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 continue to face pressure despite historically tight supplies, with summer heat and falling futures adding uncertainty for producers. Hale says the recent market decline has been difficult to explain given the limited number of cattle available. “I think the main question is, yeah, it’s hot, but it’s hot every year, and what’s causing this with low receipts and low placements, and yet we’re still just crashing,” Hale says. “It’s kind of what everybody’s trying to figure out.”
Hale says receipts at the Oklahoma National Stockyards remain well below year-ago levels, with about 2,900 head sold recently compared to roughly 5,100 head during the same period last year. “So yes, it’s definitely lighter on that,” Hale says. He says there are calves and lighter yearlings available, but not a tremendous number of larger cattle. “I don’t know if it’s the heat or if it’s just that much tighter supply that we have out there,” he says.
Despite the pressure, Hale says higher-quality cattle and grazing cattle are still bringing strong prices, although they are not reaching the levels some expected. “You’re still getting along pretty good with them,” Hale says. “On the grazing cattle, I mean, they’re still dollaring out extremely well. They’re just not kind of where we thought they’d be.” He says the limited supply of yearlings is also forcing buyers to act quickly when desirable cattle become available. “Now, if you’re going to get one, you kind of got to just start buying it because if you pass too much, you’re not going to get what you thought you was.”
Western Livestock has several sales scheduled this week, including about 3,000 head at Waurika, 1,500 at Comanche with both lighter- and heavy-bred cows expected. Hale says another 400 to 450 cows are expected at Woodward. With cattle supplies remaining tight, producers and buyers continue to watch the market closely as summer heat and futures pressure weigh on prices.
Hale can be contacted at 940-631-2333. Check out more about the marketing options that Western offers by clicking here.
