Weekly Summary, Montana

Market report for Monday, December 8, 2025

Data sourced from USDA AMS

Yearling steers and heifers were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Steer calves under 500 lbs sold generally steady to firm in a narrow comparison, 500-599 lbs steers sold mostly 5.00-12.00 higher; steers over 600 lbs sold mostly steady to 10.00 higher. Heifer calves under 450 lbs were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Heifers 450-599 lbs sold mostly 5.00-20.00 higher; heifers over 600 lbs sold steady to firm. Demand was mostly good to very good for last weeks light offering. Demand for cattle suitable to develop into yearlings was very good for limited offerings. CME positions saw another week of week over week gains which continues to provide support for higher cash prices. Light supplies are being seen as many calves have been marketed already and the volume of feeders continues to be well under the same week last year. The January feeder cattle contract closed Friday at 339.10, 0.05 higher for the week, while the March closed at 334.075, 0.775 higher for the week and the April closed 1.00 higher at 333.225. Market activity was mostly active with a large buyer pool noticed. Weigh up cows sold on mostly moderate demand for light to moderate offerings. Feeding cow demand remains good. Cow supplies have tightened slightly forcing buyers to become more aggressive as they bid to buy high quality cows to feed. All feeding cows sold 2.00-3.00 higher for the week. Demand for slaughter cows was mostly light to moderate. Many lame or blemished cows were seen again this week. All classes of slaughter cows sold 2.00-3.00 higher. Slaughter bulls sold steady to 3.00 higher. Feeding bull buyers push bull prices higher as packers and feeders competed over similar offerings. Good demand was seen for young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed. Coming 2 year old cows generally 10.00-15.00 higher. Demand for these offerings has improved as southern buyers remain in the market. A few high quality offerings off bred consignments sold this week. Quality was mostly average to very attractive. Demand improved as the week progressed and buyers pushed to finish loads prior to the winter storm that hit Thursday night. Bred cows sold on very good demand for heavy offerings as over 8,000 head of bred cows were offered in a two day special.