The cattle market has gained some ground moving higher in the auction.
Finally, our area has received good moisture over a fairly large area. I know many cattlemen contracted calves out of the north at a very high figure. Then feeder cattle and calves took a dive in price. And another factor was the price of diesel went up adding $1,500 to $2,000 extra to those high calves.
In situations like that you find out what a real man is worth. I’m not talking financially I’m talking about whether he is a man of his word. One man stated on a video as a buyer he only had to put up $40 per head when he contracted them. Another man spoke up and said, “Yes, but they will sue you if you try to back out.”
Our numbers at these auctions are still very low. Normally with cattle coming off grass plus calves being weaned off cows can make these auctions very large. I read that Oklahoma City was expecting 4,500 head of calves and feeders to sell on Monday then will have some cows and odds to sell Tuesday.
Last week on fat cattle the trade was mostly $228 per hundredweight with a few selling at $228.50. Packers try their best to use any psychology and lower bids early in the week to start enough trade so others might cave in, in my opinion. I had a pen on feed and I called the feedlot manager and he said they bid $220. I said, “No thank you” and he said the same. Then later they bid $226 and shortly after $228. Last week’s slaughter kill was the third largest of the year.
My main concern is normally cattle and cattle prices, but with the mid-term elections coming up soon I challenge you more than anything to vote. But before you vote take a good look at your kids and grandkids and then look at where the political party is headed. If you are my age we might coast out with a good life, but I fear for my kids and grandkids if we put some of these left lunatics in power.
My friend just finished a book on “How to make money.” Then he asked me if I would loan him some to publish it. I told him to read his book.
I once dated a gal that was a twin. I was often asked how do you tell them apart. I said well Pam paints her nails red and Bob has a beard.
Editor’s note: The views expressed here are the author’s own and do not represent the view of High Plains Journal. Jerry Nine, Woodward, Oklahoma, is a lifetime cattleman and grew up on his family’s ranch near Slapout, Oklahoma.
