Sale reports / Montana / Billings Livestock Commission / 2021-08-19

Billings Livestock Commission

Feeder Cattle · Slaughter Cattle · Replacement Cattle · Billings, Montana · Thu, Aug 19
● Final109 lots reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1777
Feeder Cattle receipts
2,216 head
▲ 370 vs last sale 1,846▲ 1,775 vs year ago 441 · +402.5%
Slaughter Cattle receipts
759 head
▼ 480 vs last sale 1,239▲ 431 vs year ago 328 · +131.4%
Replacement Cattle receipts
444 head
▼ 441 vs last sale 885▲ 239 vs year ago 205 · +116.6%
Also sold here(Mon)Mon Nov 2, 2026
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Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to two weeks ago(8-05-21): Yearling steers under 850 lbs were not well compared, however steady undertones were noticed. Steers over 850 lbs sold mostly 5.00 higher in a narrow comparison. Yearling heifers under 850 lbs sold mostly 2.00-4.00 higher, heifers over 850 lbs sold mostly 2.00-5.00 higher. Demand was mostly good to very good for all yearlings on offer. Spring born calves sold on moderate to good demand for moderate offerings. Steer calves were too lightly tested last sale to develop a full market trend, however higher to sharply higher undertones were noticed. The best test for heifer calves was for 400-499 lbs which sold mostly 5.00-15.00 higher. All other heifers were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on all weights. Quality this week for both calves and yearlings was average to very attractive. The best demand for calves was for fully preconditioned calves. These offerings sold with an $8.00-10.00 premium for most offerings. This led to wide price spreads at times. Several sets of replacement heifers continue to be marketed and consigners continue to offer to abort the heifers at their cost if the buyer wishes to feed them. Market activity was mostly active this week with many bidders both ringside as well as on the internet. Weigh up cows sold on mostly light to moderate demand for heavy offerings. Packers took a back seat to other buyers this week as they allowed cow prices to slide. Buyers looking for cows which could be bred purchased a large portion of the cow offering this week. These cows were reported as bred per cwt. Feeding cows sold mostly 3.00-4.00 lower on a lower quality offering. Slaughter cows sold mostly 2.00-3.00 lower on all classes. Slaughter bulls sold 2.00 lower. Several buyers purchased bulls to feed this week including packers. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold mostly 3.00-5.00 higher. Demand from rebreed buyers was stronger again this sale. Buyers were actively purchasing cows to rebreed for fall calving in southern states. Demand for cow calf pairs was mostly good this sale. Prices for pairs continue to go up in value as calves increase in price.

Weight classPick one — the panels below update

Steers · summary 0–100 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot
0–100 lb steers averaged $175.88/cwt on 855 head.
Average price
$175.88
855 head · 638 lb average
Value per head Derived
$1,121
Price × average weight ÷ 100
Grade differential Derived
−$508
per head · Large 1 over Medium and Large 2
$58.50/cwt at this weight
vs the market
+0.55
vs MT average

Price by quality 0–100 lb

Frame and muscle grade
Frame / muscleAvg wt$/cwt$/headHead
Large 1370192.507123thin
Medium and Large 1630177.911,122761
Medium 1627167.001,0473thin
Medium and Large 1-2691160.161,10781
Medium and Large 2911134.001,2217thin
One grade step is worth $58.50/cwt here — about −$508 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 sale855 hd
175.88
—
MT average2 barns · 1,097 hd
175.33
+0.55
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
Bulls—Low1,74285.281,48598
CowsBreaker 75-80%High1,67072.631,21329
CowsBoner 80-85%Average1,46463.09923129
CowsLean 85-90%Low1,20457.86696160

