Weekly Summary, Montana

Compared to last week: Steer calves under 450 lbs were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to higher undertones were noticed. 450 lbs steers and heavier sold steady to 10.00 higher in a narrow comparison. Heifers under 500 lbs were too lightly tested to develop an accurate market trend, however steady to higher undertones were noticed. Heifers 500 lbs and heavier sold mostly 5.00-10.00 higher. Demand was good to very good for all offerings this week. The best demand continues to be for cattle suitable to develop into yearlings as several buyers still have large orders to fill for summer grass leases. Additionally, demand for offerings too big to develop into yearlings was very good this week, with several major packers actively buying big steers and heifers to fill corporate feedlots. Quality this week was average to very attractive with many home raised offerings seen. Cattle were offered in small to moderate package sizes this week. A few full load lots were seen and these offerings sold with the best demand. Demand for feeding heifers continues to be very good as many attractive heifers are being purchased to feed. Competitive bidding was seen again this week between replacement and packer buyers. CME positions continue to march higher after the release of last weeks cattle inventory report. The March closed at 367.425, 7.15 higher than last Friday. The April closed at 362.80, 4.525 higher than last Friday. The May contract closed Friday at 357.125, 2.00 higher than last Friday. Market activity was mostly active with a larger buyer pool was noticed this week. Weigh up cows sold on mostly good demand for light offerings. Feeding cow demand remains good. All feeding cows sold steady to 3.00 higher for the week. Slaughter cow demand remains strong as packers continue to show good demand for limited slaughter offerings. All slaughter cows sold generally steady in a narrow comparison. Slaughter bulls sold mostly steady to 3.00 higher pushed mostly by limited offerings and feeding bull buyers which showed good demand for sound thinner fleshed bulls. Demand for young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed was mostly light to moderate this week as quality and light offerings limited demand. Coming 2 year old cows sold mostly steady on an plain to average quality offering.

Receipts