Podcast Summary: Ranch It Up Radio Show — “Video Sales: How Are Feeder Cattle Selling Across The Country”

Episode Date: June 29, 2025

Hosts: Jeff "Tigger" Erhardt & Rebecca "BEC" Wanner
Main Guests: Roger James (High Tech Marketing), Kirk Donsbach (StoneX Financial), Mark Van Zee (LivestockMarket.com), Shay Wanner (Casual Cattle Conversations)

Overview

This episode explores the state of video cattle sales nationwide, with a focus on results, trends, and actionable marketing strategies for producers. The hosts, Tigger and BEC, break down major sales events like the Corn Belt Classic, preview upcoming auctions, and discuss price discovery, market steadiness, and advice for taking advantage of today’s strong market. The episode is rich with market data, practical tips, and expert perspectives for those actively involved in ranching, cattle production, and feeder cattle sales.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Corn Belt Classic Recap (00:50 - 06:55)

Guest: Roger James (High Tech Marketing)

• Strong, Steady Market: Over 100,000 head sold across two days. Yearlings on day one, calves and bawlers on day two.
• Extremely high demand, especially for heavier calves (650–750+ lbs), cattle with strong genetics, and solid vaccination protocols.
• Nearly all cattle sold: “We sold over 99%, which is good. There was a few scratches, but I didn’t see hardly any cattle passed out.” (Roger James, 02:34)
• No “bubble” in the market; prices consistent with previous strong sales.
• “It was true price discovery and I think that’s very important for anybody in the cattle business.” (Roger James, 01:57 & 08:31)

Advice to Producers Waiting to Sell:

• Don’t wait too long, thinking prices will keep going up.

  “It’s wishful thinking if it’s going to get higher… The only thing you’re going to do [by waiting] is you’re going to ship a calf that’s got two snowstorms on the back and went about 75 pounds lighter than if you went early.” — Roger James (03:42)

• Current prices are $60–$75/cwt higher than a year ago.

  “Don’t out-bluff the dealer. Okay? Sell cattle.” — Roger James (05:11)

Bread Cow & Heifer Prices:

• First-calf pairs: ~$5,100
• Bred heifers: $2,900–$3,500
• Demand strongest for middle-weight calves (650–700 lbs)

2. Upcoming Video Sales & How to Capitalize (06:56 - 08:55)

• Next big sales:
  • Week in the Rockies Sale: July 7–11 (consignment deadline passed)
  • Video Royale Sale: End of July (catalog deadline July 11; video deadline July 18)
  • Big Horn Classic: End of July (consign soon)

Actionable Tip:

• “After listening to this, get on the horn, talk to a Superior rep… start that marketing process because you don’t want to be behind the eight ball.” (Tigger, 06:56)

3. Detailed Price Ranges from Major Sales (10:30 - 13:50)

Corn Belt Classic Sale Prices (Region 2):
(Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Dakotas, Utah; Steers & Heifers)

• Steers:
  • 4–5 wt: $412–$504
  • 5–6 wt: $350–$440
  • 6–7 wt: $323–$383
  • 7–8 wt: $305–$343
  • 8–9 wt: $308.50–$335
  • 9–10 wt: $283–$308
• Heifers:
  • 4–5 wt: $366–$415
  • 5–6 wt: $329–$387
  • 6–7 wt: $303–$356
  • 7–8 wt: $297–$343
  • 8–9 wt: $275.50–$310
  • 9–10 wt: $275–$290.50

Corn Belt Classic (Region 3: TX, OK, NM, AZ, LA, AR):

• 4.5–5 wt steers: $364–$455
• 5–6 wt: $333–$400
• 6–7 wt: $300–$382.50
• Heifers 4–5 wt: $360.50–$423
• See podcast/website for additional detailed price brackets and state-by-state/full weight classes.

