State summaries / Montana / Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary / 2025-03-17

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Montana · Weekly summary · Mon, Mar 17

● As filed169 lines reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1778

State summary

Counts as USDA filed them

Montana reported 169 priced lines covering 4,566 head across feeder cattle, slaughter cattle, replacement cattle. USDA puts feeder cattle receipts at 3,632 head. slaughter cattle receipts at 846 head. replacement cattle receipts at 684 head.

Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

Mon Mar 17, 2025

USDA Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News · Federal-State Market News Service, Billings, MT (LS-BL)

Feeder CattleReceipts 3,632Last week 1,294Year ago 4,464

Slaughter CattleReceipts 846Last week 867Year ago 701

Replacement CattleReceipts 684Last week 417Year ago 167

Compared to last week: Steer calves were all too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on all offerings. Feeder heifers were all too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to higher undertones were noticed on all offerings. Demand was mostly good to very good for light to moderate offerings. Feeder cattle were mixed for quality from plain to attractive. Quality overall was more attractive than last weeks sales. CME positions continue to push higher as packers chase limited market ready cattle. As of Fridays close, negotiated cash sales were 7.00-8.00 higher at 210.00 in the south while trades in Nebraska and the western Cornbelt were 6.00-9.00 higher at 212.00-215.00, with dressed delivered trade 10.00 higher at 335.00. The cattle on feed was also released Friday and it showed cattle on feed down 2%, placements down 18% and marketings down 9%. CME positions continue to march higher as a parade of bullish news hit the market. The March feeder cattle contract closed Friday at 286.475, 4.50 higher than last Fridays close. The April contract closed at 284.975 on Friday, 3.775 higher than last Fridays close. Package sizes were mostly small to moderate this week, but larger than last week. A few loads or partial loads were seen. Many sets of calves were cut backs off winter video sales. 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 continues to be an issue for cattle feeders. A few packages of cattle that were developed for grass were seen this past week. These cattle were in light to thin flesh and buyers showed strong premiums for these cattle. Market activity this week was mostly active with large crowds on hand for all sales this week. Several ranchers were in the stands this week looking for cattle to run on grass. Weigh up cows sold on good to very good demand for light to moderate offerings. Regional packers and major packers continue to show very good demand for high quality cattle. Regional packers are purchasing their cattle for immediate harvest while major packers are purchasing cows mostly to feed. Premium white fed cows sold mostly 2.00-5.00 higher, breaking cows sold fully steady, boning and lean cows sold steady to weak in a very narrow comparison. Feeding cows sold generally steady on all cows going to feed. Many blemished cows continue to go to feed or to grass until cow supplies shorten. Slaughter bulls sold steady to firm on a higher quality offering. Very good demand from major packers was seen this week as bull quality was mostly attractive. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold generally steady. 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.

Feeder Cattle

As reported

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
1	300–350	325	505.00	505.00
30	350–400	355	490.00	490.00
21	400–450	418	432.00–439.00	435.53
125	450–500	476	395.00–428.00	415.65
44	500–550	539	384.00–393.00	389.24
184	550–600	575	350.00–386.50	377.75
67	600–650	628	326.00–354.00	341.49
95	650–700	670	318.00–337.00	329.42
43	700–750	718	300.50–319.00	311.03
148	750–800	763	288.00–301.00	296.50
16	800–850	817	274.00–280.00	278.09
68	850–900	856	269.00–280.00	279.37
15	900–950	907	262.00–271.00	264.45
9	950–1000	982	258.00–266.00	263.37
7	1050–1100	1,054	245.00	245.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
8	1000–1050	1,023	223.00	223.00
6	1050–1100	1,077	249.00	249.00
7	1150–1200	1,179	209.50	209.50
22	1200–1250	1,202	206.25	206.25

