Sale reports / Montana / Public Auction Yards / 2024-11-01

Public Auction Yards

Name: Public Auction Yards livestock auction prices — 2024-11-01
Creator: RaisedBeef
Published: 2024-11-01

Feeder Cattle · Slaughter Cattle · Replacement Cattle · Billings, Montana · Fri, Nov 1

● Final64 lots reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1776

← Oct 25Nov 1Nov 8 →

Feeder Cattle receipts

1,951 head

▼ 1,334 vs last sale 3,285▼ 329 vs year ago 2,280 · −14.4%

Slaughter Cattle receipts

67 head

▲ 32 vs last sale 35▼ 10 vs year ago 77 · −13.0%

Replacement Cattle receipts

10 head

▲ 3 vs last sale 7▼ 17 vs year ago 27 · −63.0%

Also sold hereRegular saleWed Oct 28, 2026

View

Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to last week: Feeder steer calves under 500 lbs sold mostly steady to firm in a narrow comparison. Steers 500-550 lbs sold steady to 3.00 higher; steers over 600 lbs sold mostly 5.00 lower. Heifer calves under 500 lbs sold mostly 5.00-10.00 higher; heifer calves over 500 lbs sold mostly 5.00-10.00 lower. All yearling cattle were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Yearling quality was mostly plain to average today. Spring born calf quality was mostly average to attractive, and more attractive than last weeks sale. Demand for light weight calves was mostly good to very good for all calves suitable to develop into yearlings. Demand for calves over 500 lbs was light to moderate. Package sizes were small to moderate. Demand for packages under 5 head remains considerably lighter than demand for moderate size packages. Market activity was mostly moderate to active. A larger buyer pool was seen this week compared to last weeks sale. Weigh up cows and bulls were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Most cows and bulls were very full this sale making comparisons difficult.

Weight class — the figures below change to match

Weight classPick one — the panels below update

Steers · summary 500–600 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot

500–600 lb steers averaged $298.98/cwt on 363 head. That ranks 1 of 6 comparable sales and sits −131.37 against this barn's trailing median of $430.35.

Average price

$298.98

363 head · 550 lb average

Value per head Derived

$1,644

Price × average weight ÷ 100

Grade differential Derived

$58

per head · Medium and Large 1 over Large 1

$29.92/cwt at this weight

vs the market

−4.49

vs MT average

−1.71 vs national

What quality paid 500–600 lb

Frame and muscle grade

Frame / muscle	Avg wt	$/cwt	$/head	Head
Medium and Large 1	546	301.80	1,649	328
Medium and Large 1-2	577	274.40	1,583	10thin
Large 1	585	271.88	1,590	25

One grade step is worth $29.92/cwt here — about $58 a head. Across this sale the premium is widest at 400–500 lb. USDA reports each grade on its own line and never publishes the spread.

How it compared 500–600 lb

Same class and week · spot auction only

This sale363 hd

298.98

—

MT average5 barns · 1,776 hd

303.48

−4.49

National average185 barns · 40,108 hd

300.69

−1.71

This barn, trailing median6 sales

430.35

−131.37

A barn can sit above the state average at one weight and below it at another — check the class you actually sell.

This barn's trailing prices 500–600 lb

6 sales

Steers 500–600 lb: high $503.89, low $428.05, median $430.35 across 6 sales. Sales under 10 head in this class are excluded, so a thin day cannot swing the median or the ranking.

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	1,825	128.95	2,353	2thin
Cows	Breaker 75-80%	Average	1,540	120.25	1,852	4thin
Cows	Boner 80-85%	Average	1,413	111.66	1,578	22
Cows	Lean 85-90%	Very Low	1,189	98.03	1,165	28

Every lot, as filed

64 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. Grouped by class and set lightest first; USDA files them in sale-ring order.

