Sale reports / Montana / Public Auction Yards / 2025-12-12

Public Auction Yards

Feeder Cattle · Slaughter Cattle · Replacement Cattle · Billings, Montana · Fri, Dec 12
● Final31 lots reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1776
Feeder Cattle receipts
296 head
879 vs last sale 1,175 1,169 vs year ago 1,465 · 79.8%
Slaughter Cattle receipts
134 head
22 vs last sale 112 42 vs year ago 92 · +45.7%
Replacement Cattle receipts
20 head
10 vs last sale 30 2 vs year ago 22 · 9.1%
Also sold hereRegular saleWed Aug 19, 2026
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Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to last report(11/21/25): All feeder cattle were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Heavy snow fell all night; billings received 10-12 inches locally. Most offerings were pushed to yesterdays sale as a result. Quality this week was plain to average with many calves covered in heavy snow. Demand for feeders was mostly moderate to good. Demand for light calves was very good as buyers pushed to finish yesterdays loads and other loads started across the state. A smaller crowd was seen this sale with very few buyers in the stands. Market activity was mostly moderate to active despite a small crowd on hand. Weigh up cows and bulls sold on light to moderate demand for light offerings. Too few cows sold to establish any market trend. Feeding quality cows continue to sell with the best demand. Several buyers were active on the internet bidding against packers and order buyers. Market activity was mostly moderate. Weigh up conditions were mixed.

Weight class

Heifers · summary 500–600 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot
500–600 lb heifers averaged $338.86/cwt on 34 head. That ranks 1 of 1 comparable sales and sits 109.53 against this barn's trailing median of $448.39.
Average price
$338.86
34 head · 581 lb average
Value per head Derived
$1,969
Price × average weight ÷ 100
Grade differential Derived
single grade reported
vs the market
53.06
vs MT average
39.10 vs national

What quality paid 500–600 lb

Frame and muscle grade
Frame / muscleAvg wt$/cwt$/headHead
Medium and Large 1581338.861,96934
Only one grade was reported at this weight, so there is no spread to compute.

How it compared 500–600 lb

Same class and week · spot auction only
This sale34 hd
338.86
MT average4 barns · 557 hd
391.92
−53.06
National average184 barns · 19,282 hd
377.96
−39.10
This barn, trailing median1 sales
448.39
−109.53
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
BullsLow1,630175.642,86233
CowsBoner 80-85%Average1,374147.982,03430
CowsBreaker 75-80%Low1,625147.082,3906thin
CowsLean 85-90%Low1,148133.521,53244

Every lot, as filed

31 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.
ClassGrade / descriptionWeightAvg wtPriceRangePer headHead
HeifersMedium and Large 1350–400376467.21/cwt442.50–490.001,75769
SteersMedium and Large 1650–700675360.34/cwt359.00–362.002,43220
HeifersMedium and Large 1300–350330516.13/cwt510.00–520.001,70320
HeifersMedium and Large 1550–600581338.86/cwt332.50–342.001,96934
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2450–500459393.28/cwt390.00–395.001,8056
HeifersMedium and Large 1600–650645335.00/cwt335.00–335.002,16115
SteersMedium and Large 1-2550–600595389.00/cwt389.00–389.002,3155
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2400–450400435.00/cwt435.00–435.001,7403
SteersMedium and Large 1-2600–650617359.56/cwt355.00–366.002,2185
SteersMedium and Large 1600–650618384.84/cwt382.00–386.002,37814
SteersMedium and Large 1-2450–500462465.72/cwt450.00–470.002,15210
SteersMedium and Large 1550–600552401.00/cwt401.00–401.002,21413
SteersMedium and Large 1-2400–450438475.00/cwt475.00–475.002,0817
Stock CowsMedium and Large 1-2820273.34/cwt270.00–275.002,2413
Stock CowsMedium and Large 1-21,003217.79/cwt210.00–240.002,1844
Stock CowsMedium 1780220.00/cwt220.00–220.001,7161
BullsLight Weight1,265142.50/cwt142.50–142.501,8031
BullsReturn to Feed1,578177.57/cwt175.00–180.002,80215
BullsReturn to Feed1,464165.42/cwt150.00–172.002,4224
Bulls1,835169.29/cwt165.00–172.003,1062
Bulls1,756180.90/cwt175.00–183.003,17711
CowsLean 85-90%Return to Feed1,055129.19/cwt120.00–137.001,3635
CowsLean 85-90%1,147110.00/cwt102.50–122.501,26213
CowsLean 85-90%1,14985.93/cwt65.00–95.009874
CowsLean 85-90%1,060132.50/cwt132.50–132.501,4051
CowsBreaker 75-80%1,625147.08/cwt141.00–152.002,3906
CowsBoner 80-85%Return to Feed1,353159.03/cwt156.00–161.002,15217
CowsBoner 80-85%Return to Feed1,386144.10/cwt110.00–152.001,9979
CowsLean 85-90%Return to Feed1,174158.23/cwt153.00–160.001,85821
CowsBoner 80-85%1,460113.80/cwt102.00–125.001,6613
CowsBoner 80-85%1,37597.50/cwt97.50–97.501,3411

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.