buyers showed very good demand for wet bagged offerings this week as they search for cows to rebreed. Two year old cows which lost calves sold on very good demand this week. Many of these offerings out sold the highest priced yearling feeder cattle from last summers videos. Quality this week was mixed from plain to attractive. Slightly blemished offerings continue to be purchased to feed, many of these offerings were slightly blemished in some way (short tails, slightly long toes, etc.) Feeding offerings sold generally steady. Buyers have been buying cows up to 6 years old as replacements over the past few weeks. Demand from rebreed buyers was very good again this week.

Replacement Cattle

As reported
AgeStageHeadWt rangeAvg wtPrice rangeAvg price
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)81,4002,800.00–3,350.003,149.31
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)41,512163.00–182.50171.92
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo)11,3502,500.002,500.00
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)31,5652,650.00–2,900.002,743.70
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)11,6252,950.002,950.00
Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo)41,2052,450.00–2,700.002,612.51
Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)7997257.50257.50
Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)31,272204.00–227.50211.08
Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)21,3152,600.00–2,800.002,682.51
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per head · actual wt
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo)11,6852,300.002,300.00
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)11,4152,425.002,425.00
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)11,5952,600.002,600.00
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)61,6762,700.002,700.00
Stock Cows — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open11,410190.00190.00
Stock Cows — Medium 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open2765212.50–217.50215.10
Stock Cows — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open4748245.00–275.00261.51
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open251,235153.00–185.00167.21
Young (2-4 yrs)Open1781,182160.00–267.50191.14
(<2 yrs)Open240978192.00–295.50259.88
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open11,275185.00185.00
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)Open271,028150.00–212.50177.75
(<2 yrs)Open28924155.00–257.50223.82
Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium and Large 1 · Registered$ per head · actual wt
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo)191,9214,250.00–4,700.004,349.71
Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)Open301,2364,200.00–4,210.004,208.26
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open41,3103,275.003,275.00
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo)41,8343,875.003,875.00
Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo)51,8344,375.004,375.00
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open231,5323,000.00–3,550.003,457.48
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open171,5223,250.00–3,500.003,336.89
Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium and Large 1 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)Open951,5432,800.00–3,600.003,344.62
Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium and Large 1-2$ per head · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)Open41,4493,100.00–3,325.003,265.02
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open41,5963,300.003,300.00
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open31,5153,550.003,550.00
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open41,6172,600.00–3,300.002,976.31
Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium and Large 1-2 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)Open21,4182,800.002,800.00
Heifer Pairs — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open711,1864,100.00–4,450.004,322.42
(<2 yrs)Open51,0813,700.003,700.00
Heifer Pairs — Medium and Large 1-2$ per head · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open41,2393,850.00–3,900.003,887.14
Bred Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per head · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo)51,0171,950.00–2,150.002,022.59

Feeder Cattle

As reported
HeadWt rangeAvg wtPrice rangeAvg price
Bulls — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
61100–11501,140226.00–231.00226.83
71150–12001,181212.00–222.00213.42
31200–12501,225190.00–207.00199.59
11250–13001,265200.00200.00
31300–13501,320191.00191.00
Bulls — Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
31100–11501,142222.50–223.00222.83
11150–12001,150215.00215.00
Bulls — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
7500–550542345.00345.00
Bulls — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
2150–200160800.00800.00
20550–600550372.50372.50
2600–650610320.00320.00
21650–700695308.00–312.50308.41
1750–800755290.00290.00
3850–900860257.50–261.00259.85
5900–950922246.00246.00
4950–1000986241.00–250.00243.27
11200–12501,205195.00195.00
Bulls — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
5500–550506382.50382.50
1650–700670265.00265.00
1700–750740265.00265.00
1800–850805248.00248.00
1900–950910247.50247.50
2950–1000950246.00246.00
Steers — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
3500–550545382.50382.50
11700–750706314.00–315.00314.27
4800–850800300.00300.00
Steers — Medium 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
3400–450412405.00405.00
Steers — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
6500–550504405.00405.00
Steers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
1200–2502401,000.001,000.00
6400–450402460.00–480.00476.64
1450–500450435.00435.00
45500–550517438.00–440.00438.40
72550–600571370.00–422.50391.74
13600–650610365.00–370.00368.10
102650–700684344.50–349.00344.89
68700–750715313.00–336.00327.70
56750–800780290.00–318.00303.26
13800–850813289.00–313.00305.54
16850–900880287.00–298.00293.69
Steers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
15400–450434435.00–445.00438.22
27500–550541390.00–397.50396.95
20550–600578335.00–357.50352.71
9600–650614325.00–337.00329.10
9650–700688315.00–317.50315.93
6700–750705305.00305.00
2750–800778306.00306.00
2900–950945266.00266.00
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
3550–600555350.00350.00
1650–700685319.00319.00
Steers — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
7450–500491355.00355.00
3500–550548385.00385.00
2550–600593325.00325.00
2600–650633307.00307.00
3700–750730299.00299.00
Steers — Medium and Large 1-2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
7450–500479375.00375.00
Heifers — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
3650–700655285.00285.00
Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
65450–500478365.00–385.00378.26
4500–550512350.00–370.00359.78
38550–600564335.00–342.50339.02
6600–650629314.00314.00
22650–700676310.00–316.00313.55
4700–750726284.00–302.00291.86
30750–800780277.50–285.00282.36
42800–850808280.00280.00
120850–900885270.00–278.00276.66
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
35400–450439345.00–375.00362.50
23450–500475330.00–345.00340.19
8500–550536320.00–345.00332.44
6550–600593316.00–319.00317.75
2600–650605300.00300.00
6650–700666274.00–299.00291.77
6750–800772265.00–273.00269.25
3800–850837260.00260.00
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
6450–500469355.00355.00
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
3550–600563320.00320.00
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Replacement$ per cwt · actual wt
63700–750724329.50329.50
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
14600–650608310.00310.00
18850–900880263.00–267.00264.29
Heifers — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
3350–400367365.00365.00

Slaughter Cattle

As reported
HeadWt rangeAvg wtPrice rangeAvg price
Bulls — Heavy Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
12,740200.00200.00
12,780177.00177.00
Bulls — Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
471,568170.00–182.50176.01
151,456150.00–169.00164.19
Bulls — Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
31,233138.00–150.00145.27
Bulls$ per cwt · actual wt
91,767146.00–171.00160.69
12,050174.00174.00
391,914172.00–192.00183.62
601,935185.00–207.00195.64
22,243187.00–199.00192.78
Cows — Breaker 75-80% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
71,662145.00–149.00147.86
131,664139.00–144.00141.36
31,615157.00–163.00159.10
Cows — Lean 85-90%$ per cwt · actual wt
171,193105.00–138.00126.52
141,155134.00–146.00141.35
31,219159.00–161.00159.73
11,020105.00105.00
Cows — Boner 80-85%$ per cwt · actual wt
691,420150.00–167.00158.11
101,410128.00–143.00135.62
221,469135.00–153.00145.86
Cows — Boner 80-85% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
3451,401147.00–161.00156.75
711,392119.00–154.00144.56
1701,382161.00–167.00163.40
Cows — Breaker 75-80%$ per cwt · actual wt
61,663155.00–161.50156.55
191,659145.00–154.50150.72
21,668137.00–138.00137.51
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
2953105.00–110.00107.40
201,214127.50–139.00127.93
183585.0085.00
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
591,222159.50–166.00162.00
671,136125.00–150.00139.03
1201,188145.00–160.00154.95
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.