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.
Hale reported a good day at the Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City for Monday’s sale. “Demand was pretty typical for this time of year,” he said. “They haven’t really started moving those calves and I don’t think they will until it freezes.”
The market saw a big upturn last week which carried through to the Woodward sale last Thursday and continued through Monday’s sale in Oklahoma City. He reported that some four-weight weaned calves sold twenty to thirty higher than they would have two weeks prior.
He said that shippers are concerned about widespread drought, but buyers are still seeing a lot of demand for weaned calves. “I don’t know what causes that other than short supply and if it does rain, they will need several of them, so they just as well get started.”
Hale anticipates pressure on fat calves and bulls after people’s pens begin to fill and they experience some death losses due to weather changes.
This week’s Comanche sale is expected to be lighter, and Woodward sold about 380 head today. He expects numbers to jump after the first freeze.
Hale can be contacted at 940-631-2333. Check out more about the marketing options that Western offers by clicking here.
