Sale reports / Montana / Billings Livestock Commission / 2023-05-11

Billings Livestock Commission

Name: Billings Livestock Commission livestock auction prices — 2023-05-11
Creator: RaisedBeef
Published: 2023-05-11

Feeder Cattle · Slaughter Cattle · Replacement Cattle · Billings, Montana · Thu, May 11

● Final89 lots reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1777

← May 4May 11May 25 →

Feeder Cattle receipts

482 head

▲ 179 vs last sale 303▼ 425 vs year ago 907 · −46.9%

Slaughter Cattle receipts

523 head

▼ 70 vs last sale 593▲ 102 vs year ago 421 · +24.2%

Replacement Cattle receipts

322 head

▼ 80 vs last sale 402▼ 75 vs year ago 397 · −18.9%

Also sold here(Mon)Mon Nov 2, 2026

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Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to last week: Steers and heifers were too lightly tested today to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to higher undertones were noticed. Quality this sale was mostly plain. Most lots were offered in small packages or as singles. Demand remains good to very good. With only one feeder sale in billings this week several buyers were looking for cattle to finish filling loads and were aggressive as they did so. The best demand continues to be for cattle suitable to run on grass. Market activity was active to very active, despite light offerings. Weigh up cows sold on mostly good demand for moderate offerings. Packers and order buyers both showed the best demand for feeding quality cows this week. Slaughter cows sold generally steady. Feeding cows sold steady to firm. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 1.00-2.00 higher. Feeding bull buyers continue to push packer buyers as they try to purchase bulls, however packers purchased most of the bulls away from feeding buyers this week despite having to pay higher prices for bulls. Weigh up conditions were average to below average today with many full offerings noted. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold 2.00-4.00 higher. Quality this week was mostly average to attractive.

Weight class — the figures below change to match

Weight classPick one — the panels below update

Heifers · summary 0–100 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot

0–100 lb heifers averaged $213.23/cwt on 189 head.

Average price

$213.23

189 head · 635 lb average

Value per head Derived

$1,355

Price × average weight ÷ 100

Grade differential Derived

$645

per head · Medium and Large 1 over Medium 2

$66.67/cwt at this weight

vs the market

−4.56

vs MT average

Price by quality 0–100 lb

Frame and muscle grade

Frame / muscle	Avg wt	$/cwt	$/head	Head
Medium and Large 1	690	216.67	1,494	100
Medium and Large 1-2	569	215.54	1,227	80
Medium 1	800	170.00	1,360	2thin
Medium 2	566	150.00	849	7thin

One grade step is worth $66.67/cwt here — about $645 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 sale189 hd

213.23

—

MT average2 barns · 358 hd

217.79

−4.56

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	—	High	1,845	115.19	2,126	55
Cows	Breaker 75-80%	High	1,617	99.52	1,609	31
Cows	Boner 80-85%	High	1,399	91.25	1,277	171
Cows	Lean 85-90%	Low	1,161	86.50	1,004	225

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.

Class	Stage	Age	Avg wt	$/head	Head
Bred Cows	3rd Stage (7-9 mo)	Young (2-4 yrs)	1,184	$2,076	4thin
Bred Cows	3rd Stage (7-9 mo)	Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)	1,550	$1,600	1thin
Bred Heifers	3rd Stage (7-9 mo)	(<2 yrs)	1,041	$2,000	5
Cow-Calf Pairs	Open	Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)	1,441	$1,754	6
Cow-Calf Pairs	Open	Aged (>8 yrs)	1,542	$1,710	3thin

