Sale reports / Montana / Public Auction Yards / 2019-11-20

Public Auction Yards

Name: Public Auction Yards livestock auction prices — 2019-11-20
Creator: RaisedBeef
Published: 2019-11-20

Feeder Cattle · Slaughter Cattle · Replacement Cattle · Billings, Montana · Wed, Nov 20

● Final64 lots reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1774

← Nov 13Nov 20Dec 4 →

Feeder Cattle receipts

632 head

▼ 236 vs last sale 868▲ 632 vs year ago 0 · no sale a year ago

Slaughter Cattle receipts

201 head

▼ 324 vs last sale 525▲ 201 vs year ago 0 · no sale a year ago

Replacement Cattle receipts

1,700 head

▲ 140 vs last sale 1,560▲ 1,700 vs year ago 0 · no sale a year ago

Also sold hereRegular saleFri Oct 30, 2026

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Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to last week: All feeder cattle were too lightly tested this week and last week to develop an accurate market trend, higher undertones were noticed on all calves under 550 lbs, calves over 550 lbs sold with lower undertones. Yearling heifers offered the best comparisons to last week, these offerings sold mostly 2.00-3.00 higher. Quality was mostly average today and offered in small packages or as singles. Calves were cleaner appearing this week as pens have dried up with warmer weather seen over the last few days. Demand for all feeder cattle was moderate for light offerings. Market activity was mostly moderate. Weigh up cows sold on mostly moderate demand for heavy offerings. Over 1,800 weigh up cows sold today. Slaughter cows sold on mostly light to moderate demand. Packers picked around the edges as they purchased mostly blemished cows for immediate harvest. Slaughter cows sold generally steady this week on like quality cattle. The quality of cows destined for harvest was lower this week as packers opted to feed anything that was sound and blemish free. Feeding cows sold mostly steady with the exception of high quality, long bodied, fleshy cow which sold mostly 3.00 higher. Thin feeding cows continue to sell on good demand as packers and feeders both stash this class of cows away for the holiday lull. Weigh up conditions were average today with some above average conditions seen at times. Slaughter bulls were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however steady undertones were noticed. Young age cows suitable to re-breed sold mostly 8.00-10.00 higher as more takers for these type offerings were seen this week. Quality 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 $137.57/cwt on 210 head.

Average price

$137.57

210 head · 734 lb average

Value per head Derived

$1,009

Price × average weight ÷ 100

Grade differential Derived

−$591

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

$14.31/cwt at this weight

vs the market

−4.19

vs MT average

Price by quality 0–100 lb

Frame and muscle grade

Frame / muscle	Avg wt	$/cwt	$/head	Head
Medium and Large 1-2	531	139.87	743	60
Medium and Large 1	760	139.08	1,057	123
Large 1	1,062	125.56	1,333	27

One grade step is worth $14.31/cwt here — about −$591 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 sale210 hd

137.57

—

MT average5 barns · 3,527 hd

141.75

−4.19

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	1,834	74.92	1,374	21
Cows	Boner 80-85%	High	1,457	50.97	743	39
Cows	Lean 85-90%	Low	1,200	45.28	543	71

Every lot

64 lots · USDA AMS · Public Auction Yards Livestock Cattle Auction - Billings, MT (Wed)

