Name: Public Auction Yards livestock auction prices — 2019-10-11
Creator: RaisedBeef
Published: 2019-10-11

Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to last week: Yearling steers were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Yearling heifers sold mostly 5.00-7.00 higher in a narrow comparison. Steer calves under 550 lbs sold 5.00-10.00 lower. Steer calves over 550 lbs sold steady to 4.00 higher. Heifer calves under 500 lbs sold 7.00-10.00 lower. Heifers over 500 lbs sold steady to 2.00 lower. Demand was mostly moderate to good for all yearlings; calves sold on mostly light to moderate demand. Offerings were light today. Record cold temperatures were seen over the last couple days and receipts this sale were light as a result. Buyers were reluctant to start loads of calves as they were concerned with getting enough of any particular weight for a full load. Market activity was mostly moderate to active today. Weigh up cows sold on good to very good demand as packers showed strong demand for cows to send to immediate harvest. Slaughter cows sold mostly 2.00 higher than last Friday in a narrow comparison. Slaughter bulls were too lightly tested last week, however higher undertones were noticed.

Weight class

Steers · summary 0–100 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot

0–100 lb steers averaged $153.37/cwt on 331 head.

Average price

$153.37

331 head · 557 lb average

Value per head Derived

$854

Price × average weight ÷ 100

Grade differential Derived

$371

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

$36.50/cwt at this weight

vs the market

+5.61

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	514	156.50	804	37
Medium and Large 1	569	154.14	877	284
Medium 1-2	361	120.00	433	10thin

One grade step is worth $36.50/cwt here — about $371 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 sale331 hd

153.37

—

MT average5 barns · 2,036 hd

147.76

+5.61

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	1,723	79.47	1,369	15
Cows	Boner 80-85%	Average	1,473	65.91	971	21
Cows	Lean 85-90%	Low	1,332	61.35	817	21

Every lot, as filed

39 lots · USDA AMS · Public Auction Yards Livestock Cattle Auction - Billings, MT (Fri)

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 1	—	784	137.00/cwt	137.00–137.00	1,074	6
Cows	Lean 85-90%	—	1,269	60.06/cwt	50.00–62.00	762	13
Cows	Lean 85-90%	—	1,465	66.21/cwt	65.50–67.00	970	7
Cows	Lean 85-90%	—	1,210	44.00/cwt	44.00–44.00	532	1
Cows	Boner 80-85%	—	1,496	67.07/cwt	66.00–68.50	1,003	11
Cows	Boner 80-85%	—	1,441	63.66/cwt	57.00–64.50	917	9
Cows	Boner 80-85%	—	1,510	73.50/cwt	73.50–73.50	1,110	1
Bulls	—	—	1,619	75.77/cwt	71.00–77.50	1,227	10
Bulls	—	—	1,931	86.86/cwt	83.50–87.50	1,677	5
Stock Cows	Medium and Large 1	—	960	83.00/cwt	83.00–83.00	797	4
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	—	433	164.83/cwt	162.50–166.00	714	21
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	—	515	148.57/cwt	130.00–156.00	765	9
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	—	393	170.00/cwt	170.00–170.00	668	3
Steers	Medium and Large 1-2Full	—	1,028	120.50/cwt	120.50–120.50	1,239	4
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	501	160.09/cwt	159.50–162.00	802	76
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	590	146.54/cwt	144.00–150.00	865	68
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	491	162.00/cwt	162.00–162.00	795	27
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	381	176.61/cwt	175.00–180.00	673	24
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	628	143.69/cwt	142.00–146.50	902	20
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	652	142.50/cwt	142.50–142.50	929	16
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	430	170.56/cwt	170.00–171.00	733	16
Steers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	708	135.50/cwt	135.50–135.50	959	10
Steers	Medium and Large 1	—	923	143.25/cwt	143.25–143.25	1,322	13
Steers	Medium and Large 1Full	—	887	136.70/cwt	135.50–140.00	1,213	11
Steers	Medium and Large 1Full	—	773	142.50/cwt	142.50–142.50	1,102	3
Steers	Medium 1-2	—	361	120.00/cwt	120.00–120.00	433	10
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	457	145.56/cwt	137.00–148.00	665	28
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	581	132.40/cwt	131.00–133.50	769	23
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	434	147.00/cwt	147.00–147.00	638	21
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	623	131.52/cwt	128.00–132.75	819	16
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	540	133.84/cwt	132.00–134.50	723	16
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	—	368	165.00/cwt	165.00–165.00	607	10
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	921	133.69/cwt	133.00–134.50	1,231	70
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	959	128.77/cwt	124.00–129.00	1,235	22
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	868	135.00/cwt	135.00–135.00	1,172	15
Heifers	Medium and Large 1	—	836	141.50/cwt	141.50–141.50	1,183	8
Heifers	Medium and Large 1Full	—	958	122.00/cwt	122.00–122.00	1,169	12
Heifers	Medium 1-2	—	403	110.00/cwt	110.00–110.00	443	14
Heifers	Medium 1Full	—	747	134.00/cwt	134.00–134.00	1,001	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 →