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 and Knoxville, Iowa.
Oklahoma City’s sales ran 11,500 head on Monday, compared to 8,800 last year. He called feeder steers and heifers steady to a bit lower, but the market for stocker cattle was very good at roughly $6 to $10 higher.
Hale thinks the much-needed rain in Western Oklahoma may have caused some producers to keep grazing their wheat for a little longer. Reports from Southwest Oklahoma have shown that certain pockets in the area received 1 to 1.5 inches of rain on the drought-stricken pastures.
“Several places with wheat got some rain yesterday,” he said. “Some guys that were going to pull cattle of may stay on to graze out, and it sure isn’t going to do anything but make this grazing deal stronger.”
Hale anticipates good runs this week and the next as most producers need to move cattle off of wheat, but he expects a slowdown after that.
Hale can be contacted at 940-631-2333. Check out more about the marketing options that Western offers by clicking here.
