New Ownership, Same Commitment at Montana Livestock Auction
August 31, 2026
Barry and Dannielle McCoy, owners of Dillon Livestock Auction, are expanding their livestock marketing operation with the purchase of Montana Livestock Auction in Ramsay, Montana.
On August 27, 2026, the Montana Department of Livestock approved the sale, clearing the way for the McCoys to assume ownership of the Ramsay livestock market.
The McCoys purchased the market from Sandy Nuffer, wife of the late Blake Nuffer who owed the market since 2009.
In a letter posted on the Montana Livestock Auction website, Nuffer said the decision to sell came after considerable thought, family conversations and prayer. She described it as a difficult decision for the family following Blake's death and their efforts to continue his legacy at the auction.
Nuffer reflected on Blake's lifelong commitment to the livestock industry and the relationships he built with ranchers, producers and agricultural families throughout his career. She also expressed appreciation to the Montana Livestock Auction staff, customers and her children for supporting the family and helping keep the business moving forward following Blake's death.
Barry McCoy said the Nuffer family has been instrumental in making the transition a smooth one and maintaining continuity for livestock producers who have long utilized the Ramsay market.
"The Nuffer family has really been great to work with and super in the transition, helping guide us through it and keep continuity with the staff," McCoy said.
McCoy said the opportunity to add Montana Livestock Auction alongside the family's Dillon operation will expand marketing options for cattle producers throughout southwest Montana and surrounding areas.
"We're just really excited about the opportunity in general," McCoy said. "It's been an excellent location for producers. To be able to add the Ramsay market just gives us a little expanded territory and gives our producers in southwest Montana another option for a sale day."
The McCoys have owned Dillon Livestock Auction since March 2020.
McCoy said both the Dillon and Ramsay markets will continue operating, with the two locations creating new opportunities for buyers and sellers.
"I think we'll continue to keep both markets going," he said. "There's a lot of synergies between them. It'll provide the opportunity for both sellers and buyers to be more convenient as far as having more options on sale days."
The two livestock markets are approximately an hour apart. Dillon Livestock Auction has developed a strong base throughout Beaverhead County and the Ennis, Twin Bridges and Sheridan areas while also reaching cattle producers south into Idaho. Montana Livestock Auction has traditionally maintained a strong following throughout southwest Montana, particularly north and west of Ramsay.
The acquisition will allow the McCoys to connect those marketing areas while also expanding livestock receiving options.
The operation currently has receiving stations in Ronan, Hamilton and Corvallis, with work underway to establish a receiving location in the Belgrade area. Dillon's proximity to Idaho has also allowed the market to establish receiving stations there.
"From a logistics standpoint, it's making sure these guys can get their cattle to the market in the most efficient and most cost-conscious way," McCoy said.
McCoy said country representatives and receiving locations also give the auction markets an opportunity to know what cattle are coming ahead of a sale and communicate that information to prospective buyers.
An important part of the transition will be retaining the experienced crew already working at Montana Livestock Auction.
McCoy said the Ramsay facility is in excellent condition and the existing staff has been willing to remain with the operation. Cooper Nuffer will also stay involved and help facilitate the ownership transition and management of the auction through the fall run.
"The facilities are in top-notch shape, and they've got a great crew that's willing to stay on and work with us," McCoy said. "Cooper's going to stay and help facilitate the transition and really the management of the barn through the fall."
For customers, McCoy said the goal is a seamless change in ownership.
"It should be business as usual at both locations," he said.
The timing of the acquisition comes as Montana cattle producers prepare for the busy fall marketing season. McCoy said having sales at both locations will allow the company to offer back-to-back opportunities for producers marketing yearlings and other classes of cattle.
The markets are also being upgraded with additional monitors that will allow vaccination information for individual consignments to be displayed during sales.
McCoy believes health programs will be particularly important as producers market calves and yearlings this fall. With dry conditions affecting portions of southwest Montana, he is encouraging ranchers to be timely with marketing decisions while keeping cattle in the best condition possible.
"We need to really be conscientious of hitting the appropriate feeder sales, making sure we get cattle grouped up, trying to sell uniform lots and really work on the vaccination programs," McCoy said.
Providing buyers with additional assurances about cattle health, he added, can reduce risk and help buyers confidently compete for consignments.
McCoy also anticipates opportunities in the bred female market later in the year, with special female sales planned as the fall and winter marketing seasons progress.
Above all, McCoy said he wants longtime Montana Livestock Auction customers to know the Ramsay market will remain open and continue serving livestock producers.
"I'd just like producers to rest assured that both markets will continue to operate as normal," McCoy said. "We have a good crew on hand, and I'd really like to extend a big thank you to all the producers and look forward to meeting a lot of new ones up in the Ramsay location."
For Barry and Dannielle McCoy, the addition of Montana Livestock Auction represents both an expansion of their livestock marketing business and an opportunity to build upon the foundation established by the Nuffer family.
"We want everybody to rest assured that it will be business as usual," McCoy said. "We're looking forward to a good fall run."
September Sale Schedules
With both Montana Livestock Auction in Ramsay and Dillon Livestock Auction operating under the McCoys, producers will have several marketing opportunities throughout September.
Montana Livestock Auction — Ramsay
- Sept. 1: Regular Sale
- Sept. 8: No Sale
- Sept. 11: Cream of the Crop I
- Sept. 15: Regular Sale
Dillon Livestock Auction — Dillon
- Sept. 3: No Sale — Labor Day Weekend
- Sept. 10: Special Feeder Kickoff & All Class Cattle Sale
- Sept. 17: All Class Cattle Sale
- Sept. 24: Special Feeder & All Class Cattle Sale
Source: Western Ag Network
