Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · Weekly summary · Mon, Mar 2
● As filed165 lines reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1778

The state in one line

Counts as USDA filed them
Montana reported 165 priced lines covering 5,160 head across feeder cattle, slaughter cattle, replacement cattle. USDA puts feeder cattle receipts at 2,062 head. slaughter cattle receipts at 942 head. replacement cattle receipts at 2,833 head. Counted as USDA files them — 27 of those are cow-calf pairs, each counted once.

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Mon Mar 2, 2026
USDA Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News · Federal-State Market News Service, Billings, MT (LS-BL)
Feeder CattleReceipts 2,062Last week 4,727Year ago 3,291
Slaughter CattleReceipts 942Last week 362Year ago 1,392
Replacement CattleReceipts 2,833Last week 179Year ago 2,788

Compared to last week: Steers 500-749 lbs sold generally steady to weak. All other weights of steers were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to weak undertones were noticed. Heifers under 450 lbs were too lightly tested to develop any market trend, 450-649 lbs heifers sold generally steady to 10.00 lower on a lower quality offering. Heifers over 650 lbs sold generally steady in a narrow comparison. Most cattle were offered in small to moderate size packages this week and considerably smaller packages compared to last week, forcing buyers to patch together loads. Quality was mostly average this week and overall not as attractive as last weeks offering. Demand overall was good. Demand for high quality cattle, suitable to run on grass, remains very good. Replacement and feeding heifer buyers both showed very good demand for heifers which could fit both buyers needs. CME positions showed strong gains to start the week but sold off as lower cash fed cattle offers and outside influences weighted on the market. The March closed at 355.625, 0.20 higher than last Friday. The April closed at 351.62, 0.425 higher than last Friday. The May contract closed Friday at 348.075, 0.875 higher than last Friday. Market activity was mostly active despite fewer buyers and offerings. Weigh up cows sold on mostly good to very good demand for light offerings. Feeding cow demand remains the driving force in the market. Feeding cows sold mostly 3.00-8.00 higher. Private feeders pushed all offerings higher this week as they showed very good demand for offerings. A large crowd of feeding cow buyers were present at all sales this week. Feeding cows moved higher without packer support as tighter supplies and very high quality offerings helped push cow prices higher. Cow quality this week was very attractive. Weigh up conditions were mixed this week. Buyers showed willingness to take even blemished cows to feed as supplies are currently very tight as very few older cows are being marketed. Slaughter cow demand remains strong as packers continue to show good demand for limited slaughter offerings. Slaughter cows were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on all offerings. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 5.00-8.00 higher as packer search for lean meat to blend down excess fat currently on the market. Demand for young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed was mostly moderate to good this week. A few cows and heifers which lost calves are starting to be marketed. Demand for high quality offerings is very good. Coming 2 year old cows sold mostly 10.00-15.00 higher on an average to attractive quality offering. A large offering of bred cows was also on the market this week and sold on very good demand. A large crowd of ranchers were in the stands actively bidding on offerings to expand herds.

Replacement Cattle

As reported
AgeStageHeadWt rangeAvg wtPrice rangeAvg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)Open321,116189.00–315.00232.46
(<2 yrs)Open111,028255.00–300.00272.07
Stock Cows — Medium 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)Open1810265.00265.00
Stock Cows — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)Open2883307.50–315.00311.20
(<2 yrs)Open3788300.00–315.00305.61
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open61,418216.00–225.00221.63
Young (2-4 yrs)Open31,177207.50207.50
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)Open2821,112197.00–335.00274.73
(<2 yrs)Open122973231.00–341.00302.60
Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open401,300185.00–210.00194.66
Stock Cows — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open41,220237.00–242.00238.20
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)2811,2124,000.00–5,400.005,056.76
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)81,2822,650.00–3,250.003,072.35
Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)41,1143,100.00–3,300.003,153.44
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)1071,3434,300.00–5,400.004,813.08
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)51,4773,550.00–3,800.003,715.51
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)1501,4513,700.00–4,550.004,201.09
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo)91,3273,950.003,950.00
Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo)151,1873,900.00–4,300.004,006.01
Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)291,3604,300.00–4,550.004,450.95
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)301,3273,400.00–4,375.004,218.85
Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)1681,2294,200.00–4,800.004,623.73
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per head · actual wt
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)181,3563,750.003,750.00
Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)101,1764,050.00–4,425.004,337.20
Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo)111,1383,600.00–3,900.003,701.21
Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)11,6453,400.003,400.00
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)131,4263,550.00–4,150.003,682.13
Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)61,3073,000.003,000.00
Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)71,0552,900.00–3,000.002,914.69
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)41,3883,700.003,700.00
Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)91,0333,250.00–3,950.003,405.79
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo)411,4222,800.00–3,200.002,997.67
Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)81,3392,700.00–2,750.002,712.86
Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)3571,4173,650.00–4,450.003,999.15
Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)1461,4893,700.00–4,300.004,085.15
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)611,3642,900.00–3,450.003,338.68
Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)271,4032,800.00–3,350.003,234.47
Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)31,3902,450.002,450.00
Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo)81,2632,625.002,625.00
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Thin Fleshed$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)101,2372,550.002,550.00
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo)41,2793,600.003,600.00
Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo)61,1533,600.003,600.00
Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)931,2943,000.00–3,125.003,059.21
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)301,3253,400.00–3,600.003,486.67
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2 · Thin Fleshed$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo)171,2362,500.002,500.00
Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)421,2402,650.00–2,725.002,713.79
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Non-Legible BANGS$ per head · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)51,1564,000.004,000.00
Heifer Pairs — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
(<2 yrs)Open131,2785,700.005,700.00
Bred Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
(<2 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)151,1033,800.00–3,900.003,892.96
(<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)781,0834,050.00–4,500.004,304.36
Bred Heifers — Medium 1$ per head · actual wt
(<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo)889123,900.00–4,400.004,248.71
Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium and Large 1 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)Open81,3863,900.003,900.00
Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium and Large 1-2$ per head · actual wt
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open61,4784,500.004,500.00

