Livestock auction markets remain the option of choice for beef producers.
Nearly 80% of the 2025 Farm Journal State of the Beef Industry survey respondents say they use a livestock auction market as a marketing tool today. Just more than 50% use off farm or private treaty sales and 46% sell at least some beef direct to the consumer.
“Livestock Auction Markets offer quick, easy access with decision-making that doesn’t have to be made until a day or two before you go to sale,” says Ken Odde a commercial cattleman from South Dakota. “In the industry we’ve had a trend towards more video auction sales, but that’s largely a function of herd size. About 80% of the calves that sell in the U.S. sell through livestock auction markets.”
Odde stresses the importance of transparent, data-driven cattle marketing to add value to cattle. This includes providing buyers with animal weaning and health information along with genetic information.
“Ranchers need to get more active in marketing their calves,” he says.
Odde shares weaning, health and genetic data with his local auction market prior to sale day to share on screens while the calves are in the sale ring. He also develops handouts for potential buyers.
Odde uses the International Genetic Solutions (IGS) Feeder Profit Calculator (FPC), to generate and provide detailed genetic and management information to buyers.
The FPC is a free, third-party evaluation tool available to help commercial producers, marketers and buyers know and share the profit potential of feeder calves.
According to Odde, these added steps promoting your calves on sale day can add more money to your pocket.
“Feeders are getting more comfortable paying for additional information that reduces their risk,” adds Troy Rowan, University of Tennessee assistant professor.
The Livestock Marketing Association represents more than 80% of all regular-selling livestock markets in the U.S. as well as a growing number of Canadian livestock auctions. Members are a diverse range of professionals in livestock marketing, including livestock auction markets, online and video auctions, livestock dealers, order buyers and sales management.
The State of the Beef Industry Report includes input from nearly 500 beef producers. The annual report provides information to help producers when making decisions. You can download the full report here.
For more insights to the report as well as producer and economist perspectives, watch the State of the Beef Industry Webinar exclusive on FarmJournal.tv. The panel includes Odde along with Matt Perrier, an Angus seedstock producer from Kansas, and Lance Zimmerman, RaboResearch senior beef industry analyst. You won’t want to miss their thoughts on the beef industry today and in the future.
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