Compared to last week: Too few sales were seen the previous week to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on a higher quality offering. Cattle this week were mostly offered in moderate size packages with a few load lots and several partial load lots seen. Cattle suitable to develop on grass continue to sell with the best demand. Most cattle on offer were lightly fleshed and met the weight requirements buyers were looking for in grass cattle. Demand was mostly good to very good for moderate offerings. Timely spring rains and mountain snow continue to help improve drought conditions in many locations, especially in Southern and Eastern Montana. Western portions of the state remain dry. See the drought monitor for an updated look at the drought at https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MT. CME positions improved throughout the week in anticipation of the cattle on feed report which was released Friday. USDA pegged cattle on feed at 11,838,000, up 1% from last year, placements were estimated at 1,746,000, down 12% from last year and marketing's were estimated at 1,706,000, down 14% from last year. The April feeder contract closed Friday at 241.325, May closed at 242.00 and August at 253.50. Market activity this week was mostly active. Weigh up cows sold on good to very good demand for light offerings. Packers showed mostly moderate demand for cows for immediate harvest as they tried to buy cows slightly lower. Slaughter cows sold generally steady to weak with mostly low dressing cows and cows not suitable to feed seeing the softest prices. Feeding cow demand was very good throughout the week with multiple packer and private buyers in the market. Quality this week was mostly average to attractive. Feeding cows suitable to feed to premium white sold steady to frim. Slaughter bulls sold steady to 3.00 higher. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold generally steady in a narrow comparison. Demand remains good for high quality offerings which buyers are looking to rebreed.
| Head | Wt range | Avg wt | Price range | Avg price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulls — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 4 | 100–150 | 105 | 450.00–475.00 | 462.50 |
| 1 | 350–400 | 390 | 342.50 | 342.50 |
| 1 | 450–500 | 470 | 330.00 | 330.00 |
| 3 | 500–550 | 505 | 312.50–322.50 | 319.10 |
| 5 | 600–650 | 610 | 280.00–298.00 | 294.19 |
| 4 | 650–700 | 688 | 255.00 | 255.00 |
| 4 | 700–750 | 737 | 238.00–240.00 | 238.99 |
| 6 | 750–800 | 791 | 214.00–240.00 | 218.25 |
| 8 | 800–850 | 837 | 212.00 | 212.00 |
| 1 | 850–900 | 880 | 212.50 | 212.50 |
| 5 | 900–950 | 926 | 208.00 | 208.00 |
| 5 | 1050–1100 | 1,074 | 203.00 | 203.00 |
| Bulls — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 5 | 100–150 | 105 | 450.00 | 450.00 |
| 1 | 300–350 | 335 | 330.00 | 330.00 |
| 3 | 350–400 | 393 | 330.00 | 330.00 |
| 2 | 650–700 | 688 | 226.00 | 226.00 |
| Heifers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 23 | 350–400 | 382 | 320.00–330.00 | 324.50 |
| 37 | 400–450 | 439 | 290.00–325.00 | 309.00 |
| 27 | 450–500 | 475 | 297.50–320.00 | 308.66 |
| 331 | 500–550 | 515 | 285.00–310.00 | 296.63 |
| 169 | 550–600 | 578 | 265.00–298.50 | 283.36 |
| 492 | 600–650 | 629 | 256.00–288.00 | 276.67 |
| 506 | 650–700 | 675 | 249.00–275.50 | 270.79 |
| 144 | 700–750 | 732 | 231.00–257.00 | 250.32 |
| 217 | 750–800 | 783 | 221.00–246.00 | 235.80 |
| 34 | 800–850 | 831 | 220.00–239.00 | 223.38 |
| 12 | 850–900 | 868 | 217.00–222.00 | 220.50 |
| 90 | 900–950 | 938 | 204.00–214.00 | 213.17 |
| 4 | 950–1000 | 965 | 210.00–213.00 | 212.26 |
| Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Replacement$ per head · actual wt | ||||
| 13 | 700–750 | 737 | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 |
| 153 | 750–800 | 785 | 1,875.00–2,000.00 | 1,922.60 |
