Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary
Most Recent Report
5/20/2023
Total Run: 5,266
Market Notes
Compared to last week: All feeder cattle were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on all cattle on offer. Demand was mostly good to very good this week. Quality was average to very attractive. Several load lots were seen this week, but demand was good to very good for both packages as well as load lots. Demand for cattle suitable to run on grass continues to be very good as local ranchers and order-buyers were both active in purchasing cattle this week. Spring rains have been very beneficial to pasture and range lands which has further spurred demand for grass cattle. CME feeder cattle positions pushed higher this week as new crop Dec corn fell below 5.00 which helped push feeders higher. Market activity was mostly active this week. Weigh up cows sold on mostly moderate to good demand for moderate offerings. Packers opted to send much of the cow offering to feed this week. Slaughter cows sold mostly steady on all offerings. Slaughter bulls sold generally steady. Feeding cows sold steady. Cow and bull quality was plain to average this week. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold steady on good to very good demand.Supply included: 48% Feeder Cattle (36% Steers, 63% Heifers, 1% Bulls); 3% Slaughter Cattle (93% Cows, 7% Bulls); 4% Replacement Cattle (31% Stock Cows, 0% Bred Cows, 68% Bred Heifers, 0% Cow-Calf Pairs); 3% Feeder Sheep/Lambs (49% Lambs, 22% Hair Lambs, 29% Sheep); 36% Slaughter Sheep/Lambs (34% Wooled & Shorn, 3% Hair Breeds, 60% Ewes, 1% Hair Ewes, 2% Bucks, 0% Hair Bucks); 1% Replacement Sheep/Lambs (63% Ewes, 33% Families, 4% Bucks); 1% Feeder Goats (100% Kids); 4% Slaughter Goats (63% Kids, 28% Nannies/Does, 5% Bucks/Billies, 4% Wethers); 0% Replacement Goats (100% Nannies/Does). Feeder cattle supply over 600 lbs was 59%.
LIVESTOCK SUMMARY Current Week Last Reported 5/8/2023 Last Year Total Receipts: 5,266 4,294 8,838 Feeder Cattle: 2,547(48.4%) 763(17.8%) 2,214(25.1%) Slaughter Cattle: 140(2.7%) 1,363(31.7%) 1,945(22.0%) Replacement Cattle: 199(3.8%) 2,168(50.5%) 1,356(15.3%) Feeder Sheep/Lambs: 160(3.0%) 0(0.0%) 280(3.2%) Slaughter Sheep/Lambs: 1,905(36.2%) 0(0.0%) 2,560(29.0%) Replacement Sheep/Lambs: 30(0.6%) 0(0.0%) 50(0.6%) Feeder Goats: 50(0.9%) 0(0.0%) 90(1.0%) Slaughter Goats: 225(4.3%) 0(0.0%) 333(3.8%) Replacement Goats: 10(0.2%) 0(0.0%) 10(0.1%)
Feeder Steers
| Weight | Min | Avg | Max | Approx* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200-300 | $-- | |||
| 300-400 | 270 | 285 | 290 | $996 |
| 400-500 | 287.5 | 293 | 297.5 | $1,317 |
| 500-600 | $-- | |||
| 600-700 | $-- | |||
| 700-800 | $-- |
Feeder Heifers
| Weight | Min | Avg | Max | Approx* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200-300 | $-- | |||
| 300-400 | 257 | 257 | 0.0000 | $900 |
| 400-500 | 253 | 260 | 266 | $1,168 |
| 500-600 | 248 | 255 | 261 | $1,404 |
| 600-700 | $-- | |||
| 700-800 | $-- |
*Approx is the middle weight of the weight group multiplied by the mid point of the high and low for the group. It's meant as a quick method to see what cattle of that weight class are bringing per head.
Cows & Bulls
| Type | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slaughter Bulls | $92 | $120 | $123 |