Weekly Summary, Montana

Market report for Monday, October 20, 2025

Data sourced from USDA AMS

Yearling steers and heifers were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however weak undertones were noticed on steers and steady to higher undertones were noticed on heifers on a larger higher quality offering. Steer calves under 450 lbs sold mostly 10.00-20.00 lower, 400-600 lbs sold mostly 15.00-25.00 lower. Steer calves over 600 lbs sold steady to 5.00 lower. Heifer calves under 450 lbs sold sharply lower with most sales 20.00-30.00 lower, heifer calves 450-549 lbs sold mostly 10.00-20.00 lower, heifers over 550 lbs sold 5.00-10.00 lower. Demand was mixed this week with good to very good seen early in the week and light to moderate demand seen later in the week. This led to very wide price spreads for the week. Demand for load lots was good throughout the week. Packages of calves sold on mostly light to moderate demand with light demand seen for small packages later in the week. CME positions traded limit lower two days out of the last week which caused buyers to pull back. CME positions were down sharply for the week. The October contract closed Friday at 354.30, 17.65 lower than last Friday. The November contract closed at 352.20, 19.50 lower for the week. The January contract closes at 348.175. This week saw a smaller buyer pool as fewer buyers were present. Internet bidding was also slower by late week as many buyers pulled back and passed on offerings. Market activity was slow to moderate as a result. Weigh up cows sold on good to very good demand. Feeding cow demand remains very good and continues to be the driving force behind the cow market. Both packers and private feeders both continue to be very active as they put cows away on feed. Packer buyers started buying cows for holiday week harvest. Most of these offerings are slightly blemished cows many with lumps or a slight gimp to their walk. Feeding cows sold mostly steady to 5.00 higher oh high quality cows suitable to feed to premium white. Short term feeding cows sold generally steady. Slaughter cows sold sharply higher with an additional packer in the market this week. Regional packers and major packers both showed very good demand for high quality cows. Breaking and boning cows sold 10.00-15.00 higher, lean cows sold steady to 5.00 lower. Slaughter bulls sold generally steady. Very good demand was seen for young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed. Coming 2 year old cows outsold yearling offerings in places again this week. Young offerings sold generally steady to firm.