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 · Steers9 lots · lightest first
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	340	177.50/cwt	177.50–177.50	604	7
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	397	185.00/cwt	185.00–185.00	734	13
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	422	183.00/cwt	183.00–183.00	772	9
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	431	176.50/cwt	176.50–176.50	761	5
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	474	164.17/cwt	160.00–167.50	778	11
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	478	155.00/cwt	155.00–155.00	741	3
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	515	159.00/cwt	159.00–159.00	819	17
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	607	144.09/cwt	143.00–144.25	875	15
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	956	137.50/cwt	137.50–137.50	1,315	11
Feeder Cattle · Heifers18 lots · lightest first
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	389	150.45/cwt	150.00–154.00	585	16
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	415	142.00/cwt	142.00–142.00	589	21
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	469	149.45/cwt	148.50–150.50	701	29
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	530	132.00/cwt	132.00–132.00	700	3
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	573	124.00/cwt	124.00–124.00	711	6
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	578	126.00/cwt	126.00–126.00	728	11
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	821	138.04/cwt	137.50–143.50	1,133	34
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	825	134.41/cwt	133.00–135.00	1,109	7
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	858	132.40/cwt	132.00–133.00	1,136	5
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	899	138.75/cwt	138.75–138.75	1,247	30
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	915	130.00/cwt	130.00–130.00	1,190	2
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	983	133.20/cwt	132.50–136.00	1,309	19
Heifers	—	Large 1	1,019	130.32/cwt	128.00–131.50	1,328	10
Heifers	—	Large 1Full	1,048	123.00/cwt	123.00–123.00	1,289	3
Heifers	—	Large 1	1,082	125.06/cwt	121.50–127.00	1,353	9
Heifers	—	Large 1Full	1,095	119.00/cwt	119.00–119.00	1,303	2
Heifers	—	Large 1	1,120	118.50/cwt	118.50–118.50	1,327	2
Heifers	—	Large 1	1,170	117.25/cwt	117.25–117.25	1,372	1
Feeder Cattle · Bulls6 lots · lightest first
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 1	777	131.00/cwt	131.00–131.00	1,018	21
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 1-2	937	114.00/cwt	114.00–114.00	1,068	3
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 1	954	118.00/cwt	118.00–118.00	1,126	6
Bulls	—	Large 1	1,010	114.50/cwt	114.00–115.00	1,156	2
Bulls	—	Large 1	1,058	108.00/cwt	108.00–108.00	1,143	2
Bulls	—	Large 1	1,162	88.00/cwt	88.00–88.00	1,023	17
Slaughter Cattle · Bulls3 lots · lightest first
Bulls	—	—	1,640	63.09/cwt	60.00–65.00	1,035	4
Bulls	—	—	1,838	76.77/cwt	72.00–80.00	1,411	15
Bulls	—	—	2,188	84.75/cwt	84.50–85.00	1,854	2
Slaughter Cattle · Cows9 lots · lightest first
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Light Weight	935	36.00/cwt	36.00–36.00	337	1
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Light Weight	990	46.67/cwt	43.00–48.50	462	3
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,130	34.66/cwt	32.00–40.00	392	11
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,228	44.87/cwt	41.00–51.50	551	38
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,232	52.50/cwt	52.00–54.00	647	15
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,233	55.00/cwt	55.00–55.00	678	3
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%	1,404	52.94/cwt	51.00–55.00	743	16
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%	1,476	48.67/cwt	44.00–51.50	718	22
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%	1,895	70.00/cwt	70.00–70.00	1,327	1
Replacement Cattle · Bred Cows9 lots · lightest first
Bred Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,155	1,096.57/cwt	1,000.00–1,150.00	12,665	31
Bred Cows	—	Medium and Large 1Broken Mouth	1,186	675.00/cwt	675.00–675.00	8,006	21
Bred Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,203	1,089.09/cwt	1,025.00–1,150.00	13,102	18
Bred Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,222	700.00/cwt	700.00–700.00	8,554	26
Bred Cows	—	Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed	1,234	51.00/cwt	51.00–51.00	629	4
Bred Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,276	800.00/cwt	800.00–800.00	10,208	4
Bred Cows	—	Medium and Large 1Broken Mouth	1,283	55.00/cwt	55.00–55.00	706	28
Bred Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,314	1,000.00/cwt	1,000.00–1,000.00	13,140	10
Bred Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,332	57.50/cwt	57.50–57.50	766	9
Replacement Cattle · Stock Cows10 lots · lightest first
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed	817	78.00/cwt	78.00–78.00	637	3
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed	918	52.27/cwt	47.00–54.00	480	7
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	949	83.14/cwt	61.00–94.00	789	147
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,102	66.10/cwt	60.00–72.00	728	69
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed	1,124	53.09/cwt	47.00–55.50	597	11
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed	1,186	47.96/cwt	40.00–51.00	569	150
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed	1,243	50.56/cwt	44.00–53.50	628	66
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,279	56.30/cwt	52.00–63.00	720	110
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,288	62.75/cwt	56.00–75.00	808	63
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,395	62.89/cwt	53.00–73.50	877	150

