Auction

Restricted Not Quarantined: Southwest Livestock Exchange Stays Open in Screwworm-Infested Zone

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 03:54:24 GMT

Southwest Livestock Exchange owner Jimmy Speer wants one message to cut through the confusion swirling around the first confirmed New World screwworm (NWS) case in his area: This is not another COVID-style lockdown.

“The story here is, you’re in a restricted zone,” Speer says. “This is not a quarantine.”

He explains the restrictions are in place to prevent movement within the infected zone — an approximately 12.4-mile radius from the confirmed case — until inspectors can visually check the animals.

Located in Uvalde, less than 30 minutes from the first confirmed case, Speer explains he’s been fighting two battles: the screwworm itself and the misinformation spreading almost as fast. He says rumors have been circulating that sale barns are shutting down, cattle can’t move and the region is effectively locked up.

“That’s been probably the most confusing thing — people not knowing what they can do and what they can’t do,” Speer says. “The word has got to get out to everybody. This is not a quarantine. This is a restricted area with movement in it.”

A Pest, Not a Disease

When the first case was confirmed June 3, Speer says his initial reaction was disbelief at the location.

“We were surprised that it was as far inland away from the border as it was,” he says. “Nobody has really figured out how it jumped 72 miles to where we’re at.”

But even as the situation developed, Speer was careful to frame it correctly for his customers and community.

“It’s not a disease that we’re dealing with — it’s a pest.”

That distinction matters and dictates how producers should respond. A disease can mean widespread culls, sweeping quarantines and industry-wide shutdowns. A pest — even a serious, destructive one like NWS — is manageable with vigilance, proper treatment and clear protocols.

The Sales Go On

The Thursday after the first confirmed case, Southwest Livestock Exchange hosted its regular cattle sale. Speer brought in two extra inspectors, started checking animals at 6:30 a.m. and pulled all cattle originating from Zavala County for additional scrutiny.

“We inspected everything,” Speer explains. “We’re fortunate we’re not running a lot of cattle right now — we only had 200 cattle last week. It made it a lot easier to inspect everything the way it should be inspected.”

The outcome surprised even Speer.

“My buyers were sitting in there, and everyone bought cattle, and the cattle market — we called it $5 to $6 higher,” he explains. “We all thought it would be different than that. We were betting men, and it didn’t happen. We’re just grateful that the market’s going to stay where it’s at.”

On Tuesday, the barn shifted to its weekly sheep and goat sale. All animals were visually inspected, and any animal showing abrasions, cuts or sores was sent home — not because it necessarily has NWS, but out of an abundance of caution.

He also made it clear the main highways running through restricted areas remain open and operational.

Livestock checkpoints have been placed on all roads leading into and out of Zavala County. Texas Animal Health Commission representatives inspect all livestock in transit. This checkpoint is on the south side of Crystal City.

(Rancers Exchange)

“You can come through those restricted areas,” he explains. “Our main highways come through those areas. We ask you to stop at all livestock checkpoints, tell them where you’re going and where you’re coming from.”

(Angie Stump Denton)

Sheep and Goats: A Parallel Concern

While much of the public conversation has centered on cattle, this region is also sheep and goat country — and order buyer Coy Mock, who drives 2 hours to Uvalde every Tuesday, says the NWS threat applies equally across all species.

“Most of what you hear about screwworm is in cattle, but at the same time, especially in our area, there’s more sheep and goats,” Mock says. “They are going to target both of them just as much — goats as they will cattle.”

Mock says his phone has been ringing constantly with questions from producers and packing houses alike.

“Is this going to affect the market? Should I still buy stuff? What are you doing to doctor them? Is the market going to collapse? Do I need to sell out?” he says, rattling off the questions he’s fielded.

His answer to the sell-out question has been consistent — “Don’t.”

“Right now is a lower market. It’s not smart to sell out just because there’s screwworm in the area,” he says. “It doesn’t mean you need to sell your whole herd. I think it would be a dumb decision to sell out in a low market like this because of screwworm being announced in Texas. Just take care of your stock.”

The Social Media Battle

Both Speer and Mock point to social media as the double-edged sword regarding NWS. It’s where misinformation travels fastest — but also where the most people can be reached with corrections.

Speer confirms he’s had to take to Facebook multiple times to push back on false reports.

Mock echoes the concern.

“Social media is how everybody’s going to find out information, figure out what it can do and what they should do about it,” he says. “That’s where the sale barns and people in this industry should really get out there more and let people know the facts — that it’s okay, they’re inspected, the barns are safe.”

The economic stakes of getting the message right are high.

Tools in the Toolbox — And Gaps to Fill

Speer is pushing the state to approve one more tool: the dipping vat. Southwest Livestock Exchange already operates a vat certified for fever tick treatment, a facility where cattle are fully submerged in a chemical solution.

“Those cattle completely go in, they’re completely submerged — they go under the water and come back out,” Speer explains. “It’s a simple process.”

He’s asked the state to expand approval for sale barns with existing dipping infrastructure to use it for screwworm treatment as well — offering producers a certified clean bill of health before animals leave the facility.

