Sale reports / Montana / Miles City Livestock Commission / 2025-01-28

Miles City Livestock Commission

Name: Miles City Livestock Commission livestock auction prices — 2025-01-28
Creator: RaisedBeef
Published: 2025-01-28

Feeder Cattle · Slaughter Cattle · Replacement Cattle · Miles City, Montana · Tue, Jan 28

● Final74 lots reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1773

← Jan 21Jan 28Feb 4 →

Feeder Cattle receipts

1,591 head

▲ 778 vs last sale 813▼ 744 vs year ago 2,335 · −31.9%

Slaughter Cattle receipts

111 head

▼ 92 vs last sale 203▼ 263 vs year ago 374 · −70.3%

Replacement Cattle receipts

112 head

▼ 430 vs last sale 542▼ 7 vs year ago 119 · −5.9%

View

Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to last week: Feeder steers under 500 lbs were too lightly tested to develop a full market trend, however higher to sharply higher undertones were noticed. 500-599 lbs steers sold mostly 10.00 higher; steers over 600 lbs sold mostly 10.00-20.00 higher in a narrow comparison. Heifer calves under 500 lbs were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher to sharply higher undertones were noticed. Heifers 500-599 lbs sold mostly 10.00-15.00 higher, heifers 600-649 lbs sold all sold steady to firm. Heifers over 650 lbs were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Demand for feeder cattle was mostly good to very good for light offerings. Quality this week was mostly average to attractive and similar to last weeks offering. Most offerings were weaned from 60 days or longer. Many sets of feeders were weaned in a backgrounding lot. Flesh conditions were mostly moderate to moderate plus, with a few sets of fleshy cattle noticed as well. CME feeder cattle positions continue to show improvement following the cattle on feed report from Friday. Placements come in under the industry guess which added additional fuel to push contracts higher despite being at record high levels. Market activity was mostly active today with rapid bidding seen on all offerings. Weigh up cows sold on good demand for very light offerings. Demand for slaughter cows continues to improve. Slaughter cows sold mostly 6.00-12.00 higher on breaking cows and boning cows. Lean cows sold mostly steady to 3.00 higher. Packers were back in the market buying feeding cows this week. Feeding cow demand continues to be good. Both private feeders showed good demand for cows to feed. Feeding cows sold mostly steady to 3.00 higher on all cows suitable to feed. Cow quality this week was average to attractive. Several sets of fed cows were seen this week. Most fed cow offerings were purchased to return to feed. Slaughter bulls were too lightly tested develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Weigh up conditions were mostly average this week for cows and bulls. Young cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold generally steady in a narrow comparison. Quality was mostly average today. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold mostly 10.00-12.00 higher. Demand from both feeding buyers and rebreed buyers was very good.

Weight class — the figures below change to match

Weight classPick one — the panels below update

Steers · summary 500–600 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot

500–600 lb steers averaged $365.68/cwt on 219 head. That ranks 1 of 11 comparable sales and sits −85.90 against this barn's trailing median of $451.58.

Average price

$365.68

219 head · 552 lb average

Value per head Derived

$2,019

Price × average weight ÷ 100

Grade differential Derived

$125

per head · Medium and Large 1 over Medium and Large 1-2

$13.93/cwt at this weight

vs the market

+6.72

vs MT average

+17.02 vs national

Price by quality 500–600 lb

Frame and muscle grade

Frame / muscle	Avg wt	$/cwt	$/head	Head
Medium and Large 1	553	366.76	2,028	202
Medium and Large 1-2	540	352.83	1,904	17thin

One grade step is worth $13.93/cwt here — about $125 a head. Across this sale the premium is widest at 300–400 lb. USDA reports each grade on its own line and never publishes the spread.

How it compared 500–600 lb

Same class and week · spot auction only

This sale219 hd

365.68

—

MT average3 barns · 404 hd

358.96

+6.72

National average177 barns · 23,098 hd

348.66

+17.02

This barn, trailing median11 sales

451.58

−85.90

A barn can sit above the state average at one weight and below it at another — check the class you actually sell.

This barn's trailing prices 500–600 lb

11 sales

Steers 500–600 lb: high $512.23, low $384.50, median $451.58 across 11 sales. Sales under 10 head in this class are excluded, so a thin day cannot swing the median or the ranking.

