Sale reports / Montana / Billings Livestock Commission / 2022-12-08

Billings Livestock Commission

Feeder Cattle · Slaughter Cattle · Replacement Cattle · Billings, Montana · Thu, Dec 8
● Final133 lots reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1777
Feeder Cattle receipts
4,199 head
▼ 1,387 vs last sale 5,586▲ 592 vs year ago 3,607 · +16.4%
Slaughter Cattle receipts
368 head
▲ 209 vs last sale 159▼ 220 vs year ago 588 · −37.4%
Replacement Cattle receipts
183 head
▲ 102 vs last sale 81▼ 114 vs year ago 297 · −38.4%
Also sold here(Mon)Mon Nov 2, 2026
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Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to last week: Yearling steers and heifer were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Demand for yearlings was mostly moderate to good. Yearling cattle were mostly average to attractive in quality. Steer calves under 400 lbs were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. 400-449 lbs steers sold mostly steady to 10.00 higher, steer calves over 450 lbs sold steady to 5.00 higher. Heifer calves under 550 lbs sold steady to 5.00 higher, heifers over 550 lbs sold steady to 5.00 lower on a lower quality offering. Demand for light weight calves did diminish as the sale progressed and buyers filled loads. Quality this week was mixed and varied greatly, much like last week. Demand for calves was mostly moderate to good. Many sets of weaned calves were seen this week. Weaned calves showed the greatest variation in quality as some were weaned very well, while others were still full bellied and rough haired. Market activity was mostly moderate to active this week with good participation seen from both order buyers and farmer feeders. Weigh up cows and bulls were too lightly tested last sale to develop a full market trend, however lower undertones were noticed on both feeding and slaughter cows. Slaughter bulls were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed were too lightly tested last week to develop a full market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Demand for young cows suitable to rebreed was stronger again this sale.

Weight classPick one — the panels below update

Steers · summary 0–100 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot
0–100 lb steers averaged $204.14/cwt on 2,103 head.
Average price
$204.14
2,103 head · 577 lb average
Value per head Derived
$1,179
Price × average weight ÷ 100
Grade differential Derived
−$691
per head · Medium 1 over Large 1
$88.89/cwt at this weight
vs the market
−2.34
vs MT average

Price by quality 0–100 lb

Frame and muscle grade
Frame / muscleAvg wt$/cwt$/headHead
Medium 1434212.8992419thin
Medium and Large 1577205.651,1861,831
Medium and Large 1-2525202.841,066216
Medium and Large 2876150.001,3148thin
Small and Medium 2-3466135.0062910thin
Large 11,302124.001,61419thin
One grade step is worth $88.89/cwt here — about −$691 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 sale2,103 hd
204.14
—
MT average4 barns · 4,219 hd
206.48
−2.34
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—Average1,79484.741,5208thin
CowsBoner 80-85%High1,41659.3684176
CowsBreaker 75-80%Low1,72558.501,0098thin
CowsLean 85-90%High1,20052.90635141

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 Cows2nd Stage (4-6 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)1,278$1,2504thin
Bred Cows1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)1,183$1,1964thin
Bred Cows1st Stage (1-3 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)1,032$9852thin