Class	Weight	Grade / description	Avg wt	Price	Range	Per head	Head
Feeder Cattle · Steers24 lots · lightest first
Steers	250–300	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	273	442.50/cwt	442.50–442.50	1,208	2
Steers	250–300	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	298	435.00/cwt	435.00–435.00	1,296	4
Steers	300–350	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	313	424.12/cwt	420.00–432.50	1,327	3
Steers	350–400	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	364	384.07/cwt	377.50–387.50	1,398	21
Steers	350–400	Medium and Large 1Full	383	362.50/cwt	362.50–362.50	1,388	8
Steers	350–400	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	388	353.56/cwt	272.50–375.00	1,372	20
Steers	400–450	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	421	374.86/cwt	345.00–392.50	1,578	86
Steers	400–450	Medium and Large 1Full	430	343.00/cwt	343.00–343.00	1,475	17
Steers	400–450	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	440	327.79/cwt	323.00–340.00	1,442	14
Steers	450–500	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	478	339.62/cwt	317.50–343.00	1,623	76
Steers	450–500	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	483	307.88/cwt	305.00–315.00	1,487	50
Steers	450–500	Medium 1Full	487	305.00/cwt	305.00–305.00	1,485	5
Steers	500–550	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	524	313.84/cwt	298.00–323.00	1,645	186
Steers	550–600	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	573	287.30/cwt	281.00–294.00	1,646	126
Steers	550–600	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	577	274.40/cwt	272.50–276.00	1,583	10
Steers	550–600	Large 1Unweaned	585	271.88/cwt	268.00–290.00	1,590	25
Steers	550–600	Medium and Large 1Full	595	276.00/cwt	276.00–276.00	1,642	16
Steers	600–650	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	622	275.62/cwt	268.00–282.50	1,714	220
Steers	650–700	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	673	263.63/cwt	257.00–270.00	1,774	71
Steers	650–700	Large 1Unweaned	677	253.51/cwt	240.50–256.50	1,716	32
Steers	700–750	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	722	245.92/cwt	244.00–250.00	1,776	26
Steers	700–750	Large 1Unweaned	741	243.49/cwt	241.00–246.00	1,804	12
Steers	750–800	Large 1Unweaned	751	238.00/cwt	238.00–238.00	1,787	9
Steers	750–800	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	778	248.08/cwt	240.00–252.50	1,930	23
Feeder Cattle · Heifers24 lots · lightest first
Heifers	250–300	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	289	392.15/cwt	391.00–405.00	1,133	23
Heifers	300–350	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	340	373.35/cwt	367.00–390.00	1,269	21
Heifers	350–400	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	365	343.89/cwt	334.00–350.00	1,255	18
Heifers	350–400	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	394	315.29/cwt	302.00–322.00	1,242	17
Heifers	400–450	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	405	320.63/cwt	314.00–325.00	1,299	19
Heifers	450–500	Medium 1Full	459	270.00/cwt	270.00–270.00	1,239	7
Heifers	450–500	Medium 1Unweaned	466	266.30/cwt	252.50–286.00	1,241	10
Heifers	450–500	Medium and Large 2Unweaned	471	253.33/cwt	240.00–267.50	1,193	10
Heifers	450–500	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	472	298.63/cwt	289.00–310.00	1,410	72
Heifers	450–500	Large 1Unweaned	473	260.00/cwt	260.00–260.00	1,230	2
Heifers	450–500	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	474	281.90/cwt	280.00–283.00	1,336	11
Heifers	500–550	Large 1Unweaned	507	250.00/cwt	250.00–250.00	1,268	3
Heifers	500–550	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	533	265.56/cwt	250.50–287.50	1,415	126
Heifers	500–550	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	545	251.00/cwt	251.00–251.00	1,368	3
Heifers	550–600	Large 1Unweaned	550	242.00/cwt	242.00–242.00	1,331	10
Heifers	550–600	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	569	257.89/cwt	243.50–269.00	1,467	129
Heifers	600–650	Medium and Large 1Full	604	238.00/cwt	238.00–238.00	1,438	7
Heifers	600–650	Large 1Unweaned	614	239.93/cwt	239.50–240.00	1,473	30
Heifers	600–650	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	623	248.36/cwt	243.00–250.00	1,547	23
Heifers	600–650	Medium and Large 1	647	245.00/cwt	245.00–245.00	1,585	13
Heifers	650–700	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	671	231.00/cwt	231.00–231.00	1,550	4
Heifers	700–750	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	741	226.50/cwt	226.50–226.50	1,678	7
Heifers	850–900	Medium and Large 1-2	858	228.00/cwt	228.00–228.00	1,956	2
Heifers	1100–1150	Large 1	1,133	209.00/cwt	209.00–209.00	2,368	2
Feeder Cattle · Bulls2 lots · lightest first
Bulls	350–400	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	390	350.00/cwt	350.00–350.00	1,365	3
Bulls	600–650	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	605	251.00/cwt	251.00–251.00	1,519	3
Slaughter Cattle · Bulls1 lot · lightest first
Bulls	—	—	1,825	128.95/cwt	127.00–132.00	2,353	2
Slaughter Cattle · Cows10 lots · lightest first
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	1,140	105.00/cwt	105.00–105.00	1,197	1
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,189	79.59/cwt	71.00–83.50	946	13
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,190	87.64/cwt	85.00–91.00	1,043	3
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	1,193	122.01/cwt	114.00–126.00	1,456	11
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	1,311	107.00/cwt	107.00–107.00	1,403	8
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%	1,360	70.00/cwt	70.00–70.00	952	1
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%	1,385	90.00/cwt	90.00–90.00	1,247	1
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	1,488	120.04/cwt	116.00–127.00	1,786	12
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed	1,490	124.00/cwt	124.00–124.00	1,848	3
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed	1,690	109.00/cwt	109.00–109.00	1,842	1
Replacement Cattle · Stock Cows3 lots · lightest first
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1-2	880	150.00/cwt	150.00–150.00	1,320	2
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	982	172.50/cwt	172.50–172.50	1,694	5
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1-2	1,243	131.54/cwt	125.00–145.00	1,635	3