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	—	Average	1,886	146.88	2,771	25
Cows	Breaker 75-80%	High	1,552	138.64	2,152	19
Cows	Premium White 65-75%	Low	1,692	136.81	2,315	9thin
Cows	Boner 80-85%	Low	1,346	128.21	1,725	32
Cows	Lean 85-90%	Average	1,164	114.13	1,328	18

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	2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)	Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)	1,453	$2,500	2thin
Bred Cows	2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)	Young (2-4 yrs)	996	$2,475	5

Every lot

74 lots · USDA AMS · Miles City Livestock Commission Auction - Miles City, MT

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 · Steers24 lots · lightest first
Steers	300–350	Medium and Large 1-2	344	468.65/cwt	465.00–480.00	1,612	4
Steers	350–400	Medium 1-2	353	397.50/cwt	397.50–397.50	1,403	2
Steers	350–400	Medium and Large 1	365	477.62/cwt	454.00–490.00	1,743	15
Steers	350–400	Medium and Large 1-2	383	430.00/cwt	430.00–430.00	1,647	2
Steers	400–450	Medium 1	425	402.50/cwt	402.50–402.50	1,711	3
Steers	400–450	Medium and Large 1-2	427	392.83/cwt	385.00–430.00	1,677	20
Steers	400–450	Medium and Large 1	440	430.46/cwt	430.00–440.00	1,894	22
Steers	450–500	Medium and Large 1	476	386.91/cwt	382.00–402.50	1,842	34
Steers	450–500	Medium 1	496	375.00/cwt	375.00–375.00	1,860	8
Steers	500–550	Medium and Large 1	527	378.45/cwt	368.00–385.00	1,994	90
Steers	500–550	Medium and Large 1-2	533	357.44/cwt	325.00–360.00	1,905	14
Steers	550–600	Medium and Large 1-2	570	331.33/cwt	327.50–339.00	1,889	3
Steers	550–600	Medium and Large 1Fleshy	573	332.50/cwt	332.50–332.50	1,905	4
Steers	550–600	Medium and Large 1	574	358.29/cwt	352.00–360.00	2,057	108
Steers	600–650	Medium and Large 1	610	345.47/cwt	327.50–349.50	2,107	126
Steers	600–650	Medium and Large 1-2	618	323.68/cwt	322.50–326.00	2,000	6
Steers	600–650	Medium and Large 1Fleshy	625	322.93/cwt	322.50–325.00	2,018	23
Steers	600–650	Medium 1-2	625	267.00/cwt	267.00–267.00	1,669	3
Steers	650–700	Medium and Large 1-2	674	297.23/cwt	290.00–303.00	2,003	6
Steers	650–700	Medium and Large 1	684	322.87/cwt	310.00–324.50	2,208	23
Steers	650–700	Medium 1	688	271.00/cwt	271.00–271.00	1,864	2
Steers	700–750	Medium and Large 1	743	304.39/cwt	302.50–304.50	2,262	156
Steers	750–800	Medium and Large 1	768	292.68/cwt	280.50–298.00	2,248	65
Steers	800–850	Medium and Large 1	832	280.21/cwt	280.00–282.50	2,331	35
Feeder Cattle · Heifers24 lots · lightest first
Heifers	300–350	Medium and Large 1	337	418.00/cwt	418.00–418.00	1,409	16
Heifers	300–350	Medium and Large 1-2	346	390.00/cwt	390.00–390.00	1,349	4
Heifers	350–400	Medium and Large 1	384	409.00/cwt	409.00–409.00	1,571	13
Heifers	350–400	Medium and Large 1-2	384	378.85/cwt	372.50–385.00	1,455	5
Heifers	400–450	Medium and Large 1-2	415	376.00/cwt	376.00–376.00	1,560	5
Heifers	400–450	Medium and Large 1Fleshy	417	367.50/cwt	367.50–367.50	1,532	6
Heifers	400–450	Medium and Large 1	429	391.35/cwt	374.00–417.50	1,679	40
Heifers	400–450	Medium 1	436	361.00/cwt	361.00–361.00	1,574	6
Heifers	450–500	Medium and Large 1	477	372.36/cwt	370.00–380.00	1,776	113
Heifers	450–500	Medium and Large 1-2	485	344.35/cwt	332.50–349.00	1,670	9
Heifers	450–500	Medium and Large 1Fleshy	494	330.00/cwt	330.00–330.00	1,630	14
