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, which sells cattle on Mondays and Tuesdays. They also operate the livestock auction markets in Woodward, Comanche, Waurika, and Knoxville, Iowa.
The run at the Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City was down to 1,600 on Monday compared to about 6,300 a year ago after much-needed rain made it difficult for folks to get cattle out. Despite the reduced numbers, Hale described a very stout market on what was there, described as “average quality.”
“From West of Oklahoma City, plumb into Arkansas and South into Texas, it’s just mud, mud, mud,” he described. “We want to sell some cattle, but we don’t mind missing it when it’s like this because it’s going to prolong it for us.”
He’s hoping for still more rain so that everyone’s ponds will be full before the summer heat begins.
He expects about 1300 to sell in Waurika today, including some good cows. He is expecting some older red Angus fall-calving cows to sell well in Comanche tomorrow, but as far as Woodward’s sale, it is a wait-and-see about the rain coming back in the forecast.
Hale can be contacted at 940-631-2333. Check out more about the marketing options that Western offers by clicking here.
