USDA Billings, MT Weekly Wtd Avg 03/16 10:05
03/16/2026 | 10:05 am CDT USDA Billings, MT Weekly Wtd Avg 03/16 10:05
AMS_1778 MARS
Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary
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Livestock Weighted Average Report for 03/09/2026 - Final
Summary This Week Last Reported Last Year
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Total Receipts:
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FEEDER CATTLE 570 2062 1294
SLAUGHTER GOATS 717 0 842
FEEDER GOATS 125 0 230
SLAUGHTER SHEEP/LAMBS 850 0 2039
SLAUGHTER CATTLE 722 942 867
FEEDER SHEEP/LAMBS 40 0 325
REPLACEMENT CATTLE 939 2833 417
REPLACEMENT GOATS 10 0 15
Compared to last week: Feeder cattle were all too lightly tested to develop an
accurate market trend, however lower undertones were noticed on a lower quality
offering. Most cattle were offered in small packages or as singles this week.
Very few buyers were in the stands this week as no feeder specials were held at
any sale this week. Quality was mostly plain to average this week and not as
attractive as last weeks offering. Demand overall was moderate on light
supplies. CME positions sold off again this week as outside influences continue
to impact the market. Cash slaughter cattle prices continue to try to find
stability after falling from 249.00 just a few weeks ago. The last established
market test in Kansas was Wednesday at 235.00, while the last established
market test in the Texas Panhandle was last week with live purchases at mostly
240.00. The last established market test in Nebraska was Wednesday with live
purchases at mostly 235.00 and dressed purchases at mostly 372.00. The March
closed at 349.475, 6.15 lower than last Fridays close. The April closed at
343.10, 8.52 lower than last Friday. The May contract closed Friday at 339.175,
8.90 lower than last Friday. Market activity was mostly moderate with a very
small crowd of buyers noticed all week. 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 generally steady. Private feeders and
Canadian buyers pushed packers aside this week as both showed very good demand
for feeding cows. A large crowd of feeding cow buyers were present at all sales
this week. Feeding cows sold generally steady without major packer support as
tight supplies and a large crowd of buyers held market positions near steady.
Cow quality this week was average to attractive, but not as attractive as last
weeks offering. Weigh up conditions were mostly average to below average. A
winter storm seen later in the week had cows tanked up due to the change in
weather. 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 steady undertones were noticed on all
offerings. Slaughter bulls sold mostly steady to 2.00 lower, after moving
sharply higher over the last couple weeks. Demand remains good as packer search
for lean meat to blend down excess fat currently on the market. Feeding bull
demand was mostly good to very good again this week. Feeding bulls sold
generally steady. Demand for young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed was
mostly moderate to good this week. A cows and heifers which lost calves are
being marketed, but with very good weather conditions limited offerings are
being seen. Demand for high quality offerings is very good. Coming 2 year old
cows sold mostly steady after sharply higher movement was seen over the last
two weeks. Quality was average to attractive, but not as attractive as last
week.
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FEEDER CATTLE
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BULLS - Medium 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 505-505 505 400-400 400
BULLS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
6 465-468 468 532.5-537.5 536.67
2 593-593 593 425-425 425
BULLS - Medium and Large 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
3 1012-1012 1012 280-280 280
2 418-418 418 515-515 515
2 475-475 475 470-470 470
17 555-595 576 380-440 411.04
2 625-630 628 375-380 377.51
8 653-697 680 352.5-355 354.06
4 701-701 701 360-360 360
2 753-753 753 340-340 340
2 873-873 873 301-301 301
12 973-973 973 290-290 290
BULLS - Medium and Large 2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
3 685-690 687 310-350 323.4
2 818-818 818 290-290 290
HEIFERS - Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