Every lot

109 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.
ClassWeightGrade / descriptionAvg wtPriceRangePer headHead
Feeder Cattle · Steers27 lots · lightest first
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned224200.00/cwt200.00–200.004485
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned274219.08/cwt213.00–228.5060018
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned327213.00/cwt213.00–213.006973
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned363214.05/cwt190.00–219.0077768
Steers—Large 1370192.50/cwt192.50–192.507123
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned371196.00/cwt196.00–196.007274
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned417176.09/cwt172.50–179.007349
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned418199.79/cwt185.00–209.75835200
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned474177.92/cwt171.00–181.5084370
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned506171.00/cwt171.00–171.008658
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned532168.40/cwt164.50–176.0089620
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned586166.39/cwt165.00–169.0097524
Steers—Medium 1627167.00/cwt167.00–167.001,0473
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned628154.92/cwt145.00–160.009736
Steers—Medium and Large 1664177.00/cwt177.00–177.001,1755
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2713158.80/cwt157.00–162.001,13217
Steers—Medium and Large 1716167.76/cwt165.00–170.001,20116
Steers—Medium and Large 1761164.04/cwt162.00–165.001,24816
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2777157.00/cwt157.00–157.001,2203
Steers—Medium and Large 1805162.39/cwt162.00–162.501,30736
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2811154.50/cwt154.50–154.501,2539
Steers—Medium and Large 1879155.80/cwt152.00–157.501,369184
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2895142.00/cwt142.00–142.001,2718
Steers—Medium and Large 1908156.23/cwt150.00–157.001,41995
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2911144.63/cwt143.50–146.001,31811
Steers—Medium and Large 2911134.00/cwt134.00–134.001,2217
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2950135.50/cwt135.50–135.501,2877
Feeder Cattle · Heifers33 lots · lightest first
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned274185.00/cwt185.00–185.005079
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned330184.19/cwt173.00–190.0060834
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned379182.12/cwt173.50–185.00690117
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned382169.00/cwt169.00–169.006463
Heifers—Large 1Unweaned389167.00/cwt167.00–167.006508
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned423169.74/cwt164.00–176.5071880
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned434161.00/cwt161.00–161.006993
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned453153.00/cwt153.00–153.006932
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned457165.69/cwt161.00–170.0075735
Heifers—Medium 1-2511131.00/cwt131.00–131.006696
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned521154.44/cwt154.00–156.008059
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned567151.01/cwt148.10–152.5085612
Heifers—Medium 1-2581146.50/cwt146.50–146.5085111
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned619136.00/cwt136.00–136.008424
Heifers—Medium and Large 1683157.00/cwt157.00–157.001,0728
Heifers—Medium and Large 2683140.00/cwt140.00–140.009565
Heifers—Medium 1696150.00/cwt150.00–150.001,0444
Heifers—Medium 1-2703134.00/cwt134.00–134.009423
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2706147.00/cwt147.00–147.001,0387
Heifers—Medium and Large 1736154.31/cwt150.00–157.001,13650
Heifers—Medium and Large 1764153.03/cwt150.00–155.001,16933
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Fancy769159.50/cwt159.50–159.501,2277
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2782147.05/cwt145.50–148.001,1508
