Sale reports / Montana / Public Auction Yards / 2021-02-17

Public Auction Yards

Feeder Cattle · Slaughter Cattle · Replacement Cattle · Billings, Montana · Wed, Feb 17
● Final27 lots reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1774
Feeder Cattle receipts
174 head
48 vs last sale 222 98 vs year ago 272 · 36.0%
Slaughter Cattle receipts
299 head
10 vs last sale 309 24 vs year ago 275 · +8.7%
Replacement Cattle receipts
45 head
78 vs last sale 123 219 vs year ago 264 · 83.0%
Also sold hereRegular saleFri Nov 7, 2025
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Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to two weeks ago: No sale was held last week due to extreme cold and very light offerings. Feeder cattle were too lightly tested both this week and two weeks ago to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to higher undertones were noticed. Demand was mostly moderate for light offerings. Quality was mostly plain to average. Despite light feeder cattle supplies buyers were quick to bid on offerings. Market activity was mostly moderate to active. Weigh up cows sold on mostly good to very good demand for light offerings. Slaughter cows sold mostly 3.00-6.00 higher in a narrow comparison on all classes. Packers continue to need cows for immediate harvest as extreme cold and snowy conditions have lightened available supplies. Feeding buyers showed some desire to buy cows to feed. Most of these offerings were really high quality and young age. Feeding cows sold mostly 5.00 higher. Slaughter bulls were very lightly tested today and were mostly lower quality and low dressing. Steady to firm undertones were noticed. Young age cows sold with higher undertones this week. Most young cows on offer freshly lost calves.

Weight class

Heifers · summary 0–100 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot
0–100 lb heifers averaged $149.56/cwt on 102 head.
Average price
$149.56
102 head · 549 lb average
Value per head Derived
$820
Price × average weight ÷ 100
Grade differential Derived
single grade reported
vs the market
+4.82
vs MT average

What quality paid 0–100 lb

Frame and muscle grade
Frame / muscleAvg wt$/cwt$/headHead
Medium and Large 1549149.56820102
Only one grade was reported at this weight, so there is no spread to compute.

How it compared 0–100 lb

Same class and week · spot auction only
This sale102 hd
149.56
MT average3 barns · 502 hd
144.74
+4.82
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
BullsLow1,71678.541,3489thin
CowsBoner 80-85%Low1,38563.65881135
CowsBreaker 75-80%Average1,58663.581,00967
CowsLean 85-90%Low1,13958.2366369

Every lot, as filed

27 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
Stock CowsMedium and Large 11,16770.12/cwt61.00–91.0081841
Stock CowsMedium and Large 11,00899.50/cwt99.50–99.501,0032
SteersMedium 1497179.00/cwt179.00–179.008908
CowsLean 85-90%Return to Feed1,12957.14/cwt56.00–61.0064525
CowsLean 85-90%Light Weight87039.69/cwt35.50–46.003453
CowsBreaker 75-80%1,61365.51/cwt64.50–68.501,05746
SteersMedium and Large 1532179.00/cwt179.00–179.009523
HeifersMedium and Large 1710126.75/cwt126.00–127.009008
SteersMedium and Large 1-2387177.50/cwt177.50–177.506873
CowsLean 85-90%1,14557.06/cwt52.00–61.5065326
CowsLean 85-90%1,19765.80/cwt62.00–68.7578815
CowsBreaker 75-80%1,52959.17/cwt58.00–61.5090520
HeifersMedium and Large 1516158.12/cwt152.00–160.0081655
SteersMedium and Large 1717142.00/cwt140.50–142.501,0188
SteersMedium and Large 1610160.00/cwt160.00–160.009764
CowsBoner 80-85%1,34260.05/cwt57.00–62.0080636
CowsBoner 80-85%1,62069.50/cwt69.50–69.501,1261
CowsBoner 80-85%Return to Feed1,42365.70/cwt64.00–68.2593535
SteersMedium and Large 1585160.00/cwt160.00–160.0093613
HeifersMedium and Large 1593136.28/cwt135.50–138.5080831
HeifersMedium and Large 1439165.00/cwt165.00–165.007248
CowsBoner 80-85%1,38764.55/cwt63.00–69.5089562
BullsReturn to Feed1,14574.00/cwt74.00–74.008471
CowsBoner 80-85%Return to Feed1,18060.00/cwt60.00–60.007081
Bulls1,88585.78/cwt85.00–86.501,6172
CowsBreaker 75-80%Return to Feed1,51563.00/cwt63.00–63.009541
Bulls1,75576.88/cwt74.00–81.501,3496

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.