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 of Western Livestock said the August market “keeps moving stronger,” pointing to “feeder steers and heifers, 4 to 10 higher, calves 10 to 20 higher.” He added, “Just lots of demand on everything. And now it’s raining, over a big part of the state,” which sets producers up to pull the trigger on some wheat pasture, if they feel like they’ve got some cattle to graze.
Hale noted the rainfall has been significant in parts of Oklahoma. “Yesterday morning in Woodward, they had almost five inches,” he said, adding that much of the wheat belt “is going to have extremely good moisture to drill into.” While parts of southwest Oklahoma also received significant moisture, Hale noted, “North Texas is still awfully dry.”
Discussing market runs, Hale explained that “lots of new crop calves are coming to town” with “just about everything bringing 2000 plus, right off the cow.” He said some five-weight calves are “going to get up there at $2,200–$2,300 a head.” With prices this strong, Hale said producers “really have a lot of incentive” to sell early rather than hold calves another 60 days.
Looking ahead, Hale reported, “They’re gonna have a big run at Waurika today, i think they had 2200 head come in last night, going to have a pretty decent run there Wednesday at Comanche, Woodward has had so much rain up there.” He confirmed next week’s schedule would continue as normal after Labor Day, with sales in Waurika, Comanche, and Woodward, while Oklahoma National will be closed for the holiday.
Hale can be contacted at 940-631-2333. Check out more about the marketing options that Western offers by clicking here.
