We are already halfway through the first month of the new year and livestock producers all over the country have been hard at it and busy starting off 2024 with a bang!
There have been a variety of events that have taken place already in January with many exhibitors making their way to Oklahoma City for the Cattlemen’s Congress or to Denver for the National Western Stock Show. Preparations are underway for great events like the many stock shows in Texas and the famous Red Bluff Bull & Gelding Sale in California.
What great events to get out to network and see the latest genetic and management advancements happening in the many different breeds. Congratulations to all the champions who have been crowned thus far and the successful sales that have taken place around these events.
Many of the major video auction companies have started the new year with their January highlight sales and demand for quality cattle seems to be great starting off the 2024 marketings.
The Northern Livestock Video Auction recently held their annual Diamond Ring Sale in Billings, MT, and sold many lots of backgrounded steers and heifers. Demand was great for reputation cattle. Replacement quality heifers were also well sought after with a great premium for those heifers destined to be bred and enter the production cycle for ranchers.
We may be starting to see some ranchers trying to get back to their normal carrying capacity. I will say, I do not think we are seeing a herd expansion by any means, simply trying to get back to traditional numbers following the reduction in herds from the many different factors in recent years. Hopefully with some moisture, higher cattle prices and lower hay prices ranchers can heal up from years of marginal profits and provide more optimism for their respective operations going forward.
Despite the hot markets, Mother Nature has reminded the majority of the country that it is winter. After a very pleasant fall and start of winter, temperatures plummeted to well below zeros this past week, with actual air temperatures in my part of the world hitting 30 below zero with dangerous wind chill temperatures well below that.
I commend all the livestock producers putting in the extra hours and effort to make sure their animals are fed and watered during these extreme conditions. You may not get the recognition you deserve for this work, but you are extremely appreciated.
We are busy finalizing the details for our Livestock Tour presented by Western Livestock Journal, which will take place May 19-25 in San Antonio, TX, and the surrounding area. Registration for the tour is now out. If you have joined us in the past, be on the lookout for the registration packet in your mail. If you would like to learn more about the tour, please visit the website wljtours.com. I am very excited about the lineup of tour stops this year and the quality of information that will be available to those that can join us in May.
We will visit a diverse set of agriculture operations ranging from one of the nation’s largest seedstock providers, to a cattle-buying station that processes 1,000 head of cattle each day. We will also visit some historical cattle ranches that have shaped this country’s cattle industry along with some relatively new operations making their mark in the world with some different marketing methods.
Beyond the excellent cattle stops, we will also have some great tour stops centered around horses, livestock genetics, university research and much more. No trip to San Antonio would be complete without a stop by the Alamo and time for some sightseeing in that historic town. Hospitality, accommodations, food and camaraderie will be second to none; we hope you can join us! If you would like to learn more about the Livestock Tour, please feel free to call me anytime at 406-696-1502.
I would be amiss if I did not take a moment and congratulate Pete Crow and the entire Crow family on receiving the prestigious 2024 Friend of the National Western Award.
The Crow family and the Western Livestock Journal have been stalwarts around the National Western Stock Show, with the office in the Livestock Exchange Building at the National Western Center at one time. Pete has been a huge advocate for the National Western Stock Show and has been very involved in the discussions of the revamped stock show facilities and improvements.
I can think of no better or more worthy recipient of this award than the Crow family, congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! — DEVIN MURNIN
