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 operates the Western Livestock Commission Firm – selling cattle on Mondays and Tuesdays. They also operate the livestock auction markets in Woodward, Comanche and Knoxville, Iowa.
Monday’s sale in Oklahoma City experienced its best sale of the year both in terms of volume and prices. “Yesterday called the feeders steady to five higher and the same way on the grazers,” Hale said. “I had about 13,500 yesterday compared to about 10,000 a year ago. We knew we would have a little catch-up there. We finished up at 12:30 this morning and it was good just about all the way through.”
Slaughter cattle exceeded $2 per pound and Hale was surprised that it was the same on the board. “That’s kind of odd,” he said. “Sometimes, you get a positive basis on the boards on that fat deal, and we don’t have that happen very often, but it is on these front months, right now.”
Hale said that sellers are obviously pleased and told him that they’ve never sold cattle for what they are bringing now. He said that buyers are cautious but have numbers to maintain so most are utilizing some sort of protection whether it be hedges, puts, or LRP.
Hale expects Comanche to experience a good run of cattle on Wednesday, and Woodward should, too, on Thursday pending the weather.
Hale can be contacted at 940-631-2333. Check out more about the marketing options that Western offers by clicking here.
