Weekly Summary, Montana

Compared to last week: Feeder cattle were all too lightly tested this week to develop an accurate market trend, however steady undertones were noticed. No feeder specials were held this week and sale sizes were small. Quality this week was plain to average. Most cattle were offered in small packages or as singles. Buyers were forced to piece together loads as a result. Demand for feeder cattle was mostly good despite a light, plain offering. Fewer buyers were in the stands this week, but all showed good demand for offerings especially late in the week as buyers pushed to finish loads of cattle started at other sales across the state. Cattle suitable to run on grass sold with the best demand as order buyers and ranchers both chased limited offerings. CME positions continue to march higher this week as tight supplies keep feeders searching for feeders to fill pen and pasture space. The April closed Friday at 374.15, 1.25 higher than last Friday. The May contract closed Friday at 372.35, 1.725 higher than last Friday. The August contract closed Friday at 372.45, 2.95 higher than last Fridays close. Market activity was mostly active despite a smaller crowd. A mix of order buyers and ranchers were noticed this week. Weigh up cows sold on mostly good to very good demand for light to moderate offerings. Feeding cow demand remains very good. Feeding cows sold mostly steady to 2.00 higher with most of the uptick in prices seen for high quality and young feeding cows. Major packers showed good to very good demand for high quality cows this week. Cow quality was mixed this week from plain to attractive. A large crowd of feeding cow buyers were present at all sales. Young feeding cows saw increased demand again this week as more and more of these offerings are being purchased by rebreed buyers. The demand for these young to middle age cows was very good this week as both feeding and rebreed buyers bid on this age of cows. Weigh up conditions were mostly average to below average. Slaughter cow demand remains strong as packers continue to show good demand for limited slaughter offerings. Premium white cows sold mostly 6.00 higher on a lower yielding offering, making cows higher both live and dressed. Fed cow quality was mostly average this week. Breaking, boning and lean slaughter cows were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on all offerings. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 5.00-7.00 higher. Demand remains good as packer search for lean meat to blend down excess fat currently on the market. Feeding bull demand was mostly very good. Feeding bulls sold 5.00 higher on very good demand. Packers and feeding bull buyers were both competing over similar offerings this week which helped improve prices on both classes. Demand for young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed was mostly good to very good. Cows and heifers which lost calves are being marketed, but with very good weather conditions limited offerings are being seen. Demand for all offerings is very good with buyers for all quality levels. Young cows sold mostly 5.00-8.00 higher. Quality was average to attractive, and similar to last week.

Receipts