Heifers	500–550	Medium and Large 1	525	345.67/cwt	332.50–356.00	1,815	91
Heifers	500–550	Medium and Large 1-2	543	321.00/cwt	321.00–321.00	1,743	2
Heifers	550–600	Medium and Large 1-2	550	317.50/cwt	317.50–317.50	1,746	2
Heifers	550–600	Medium and Large 1	573	324.94/cwt	320.00–329.00	1,862	186
Heifers	600–650	Medium 1-2	639	265.00/cwt	265.00–265.00	1,693	4
Heifers	600–650	Medium and Large 1	642	298.04/cwt	297.00–305.00	1,913	74
Heifers	600–650	Medium and Large 1Replacement	645	296.00/cwt	296.00–296.00	1,909	40
Heifers	650–700	Medium and Large 1	681	286.00/cwt	286.00–286.00	1,948	9
Heifers	700–750	Medium and Large 1	714	269.74/cwt	269.00–270.00	1,926	4
Heifers	750–800	Medium and Large 1	765	270.00/cwt	270.00–270.00	2,066	4
Heifers	800–850	Medium and Large 1	818	255.00/cwt	255.00–255.00	2,086	2
Heifers	850–900	Medium and Large 1	860	249.00/cwt	249.00–249.00	2,141	1
Heifers	850–900	Medium and Large 1-2	879	237.03/cwt	232.50–245.00	2,083	12
Feeder Cattle · Bulls1 lot · lightest first
Bulls	550–600	Medium and Large 1	588	325.00/cwt	325.00–325.00	1,911	3
Feeder Cattle · Dairy Steers1 lot · lightest first
Dairy Steers	650–700	Large 2	652	250.00/cwt	250.00–250.00	1,630	8
Slaughter Cattle · Bulls5 lots · lightest first
Bulls	—	—Return to Feed	1,120	130.00/cwt	130.00–130.00	1,456	1
Bulls	—	—	1,739	140.68/cwt	131.00–146.00	2,446	11
Bulls	—	—	1,793	150.05/cwt	147.00–153.00	2,690	4
Bulls	—	—	2,165	154.43/cwt	150.00–155.00	3,343	8
Bulls	—	—	2,415	159.00/cwt	159.00–159.00	3,840	1
Slaughter Cattle · Cows15 lots · lightest first
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	1,045	113.78/cwt	110.00–117.00	1,189	2
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,095	112.00/cwt	112.00–112.00	1,226	1
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,180	106.13/cwt	91.00–118.00	1,252	9
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	1,190	125.51/cwt	124.00–127.50	1,494	5
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,195	132.00/cwt	132.00–132.00	1,577	1
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%	1,293	126.70/cwt	118.00–134.00	1,638	2
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	1,319	140.00/cwt	140.00–140.00	1,847	10
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	1,342	126.03/cwt	118.00–138.00	1,691	13
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%	1,395	109.45/cwt	106.00–114.00	1,527	3
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	1,413	120.68/cwt	118.00–126.00	1,705	4
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed	1,474	142.00/cwt	142.00–142.00	2,093	5
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%	1,530	138.00/cwt	138.00–138.00	2,111	1
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed	1,584	137.40/cwt	137.00–140.00	2,176	13
Cows	—	Premium White 65-75%	1,637	138.29/cwt	137.00–138.50	2,264	8
Cows	—	Premium White 65-75%Heavy Weight	2,130	125.00/cwt	125.00–125.00	2,663	1
Replacement Cattle · Bred Cows2 lots · lightest first
Bred Cows	—	Medium 1	996	2,475.00/head	2,475.00–2,475.00	2,475	5
Bred Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,453	2,500.00/head	2,500.00–2,500.00	2,500	2
Replacement Cattle · Stock Cows2 lots · lightest first
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	974	209.97/cwt	165.00–240.00	2,045	74
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,175	152.81/cwt	142.50–202.50	1,796	6

