Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary
Archived Report
3/20/2021
Total Run: 6,849
Market Notes
Compared to last week: Steers weighing less than 600 lbs sold unevenly steady, 600 lbs steers and heavier sold steady to 5.00 higher. Heifers under 500 lbs sold mostly 3.00-5.00 higher, heifers over 500 lbs sold steady to 5.00 higher. Quality this week was average to attractive. Overall demand was mostly moderate. Demand for heifers was stronger than steers again this week as many buyers continue to look for heifer to spay and turn out on grass. Several sets of replacement heifers sold on good demand . Replacement quality heifers were of very attractive quality. Demand for light weight cattle was slightly lower this week, the best demand for grass cattle was for 550-700 lbs. CME contract prices started the week with positive gains but sold off sharply to end the week. The March contract closed Friday at 134.675 while the April closed at 139.425 that's 1.675 and 3.80 lower on the March and April contracts respectfully. Market activity was mostly moderate. Weigh up cows sold on mostly good demand. Packer buyers were the driving force in the market as they showed good demand for slaughter cows. A Winter storm across much of the center of the country disrupted transportation and kept the volume of cattle both coming to sales and directly delivered to plants, light. This had packers searching for offerings and paying higher prices in order to secure supplies. Slaughter cows sold mostly 2.004.00 higher on all classes. Feeding cows were too lightly tested this week to develop an accurate market trend. however steady to firm undertones were noticed. Slaughter bulls sold unevenly steady. Early week sale bulls sold lower while late week sales bulls sold higher. Weigh up conditions were mostly average this week, and similar to last week. Two year old to young age cows sold on mostly moderate demand this week. This class sold steady to weak.Supply included: 51% Feeder Cattle (21% Steers, 78% Heifers, 2% Bulls); 9% Slaughter Cattle (81% Cows, 19% Bulls); 5% Replacement Cattle (92% Stock Cows, 8% Bred Cows); 29% Slaughter Sheep/Lambs (52% Wooled & Shorn, 5% Hair Breeds, 38% Ewes, 0% Hair Ewes, 4% Bucks); 2% Replacement Sheep/Lambs (100% Ewes); 1% Feeder Goats (100% Kids); 4% Slaughter Goats (57% Kids, 24% Nannies/Does, 8% Bucks/Billies, 11% Wethers); 0% Replacement Goats (100% Nannies/Does). Feeder cattle supply over 600 lbs was 43%.
LIVESTOCK SUMMARY Current Week Last Reported 3/8/2021 Last Year Total Receipts: 6,849 7,815 4,092 Feeder Cattle: 3,517(51.4%) 4,586(58.7%) 1,124(27.5%) Slaughter Cattle: 642(9.4%) 897(11.5%) 527(12.9%) Replacement Cattle: 315(4.6%) 2,332(29.8%) 1,033(25.2%) Slaughter Sheep/Lambs: 1,952(28.5%) 0(0.0%) 640(15.6%) Replacement Sheep/Lambs: 118(1.7%) 0(0.0%) 70(1.7%) Feeder Goats: 40(0.6%) 0(0.0%) 50(1.2%) Slaughter Goats: 259(3.8%) 0(0.0%) 343(8.4%) Replacement Goats: 6(0.1%) 0(0.0%) 0(0.0%)
Feeder Steers
| Weight | Min | Avg | Max | Approx* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200-300 | $-- | |||
| 300-400 | 185 | 200 | 222.5 | $698 |
| 400-500 | 177 | 188 | 212.5 | $846 |
| 500-600 | 160 | 170 | 181 | $936 |
| 600-700 | $-- | |||
| 700-800 | $-- |
Feeder Heifers
| Weight | Min | Avg | Max | Approx* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200-300 | $-- | |||
| 300-400 | 183 | 187 | 194 | $655 |
| 400-500 | 158.5 | 168 | 185 | $755 |
| 500-600 | $-- | |||
| 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 | $81 | $84 | $89 |