Green Pastures Driving Cattle Market Boom

The cattle economy has seen a strong few weeks in the market. Western Livestock Auction, which has been in business for three decades, says they’ve never seen as many cattle as they did last week at the Oklahoma National Stockyards – and yet prices remain strong. This puts producers in a bit of a tricky situation, as they weigh the cost-benefits of holding onto cattle or selling them.

And those green pastures are prevalent across a large portion of the country: the latest USDA crop progress report rated national pastures at 46 percent good-to-excellent.

Related Stories
OHFB President Bill Patterson shares an update from Washington on the group’s policy priorities and the issues shaping agriculture ahead of the 2026 planting season.
Ben Kurtzman with American Farmland Trust discusses the growing pressure on farmland and ranchland and the steps being taken to help conserve farms and ranches across the country ,as unrest in the Middle East adds more obstacles for producers.
NRECA CEO Jim Matheson warns that rising electricity demand from AI and data centers could strain the grid and affect rural electric cooperatives if U.S. power infrastructure cannot keep up.
Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Kansas congressman Dan Glickman joined RFD News to share his outlook on agricultural policy, bipartisan cooperation, and the challenges facing farmers today.
UNL student fellow Alison Walbrecht shares her perspective on building support for agricultural research, extension, and teaching while gaining hands-on insight into federal policymaking.
Jake Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance offers his perspective on current cattle market conditions and shares advice for producers seeking to stay protected in an uncertain market.