| 62 | 800–850 | 802 | 1,910.00 | 1,910.00 |
| 54 | 850–900 | 878 | 1,950.00 | 1,950.00 |
| 57 | 900–950 | 903 | 2,275.00 | 2,275.00 |
| Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Fancy$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 55 | 500–550 | 546 | 314.00–315.00 | 314.62 |
| 54 | 550–600 | 568 | 307.00–315.25 | 309.37 |
| 29 | 700–750 | 707 | 264.00 | 264.00 |
| Heifers — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 1 | 300–350 | 312 | 250.00 | 250.00 |
| 4 | 400–450 | 441 | 225.00–232.50 | 230.67 |
| 9 | 450–500 | 484 | 215.00–265.00 | 231.05 |
| 14 | 500–550 | 519 | 225.00–270.00 | 250.33 |
| 8 | 550–600 | 583 | 227.50–242.50 | 234.31 |
| 17 | 600–650 | 638 | 222.50–233.00 | 230.20 |
| 4 | 650–700 | 667 | 225.00–233.00 | 229.05 |
| 4 | 700–750 | 706 | 205.00–212.50 | 208.76 |
| Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 4 | 300–350 | 324 | 300.00–322.50 | 311.63 |
| 13 | 400–450 | 428 | 260.00–305.00 | 286.40 |
| 36 | 450–500 | 484 | 285.00–302.00 | 293.10 |
| 32 | 500–550 | 536 | 267.00–282.50 | 272.54 |
| 33 | 550–600 | 575 | 252.00–271.00 | 260.51 |
| 16 | 600–650 | 641 | 242.50–259.00 | 256.18 |
| 67 | 650–700 | 675 | 237.00–265.00 | 249.79 |
| 4 | 700–750 | 718 | 236.00–237.50 | 236.37 |
| 9 | 750–800 | 774 | 220.00–238.00 | 229.46 |
| 2 | 800–850 | 808 | 207.50–211.00 | 209.26 |
| 1 | 850–900 | 875 | 212.50 | 212.50 |
| 3 | 900–950 | 928 | 190.00 | 190.00 |
| Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Fancy$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 9 | 400–450 | 410 | 397.50 | 397.50 |
| 58 | 550–600 | 564 | 348.00 | 348.00 |
| 105 | 600–650 | 616 | 330.00 | 330.00 |
| 16 | 700–750 | 707 | 284.00 | 284.00 |
| Steers — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 3 | 350–400 | 375 | 377.50 | 377.50 |
| 6 | 400–450 | 448 | 360.00–372.50 | 362.05 |
| 37 | 450–500 | 479 | 331.00–375.00 | 359.88 |
| 31 | 500–550 | 507 | 325.00–342.50 | 339.20 |
| 171 | 550–600 | 574 | 321.00–341.00 | 331.73 |
| 87 | 600–650 | 619 | 290.00–325.00 | 306.73 |
| 173 | 650–700 | 677 | 275.50–294.00 | 283.43 |
| 160 | 700–750 | 721 | 255.00–280.00 | 267.37 |
| 52 | 750–800 | 768 | 246.00–262.50 | 254.82 |
| 24 | 800–850 | 814 | 232.00–258.00 | 246.44 |
| 88 | 850–900 | 862 | 233.00–244.00 | 239.26 |
| 78 | 900–950 | 918 | 220.00–230.50 | 226.71 |
| 50 | 950–1000 | 962 | 219.50–229.00 | 221.73 |
| Steers — Medium and Large 2$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 1 | 300–350 | 315 | 327.50 | 327.50 |
| 8 | 450–500 | 479 | 280.00–317.00 | 308.01 |
| 4 | 500–550 | 538 | 225.00–257.50 | 241.25 |
| 9 | 550–600 | 569 | 279.00 | 279.00 |
| 15 | 600–650 | 637 | 241.00–255.00 | 248.58 |
| 1 | 650–700 | 680 | 247.50 | 247.50 |
| 6 | 700–750 | 732 | 246.00 | 246.00 |
| 6 | 750–800 | 793 | 239.00–240.00 | 239.16 |
| 2 | 850–900 | 863 | 209.00 | 209.00 |
| Steers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 1 | 200–250 | 225 | 300.00 | 300.00 |
| 2 | 300–350 | 345 | 365.00–367.50 | 366.25 |
| 1 | 350–400 | 355 | 357.50 | 357.50 |
| 17 | 400–450 | 434 | 317.50–365.00 | 344.13 |
| 12 | 450–500 | 476 | 322.50–340.00 | 330.66 |
| 6 | 500–550 | 510 | 320.00 | 320.00 |
| 31 | 550–600 | 583 | 290.00–320.00 | 305.82 |
| 15 | 600–650 | 645 | 275.00–289.00 | 287.10 |
| 11 | 650–700 | 676 | 267.00–272.00 | 267.93 |
| 8 | 700–750 | 717 | 251.00–257.00 | 254.74 |
| 9 | 750–800 | 762 | 250.00–255.00 | 254.43 |
| 4 | 800–850 | 841 | 215.00–223.00 | 219.01 |
| 26 | 850–900 | 857 | 225.00–234.00 | 226.18 |
| 1 | 900–950 | 945 | 217.00 | 217.00 |
| 2 | 950–1000 | 983 | 203.00 | 203.00 |
| Head | Wt range | Avg wt | Price range | Avg price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cows — Lean 85-90%$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 6 | — | 1,095 | 102.00–115.00 | 109.75 |
| 16 | — | 1,191 | 109.00–133.00 | 115.49 |
| 2 | — | 1,133 | 95.00–96.00 | 95.52 |
