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.
Ben Hale says although numbers at the Oklahoma National Stockyards are “decent,” Hale pointed out that they’re still below typical seasonal levels: “I think 4,300 compared to 5,100 a year ago.” However, he explained that producers are in no rush to sell. “You don’t have to sell now—we’re in such good shape in a big area,” he said, adding that many are holding onto cattle longer because “it’s paying you to make ’em big.”
Weather conditions have contributed significantly to this stability. Ben noted that drought has largely cleared from Oklahoma and much of Texas. “We’ve had several weeks totally clear of drought,” he said, with only “the extreme southern part of Texas” still facing challenges. This shift has allowed producers to focus on long-term herd growth. “The discussion now is how many bred heifers, how many have they put bulls with… everybody’s talking about it,” he said, signaling strong forward-looking activity in the industry.
Quality remains a key driver in the marketplace, with Hale noting that premium prices are still being fetched by better cattle. “If these cattle aren’t real fleshy or kind of plain, they’re still grabbing a pretty good premium,” he said. He acknowledged that calf prices have softened, which is seasonal, but emphasized the resilience of the feeder and yearling markets. “They called it kind of steady on the yearlings… but I thought it was a victory,” especially compared to weaker markets elsewhere.
Regional sales numbers also reflect this solid footing. Hale reported that “ Waurika had 2,300 yesterday,” with Comanche expecting “about 1,500 to 1,800 today,” and Woodward preparing for a strong Wednesday run. “All in all, good numbers to finish up this Fourth of July week,” he said. Despite lower-than-usual totals, strong demand and favorable weight gains are keeping the market moving steadily. Looking ahead, Ben outlined the upcoming sale schedules around the Fourth of July. Oklahoma City will hold sales on Monday and Tuesday, followed by Waurika and Woodward on Tuesday. After that, there will be a break in observance of the holiday, with sales resuming the following week.
Hale can be contacted at 940-631-2333. Check out more about the marketing options that Western offers by clicking here.
