Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary
Archived Report
2/5/2022
Total Run: 9,341
Market Notes
Compared to last week: Steer calves under 500 lbs were too lightly tested to trend, however steady undertones were noticed. Steers 500-650 lbs sold fully steady, steers over 650 lbs sold 3.00-4.00 higher. Heifer calves under 450 lbs sold generally steady, heifers over 450-599 lbs sold mostly 10.00 higher; heifers over 600 lbs sold steady to 5.00 higher. Quality this week was mixed from plain to very attractive. Sales that featured feeders had noticeable higher quality cattle and stronger demand from buyers. One iron home raised feeders sold on very good demand again this week. Several light load lots were seen this week and these offerings were met with very good demand. The best demand continues to be for cattle suitable to develop into yearlings. The August feeder cattle contract climbed slightly higher this past week to 184.925. CME positions traded higher much of the week following the cattle inventory report which showed that the cattle herd in the us shrank 2% to 91.9 million head. The March closed at 166.10, up 6.575 from last week, the April closed at 171.425. Market activity this week was mostly active. A large buyer pool was seen at sales this past week with many order buyers and farmers feeders seen. Weigh up cows sold on mostly very good demand for moderate offerings. Packers showed very good demand for cows for immediate harvest throughout the week. Packers sent the almost every cow they purchased to slaughter this week. Cows sold sharply higher as packers pushed to outbid feeding cow buyers. Slaughter cows sold mostly 3.00-5.00 higher on breaking cows, boning and lean cows sold 8.00-12.00 higher. The best demand and most advancement in slaughter cows was for lean cows. Feeding cows were too lightly tested to trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Slaughter bulls sold sharply higher with most sale 10.00-15.00 higher. Young age cows suitable to feed or rebreed sold generally steady. Demand for these offerings was mostly moderate to good. A heavy bred offering was seen this week. Demand for bred cattle was good to very good.Supply included: 42% Feeder Cattle (53% Steers, 46% Heifers, 1% Bulls); 10% Slaughter Cattle (87% Cows, 13% Bulls); 48% Replacement Cattle (6% Stock Cows, 65% Bred Cows, 30% Bred Heifers). Feeder cattle supply over 600 lbs was 38%.
LIVESTOCK SUMMARY Current Week Last Reported 1/24/2022 Last Year Total Receipts: 9,341 5,439 10,187 Feeder Cattle: 3,877(41.5%) 4,043(74.3%) 4,961(48.7%) Slaughter Cattle: 971(10.4%) 980(18.0%) 831(8.2%) Replacement Cattle: 4,493(48.1%) 416(7.6%) 4,395(43.1%)
Feeder Steers
| Weight | Min | Avg | Max | Approx* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200-300 | $-- | |||
| 300-400 | 210 | 215 | 0.0000 | $751 |
| 400-500 | 208 | 211 | 216 | $951 |
| 500-600 | 185 | 197 | 208 | $1,083 |
| 600-700 | 165.5 | 178 | 186 | $1,157 |
| 700-800 | $-- |
Feeder Heifers
| Weight | Min | Avg | Max | Approx* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200-300 | $-- | |||
| 300-400 | 180 | 189 | 192 | $661 |
| 400-500 | 165 | 188 | 196 | $847 |
| 500-600 | 170 | 178 | 186.5 | $977 |
| 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 | $88 | $100 | $105 |