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.
At the Oklahoma National Stockyards, Ben Hale reported strong numbers: “We had 5,500 compared to 4,200 a year ago… it’s just been better every week, and not just by a dollar or two. Big gains on the feeders—two to six higher—and the calves, they called sharply higher, up to 20 some higher in some cases.” He noted intense buyer competition, especially for lighter-weight calves going to grass or wheat pasture.
Hale explained the tight supply of heifers and signs that ranchers may be holding some back for herd rebuilding: “Every week, we’re selling more steer yearlings than we are heifer yearlings we just don’t see very many of them. We had a load of heifers last week, 52 head, and all those went to North Texas. He’s making cows out of them and would have taken more, but we’re just not seeing them.”
Market conditions have also reflected cattle coming off grass. Hale said, “Had a pretty good lot of them weighing in the 780s… 240 steers weighing in 850 as much rain as we’ve had, even some of those cattle look like they may have backed up just a little. Some pretty good green conditions on them overall, so cattle should feed extremely well.”
Hale also hosted a group of agricultural legislative staffers, giving them a full tour of the yards. “They were just real interested we brought them from the front end, how we sort them, feed them and care for them, how they go through the ring, the different split drafts, and then on the back side once it’s bought, how we put the cattle together” He added that longtime yard hand Charlie Williams shared history and perspective with the group.
Looking ahead, Hale highlighted upcoming sales: “Waurika, Comanche, Woodward—we’ll have about 2,200 today. Comanche will probably be 1,000 plus, and I think Woodward will be about the same. Several bigger feeder deals going to be in Woodward on Thursday, and probably around 300 cows there today.”
Hale can be contacted at 940-631-2333. Check out more about the marketing options that Western offers by clicking here.