Other Video Sale Highlights:

• Western Video Market (June 13th):

  • 560# beef/dairy cross steers (KS): $387
  • 765# steers (CA): $314
  • 800# steers (CA): $313

• Northern Livestock Video (June 19-20):

  • 460# steers (MT, Oct delivery): $456
  • 475# steers (WY, late Oct/Nov): $433
  • 500# replacement quality heifers (WY): $417

4. National Market Recap & Trends (19:50 - 22:15)

Guest: Kirk Donsbach, StoneX Financial

• August Feeder Futures closed at 302.37 (-$3.60 for the week)
• CME feeder index: $310.99 (-$6.11 for the week)
• August Live Cattle closed at 209.72 (-$2.52 for the week)
• Cash prices in the south set lower: $228–$234

  “That $228 price in Texas is what set the market lower on Friday… North traded 236 to 237.” (Kirk Donsbach, 21:13)

• Choice Boxes: up $12.62 to $390.50 (nearing $400)
• Slaughter & Dress Weights:
  • Weekly slaughter: 554,000 head (down vs. last week & last year)
  • Weights: 868 lbs (up 24 lbs over last year)
  • Yearly beef production: -3.2% vs. same week last year
• September corn: $4.26 (down slightly)

5. Auction Updates and Marketplace Info (22:19 - 24:27)

Guest: Mark Van Zee, LivestockMarket.com

• All-class cattle & hay auction, July 2nd (bidding open, no reserves)
• Lots include:
  • Angus, Charolais, Hereford steers (KY, 450 lbs, weaned/worked/shots)
  • Scottish Highland dispersal (MT, including cow/calf pairs, heifers, bull)
  • Hay: large round alfalfa, Bermuda, small squares (from NE, LA)
• Regular online cattle auctions: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays each month
• Hay sales: every Wednesday

6. Diversification & Ranch Event Income (24:27 - 25:24)

Casual Cattle Conversations, with Shay Wanner (promo)

• Exploring alternative revenue on ranches (weddings, open houses, ag tourism)
• “We had an open house… over a hundred people came… other farmers and ranchers looking to do the same thing.” (Jason Rick, 24:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Roger James, on price discovery:

  “The whole world knows what a calf and a yearling is worth today. It was true price discovery and I think that's very important for anybody in the cattle business.” (01:57 & 08:31)

• On producer hesitation:

  “To wish for any more, I mean, listen, you got the cards on the table. Don’t out-bluff the dealer. Okay. Sell cattle.” — Roger James (05:11)

• On urgency for upcoming deadlines:

  “Get on the horn, call your Superior rep... literally start that marketing process because you don’t want to be behind the eight ball on this one.” — Tigger (06:56)

• On market directions:

  “Generally, going into the delivery season, the cattle are, you know, seven to ten, I’ve seen them $20 lower... We might as well get on the boat and get the cattle sold.” — Roger James (08:17)

Important Timestamps

• 00:02 — Episode Intro and Purpose
• 00:50 — Roger James joins to discuss Corn Belt Classic results
• 03:42 — Discussion on whether producers should hold or sell now
• 05:55 — Bred cows and heifers price recap
• 06:56 — Discussion on upcoming major sales and how to take part
• 10:30 — Price breakdowns from Corn Belt Classic, Western Video & Northern Video
• 19:50 — Kirk Donsbach’s market analysis (StoneX Financial)
• 22:19 — Mark Van Zee’s auction highlights (LivestockMarket.com)
• 24:27 — Diversification with Shay Wanner promo
• 25:24 — Outro and acknowledgments

Action Steps for Producers

• Selling Now vs. Waiting: Market is hot, don’t lose weight or value by waiting for unguaranteed higher prices.

• Upcoming Sales:

  • Week in the Rockies (July 7–11): Deadline passed for consignments
  • Video Royale (July 28–Aug 1): Catalog cattle by July 11, videos by July 18
  • Big Horn Classic: Deadline soon—contact rep
  • Resources: superiorlivestock.com, ranchchannel.com for complete listings and sale recaps.

• Market Info: Check detailed weight/cattle state-by-state prices, auction timeframes, and new ways to diversify ranch income.

Further Resources

• Superior Livestock Auction Info
  • Website: superiorlivestock.com
  • YouTube: Superior Livestock Auctions channel
• Western Video Market: wvmcattle.com
• Northern Livestock Video: northernlivestockvideo.com
• Ranch Channel: ranchchannel.com
• Livestock Market: livestockmarket.com

For questions, reach out via social media @RanchItUpShow, email ranchitupshowmail.com, or call/text 707-RANCH-20.

Stay Ranchy and Ranch it Up!