Name: Billings Livestock Commission livestock auction prices — 2025-05-01
Creator: RaisedBeef
Published: 2025-05-01

Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to last reported sale (4-10-25): Feeder steer and heifer calves were all too lightly tested last reported sale to develop any accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on all offerings. Demand was mostly good to very good for light to moderate offerings. Quality this week was mixed with lots of variation noticed. Front end high quality feeder cattle of both sexes sold on very good demand, while demand for average quality cattle was moderate to good. Many feeder cattle were out of backgrounding lots this sale, however flesh conditions were mostly light as many cattle were developed specifically for grass. Cattle were offered in mostly moderate size packages or larger. Serval load lots and partial load lots were noticed as well. Cattle too big to go to grass sold on very good as packer and private feeders both showed need to fill pen space. Demand for steers was stronger than demand for heifers this week as steer quality was overall better than heifer quality. A few consignments of replacement heifers were seen today, however most offerings were purchased to feed. A moderate sized crowd was on hand for todays sale. Market activity was very active with good participation noticed both ringside and on the internet. Weigh up cows sold on moderate to good demand for light offerings. Slaughter cows sold on mostly moderate demand for light offerings. Very few cows were purchased for immediate harvest as feeding demand was stronger than slaughter demand. Slaughter cattle were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Feeding cows sold steady to 3.00 higher than the last reported sale on April 10th. Cow quality today was mostly plain to average. Weigh up conditions were mostly below average with many full offerings noticed. Slaughter bulls sold on mostly good demand for light offerings. Slaughter bulls were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold on mostly good demand. Most offerings sold 5.00-10.00 higher than last reported sale in a narrow comparison. Quality this week was mostly average.

Weight class

Heifers · summary 500–600 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot

500–600 lb heifers averaged $342.09/cwt on 357 head. That ranks 3 of 21 comparable sales and sits −91.77 against this barn's trailing median of $433.86.

Average price

$342.09

357 head · 542 lb average

Value per head Derived

$1,853

Price × average weight ÷ 100

Grade differential Derived

$231

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

$45.04/cwt at this weight

vs the market

+0.70

vs MT average

+12.75 vs national

What quality paid 500–600 lb

Frame and muscle grade

Frame / muscle	Avg wt	$/cwt	$/head	Head
Medium and Large 1	543	351.11	1,908	226
Medium and Large 1-2	534	334.90	1,790	93
Medium and Large 2	548	306.07	1,677	38

One grade step is worth $45.04/cwt here — about $231 a head. Across this sale the premium is widest at 700–800 lb. USDA reports each grade on its own line and never publishes the spread.

This barn's trailing prices 500–600 lb

21 sales

Heifers 500–600 lb: high $469.35, low $332.50, median $433.86 across 21 sales. Sales under 10 head in this class are excluded, so a thin day cannot swing the median or the ranking.

How it compared 500–600 lb

Same class and week · spot auction only

This sale357 hd

342.09

—

MT average3 barns · 405 hd

341.39

+0.70

National average176 barns · 11,721 hd

329.34

+12.75

This barn, trailing median21 sales

433.86

−91.77

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	—	Low	1,571	176.45	2,772	10
Cows	Boner 80-85%	High	1,440	153.55	2,212	33
Cows	Lean 85-90%	High	1,151	149.10	1,716	44
Cows	Breaker 75-80%	High	1,682	143.62	2,415	19

Replacement cattle Per head

By class, stage and age

Bred stock and pairs are reported per head, not per hundredweight — these prices are never mixed with the $/cwt figures above.

Class	Stage	Age	Avg wt	$/head	Head
Bred Cows	3rd Stage (7-9 mo)	Young (2-4 yrs)	1,210	$3,150	2thin
Bred Cows	3rd Stage (7-9 mo)	Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)	1,486	$2,831	5
Bred Cows	2nd Stage (4-6 mo)	Young (2-4 yrs)	1,022	$2,500	3thin

