LEWISTOWN, Mont. (RFD NEWS) — Superior Livestock’s summer auction season is underway, with strong cattle markets and a large offering expected at next week’s Big Horn Classic in Sheridan, Wyoming.
Kyle Shobe, a Superior Livestock auctioneer and representative, joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report to discuss the summer cattle market, drought conditions across the Northern Plains, and what buyers and sellers can expect from the upcoming video auction.
In his interview with RFD News, Shobe said the summer is one of the busiest times of the year for Superior Livestock, with the company’s Big Horn Classic scheduled for Aug. 17-21.
The five-day auction is expected to feature nearly 200,000 head of cattle, with a particular focus on calves from Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas.
Quality Cattle From the Northern Plains
Shobe said the Big Horn Classic has become an important event for buyers looking to source large numbers of uniform cattle from some of the region’s top ranches.
“The quality of this sale is truly second to none,” Shobe said, noting that the genetics and challenging environments found throughout Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas are factors contributing to the quality of cattle offered during the sale.
The auction will also feature cattle from larger ranches, giving buyers opportunities to put together uniform lots and fill feedlot pens with consistent groups of calves and yearlings.
Drought Creates Challenges for Ranchers
While cattle prices remain strong, Shobe said Mother Nature has created challenges for ranchers across much of the West.
Dry conditions in Wyoming and other areas have forced some producers to market cattle earlier than planned as pasture conditions deteriorate.
“There’s just not much to eat out there,” Shobe said.
He described the current market as a unique combination of strong cattle prices and difficult weather conditions, requiring ranchers to carefully manage the factors they can control.
Connecting Buyers and Sellers
For ranchers considering marketing cattle through Superior Livestock, Shobe said working with a local representative is an important first step.
Superior has representatives across the country who work directly with producers to market their cattle and help develop a program that represents their operation.
Shobe encouraged producers to connect with a local Superior representative to learn more about the video auction process and available marketing opportunities.
The Big Horn Classic will take place Aug. 17-21 in Sheridan, Wyoming. For more information, visit www.superiorlivestock.com.
