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.
Hale said the cattle market has shown strong improvement in November after a tough October. “Not near as much verbiage coming out of D.C. that hurt us,” he noted, adding they “Had 5800 compared to 2000 a year ago… feeder over 810 higher and under was 25 higher.” Hale attributed stronger prices to recent rains and increased wheat pasture, saying it created “a lot of demand, these guys are wanting to do something, way better market than seven days ago, no doubt.”
While the market hasn’t fully recovered, Hale said producers have “got a good chunk of it back.” He observed that “not many feeders to pick from out there,” and that buyers still seem “awfully cautious about it.” However, he said calf prices remain strong: “If they’re weaned and, if, or they’re good and unweaned, those things will bring some money.”
Looking ahead, Hale described the general tone among producers as “cautiously optimistic,” adding that they just want to “get some of the rhetoric off the main stage” and “get back to doing what we do.” He emphasized that if feeder numbers “are truly tight like it seems to be, then just keep working towards that,” focusing on managing “the bred heifer and cow deal.”
Hale also shared updates from other Western Livestock markets, saying Waurika would have “about 1800 ” with Comanche and Woodward expecting good runs after recent rains. “Northwest seems to be the sweet spot on the amount of rain they’re getting,” he said. He predicted that colder weather “will sure shake loose some of those calf deals… the calf run will pick up. It always does when we get that first hard freeze.”
Hale can be contacted at 940-631-2333. Check out more about the marketing options that Western offers by clicking here.