Every lot, as filed

96 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
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Replacement	850–900	870	269.00/cwt	269.00–269.00	2,340	30
Steers	Medium and Large 1	550–600	577	394.72/cwt	376.00–404.50	2,278	120
Steers	Medium and Large 1	700–750	725	329.39/cwt	328.00–335.00	2,388	10
Steers	Medium and Large 1	600–650	611	370.84/cwt	350.00–378.00	2,266	152
Steers	Medium and Large 1	750–800	777	302.07/cwt	299.00–304.50	2,347	64
Steers	Medium and Large 1	650–700	681	340.84/cwt	332.00–344.00	2,321	139
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Replacement	800–850	817	285.48/cwt	284.00–286.00	2,332	23
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	300–350	325	461.89/cwt	460.00–465.00	1,501	5
Steers	Medium and Large 1	850–900	884	284.00/cwt	281.00–300.00	2,511	61
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	450–500	483	409.65/cwt	395.00–425.00	1,979	14
Bulls	Medium and Large 1-2	800–850	847	230.00/cwt	230.00–230.00	1,948	6
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	500–550	529	335.78/cwt	330.00–342.00	1,776	84
Bulls	Medium and Large 1-2	500–550	540	335.00/cwt	335.00–335.00	1,809	2
Bulls	Medium and Large 1-2	1000–1050	1,037	227.50/cwt	227.50–227.50	2,359	7
Steers	Medium and Large 1	500–550	505	422.59/cwt	418.50–438.00	2,134	38
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	450–500	470	350.21/cwt	350.00–351.00	1,646	40
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	600–650	641	305.31/cwt	297.00–310.00	1,957	45
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	400–450	417	367.29/cwt	367.00–367.50	1,532	19
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	700–750	746	308.00/cwt	308.00–308.00	2,298	6
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	400–450	433	442.90/cwt	431.00–450.00	1,918	23
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	750–800	766	276.62/cwt	266.00–280.00	2,119	25
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	800–850	834	253.00/cwt	253.00–253.00	2,110	7
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	550–600	579	371.82/cwt	370.00–375.00	2,153	15
Bulls	Medium and Large 1-2	600–650	643	325.00/cwt	325.00–325.00	2,090	5
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	500–550	514	356.46/cwt	352.00–361.00	1,832	100
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	800–850	824	272.12/cwt	267.00–278.00	2,242	50
Steers	Medium and Large 1	800–850	841	297.92/cwt	297.75–306.00	2,506	195
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	750–800	764	291.33/cwt	285.00–292.00	2,226	52
Bulls	Medium and Large 1	850–900	890	265.00/cwt	265.00–265.00	2,359	17
Steers	Medium and Large 1	900–950	936	271.00/cwt	271.00–271.00	2,537	4
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	850–900	878	266.00/cwt	266.00–266.00	2,335	3
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	700–750	719	297.10/cwt	292.50–303.50	2,136	169
Steers	Medium and Large 1	450–500	480	436.56/cwt	435.00–437.50	2,095	95
Bulls	Medium and Large 1	900–950	915	249.00/cwt	249.00–249.00	2,278	1
Steers	Medium and Large 1Fleshy	550–600	559	355.00/cwt	355.00–355.00	1,984	4
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	550–600	564	350.37/cwt	340.00–355.00	1,976	114
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	650–700	662	308.04/cwt	303.00–319.00	2,039	72
Bulls	Medium and Large 1	800–850	807	272.00/cwt	272.00–272.00	2,195	16
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	600–650	630	326.77/cwt	314.00–336.50	2,059	46
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Fleshy	550–600	593	313.63/cwt	300.00–327.50	1,860	12
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Fleshy	700–750	728	273.58/cwt	273.00–280.00	1,992	24
Bred Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	1,210	3,150.00/head	3,150.00–3,150.00	3,150	2
Cows	Breaker 75-80%	—	1,610	163.00/cwt	163.00–163.00	2,624	1
Cows	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	—	1,295	164.00/cwt	164.00–164.00	2,124	1
