The order of the sale April 1^st, 2020

   1. Butcher cows & bulls starting at 10:30am

2. Singles calves & yearlings starting at 11:00am

3. Baby calves & milk cows starting at 11:45am

4. Three Bridges Land & Cattle Red Angus Bulls starting at 12:00pm

5. Ropers starting at 1:30pm

6. Calves & yearlings after the ropers Est. time 2:00-2:30pm

PLEASE RESPECT SOCIAL DISTANCING.

WE DO ASK THAT FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL CONCERNED; PLEASE MINIMIZE THE TIME YOU SPEND AT THE MARKET AND IN THE SALE ARENA. IF YOU ARE FEELING ILL OR HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS, PLEASE REMAIN HOME.

THANKS,

LA JUNTA LIVESTOCK

JACES NOTES - 03-27-2020

Oh my! Glad this week is over. What a roller coaster week for us La Junta Livestock and all of the consignors for our 65^th anniversary. I would like to say thanks to all of our buyers and sellers for participating at our Anniversary sale. Talking to you ranchers before and after I know there was a lot of uncertainty of what you thought your cattle might bring. I think the market was better than everybody anticipated. Some of the market being better had to do with timing, and some it had to do with very high quality of cattle throughout the sale.

I would like to thank all of our employees for going above and beyond and helping us get through these times. I would also like to thank all of our buyers and sellers for their patience with having to deal with the social distancing in the barn. For those of you who were not here, this is what the health department told us to do. “If you are not a buyer or seller we ask that you do not come into the barn and for everyone in the barn keep six feet apart.” This will apply to all future sales until this pandemic is over.

Next Wednesday, April 1^st, will be 3 Bridges Land & Cattle Red Angus Bull Sale starting around 12 Noon. Selling 40 nice long yearling red angus bulls. Viewing available of bulls Tuesday. Following the bull sale we will be selling approximately 150 fresh ropers. This will be our 1st Annual Roper Special. We hope to build this as one of the larger horned cattle auctions in America. Following the horned cattle we will sell all of the calves and yearlings.

Saturday, April 4^th, we will be selling 44 yearlings bulls and 38 2yr old bulls for the Fillmore Ranch Bull Sale. Bulls will be here Friday for viewing. Complimentary lunch included on Saturday with social distancing required. With very nice black and red limousine bulls and lim-flex bulls  

Wednesday, April 8^th, Clark’s Saler & Hereford bull sale with an estimate of 500 to 600 head of bred cows.

Wednesday, April 15^th, Back to Grass calf and yearling sale, estimating 2000 to 3000 head. We will keep you informed as far as any consignments, closures, and changes of market status. Feel free to call with any questions.

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and we will get through this. Hope to see you there.

JACE’S NOTES

YES WE ARE OPEN, YES THE LA JUNTA LIVESTOCK ANNIVERSARY SALE IS HAPPENNING. 

The government has closed down nonessential businesses.  WE ARE AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS..  You ranchers and farmers should realize this.  Livestock auctions, ranchers,  cattlemen etc are a huge part of the food chain..  Example we sold an estimated 150 butcher cows and bulls on a small sale yesterday that will be in grocery stores,and fast food restaurants within 7 to 10 days.  THE ONLY WAY I WILL NOT FIGHT TO STAY OPEN IS WHEN THEY CLOSE GROCDERY STORES AND RESTAURANTS TOTALLY.

As far as the market, we have boxed beef that has gone up again to $245.00 and that is $35.00 higher in 4 days.  These figures are record numbers.  What does that mean to us the producers?  It means your butcher cows & bulls are continuously getting higher because of supply and demand.  This means feedlot cattle are being purchased by the packers to fulfill the supply and demand.  That also means that feedlots need to buy calves and yearlings to put back in the feedlot for the next round of fat cattle to be purchased.  All supply and demand markets.

This is strictly my opinion.  For example people complain that the hedge funds are taking advantage of producers on the commodities. My opinion is that this is not necessarily true. Producers that have their cattle hedged sell their cattle & terminate their position, The only ones with enough guts, and money to buy that position back at today’s markets is the hedge funds.  That is why there is such a spread between the cash market of cattle and the futures market. 

