Sale reports / Montana / Public Auction Yards / 2025-11-07

Public Auction Yards

Feeder Cattle · Slaughter Cattle · Replacement Cattle · Billings, Montana · Fri, Nov 7
● Final92 lots reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1776
Feeder Cattle receipts
1,992 head
▲ 134 vs last sale 1,858▼ 442 vs year ago 2,434 · −18.2%
Slaughter Cattle receipts
80 head
▼ 154 vs last sale 234▲ 66 vs year ago 14 · +471.4%
Replacement Cattle receipts
94 head
▼ 67 vs last sale 161▲ 64 vs year ago 30 · +213.3%
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Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to last week: Yearling cattle were scarcely traded no trend is available. Steer calves under 450 lbs were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however lower undertones were noticed on a poorer quality offering, 450-599 lbs steers sold steady to firm, steers over 600 lbs sold mostly 10.00 lower. Heifer calves under 550 lbs sold generally steady to weak, feeding heifers over 550 lbs were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however lower undertones were noticed. Most attractive heifers over 550 lbs were purchased by replacement buyers this sale. Demand was light to moderate for light to moderate offerings. Quality this week was mixed from plain to attractive. Load lots and very large packages sold with the best demand this sale. Small packages and singles sold with large discounts today. Many cut back cattle off summer video sales sold this week. Some weaned cattle are starting to be seen. Demand for weaned offerings was moderate with some packages selling with slight premiums. Many short weaned offerings were very full and buyers showed light demand for both fill and health concerns. Light weight calf quality was mostly plain this sale. Market activity was moderate with a small crowd on hand. Weigh up cows sold on moderate demand for light offerings. Feeding cows sold generally steady in a narrow comparison. Slaughter cows and bulls were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold on mostly good demand. Quality this week was mixed from plain to attractive. Young age cows were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however steady undertones were noticed.

Weight classPick one — the panels below update

Steers · summary 500–600 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot
500–600 lb steers averaged $424.49/cwt on 366 head. That ranks 1 of 6 comparable sales and sits −5.87 against this barn's trailing median of $430.35.
Average price
$424.49
366 head · 559 lb average
Value per head Derived
$2,372
Price × average weight ÷ 100
Grade differential Derived
$674
per head · Medium and Large 1 over Medium and Large 2
$122.65/cwt at this weight
vs the market
−2.66
vs MT average
+5.39 vs national

What quality paid 500–600 lb

Frame and muscle grade
Frame / muscleAvg wt$/cwt$/headHead
Medium and Large 1561427.652,397322
Medium and Large 1-2546403.562,20443
Medium and Large 2565305.001,7231thin
One grade step is worth $122.65/cwt here — about $674 a head. Across this sale the premium is widest at 300–400 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 sale366 hd
424.49
—
MT average3 barns · 1,826 hd
427.15
−2.66
National average195 barns · 36,957 hd
419.10
+5.39
This barn, trailing median6 sales
430.35
−5.87
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
518483449414median 430.3502/2710/0210/1610/2310/30
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 · $/cwt
Cull cows and bulls are graded, not weight-classed — grade is what moves the money here.
ClassGradeDressingAvg wt$/cwt$/headHead
Bulls—Low1,860163.993,0503thin
CowsBreaker 75-80%Average1,620167.002,7052thin
CowsBoner 80-85%Low1,371153.942,11137
CowsLean 85-90%Average1,200142.601,71227

Replacement cattle Per head

By class, stage and age
Bred stock and pairs are reported per head, not per hundredweight — these prices are never mixed with the $/cwt figures above.
ClassStageAgeAvg wt$/headHead
Bred Cows1st Stage (1-3 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)1,085$3,2714thin
Bred Cows2nd Stage (4-6 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)1,183$3,2633thin
Bred Cows2nd Stage (4-6 mo)Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1,387$2,6505
Bred Cows2nd Stage (4-6 mo)Aged (>8 yrs)1,357$2,4575
Bred Cows1st Stage (1-3 mo)Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1,332$2,25011
Bred Cows1st Stage (1-3 mo)Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1,198$2,1002thin
Bred Cows1st Stage (1-3 mo)Aged (>8 yrs)1,203$1,8002thin
Bred Heifers1st Stage (1-3 mo)(<2 yrs)1,213$3,0003thin