Heifers—Medium and Large 1825149.01/cwt148.00–150.001,22958
Heifers—Medium and Large 1878146.07/cwt143.25–148.251,282107
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Full878139.23/cwt138.00–140.501,22213
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2908130.00/cwt130.00–130.001,1802
Heifers—Medium and Large 1921142.21/cwt140.50–143.001,31024
Heifers—Medium and Large 1973139.10/cwt133.00–141.501,35372
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2993130.50/cwt130.50–130.501,2962
Heifers—Large 11,011135.50/cwt135.50–135.501,37021
Heifers—Large 11,080125.50/cwt125.50–125.501,35511
Heifers—Large 11,115124.50/cwt124.50–124.501,3882
Feeder Cattle · Bulls12 lots · lightest first
Bulls—Medium and Large 1Unweaned234212.50/cwt212.50–212.504974
Bulls—Medium and Large 1Unweaned312212.00/cwt212.00–212.006613
Bulls—Medium and Large 1Unweaned463163.00/cwt163.00–163.0075513
Bulls—Medium and Large 1Unweaned635142.50/cwt142.50–142.509054
Bulls—Medium and Large 1693146.00/cwt146.00–146.001,0126
Bulls—Medium and Large 1950133.00/cwt133.00–133.001,2643
Bulls—Medium and Large 1-2991120.50/cwt120.50–120.501,1947
Bulls—Large 11,056128.00/cwt128.00–128.001,3524
Bulls—Large 11,113110.00/cwt110.00–110.001,2242
Bulls—Large 1-21,13991.00/cwt91.00–91.001,0368
Bulls—Large 11,172110.73/cwt108.00–113.001,2989
Bulls—Large 11,24896.00/cwt96.00–96.001,1982
Slaughter Cattle · Bulls5 lots · lightest first
Bulls——Return to Feed1,43174.79/cwt68.00–80.001,0705
Bulls——Return to Feed1,51884.73/cwt81.00–89.001,28628
Bulls——1,58578.72/cwt67.00–82.501,24811
Bulls——1,87586.02/cwt81.00–89.001,61338
Bulls——2,02192.30/cwt90.00–96.501,86516
Slaughter Cattle · Cows17 lots · lightest first
Cows—Lean 85-90%Light Weight95554.18/cwt53.00–56.005175
Cows—Lean 85-90%1,07050.13/cwt50.00–51.005368
Cows—Lean 85-90%1,18257.11/cwt50.00–60.5067574
Cows—Lean 85-90%Return to Feed1,20956.87/cwt52.00–59.5068829
Cows—Lean 85-90%1,28760.86/cwt60.00–63.0078315
Cows—Lean 85-90%Return to Feed1,28866.00/cwt66.00–66.008502
Cows—Lean 85-90%Return to Feed1,29061.66/cwt59.00–66.0079527
Cows—Boner 80-85%Return to Feed1,37559.87/cwt59.00–60.008238
Cows—Boner 80-85%Return to Feed1,42570.82/cwt69.00–75.001,0098
Cows—Boner 80-85%1,43262.87/cwt60.50–67.0090020
Cows—Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed1,45875.12/cwt75.00–75.501,0954
Cows—Boner 80-85%Return to Feed1,47665.17/cwt61.00–69.0096258
Cows—Boner 80-85%1,49058.73/cwt58.50–60.0087535
Cows—Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed1,49381.02/cwt80.00–82.001,2102
Cows—Breaker 75-80%1,64673.69/cwt72.50–76.001,21311
Cows—Breaker 75-80%1,74366.10/cwt62.00–70.501,1529
Cows—Breaker 75-80%1,93779.46/cwt78.50–80.001,5393
Replacement Cattle · Bred Cows4 lots · lightest first
Bred Cows—Medium and Large 11,053988.18/cwt950.00–1,000.0010,4069
Bred Cows—Medium and Large 11,28361.47/cwt59.00–65.5078951
Bred Cows—Medium and Large 11,31463.50/cwt62.00–64.008349
Bred Cows—Medium and Large 11,6191,250.00/cwt1,250.00–1,250.0020,2384
Replacement Cattle · Stock Cows3 lots · lightest first
Stock Cows—Medium and Large 196890.05/cwt65.00–106.0087277
Stock Cows—Medium and Large 11,10372.74/cwt58.00–79.5080253
Stock Cows—Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed1,32059.00/cwt59.00–59.007791
Replacement Cattle · Cow-Calf Pairs7 lots · lightest first
Cow-Calf Pairs—Medium and Large 11,4111,439.64/cwt1,400.00–1,450.0020,31321
Cow-Calf Pairs—Medium and Large 11,4521,628.23/cwt1,500.00–1,650.0023,6427
Cow-Calf Pairs—Medium and Large 11,5241,620.54/cwt1,485.00–1,700.0024,69713
Cow-Calf Pairs—Medium and Large 11,6161,603.34/cwt1,500.00–1,710.0025,91021
Cow-Calf Pairs—Medium and Large 11,6411,433.60/cwt1,400.00–1,450.0023,52513
Cow-Calf Pairs—Medium and Large 1Broken Mouth1,6851,417.83/cwt1,410.00–1,450.0023,89016
Cow-Calf Pairs—Medium and Large 11,6871,570.21/cwt1,475.00–1,600.0026,48927
Replacement Cattle · Bred Heifers1 lot · lightest first
Bred Heifers—Medium and Large 18611,410.00/cwt1,410.00–1,410.0012,14050

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.