Billings Livestock Commission
Billings, MT

Market information provided by USDA

04 JUN '26

Compared to last sale (5-28-26): Feeder cattle were all too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on steers and steady undertones were noticed on heifers on a lower quality offering. Quality this week was mixed from plain to attractive, but overall was not as attractive as last week. CME Feeder cattle futures hit the 10.75 limit today after USDA confirmed the first U.S. case of New World screwworm. Recent rainfall across dry northern Plains areas also helped boost demand as buyers purchased some cattle to turn out on summer pastures. Demand was mostly good to very good for light offerings. Most offerings were offered in small groups this week. A small to moderate size crowd was on hand for todays sale. Market activity was mostly active. Weigh up cows sold on moderate demand and offerings. Demand for feeding cows was mostly moderate to good. Canadian buyers were back in the market this week. American packers tried to buy cows lower but with Canadian and private feeders both in the market, feeding cows sold fully steady on all classes. Cow quality this week was mostly average. Demand for slaughter cows was mostly light. Too few slaughter cows were seen to develop an accurate market trend, however lower undertones were noticed. Demand for blemished or slightly lame feeding cows was good and most offerings sold over slaughter cow orders this week. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 3.00-5.00 lower on lighter demand from all packer buyers. Demand for feeding bull was good to very good. Some feeding bulls sold higher than slaughter bulls on a dressed basis as feeding bull buyers continue to purchase thin and lower yielding bulls to put on feed to improve yield. Bull quality this week was mostly average to attractive. Feeding bulls sold mostly steady to weak due to lighter demand from packers. Young age offerings suitable to feed or rebreed were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed. Quality this week was mostly average. Demand for young rebreed cows improved this week as rains helped improve pasture and range conditions across the plains.