Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster, Ron Hays, is back talking about next year’s Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City with the Executive Vice President of the show, Bray Haven.
“We are not going to be complacent,” Haven said. “We are going to be continuing to look at ways that we can encompass more people and encompass the general producers across Oklahoma.”
Haven said the show is looking into implementing new ideas to attract more international producers in 2025.
“Already had some post-show meetings with our state government, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry,” Haven said. “Obviously, the leadership there and even the Governor of our state, he has bought into what we are doing here, so really some of the governmental side and maybe trying to engage the university side.”
Haven said Cattlemen’s Congress has had good interest from Mexican cattle producers as well as growth in interest from producers in South America, too.
“Those people are interested in all breeds of cattle, not just some of the ones you might expect,” Haven said. “Not just necessarily the American breeds, but they are interested in all breeds.”
Looking into the numbers of which breeds have seen growth at Cattlemen’s Congress, Haven said breeds such as Brangus, Brahman, Beefmaster, Santa Gertrudis and more have seen improved numbers. Next year, Haven said he is hoping to have someone host a sale for those breeds.
Regarding the sales at the 2024 Cattlemen’s Congress, Haven said the numbers were strong, grossing over 5 million dollars.
“On-site, we had over 15 sales,” Haven said. “That was live cattle through our sale ring that we have really tried to improve, and also have some online sales that take place on-site during the show.”
There were also multiple off-site sales, Haven said, at hotels and other different venues across Oklahoma City.
“Over 10 million dollars’ worth of cattle traded in Oklahoma City during our couple of weeks here in OKC, so really, that is phenomenal,” Haven said.
The fifth Cattlemen’s Congress will be held January 4-16, 2025.
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