Farm Director KC Sheperd is visiting with Bob Rodenberger, a Partner with Stockman Oklahoma Livestock, as he gives the latest on the cattle markets. Rodenberger said the markets are still reacting to the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza situation. Although HPAI does not impact food safety, Rodenberger said it has still managed to move the markets up and down based on rumors.
In general, the feeder market has been good, Rodenberger said, along with the fat market.
“We have still got a good market,” Rodenberger said. “These calves weighing 600 and down are not a bit cheaper anywhere. There is still a lot of demand. People are still trying to replace what they are selling because there is still a good margin in them.”
Rodenberger also emphasized the importance of risk management and noted that there are no indications of herd expansion, only the replacement of old cattle.
“We are getting rain- that’s positive,” Rodenberger said. “If we can get a good start on grass and get some good hay put up, people’s ponds are getting back up to at least 80 percent normal, I think we could see some people maybe looking at holding some heifers in our area. We are not seeing any of that yet.”
