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.
At yesterday’s sale in Oklahoma City, the numbers were down, but the prices were once again very high by $4 – $10.
He noted the latest Cattle On Feed Report’s indications of reduced cattle supply and said, “All of the fundamentals of it look like this thing is going to be extremely stout.”
He reported lower seven-weight feeders bringing more than $3 per pound, and grazers in the same weight range brought $3.15 to $3.16.
“Those lightweights, we were happy when we got them over three bucks, but now, we just kind of set them in at $3.50 and they go,” Hale said. “Bulls won’t be much behind them. It is just a great time to be marketing cattle right now. The problem is that there just isn’t a lot of them around.”
While high premiums make the decision to retain heifers more difficult, Hale reported that customers are keeping some and that he has bought some for clients who intend to keep them as replacement cows.
“There is some of that going on even as dry as it is around and with the wheat stressing a little bit, there has been pockets of rain, but overall, we need a pretty big rain out west, south, and southwest,” Hale insisted.
He expects the cow sale at Comanche to be lighter tomorrow, and Woodward will likely be as it was last week or a little better on Thursday.
Hale can be contacted at 940-631-2333. Check out more about the marketing options that Western offers by clicking here.
