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.
Cattle markets stayed active this week, even with volatility in the futures trade. Hale said receipts were strong, noting, “I think set a little over seven (thousand head)… quite a bit more than a year ago… very active.” Despite a choppy board that moved higher late last week and then dropped, Hale added, “it didn’t seem to bother,” as feeder steers held “kind of steady, higher.” While heifers weren’t quite as aggressive, he emphasized they “still got along extremely well,” pointing to continued strength across most classes.
Demand for calves and grazing cattle continues to push the market forward, especially for higher-quality animals. Hale explained, “we’re seeing a lot of new crop calves, but not a big difference in price,” highlighting strong buyer interest in front-end cattle with potential. He added, “these better… grazers that still got some condition and still got some go… they’re still active and still going after them.” Whether headed to grass or grow yards, cattle are benefiting from relatively affordable feed options and solid demand, helping sustain what he described as ongoing advances, particularly in the calf market.
Pasture conditions remain mixed across the state, influencing some marketing decisions. Hale noted, “the middle part of the state… and then of course East still got lots of demand for the grass,” while conditions deteriorate moving west and north, where “it gets pretty barren pretty quick.” Even so, buyer sentiment remains upbeat. “Everybody’s pretty good. lot of optimism and not much faith in what the board’s doing,” he said, adding that cash cattle markets continue to perform well. With upcoming sales planned across multiple locations, Hale summed up the current outlook simply: “just rolling along and praying for rain.”
Hale can be contacted at 940-631-2333. Check out more about the marketing options that Western offers by clicking here.
