Weekly Summary, Montana

Compared to last week: Steer calves under 450 lbs were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to weak undertones were noticed on a lower quality offering. 450 lbs steers and heavier sold fully steady in a narrow comparison. Heifers under 500 lbs were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to higher undertones were noticed. Heifers 500-599 lbs sold generally steady. Heifers 600 lbs and heavier sold steady to 5.00 lower. Demand was good to very good for all offerings this week. The best demand continues to be for cattle suitable to develop into yearlings as several buyers still have large orders to fill for summer grass leases. Additionally, demand for offerings too big to develop into yearlings was also good this week, however quality did limit demand as packer buyers showed lighter demand for lower quality offerings. High quality offerings continue to sell fully steady. Cattle were offered in smaller package sizes this week which also limited demand in places. Only one load lot was seen this week. Demand for feeding heifers continues to be very good as many attractive heifers are being purchased to feed with competitive bidding seen between replacement and packer buyers. The January feeder cattle contract had a finial settlement of 370.69, 5.89 higher than last Fridays close, the March closed at 360.275 , 0.10 higher than last Friday. The April closed at 358.275, 0.475 lower than last Friday. The May contract closed Friday at 355.125. Market activity was mostly active however a slightly smaller buyer pool was noticed this week. Weigh up cows sold on mostly good demand for light offerings. Feeding cow demand remains good. All feeding cows sold 3.00-8.00 higher for the week with the largest price increase seen in lower yielding offerings as buyers were willing to take blemished cows to feed this week. Slaughter cow demand was stronger this week as snow storms have slowed the volume of cattle being delivered directly to the packing plants, especially in the upper plains. Cow offerings were also lighter at sales across Montana this week forcing packers and feeding buyers to bid aggressively over all offerings. Breaking cows sold mostly 4.00-6.00 higher. Boning and lean cows sold mostly 5.00-7.00 higher. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 2.00-3.00 higher. Demand for young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed was mostly light to moderate this week as quality and light offerings limited demand. Coming 2 year old cows sold mostly steady on an plain to average quality offering.

Receipts