On Tuesdays, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays visits with Ben Hale of Western Livestock Auctions as he talks about the latest in the markets and more. Established in 1995, Western has grown into a multi-generational family-owned and operated business and stands as a symbol of tradition, excellence, and a deep-rooted passion for the cattle industry. Western Livestock Auctions operates the Western Livestock Commission Firm, which sells cattle on Mondays and Tuesdays. They also operate the livestock auction markets in Woodward, Comanche, Waurika, and Knoxville, Iowa.
The Oklahoma National Stockyards saw a strong market Monday, with prices up across nearly all classes of cattle. Hale said the market was "really from $4 to $20 higher across the whole board," with active bidding on both calves and feeder cattle. "Just a strong market, you know, from the get go all the way through where there were unweaned calves, weaned or long yearlings," Hale said. The stockyards also saw nearly 5,900 head move through the market, roughly 600 to 700 more than the comparable week a year ago.
Hale said the stronger market may be encouraging producers to move cattle ahead of anticipated rainfall and cooler weather. He noted that some cows coming through southern markets have been extremely thin after producers held onto them through difficult conditions. With wheat pasture potentially improving, he said, "I think those guys just took advantage of it, probably in front of this rain a little bit." Producers across Oklahoma and North Texas are hoping upcoming moisture will support fall grazing as wheat fields continue to be planted.
Despite stronger cattle prices, Hale said profitability remains a concern for both producers and cattle feeders. "We're still getting a lot of money for these cattle, but what they give for them and what they're getting for them and what the gain costs, there's not much left there. In some places they'll lose money," he said. Higher calf prices and recent gains in the feeder cattle board have helped improve the outlook, but break-even calculations still leave little room for expenses such as planting wheat. Hale hopes deferred feeder cattle prices will improve enough to give producers opportunities to protect their investment and make a profit.
Looking ahead, Hale said it will be a busy week at several Oklahoma markets, with large runs of calves, yearlings and cows expected. He anticipated about 3,800 head at Waurika, including approximately 700 cows, while Comanche was expected to see 1,200 to 1,300 head. Woodward was expecting around 600 cows Tuesday, followed by a calf and yearling special Thursday that could draw more than 2,000 head. With strong cattle prices and the possibility of widespread rain, Hale said producers are watching for conditions to improve heading into fall grazing season.
Hale can be contacted at 940-631-2333. Check out more about the marketing options that Western offers by clicking here.
