Weekly Summary, Montana

Compared to last week: Feeder cattle were all too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Quality this week was plain to average and not as attractive as last week. Most cattle were offered in small size packages with many singles on offer. No feeder cattle specials were held this week. Demand was mostly moderate to good on very light offerings. CME positions improved greatly this week. The March had a final settlement of 362.98, 5.23 higher than last Fridays close. The April closed Friday at 361.45, 10.275 higher than last Friday. The May contract closed Friday at 359.825, 13.45 higher than last Friday. The August contract closed Friday at 357.80. Market activity was mostly active despite a small crowd of buyers noticed all week. Weigh up cows sold on mostly good to very good demand for light offerings. Feeding cow demand remains the driving force in the market. Feeding cows sold unevenly steady, as younger and higher quality cows sold higher and poorer quality cows sold weak. Major packers showed good to very good demand for high quality cows this week. Canadian buyers remain sidelined as the exchange rate remains unfavorable. A large crowd of feeding cow buyers were present at all sales this week. Young feeding cows took a jump this week as buyers purchased some groups of young to middle age cows in hopes they can get a few younger cows to grade choice. Cow quality this week was average to attractive. Weigh up conditions were mostly average to below average. Buyers showed willingness to take even blemished cows to feed as supplies are currently very tight as very few older cows are being marketed. Slaughter cow demand remains strong as packers continue to show good demand for limited slaughter offerings. Slaughter cows were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on all offerings. Slaughter bulls sold mostly steady to firm in a narrow comparison. Demand remains good as packer search for lean meat to blend down excess fat currently on the market. Feeding bull demand was mostly good to very good again this week. Feeding bulls sold steady to 2.00 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 this week. Cows and heifers which lost calves are being marketed, but with very good weather conditions limited offerings are being seen. Demand for high quality offerings is very good. Young cows sold mostly 5.00-12.00 higher. Quality was average to attractive, and similar to last week.

Receipts