Sale reports / Montana / Billings Livestock Commission / 2021-09-09

Billings Livestock Commission

Feeder Cattle · Slaughter Cattle · Replacement Cattle · Billings, Montana · Thu, Sep 9
● Final110 lots reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1777
Feeder Cattle receipts
2,369 head
▲ 1,570 vs last sale 799▲ 650 vs year ago 1,719 · +37.8%
Slaughter Cattle receipts
589 head
▼ 307 vs last sale 896▲ 481 vs year ago 108 · +445.4%
Replacement Cattle receipts
258 head
▲ 61 vs last sale 197▲ 158 vs year ago 100 · +158.0%
Also sold here(Mon)Mon Nov 2, 2026
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Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to last week: Yearling steers were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however mostly steady to firm undertones were noticed. Yearling heifers under 750 lbs sold mostly 2.00-5.00 higher, while heifers over 750 lbs sold unevenly steady. Steer calves were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on steer calves under 400 lbs and steady to weak undertones were noticed on calves over 400 lbs. Heifer calves were also too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on heifer calves under 400 lbs and steady to weak undertones were noticed on calves over 400 lbs. Demand for all feeder cattle remains strong with lots of willing buyers. CME positions have fallen sharply over the past week and a half, however demand remains mostly good for high quality feeder cattle. Quality this week was mixed from plain to very attractive. Demand for very light calves was especially good this week as buyers have already started thinking about buying calves to develop into yearlings. Many of the very light steers and heifers sold for the same dollars per head as their bigger brother and sisters. Market activity this week was mostly active. Weigh up cows sold on mostly moderate to good demand for moderate offerings. Cows continue to sell for three different purposes: slaughter, feed and to preg test for bred cows. Slaughter buyers tried to buy cows near steady this week, however pressure from other buyers forced packers to pay higher money in order to secure offerings. Slaughter cows sold mostly 1.00-3.00 higher on all classes in a very narrow comparison. Feeding cow demand was mostly very good this week. Many Midwestern farmers are wrapping up cutting silage and many are starting to purchase feeding cows. Feeding cows sold mostly 1.00 higher. Several sets of cow sold today that were exposed or bred and replacement cows buyers purchased most of these cows away from slaughter cow buyers this week. Cows continue to come to town in poor body condition as most have freshly weaned cows and many are coming out of very dry country. Slaughter bulls sold steady to 1.00 higher. Feeding demand helped push or hold the market steady on bulls suitable to feed. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold steady to weak. Quality was not as attractive this week as last and fewer takers were bidding on offerings.

Weight classPick one — the panels below update

Heifers · summary 0–100 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot
0–100 lb heifers averaged $156.90/cwt on 1,317 head.
Average price
$156.90
1,317 head · 660 lb average
Value per head Derived
$1,035
Price × average weight ÷ 100
Grade differential Derived
−$220
per head · Medium and Large 1 over Large 1-2
$44.48/cwt at this weight
vs the market
−0.46
vs MT average

Price by quality 0–100 lb

Frame and muscle grade
Frame / muscleAvg wt$/cwt$/headHead
Medium and Large 1643158.981,0231,018
Medium and Large 1-2640155.57996166
Medium 1634153.4197266
Medium 1-2632147.509323thin
Medium and Large 2806132.501,0684thin
Large 11,013132.091,33757
Large 1-21,085114.501,2423thin
One grade step is worth $44.48/cwt here — about −$220 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 sale1,317 hd
156.90
—
MT average3 barns · 1,850 hd
157.36
−0.46
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—Average1,75685.761,50665
CowsBreaker 75-80%Average1,55074.201,15040
CowsBoner 80-85%High1,39163.84888153
CowsLean 85-90%High1,20752.06628182

