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.
According to Rodenberger, the market was steady, with a high demand for calves despite the challenging weather conditions, adding that the calf market was optimistic about potential rain, which could improve the situation. He did note a pushback on big, fleshy six-weight calves due to the temperature swings of the season.
He said the Apache sale ran average numbers on Monday, but yesterday, sold 3,000 head compared to 500 at this time last year. “I know a lot of that is drought,’ he said. “I had several 25 to 100 head groups of cows that were just complete dispersals for one simple reason: they are out of water.”
He spoke of a producer who ran out of water and had to sell all 125 head of his mama cows but netted $3,200 on theirs and their calves’ salvage value. “You can’t ask for a better situation if you have to get out of your cows,” he said. “Normally, in this situation, we see them just tank this market, but it is staying good.”
He mentioned a sale in Kansas that sold 3,000 head of fat cattle at $1.90, and that the latest On Feed Report indicated that on-feed numbers were down, placements were down, and the market was up.
“Fundamentally, we are selling cows that we are already short on, but I don’t think the lower numbers are dictating this market. In the next year, it’ll be ‘Can we continue to sell beef at this level?’” Rodenberger said.
He expects more of the same at next week’s sales but anticipates the calf market will soften in the near future.
