In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with OKC West Auctioneer Jon Cooper, who shares insight on the strong cattle market at OKC West and what’s driving higher prices across the region.
For many of you, Jon is a familiar face and voice at the world’s Largest Junior Livestock Show, the Oklahoma Youth Expo- serving as lead auctioneer for both the Night of Stars Gilt Sale and the Sale of Champions.
Tight Supply and Better Cattle Quality
Cooper says the strength of the market starts with supply. “The reason why this market is so good is you’re just seeing less and less cattle each week,” he said.
He also pointed to the quality of cattle coming through the sale barn. “What I’m seeing in the sale barn is just the quality of these cattle. These producers are breeding just the high end, these good black hide and Angus cattle, or even Red Angus cattle and baldies.” “That’s where the premiums are,” Cooper added. “They just get such a premium on these cattle this time of year.”
He credited producers for their progress. “I just want to give it up to these producers for how good a job they are doing making these cattle better and better each and every year.”
Market Staying Strong
Despite expectations for a downturn, Cooper says the market has held firm. “Everybody just keeps thinking this market is just going to gradually go down, but it’s actually done the opposite. It has stayed up.” “We’ve had some weaker weeks back in February, but it’s bounced back. The market has stayed good,” he said.
He emphasized the positive impact on producers. “These producers are really doing a good job and getting some extra money in their pockets, which is outstanding.”
Looking ahead, moisture will be key. “We just need some rain. We get some rain, this market will continue to stay good throughout the whole year.”
Dry Conditions and Market Movement
Dry weather is starting to influence decisions in the country. “It’s getting awfully dry. Wheat pasture cattle are coming off wheat,” Cooper said.
He expects more cattle could be marketed soon. “If we don’t get a rain, I think there’s lots of cattle coming to the market, and they’re going to take advantage of this market.” “I don’t blame them,” he added. “It’ll be really good for them.”
Wide Reach and Strong Demand
Cattle continue to flow into OKC West from multiple regions. “Lots of cattle coming from the Texas region. Lots of cattle coming from Mississippi,” Cooper said. “We’re getting them from all over.”
Those cattle are also moving out across the country. “They’re going back to Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, South Dakota. They’re going everywhere.”
He highlighted the facility’s advantages. “We’re right off I-40. We’re just 15 to 20 minutes away from I-35, so those truckers can get on and off just real easy.”
Cooper also emphasized demand and management. “You just ought to see the buyers in here each and every week. It’s a packed house.” “One of our main selling points is the buying power, and also the line bunk feeding program that we can get the shrink back in those cattle.”
Strong Start to the Year
Cooper says that several cattle producers called him over the Christmas break and asked if they should bring cattle to market right away or wait a few weeks. He told them, “If you got them ready to go, don’t hesitate, pull the trigger. Let’s sell cattle and put some dollars in your pocket,” he said.
“That first couple of weeks of January was just an outstanding market,” he added. “Buyers from all over the place were coming here trying to buy those lightweight calves.”
With strong demand, tight supplies, and quality cattle, Cooper says the market continues to reward producers willing to sell.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR above for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