Every lot

110 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 · Steers26 lots · lightest first
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned275231.52/cwt230.00–232.506375
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned318230.22/cwt221.00–235.0073227
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned320212.00/cwt212.00–212.0067822
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned372215.04/cwt203.00–232.0080046
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned393181.00/cwt181.00–181.0071113
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned420183.54/cwt181.00–185.0077155
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned448174.87/cwt173.00–176.5078328
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned474178.30/cwt173.00–185.0084590
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned478170.95/cwt168.00–174.0081710
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned522169.93/cwt168.50–171.0088735
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned543160.00/cwt160.00–160.0086912
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned568155.00/cwt155.00–155.008805
Steers—Medium 1569165.00/cwt165.00–165.009396
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned570166.83/cwt160.50–169.0095170
Steers—Medium 1-2570160.00/cwt160.00–160.009126
Steers—Medium 1608163.00/cwt163.00–163.009912
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned608162.00/cwt162.00–162.009856
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned660156.00/cwt156.00–156.001,0302
Steers—Medium and Large 1686170.50/cwt170.50–170.501,17021
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2728157.00/cwt157.00–157.001,1433
Steers—Medium and Large 1Full749168.00/cwt168.00–168.001,2584
Steers—Medium and Large 1765169.73/cwt163.00–170.501,29869
Steers—Medium and Large 1818163.50/cwt163.50–163.501,3375
Steers—Medium and Large 1905147.00/cwt147.00–147.001,3303
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2921145.00/cwt145.00–145.001,3354
Steers—Large 11,064134.00/cwt134.00–134.001,4264
Feeder Cattle · Heifers40 lots · lightest first
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned255182.50/cwt182.50–182.5046510
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned276211.00/cwt211.00–211.005827
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned313201.37/cwt197.00–211.0063039
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned316183.39/cwt180.00–186.0058024
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned367186.88/cwt177.00–200.0068646
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned375175.50/cwt175.50–175.506583
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned430168.44/cwt162.50–172.50724151
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned431160.00/cwt160.00–160.006909
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned480155.00/cwt155.00–155.007444
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned482163.98/cwt162.00–166.0079052
Heifers—Large 1Unweaned488160.00/cwt160.00–160.007816
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned518157.03/cwt152.00–162.00813102
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned551150.00/cwt150.00–150.008278
Heifers—Medium 1625153.26/cwt148.00–156.0095853
Heifers—Medium 1-2632147.50/cwt147.50–147.509323
Heifers—Medium and Large 1646160.03/cwt158.50–162.001,03439
Heifers—Medium 1669154.00/cwt154.00–154.001,03013
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2674154.00/cwt154.00–154.001,0386
Heifers—Medium and Large 1683159.86/cwt156.00–163.001,092147
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2722149.88/cwt145.00–153.501,08253
Heifers—Medium and Large 1740157.00/cwt157.00–157.001,16270
Heifers—Medium and Large 1771153.48/cwt149.00–157.001,183128
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2774148.00/cwt148.00–148.001,14614
Heifers—Medium and Large 2806132.50/cwt132.50–132.501,0684