| 1 | — | 1,090 | 136.00 | 136.00 |
| Cows — Premium White 65-75% · Heavy Weight$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 2 | — | 2,200 | 128.00–133.00 | 130.59 |
| Cows — Premium White 65-75%$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 71 | — | 1,522 | 136.00–141.00 | 139.01 |
| Cows — Boner 80-85%$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 12 | — | 1,388 | 108.00–123.00 | 115.23 |
| 48 | — | 1,307 | 122.00–136.00 | 128.22 |
| 2 | — | 1,203 | 141.00 | 141.00 |
| Cows — Boner 80-85% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 2 | — | 1,375 | 128.00–129.00 | 128.48 |
| 225 | — | 1,239 | 122.00–142.00 | 128.21 |
| 20 | — | 1,460 | 139.00–140.50 | 140.32 |
| Cows — Breaker 75-80% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 5 | — | 1,585 | 114.00–123.00 | 118.11 |
| 21 | — | 1,404 | 141.00–142.00 | 141.91 |
| 126 | — | 1,502 | 124.50–143.00 | 135.43 |
| Cows — Lean 85-90% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 43 | — | 1,164 | 112.00–135.00 | 123.11 |
| 9 | — | 1,114 | 104.00–123.00 | 114.63 |
| 20 | — | 1,218 | 133.00–138.00 | 135.94 |
| Cows — Breaker 75-80%$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 25 | — | 1,561 | 126.00–142.00 | 134.96 |
| 6 | — | 1,342 | 143.50–144.00 | 143.91 |
| 7 | — | 1,564 | 117.00–132.00 | 124.82 |
| Cows — Lean 85-90% · Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 3 | — | 907 | 100.00–115.00 | 108.99 |
| Bulls$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 73 | — | 1,890 | 135.00–158.00 | 145.47 |
| 18 | — | 1,868 | 151.00–167.00 | 154.82 |
| 29 | — | 1,615 | 115.00–137.00 | 128.01 |
| Bulls — Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 1 | — | 1,285 | 123.00 | 123.00 |
| Bulls — Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||
| 3 | — | 1,278 | 109.00–118.00 | 114.90 |
| Age | Stage | Head | Wt range | Avg wt | Price range | Avg price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| Young (2-4 yrs) | Open | 32 | — | 1,076 | 133.00–203.00 | 158.56 |
| (<2 yrs) | Open | 112 | — | 929 | 171.00–214.00 | 192.85 |
| Stock Cows — Medium 1$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| (<2 yrs) | Open | 4 | — | 773 | 172.50–181.00 | 178.87 |
| Stock Cows — Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| (<2 yrs) | Open | 2 | — | 1,258 | 144.00 | 144.00 |
| Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt | ||||||
| (<2 yrs) | Open | 150 | — | 919 | 174.00–210.00 | 191.45 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | Open | 66 | — | 1,083 | 158.50–185.00 | 170.65 |
| Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per head · actual wt | ||||||
| Middle Aged (5-8 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 2 | — | 1,355 | 2,300.00 | 2,300.00 |
| Middle Aged (5-8 yrs) | 3rd Stage (7-9 mo) | 3 | — | 1,374 | 2,400.00 | 2,400.00 |
| Aged (>8 yrs) | 3rd Stage (7-9 mo) | 9 | — | 1,431 | 1,800.00–2,000.00 | 1,935.01 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 3rd Stage (7-9 mo) | 19 | — | 1,273 | 1,925.00–2,975.00 | 2,628.76 |
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 2nd Stage (4-6 mo) | 3 | — | 1,142 | 1,700.00–1,900.00 | 1,832.55 |
| Bred Cows — Medium and Large 2$ per head · actual wt | ||||||
| Young (2-4 yrs) | 3rd Stage (7-9 mo) | 2 | — | 1,130 | 1,400.00–2,000.00 | 1,734.51 |
| Bred Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per head · actual wt | ||||||
| (<2 yrs) | 3rd Stage (7-9 mo) | 3 | — | 1,057 | 2,000.00–2,700.00 | 2,438.17 |
| Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium and Large 2$ per head · actual wt | ||||||
| Aged (>8 yrs) | Open | 2 | — | 1,150 | 1,525.00 | 1,525.00 |
| Aged (>8 yrs) | Open | 1 | — | 1,200 | 1,900.00 | 1,900.00 |
| Cow-Calf Pairs — Medium and Large 1-2$ per head · actual wt | ||||||
| Middle Aged (5-8 yrs) | Open | 1 | — | 1,250 | 2,475.00 | 2,475.00 |