Every lot

133 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 · Steers49 lots · lightest first
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned341265.15/cwt260.00–268.0090414
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned341257.50/cwt257.50–257.508787
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Full360227.50/cwt227.50–227.508193
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2376237.34/cwt232.50–247.5089219
Steers—Medium and Large 1385253.18/cwt250.00–272.5097535
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned386275.00/cwt275.00–275.001,0626
Steers—Medium 1391222.50/cwt222.50–222.508704
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned395233.27/cwt230.00–234.0092116
Steers—Medium 1Unweaned405220.00/cwt220.00–220.008914
Steers—Medium 1408222.50/cwt222.50–222.509088
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2410229.43/cwt222.50–240.0094110
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned413257.97/cwt245.00–264.001,065102
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned427226.26/cwt220.00–240.0096610
Steers—Medium and Large 1433246.22/cwt239.00–258.001,06631
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned461230.41/cwt225.00–245.001,06214
Steers—Small and Medium 2-3466135.00/cwt135.00–135.0062910
Steers—Medium and Large 1476229.54/cwt224.00–242.001,093157
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2481214.36/cwt207.00–218.501,03111
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned485216.05/cwt214.00–217.501,04817
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Full489193.00/cwt193.00–193.0094417
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2510195.89/cwt187.50–213.009996
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned523212.66/cwt203.00–226.001,112120
Steers—Medium and Large 1526217.57/cwt202.00–234.001,144188
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned538195.52/cwt193.00–197.001,0528
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2563185.81/cwt177.00–189.501,04650
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned574201.37/cwt187.00–206.751,156202
Steers—Medium and Large 1575199.66/cwt191.00–205.501,148217
Steers—Medium 1598165.00/cwt165.00–165.009873
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2613181.00/cwt181.00–181.001,1102
Steers—Medium and Large 1618194.13/cwt187.50–204.001,200215
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned631177.74/cwt176.00–179.001,1227
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned633190.68/cwt183.50–197.001,207165
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned663172.42/cwt168.00–176.001,14312
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned665181.29/cwt177.00–182.501,20698
Steers—Medium and Large 1668183.10/cwt177.50–189.001,22381
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2706173.33/cwt171.00–174.501,2246
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned718184.31/cwt183.00–186.001,32333
Steers—Medium and Large 1719178.80/cwt178.50–180.001,28673
Steers—Medium and Large 1Full737171.75/cwt171.00–172.001,2668
Steers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned760177.19/cwt175.00–178.001,34715
Steers—Medium and Large 1763171.31/cwt170.00–177.001,30722
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2773168.00/cwt168.00–168.001,2993
Steers—Medium and Large 1812171.10/cwt165.00–177.001,38919
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2839168.50/cwt168.50–168.501,4148
Steers—Medium and Large 1856170.00/cwt170.00–170.001,4559
Steers—Medium and Large 2876150.00/cwt150.00–150.001,3148
Steers—Medium and Large 1933167.00/cwt167.00–167.001,5587
Steers—Medium and Large 1-2988155.00/cwt155.00–155.001,5314
Steers—Large 11,302124.00/cwt124.00–124.001,61419
Feeder Cattle · Heifers54 lots · lightest first
Heifers—Medium 1Unweaned304205.00/cwt205.00–205.006236
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned316215.00/cwt215.00–215.006799
Heifers—Medium 1337185.00/cwt185.00–185.006238
Heifers—Medium and Large 2343175.00/cwt175.00–175.006006
Heifers—Medium and Large 1378208.00/cwt208.00–208.007862
Heifers—Medium 1378196.00/cwt196.00–196.007412
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned381210.65/cwt206.00–211.0080329
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2390204.00/cwt204.00–204.007961
Heifers—Medium and Large 2393177.23/cwt175.00–180.006979
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned396197.78/cwt195.00–199.0078313
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2409185.10/cwt180.00–190.0075714
Heifers—Medium and Large 1432208.24/cwt202.00–213.00900159
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned432204.85/cwt201.00–210.0088512
Heifers—Medium and Large 2Unweaned448163.15/cwt160.00–177.5073111
