Name: Billings Livestock Commission livestock auction prices — 2022-03-31
Creator: RaisedBeef
Published: 2022-03-31

Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to last reported sale(3/10/22): Feeder steers under 550 lbs sold steady to 5.00 higher, 550-799 lbs steers sold 5.00-10.00 higher, steers over 800 lbs were not well compared, higher undertones were noticed. Feeder heifers under 550 lbs sold steady to 5.00 higher, heifers over 550 lbs sold mostly 8.00-10.00 higher. Demand was mostly good to very good with the best demand seen for cattle suitable to run on grass and for high quality replacement heifers. Quality this sale was good to very good, with many long strings of high quality one iron home-raised cattle on offer. Many load lots of cattle were seen today as offerings were heavy. Cattle suitable to run on grass were in mostly light flesh, while heavier weight backgrounded cattle were in moderate to fleshy condition. Heifer demand was very good today and many high quality heifers which were slated to be kept as replacements sold to grass cattle buyers this sale. A select portion of the heifer offering was purchased to keep as replacements. Quality and demand for these offerings was very good as a portion of these offerings were sired by prominent AI bulls. A large crowd was on hand today with both order-buyers as well as ranchers actively bidding on offerings.. Market activity was active and bidders were active market participants throughout the sale which stretched late into the evening. Weigh up cows sold on moderate demand and offerings. Comparisons are to three weeks ago as this was the last test of the market. Slaughter cows sold generally steady in a narrow comparison on boning and breaking cows, lean cows sold mostly steady to 1.00 higher. Feeding cows saw the greatest advancement as they sold mostly 2.00-3.00 higher. All cows were very full this sale and offered buyers below average weigh up conditions. Slaughter bulls sold steady to 3.00 higher in a narrow comparison. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold steady to 5.00 lower. These offerings were of average to attractive quality this week. A portion of the cow offering this week was comprised of bred cows. These cows were of average to attractive quality and sold on mostly moderate demand.

Weight class

Steers · summary 0–100 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot

0–100 lb steers averaged $180.87/cwt on 2,237 head.

Average price

$180.87

2,237 head · 681 lb average

Value per head Derived

$1,231

Price × average weight ÷ 100

Grade differential Derived

−$96

per head · Medium and Large 1-2 over Large 1-2

$52.22/cwt at this weight

vs the market

−0.94

vs MT average

What quality paid 0–100 lb

Frame and muscle grade

Frame / muscle	Avg wt	$/cwt	$/head	Head
Medium and Large 1-2	588	186.25	1,095	444
Medium and Large 1	685	182.63	1,252	1,669
Medium and Large 2	796	146.00	1,163	20
Large 1	1,014	137.44	1,394	73
Large 1-2	889	134.03	1,192	31

One grade step is worth $52.22/cwt here — about −$96 a head. Across this sale the premium is widest at 0–100 lb. USDA reports each grade on its own line and never publishes the spread.

How it compared 0–100 lb

Same class and week · spot auction only

This sale2,237 hd

180.87

—

MT average3 barns · 2,363 hd

181.81

−0.94

A barn can sit above the state average at one weight and below it at another — check the class you actually sell.

Slaughter cattle

By class and quality grade · $/cwt

Cull cows and bulls are graded, not weight-classed — grade is what moves the money here.

Class	Grade	Dressing	Avg wt	$/cwt	$/head	Head
Bulls	—	High	1,753	99.58	1,746	28
Cows	Breaker 75-80%	Low	1,627	79.52	1,293	19
Cows	Boner 80-85%	Low	1,444	78.99	1,141	42
Cows	Lean 85-90%	Low	1,186	70.89	841	102

Every lot, as filed

128 lots · USDA AMS · Billings Livestock Commission Cattle Auction - Billings, MT (Thu)

Nothing removed and nothing rounded — the same lots as the USDA report, with per-head values added.

