July 1, 2011

Oklahoma's cattle sales increase

Almost 13,000 head of cattle were sold at the Oklahoma National Stockyards this week, rising by more than 50% over the 8,000 head sold usually at this period of the year, according to Oklahoma National Stockyards officials.

The stockyard in Oklahoma City is the largest cattle market in the nation.

Stockyards President Rob Fisher said the reason for the increase is the ongoing drought that has dried up water, leaving a scarcity of hay and grass to feed the herds. He added that ranchers cannot afford to buy hay and have nothing to feed the cattle.

The US Drought Monitor last Thursday (Jun 23) rated the drought as severe to extreme through central Oklahoma and exceptional in the western third of the state.