Sale reports / Montana / Public Auction Yards / 2021-01-20

Public Auction Yards

Name: Public Auction Yards livestock auction prices — 2021-01-20
Creator: RaisedBeef
Published: 2021-01-20

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

● Final54 lots reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1774

← Jan 13Jan 20Jan 27 →

Feeder Cattle receipts

455 head

▲ 56 vs last sale 399▼ 12 vs year ago 467 · −2.6%

Slaughter Cattle receipts

430 head

▼ 201 vs last sale 631▲ 241 vs year ago 189 · +127.5%

Replacement Cattle receipts

105 head

▼ 171 vs last sale 276▼ 164 vs year ago 269 · −61.0%

Also sold hereRegular saleFri Oct 30, 2026

View

Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to last week: Feeder cattle were all too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to higher undertones were noticed. Quality this sale was mostly plain to average in small packages, with many singles in the mix. Demand was mostly moderate on an active market. Most cattle were weaned this sale. CME feeder cattle positions have inched higher over the past week as grain prices slid slightly lower. Weigh up cows sold on mostly moderate to good demand for light to moderate offerings. Packer buyers showed stronger demand for slaughter classes this week. The cutter cow cutout has inched higher in recent days and packer demand for cows has followed. Slaughter cows sold mostly 2.00-3.00 higher on all classes. Feeding cows sold steady on a lower quality offering. Packers opted to send most cows to immediate slaughter this week. Cow quality this week was mostly plain to average and lower than last week. Weigh up conditions were below average this week with many full offerings seen throughout the day. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 3.00-5.00 higher as feeding buyers and packer buyers competed over offerings. Young age cows sold on mostly light demand this sale. Quality was mostly average. Young age cows sold mostly 5.00-8.00 lower.

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 $136.15/cwt on 245 head.

Average price

$136.15

245 head · 607 lb average

Value per head Derived

$826

Price × average weight ÷ 100

Grade differential Derived

−$331

per head · Medium and Large 1 over Large 1

$42.97/cwt at this weight

vs the market

−8.65

vs MT average

Price by quality 0–100 lb

Frame and muscle grade

Frame / muscle	Avg wt	$/cwt	$/head	Head
Medium and Large 1	594	137.98	819	216
Medium and Large 1-2	515	132.92	684	21
Large 1	1,210	95.01	1,150	8thin

One grade step is worth $42.97/cwt here — about −$331 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 sale245 hd

136.15

—

MT average4 barns · 2,890 hd

144.80

−8.65

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	1,950	84.00	1,638	25
Cows	Premium White 65-75%	Average	1,739	57.90	1,007	21
Cows	Breaker 75-80%	Average	1,538	55.35	851	15
Cows	Boner 80-85%	High	1,428	51.36	734	99
Cows	Lean 85-90%	Average	1,197	47.85	573	166

Every lot

54 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 · Steers13 lots · lightest first
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	343	185.00/cwt	185.00–185.00	635	4
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	391	182.00/cwt	182.00–182.00	712	4
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	412	184.00/cwt	184.00–184.00	758	17
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	457	180.00/cwt	180.00–180.00	823	18
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	460	165.00/cwt	165.00–165.00	759	3
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	526	161.60/cwt	160.00–165.00	850	27
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	555	159.50/cwt	159.00–161.00	885	4
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	570	151.00/cwt	151.00–151.00	861	2
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	603	155.00/cwt	155.00–155.00	935	7
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	653	137.00/cwt	137.00–137.00	895	2
Steers	—	Medium and Large 1	663	140.11/cwt	136.00–143.00	929	16
Steers	—	Medium and Large 2	810	113.00/cwt	113.00–113.00	915	3
Steers	—	Large 1-2	1,012	114.00/cwt	114.00–114.00	1,154	3
Feeder Cattle · Heifers12 lots · lightest first
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	414	155.00/cwt	155.00–155.00	642	22
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	445	143.24/cwt	140.00–151.00	637	10
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	460	160.00/cwt	160.00–160.00	736	18
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	524	150.20/cwt	146.00–151.50	787	48
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	558	119.00/cwt	119.00–119.00	664	6
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	567	134.00/cwt	134.00–134.00	760	33
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1-2	602	129.00/cwt	129.00–129.00	777	5
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	640	130.58/cwt	128.00–131.00	836	70
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	675	124.50/cwt	124.50–124.50	840	4
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	878	109.00/cwt	109.00–109.00	957	11
Heifers	—	Medium and Large 1	980	104.50/cwt	103.50–106.00	1,024	10
Heifers	—	Large 1	1,210	95.01/cwt	94.00–98.00	1,150	8
Feeder Cattle · Bulls3 lots · lightest first
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 1	542	146.00/cwt	146.00–146.00	791	3
Bulls	—	Medium and Large 1	842	122.00/cwt	122.00–122.00	1,027	3
Bulls	—	Large 1	1,196	92.50/cwt	92.50–92.50	1,106	4
Slaughter Cattle · Bulls7 lots · lightest first
Bulls	—	—	1,573	75.93/cwt	73.00–78.50	1,194	2
Bulls	—	—Return to Feed	1,608	73.92/cwt	71.00–78.00	1,189	2
Bulls	—	—Return to Feed	1,880	84.75/cwt	83.25–89.50	1,593	5
Bulls	—	—	1,884	83.94/cwt	80.00–88.00	1,581	8
Bulls	—	—	2,059	93.57/cwt	90.50–98.00	1,927	4
Bulls	—	—	2,205	72.00/cwt	72.00–72.00	1,588	1
Bulls	—	—Heavy Weight	2,495	86.29/cwt	84.00–90.00	2,153	3
Slaughter Cattle · Cows16 lots · lightest first
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Light Weight	943	44.64/cwt	35.00–48.50	421	7
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,112	35.03/cwt	33.00–42.00	390	15
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	1,192	52.18/cwt	51.00–54.00	622	21
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	1,207	49.29/cwt	44.00–50.25	595	10
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,218	47.52/cwt	43.00–50.50	579	72
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,234	51.10/cwt	51.00–52.00	631	41
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%	1,325	59.00/cwt	59.00–59.00	782	1
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%	1,408	48.64/cwt	46.50–51.00	685	21
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	1,427	49.79/cwt	47.00–51.00	711	19
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	1,434	52.78/cwt	51.00–57.00	757	54
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%	1,476	55.67/cwt	55.00–57.00	822	5
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%	1,490	52.04/cwt	51.00–52.50	775	4
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed	1,523	54.66/cwt	54.50–55.50	832	6
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%	1,535	59.00/cwt	59.00–59.00	906	2
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%	1,738	53.00/cwt	53.00–53.00	921	2
Cows	—	Premium White 65-75%	1,739	57.90/cwt	57.75–60.50	1,007	21
Replacement Cattle · Stock Cows3 lots · lightest first
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed	793	65.00/cwt	65.00–65.00	515	6
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,022	64.79/cwt	52.00–72.00	662	61
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,094	93.73/cwt	92.00–94.00	1,025	7

