Cattle Market Pulse

Billings Livestock Commission Cattle Auction Market Report

Billings, Montana · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Thursday, September 24, 2026

2,107 head sold ·Official USDA report

This is an archived report. See the latest Billings Livestock Commission Cattle Auction report →

light 9-weight M&L 1 heifers $310.10/cwt +5.10 vs last sale · ≈ $2,875/hd at 927 lb · 140 head
heavy 9-weight M&L 1 heifers $301.09/cwt +12.09 vs last sale · ≈ $2,942/hd at 977 lb · 126 head
light 6-weight M&L 1 steers $391.87/cwt +33.79 vs last sale · ≈ $2,437/hd at 622 lb · 65 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 2,107 1,014 3,220
Feeder cattle 1,718 741 2,428
Slaughter cattle 271 211 590
Replacement cattle 118 62 202

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last sale (9-17-26): Feeder steers and heifer calves were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however higher to sharply higher undertones were noticed. Yearling steers were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Yearling heifers were too lightly tested either this week or last week to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to higher undertones were noticed. Quality this week was mixed from plain to attractive. Demand was mostly good to very good with several buyers actively bidding on offerings. Many tested open heifers out of replacements were seen again this sale. Lots of variation in quality was noticed on both calves and yearlings. CME positions moved higher to start the day before selling off late in the trading session. Market activity was active with rapid bidding seen, despite a small buyer pool. Weigh up cows sold on mostly light demand and light to moderate offerings. Demand for feeding cows was mostly light especially from American packers and private feeders. Canadian buyers continue to show good demand for feeding cows and with little resistance from American buyers. Feeding cows sold steady to 5.00 lower. Demand for slaughter cows was also light as packers all showed light demand for all classes of cows. Breaking cows sold mostly 8.00-10.00 lower, boning and lean cows sold mostly 5.00-8.00 lower. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 10.00 lower. Demand for feeding bull was mostly moderate and forced packer buyers to compete over offerings. Feeding bulls sold generally steady. Young age cow offerings were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Demand was mostly moderate and stronger than last week.

New to these tables? Plain-English explainers ↓

Feeder Steers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
252 unweaned 252 3 680.00 $680.00 $1,714 —
372–373 unweaned 372 10 557.50–567.50 $564.49 $2,100 —
391 391 7 561.00 $561.00 $2,194 —
408–449 unweaned 427 25 490.00–540.00 $521.77 $2,228 —
458–497 unweaned 479 38 457.50–495.00 $473.02 $2,266 —
510 510 14 480.00 $480.00 $2,448 +46.60
515–540 unweaned 518 38 447.50–450.00 $449.65 $2,329 —
550–594 unweaned 572 29 394.00–442.50 $413.50 $2,365 —
588 588 11 411.00 $411.00 $2,417 +30.33
604–643 unweaned 622 65 384.00–396.00 $391.87 $2,437 —
676–694 unweaned 688 13 373.00–378.00 $375.60 $2,584 —
714 unweaned 714 5 359.00 $359.00 $2,563 —
711–742 725 27 365.00–379.00 $371.91 $2,696 -10.09
757–796 781 8 369.00–370.00 $369.36 $2,885 +2.36
795 unweaned 795 10 338.00 $338.00 $2,687 —
831–836 832 29 363.00–371.00 $368.78 $3,068 —
868–890 883 53 342.00–350.00 $344.86 $3,045 +14.02
902–932 928 14 328.00–331.00 $328.42 $3,048 +8.42
957 957 5 325.00 $325.00 $3,110 —
999 999 5 307.00 $307.00 $3,067 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
297 unweaned 297 7 550.00 $550.00 $1,634 —
388–397 unweaned 390 20 475.00–535.00 $490.26 $1,912 —
447 447 3 477.50 $477.50 $2,134 —
448 unweaned 448 4 472.50 $472.50 $2,117 —
470 unweaned 470 2 475.00 $475.00 $2,232 —
530 unweaned 530 1 445.00 $445.00 $2,358 —
585–596 unweaned 591 8 367.50–392.50 $385.69 $2,279 —
743 743 5 363.00 $363.00 $2,697 +17.98
760–796 792 51 355.00–363.00 $355.75 $2,818 —
860 860 3 340.00 $340.00 $2,924 +25.00
921 921 4 321.00 $321.00 $2,956 +22.24
1029 1029 4 306.00 $306.00 $3,149 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1106–1131 1119 34 274.50–279.00 $276.91 $3,099 —
1189 1189 24 268.50 $268.50 $3,192 —
Medium 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
588 unweaned 588 3 382.50 $382.50 $2,249 —
685 685 24 365.00 $365.00 $2,500 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
384 unweaned 384 5 465.00 $465.00 $1,786 —
1038 1038 3 285.00 $285.00 $2,958 —
Medium 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
656 656 5 368.00 $368.00 $2,414 —