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 →

Miles City Livestock Commission Auction - Miles City, MT

Tue Jan 28, 2025

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

Feeder CattleReceipts 1,591Last week 813Year ago 2,335

Slaughter CattleReceipts 111Last week 203Year ago 374

Replacement CattleReceipts 112Last week 542Year ago 119

Feeder Cattle

As reported

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
15	350–400	365	454.00–490.00	477.62
22	400–450	440	430.00–440.00	430.46
34	450–500	476	382.00–402.50	386.91
90	500–550	527	368.00–385.00	378.45
108	550–600	574	352.00–360.00	358.29
126	600–650	610	327.50–349.50	345.47
23	650–700	684	310.00–324.50	322.87
156	700–750	743	302.50–304.50	304.39
65	750–800	768	280.50–298.00	292.68
35	800–850	832	280.00–282.50	280.21

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
4	300–350	344	465.00–480.00	468.65
2	350–400	383	430.00	430.00
20	400–450	427	385.00–430.00	392.83
14	500–550	533	325.00–360.00	357.44
3	550–600	570	327.50–339.00	331.33
6	600–650	618	322.50–326.00	323.68
6	650–700	674	290.00–303.00	297.23

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
2	350–400	353	397.50	397.50
3	600–650	625	267.00	267.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
3	400–450	425	402.50	402.50
8	450–500	496	375.00	375.00
2	650–700	688	271.00	271.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
4	550–600	573	332.50	332.50
23	600–650	625	322.50–325.00	322.93

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
16	300–350	337	418.00	418.00
13	350–400	384	409.00	409.00
40	400–450	429	374.00–417.50	391.35
113	450–500	477	370.00–380.00	372.36
91	500–550	525	332.50–356.00	345.67
186	550–600	573	320.00–329.00	324.94
74	600–650	642	297.00–305.00	298.04
9	650–700	681	286.00	286.00
4	700–750	714	269.00–270.00	269.74
4	750–800	765	270.00	270.00
2	800–850	818	255.00	255.00
1	850–900	860	249.00	249.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Fleshy$ per cwt · actual wt
6	400–450	417	367.50	367.50
14	450–500	494	330.00	330.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
4	300–350	346	390.00	390.00
5	350–400	384	372.50–385.00	378.85
5	400–450	415	376.00	376.00
9	450–500	485	332.50–349.00	344.35
2	500–550	543	321.00	321.00
2	550–600	550	317.50	317.50
12	850–900	879	232.50–245.00	237.03

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
4	600–650	639	265.00	265.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt
6	400–450	436	361.00	361.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Replacement$ per cwt · actual wt
40	600–650	645	296.00	296.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
3	550–600	588	325.00	325.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Dairy Steers — Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
8	650–700	652	250.00	250.00

Replacement Cattle

As reported

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)	2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)	2	—	1,453	2,500.00	2,500.00

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bred Cows — Medium 1$ per head · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)	2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)	5	—	996	2,475.00	2,475.00

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)	Open	74	—	974	165.00–240.00	209.97
Young (2-4 yrs)	Open	6	—	1,175	142.50–202.50	152.81

Slaughter Cattle

As reported

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90%$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	1,095	112.00	112.00
9	—	1,180	91.00–118.00	106.13
1	—	1,195	132.00	132.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
5	—	1,190	124.00–127.50	125.51
2	—	1,045	110.00–117.00	113.78

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Breaker 75-80% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
5	—	1,474	142.00	142.00
13	—	1,584	137.00–140.00	137.40

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Boner 80-85%$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	1,395	106.00–114.00	109.45
2	—	1,293	118.00–134.00	126.70

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Boner 80-85% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
10	—	1,319	140.00	140.00
4	—	1,413	118.00–126.00	120.68
13	—	1,342	118.00–138.00	126.03

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Breaker 75-80%$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	1,530	138.00	138.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Premium White 65-75% · Heavy Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	2,130	125.00	125.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Premium White 65-75%$ per cwt · actual wt
8	—	1,637	137.00–138.50	138.29

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls$ per cwt · actual wt
4	—	1,793	147.00–153.00	150.05
11	—	1,739	131.00–146.00	140.68
8	—	2,165	150.00–155.00	154.43
1	—	2,415	159.00	159.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	1,120	130.00	130.00

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.