Name: Miles City Livestock Commission livestock auction prices — 2024-11-12
Creator: RaisedBeef
Published: 2024-11-12

Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to last week: Steer calves under 500 lbs sold mostly 10.00-20.00 higher on a much higher quality offering. 500-649 lbs steers sold mostly 5.00-10.00 higher, steers over 650 lbs were not well compared. Heifers under 400 lbs were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to higher undertones were noticed; heifers 400-549 lbs sold mostly 10.00-15.00 higher; heifers over 550 lbs were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, steady to firm undertones were noticed. Yearling offerings were not well compared. Calf quality was significantly higher this week compared to last week. More load lots and larger packages were seen this week as well, which also helped improve demand. A single load lot of yearling steers sold this week and sold on very good demand. Quality overall this sale was average to very attractive. Market activity was mostly active today with a larger buyer pool noticed. Weigh up cows sold on mixed demand for heavy offerings. Demand for slaughter cows was light while feeding cows sold on mostly moderate to good demand. Slaughter cows sold generally steady to weak in a very narrow comparison on all classes. Feeding cow demand was moderate to good with multiple private ranchers and order buyers, buying cows to feed. Feeding cows started out the day lower, however additional buyers entered the market late in the day and feeding cows increased sharply in value. This led to very wide price spreads, especially on lean cows. Private buyers continue to buy slightly lame or slightly blemished cows to but away on feed. Packer buyers were also active and buying slightly lame or blemished cows to put away to feed for the upcoming holidays. Most of these cows were normally go to slaughter. Feeding cows sold unevenly steady. Cow quality this week was mixed from plain to attractive. Slaughter bulls sold mostly steady to 2.00 lower in a narrow comparison. Weigh up conditions were mostly average this week. Young cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold mostly 5.00 higher on a higher quality offering. Young cow prices fell off late in the sale as buyers filled loads. Demand was moderate to good for heavy offerings. Quality was mostly average to attractive today and more attractive than last week.

Weight class

Steers · summary 500–600 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot

500–600 lb steers averaged $316.93/cwt on 748 head. That ranks 1 of 13 comparable sales and sits −169.30 against this barn's trailing median of $486.23.

Average price

$316.93

748 head · 546 lb average

Value per head Derived

$1,731

Price × average weight ÷ 100

Grade differential Derived

$101

per head · Medium and Large 1 over Large 1

$34.41/cwt at this weight

vs the market

+9.09

vs MT average

+11.49 vs national

What quality paid 500–600 lb

Frame and muscle grade

Frame / muscle	Avg wt	$/cwt	$/head	Head
Medium and Large 1	546	317.41	1,734	729
Medium and Large 1-2	532	301.78	1,605	16thin
Large 1	577	283.00	1,633	3thin

One grade step is worth $34.41/cwt here — about $101 a head. Across this sale the premium is widest at 500–600 lb. USDA reports each grade on its own line and never publishes the spread.

This barn's trailing prices 500–600 lb

13 sales

Steers 500–600 lb: high $512.23, low $440.01, median $486.23 across 13 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 sale748 hd

316.93

—

MT average5 barns · 2,038 hd

307.84

+9.09

National average190 barns · 31,255 hd

305.44

+11.49

This barn, trailing median13 sales

486.23

−169.30

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	—	Average	1,739	140.94	2,451	24
Cows	Breaker 75-80%	Average	1,602	116.07	1,859	30
Cows	Boner 80-85%	High	1,361	115.97	1,578	172
Cows	Lean 85-90%	Low	1,178	109.22	1,286	374

