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.
Hale noted a lighter-than-usual run of cattle ahead of Thanksgiving at the Oklahoma National Stockyards. he explains that the numbers were “a little over three” thousand compared to “about 6000 a year ago,” and he attributes the decline partly to “the rain and the market a little bit.” He notes that producers appear cautious in the face of market uncertainty and shifting conditions.
A major topic is the shockwave caused by Tyson Foods’ recent announcement of packing facility closures and reductions. Hale says the news has “thrown the market for a loop” and compares the disruption to the 2019 Holcomb plant fire. Still, he emphasizes that the situation shouldn’t fundamentally alter cattle flow, noting “they could move those cattle around,” and suggesting the reaction may be more psychological than structural. As he puts it, “It shouldn’t have had that effect… it’s just one more thing to pile on.”
Hale also weighs in on the latest Cattle on Feed report, which he felt “looked bullish, honestly” despite being labeled neutral. He argues that current volatility is driven more by sentiment than by supply fundamentals: “fundamentals don’t mean anything… it’s just the kind of negative news day after day.” Even so, he maintains that cattle supplies remain tight and that, unlike past cycles, he believes “our numbers are tighter now than they were back then,” leaving room for eventual recovery, though the timing remains uncertain.
Regarding producers’ concerns, Hale says many are “scrambling to figure out… do I hold them… or take what it’s at right now?” High input costs and elevated purchase prices complicate decisions despite historically strong cattle values. His advice is steady and simple: “try not to get away from what you normally do.” Hale ends by sharing his market schedule, offering assistance to producers, and wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Hale can be contacted at 940-631-2333. Check out more about the marketing options that Western offers by clicking here.
