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.
About 6,500 head of cattle ran through the Oklahoma City National Stockyards yesterday, compared to 8,350 a year ago.
Hale observed the futures board jump $4 after the closure of the U.S./Mexican border on Sunday. Feeder steers were $4 to $6 higher, heifers were $2 to $6 higher, and grazing cattle were called steady to strong.
“Everything was extremely stout and very active,” he summarized.
Hale expects the strong markets to last a while, especially after the border closure on top of already tight supplies. “There’s got to be a top on it somewhere, but every indicator points to it going higher,” he said. “Meat is moving, and new markets are opening up with tariffs and things.”
The sale in Waurika is expected to run about 2,500 today, including several strings of yearlings. Comanche expects good numbers tomorrow, and as does Woodward’s sale on Thursday.
Hale can be contacted at 940-631-2333. Check out more about the marketing options that Western offers by clicking here.