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
4	300–350	339	445.00–490.00	456.45
17	350–400	384	432.50–470.00	449.31
22	400–450	440	407.50–410.00	409.54
9	450–500	470	390.00–416.00	402.01
12	500–550	527	340.00–370.00	362.60
34	600–650	629	321.00–335.00	333.14
25	700–750	736	280.00–290.00	284.44
3	750–800	788	279.00–285.00	282.98
2	800–850	810	276.00	276.00
3	900–950	922	258.00	258.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
14	800–850	815	261.00	261.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium 2$ per cwt · actual wt
1	250–300	250	380.00	380.00
4	350–400	394	222.50	222.50
4	400–450	420	225.00	225.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
3	400–450	408	420.00	420.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
3	600–650	620	331.00	331.00
5	750–800	775	283.00	283.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
7	700–750	740	288.00	288.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Thin Fleshed$ per cwt · actual wt
63	400–450	426	472.00	472.00
33	600–650	630	370.00	370.00
5	650–700	656	354.00	354.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
45	800–850	816	274.50–275.00	274.60
10	950–1000	968	245.00–252.00	247.14

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
4	300–350	335	380.00	380.00
1	350–400	395	425.00	425.00
6	400–450	440	407.50	407.50
23	450–500	487	380.00–392.50	385.39
16	500–550	524	355.00	355.00
30	550–600	593	328.00–355.00	328.84
11	700–750	720	285.00	285.00
2	750–800	785	252.50	252.50
2	800–850	843	252.50	252.50
8	900–950	918	235.00–256.00	244.87
1	950–1000	965	240.00	240.00
2	1000–1050	1,038	236.00	236.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
4	1150–1200	1,168	205.00–215.00	211.84
1	1200–1250	1,230	202.50	202.50
1	1250–1300	1,260	195.00	195.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
1	300–350	325	405.00	405.00
5	700–750	740	265.00	265.00
6	750–800	798	249.00–255.00	251.00
1	800–850	815	242.50	242.50

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
3	550–600	592	265.00	265.00
4	650–700	674	255.00	255.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
6	550–600	587	280.00–284.00	282.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
4	250–300	278	442.50	442.50
40	350–400	379	390.00–415.00	396.93
70	400–450	412	375.00–401.00	394.45
247	450–500	477	350.00–381.00	364.33
93	500–550	533	333.00–349.00	338.75
174	550–600	588	317.00–338.00	328.95
86	600–650	624	295.00–316.00	306.45
102	650–700	677	290.00–296.50	292.55
3	700–750	725	272.50–287.50	277.46
12	750–800	791	265.00	265.00
4	800–850	803	257.00	257.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Full$ per cwt · actual wt
3	850–900	872	249.00	249.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Fancy$ per cwt · actual wt
22	800–850	815	272.50	272.50

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
6	350–400	389	370.00	370.00
6	450–500	493	337.50	337.50
4	650–700	663	277.50	277.50
2	800–850	815	254.00	254.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
2	550–600	573	307.50	307.50
4	650–700	670	274.00	274.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
5	300–350	339	375.00–400.00	379.72
15	350–400	379	370.00–400.00	387.49
20	400–450	434	350.00–366.00	357.92
50	450–500	474	340.00–352.50	343.91
18	500–550	533	310.00–335.00	323.77
74	550–600	588	292.00–322.50	306.90
10	650–700	670	274.00–280.00	274.94
13	750–800	771	245.00–260.00	256.55

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
2	350–400	370	345.00	345.00
19	600–650	644	267.50	267.50
4	650–700	666	266.00	266.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Replacement$ per cwt · actual wt
106	500–550	537	361.00	361.00
251	600–650	622	299.00–349.00	332.18
42	650–700	682	285.00–297.00	291.60
10	650–700	688	2,075.00	2,075.00
174	700–750	727	295.00–300.00	298.79
10	750–800	770	2,175.00	2,175.00
10	750–800	764	283.00	283.00
10	800–850	849	2,200.00	2,200.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
14	950–1000	990	216.00–222.00	219.02

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Beef/Dairy Steers — Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
2	750–800	778	252.00	252.00
33	800–850	836	251.00–264.00	253.64
6	900–950	918	240.00	240.00
3	1050–1100	1,050	236.00	236.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Beef/Dairy Heifers — Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
8	750–800	769	242.00	242.00
13	850–900	853	241.00	241.00

Slaughter Cattle

As reported

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Breaker 75-80% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
8	—	1,583	139.50–152.00	148.41
6	—	1,563	156.00	156.00
3	—	1,613	141.00	141.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Boner 80-85% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
142	—	1,461	149.50–160.00	153.34
28	—	1,415	122.00–136.00	131.92
65	—	1,392	138.00–150.00	144.62

