Name: Miles City Livestock Commission livestock auction prices — 2020-02-25
Creator: RaisedBeef
Published: 2020-02-25

Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to last sale: Steer calves 600-649 lbs sold mostly steady to firm, all other weights of steers were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to firm undertones were noticed. Feeder heifers 500-649 lbs sold generally steady this week. All other classes of heifers were too lightly tested either this week or last to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on heifers weighing less than 500 lbs and lower undertones were noticed on heifers over 650 lbs. Quality this week was average to attractive. Demand was mostly mixed for light offerings. Demand for grass cattle remains mostly good while demand for heavy weight cattle was mostly light this week. CME positions were sharply lower again today as commodity markets grapple the affects of COVID-19. Market activity was mostly moderate this week. Weigh up cows sold on mostly moderate demand for light to moderate offerings. Slaughter cows sold generally steady to weak. The majority of the cow offering was destined for immediate harvest this week. However, a limited portion of the offering was purchased to feed this week. No comparisons can be made as no cows were purchased to feed last week. Slaughter bulls were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to weak undertones were noticed. Young age cows suitable to feed or re-breed were not well compared.

Weight class

Heifers · summary 0–100 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot

0–100 lb heifers averaged $156.90/cwt on 250 head.

Average price

$156.90

250 head · 564 lb average

Value per head Derived

$885

Price × average weight ÷ 100

Grade differential Derived

−$162

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

$6.13/cwt at this weight

vs the market

+7.20

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	446	162.90	727	5thin
Medium and Large 1	567	156.77	888	245

One grade step is worth $6.13/cwt here — about −$162 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 sale250 hd

156.90

—

MT average3 barns · 2,674 hd

149.70

+7.20

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	1,591	74.34	1,183	25
Cows	Boner 80-85%	Low	1,484	58.12	863	8thin
Cows	Breaker 75-80%	Low	1,560	54.00	842	1thin
Cows	Lean 85-90%	Low	1,170	53.11	621	91

Every lot, as filed

38 lots · USDA AMS · Miles City Livestock Commission Auction - Miles City, MT

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 1Unweaned	—	687	140.50/cwt	140.50–140.50	965	11
Cows	Lean 85-90%Light Weight	—	978	45.00/cwt	45.00–45.00	440	2
Bulls	—Light Weight	—	1,105	61.50/cwt	61.50–61.50	680	1
Bred Cows	Medium and Large 1-2Broken Mouth	—	1,261	898.03/cwt	885.00–935.00	11,324	34
Bred Cows	Medium and Large 1-2Broken Mouth	—	1,257	56.00/cwt	56.00–56.00	704	9
Bred Cows	Medium and Large 1Broken Mouth	—	1,366	969.27/cwt	950.00–985.00	13,240	7
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	654	134.40/cwt	132.00–135.00	879	5
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	399	182.50/cwt	182.50–182.50	728	4
Cows	Boner 80-85%	—	1,503	53.70/cwt	51.50–55.50	807	2
Cows	Lean 85-90%	—	1,185	55.77/cwt	55.00–57.00	661	49
Cows	Lean 85-90%	—	1,163	50.38/cwt	45.00–54.25	586	37
Cows	Lean 85-90%	—	1,058	41.50/cwt	41.50–41.50	439	2
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	582	155.73/cwt	154.00–156.25	906	63
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	529	161.68/cwt	156.00–166.00	855	61
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	618	149.29/cwt	134.00–154.00	923	57
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	442	176.18/cwt	174.00–177.00	779	22
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	466	173.61/cwt	172.00–178.00	809	18
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	779	121.58/cwt	121.00–124.00	947	15
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	437	187.17/cwt	185.00–187.50	818	24
Steers	Medium and Large 1	—	617	161.76/cwt	153.50–163.00	998	58
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	480	183.50/cwt	183.50–183.50	881	7
Steers	Medium 1	—	531	171.00/cwt	171.00–171.00	908	17
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	380	173.50/cwt	173.50–173.50	659	3
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	—	545	147.00/cwt	147.00–147.00	801	2
Stock Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	1,327	63.95/cwt	61.00–65.00	849	4
Stock Cows	Medium and Large 1-2	—	775	92.00/cwt	92.00–92.00	713	1
Stock Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	1,166	73.89/cwt	63.75–92.00	862	63
Steers	Medium and Large 1	—	521	183.99/cwt	183.25–186.00	959	31
Steers	Medium and Large 1	—	462	188.47/cwt	188.00–189.00	871	17
Steers	Medium and Large 1	—	572	166.61/cwt	166.00–168.50	953	12
Stock Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	872	110.19/cwt	106.50–112.00	961	19
Cows	Lean 85-90%	—	1,265	63.50/cwt	63.50–63.50	803	1
Cows	Breaker 75-80%	—	1,560	54.00/cwt	54.00–54.00	842	1
Cows	Boner 80-85%	—	1,478	59.59/cwt	58.50–60.50	881	6
Bulls	—	—	1,613	72.35/cwt	68.50–74.50	1,167	12
Bulls	—	—	1,572	76.75/cwt	76.00–80.00	1,207	11
Bulls	—	—	2,020	84.50/cwt	84.50–84.50	1,707	1
Steers	Medium and Large 1Fleshy	—	625	144.00/cwt	144.00–144.00	900	3

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 →