Class	Grade / description	Weight	Avg wt	Price	Range	Per head	Head
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	436	213.78/cwt	205.00–216.00	932	65
Steers	Large 1	—	566	189.00/cwt	189.00–189.00	1,070	7
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	869	143.00/cwt	143.00–143.00	1,243	6
Steers	Medium and Large 1	—	709	177.86/cwt	170.00–180.00	1,261	81
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	376	216.00/cwt	216.00–216.00	812	14
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	520	191.52/cwt	186.00–198.00	996	18
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	639	181.62/cwt	177.00–187.00	1,161	13
Steers	Large 1-2Fleshy	—	1,042	109.00/cwt	109.00–109.00	1,136	3
Steers	Medium and Large 1Fleshy	—	912	138.69/cwt	133.00–140.00	1,265	59
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	718	158.14/cwt	154.00–166.00	1,135	35
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	817	139.50/cwt	139.50–139.50	1,140	16
Steers	Medium and Large 1Fleshy	—	958	133.77/cwt	131.50–139.00	1,282	33
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2Fleshy	—	878	137.00/cwt	137.00–137.00	1,203	7
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	344	191.00/cwt	191.00–191.00	657	6
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	491	175.50/cwt	175.50–175.50	862	21
Steers	Medium and Large 2	—	518	176.00/cwt	176.00–176.00	912	5
Steers	Medium and Large 2	—	889	136.00/cwt	136.00–136.00	1,209	15
Steers	Large 1Fleshy	—	1,028	134.25/cwt	134.25–134.25	1,380	31
Steers	Large 1Fleshy	—	1,060	132.83/cwt	131.00–133.50	1,408	15
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	433	190.73/cwt	190.00–191.00	826	29
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Replacement	—	757	167.50/cwt	167.50–167.50	1,268	74
Steers	Medium and Large 1Fleshy	—	824	147.38/cwt	145.00–148.00	1,214	43
Steers	Large 1-2Fleshy	—	1,099	129.00/cwt	129.00–129.00	1,418	4
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	439	176.50/cwt	176.50–176.50	775	31
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	—	394	176.50/cwt	176.50–176.50	695	19
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	527	185.40/cwt	182.50–193.00	977	166
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Replacement	—	893	1,400.00/cwt	1,400.00–1,400.00	12,502	45
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	—	455	170.00/cwt	170.00–170.00	774	2
Steers	Large 1Fleshy	—	1,227	123.00/cwt	123.00–123.00	1,509	12
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	486	189.24/cwt	180.00–194.00	920	172
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	717	159.42/cwt	154.00–163.00	1,143	200
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	516	175.62/cwt	172.50–181.00	906	15
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	473	210.69/cwt	210.50–211.00	997	33
Steers	Medium and Large 1	—	979	142.51/cwt	141.00–147.50	1,395	69
Steers	Medium and Large 1	—	434	225.34/cwt	224.00–226.00	978	30
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	587	187.62/cwt	178.00–193.50	1,101	135
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	681	174.05/cwt	171.00–178.50	1,185	87
Steers	Medium and Large 1	—	905	146.60/cwt	146.50–149.00	1,327	178
Steers	Medium and Large 1	—	665	191.62/cwt	189.00–193.50	1,274	64
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	379	212.72/cwt	210.00–224.00	806	20
Steers	Medium and Large 1	—	769	161.06/cwt	158.00–164.50	1,239	51
Steers	Large 1-2	—	835	138.00/cwt	138.00–138.00	1,152	24
Steers	Medium and Large 1	—	486	217.31/cwt	214.00–218.50	1,056	140
Steers	Medium and Large 1	—	575	198.88/cwt	197.00–210.00	1,144	80
Steers	Medium and Large 1	—	519	214.34/cwt	209.00–219.00	1,112	130
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	402	208.50/cwt	208.50–208.50	838	10
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	489	205.35/cwt	203.50–206.50	1,004	56
Steers	Medium and Large 1	—	829	151.14/cwt	150.00–157.00	1,253	96
Steers	Medium and Large 1	—	628	195.68/cwt	184.00–197.00	1,229	386
Steers	Medium and Large 1Natural	—	694	190.00/cwt	190.00–190.00	1,319	54
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	—	364	205.00/cwt	205.00–205.00	746	6
Steers	Medium and Large 1Natural	—	640	199.50/cwt	199.50–199.50	1,277	24
Steers	Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed	—	558	216.00/cwt	216.00–216.00	1,205	4
Steers	Large 1	—	949	135.00/cwt	135.00–135.00	1,281	8
Steers	Medium and Large 1	—	869	151.74/cwt	151.50–152.50	1,319	37
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	—	448	192.00/cwt	192.00–192.00	860	9
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	303	226.50/cwt	226.50–226.50	686	6
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	588	185.00/cwt	185.00–185.00	1,088	18
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Fancy	—	517	197.00/cwt	197.00–197.00	1,018	7
Bulls	Medium and Large 1	—	663	152.50/cwt	152.50–152.50	1,011	4
Bulls	Medium and Large 1	—	383	215.00/cwt	215.00–215.00	823	5
Bulls	Medium and Large 1	—	944	125.00/cwt	125.00–125.00	1,180	7
Bulls	Medium and Large 1	—	1,068	111.00/cwt	111.00–111.00	1,185	6
Bulls	Medium and Large 1	—	461	207.47/cwt	202.50–210.00	956	9
Cows	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	—	1,351	77.00/cwt	77.00–77.00	1,040	5
Cows	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	—	1,580	88.67/cwt	87.00–89.00	1,401	6
Cows	Lean 85-90%	—	1,218	71.12/cwt	68.00–77.50	866	60
Cows	Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed	—	1,629	78.00/cwt	78.00–78.00	1,271	7