Every lot

89 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 · Steers17 lots · lightest first
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	479	273.65/cwt	267.50–290.00	1,311	7
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	501	295.00/cwt	295.00–295.00	1,478	4
Steers	—	Medium 2	515	215.00/cwt	215.00–215.00	1,107	5
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	546	267.50/cwt	267.50–267.50	1,461	4
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	575	245.09/cwt	240.00–250.00	1,409	2
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	579	271.00/cwt	271.00–271.00	1,569	5
Steers	—	Medium 2	585	195.00/cwt	195.00–195.00	1,141	5
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	635	260.00/cwt	260.00–260.00	1,651	3
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	650	255.00/cwt	255.00–255.00	1,658	1
Steers	—	Medium and Large 2	671	198.00/cwt	198.00–198.00	1,329	7
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	716	234.71/cwt	230.00–239.00	1,681	4
Steers	—	Medium and Large 2	742	190.00/cwt	190.00–190.00	1,410	3
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	743	225.00/cwt	225.00–225.00	1,672	2
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	771	202.00/cwt	202.00–202.00	1,557	5
Steers	—	Medium 2	785	180.00/cwt	180.00–180.00	1,413	7
Steers	—	Large 1	830	193.00/cwt	193.00–193.00	1,602	4
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	870	190.00/cwt	190.00–190.00	1,653	2
Feeder Cattle · Heifers20 lots · lightest first
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	424	280.00/cwt	280.00–280.00	1,187	4
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	437	231.65/cwt	230.00–237.50	1,012	14
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	470	210.00/cwt	210.00–210.00	987	4
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	480	248.15/cwt	242.50–250.00	1,191	4
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	529	237.50/cwt	237.50–237.50	1,256	8
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	532	227.18/cwt	222.50–235.00	1,209	10
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	541	219.00/cwt	219.00–219.00	1,185	8
Heifers	—	Medium 2	566	150.00/cwt	150.00–150.00	849	7
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	575	218.62/cwt	195.00–227.50	1,257	22
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	583	227.00/cwt	227.00–227.00	1,323	2
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	608	218.76/cwt	210.00–225.00	1,330	10
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	622	236.00/cwt	236.00–236.00	1,468	13
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	626	239.66/cwt	237.00–243.00	1,500	9
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	673	224.96/cwt	215.00–230.00	1,514	21
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	717	182.00/cwt	179.00–183.00	1,305	4
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	723	197.21/cwt	192.00–207.00	1,426	10
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	781	175.85/cwt	173.00–177.00	1,373	6
Heifers	—	Medium 1	800	170.00/cwt	170.00–170.00	1,360	2
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	810	178.00/cwt	178.00–178.00	1,442	2
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	857	182.05/cwt	176.00–182.50	1,560	29
Feeder Cattle · Bulls9 lots · lightest first
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 2Unweaned	380	200.00/cwt	200.00–200.00	760	3
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 2	439	220.00/cwt	220.00–220.00	966	14
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 1-2	540	225.00/cwt	225.00–225.00	1,215	1
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 2	571	197.50/cwt	197.50–197.50	1,128	9
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 2	727	173.00/cwt	173.00–173.00	1,258	3
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 1	733	205.00/cwt	205.00–205.00	1,503	2
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 1	808	185.00/cwt	185.00–185.00	1,495	3
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 1-2	930	152.50/cwt	152.50–152.50	1,418	2