Every lot, as filed

96 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	Large 1Unweaned	550–600	577	283.00/cwt	283.00–283.00	1,633	3
Heifers	Large 1Unweaned	700–750	718	235.00/cwt	235.00–235.00	1,687	2
Heifers	Large 1Unweaned	550–600	560	246.00/cwt	246.00–246.00	1,378	2
Cows	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	—	1,174	106.13/cwt	96.00–117.00	1,246	188
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	900–950	935	225.64/cwt	225.00–226.00	2,110	11
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	350–400	394	339.02/cwt	335.00–343.00	1,336	10
Bulls	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	550–600	563	272.50/cwt	272.50–272.50	1,534	5
Bulls	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	450–500	473	326.00/cwt	326.00–326.00	1,542	4
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	600–650	616	287.83/cwt	272.00–294.00	1,773	158
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	500–550	519	329.02/cwt	311.00–346.00	1,708	217
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	400–450	412	372.20/cwt	355.00–379.00	1,533	190
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	550–600	560	311.54/cwt	288.00–315.75	1,745	485
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	450–500	471	348.14/cwt	328.00–354.00	1,640	356
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	500–550	522	294.51/cwt	271.00–306.00	1,537	230
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	250–300	278	476.23/cwt	455.00–485.00	1,324	18
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	700–750	714	254.64/cwt	250.00–256.00	1,818	16
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	400–450	430	326.54/cwt	316.00–333.00	1,404	171
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	300–350	328	382.20/cwt	370.00–390.00	1,254	74
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	350–400	378	341.00/cwt	334.00–360.00	1,289	57
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	350–400	379	402.79/cwt	382.50–434.00	1,527	100
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	300–350	322	440.33/cwt	430.00–457.50	1,418	55
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	650–700	650	241.00/cwt	241.00–241.00	1,567	8
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	250–300	292	406.65/cwt	398.00–412.50	1,187	34
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	650–700	667	231.00/cwt	231.00–231.00	1,541	3
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	450–500	461	315.65/cwt	302.50–328.00	1,455	180
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	600–650	617	256.06/cwt	245.00–261.50	1,580	51
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	550–600	569	264.77/cwt	250.00–278.00	1,507	29
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	200–250	235	460.00/cwt	460.00–460.00	1,081	6
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	750–800	798	237.00/cwt	237.00–237.00	1,891	2
Stock Cows	Medium and Large 1-2	—	919	138.09/cwt	132.50–146.00	1,269	11
Stock Cows	Medium and Large 1-2	—	913	172.47/cwt	157.50–182.50	1,575	11
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	300–350	322	375.34/cwt	350.00–390.00	1,209	21
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	450–500	496	289.57/cwt	283.00–292.00	1,436	11
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	500–550	501	292.00/cwt	292.00–292.00	1,463	5
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	600–650	637	267.33/cwt	266.00–268.00	1,703	9
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	350–400	391	367.00/cwt	367.00–367.00	1,435	5
Bulls	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	550–600	558	265.00/cwt	265.00–265.00	1,479	5
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	300–350	340	385.00/cwt	385.00–385.00	1,309	2
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	450–500	465	324.13/cwt	318.00–330.00	1,507	23
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2	400–450	441	347.05/cwt	340.00–353.00	1,530	13
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	500–550	524	304.60/cwt	296.50–315.00	1,596	14
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	350–400	386	328.14/cwt	323.00–332.50	1,267	96
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	400–450	420	311.57/cwt	303.00–312.50	1,309	27
Heifers	Medium and Large 1-2	900–950	920	223.00/cwt	223.00–223.00	2,052	1
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	250–300	255	470.00/cwt	470.00–470.00	1,199	5
