Bob Rodenberger of Stockman’s Livestock Auction in Apache discussed the current state of the cattle market with Farm Director KC Sheperd, emphasizing the favorable conditions for a specific age group of steers and advising risk management strategies.
Rodenberger says the market still looks pretty strong: “This is still a good market. We were selling eight—or nine-weight cattle that none of us thought we’d have at a good figure. Our runs aren’t extreme. But the percentage of the runs are kind of from eight—to nine-weight steers, which, you know, we didn’t think we had any of them. The Cattle have done well on wheat, and the Market is steady.”
Rodenberger says we are in a chess game with the Packers and the feeders right now. We’ve got to continue to sell the meat, “That goes back to the consumer: we can play pawns and chess and checkers all day with a packer and the feeder, But when it all comes down to the bottom line, it’s going to be the consumer that dictates which way we go in this market. And right now, we’re still moving beef, we’re moving it. We’re not moving the prime or the high-end cuts as quickly as we were, but it’s a different time of year.”
Rodenberger also expressed how important Livestock Risk Protection can be this time of year, “Everywhere in our industry or in society, you got to have insurance on everything. on your car, on your house, on everything. The bank won’t even let you out of the building unless you have insurance. So we have that same protection today. Now, whether you pick the top or not, cover your margin and go fishing. I mean, it’s that simple. If your margins are there, cover it and go fishing. That’s just kind of way I look at it.”
Lastly, they anticipated larger runs of cattle in Oklahoma City due to anticipated rainfall and stubble grazing. If you would like to visit with Rodenbger and his team at Stockman’s Livestock Auction, their numbers are listed below.
