A record-breaking year for Cattlemen’s Congress
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Cattlemen’s Congress has wrapped up its annual cattle show, and even with severe winter weather during parts of the event, there were nearly 9,000 entries, and cattle genetics sales totaled $13 million. This broke the event’s previous record by nearly $3 million.
It’s hard to believe this event, which took place Jan. 4 to 16 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is only in its fifth year, but it began only because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado, was cancelled in the fall of 2020 due to the coronavirus, which led industry leaders in Oklahoma to put together the first Cattlemen’s Congress in only a few months.
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They wanted to provide a similar show to the National Western and allow the beef industry to continue the business of quality cattle genetics. In 2022, the National Western resumed, but Cattlemen’s Congress was so successful it has become a national show that cattle producers across the nation have added to their schedule every year since.
“A lot of times people compare us to other shows that have been going on for hundreds of years, and then here we are in our fifth ever show, and really we’re just trying to do our best to serve the people that are coming to exhibit their cattle,” said Bray Haven, executive vice president of Cattlemen’s Congress. “We just want to continue to build on that reputation of being the best at customer service and giving people an opportunity to showcase their genetics.”
OKC: the nexus of the cattle industry
Haven said part of the reason this show, held at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, was an instant hit is its location in the heart of cattle country. Many exhibitors also view it as a central location of convenience, and it is less expensive for attendees to stay in Oklahoma City compared to other cities.
“There are a lot of cattle being produced right here in Oklahoma and the surrounding region, and they want people to get eyes on their genetics,” Haven said. “Our goal with Cattlemen’s Congress has been to make an event for cattlemen all across the region, where people can come and not only see some of the top genetics from across North America, but also trade genetics. That’s why the sales have been so important to us and making sure that we’re doing all the things we can to make it a destination for folks.”
Matt Sims, owner of Matt C. Sims Auction Inc., said Cattlemen’s Congress is unique because it does not compete with other events going on simultaneously, such as a rodeo.
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“It’s just a cattle show, so there aren’t a lot of people who are just there to spectate,” Sims said. “The people are there for a reason, and not just there to visit and view the cattle as a sideshow.”
Haven said there probably is not another show anywhere in the country that exhibited as many cattle as Cattlemen’s Congress did through all breeds this year.
“The numbers have really held from what we did in year one, when we were the only show in town,” Haven said. “We have maintained those numbers as we have continued. I think a lot of people see us as a pinnacle event and kind of their national championship because they know everybody’s going to be here, and the numbers are going to be good, and that’s the kind of show they all want to win.”
Haven said all breed associations have an opportunity to have a booth display and showcase the qualities of their breed and what they have to offer for the beef cattle industry as a whole. In 2025, there were 26 breeds exhibited, plus junior market steers and open prospect steers and heifers. Haven said show organizers continue to have conversations with other breeds associations that are interested in marketing their breeds at the event.
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Top dollar genetics
Haven and Sims said all cattle sales during Cattlemen’s Congress were up across the board—partly due to elevated prices in the cattle industry right now, but also due to the quality of genetics offered and the buyers bidding.
Sims has worked the Denim & Diamonds Sale more than 20 times since it began, and he said ever since the sale was moved from the National Western to Cattlemen’s Congress, the sale totals keep getting better. In fact, the genetics sold at that sale in 2025 were over a million dollars for the first time.
“The last two years we had it in Denver, it grossed about $340,000 to $350,000, and when we moved it here during COVID, it did over $400,000 the first year,” Sims said. “We jumped to almost $600,000 the next year, and then to over $600,000 the following year. Last year, we did $810,000, and this year it brought in $1,089,900.”
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One bull, raised by Pollard Farms in Waukomis, Oklahoma, sold for a whopping $265,000. It was the highest single lot that has ever been sold in that sale. In addition, Sims said the National Angus Bull Sale had its highest gross on record in 2025—$806,000 on 36 lots—with three bulls bringing $100,000 or more.
To expand the cattle-buying audience, Cattlemen’s Congress introduced a new commercial female sale at this year’s event, which grossed almost $2.1 million in sales. Sims said the show included 658 females, including fall and spring pairs and bred and open heifers.
“Everybody that participated this year is looking forward to doing it again next year,” Sims said. “I think it will grow to 800 to 1,000 head a year from now. We accomplished what they wanted it to, and I think it’ll be something that you see become a bigger part of Congress as we go forward.”
Haven said the averages for the commercial female sale were right at or a little above what the market is bringing for bred heifers and pairs right now.
“At the end of the day, if these bulls or heifers aren’t producing show cattle, they’re going into the market,” Haven said. “When you know you’re going to get a little better return on the commercial market, then there’s not as much risk. I think that’s why people were willing to pay a little more across the board.”
Cattlemen’s Congress 2026 is set for Jan. 4 to 15 in Oklahoma City. Haven and Sims said they are both looking forward to having the event in a new coliseum that is being built at the fairgrounds and that opens this summer. They are already proud of the cattle exhibited and sold at the event, but first-call facilities can only elevate the quality of the show.
“It takes a while to build history and tradition, but I think they’re off to an excellent start, and I’m really proud to be able to be a part of it, and that it’s happening here in my home state,” Sims said.
Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or lvilhauer@hpj.com.
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