Heifers—Medium and Large 1473203.86/cwt194.00–208.50964103
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned473162.50/cwt162.50–162.507693
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned479199.03/cwt186.50–205.0095396
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2483189.31/cwt178.00–191.509146
Heifers—Large 1483188.00/cwt188.00–188.009083
Heifers—Large 1Unweaned487181.00/cwt181.00–181.008817
Heifers—Medium 1495188.50/cwt188.50–188.509333
Heifers—Large 1-2501144.00/cwt144.00–144.0072113
Heifers—Medium 1508175.38/cwt175.00–175.5089113
Heifers—Large 1Unweaned508164.00/cwt164.00–164.008333
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned515178.32/cwt172.00–184.0091811
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned517197.94/cwt189.50–205.001,02361
Heifers—Large 1523165.00/cwt165.00–165.0086312
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Replacement532199.42/cwt190.00–201.001,06150
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2534165.92/cwt164.00–172.5088613
Heifers—Medium and Large 1536192.56/cwt188.00–197.501,032100
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Replacement570190.25/cwt187.00–196.501,08464
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned573159.29/cwt150.00–172.009139
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Full575166.91/cwt160.50–169.0096012
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2575160.63/cwt158.00–169.009244
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned576187.57/cwt186.50–189.501,08039
Heifers—Medium and Large 1579185.99/cwt173.00–195.001,07775
Heifers—Medium 1586154.00/cwt154.00–154.009026
Heifers—Large 1597150.00/cwt150.00–150.0089629
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Replacement612176.50/cwt176.50–176.501,08024
Heifers—Medium and Large 1613169.92/cwt161.00–174.001,04244
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned625165.71/cwt164.00–172.001,036131
Heifers—Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned636158.00/cwt158.00–158.001,0055
Heifers—Medium and Large 1650170.50/cwt170.50–170.501,10825
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned656159.50/cwt159.50–159.501,0466
Heifers—Large 1-2670141.00/cwt141.00–141.009456
Heifers—Medium and Large 1742160.39/cwt153.50–161.001,19037
Heifers—Medium and Large 1837181.01/cwt176.00–182.501,51547
Heifers—Medium and Large 1884172.64/cwt168.50–177.501,52641
Heifers—Medium and Large 1Unweaned915170.50/cwt170.50–170.501,5606
Heifers—Medium and Large 1936161.50/cwt161.50–161.501,5129
Heifers—Medium and Large 1960156.98/cwt155.00–158.001,50727
Heifers—Large 1-21,022147.00/cwt147.00–147.001,50210
Heifers—Large 11,059151.21/cwt150.50–156.501,60117
Heifers—Large 11,155155.00/cwt155.00–155.001,7901
Feeder Cattle · Bulls5 lots · lightest first
Bulls—Medium and Large 1Unweaned412235.00/cwt235.00–235.009683
Bulls—Medium and Large 1-2541171.00/cwt171.00–171.009254
Bulls—Medium and Large 1567173.41/cwt171.00–175.0098326
Bulls—Medium and Large 1-2614155.00/cwt155.00–155.009526
Bulls—Medium and Large 1673169.00/cwt169.00–169.001,13712
Slaughter Cattle · Bulls2 lots · lightest first
Bulls——1,76983.42/cwt72.00–88.001,4767
Bulls——1,96594.00/cwt94.00–94.001,8471
Slaughter Cattle · Cows14 lots · lightest first
Cows—Lean 85-90%Return to Feed1,17569.00/cwt69.00–69.008111
Cows—Lean 85-90%1,17835.25/cwt32.00–40.0041512
Cows—Lean 85-90%Return to Feed1,17958.61/cwt56.00–65.5069126
Cows—Lean 85-90%Return to Feed1,20453.91/cwt51.00–73.0064980
Cows—Lean 85-90%1,21150.84/cwt46.00–54.0061620
Cows—Boner 80-85%Return to Feed1,32071.95/cwt67.00–74.009506
Cows—Lean 85-90%1,32356.49/cwt56.00–57.007472
Cows—Boner 80-85%1,36039.00/cwt39.00–39.005301
Cows—Boner 80-85%Return to Feed1,36578.00/cwt78.00–78.001,0651
Cows—Boner 80-85%1,39763.60/cwt63.00–64.008883
Cows—Boner 80-85%Return to Feed1,39858.31/cwt54.00–64.5081536
Cows—Boner 80-85%1,46557.68/cwt51.00–60.5084529
Cows—Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed1,59063.00/cwt63.00–63.001,0022
Cows—Breaker 75-80%1,77057.00/cwt57.00–57.001,0096
Replacement Cattle · Stock Cows6 lots · lightest first
Stock Cows—Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed86092.50/cwt92.50–92.507964
Stock Cows—Medium and Large 1923111.08/cwt81.00–130.501,02567
Stock Cows—Medium and Large 1-297972.16/cwt72.00–72.507064
Stock Cows—Medium and Large 11,07072.70/cwt59.00–81.0077829
Stock Cows—Medium and Large 1-21,07259.86/cwt57.00–60.506426
Stock Cows—Medium and Large 11,29356.76/cwt53.00–57.0073415
Replacement Cattle · Bred Cows3 lots · lightest first
Bred Cows—Medium and Large 11,032985.00/head985.00–985.009852
Bred Cows—Medium and Large 11,1831,196.04/head1,185.00–1,200.001,1964
Bred Cows—Medium and Large 11,2781,250.00/head1,250.00–1,250.001,2504

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.