Sale reports / Montana / Billings Livestock Commission / 2020-11-12

Billings Livestock Commission

Name: Billings Livestock Commission livestock auction prices — 2020-11-12
Creator: RaisedBeef
Published: 2020-11-12

Feeder Cattle · Slaughter Cattle · Replacement Cattle · Billings, Montana · Thu, Nov 12

● Final104 lots reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1777

← Nov 5Nov 12Nov 19 →

Feeder Cattle receipts

4,610 head

▼ 681 vs last sale 5,291▼ 708 vs year ago 5,318 · −13.3%

Slaughter Cattle receipts

179 head

▼ 255 vs last sale 434▲ 69 vs year ago 110 · +62.7%

Replacement Cattle receipts

57 head

▼ 144 vs last sale 201▼ 413 vs year ago 470 · −87.9%

Also sold here(Mon)Mon Nov 2, 2026

View

Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to last week: Yearling steers were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Unweaned steer calves under 400 lbs sold mostly sharply higher, with most sale 10.00-15.00 higher; 400-549 lbs sold mostly 5.00 higher; unweaned steers over 550 lbs sold mostly steady to 3.00 higher. Yearling heifers were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market, however higher undertones were noticed. Unweaned heifers under 500 lbs sold mostly steady to firm. Unweaned heifers 500-549 lbs sold mostly 2.00-4.00 higher, heifer calves over 550 sold steady to firm. Quality this sale was mostly average to attractive. Demand was mostly good for moderate to heavy offerings. Many sets of short weaned calves were seen this sale. Buyers offered no premium for most of these calves as many were full, dirty and not very eye appealing. The best demand seen this week was for cattle suitable to develop into yearlings. Market activity was mostly active this week. A large crowd was on hand with many buyers and bidders both ringside as well as on the internet. Weigh up cows sold on mostly moderate demand for light offerings. Packers continue to purchase cows for the upcoming holidays. All cows and bulls were very full this sale offering buyers mostly below average weigh up conditions. Slaughter cows sold sold 1.00-3.00 higher, however cows on a dressed basis were 4.00-6.00 higher than last week. Feeding cows sold mostly 1.00-2.00 higher. Slaughter bulls were too lightly tested to trend, however steady undertones were noticed. 2-3 year olds sold steady in a narrow comparison.

Weight class — the figures below change to match

Weight classPick one — the panels below update

Steers · summary 0–100 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot

0–100 lb steers averaged $163.38/cwt on 2,252 head.

Average price

$163.38

2,252 head · 531 lb average

Value per head Derived

$867

Price × average weight ÷ 100

Grade differential Derived

$219

per head · Medium and Large 1 over Medium 1

$19.94/cwt at this weight

vs the market

+2.13

vs MT average

Price by quality 0–100 lb

Frame and muscle grade

Frame / muscle	Avg wt	$/cwt	$/head	Head
Medium and Large 1	536	164.09	879	2,000
Medium and Large 1-2	492	162.92	802	174
Large 1	555	151.54	841	24
Medium 1	458	144.15	661	54

One grade step is worth $19.94/cwt here — about $219 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 sale2,252 hd

163.38

—

MT average5 barns · 5,459 hd

161.26

+2.13

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	1,786	71.02	1,268	13
Cows	Breaker 75-80%	Average	1,608	60.58	974	18
Cows	Boner 80-85%	Low	1,365	53.68	733	28
Cows	Lean 85-90%	Low	1,176	48.31	568	95

Every lot

104 lots · USDA AMS · Billings Livestock Commission Cattle Auction - Billings, MT (Thu)