Bulls	—	Large 1	1,218	144.00/cwt	144.00–144.00	1,754	2
Slaughter Cattle · Bulls6 lots · lightest first
Bulls	—	—Light Weight	1,195	84.00/cwt	84.00–84.00	1,004	1
Bulls	—	—Return to Feed	1,313	112.00/cwt	112.00–112.00	1,471	2
Bulls	—	—	1,591	101.84/cwt	96.00–109.00	1,620	14
Bulls	—	—	1,791	115.95/cwt	111.00–124.00	2,077	19
Bulls	—	—	2,029	125.90/cwt	124.00–128.00	2,555	13
Bulls	—	—Heavy Weight	2,500	127.00/cwt	127.00–127.00	3,175	6
Slaughter Cattle · Cows22 lots · lightest first
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%Light Weight	895	88.00/cwt	88.00–88.00	788	1
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Light Weight	949	81.23/cwt	77.00–83.00	771	10
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Light Weight	955	64.00/cwt	64.00–64.00	611	1
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Light Weight	968	91.00/cwt	91.00–91.00	881	2
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	1,118	84.37/cwt	82.00–86.00	943	4
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,148	82.04/cwt	71.00–86.00	942	67
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	1,163	89.33/cwt	86.00–94.00	1,039	75
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,210	65.00/cwt	65.00–65.00	787	1
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,214	88.67/cwt	86.00–92.50	1,076	61
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	1,250	100.04/cwt	99.00–100.50	1,251	3
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,275	96.00/cwt	96.00–96.00	1,224	1
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	1,381	93.06/cwt	90.00–99.00	1,285	86
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	1,400	100.50/cwt	100.50–100.50	1,407	5
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%	1,408	86.19/cwt	84.00–89.00	1,214	40
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	1,409	86.47/cwt	84.00–87.00	1,218	6
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed	1,428	106.63/cwt	106.50–107.50	1,523	7
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%	1,441	91.87/cwt	90.00–96.00	1,324	32
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%	1,623	105.74/cwt	104.00–107.50	1,716	8
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed	1,632	99.41/cwt	97.00–101.00	1,622	3
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%	1,690	103.50/cwt	103.50–103.50	1,749	1
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%	1,696	90.35/cwt	85.00–94.00	1,532	10
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%	1,763	97.01/cwt	96.00–98.00	1,710	3
Replacement Cattle · Cow-Calf Pairs3 lots · lightest first
Cow-Calf Pairs	—	Medium and Large 1	1,325	1,800.00/head	1,800.00–1,800.00	1,800	2
Cow-Calf Pairs	—	Medium and Large 1-2	1,499	1,731.32/head	1,710.00–1,750.00	1,731	4
Cow-Calf Pairs	—	Medium and Large 1	1,542	1,710.00/head	1,710.00–1,710.00	1,710	3
Replacement Cattle · Bred Cows2 lots · lightest first
Bred Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,184	2,076.39/head	2,050.00–2,100.00	2,076	4
Bred Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,550	1,600.00/head	1,600.00–1,600.00	1,600	1
Replacement Cattle · Bred Heifers1 lot · lightest first
Bred Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	1,041	2,000.00/head	2,000.00–2,000.00	2,000	5
Replacement Cattle · Stock Cows9 lots · lightest first
Stock Cows	—	Medium 1	703	124.79/cwt	105.00–145.00	877	2
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1-2Thin Fleshed	744	122.50/cwt	122.50–122.50	911	4
Stock Cows	—	Medium 1	785	138.48/cwt	131.00–140.00	1,087	6
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	965	166.74/cwt	130.50–189.00	1,609	76
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1-2	1,055	129.27/cwt	120.50–158.00	1,364	26
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,055	125.55/cwt	92.00–173.00	1,325	129
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1-2	1,093	98.66/cwt	91.00–110.00	1,078	6
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,185	92.00/cwt	92.00–92.00	1,090	1
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1Fleshy	1,385	122.00/cwt	122.00–122.00	1,690	2

