MONDAY, DECEMBER 15

Compared to last week, steers and heifers in the Southeast sold 10.00 to 20.00 higher, while the North Central and South-Central areas sold 6.00 to 11.00 higher. Lighter weight calves continue to lead the way in the uptrend in the last couple weeks as buyers have been aggressively procuring needs before a two-week layoff for the holiday season. Many of the lightweight calves originating in the Northern Plains are heading south for winter grazing. Some of them will stick around up North and will be grown slowly and kicked out on summer grass in 2026. Demand for all classes of cattle is good to very good, demand for lighter weight calves suitable for wheat grazing has been outstanding which might be a bit of a surprise in Mid-December when we typically see the middle weights to be strongest for those looking to graze wheat. It almost feels more like March when buyers are looking for grass cattle. One possibility could be that current price levels are making things pencil differently and some adjustments from typical practices are being made. Feedlots also jumped into the market to back fill empty pens; knowing that auction receipts will be almost nil until the first week in January of the new year. Cow sales have been abundant, and reporters have noted good demand for replacement cows as producers look to make some buys which typically are considered as being done for tax purposes. Ample feed availability in some areas and the idea that slow herd rebuilding is taking place also exists. An interesting observation is proven young, bred cows coming up on their second or third calves are bringing as much or more than quality unproven heifers. Feedlot sales jumped up for the second week in a row as feedlot managers were sure glad to see a bounce in the market has sure helped the bottom line. For the week, negotiated sales of fed cattle in Kansas sold 5.00 higher at 230.00. In Nebraska, live sales were 5.00 higher from 225.00 to 230.00; while dressed sales were 10.00 to 15.00 lower at 355.00. Choice closed on Friday at 357.44, 9.38 lower and Select closed at 344.22, 6.83 lower when compared to last week. Weekly Cattle Slaughter under federal inspection estimated at 596K, 4K less than last week and 14K less than a year ago. Auction volume this week included 50 percent weighing over 600 lbs and 38 percent heifers. read more here

A Morning with El Capitan

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This past Thursday morning, I took three hours out of my day to meet with a group of state representatives, some of whom had never been to Dodge City before. We started the drive talking about healthcare and education, and by the time we reached downtown, the conversation had naturally shifted to our largest economic driver: cattle.

As we passed the El Capitan statue, one of them pointed and asked, “What’s that?” El Capitan is a large, longhorn steer perched proudly on a pedestal in the heart of downtown Dodge. It faces south toward Texas, honoring all the herds of cattle that made it up the trail to Dodge City and the enduring cattle industry that still drives this region today.

That question opened the door for a few impressive facts: that 25% of the world’s beef supply comes from southwest Kansas; that our feedyards and packing plants employ thousands; that the economy of Dodge City quite literally runs on cattle.

Things that seem second nature to us such as the cycle from calf to ribeye, the logistics of feeding and processing, the delicate balance of markets and margins are not simple to those who don’t live it.

So here’s your friendly reminder to share your story, invite a public servant to your operation. Help them understand what you do and what you need to make this industry stronger. If we don’t take the time to tell our story, someone else will tell it for us and they may not get it right.