Bulls	—	—	2,155	112.00/cwt	112.00–112.00	2,414	1
Bulls	—	—	1,869	103.58/cwt	99.00–109.25	1,936	17
Cows	Lean 85-90%	—	1,259	78.56/cwt	76.50–81.00	989	14
Cows	Breaker 75-80%	—	1,728	77.36/cwt	74.00–79.00	1,337	5
Cows	Breaker 75-80%	—	1,498	82.00/cwt	82.00–82.00	1,228	6
Cows	Boner 80-85%	—	1,458	73.32/cwt	70.00–76.50	1,069	17
Cows	Lean 85-90%	—	1,038	62.67/cwt	62.00–64.00	651	9
Cows	Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed	—	1,875	86.00/cwt	86.00–86.00	1,613	1
Cows	Lean 85-90%Light Weight	—	960	69.00/cwt	69.00–69.00	662	2
Cows	Boner 80-85%	—	1,380	79.23/cwt	77.00–81.50	1,093	2
Cows	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	—	1,407	82.98/cwt	79.50–86.00	1,168	12
Cows	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	—	1,119	68.35/cwt	67.50–75.00	765	17
Bulls	—	—	1,549	91.36/cwt	90.00–95.00	1,415	9
Bulls	—Return to Feed	—	1,215	93.00/cwt	93.00–93.00	1,130	1
Stock Cows	Medium and Large 1-2	—	1,023	68.50/cwt	68.50–68.50	701	2
Bred Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	1,119	1,505.42/cwt	1,400.00–1,550.00	16,846	70
Bred Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	1,043	1,197.52/cwt	1,150.00–1,250.00	12,490	25
Bred Cows	Medium and Large 1-2	—	1,193	1,025.00/cwt	1,025.00–1,025.00	12,228	6
Bred Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	1,029	1,175.00/cwt	1,175.00–1,175.00	12,091	13
Stock Cows	Medium and Large 1-2	—	813	87.00/cwt	87.00–87.00	707	2
Stock Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	1,006	117.82/cwt	98.00–127.00	1,185	93
Bred Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	1,027	1,400.91/cwt	1,375.00–1,460.00	14,387	155
Bred Heifers	Medium 1	—	922	1,257.97/cwt	1,210.00–1,335.00	11,598	53
Bred Heifers	Medium 1Non-Legible BANGS	—	943	1,275.00/cwt	1,275.00–1,275.00	12,023	7
Stock Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	1,049	94.85/cwt	80.00–121.50	995	19
Stock Cows	Large 1	—	1,117	100.00/cwt	100.00–100.00	1,117	6
Bred Cows	Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed	—	1,240	960.00/cwt	960.00–960.00	11,904	25
Bred Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	1,290	1,444.02/cwt	1,200.00–1,525.00	18,628	120
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	827	145.95/cwt	144.50–148.50	1,207	94
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Replacement	—	661	173.76/cwt	170.00–175.00	1,149	138
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Replacement	—	711	174.00/cwt	174.00–174.00	1,237	55
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Replacement	—	818	157.00/cwt	157.00–157.00	1,284	17
Heifers	Medium 1	—	399	180.00/cwt	180.00–180.00	718	5
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	665	154.00/cwt	154.00–154.00	1,024	5
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	773	141.56/cwt	140.50–143.50	1,094	14
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Replacement	—	760	1,235.65/cwt	1,235.00–1,250.00	9,391	47
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Replacement	—	745	1,175.00/cwt	1,175.00–1,175.00	8,754	35
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	590	166.88/cwt	165.00–167.00	985	31
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	910	137.00/cwt	137.00–137.00	1,247	9
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	571	180.66/cwt	171.50–186.00	1,032	122
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Fleshy	—	923	131.00/cwt	131.00–131.00	1,209	27
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	617	168.72/cwt	166.50–172.50	1,041	320
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	779	151.82/cwt	149.00–158.00	1,183	114
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	705	148.01/cwt	147.00–149.00	1,043	12
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	397	193.00/cwt	193.00–193.00	766	9
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2Fleshy	—	846	132.00/cwt	132.00–132.00	1,117	39
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	679	166.66/cwt	165.00–169.00	1,132	68
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	477	177.97/cwt	175.00–180.00	849	27
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	422	185.96/cwt	184.00–190.00	785	13
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	632	162.68/cwt	157.00–164.00	1,028	16
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	979	135.69/cwt	135.00–136.00	1,328	19
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	865	145.00/cwt	145.00–145.00	1,254	10
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Fleshy	—	977	132.22/cwt	130.50–134.00	1,292	16
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2Fleshy	—	745	137.00/cwt	137.00–137.00	1,021	11
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	366	186.90/cwt	180.00–191.00	684	11
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Fleshy	—	890	138.26/cwt	134.00–140.50	1,231	32
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Fleshy	—	781	142.74/cwt	140.00–145.00	1,115	22
Bred Cows	Medium and Large 1Broken Mouth	—	1,496	79.50/cwt	79.50–79.50	1,189	4
Bred Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	1,407	1,265.95/cwt	1,175.00–1,400.00	17,812	88
Bred Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	1,332	1,350.00/cwt	1,350.00–1,350.00	17,982	7

How this sale compares

Montana weighted averages

One sale is one barn on one day. The state ladder is every Montana auction USDA reported that week, weighted by head — the fairer test of whether a lot sold well.

Montana feeder prices, every weight →Every state and region →