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 May 11, 2023

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

Feeder CattleReceipts 482Last week 303Year ago 907

Slaughter CattleReceipts 523Last week 593Year ago 421

Replacement CattleReceipts 322Last week 402Year ago 397

Feeder Cattle

As reported

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
4	—	424	280.00	280.00
13	—	622	236.00	236.00
2	—	583	227.00	227.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
9	—	626	237.00–243.00	239.66
4	—	480	242.50–250.00	248.15
29	—	857	176.00–182.50	182.05
10	—	723	192.00–207.00	197.21
8	—	529	237.50	237.50
21	—	673	215.00–230.00	224.96

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
10	—	608	210.00–225.00	218.76
14	—	437	230.00–237.50	231.65
22	—	575	195.00–227.50	218.62
2	—	810	178.00	178.00
4	—	470	210.00	210.00
10	—	532	222.50–235.00	227.18
4	—	717	179.00–183.00	182.00
6	—	781	173.00–177.00	175.85

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium 2$ per cwt · actual wt
7	—	566	150.00	150.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
2	—	800	170.00	170.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
8	—	541	219.00	219.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
14	—	439	220.00	220.00
3	—	727	173.00	173.00
9	—	571	197.50	197.50

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	540	225.00	225.00
2	—	930	152.50	152.50

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	380	200.00	200.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	808	185.00	185.00
2	—	733	205.00	205.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
2	—	1,218	144.00	144.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	635	260.00	260.00
4	—	716	230.00–239.00	234.71
2	—	870	190.00	190.00
1	—	650	255.00	255.00
4	—	501	295.00	295.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
5	—	579	271.00	271.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
4	—	830	193.00	193.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
2	—	743	225.00	225.00
2	—	575	240.00–250.00	245.09
7	—	479	267.50–290.00	273.65
4	—	546	267.50	267.50
5	—	771	202.00	202.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	742	190.00	190.00
7	—	671	198.00	198.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium 2$ per cwt · actual wt
7	—	785	180.00	180.00
5	—	585	195.00	195.00
5	—	515	215.00	215.00

Slaughter Cattle

As reported

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Breaker 75-80%$ per cwt · actual wt
8	—	1,623	104.00–107.50	105.74
10	—	1,696	85.00–94.00	90.35
3	—	1,763	96.00–98.00	97.01

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Boner 80-85% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
5	—	1,400	100.50	100.50
86	—	1,381	90.00–99.00	93.06
6	—	1,409	84.00–87.00	86.47

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
4	—	1,118	82.00–86.00	84.37
3	—	1,250	99.00–100.50	100.04
75	—	1,163	86.00–94.00	89.33

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Breaker 75-80% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
7	—	1,428	106.50–107.50	106.63
3	—	1,632	97.00–101.00	99.41

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Boner 80-85%$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	1,690	103.50	103.50
32	—	1,441	90.00–96.00	91.87
40	—	1,408	84.00–89.00	86.19

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90%$ per cwt · actual wt
61	—	1,214	86.00–92.50	88.67
1	—	1,275	96.00	96.00
67	—	1,148	71.00–86.00	82.04
1	—	1,210	65.00	65.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	955	64.00	64.00
2	—	968	91.00	91.00
10	—	949	77.00–83.00	81.23

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Boner 80-85% · Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	895	88.00	88.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls$ per cwt · actual wt
13	—	2,029	124.00–128.00	125.90
14	—	1,591	96.00–109.00	101.84
19	—	1,791	111.00–124.00	115.95

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
2	—	1,313	112.00	112.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Heavy Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
6	—	2,500	127.00	127.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	1,195	84.00	84.00

Replacement Cattle

As reported

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)	Open	2	—	1,325	1,800.00	1,800.00
Aged (>8 yrs)	Open	3	—	1,542	1,710.00	1,710.00

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium and Large 1-2$ per head · actual wt
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)	Open	4	—	1,499	1,710.00–1,750.00	1,731.32

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)	3rd Stage (7-9 mo)	1	—	1,550	1,600.00	1,600.00
Young (2-4 yrs)	3rd Stage (7-9 mo)	4	—	1,184	2,050.00–2,100.00	2,076.39

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bred Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
(<2 yrs)	3rd Stage (7-9 mo)	5	—	1,041	2,000.00	2,000.00

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)	Open	2	—	1,385	122.00	122.00

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)	Open	6	—	785	131.00–140.00	138.48
Young (2-4 yrs)	Open	2	—	703	105.00–145.00	124.79

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	129	—	1,055	92.00–173.00	125.55
(<2 yrs)	Open	76	—	965	130.50–189.00	166.74
Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)	Open	1	—	1,185	92.00	92.00

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1-2 · Thin Fleshed$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)	Open	4	—	744	122.50	122.50

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)	Open	26	—	1,055	120.50–158.00	129.27
Young (2-4 yrs)	Open	6	—	1,093	91.00–110.00	98.66

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.