Cows	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	—	1,052	160.00/cwt	160.00–160.00	1,683	3
Cows	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	—	1,172	152.13/cwt	149.00–160.00	1,783	10
Cows	Lean 85-90%	—	1,248	129.38/cwt	122.00–145.00	1,615	4
Cows	Lean 85-90%	—	1,146	158.63/cwt	157.00–159.00	1,818	12
Cows	Boner 80-85%	—	1,598	134.58/cwt	132.00–137.50	2,151	2
Cows	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	—	1,134	142.00/cwt	134.00–148.00	1,610	14
Bulls	—Return to Feed	—	1,455	162.50/cwt	162.50–162.50	2,364	1
Bulls	—Return to Feed	—	1,338	181.78/cwt	181.00–183.00	2,432	5
Cows	Lean 85-90%	—	1,140	150.00/cwt	150.00–150.00	1,710	1
Bulls	—	—	2,005	186.00/cwt	186.00–186.00	3,729	1
Steers	Large 1Fleshy	1100–1150	1,104	237.00/cwt	237.00–237.00	2,616	10
Cows	Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed	—	1,723	139.00/cwt	139.00–139.00	2,395	6
Cows	Breaker 75-80%	—	1,667	144.32/cwt	133.00–149.00	2,406	12
Bulls	—	—	1,853	169.03/cwt	167.00–170.00	3,132	3
Cows	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	—	1,430	141.07/cwt	135.00–148.00	2,017	7
Cows	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	—	1,436	158.54/cwt	150.00–162.00	2,277	23
Steers	Large 1	550–600	585	334.58/cwt	326.00–352.50	1,957	9
Steers	Large 1	700–750	722	296.00/cwt	296.00–296.00	2,137	3
Heifers	Large 1	450–500	470	355.00/cwt	355.00–355.00	1,669	3
Heifers	Large 1	700–750	742	282.00/cwt	282.00–282.00	2,092	17
Bulls	Large 1	1150–1200	1,175	217.50/cwt	217.50–217.50	2,556	1
Bulls	Large 1	1050–1100	1,052	239.00/cwt	239.00–239.00	2,514	2
Heifers	Medium 1-2	300–350	348	330.00/cwt	330.00–330.00	1,148	8
Heifers	Medium 1-2	450–500	476	312.50/cwt	312.50–312.50	1,488	20
Heifers	Medium 1	850–900	853	258.00/cwt	258.00–258.00	2,201	2
Bulls	Large 1-2	1150–1200	1,162	205.00/cwt	205.00–205.00	2,382	3
Steers	Large 1	850–900	875	274.00/cwt	274.00–274.00	2,398	1
Bulls	Large 1	1200–1250	1,205	209.00/cwt	209.00–209.00	2,518	10
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	650–700	650	310.00/cwt	310.00–310.00	2,015	1
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	350–400	391	460.60/cwt	459.00–467.00	1,801	29
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	650–700	664	296.00/cwt	296.00–296.00	1,965	4
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	550–600	585	326.64/cwt	324.00–332.00	1,911	9
Heifers	Medium and Large 2Fleshy	700–750	713	222.50/cwt	222.50–222.50	1,586	5
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	700–750	737	278.00/cwt	278.00–278.00	2,049	3
Steers	Medium and Large 2	650–700	653	265.00/cwt	265.00–265.00	1,730	6
Steers	Medium and Large 2	300–350	313	430.00/cwt	430.00–430.00	1,346	3
Heifers	Medium and Large 2	450–500	485	297.98/cwt	290.00–315.00	1,445	12
Steers	Medium and Large 2	500–550	535	355.00/cwt	355.00–355.00	1,899	3
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	500–550	516	390.06/cwt	370.00–407.50	2,013	19
Heifers	Medium and Large 2	400–450	440	340.00/cwt	340.00–340.00	1,496	4
Stock Cows	Medium and Large 1-2	—	949	192.72/cwt	160.00–212.50	1,829	15
Bred Cows	Medium and Large 1-2	—	1,486	2,831.29/head	2,800.00–2,850.00	2,831	5
Heifers	Medium and Large 2	700–750	726	258.00/cwt	258.00–258.00	1,873	9
Heifers	Medium and Large 2	600–650	609	283.68/cwt	282.50–284.00	1,728	15
Heifers	Medium and Large 2	500–550	544	305.39/cwt	280.00–315.00	1,661	35
Heifers	Medium and Large 2	550–600	593	314.00/cwt	314.00–314.00	1,862	3
Steers	Medium 2	500–550	521	312.50/cwt	312.50–312.50	1,628	6
Steers	Medium 2	600–650	626	290.00/cwt	290.00–290.00	1,815	8
Bred Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	1,022	2,500.00/head	2,500.00–2,500.00	2,500	3
Stock Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	1,136	196.41/cwt	173.00–242.00	2,231	17
Stock Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	1,005	239.24/cwt	200.00–264.00	2,404	11
Stock Cows	Medium and Large 1-2	—	927	220.65/cwt	217.50–233.00	2,045	5

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 →