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 →

Public Auction Yards Livestock Cattle Auction - Billings, MT (Fri)

Fri Nov 1, 2024

USDA Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News · Federal-State Market News Service, Billings, MT (LS-BL)

Feeder CattleReceipts 1,951Last week 3,285Year ago 2,280

Slaughter CattleReceipts 67Last week 35Year ago 77

Replacement CattleReceipts 10Last week 7Year ago 27

Feeder Cattle

As reported

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
23	250–300	289	391.00–405.00	392.15
21	300–350	340	367.00–390.00	373.35
18	350–400	365	334.00–350.00	343.89
19	400–450	405	314.00–325.00	320.63
72	450–500	472	289.00–310.00	298.63
126	500–550	533	250.50–287.50	265.56
129	550–600	569	243.50–269.00	257.89
23	600–650	623	243.00–250.00	248.36
4	650–700	671	231.00	231.00
7	700–750	741	226.50	226.50

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
13	600–650	647	245.00	245.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
17	350–400	394	302.00–322.00	315.29
11	450–500	474	280.00–283.00	281.90
3	500–550	545	251.00	251.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
2	450–500	473	260.00	260.00
3	500–550	507	250.00	250.00
10	550–600	550	242.00	242.00
30	600–650	614	239.50–240.00	239.93

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium 1 · Full$ per cwt · actual wt
7	450–500	459	270.00	270.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
10	450–500	466	252.50–286.00	266.30

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
2	1100–1150	1,133	209.00	209.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
10	450–500	471	240.00–267.50	253.33

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
2	850–900	858	228.00	228.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Full$ per cwt · actual wt
7	600–650	604	238.00	238.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
3	600–650	605	251.00	251.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 1-2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
3	350–400	390	350.00	350.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
4	250–300	298	435.00	435.00
3	300–350	313	420.00–432.50	424.12
21	350–400	364	377.50–387.50	384.07
86	400–450	421	345.00–392.50	374.86
76	450–500	478	317.50–343.00	339.62
186	500–550	524	298.00–323.00	313.84
126	550–600	573	281.00–294.00	287.30
220	600–650	622	268.00–282.50	275.62
71	650–700	673	257.00–270.00	263.63
26	700–750	722	244.00–250.00	245.92
23	750–800	778	240.00–252.50	248.08

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1-2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
2	250–300	273	442.50	442.50
20	350–400	388	272.50–375.00	353.56
14	400–450	440	323.00–340.00	327.79
50	450–500	483	305.00–315.00	307.88
10	550–600	577	272.50–276.00	274.40

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
25	550–600	585	268.00–290.00	271.88
32	650–700	677	240.50–256.50	253.51
12	700–750	741	241.00–246.00	243.49
9	750–800	751	238.00	238.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium 1 · Full$ per cwt · actual wt
5	450–500	487	305.00	305.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Full$ per cwt · actual wt
8	350–400	383	362.50	362.50
17	400–450	430	343.00	343.00
16	550–600	595	276.00	276.00

Replacement Cattle

As reported

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)	Open	2	—	880	150.00	150.00
(<2 yrs)	Open	3	—	1,243	125.00–145.00	131.54

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)	Open	5	—	982	172.50	172.50

Slaughter Cattle

As reported

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90%$ per cwt · actual wt
13	—	1,189	71.00–83.50	79.59
3	—	1,190	85.00–91.00	87.64

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Boner 80-85% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
12	—	1,488	116.00–127.00	120.04
8	—	1,311	107.00	107.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Breaker 75-80% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	1,490	124.00	124.00
1	—	1,690	109.00	109.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Boner 80-85%$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	1,385	90.00	90.00
1	—	1,360	70.00	70.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	1,140	105.00	105.00
11	—	1,193	114.00–126.00	122.01

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls$ per cwt · actual wt
2	—	1,825	127.00–132.00	128.95

Head, weight ranges, average weights and price ranges are exactly as USDA AMS filed them — nothing recomputed, nothing rounded — in USDA's own reporting structure. This is RaisedBeef's rendering of that data, not a copy of USDA's document.