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Boner 80-85%$ per cwt · actual wt
19	—	1,480	133.00–149.00	139.99
19	—	1,468	101.00–132.00	124.49
10	—	1,505	149.00–157.00	152.63

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Boner 80-85% · Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	1,100	111.00	111.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Breaker 75-80%$ per cwt · actual wt
12	—	1,666	141.00–149.00	145.66
1	—	1,555	159.00	159.00
6	—	1,605	132.00–141.00	136.43

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90%$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	1,170	85.00–102.00	93.76
4	—	1,223	131.00–132.50	131.62
19	—	1,136	106.00–127.00	115.07

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Premium White 65-75%$ per cwt · actual wt
154	—	1,624	146.50–151.00	148.89

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
30	—	1,143	110.00–133.00	123.47
21	—	1,206	148.50–153.50	149.46
58	—	1,194	135.00–148.00	142.86

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
10	—	830	81.00–117.50	103.65

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
22	—	1,576	132.00–161.50	154.37
21	—	1,490	157.00–177.00	163.79

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	1,263	130.00–139.50	136.89

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls$ per cwt · actual wt
32	—	1,870	152.00–181.00	171.97
19	—	1,568	139.00–163.00	147.34
13	—	2,155	184.00–200.00	188.03
8	—	2,248	163.00–182.00	178.41
1	—	1,950	183.00	183.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Natural$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	1,690	172.00	172.00
11	—	1,805	177.00	177.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Heavy Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	2,710	172.00	172.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Dairy Cows — Lean 85-90%$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	1,300	121.00	121.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Dairy Cows — Boner 80-85%$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	1,458	119.00	119.00

Replacement Cattle

As reported

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bred Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
(<2 yrs)	3rd Stage (7-9 mo)	6	—	1,152	2,700.00–3,000.00	2,952.24
(<2 yrs)	2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)	1	—	1,265	2,975.00	2,975.00

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)	Open	118	—	1,028	181.00–251.00	217.58
Young (2-4 yrs)	Open	132	—	1,138	150.00–225.00	185.77
Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)	Open	3	—	1,232	143.00–155.00	148.34

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)	Open	1	—	1,645	166.00	166.00
(<2 yrs)	Open	13	—	1,043	195.00–201.00	197.90

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)	Open	1	—	795	220.00	220.00

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)	Open	7	—	1,108	175.00–202.00	195.97
Young (2-4 yrs)	Open	33	—	987	135.00–185.00	159.87

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)	1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)	12	—	1,098	2,400.00–2,600.00	2,434.75
Young (2-4 yrs)	3rd Stage (7-9 mo)	61	—	1,244	3,000.00–3,700.00	3,636.68
Young (2-4 yrs)	2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)	59	—	1,235	2,800.00–3,010.00	2,955.40
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)	3rd Stage (7-9 mo)	46	—	1,495	2,800.00–3,425.00	3,413.32
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)	2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)	23	—	1,379	2,650.00–3,000.00	2,960.81
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)	1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)	1	—	1,590	2,200.00	2,200.00
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)	3rd Stage (7-9 mo)	7	—	1,516	3,025.00	3,025.00

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)	3rd Stage (7-9 mo)	56	—	1,280	2,725.00–2,900.00	2,815.06

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per head · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)	1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)	9	—	1,022	2,250.00–2,400.00	2,290.13
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)	2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)	2	—	1,298	2,400.00	2,400.00
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)	1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)	2	—	1,410	2,100.00	2,100.00

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Thin Fleshed$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)	3rd Stage (7-9 mo)	14	—	1,263	2,300.00–2,550.00	2,455.40

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bred Cows — Medium 1-2$ per head · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)	1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)	3	—	830	1,750.00	1,750.00

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2 · Thin Fleshed$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)	3rd Stage (7-9 mo)	6	—	1,166	1,650.00–2,100.00	1,875.77

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bred Cows — Large 1$ per head · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)	3rd Stage (7-9 mo)	4	—	1,625	2,300.00	2,300.00

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2 · Broken Mouth$ per head · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)	2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)	3	—	1,233	2,300.00–2,400.00	2,339.46

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.