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	450–500	490	297.50/cwt	297.50–297.50	1,458	3
Bulls	—	—	2,085	148.00/cwt	148.00–148.00	3,086	2
Bulls	—Return to Feed	—	1,905	146.00/cwt	146.00–146.00	2,781	1
Bulls	—Return to Feed	—	1,561	132.00/cwt	116.00–142.00	2,061	10
Bulls	—	—	1,734	139.72/cwt	131.00–143.00	2,423	4
Bulls	—	—	1,773	155.45/cwt	154.00–156.00	2,756	4
Bulls	—	—	2,007	146.66/cwt	144.00–150.00	2,943	3
Cows	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	—	1,545	124.00/cwt	124.00–124.00	1,916	1
Cows	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	—	1,350	117.53/cwt	111.00–124.00	1,587	147
Cows	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	—	1,310	92.00/cwt	92.00–92.00	1,205	1
Cows	Lean 85-90%	—	1,119	77.62/cwt	70.00–87.50	869	16
Cows	Lean 85-90%	—	1,184	97.67/cwt	92.00–101.00	1,156	14
Cows	Lean 85-90%Light Weight	—	928	76.31/cwt	75.00–77.50	708	2
Cows	Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed	—	1,618	119.81/cwt	116.50–124.50	1,939	10
Cows	Boner 80-85%	—	1,568	109.60/cwt	102.00–115.00	1,719	4
Cows	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	—	1,391	106.08/cwt	100.00–112.00	1,476	19
Cows	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	—	1,173	125.30/cwt	124.00–130.00	1,470	26
Cows	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	—	1,200	116.80/cwt	110.00–123.00	1,402	125
Cows	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	—	987	91.90/cwt	90.00–93.00	907	3
Cows	Breaker 75-80%	—	1,740	116.00/cwt	116.00–116.00	2,018	3
Cows	Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed	—	1,568	113.88/cwt	113.00–114.00	1,786	17
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	300–350	335	417.71/cwt	415.00–425.00	1,399	10
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	550–600	588	282.00/cwt	282.00–282.00	1,658	2
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	400–450	437	341.83/cwt	335.00–347.50	1,494	41
Stock Cows	Medium 1	—	693	187.50/cwt	187.50–187.50	1,299	2
Heifers	Medium 1	650–700	693	250.50/cwt	250.50–250.50	1,736	8
Heifers	Medium 1Unweaned	350–400	392	292.50/cwt	292.50–292.50	1,147	9
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	400–450	420	331.87/cwt	327.00–337.00	1,394	12
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	650–700	662	269.85/cwt	261.00–271.00	1,786	27
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	450–500	467	314.02/cwt	313.00–316.00	1,466	26
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	800–850	817	235.68/cwt	235.00–238.00	1,926	28
Bulls	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	400–450	427	360.00/cwt	360.00–360.00	1,537	5
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	700–750	740	242.50/cwt	242.50–242.50	1,795	7
Steers	Medium and Large 1	450–500	471	343.41/cwt	343.00–345.00	1,617	24
Bulls	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	650–700	672	236.08/cwt	234.00–240.00	1,586	28
Steers	Medium and Large 1	900–950	927	245.00/cwt	245.00–245.00	2,271	63
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	500–550	529	294.00/cwt	294.00–294.00	1,555	4
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	850–900	895	235.50/cwt	235.50–235.50	2,108	5
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	950–1000	990	225.00/cwt	225.00–225.00	2,228	2
Bulls	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	500–550	538	276.00/cwt	276.00–276.00	1,485	6
Stock Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	885	204.72/cwt	170.00–224.50	1,812	190
Stock Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	1,000	155.41/cwt	127.00–192.50	1,554	85
Stock Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	1,096	130.95/cwt	126.50–135.00	1,435	9
Steers	Medium and Large 1	400–450	410	390.00/cwt	390.00–390.00	1,599	7
Steers	Medium and Large 1	800–850	804	251.00/cwt	251.00–251.00	2,018	7
Heifers	Medium and Large 2Unweaned	300–350	319	310.00/cwt	310.00–310.00	989	6
Heifers	Medium and Large 2Unweaned	350–400	393	303.00/cwt	303.00–303.00	1,191	6
Heifers	Medium and Large 2Unweaned	250–300	267	330.00/cwt	330.00–330.00	881	9
Steers	Medium and Large 1	500–550	517	329.42/cwt	316.00–332.00	1,703	27
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Fancy	500–550	516	315.50/cwt	315.50–315.50	1,628	15
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Fancy	450–500	471	330.00/cwt	330.00–330.00	1,554	49

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 →