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 →

Public Auction Yards Livestock Cattle Auction - Billings, MT (Wed)

Wed Nov 20, 2019

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

Feeder CattleReceipts 632Last week 868Year ago 0

Slaughter CattleReceipts 201Last week 525Year ago 0

Replacement CattleReceipts 1,700Last week 1,560Year ago 0

Feeder Cattle

As reported

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1-2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	478	155.00	155.00
7	—	340	177.50	177.50
5	—	431	176.50	176.50

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
17	—	515	159.00	159.00
9	—	422	183.00	183.00
11	—	474	160.00–167.50	164.17
13	—	397	185.00	185.00
15	—	607	143.00–144.25	144.09

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
11	—	956	137.50	137.50

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
2	—	1,120	118.50	118.50
9	—	1,082	121.50–127.00	125.06
10	—	1,019	128.00–131.50	130.32
1	—	1,170	117.25	117.25

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
19	—	983	132.50–136.00	133.20
30	—	899	138.75	138.75
34	—	821	137.50–143.50	138.04

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
11	—	578	126.00	126.00
29	—	469	148.50–150.50	149.45

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Large 1 · Full$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	1,048	123.00	123.00
2	—	1,095	119.00	119.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
2	—	915	130.00	130.00
5	—	858	132.00–133.00	132.40
7	—	825	133.00–135.00	134.41

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	530	132.00	132.00
6	—	573	124.00	124.00
16	—	389	150.00–154.00	150.45
21	—	415	142.00	142.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
2	—	1,010	114.00–115.00	114.50
2	—	1,058	108.00	108.00
17	—	1,162	88.00	88.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
6	—	954	118.00	118.00
21	—	777	131.00	131.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	937	114.00	114.00

Replacement Cattle

As reported

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Broken Mouth$ per cwt · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)	2nd Stage (4-6 mo)	28	—	1,283	55.00	55.00
Aged (>8 yrs)	2nd Stage (4-6 mo)	21	—	1,186	675.00	675.00

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)	2nd Stage (4-6 mo)	9	—	1,332	57.50	57.50
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)	1st Stage (1-3 mo)	10	—	1,314	1,000.00	1,000.00
Young (2-4 yrs)	1st Stage (1-3 mo)	31	—	1,155	1,000.00–1,150.00	1,096.57
Young (2-4 yrs)	2nd Stage (4-6 mo)	18	—	1,203	1,025.00–1,150.00	1,089.09
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)	1st Stage (1-3 mo)	4	—	1,276	800.00	800.00
Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)	2nd Stage (4-6 mo)	26	—	1,222	700.00	700.00

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Thin Fleshed$ per cwt · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)	2nd Stage (4-6 mo)	4	—	1,234	51.00	51.00

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Thin Fleshed$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)	Open	3	—	817	78.00	78.00
Young (2-4 yrs)	Open	7	—	918	47.00–54.00	52.27
Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)	Open	11	—	1,124	47.00–55.50	53.09
Aged (>8 yrs)	Open	150	—	1,186	40.00–51.00	47.96
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)	Open	66	—	1,243	44.00–53.50	50.56

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)	Open	110	—	1,279	52.00–63.00	56.30
Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)	Open	150	—	1,395	53.00–73.50	62.89
(<2 yrs)	Open	147	—	949	61.00–94.00	83.14
Young (2-4 yrs)	Open	69	—	1,102	60.00–72.00	66.10
Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)	Open	63	—	1,288	56.00–75.00	62.75

Slaughter Cattle

As reported

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls$ per cwt · actual wt
2	—	2,188	84.50–85.00	84.75
4	—	1,640	60.00–65.00	63.09
15	—	1,838	72.00–80.00	76.77

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Boner 80-85%$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	1,895	70.00	70.00
16	—	1,404	51.00–55.00	52.94
22	—	1,476	44.00–51.50	48.67

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	990	43.00–48.50	46.67
1	—	935	36.00	36.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90%$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	1,233	55.00	55.00
11	—	1,130	32.00–40.00	34.66
15	—	1,232	52.00–54.00	52.50
38	—	1,228	41.00–51.50	44.87

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.