KC Sheperd, Farm Director, is back talking with Bob Rodenberger, a Stockman Oklahoma Livestock Marketing partner, as he gives the latest on the cattle markets.
Bob and KC discussed the current state of the livestock market, noting that it is cheaper than expected with killing cow prices holding better than the rest of March.
Bob mentioned that some producers are selling older cows to conserve water and hay. Despite these challenges, cattle prices remain high, with a packer cow potentially selling for $1,200 to $1,800. However, interest rates have doubled, which could impact producers trying to rebuild their herds.
Rodenberger said the biggest issues are drought and a lack of pond water. ” They’re out of water in a lot of these places. They said they had the best spring they’d ever had; their ponds were full. They thought they were in good shape. And sometime in that July-August period, they said, “We’ve run plum out of the water. So we’re seeing a lot of calves come to town that normally wouldn’t be here for another probably 30 days.”
Looking over the next few weeks, Rodenberger said we will continue to see more of the same, “Apache’s runs are not above, but they are way bigger than we thought we would have. I didn’t think we would be seeing this many cows sell.”