↑ Back to top

Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
228 unweaned 228 3 545.00 $545.00 $1,243 —
306–320 unweaned 310 11 500.00–505.00 $501.41 $1,554 —
369 unweaned 369 6 470.00 $470.00 $1,734 —
416–442 unweaned 434 16 450.00–460.00 $457.00 $1,983 —
475–488 unweaned 485 27 417.50–430.00 $424.33 $2,058 —
517–546 unweaned 541 35 382.00–405.00 $384.97 $2,083 —
552–589 unweaned 561 28 375.00–390.00 $386.63 $2,169 —
608–629 unweaned 619 8 362.50–372.00 $367.17 $2,273 —
650 unweaned 650 4 355.00 $355.00 $2,308 —
706–733 710 30 347.00–350.50 $350.09 $2,486 —
807 fancy 807 7 351.00 $351.00 $2,833 —
805–841 834 25 332.50–336.00 $334.73 $2,792 +3.48
873–892 881 52 312.00–329.50 $320.78 $2,826 -10.59
906–939 927 140 305.00–312.50 $310.10 $2,875 +5.10
953–999 977 111 295.00–308.00 $302.63 $2,957 +13.63
973–981 977 15 289.50–290.00 $289.73 $2,831 +0.73
1034–1045 1039 7 280.00–281.00 $280.57 $2,915 —
1039–1043 1040 13 291.00–293.00 $292.38 $3,041 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1058–1069 1063 48 291.00–300.00 $295.15 $3,137 +5.17
1058–1094 1082 9 252.00–284.00 $262.43 $2,839 -27.55
1105 1105 6 279.00 $279.00 $3,083 —
1108 1108 31 266.00 $266.00 $2,947 -18.00
1171 1171 5 258.50 $258.50 $3,027 -26.50
1164–1199 1177 13 273.00–275.00 $274.22 $3,228 -10.78
1200 1200 5 255.00 $255.00 $3,060 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
349 unweaned 349 11 457.00 $457.00 $1,595 —
370–384 unweaned 379 9 420.00–445.00 $436.87 $1,656 —
403–417 unweaned 412 25 430.00–457.50 $439.68 $1,811 —
450–493 unweaned 482 8 370.00–415.00 $380.50 $1,834 —
572 unweaned 572 3 352.50 $352.50 $2,016 —
674 unweaned 674 7 339.00 $339.00 $2,285 —
731 731 9 340.00 $340.00 $2,485 +10.00
780–797 789 6 340.00–346.00 $342.97 $2,706 +32.97
826–838 829 15 324.00–330.00 $325.62 $2,699 +29.79
857 857 3 305.00 $305.00 $2,614 -0.69
930–947 941 10 292.00–297.00 $294.28 $2,769 —

↑ Back to top

Feeder Bulls

Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1125–1140 1130 3 257.50–260.00 $259.16 $2,929 —
1221 1221 13 240.00 $240.00 $2,930 —
1279 1279 8 216.00 $216.00 $2,763 —
1421 1421 4 213.00 $213.00 $3,027 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
356 unweaned 356 4 515.00 $515.00 $1,833 —
499 unweaned 499 5 437.50 $437.50 $2,183 —
633 unweaned 633 2 367.50 $367.50 $2,326 —
985 985 1 295.00 $295.00 $2,906 —
1035 1035 1 260.00 $260.00 $2,691 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
416 unweaned 416 4 530.00 $530.00 $2,205 —
488 unweaned 488 2 460.00 $460.00 $2,245 —
928 928 3 312.50 $312.50 $2,900 —
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1170 1170 1 230.00 $230.00 $2,691 —
1268 1268 3 215.00 $215.00 $2,726 —

