August 25, 2023

Dear Cattlemen,

We have had a blessed summer here at the A Bar. We have seen several timely rains amidst the very warm late summer heat. Several factors are giving us much confidence heading into this next season; Hay availability, standing forage, water, and a robust calf market. These are contrary from a year ago, and we feel very fortunate for these blessings.

Fall is upon us, and we are looking forward to cooler temperatures and shorter days.  Many of us saw relief during some part of the summer months and were able to heal from the drought last year.  As we look towards the next 6 months, optimism, is the only word we have to describe the cattle market.   Dr. Derrell Peel, Economist with Oklahoma State University, projects we will see a 4-3-2 pay structure for calves being sold in the market; $4 for 5 weights, $3 for 6 weights, and $2+ for 7-8 weights.  Dr. Peel is foreseeing this upswing to last the next 2-4 years with the potential of 6-year cycle.

While we look at today’s current cattle market and the continued cow and heifer slaughter, we see it as an opportunity to build our own personal numbers to take advantage. We have had an outstanding summer and cattle are in excellent condition ready to perform for any producer.  There will be several uniform truckload lots of Angus, Red Angus, and Brangus fall bred cows. Also, a great selection of spring bred Angus and Brangus cows. All have been worked within the last 30-days by a licensed vet. The pairs will have 1–2-month-old calves, with the exception of a few born within the last few weeks.

 This year’s class of heifers are A Bar Ranch’s spring bred heifers confirmed to Express Ranch calving ease bulls.  These heifers are a product of 35 years of genetic selection, focused on boosting longevity and fertility. We are excited again this year to be offering an exceptional group of heifers from the 7S Stuart Ranch, the oldest Oklahoma ranch under continuous family ownership. With great success theses heifers bred with a 93% conception rate using natural service Express and Schilling Ranch low birth weight bulls. These females are stacked with performance and genetics that draw bloodlines from Topp Hereford and Bradley 3 Angus. They are the ideal range female that will sustain in multiple environments. All heifers will be sorted into 30-day calving periods to increase predictability during calving season.

We are very excited about the quality of cattle in this sale! Please join us ‘At The Ranch’, Saturday, September 2^nd. Come early to view the cattle and then join us for a chuckwagon lunch. Don’t hesitate to call, text, or email any questions or to inquire about photos or videos.

Sincerely,

The Armitage family