Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · Weekly summary · Mon, Sep 29
● As filed160 lines reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1778

The state in one line

Counts as USDA filed them
Montana reported 160 priced lines covering 3,817 head across feeder cattle, slaughter cattle, replacement cattle. USDA puts feeder cattle receipts at 3,163 head. slaughter cattle receipts at 937 head. replacement cattle receipts at 423 head.

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Mon Sep 29, 2025
USDA Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News · Federal-State Market News Service, Billings, MT (LS-BL)
Feeder CattleReceipts 3,163Last week 3,364Year ago 2,689
Slaughter CattleReceipts 937Last week 1,044Year ago 1,049
Replacement CattleReceipts 423Last week 545Year ago 312

Yearling steers were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however steady undertones were noticed. Steer calves under 500 lbs sold steady to firm in a narrow comparison, steer calves over 500 lbs sold mostly 10.00 higher. Yearling heifers all sold unevenly steady. Heifer calves were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to higher undertones were noticed. Demand was mostly good for light to moderate offerings. Limited load lots were seen this week. Packages of calves were met with moderate to good demand as buyers were forced to piece together loads. Quality this week was mixed from plain to very attractive, with lots of variation noticed. CME positions continue to show some volatility with triple digit movement seen almost daily. As of Fridays close the October closed at 357.175, up 0.17 for the week, the November contract closed Friday at 355.425, 0.95 higher. Market activity was mostly active this past week with a large crowd of order buyers and farmer feeders in the seats as well as over the internet actively bidding on cattle. Weigh up cows sold on mostly very good demand for light to moderate offerings. Demand for slaughter cows was mostly moderate. Very few cows continue to be purchased for immediate harvest. Only extremely poor or very blemished cows were purchased for immediate harvest this week. Slaughter cows were to lightly tested the previous week to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to firm undertones were noticed on all offerings. Feeding cow demand was very good. Even cows which were slightly blemished, some buyers were willing to put on feed. Feeding cows sold on very good demand as private feeders and packer buyers both showed strong demand for cows to feed. Quality was mostly average to attractive. Feeding cows sold generally steady in a narrow comparison. The spread between slaughter cows and feeding cows remains very large. Slaughter bulls sold on good demand for moderate offerings. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 2.00-3.00 higher. Many thin fleshed bulls continue to be seen as many have been turned out with cows. Many of these thin bulls were purchased to feed this week. Feeding bull demand helped improve slaughter bull demand as packers and private feeders both bid against similar offerings. Feeding bulls sold mostly 2.00-3.00 higher. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold on very good demand for limited offerings. Offerings were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Buyers showed willingness to buy older cows which were in good condition to re-pregnancy test or to rebreed. Very good demand was seen for any class or quality of bred offerings.

Slaughter Cattle

As reported
HeadWt rangeAvg wtPrice rangeAvg price
Cows — Breaker 75-80% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
371,518173.00–179.50178.18
471,571162.00–173.00168.67
71,628154.00–158.00155.41
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Non-Traditional$ per cwt · actual wt
11,185152.50152.50
Cows — Lean 85-90%$ per cwt · actual wt
171,158137.00–149.00141.49
11,090111.00111.00
321,215113.00–138.00124.71
Cows — Premium White 65-75%$ per cwt · actual wt
81,781172.00172.00
Cows — Boner 80-85% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
561,424171.00–181.00176.48
1711,445158.00–178.50168.53
321,441140.00–165.00150.98
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
711,129132.00–161.00156.22
281,212172.50–184.00174.98
861,227157.50–173.00166.92
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
1775145.00145.00
1975114.00114.00
4929113.00–126.00121.28
Cows — Breaker 75-80%$ per cwt · actual wt
191,732162.00–165.00163.65
131,715149.00–158.50155.23
Cows — Boner 80-85%$ per cwt · actual wt
211,431131.00–144.00136.97
101,620153.00–165.00161.60
171,412145.00–152.00147.71
Bulls — Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
91,641172.00–185.00181.64
611,705186.00–204.00193.09
Bulls — Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
21,430181.00181.00
Bulls$ per cwt · actual wt
21,983206.00–207.00206.48
141,857169.00–185.00179.86
421,974186.00–204.00194.85
Dairy Bulls$ per cwt · actual wt
11,445170.00170.00
Dairy Cows — Lean 85-90% · Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
1975134.00134.00