Slaughter Cattle

As reported
HeadWt rangeAvg wtPrice rangeAvg price
Dairy Cows — Lean 85-90% · Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
1680105.00105.00
Bulls — Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
231,419175.00–199.50189.44
251,506183.00–204.00196.44
Bulls — Heavy Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
12,620204.00204.00
Bulls — Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
51,363147.50–175.00158.61
Bulls — Natural$ per cwt · actual wt
61,788210.00210.00
Bulls$ per cwt · actual wt
42,131214.00–224.00218.09
12,230216.00216.00
122,087204.50–215.00211.94
331,867190.00–218.00205.24
161,623155.00–199.00183.75
Cows — Premium White 65-75%$ per cwt · actual wt
451,707168.00–172.50169.47
11,555201.00201.00
Cows — Breaker 75-80%$ per cwt · actual wt
11,725173.00173.00
61,496155.00–161.00158.32
151,719164.00–172.00167.07
Cows — Breaker 75-80% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
261,525156.00–168.50165.66
1371,505180.00–191.25189.43
751,564162.00–184.00178.55
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
61,186178.00–184.00181.18
451,216167.50–178.50173.73
371,171130.00–165.00156.28
Cows — Lean 85-90%$ per cwt · actual wt
111,159122.50–135.00128.16
11,180165.00165.00
131,173132.50–158.00146.37
Cows — Boner 80-85%$ per cwt · actual wt
91,350144.00–162.00153.07
11,575171.00171.00
41,440125.00–148.00138.03
Cows — Boner 80-85% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
771,401170.00–200.00189.69
471,370144.00–171.00163.50
1481,388167.00–185.00177.17
Cows — Breaker 75-80% · Non-Traditional$ per cwt · actual wt
11,480189.00189.00
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
1875110.00110.00
11,010150.00150.00

Feeder Cattle

As reported
HeadWt rangeAvg wtPrice rangeAvg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
4350–400389515.00515.00
24450–500482455.00–485.00479.27
2500–550505460.00460.00
32550–600592400.00–425.00414.34
10600–650629380.00–405.00395.10
2650–700665366.00366.00
2700–750745360.00360.00
6750–800770348.00–357.00350.92
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · NHTC$ per cwt · actual wt
118550–600574456.00456.00
Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
8400–450449525.00525.00
129450–500477487.50–500.00495.66
65500–550529455.00–487.50472.17
192550–600575425.00–454.00440.46
86600–650638408.00–428.00421.89
37650–700661382.50–407.00398.24
26700–750707367.00–381.00376.67
4750–800761365.00365.00
49800–850839345.00–353.00348.31
8850–900866343.00343.00
8900–950933334.00334.00
Heifers — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
5400–450439485.00485.00
20500–550543424.00424.00
3600–650618405.00405.00
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
3400–450405495.00495.00
10500–550535440.00440.00
Heifers — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
8350–400351470.00470.00
3450–500463460.00460.00
8500–550516405.00–417.50414.44
24600–650631345.00–350.00348.09
Heifers — Medium 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
5450–500489325.00325.00
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
8600–650632380.00380.00
36650–700674376.00376.00
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Replacement$ per cwt · actual wt
49600–650644430.00430.00
137650–700675412.50–421.00419.12
Steers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
7400–450427575.00–590.00577.16
41450–500451520.00–575.00572.37
3500–550537500.00500.00
17550–600596460.00–470.00461.17
20600–650628420.00–439.00432.41
6700–750733365.00–375.00368.36
3750–800797362.50362.50
2800–850845350.00350.00
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Full$ per cwt · actual wt
17800–850842350.00350.00
Steers — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
4350–400379575.00575.00
3700–750733367.50367.50
Steers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
7400–450403630.00–640.00638.53
62450–500484547.50–587.50565.07
18500–550531502.50–534.00515.64
143550–600577462.50–488.00484.72
86600–650627442.00–464.00453.39
42650–700664417.50–440.00435.21
55700–750722406.00–420.50412.72
11750–800754377.50–397.00395.13
6800–850827360.00–367.50365.07
Steers — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
4550–600595457.50457.50
2600–650600432.50432.50
2650–700683360.00360.00
Bulls — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
21000–10501,008285.00285.00
Bulls — Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
111050–11001,071282.50282.50
Bulls — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
6450–500465555.00–570.00559.87
1550–600550465.00465.00
5600–650634410.00–412.50411.51
25700–750717365.00–370.00367.24
9800–850824340.00340.00
22850–900882340.00340.00
7900–950937315.00315.00
3950–1000978310.00–312.50311.67
Bulls — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
13450–500458510.00510.00
5550–600590427.50–430.00427.99
16950–1000990302.50302.50
Bulls — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
9550–600587427.50427.50
Bulls — Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
4700–750723350.00350.00
31050–11001,062282.00282.00
Bulls — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
2450–500463530.00530.00
10550–600582460.00460.00
Bulls — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
151050–11001,051294.00294.00
Bulls — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
4300–350338595.00595.00
Dairy Steers — Large 3$ per cwt · actual wt
4650–700679270.00270.00
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.