What does that mean for Wednesday’s cattle market?  More than likely the stocker cattle and cattle going to grass will bring a decent price for what is happening with the market and our situation in America.  Feeder cattle will probably be cheaper since they are bigger going to the feedlots and the fear of short term with the uncertainty of the market on a day to day basis, not having the opportunity to hedge those cattle.  The stocker cattle have more time and betting on the market getting better before they have to sell. 

As far as to comply with all of the state, federal and local government rules, if you are not a buyer or a seller, please do not attend the auctions until further notice.  This will help us comply and fight to keep the doors open for our cattle industry and the essential part of the food chain. 

La Junta Livestock Auction intends to continue having sales.  We do ask that for the safety of all concerned, please minimize the time you spend at the market and in the sale arena.  Our staff will be available to unload your consignment so that you may return home to minimize exposure risk. You can also contact our office to discuss check delivery or pick up options if you would prefer not to wait for the mail.  If you are feeling ill or have any symptoms of illness, please remain home.  Please continue to check our website and social media for info on all sales and status of any special sale events.

Listed Below is a list of recommendations of things that La Junta Livestock is asking the public to consider.

1.  Our café operation is following state specific guidance which includes offering carry out service only.

2.  We are offering consignors the flexibility in picking up their checks if they cannot wait for the mail, or delivery, or pick up from their vehicle while in parking lot if they feel the need to.  Call the office at 719-384-7781 and we will bring your check to you in the parking lot.

3.  Our instructions to any employee or visitor exhibiting symptoms of illness to remain home.

4.  We are providing ample opportunities for visitors and employees to wash hands following CDC best practice.

5.  We have cleaned and disinfected any commonly used areas. 

6.  Cleaned restrooms more frequently and restock with supplies including soap, paper towels and hand sanitizer.

Everybody is asking what to do, what the crystal ball says, The last few weeks there has not been but very little positive news coming for our cattle industry.  In a nutshell the futures have dropped like a rock, the same as the stock market.  Everybody in politics and media has been in a panic mode.  I understand what they are saying that with our medical system as is, it cannot handle an enormous amount of this illness at one time.

Now for the positive news.  The retail stores cannot keep up with meat production at the current rate.  The news I am getting is that retailers are needing 6 to 8 times more meat products than normal.  With that being said supply and demand makes the market higher with a trickle down effect for the producer.  A few examples that I have heard, without giving any particular names of companies or stores, that one meat retailer sells for a national independent coop of grocery stores usually sells 4 to 6 loads of meat a week has ask for 28 loads to supply their grocery stores this week.  This means that supply is not keeping up with demand.  The retailer and the packing house is making huge profits, but the trickle down effect will go to feedlots and producers eventually.  Boxed beef was up $16.00 Monday afternoon.  That is $2.24 per pound.  Fat cattle Monday asking price was $105.00, sold at $110.00 to $112.00.  Futures today as I write this, was up $4.50 on live cattle, $6.68 on feeder cattle. 

Good news on the nutritional value of beef, with Doctors and media saying that the zinc in red meat will help fight the COVID-19 virus. 

March 25, 2020 will be La Junta Livestock’s 65^th anniversary.  For 65 years we have ask our customers to help us celebrate our anniversary auction.  With these unique situations, the sale will be a normal sale, minus any of the celebrations, no coffee and donuts, no trip to Vegas, no Hospice Auction to minimize human contact for the normal buy and sell. 

We expect 3,000 to 5,000, cattle, market pending.  I am telling all consignors to please consign your cattle Thursday, March 19^th so that we can tell buyers what we anticipate.  If you consigned your cattle, and you decide to keep them for whatever reason, down market, etc, etc, , even though you have consigned them, I am good with that because I am working for you.  Whatever makes you the most money to keep everyone in the business is good for La Junta Livestock and you. 

Things are looking up, keep positive, you are who feeds the world.  Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.