Billings Livestock Commission, Montana

Compared to last sale (2-05-26): Feeder sold generally steady to 5.00 higher on all weight classes. Feeder heifers under 500 lbs sold mostly 5.00-10.00 higher, all other weights of heifers sold generally steady, with the exception of 600-649 lbs heifers which sold mostly 3.00-5.00 higher. Demand for all feeder cattle was good to very good on moderate offerings. Quality this week was mostly average to very attractive with many home raised offerings seen. Most feeder cattle were offered in moderate sized groups this sale with a few load lots on offer as well. Demand for cattle too big to go to grass sold was mostly very good with several order buyers buying for packers noticed. Cattle overall were more fleshy this week as most large offerings were out of backgrounding lots. Cattle were very clean as weather conditions have been mostly dry with little to no snow. Market activity was very active with rapid bidding seen. A smaller buyer pool was noticed this week, however demand was similar to last week. Internet bidding was active again this week. Weigh up cows sold on good demand for light to moderate offerings. Feeding cow demand was good to very good. Feeding cows sold mostly steady. Very few slaughter cows were purchased this week as feeding demand and replacement demand pushed cow prices over where slaughter buyers wanted to buy cows. Slaughter cows were all too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however steady undertones were noticed. Weigh up conditions were mostly average to below average this week. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 2.00-4.00 higher in a very narrow comparison. Several buyers purchased feeding bulls this week and these offerings sold mostly 5.00 higher. Young age offerings suitable to feed or rebreed were too lightly tested to develop a full market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Quality this week was mostly average. Demand for replacement cows was very good as buyers showed willingness to buy older cows to try and rebreed.

Receipts