↑ Back to top

Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1343–1548 1420 80-85% 23 128.00–146.00 $139.27 $1,978 —
1302–1585 1428 80-85% 13 107.50–127.50 $118.99 $1,699 —
1245–1650 1435 80-85% 7 128.00–136.00 $132.56 $1,902 —
1314–1572 1460 80-85% 49 147.50–152.00 $150.56 $2,198 —
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1105 1105 85-90% 1 141.00 $141.00 $1,558 -16.50
1118 1118 85-90% 2 160.00 $160.00 $1,789 +2.50
1130–1215 1173 85-90% 4 128.00–133.50 $130.36 $1,529 -4.95
1070–1395 1231 85-90% 25 102.50–116.00 $111.50 $1,373 —
1165–1286 1232 85-90% 23 128.00–144.00 $129.16 $1,591 —
1240–1285 1278 85-90% 6 144.00–149.00 $147.68 $1,887 —
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1445–1550 1515 75-80% 3 148.50–149.00 $148.66 $2,252 —
1530 1530 75-80% 1 134.00 $134.00 $2,050 —
1595 1595 75-80% 1 115.00 $115.00 $1,834 -20.22
1484–1970 1678 75-80% 26 133.50–141.00 $136.24 $2,286 -9.43
1545–1960 1714 75-80% 9 120.00–130.50 $126.67 $2,171 —

↑ Back to top

Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1385–1645 1527 11 159.00–169.00 $164.62 $2,514 —
1215–1890 1660 10 169.00–182.50 $174.39 $2,895 —
1355–1933 1717 7 158.00–169.00 $163.57 $2,808 -10.24
1775 1775 1 185.00 $185.00 $3,284 +11.95
1810–2072 1964 19 173.00–182.00 $175.64 $3,450 —
1910–2110 2014 5 183.00–191.50 $187.31 $3,772 —
YG2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
2265 2265 1 180.00 $180.00 $4,077 —

↑ Back to top

Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
1023–1345 1101 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 8 183.00–283.00 $230.38 $2,536
1010–1370 1148 (<2 yrs)Open 36 200.00–287.50 $237.87 $2,731
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
975–1025 1000 (<2 yrs)Open 2 217.50–262.50 $239.44 $2,394
1105–1243 1183 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 17 158.00–170.00 $162.51 $1,922
1235 1235 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 3 154.00 $154.00 $1,902

↑ Back to top

Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1028–1340 1228 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 12 2,700.00–3,300.00 $3,077.62
1317–1403 1351 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 5 3,200.00–3,350.00 $3,287.71
1410 1410 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 2 3,150.00 $3,150.00
1508–1555 1532 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 6 2,400.00–2,525.00 $2,461.54
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1171 1171 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 6 2,550.00 $2,550.00
1298 1298 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 1 2,800.00 $2,800.00

↑ Back to top

Reading this report

What does "Medium and Large 1" mean?

USDA feeder grades describe frame size and muscle thickness, not quality of the individual animal. "Medium and Large" is the frame score; the number is muscle (1 = heaviest muscled). "Medium and Large 1–2" pens mix both muscle scores — common across the Southeast.

What is $/cwt?

Dollars per hundredweight — per 100 lb of animal. A 500-lb calf at $450/cwt brings 5 × $450 = $2,250. Lighter cattle usually bring more per cwt but less per head.

Why are some prices per head?

Bred cows, cow-calf pairs, and some replacement classes sell by the head, not by weight. We show those exactly as USDA reports them — a $/head figure is never converted into $/cwt on this site.

Where do these numbers come from?

From the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's Livestock Market News — federal reporters at the sale. We publish each report in full and link the official USDA document at the top of the page.