Sale reports / Montana / Public Auction Yards / 2020-09-09

Public Auction Yards

Feeder Cattle · Slaughter Cattle · Replacement Cattle · Billings, Montana · Wed, Sep 9
● Final30 lots reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1774
Feeder Cattle receipts
267 head
1,203 vs last sale 1,470 786 vs year ago 1,053 · 74.6%
Slaughter Cattle receipts
91 head
144 vs last sale 235 54 vs year ago 145 · 37.2%
Replacement Cattle receipts
129 head
17 vs last sale 112 53 vs year ago 182 · 29.1%
Also sold hereRegular saleFri Nov 7, 2025
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Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to last sale(8-26-20): Yearling steers and heifers were all too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however lower undertones were noticed on the steers and steady undertones were noticed on the heifers. Unweaned calves were not tested last sale so no comparisons can be made. Quality this week was average to attractive. Yearlings were offered in mostly small packages, while calves were offered in medium size packages. All feeders on offer were in light flesh. Demand was mostly moderate. Market activity this week was mostly moderate. Weigh up cows sold on mostly light demand for light offerings. Packer buyers continue to lower the price they are willing to give for slaughter cows. Slaughter cows sold mostly 1.00-3.00 lower in a narrow comparison. Feeding cows sold mostly 2.00-4.00 lower. Weight up conditions were average this week and significantly higher than last sale. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 3.00-7.00 lower. Cow quality this week was mostly average. Young age 2-3 year old cows suitable to re-breed sold as feeding cows, as re-breed demand remains light.

Weight class

Steers · summary 0–100 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot
0–100 lb steers averaged $158.79/cwt on 146 head.
Average price
$158.79
146 head · 561 lb average
Value per head Derived
$891
Price × average weight ÷ 100
Grade differential Derived
$109
per head · Medium and Large 1 over Large 1
$9.24/cwt at this weight
vs the market
+10.11
vs MT average

What quality paid 0–100 lb

Frame and muscle grade
Frame / muscleAvg wt$/cwt$/headHead
Medium and Large 1563159.24897139
Large 1525150.007887thin
One grade step is worth $9.24/cwt here — about $109 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 sale146 hd
158.79
MT average2 barns · 314 hd
148.69
+10.11
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 · $/cwt
Cull cows and bulls are graded, not weight-classed — grade is what moves the money here.
ClassGradeDressingAvg wt$/cwt$/headHead
BullsHigh1,79379.761,43136
CowsBreaker 75-80%Average1,57659.509385thin
CowsBoner 80-85%High1,44657.3782915
CowsLean 85-90%Low1,23655.3068319

Every lot, as filed

30 lots · USDA AMS · Public Auction Yards Livestock Cattle Auction - Billings, MT (Wed)
Nothing removed and nothing rounded — the same lots as the USDA report, with per-head values added.
ClassGrade / descriptionWeightAvg wtPriceRangePer headHead
HeifersMedium and Large 1Unweaned388154.00/cwt154.00–154.005989
HeifersMedium and Large 1934126.25/cwt126.00–126.501,1794
HeifersMedium and Large 1Unweaned431151.50/cwt151.50–151.5065338
SteersMedium and Large 1Unweaned451170.00/cwt170.00–170.0076735
SteersMedium and Large 1Unweaned524160.50/cwt160.50–160.5084161
SteersMedium and Large 1Unweaned353187.50/cwt187.50–187.506626
CowsBoner 80-85%1,49065.00/cwt65.00–65.009691
Bulls1,96586.24/cwt85.50–87.001,6954
CowsBoner 80-85%1,35956.30/cwt55.00–57.0076511
CowsLean 85-90%1,25955.60/cwt54.25–56.507007
Bulls1,73475.88/cwt73.50–77.501,31616
CowsLean 85-90%1,23046.24/cwt45.00–47.005694
Stock CowsMedium and Large 11,33863.07/cwt60.00–65.0084443
Bulls1,81082.03/cwt78.50–84.501,48516
CowsBoner 80-85%1,74858.75/cwt58.75–58.751,0273
CowsBreaker 75-80%1,57659.50/cwt59.50–59.509385
CowsLean 85-90%1,22458.94/cwt57.50–62.007217
CowsLean 85-90%1,18064.00/cwt64.00–64.007551
HeifersMedium and Large 1813133.00/cwt133.00–133.001,0813
SteersMedium and Large 1Unweaned403168.00/cwt168.00–168.006776
SteersMedium and Large 1774140.00/cwt140.00–140.001,0849
HeifersMedium and Large 1Full881127.00/cwt127.00–127.001,1197
Stock CowsMedium and Large 11,23858.26/cwt55.50–60.5072126
Stock CowsMedium and Large 11,40661.06/cwt57.00–65.0085955
HeifersLarge 11,064121.95/cwt121.50–122.001,29811
SteersLarge 1Unweaned525150.00/cwt150.00–150.007887
HeifersMedium and Large 1968126.00/cwt126.00–126.001,2202
SteersMedium and Large 1842139.36/cwt139.00–139.501,1737
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2831125.82/cwt125.00–127.001,0465
SteersMedium and Large 1875135.00/cwt135.00–135.001,18115

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.