Cattle industry thrives at Central Oregon Livestock Auction

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Central Oregon Livestock Auction recently held a feeder sale, drawing a large crowd and featuring nearly one thousand cattle on the auction block. The event highlighted the robust state of the cattle industry, which remains strong while other sectors may be struggling.

Feeder cattle are defined as being under one year old. This particular sale was noted as one of the larger events, as many of the cattle had been weaned and reached sufficient size for sale. The auction attracted a diverse range of bidders, from large meat companies purchasing hundreds of head to individuals acquiring one or two animals for their backyards.

Tim Messner, the sale yard foreman at the Central Oregon Livestock Auction, spoke on the industry's current health. "Very strong. Yes, yes... Seems like we're setting set new records every week. We're all trying to work hard for the industry," Messner said. "We all have an understanding that if we work together the best we can, then we're going to create the best price for our customers."

Bidding at the auction can extend throughout the entire day. While ranchers often compete as rivals during the bidding process on the auction floor, a sense of community prevails outside the arena. A cafe located next to the main arena serves as a gathering place where attendees can share breakfast and lunch.