montana news

Montana auctions moved 5,837 head in the first week of March with seasonal, quality-driven mixed trends. Feeder cattle ran steady to weak, replacement females dominated offerings, and slaughter bulls were the week’s standout—up $5–$8 as packers look for lean trim. Here’s the price recap, supply breakdown, and what to watch as spring grass demand builds.

The National Farmers Union has awarded Dr. Dale McCall its highest honor—the Meritorious Service Award—recognizing four decades of leadership supporting family farms and ranchers across the Mountain West. McCall and fellow 2026 recipient Joe Logan were praised for lifelong service through Farmers Union and beyond.

After a record-setting 2025, Montana cattle producers are looking at a 2026 market shaped by historic lows in the national beef cow herd and unusually high volatility. Industry outlooks suggest bigger price swings—creating major opportunity, but also real budget and risk-management challenges for ranching operations across Big Sky Country.