Every lot, as filed

92 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.
ClassWeightGrade / descriptionAvg wtPriceRangePer headHead
Feeder Cattle · Steers35 lots · lightest first
Steers200–250Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned215670.00/cwt670.00–670.001,4411
Steers300–350Medium and Large 2Unweaned315500.00/cwt500.00–500.001,5757
Steers300–350Medium and Large 1Unweaned320570.00/cwt570.00–570.001,8241
Steers300–350Medium and Large 1-2325530.00/cwt530.00–530.001,7232
Steers300–350Medium and Large 2-3346300.00/cwt300.00–300.001,03816
Steers300–350Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned348510.00/cwt510.00–510.001,7757
Steers350–400Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned384477.34/cwt465.00–505.001,8333
Steers350–400Medium and Large 1Unweaned391520.00/cwt520.00–520.002,0338
Steers400–450Medium and Large 1-2410475.00/cwt475.00–475.001,9485
Steers400–450Medium and Large 1-2Full412425.00/cwt425.00–425.001,75111
Steers400–450Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned422464.31/cwt440.00–495.001,95930
Steers400–450Medium and Large 2Unweaned424360.00/cwt360.00–360.001,5264
Steers450–500Medium 1451440.00/cwt440.00–440.001,9847
Steers450–500Medium and Large 2Unweaned455360.00/cwt360.00–360.001,6383
Steers450–500Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned470467.00/cwt467.00–467.002,19511
Steers450–500Medium and Large 1474483.00/cwt483.00–483.002,28918
Steers450–500Medium and Large 1Unweaned476485.22/cwt465.00–500.002,310119
Steers500–550Medium and Large 1500469.00/cwt469.00–469.002,3454
Steers500–550Medium and Large 1Unweaned507464.67/cwt457.50–470.002,35639
Steers500–550Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned538408.07/cwt375.00–540.002,19529
Steers550–600Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned550395.00/cwt395.00–395.002,1731
Steers550–600Medium and Large 1560460.00/cwt460.00–460.002,5763
Steers550–600Medium and Large 1-2Full560395.00/cwt395.00–395.002,2122
Steers550–600Medium and Large 1-2565394.00/cwt394.00–394.002,22611
Steers550–600Medium and Large 2Unweaned565305.00/cwt305.00–305.001,7231
Steers550–600Medium and Large 1Unweaned569421.47/cwt402.50–435.002,398276
Steers600–650Medium and Large 1Unweaned613390.18/cwt364.00–406.002,39240
Steers600–650Medium and Large 1617395.52/cwt390.00–403.002,44054
Steers600–650Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned620387.00/cwt387.00–387.002,3999
Steers650–700Medium and Large 1656375.00/cwt375.00–375.002,4608
Steers650–700Medium and Large 1Unweaned662374.04/cwt366.00–376.002,47658
Steers650–700Medium and Large 1-2665344.92/cwt341.00–359.002,29423
Steers650–700Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned696358.00/cwt358.00–358.002,4927
Steers700–750Large 1Unweaned710352.00/cwt352.00–352.002,4993
Steers700–750Medium and Large 1Unweaned735364.06/cwt363.50–365.002,67622
Feeder Cattle · Heifers32 lots · lightest first
Heifers300–350Medium and Large 2Unweaned332435.00/cwt435.00–435.001,4443
Heifers300–350Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned345449.90/cwt410.00–470.001,5528
Heifers350–400Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned385440.69/cwt422.50–470.001,69719
Heifers350–400Medium and Large 1-2390435.00/cwt435.00–435.001,69711
Heifers400–450Medium 1409375.00/cwt375.00–375.001,53410
Heifers400–450Medium 1-2Unweaned412380.00/cwt380.00–380.001,5663
Heifers400–450Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned423389.25/cwt385.00–415.001,64721
Heifers400–450Medium and Large 1Unweaned432446.21/cwt443.00–462.501,92843
Heifers400–450Medium and Large 1-2Full449365.00/cwt365.00–365.001,6397
Heifers450–500Medium and Large 1Unweaned469425.58/cwt404.00–447.001,99695
Heifers450–500Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned472373.58/cwt350.00–405.001,76323