Heifers—Medium and Large 1811145.88/cwt145.00–147.001,18355
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2821142.71/cwt138.00–144.001,17236
Heifers—Large 1863139.00/cwt139.00–139.001,2002
Heifers—Medium and Large 1865142.14/cwt140.50–144.751,23098
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2871138.51/cwt138.00–139.001,2064
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Full889135.50/cwt135.50–135.501,2058
Heifers—Medium and Large 1910141.27/cwt138.00–143.001,28623
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Full939136.00/cwt136.00–136.001,27723
Heifers—Medium and Large 1980137.18/cwt137.00–139.001,34411
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Full981130.50/cwt130.50–130.501,28011
Heifers—Large 1991127.50/cwt127.50–127.501,2645
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2998127.00/cwt127.00–127.001,2673
Heifers—Large 11,073129.82/cwt125.50–131.501,39328
Heifers—Large 1-21,085114.50/cwt114.50–114.501,2423
Heifers—Large 11,120126.50/cwt126.50–126.501,4175
Heifers—Large 1Fleshy1,133126.00/cwt126.00–126.001,42811
Feeder Cattle · Bulls9 lots · lightest first
Bulls—Medium and Large 1Unweaned264212.50/cwt212.50–212.505617
Bulls—Medium and Large 1Unweaned317204.47/cwt201.00–205.0064815
Bulls—Medium and Large 1Unweaned394175.00/cwt175.00–175.006907
Bulls—Medium and Large 1Unweaned424170.00/cwt170.00–170.007215
Bulls—Medium and Large 1Unweaned478168.00/cwt168.00–168.008039
Bulls—Medium and Large 1Unweaned532152.70/cwt151.00–154.008129
Bulls—Medium and Large 1903124.00/cwt124.00–124.001,1202
Bulls—Medium and Large 1-2930113.00/cwt113.00–113.001,0516
Bulls—Large 11,202104.00/cwt104.00–104.001,2503
Slaughter Cattle · Bulls6 lots · lightest first
Bulls——Return to Feed1,53983.92/cwt81.50–87.001,29213
Bulls——1,68478.50/cwt76.00–80.001,3225
Bulls——Return to Feed1,74779.26/cwt77.00–80.001,3857
Bulls——1,83392.41/cwt90.00–94.501,69414
Bulls——1,83886.65/cwt82.00–89.501,59325
Bulls——1,88076.00/cwt76.00–76.001,4291
Slaughter Cattle · Cows19 lots · lightest first
Cows—Lean 85-90%Light Weight93355.00/cwt55.00–55.005132
Cows—Lean 85-90%1,09744.63/cwt44.50–48.0049030
Cows—Lean 85-90%Return to Feed1,20653.77/cwt52.00–56.2564846
Cows—Lean 85-90%Return to Feed1,20649.50/cwt49.50–49.5059746
Cows—Lean 85-90%Return to Feed1,24077.50/cwt77.50–77.509611
Cows—Lean 85-90%1,24954.72/cwt52.00–56.0068326
Cows—Lean 85-90%1,28957.16/cwt56.00–59.0073711
Cows—Lean 85-90%Return to Feed1,30157.30/cwt57.00–58.0074520
Cows—Boner 80-85%Return to Feed1,35056.49/cwt53.00–58.0076345
Cows—Boner 80-85%Return to Feed1,37573.82/cwt71.00–76.001,01532
Cows—Boner 80-85%1,39261.89/cwt60.00–65.008628
Cows—Boner 80-85%1,41655.27/cwt52.00–57.007835
Cows—Boner 80-85%Return to Feed1,41864.55/cwt61.00–69.0091559
Cows—Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed1,52773.50/cwt73.50–73.501,12221
Cows—Breaker 75-80%1,53270.93/cwt67.00–72.501,0876
Cows—Boner 80-85%1,54070.68/cwt68.50–73.001,0884
Cows—Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed1,55176.37/cwt76.00–78.001,18410
Cows—Breaker 75-80%1,70080.00/cwt80.00–80.001,3601
Cows—Breaker 75-80%1,77077.56/cwt77.00–78.001,3732
Replacement Cattle · Stock Cows5 lots · lightest first
Stock Cows—Medium and Large 1-21,03465.99/cwt57.00–71.006829
Stock Cows—Large 11,04072.00/cwt72.00–72.007494
Stock Cows—Medium and Large 11,04583.65/cwt72.00–96.0087466
Stock Cows—Medium and Large 11,06471.27/cwt59.00–76.5075828
Stock Cows—Large 11,19465.28/cwt61.00–67.007798
Replacement Cattle · Bred Cows4 lots · lightest first
Bred Cows—Medium and Large 11,0801,135.00/cwt1,135.00–1,135.0012,2584
Bred Cows—Medium and Large 1-21,257925.00/cwt925.00–925.0011,6273
Bred Cows—Medium and Large 1Broken Mouth1,28660.47/cwt55.00–63.5077824
Bred Cows—Medium and Large 11,41059.63/cwt56.50–61.0084122
Replacement Cattle · Bred Heifers1 lot · lightest first
Bred Heifers—Medium and Large 1Fancy1,0521,585.00/cwt1,585.00–1,585.0016,6749

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.