3 625-625 625 387.5-387.5 387.5
3 715-715 715 342.5-342.5 342.5
HEIFERS - Medium 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 433-433 433 462.5-462.5 462.5
HEIFERS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
1 500-500 500 480-480 480
11 566-573 568 418-422.5 421.26
6 643-643 643 394-394 394
12 660-685 662 360-373.5 372.34
3 717-717 717 345-345 345
14 741-741 741 340-340 340 Fleshy
6 744-744 744 337.5-337.5 337.5 Full
1 770-770 770 330-330 330
HEIFERS - Medium and Large 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
35 406-445 417 465-490 484.74
5 450-495 463 450-480 469.68
21 509-545 519 420-449 436.65
7 555-555 555 422-422 422
5 630-637 634 395-396 395.6
7 644-644 644 332-332 332 Fleshy
4 715-723 721 340-345 341.24
2 743-743 743 320-320 320 Fleshy
HEIFERS - Medium and Large 2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
5 243-243 243 450-450 450
5 320-338 331 460-465 461.93
4 370-370 370 470-470 470
18 415-448 428 345-450 381.66
1 555-555 555 375-375 375
STEERS - Medium 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
1 455-455 455 490-490 490
STEERS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 350-350 350 595-595 595
5 408-435 413 567.5-570 568.03
42 620-646 639 425.5-432 426.69
3 653-655 654 410-420 413.34
26 756-756 756 372.5-372.5 372.5
STEERS - Medium and Large 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
4 298-298 298 590-590 590
3 350-350 350 580-580 580
17 403-433 419 535-565 545.52
3 488-488 488 520-520 520
16 510-532 519 480-490 484.03
21 574-595 582 420-450 436.65
6 605-610 607 410-420 416.65
2 668-668 668 392-392 392
4 713-713 713 381-381 381
STEERS - Medium and Large 2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 250-250 250 510-510 510
2 388-388 388 495-495 495
4 400-435 426 460-515 472.9
2 545-545 545 405-405 405
1 590-590 590 422.5-422.5 422.5
9 847-847 847 302.5-302.5 302.5
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SLAUGHTER GOATS
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BUCKS/BILLIES - Selection 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
2 205-225 215 210-212.5 211.19 Average
1 235-235 235 217.5-217.5 217.5 High
BUCKS/BILLIES - Selection 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
1 135-135 135 220-220 220 Average
BUCKS/BILLIES - Selection 2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
3 115-125 120 225-240 230.21 Average
4 150-175 163 182.5-210 193.84 Average
1 85-85 85 190-190 190 Average Pygmies
1 95-95 95 195-195 195 Average Pygmies
BUCKS/BILLIES - Selection 3 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
1 200-200 200 180-180 180 Average
1 90-90 90 165-165 165 Average
KIDS - Selection 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
21 102-105 102 375-380 375.73 Average
7 38-38 38 445-445 445 Average
87 44-48 47 419-465 431.24 Average
125 50-55 52 430-460 433.1 Average
174 60-67 62 430-465 441.41 Average
69 70-76 74 415-442.5 440.42 Average
15 80-85 84 400-417.5 403.14 Average
1 95-95 95 390-390 390 Average Yearlings
KIDS - Selection 2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
1 105-105 105 355-355 355 Average
2 38-38 38 335-335 335 Average
3 40-45 43 375-435 411.15 Average
1 55-55 55 305-305 305 Average Yearlings
1 55-55 55 305-305 305 Average Yearlings
24 60-66 62 380-455 408.21 Average
9 67-67 67 315-315 315 Average Yearlings
11 70-75 74 385-420 412.88 Average
8 85-86 86 387.5-392 388.06 Average
2 90-90 90 377.5-377.5 377.5 Average Yearlings
NANNIES/DOES - Selection 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
59 100-140 128 170-245 183.24 Average
5 157-157 157 190-190 190 Average
2 95-95 95 250-250 250 Average
NANNIES/DOES - Selection 2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
11 105-135 114 145-220 191.54 Average
3 150-160 153 155-190 177.83 Average
1 70-70 70 185-185 185 Average Pygmies
7 78-78 78 220-220 220 Average
1 80-80 80 235-235 235 Average
3 93-95 94 160-210 193.1 Average Pygmies
NANNIES/DOES - Selection 3 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
1 105-105 105 85-85 85 Low
1 70-70 70 105-105 105 Average
1 85-85 85 185-185 185 Average
WETHERS - Selection 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
9 113-120 115 265-325 304.46 Average
1 195-195 195 200-200 200 Average
WETHERS - Selection 2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