Heifers450–500Medium and Large 1474416.97/cwt414.00–423.001,97681
Heifers450–500Medium and Large 1-2484315.30/cwt300.00–324.001,5268
Heifers450–500Medium 1485355.00/cwt355.00–355.001,7224
Heifers450–500Medium and Large 2Unweaned498343.45/cwt332.50–350.001,71016
Heifers500–550Medium and Large 1Fancy504432.00/cwt432.00–432.002,17790
Heifers500–550Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned521353.14/cwt347.50–356.001,84018
Heifers500–550Medium and Large 1Unweaned536368.00/cwt368.00–368.001,9727
Heifers550–600Medium and Large 1Unweaned572357.64/cwt345.00–371.002,04666
Heifers550–600Medium and Large 1Replacement581394.10/cwt381.00–405.002,290103
Heifers550–600Medium 1Unweaned581352.50/cwt352.50–352.502,04817
Heifers550–600Large 1Unweaned583342.00/cwt342.00–342.001,9942
Heifers550–600Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned586331.10/cwt317.50–339.001,94022
Heifers600–650Medium and Large 1Unweaned600337.00/cwt337.00–337.002,02214
Heifers600–650Medium and Large 1Replacement637369.00/cwt369.00–369.002,35129
Heifers600–650Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned640321.00/cwt321.00–321.002,0543
Heifers650–700Medium and Large 1656326.79/cwt314.00–330.002,14410
Heifers650–700Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned667310.00/cwt310.00–310.002,0683
Heifers650–700Medium and Large 1Unweaned677308.32/cwt303.00–314.002,0877
Heifers700–750Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned722310.00/cwt310.00–310.002,2385
Heifers700–750Medium and Large 1-2745315.00/cwt315.00–315.002,3479
Heifers800–850Medium and Large 1-2845301.00/cwt301.00–301.002,5433
Feeder Cattle · Bulls3 lots · lightest first
Bulls450–500Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned453390.00/cwt390.00–390.001,7673
Bulls500–550Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned538392.00/cwt392.00–392.002,1098
Bulls650–700Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned674265.00/cwt265.00–265.001,78610
Feeder Cattle · Cows1 lot · lightest first
Cows300–350Medium and Large 1Unweaned324480.00/cwt480.00–480.001,5558
Slaughter Cattle · Bulls1 lot · lightest first
Bulls——1,860163.99/cwt150.00–174.003,0503
Slaughter Cattle · Cows8 lots · lightest first
Cows—Lean 85-90%Return to Feed1,185165.41/cwt165.00–166.001,9605
Cows—Lean 85-90%Return to Feed1,202147.67/cwt130.00–163.001,77516
Cows—Lean 85-90%1,204114.09/cwt105.00–127.501,3745
Cows—Lean 85-90%1,23590.00/cwt90.00–90.001,1121
Cows—Boner 80-85%Return to Feed1,334165.93/cwt164.00–175.002,21418
Cows—Boner 80-85%1,353124.11/cwt117.50–131.001,6794
Cows—Boner 80-85%Return to Feed1,421147.50/cwt135.00–161.002,09615
Cows—Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed1,620167.00/cwt167.00–167.002,7052
Replacement Cattle · Stock Cows4 lots · lightest first
Stock Cows—Medium and Large 1-2753265.00/cwt265.00–265.001,9953
Stock Cows—Medium and Large 1-2890175.00/cwt175.00–175.001,5581
Stock Cows—Medium and Large 2949185.00/cwt185.00–185.001,7564
Stock Cows—Medium and Large 1967268.13/cwt178.00–296.002,59339
Replacement Cattle · Bred Cows7 lots · lightest first
Bred Cows—Medium and Large 11,0853,270.73/head3,200.00–3,300.003,2714
Bred Cows—Medium and Large 11,1833,262.54/head3,200.00–3,400.003,2633
Bred Cows—Medium and Large 1-21,1982,100.00/head2,100.00–2,100.002,1002
Bred Cows—Medium and Large 1-2Thin Fleshed1,2031,800.00/head1,800.00–1,800.001,8002
Bred Cows—Medium and Large 11,3322,250.00/head2,250.00–2,250.002,25011
Bred Cows—Medium and Large 1Broken Mouth1,3572,457.03/head2,400.00–2,500.002,4575
Bred Cows—Medium and Large 11,3872,650.00/head2,650.00–2,650.002,6505
Replacement Cattle · Bred Heifers1 lot · lightest first
Bred Heifers—Medium and Large 11,2133,000.00/head3,000.00–3,000.003,0003

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.