Local cattle ranchers and those across the country are seeing prices fall for their cattle at sale barns everywhere. Meanwhile beef prices at the grocery store are skyrocketing. Beef continues to be in short supply for the consumer as feed lots are overflowing as demand from the processing plants has fallen. We can blame all of this on the COVID-19 pandemic, as processors cannot work at full capacity at the moment.
Cattle numbers at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Auction seem to be holding steady with only a slight drop in the quantity sold at each auction over the past few months. But overall, prices paid for the cattle are on the decline as well. This is a trend seen through the entire cattle industry, and cattle futures as far out as August are showing some of their lowest numbers yet.
In contrast, numbers on NETBIO pre-conditioned cattle have shown an increase from the March to the May sales. Not only were the quantities sold up, but the prices paid per head were up as well. The next sale will be held at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission on Wednesday, July 17th. The last weaning date for these calves is June 2, and the deadline for booster shots is June 17. To consign cattle and obtain ear tags for the July sale or future sales, just call 903-885-2455. You can also visit their website at SS Livestock Auction