Oklahoma National Stockyards for sale
The Oklahoma National Stockyards, the world’s largest stocker and feeder cattle market, is for sale. Founded in 1910, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is the last terminal market in existence.
Since it was started, more than 102 million head of livestock have passed through its gates. Cattle auctions are held on Mondays and Tuesdays. The area, known as Stockyard City, is famous for western apparel stores and eating establishments, such as Cattlemen’s Steakhouse.
The ONS are also located right off Interstate 40, a major east-west transcontinental highway—making it valuable real estate in the heart of Oklahoma City.
In January 2024, there was discussion of the stockyards location being a potential building site for the new Oklahoma City jail. At the time, the land was not for sale, but there were concerns the property could be acquired through the power of eminent domain.
The Livestock Marketing Association circulated a press release at that time with a statement from Ben Hale, president of the Oklahoma City Livestock Exchange. Hale said the government taking the land would negatively impact livestock commission firms, businesses surrounding the stockyards and livestock producers who rely on the auction.
In the same press release, Jerry Reynolds, president of the ONS, said the auction’s economic impact is over $1 billion a year and more than 130 people are employed by the business.
The threat of eminent domain is no longer a concern, as it was announced that the new jail would be built in a location on Grand Boulevard in Southeast Oklahoma City. However, on Oct. 18, the 102-acre ONS property was put up for sale. Details are scarce, and it is unclear which real estate company will be handling the listing.
Chris Bakwin, board chairman of ONS cited low cattle numbers as the motivation of the sale. He expressed hope that, ‘the brokers handling the sale can find someone who will protect the culture and businesses already there but develop the area further.’
This is a developing story.
Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].