Feeder Cattle

As reported
HeadWt rangeAvg wtPrice rangeAvg price
Bulls — Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
11050–11001,095263.00263.00
11200–12501,205228.00228.00
11250–13001,250217.50217.50
Bulls — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
91100–11501,108260.00–280.00263.37
21150–12001,175265.00–270.00267.53
11200–12501,245234.00234.00
11250–13001,290242.50242.50
Bulls — Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
5300–350339575.00575.00
4350–400394490.00490.00
15450–500479390.00–445.00430.02
Bulls — Medium and Large 1-2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
4550–600571368.00368.00
2600–650628355.00355.00
Bulls — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
1850–900895335.00335.00
23950–1000987315.00–318.00317.74
21000–10501,030290.00–294.00292.00
Bulls — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
2300–350348600.00600.00
2350–400353585.00585.00
12400–450412500.00–535.00516.62
20450–500490462.50462.50
9500–550548422.50422.50
6550–600580410.00410.00
5600–650627385.00385.00
2700–750733332.50332.50
Bulls — Medium 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
8400–450421410.00–465.00434.83
Beef/Dairy Heifers — Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
3450–500495370.00370.00
Heifers — Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
4400–450405432.50432.50
4450–500489345.00345.00
Heifers — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
191050–11001,062292.00–314.00301.28
Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
25650–700668375.00–390.00376.87
18700–750708365.00–366.00365.50
131750–800776348.50–362.00356.28
110800–850826332.00–352.00343.25
84850–900873321.50–341.00329.26
103900–950920313.00–327.00320.90
2950–1000963323.00323.00
51000–10501,022311.00–315.00312.64
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
15700–750721342.50–361.00347.99
10750–800784334.00–349.00342.75
6800–850833318.50–336.00324.24
27850–900893311.00–325.00319.54
6900–950915297.00–310.00303.55
5950–1000970295.00–299.00296.64
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
2250–300275480.00480.00
28300–350307465.00–520.00495.86
12350–400380465.00–497.50489.47
12400–450424440.00–445.00444.17
8450–500459385.00–410.00406.66
1500–550510400.00400.00
8550–600558330.00–393.00385.10
4600–650648369.00369.00
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
27300–350317535.00–548.00542.46
64350–400381505.00–540.00521.59
67400–450413442.50–502.50496.53
100450–500472423.00–470.00438.30
57500–550531385.00–435.00406.54
105550–600567340.00–410.00388.06
67600–650621360.00–390.00386.64
Heifers — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
9650–700675317.50–340.00330.23
17700–750711330.00–335.00333.23
Heifers — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
2550–600578422.50422.50
5600–650609401.00401.00
Heifers — Medium 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
3550–600585350.00350.00
10650–700678340.00–350.00346.59
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Full$ per cwt · actual wt
23750–800795335.00–341.50340.68
22900–950922312.00312.00
3950–1000982300.00300.00
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Replacement$ per cwt · actual wt
93500–550514430.00–444.00441.50
Steers — Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
14450–500463482.00482.00
5550–600572385.00385.00
Steers — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
7600–650631370.00370.00
21050–11001,068319.00319.00
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
1250–300250660.00660.00
4300–350316657.50657.50
68350–400365565.00–640.00585.62
76400–450429510.00–550.00536.58
138450–500475480.00–520.00496.58
265500–550531446.00–485.00464.99
84550–600577395.00–455.00425.55
150600–650627390.00–439.50417.28
92650–700676365.00–429.00416.26
16700–750706381.00–415.00404.06
10750–800753409.00409.00
Steers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
5550–600555422.50422.50
34650–700689397.50397.50
1750–800785382.50382.50
7800–850819365.00–377.00368.45
11850–900860354.00–360.00357.82
31000–10501,000318.00318.00
Steers — Medium and Large 1-2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
3200–250248640.00640.00
13250–300285600.00–635.00629.81
16300–350317555.00–605.00577.09
13350–400361505.00–525.00523.36
16400–450429480.00–525.00502.45
12450–500480460.00–465.00461.70
23500–550519425.00–455.00442.95
27550–600577410.00–417.00411.96
10600–650645365.00–398.00381.50
Steers — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
4750–800763358.00358.00
7800–850811339.00339.00
Steers — Medium and Large 2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
7450–500456405.00405.00
Steers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
4850–900891347.50–350.00348.74
5950–1000979331.00–334.00332.19
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
31000–10501,010306.00306.00

Replacement Cattle

As reported
AgeStageHeadWt rangeAvg wtPrice rangeAvg price
Bred Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per head · actual wt
(<2 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo)47842,850.002,850.00
Bred Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
(<2 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo)167722,975.00–3,050.002,990.08
Bred Heifers — Medium 1$ per head · actual wt
(<2 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo)167352,900.002,900.00
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open11955200.00–262.50242.81
Young (2-4 yrs)Open261,088175.00–240.00207.55
Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open21,175167.50–178.00172.86
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open271,311168.00–189.50185.57
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open31,390185.00–194.00191.21
Young (2-4 yrs)Open1541,102180.50–315.00249.93
(<2 yrs)Open501,038225.00–307.00278.50
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)Open51,358187.50187.50
(<2 yrs)Open11,385200.00200.00
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open31,078195.00195.00
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)41,3802,400.00–2,700.002,533.79
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per head · actual wt
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)21,4332,500.00–3,000.002,737.35
Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo)11,3153,050.003,050.00
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)81,2512,500.00–2,700.002,555.55
Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)31,1522,850.002,850.00
Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)21,1402,950.00–3,000.002,972.15
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)41,2273,200.00–3,300.003,246.84
Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)91,3073,100.00–3,250.003,179.68
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo)41,2523,100.00–3,200.003,125.87
Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo)81,2773,100.00–3,400.003,280.01
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)71,4562,950.002,950.00
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo)71,3702,850.002,850.00
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)71,4362,650.00–2,850.002,769.05
Aged (>8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo)11,6752,650.002,650.00
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.