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 · Steers41 lots · lightest first
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	257	187.50/cwt	187.50–187.50	482	5
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	294	205.00/cwt	205.00–205.00	603	37
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	322	203.24/cwt	201.00–209.00	654	11
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	334	191.51/cwt	190.00–192.50	640	13
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	356	188.00/cwt	187.50–190.00	669	21
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	384	207.50/cwt	207.50–207.50	797	4
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	387	198.46/cwt	192.00–208.00	768	202
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	420	173.57/cwt	170.00–179.00	729	29
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	423	187.39/cwt	180.00–199.00	793	125
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	443	194.00/cwt	194.00–194.00	859	6
Steers	—	Medium 1Unweaned	451	144.00/cwt	144.00–144.00	649	50
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Fancy	462	187.69/cwt	186.00–188.00	867	59
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	469	164.00/cwt	164.00–164.00	769	4
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	477	163.31/cwt	160.00–165.00	779	30
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	479	175.20/cwt	168.00–182.50	839	156
Steers	—	Large 1Unweaned	480	159.00/cwt	159.00–159.00	763	17
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	483	169.30/cwt	169.00–169.50	818	28
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	514	164.31/cwt	157.25–169.50	845	383
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	520	149.00/cwt	149.00–149.00	775	4
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	528	160.50/cwt	160.50–160.50	847	15
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	537	152.57/cwt	150.00–156.00	819	10
Steers	—	Medium 1Unweaned	550	146.00/cwt	146.00–146.00	803	4
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	575	152.80/cwt	147.00–158.00	879	477
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	579	144.86/cwt	144.50–147.00	839	41
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	583	152.08/cwt	151.25–157.00	887	76
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	621	145.50/cwt	144.00–149.50	904	142
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	624	147.05/cwt	145.50–147.50	918	47
Steers	—	Large 1Unweaned	637	140.00/cwt	140.00–140.00	892	3
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	637	139.54/cwt	138.00–143.50	889	7
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Full	646	137.00/cwt	137.00–137.00	885	8
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	663	137.00/cwt	137.00–137.00	908	6
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	674	141.04/cwt	137.00–145.00	951	127
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	709	138.93/cwt	134.50–140.00	985	17
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	719	144.00/cwt	144.00–144.00	1,035	20
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	723	141.00/cwt	141.00–141.00	1,019	2
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	765	137.00/cwt	137.00–137.00	1,048	2
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	788	131.55/cwt	131.00–133.50	1,037	22
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	805	134.88/cwt	134.50–135.00	1,086	13
Steers	—	Large 1Unweaned	814	128.50/cwt	128.50–128.50	1,046	4
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	881	138.25/cwt	137.00–140.50	1,218	19
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	921	131.84/cwt	131.00–132.00	1,214	6
Feeder Cattle · Heifers35 lots · lightest first
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	264	170.00/cwt	170.00–170.00	449	6
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	326	160.52/cwt	156.00–167.50	523	95
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	383	167.50/cwt	167.50–167.50	642	4
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	384	160.49/cwt	156.00–167.00	616	74
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	419	154.07/cwt	149.00–159.00	646	149
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	419	146.16/cwt	145.00–148.00	612	24
Heifers	—	Medium 1Unweaned	430	129.00/cwt	129.00–129.00	555	21
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	446	158.50/cwt	158.50–158.50	707	10
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	462	142.00/cwt	142.00–142.00	656	6
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	469	140.07/cwt	135.00–143.00	657	17
