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 are located in Oklahoma City, Woodward, and Comanche.
Monday’s sales at Oklahoma National Stockyards started slow, then picked up as the day went on. Hales thinks it was the softer kind of cattle that dominated the start of the sale.
“We had some soft, fleshy calves starting out, some with some ear and leather, too,” he said. Some better cattle were seen as the day when on. Ben adds that there was a lot of talk about hopes for wheat pasture in the weeks ahead- “We get rain, and everybody thinks it’s going to jump, but it takes a little time.”
The fast weather changes Oklahoma has been experiencing lately create difficult conditions for ranchers trying to keep young calves alive.
He said that the high three- to low four-weight weaned steers seemed to be most in demand. Tight, long yearling, seven-weight steers also did well. Some home-raised steers from East Texas weighing 820 or so, brought $2.52 per pound. A group of 30-40 Angus steers weighing 725 that had been turned out all summer brought $2.55.
“This time of year, you’ll have those seven- and eight-weight steers or heifers, but a lot of times, they’ll just be 45 to 60 days weaned, so they are just big, weaned calves, not sure enough long yearlings. Some of those feedlot guys will back off on those a little bit wondering whether they will hold up once they put them in the lot,” he shared.
He expects the Woodward cow and bull sale to have 350 head or more this week, and Comanche might be lighter than usual after receiving 3.5 inches of much-needed rain.
Hale can be contacted at 940-631-2333. Check out more about the marketing options that Western offers by clicking here.
