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- selling cattle on Mondays and Tuesdays. They also operate the livestock auction markets in Woodward, Comanche and Knoxville, Iowa.
Ten thousand four hundred head sold at the National Stockyards the week after Thanksgiving, compared to 12,300 a year ago, but Hale was pleased and appreciated the mild weather, but most of all the jump in prices!
“From two weeks ago to where we are today, it is a drastic difference,” Hale said. “It is probably the biggest jump we’ve seen in my time and the highest market by far that we have ever sold on some of these cattle.”
Hale believes the record rise is due to a perfect storm with wheat coming back strong, tighter numbers, and the disruption of Mexican imports due to screwworm.
Seven-weight cattle got into the $2.90s. “These are just numbers that we haven’t seen before, and it really just happened in the last couple of weeks,” Hale said. “The heifer numbers have done the same way, and the light calf deal is extremely strong on some of those five-weights getting way up on the top side of three dollars per pound.
“It’s hard to believe what is going on, but it’s a good time for the cow calf guy. The yearling guy is croaking with what he’s having to give, but hopefully this feeder deal will stay good and we can make some money in another turn. With price protection, a guy can still make some money with them.”
Woodward is holding a special cow sale at 6 pm this evening, December 3, 2024, featuring some good red and black Angus pairs and some bred cows, all in all about 300 to 400 head are expected.
Tomorrow, Apache also expects a good run of cattle, including lots of calves and yearlings.
Hale can be contacted at 940-631-2333. Check out more about the marketing options that Western offers by clicking here.
