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 lighter run this week, with about 4,700 head selling, roughly 600 fewer cattle than the same week last year. Hale says the market was mixed, with buyers showing some selectivity. “It was just kind of a sluggish market yesterday,” Hale said. “Some of the feeder cattle probably weren’t quite as good as what we’d had been, and some of them were pretty fleshy, which would reflect in some of that price.”
Hale says despite the slower pace, cattle continued to sell fairly well across the market. “We could get some cattle sold, but it just wasn’t a runaway market by any stretch,” he said. “The way they looked like called it, kind of mixed, you know, up and down and steady, and that’s kind of what the way I would have called it yesterday.” Hale says buyers and sellers are also watching moisture closely as producers look to get wheat planted and established.
“A lot of areas got real good rain last week,” Hale said. “Some places we thought was going to get quite a bit just got like a half inch to an inch which we’re not complaining but we were sure hoping it’d be two or three inches.” He says the recent moisture should be enough to get wheat started in some areas, while additional rain in the coming weeks could have a major impact on cattle movement and buying decisions.
Hale expects cattle runs to remain steady to slow for a while, with larger numbers potentially coming after the first hard freeze. However, he does not expect the kind of fall runs seen in years past. “We don’t have the traditional runs in the fall, like we used to,” Hale said. “There’s just not as many out there.” He expects some decent runs in November and December, but says producers will likely see “decent runs” rather than huge numbers as cattlemen look for opportunities to buy calves for wheat pasture.
Across the country, Hale says cattle movement is continuing at several Oklahoma markets this week. “Going to have about 1,700 at Waurika today,” he said, adding that there would also be about 400 cows at Woodward and a good run at Comanche. Woodward will also host a special calf and yearling sale next week. Hale expects cattle runs to remain “steady to slow for a little bit” until the first hard freeze brings more cattle to market.
Hale can be contacted at 940-631-2333. Check out more about the marketing options that Western offers by clicking here.
