A planned sale of the historic Oklahoma National Stockyards (ONSY) has fallen through, leaving its future in uncertainty. In a late-night Facebook post, the stockyards informed the agricultural community that the proposed sale would not be happening. This comes after an announcement in May that ONSY, a vital part of the nation’s agricultural infrastructure, had been placed under contract for purchase by a group led by Oklahoma cattleman and business owner, Chris Franklin.
The acquisition was seen as a way to ensure the continued operation of one of the nation’s premier livestock markets. Chris Franklin, the managing member of the purchasing group, had expressed enthusiasm for the deal and a commitment to preserving ONSY’s legacy of excellence. However, the Facebook post stated that an unspecified “obstacle” was too great to overcome, leading to the collapse of the transaction.
The current management is now seeking a new buyer who shares its vision for the stockyards. The hope is to find an investor committed to both developing the surrounding “main street” area and preserving the stockyards’ core livestock operations. The announcement concluded by encouraging producers and customers to stand with them as they seek a solution. We will provide you with more information as details become available.
