Bob Rodenberger: Grazing Market “Unreal” Amid Record High Cattle Market: In a recent conversation with Farm Director KC Sheperd, Bob Rodenberger of Stockman’s Livestock Auction in Apache, Oklahoma, shared an optimistic update on the current cattle market and details regarding a significant upcoming dispersal sale.
Grazing Demand Drives Record Prices: Rodenberger described the current demand for grazing cattle as unprecedented. “I’ve seen as good a grazing market as I’ve ever seen since I’ve been in the business,” Rodenberger noted. He attributed the larger runs of cattle to two main factors:
Historic valuations: Producers are selling because cattle are worth “so much”.
Environmental conditions: A lack of rain has resulted in short wheat pasture, forcing some producers to lighten their loads earlier than usual.
The “grazing calves” weighing between 500 and 600 pounds are currently seeing the highest demand, provided they are in grazing condition and not overly fat.
Strategic Advice for Producers When asked for advice, Rodenberger emphasized the importance of calculating costs versus potential gains (“putting a pencil to it”). He noted that for producers with Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) in place, feeding cattle to heavier weights can still be highly profitable.
“When have we ever got $300 to $350 for every hundred pounds we put on? I mean, we haven’t… buying feed still pays when you’re getting $3 a pound or $3.50 a pound for your gain.”
Looking Ahead: The “Black Swans” of 2026 Looking toward 2026, Rodenberger identified government intervention as the primary “black swan” risk to the market. He specifically mentioned the potential political maneuvers surrounding Mexican cattle imports and sterile fly issues as factors to watch. Despite these risks, he believes the current market offers a prime opportunity for herd management, specifically swapping old cows for young stock.
“We’ve got the best time to salvage your old cows and buy back young cows… if you take an old pair that’ll dollar out $3,000 to $3,200… and you can go back out and put $500 to $1,000 with it… you can still swap out and keep your herd young.”
Jack Sherry Dispersal Sale Rodenberger also highlighted the Jack Sherry Dispersal Sale scheduled for Saturday at 1:00 PM at the Apache auction house. The sale will feature approximately 600 spring-calving cows, ranging from heifers to mature cows, all sold by age and pregnancy status.
Closed Herd: Rodenberger noted that nearly every cow was raised on the ranch, making it a “pretty much a closed herd”.
Sale Format: To reduce stress on the livestock, the cattle will be sold via video in the ring while remaining in their pens.
Buying Options: The auction is structured to accommodate all buyers, allowing purchases of as few as five head at a time.
The sale is a result of the owner deciding to let his range recover from long-term grazing impacts dating back to the 2012 drought. Rodenberger invites everyone to attend, view the cattle Saturday morning, and enjoy a complimentary hamburger lunch before the sale begins. To see pics of cattle and find out more information about the sale visit the Stockmans Facebook page.
- Highway 19 West, Apache, OK, United States, Oklahoma
- (888) 926-9696
- solm@apacheauction.com
