How Do We Sell Our Cattle?
To many of you, I’m your “beef lady,” and that is a joy. But selling beef from our herd isn’t the only way we sell our cows. First and foremost, we are ranchers. Our cattle are our business, and like any business, we have different ways of marketing what we produce.
Selling Beef at Our Store & Markets
The most direct way we sell our cattle is by getting them butchered and selling the beef at our general store and farmers' markets. We harvest cattle every other week to keep a steady supply of beef for our customers. This method allows us to build relationships with the people who eat our beef, and that connection is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
Selling Cattle to Other Farmers
Not all of our cattle go straight to the butcher. Sometimes we sell live animals directly to other farmers and ranchers. These one-on-one sales are common in agriculture—just like we’ve purchased cattle this way, others buy from us to grow their own herds.
Selling Cattle at Auction
Another way we sell cattle is through livestock auctions. These sales are where farmers, ranchers, feedlots, and packers purchase cattle. The auctions are monitored by the USDA, and reports are published after every sale. But simply knowing the sale prices isn’t enough—you have to know how to read the market.
That’s where Arlin comes in. He doesn’t just skim reports; he studies them like a Wall Street trader watching stock trends. He tracks price shifts, seasonal patterns, and market demand to determine the best time to sell. He compares our herd’s weight, age, and condition to what buyers are looking for. It’s a tough job, and the market can turn quickly, but his ability to analyze these trends helps ensure we’re making the best decisions for our ranch.
Selling at auction is the fastest way to turn cattle into cash—you load them up, take them to the sale barn, and come home with a check. But knowing when to sell and which animals to take isn’t simple. A single bad decision can mean leaving thousands of dollars on the table. That’s why Arlin puts in the work, watching the market, assessing our herd, and making sure every sale makes sense.
How Cattle Prices Influence Our Beef Prices
While we love selling beef, the foundation of our business is our cattle herd. We can sell it live or as beef, so we have to make decisions that make sense for our family. Unlike grocery stores, which price beef based on their own supply chains, our pricing is directly tied to the cattle market. Arlin tracks market trends, knows what our cattle are worth at auction, and understands the costs involved in holding them for beef production.
Selling beef is more labor-intensive than selling live cattle at auction. Here’s what it takes:
Cattle held longer than what most auction buyers want
Scheduling butcher dates far in advance
Early morning cattle hauls to the butcher
Aging and processing time for the beef
Paying for butchering services
Picking up beef in freezer trailers
Transporting it to our store and farmers' markets
Even with all the extra steps, I truly love selling beef. It is a joy to feed people and be their go-to source for quality protein. While the cattle market fluctuates constantly, our beef prices remain steady. Thanks to Arlin’s understanding of the market, we typically adjust our beef prices only once a year. I love that this helps families budget without stress.
Just like our beef, we’ve kept our egg prices the same for over a year and a half. Grocery store prices shift constantly, and I see new farmers' market shoppers searching for eggs because they’re frustrated with the inconsistency. Our last egg price change was due to an increase in carton costs, not the market.
At the end of the day, whether we’re selling live cattle or beef, we are proud of what we do. Ranching is about adapting, making smart decisions, and providing for both our family and our community. If you ever have questions about where your beef comes from, I’m always happy to talk—because knowing your rancher matters.