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 Jan 20, 2021

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

Feeder CattleReceipts 455Last week 399Year ago 467

Slaughter CattleReceipts 430Last week 631Year ago 189

Replacement CattleReceipts 105Last week 276Year ago 269

Slaughter Cattle

As reported

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90%$ per cwt · actual wt
41	—	1,234	51.00–52.00	51.10
15	—	1,112	33.00–42.00	35.03
72	—	1,218	43.00–50.50	47.52

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
7	—	943	35.00–48.50	44.64

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Boner 80-85%$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	1,325	59.00	59.00
4	—	1,490	51.00–52.50	52.04
21	—	1,408	46.50–51.00	48.64

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
10	—	1,207	44.00–50.25	49.29
21	—	1,192	51.00–54.00	52.18

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Breaker 75-80% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
6	—	1,523	54.50–55.50	54.66

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Breaker 75-80%$ per cwt · actual wt
5	—	1,476	55.00–57.00	55.67
2	—	1,535	59.00	59.00
2	—	1,738	53.00	53.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Boner 80-85% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
54	—	1,434	51.00–57.00	52.78
19	—	1,427	47.00–51.00	49.79

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Premium White 65-75%$ per cwt · actual wt
21	—	1,739	57.75–60.50	57.90

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Heavy Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	2,495	84.00–90.00	86.29

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls$ per cwt · actual wt
4	—	2,059	90.50–98.00	93.57
2	—	1,573	73.00–78.50	75.93
8	—	1,884	80.00–88.00	83.94
1	—	2,205	72.00	72.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
5	—	1,880	83.25–89.50	84.75
2	—	1,608	71.00–78.00	73.92

Feeder Cattle

As reported

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
10	—	980	103.50–106.00	104.50
70	—	640	128.00–131.00	130.58
22	—	414	155.00	155.00
11	—	878	109.00	109.00
18	—	460	160.00	160.00
4	—	675	124.50	124.50
48	—	524	146.00–151.50	150.20
33	—	567	134.00	134.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
6	—	558	119.00	119.00
10	—	445	140.00–151.00	143.24
5	—	602	129.00	129.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
8	—	1,210	94.00–98.00	95.01

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
18	—	457	180.00	180.00
27	—	526	160.00–165.00	161.60
16	—	663	136.00–143.00	140.11
17	—	412	184.00	184.00
4	—	555	159.00–161.00	159.50
4	—	343	185.00	185.00
4	—	391	182.00	182.00
7	—	603	155.00	155.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	460	165.00	165.00
2	—	653	137.00	137.00
2	—	570	151.00	151.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	810	113.00	113.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	1,012	114.00	114.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
3	—	842	122.00	122.00
3	—	542	146.00	146.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
4	—	1,196	92.50	92.50

Replacement Cattle

As reported

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)	Open	7	—	1,094	92.00–94.00	93.73
Young (2-4 yrs)	Open	61	—	1,022	52.00–72.00	64.79

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Thin Fleshed$ per cwt · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)	Open	6	—	793	65.00	65.00

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.