1 155-155 155 235-235 235 Average
3 77-77 77 325-325 325 Average
1 90-90 90 240-240 240 Average
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FEEDER GOATS
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KIDS - Selection 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
51 32-39 34 465-485 480.13
44 43-46 46 460-470 469.46
1 60-60 60 435-435 435
KIDS - Selection 2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
6 41-41 41 315-315 315 Pygmies
6 40-48 46 405-445 426.81
16 52-52 52 442.5-442.5 442.5
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SLAUGHTER SHEEP/LAMBS
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BUCKS - 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
4 119-119 119 114-114 114 Low
1 140-140 140 187.5-187.5 187.5 Average Yearlings
2 160-185 173 109-112 110.39 Low
3 190-195 193 124-132.5 126.78 Average
16 200-230 208 111-125 114.45 Average
2 255-275 265 101-107.5 104.37 Average
1 300-300 300 113-113 113 High
BUCKS - 2-3 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
2 273-273 273 92-92 92 Average
EWES - Cull 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
14 114-114 114 20-20 20 Low
2 128-128 128 117.5-117.5 117.5 Average
EWES - Good 2-3 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
20 173-185 175 105-130 111.44 Average
13 170-183 179 135-157.5 140.04 High
EWES - Good 3-4 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
6 201-201 201 108-108 108 Average
8 210-231 226 125-135 129.08 High
5 258-275 261 92-100 98.32 Average
EWES - Utility 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
12 119-140 125 131-135 132.08 Low
39 135-148 146 141-152 141.63 Average
2 150-150 150 107-107 107 Low
19 150-162 161 122.5-145 125.55 Average
6 163-163 163 160-160 160 Average Yearlings
HAIR BREEDS - Choice 1-3 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
1 100-100 100 315-315 315 Average
65 110-119 117 262.5-280 267.91 Average
4 150-150 150 305-305 305 Average
23 55-55 55 400-400 400 Average New Crop
11 57-57 57 390-390 390 Average
20 65-67 67 360-395 393.3 Average
15 81-81 81 350-350 350 Average
HAIR BREEDS - Good and Choice 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
24 37-37 37 435-435 435 Average
5 42-42 42 435-435 435 Average
6 78-78 78 265-265 265 Average
5 92-92 92 290-290 290 Average
HAIR BUCKS - 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
1 110-110 110 157.5-157.5 157.5 Average
19 146-146 146 145-145 145 Average Yearlings
3 173-173 173 132-132 132 Average
1 200-200 200 114-114 114 Average
1 260-260 260 120-120 120 High
HAIR EWES - Good 2-3 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
5 131-131 131 147-147 147 Average
HAIR EWES - Good 3-4 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
3 192-192 192 117-117 117 High
HAIR EWES - Utility 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
19 110-115 115 150-150 150 Average
33 118-118 118 185-185 185 High
7 159-159 159 132.5-132.5 132.5 Average
WOOLED & SHORN - Choice 1-3 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
45 103-106 105 280-285 281.63 Average
44 56-56 56 410-410 410 Average
5 66-66 66 375-375 375 Average
27 71-76 73 337.5-346 340.78 Average
13 83-86 85 335-345 340.47 Average
50 83-89 89 342-342 342 Average New Crop
107 91-96 92 300-332 328.06 Average
WOOLED & SHORN - Good and Choice 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
5 118-118 118 270-270 270 Average
10 120-120 120 250-250 250 Low
2 175-175 175 157.5-157.5 157.5 Average
6 83-88 85 290-295 293.27 Average
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SLAUGHTER CATTLE
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BULLS - 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
18 1170-1805 1525 165-194 184.69 Low Return to Feed
14 1455-2010 1652 175-196 185.34 Low
22 1400-1910 1697 192-201 196.2 Average Return to Feed
48 1505-2325 1921 187-213 201.92 Average
5 1890-2240 2050 215-219 216.29 High
BULLS - 2-3 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
3 2095-2145 2128 185-194.5 189.87 Average
COWS - Boner 80-85% (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
19 1210-1515 1346 181-196 186.66 High Return to Feed
8 1300-1420 1351 126-136 133.4 Low
107 1110-1585 1389 167-184 179.08 Average Return to Feed
19 1310-1595 1423 142-166.5 155.36 Low Return to Feed
59 1330-1730 1443 162-186 183.34 High
