Miles City, Montana

Compared to last week (3-10-26): All feeder cattle were to lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on all steers and steady to higher undertones were noticed on feeder heifer under 650 lbs. Heifers over 650 lbs were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Feeder cattle were offered in mostly moderate size packages this week with a few load lots of replacement quality heifers seen. Quality was mostly average to very attractive this week. Demand was mostly good this sale and stronger than the last couple weeks. CME positions have moved sharply higher over the last couple days and buyers responded positively as they showed stronger demand for feeder cattle. Replacement heifer demand was mostly good, however a smaller crowd was on hand for todays sale and some ranchers are slightly concerned about drought conditions. Eastern Montana received limited snowfall with the latest winter storm this past weekend and with record warmth forecasted for this week, drought concerns weigh on local ranchers minds. Replacement heifers sold with lower undertones compared to the last few feeder specials. Market activity was moderate to active this week. Weigh up cows sold on moderate to good demand for light offerings. Feeding cow buyers showed good demand for all cows which would feed. Feeding cows sold steady to firm in a very narrow comparison. Cow quality this week was mostly average. Slaughter cows sold on good demand, however very few cows were purchased for immediate harvest as private feeders kept cow prices over slaughter cow orders Slaughter cows were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Slaughter bulls sold generally steady in a narrow comparison. Feeding type bulls were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however steady undertones were noticed. Young age cows were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however steady undertones were noticed. Quality this week was mostly average.

Receipts