Heifers	—	Large 1Unweaned	476	142.00/cwt	142.00–142.00	676	18
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	478	148.20/cwt	145.00–153.00	708	219
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1Fancy	503	152.00/cwt	152.00–152.00	765	19
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	513	147.00/cwt	147.00–147.00	754	2
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	516	147.98/cwt	144.00–152.50	764	254
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	521	140.09/cwt	139.00–141.00	730	9
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	538	136.09/cwt	131.00–138.50	732	58
Heifers	—	Large 1Unweaned	541	136.79/cwt	136.50–137.00	740	12
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	566	134.85/cwt	131.00–141.00	763	98
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1Full	584	126.00/cwt	126.00–126.00	736	8
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	590	135.60/cwt	135.00–136.00	800	69
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Full	590	111.00/cwt	111.00–111.00	655	2
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	609	135.75/cwt	130.00–138.00	827	32
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	633	136.25/cwt	134.00–139.00	862	51
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	638	127.00/cwt	127.00–127.00	810	6
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	671	130.22/cwt	130.00–131.00	874	31
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1Replacement	700	134.75/cwt	134.75–134.75	943	53
Heifers	—	Medium 1	700	127.00/cwt	127.00–127.00	889	6
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	812	137.22/cwt	136.00–143.50	1,114	37
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	844	129.50/cwt	129.50–129.50	1,093	6
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	902	129.12/cwt	123.50–131.00	1,165	8
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	902	122.50/cwt	122.50–122.50	1,105	10
Heifers	—	Large 1	1,005	118.45/cwt	118.00–118.50	1,190	11
Heifers	—	Large 1	1,120	108.00/cwt	108.00–108.00	1,210	1
Heifers	—	Large 1	1,195	109.00/cwt	109.00–109.00	1,303	3
Feeder Cattle · Bulls6 lots · lightest first
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	441	165.00/cwt	165.00–165.00	728	4
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	510	158.00/cwt	158.00–158.00	806	2
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	571	137.99/cwt	133.00–143.00	788	20
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	665	130.63/cwt	129.00–134.00	869	6
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 1	684	131.00/cwt	131.00–131.00	896	7
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 1-2Full	697	114.00/cwt	114.00–114.00	795	5
Slaughter Cattle · Bulls5 lots · lightest first
Bulls	—	—Return to Feed	1,405	66.41/cwt	63.00–69.00	933	2
Bulls	—	—Return to Feed	1,495	77.00/cwt	77.00–77.00	1,151	2
Bulls	—	—	1,856	71.75/cwt	65.00–74.50	1,332	6
Bulls	—	—	1,993	78.74/cwt	76.50–81.00	1,569	2
Bulls	—	—	2,290	48.50/cwt	48.50–48.50	1,111	1
Slaughter Cattle · Cows15 lots · lightest first
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Light Weight	950	40.28/cwt	38.00–46.00	383	4
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,133	41.80/cwt	40.50–43.00	474	4
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	1,139	39.28/cwt	38.00–42.50	447	8
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,162	38.17/cwt	31.00–41.00	444	11
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,195	52.45/cwt	49.00–54.00	627	3
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	1,197	48.75/cwt	44.00–50.50	584	16
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	1,200	52.85/cwt	51.00–57.00	634	49
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%	1,265	56.50/cwt	56.50–56.50	715	2
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	1,340	55.78/cwt	52.00–59.00	747	16
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	1,388	48.06/cwt	47.00–49.00	667	2
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%	1,409	46.48/cwt	45.00–48.00	655	5
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	1,463	65.00/cwt	65.00–65.00	951	2
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	1,505	39.00/cwt	39.00–39.00	587	1
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed	1,599	60.17/cwt	53.00–63.00	962	17
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed	1,755	67.50/cwt	67.50–67.50	1,185	1
Replacement Cattle · Stock Cows2 lots · lightest first
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,066	64.10/cwt	59.00–68.00	683	27
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,122	75.04/cwt	69.00–82.00	842	16

