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The Midwest Cattleman · September 30, 2021 · P21
Drought Forcing Ranchers to Sell More Feeder Heifers

By Greg Henderson
Ranchers are selling the mix outpaced
more heifers as feeder cat- August percent-
tle, an indicator of the cur- ages seen in 2010,
rent drought environment. 2011, and 2012
That’s according to a review in video auctions
of USDA reported auction, and direct sales.
video auction and direct In auctions, the
cattle sales by the Live-
stock Marketing Informa- continued on
tion Center (LMIC). page 42
The percentage of heifers
in USDA’s August feeder
cattle sale reports is higher
this year in all three mar-
keting channels reported
– auctions, direct sales and
video auctions.
Heifers sold at auction
during August were 41% of
receipts versus 40% in Au-
gust 2020. In direct sales
during August, 43% were
heifers compared to 38%
last year, and in video sales
heifers accounted for 38% of Sat., Nov. 6, 2021
receipts versus 36% a year
ago. Sale at 12:30 p.m.
Total receipts of feeder
cattle sales were slightly Hiawatha, Kansas
more than 1.4 million head,
which is very close to the
five-year average, LMIC
says.
Receipts for the month Friday – Preview the cattle then join us
of August declined 47,600 for social and food at 4:00 p.m.
head overall, with auc-
tion receipts down 20,100 Saturday – Pre-Sale Lunch 11:30 a.m.
head and direct sales down
31,600 head for the month.
Video sales increased 4,100 Something for Everyone!
head over August 2020. Early Guest Consignors Show Heifers • Show Steers
Nationally, the number of Cow-Calf Pairs • Select Herd Sires
feeder cattle sold weighing from 7 States
more than 600 pounds in-
creased through auctions, Bittersweet West Once Again, a National Event!
57% of receipts in August Be with us ringside sale day,
compared to 55% in August Hiawatha, KS Saturday, Nov. 6, or join us to
2020. There was a small Boeckman Cattle Co.
decline of cattle sold direct Holton, KS bid on the internet.
weighing more than 600 CB Cattle Co., Butler, MO
pounds, 86% this year ver- Sale Hosted at Bittersweet West
sus 87% last year. Grandkids Coop 5 miles south of Hiawatha, KS on US Hwy 73
Video auctions, howev- Emporia and Haven, KS Contact us for your complimentary catalog
er, saw a large decline in Heart Bar S, Prospect, OH
the number of cattle sold
weighing more than 600 K-4 Cattle Co., Hereford, TX
pounds, 55% this August Mciver’s Happy Acres
versus 65% last year.
“Lower weight classifi- Farwell, MN
cations and increases in RAO Salers, Williston, ND
the heifer category both Southern Eagle Ranch
are typical signposts of J.R. & Debbie Adcock – Sale Manager
the drought environment,” Evington, VA 1793 US 73, Hiawatha, KS 66434
LMIC says. “Compared to Mobile (785) 547-6781 • Fax (785) 547-3481
previous drought years, Au- bittersweetwest@rainbowtel.net
gust percent of heifers in