Cattle biz in the 'out grazin' doldrums

It happens every year.

By June 1, the cows and calves are turned out on summer grazing, be it ranch pasture, leased land, Bureau of Land Management lease, Forest Service lease, Federal Grazing Preserve or state land. They'll be back at the home place by October 1 or so, depending on how long the moisture and grass hold out.

This means most cattle marketing activity ceases, and those that depend on it for their living are strung out to dry. Many local sale barns close up for the summer altogether, others go to a every-other-week or monthly sale schedule, and a few hardy proprietors continue to have a sale every week--however small. There's always a few broke ranchers that need a little quick cash and bring in a cull cow or bull, or two.

And there's cattle traders that'll be present as long as the doors are unlocked. They know how to separate the wheat from the chaff, and know that if they sit in enough sale barns long enough, they'll find a few bargains. The clinkers can always go straight to the packing house.

This traditional pattern has been modified somewhat in recent years by satellite video auctions, like Superior or Western or Northern States. They sell load lot contracts for fall delivery, when the cattle come in off the summer grazing. These events sell more cattle every year, and the smart sellers know that feeder cattle usually garner better prices on the video in the summer than they will in the fall at the local sale barn, when the glut hits the market.

There's maybe a dozen video sales over the summer, as well as a few widely scattered local auctions. For the cattle marketing junkie--there's not much to do until fall.

I believe I'll have another glass of iced tea . . .