This sale against other markets

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 →

Billings Livestock Commission Cattle Auction - Billings, MT (Thu)

Thu Nov 12, 2020

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

Feeder CattleReceipts 4,610Last week 5,291Year ago 5,318

Slaughter CattleReceipts 179Last week 434Year ago 110

Replacement CattleReceipts 57Last week 201Year ago 470

Slaughter Cattle

As reported

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
4	—	950	38.00–46.00	40.28

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
8	—	1,139	38.00–42.50	39.28
16	—	1,197	44.00–50.50	48.75
49	—	1,200	51.00–57.00	52.85

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90%$ per cwt · actual wt
11	—	1,162	31.00–41.00	38.17
3	—	1,195	49.00–54.00	52.45
4	—	1,133	40.50–43.00	41.80

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Boner 80-85% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
2	—	1,388	47.00–49.00	48.06
16	—	1,340	52.00–59.00	55.78
2	—	1,463	65.00	65.00
1	—	1,505	39.00	39.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Boner 80-85%$ per cwt · actual wt
5	—	1,409	45.00–48.00	46.48
2	—	1,265	56.50	56.50

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Breaker 75-80% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	1,755	67.50	67.50
17	—	1,599	53.00–63.00	60.17

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	2,290	48.50	48.50
6	—	1,856	65.00–74.50	71.75
2	—	1,993	76.50–81.00	78.74

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
2	—	1,495	77.00	77.00
2	—	1,405	63.00–69.00	66.41

Feeder Cattle

As reported

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1-2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
30	—	477	160.00–165.00	163.31
41	—	579	144.50–147.00	144.86
29	—	420	170.00–179.00	173.57
10	—	537	150.00–156.00	152.57
13	—	334	190.00–192.50	191.51
5	—	257	187.50	187.50
7	—	637	138.00–143.50	139.54
21	—	356	187.50–190.00	188.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
125	—	423	180.00–199.00	187.39
37	—	294	205.00	205.00
477	—	575	147.00–158.00	152.80
22	—	788	131.00–133.50	131.55
202	—	387	192.00–208.00	198.46
383	—	514	157.25–169.50	164.31
142	—	621	144.00–149.50	145.50
156	—	479	168.00–182.50	175.20
11	—	322	201.00–209.00	203.24
17	—	709	134.50–140.00	138.93
127	—	674	137.00–145.00	141.04

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
4	—	520	149.00	149.00
4	—	469	164.00	164.00
2	—	723	141.00	141.00
2	—	765	137.00	137.00
6	—	921	131.00–132.00	131.84

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Full$ per cwt · actual wt
8	—	646	137.00	137.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
4	—	550	146.00	146.00
50	—	451	144.00	144.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Fancy$ per cwt · actual wt
59	—	462	186.00–188.00	187.69

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
17	—	480	159.00	159.00
3	—	637	140.00	140.00
4	—	814	128.50	128.50

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
13	—	805	134.50–135.00	134.88
15	—	528	160.50	160.50
6	—	443	194.00	194.00
6	—	663	137.00	137.00
20	—	719	144.00	144.00
76	—	583	151.25–157.00	152.08
4	—	384	207.50	207.50
28	—	483	169.00–169.50	169.30
47	—	624	145.50–147.50	147.05
19	—	881	137.00–140.50	138.25

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
219	—	478	145.00–153.00	148.20
149	—	419	149.00–159.00	154.07
254	—	516	144.00–152.50	147.98
6	—	264	170.00	170.00
31	—	671	130.00–131.00	130.22
74	—	384	156.00–167.00	160.49
32	—	609	130.00–138.00	135.75
95	—	326	156.00–167.50	160.52
98	—	566	131.00–141.00	134.85

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2 · Full$ per cwt · actual wt
2	—	590	111.00	111.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
24	—	419	145.00–148.00	146.16
17	—	469	135.00–143.00	140.07
6	—	638	127.00	127.00
58	—	538	131.00–138.50	136.09

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
6	—	844	129.50	129.50
10	—	902	122.50	122.50
9	—	521	139.00–141.00	140.09
6	—	462	142.00	142.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Full$ per cwt · actual wt
8	—	584	126.00	126.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
21	—	430	129.00	129.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Fancy$ per cwt · actual wt
19	—	503	152.00	152.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
12	—	541	136.50–137.00	136.79
18	—	476	142.00	142.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
6	—	700	127.00	127.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	1,195	109.00	109.00
11	—	1,005	118.00–118.50	118.45
1	—	1,120	108.00	108.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
37	—	812	136.00–143.50	137.22
51	—	633	134.00–139.00	136.25
4	—	383	167.50	167.50
69	—	590	135.00–136.00	135.60
8	—	902	123.50–131.00	129.12
10	—	446	158.50	158.50
2	—	513	147.00	147.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Replacement$ per cwt · actual wt
53	—	700	134.75	134.75

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 1-2 · Full$ per cwt · actual wt
5	—	697	114.00	114.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
7	—	684	131.00	131.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
2	—	510	158.00	158.00
4	—	441	165.00	165.00
6	—	665	129.00–134.00	130.63
20	—	571	133.00–143.00	137.99

Replacement Cattle

As reported

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)	Open	27	—	1,066	59.00–68.00	64.10
(<2 yrs)	Open	16	—	1,122	69.00–82.00	75.04

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.