7 1345-1770 1491 141.5-162 154.66 Average
COWS - Breaker 75-80% (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
5 1426-1615 1464 182-184 183.56 High Return to Feed
83 1420-1710 1608 172-181 176.56 Average Return to Feed
18 1425-1865 1656 161-172 165.58 Low Return to Feed
12 1535-1835 1722 152.5-165 160.34 Low
8 1600-1825 1743 162.25-169.5 166.18 Average
COWS - Lean 85-90% (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
6 1025-1235 1104 115-137.5 124.63 Low
2 1010-1205 1108 109-110 109.46 Very Low
18 1089-1255 1117 180-185 181.06 High Return to Feed
6 1030-1200 1132 140-165 154.59 Average
28 990-1275 1140 135-165 155.59 Low Return to Feed
72 1090-1305 1225 167.5-180 173.98 Average Return to Feed
2 905-910 908 90-105 97.48 Very Low Light Weight
4 920-970 933 130-135 133.7 Low Light Weight
COWS - Premium White 65-75% (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
2 2060-2060 2060 164-164 164 Average Heavy Weight
DAIRY BULLS - 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
1 1090-1090 1090 165-165 165 Low Light Weight
DAIRY COWS - Boner 80-85% (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
2 1388-1388 1388 139-139 139 Average
DAIRY COWS - Lean 85-90% (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Dressing
2 1335-1335 1335 138-138 138 Average
4 1501-1501 1501 125-125 125 Low
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FEEDER SHEEP/LAMBS
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HAIR LAMBS - Medium 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
6 40-40 40 360-360 360
30 54-54 54 395-395 395
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REPLACEMENT CATTLE
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BRED COWS - Medium 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
18 920-980 966 3100-4600 3595.51
BRED COWS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
23 1193-1261 1237 3500-4350 4064.94
6 1345-1436 1406 3100-3900 3644.84
8 1408-1460 1415 3100-3400 3138.71
2 1518-1518 1518 2700-2700 2700 Broken Mouth
BRED COWS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
5 1286-1286 1286 4000-4000 4000 T2-3
2 1398-1398 1398 2950-2950 2950 T2-3
BRED COWS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
5 1182-1182 1182 2900-2900 2900 Thin Fleshed
72 1099-1403 1183 4100-5000 4811.95
31 1332-1332 1332 3425-3425 3425 Broken Mouth
113 1322-1600 1341 3650-5050 4955.49
17 1453-1453 1453 4050-4050 4050
BRED COWS - Medium and Large 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 1125-1125 1125 3700-3700 3700 T2-3
4 1143-1143 1143 2100-2100 2100 Thin Fleshed
T2-3
1 1180-1180 1180 2800-2800 2800 Thin Fleshed
T2-3
BRED COWS - Medium and Large 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
14 1125-1125 1125 2750-2750 2750 Thin Fleshed
18 1236-1590 1407 2500-3100 2865.63 Broken Mouth
BRED HEIFERS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
24 964-1313 1008 4000-4100 4016.29 T2-3
BRED HEIFERS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
54 958-1019 988 4250-4250 4250
COW-CALF PAIRS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
6 1350-1350 1350 4100-4100 4100 Thin Fleshed O
STOCK COWS - Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
4 1005-1013 1011 265-308 297.31 O
STOCK COWS - Medium 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
11 748-900 866 275-300 279.46 O
15 880-938 919 300-303 300.97 O
STOCK COWS - Medium 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
5 780-955 864 195-265 212.8 O
2 898-898 898 260-260 260 O
STOCK COWS - Medium and Large 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
255 906-1415 1061 197-319 273.55 O
19 828-1240 1065 232.5-321 266.44 O
50 1080-1450 1242 183-237.5 196.07 O
6 1276-1380 1293 189-210 206.27 Fleshy O
1 1310-1310 1310 204-204 204 Fleshy O
STOCK COWS - Medium and Large 1-2 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
27 815-1225 1005 215-297.5 265.12 O
28 935-1375 1096 177.5-255 218.8 O
4 1090-1303 1197 173-187.5 179.6 O
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REPLACEMENT GOATS
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FAMILIES - Selection 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 130-130 130 370-370 370 O
NANNIES/DOES - Selection 1 (Per Cwt/Actual)
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
5 100-147 128 202-255 218.54 O
2 153-153 153 205-205 205 O
[06001349]