On parasite control more broadly, Speer cautions against over-reliance on any single product.

When asked how this outbreak compares to the screwworm era of the 1960s, Speer acknowledges the parallels but points to progress.

“They did not have what we have today,” he explains. “We have more tools in the toolbox than they had in the ‘60s.”

The labor challenge, though, is real. With fewer cowboys than in decades past, eyes-on-the-ground detection is harder to achieve. Speer says several of his customers are trying to secure H-2A agricultural workers from Mexico to help but are facing a three-month wait on paperwork.

Both Speer (behind desk) and Mock agree on the same message to producders: report cases, tend your animals and don’t let fear drive decisions.

(Angie Stump Denton)

Don’t Let Fear Drive Decisions

Mock put it plainly for the producers: “As long as you’re tending to your herd and it looks normal, you’re fine. There’s no need to stress about it. If you get it, doctor it, do what needs to be done.”

Speer summarizes his message to customers and fellow livestock producers:

ATCP 10

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation (WFBF)

(Wisconsin Farm Bureau)

The Process

Attending public hearings
Submitting written comments by Oct. 15

ATCP 10:

ATCP 12

Angela.fisher1@wisconsin.gov

Neighboring State Comparisons

proposal document

Industry Feedback

A Silent Truth Hidden in the Farm Economy: Farmer Suicides Are on the Rise

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 14:35:47 GMT

Signs of stress in the farm economy are everywhere you turn, and with corn futures hitting fresh lows again this week, crumbling commodity prices are painting a dreary outlook for 2025, and the financial pressures are causing another bleak reality: farmer suicides are also on the rise.

In 2024, used equipment prices were plummeting at auction, with values of larger horsepower tractors dropping more than 20% . As used equipment flooded the auction market, Alex Kerr, owner of Kerr Auction and Kerr Equipment , noticed another troubling trend.

“This is really odd for me,” Kerr said in a video he posted to social media last year. “Three tractors up here that I bought on auction, and I’m not going to tell you which ones, but they came off of suicide — the reason is that the farmers are no longer here. It’s the reason I’ve got the tractors.”

Kerr noticed the silent truth happening in the midst of the current downturn in the farm economy, which was the fact he was seeing an uptick in the amount of equipment coming to auction as a result of farmer suicide.

“If anybody needs to talk, call your friends, call us. We don’t need to sell you anything. I don’t want to buy more tractors this way,” Kerr went on to say in the video.

Kerr says he typically doesn’t know all the stories behind the tractors he sells, especially if it’s a consignment auction. As an auction company and used equipment dealer, his focus is on the numbers. But at this particular auction, he was compelled to do something.

“I noticed at one point after I had bought some stuff, and I had it all sitting on my lot together advertised for sale. I’m lining this stuff up, and it just kind of hit me. I’m like, ‘What happened to these guys to get them to a point they wanted to do that rather than continue on?’ I’m lining up those tractors, and I thought about it for a while and turned around and made the video,” Kerr says.

While there aren’t any stats on the exact number of farmer suicides happening across the U.S ., according to a CDC study published in January 2020, farmers are among the most likely to die by suicide, in comparison to other occupations. And with 259 farm bankruptcies filed between April 2024 and March 2025, it’s clear the financial stress on farms is only growing more severe this year.

“In most cases, if it’s a financial problem, the stereotypical answer people will tell you is, ‘Oh, keep your head up. It’ll get better.’ Well, if its a financial thing, the odds are it’s not going to get better. If you just keep digging the same hole, it only gets worse. So, you need to stop and make changes in your life or your business,” Kerr says.

Kerr’s video ultimately reached Bridgette Readel , a retired agronomist who is bringing more awareness to mental health among farmers through her social media following on X (formerly Twitter).

“To be honest, I got Alex’s video sent to me by a mutual friend — a farmer from Wisconsin. Alex had listened to one of the Twitter chats that I do on Fridays and heard the discussion which had been about farmer suicide, depression and anxiety,” Readel says. “Alex never wanted to step in front of the limelight, but he could see a trend, particularly in the geography where he works. And he wanted to do something just to raise a little bit of awareness.”

She says Kerr’s video struck a chord because not only was it bringing awareness to a topic not often discussed, but other farmers could relate to it.

“So many folks could recognize themselves in it: ‘That’s my same tractor’ or ‘I have thought about these very same thoughts or problems. How do I get away from them?’” Readel says. “For those who are closer to my age and remember what the ‘80s were like, there were a lot of farm ‘accidents’ that weren’t accidents. And now it’s a fear of what if myself, my neighbor, my brother, my sister or someone else is that next person?”

Agriculture is full of doers. If farmers see a problem, they immediately want to fix it. But when it comes to mental health, it’s not an easy fix — and not one that can be resolved on your own.

That’s why Readel says there’s one main message farmers need to hear right now: it’s okay to not be okay, but you have to ask for help.

“My message to farmers is to remember that you’re not alone, and when you see something with one of your friends or neighbors, ask them. Don’t be afraid. You don’t have to be a professional at it. You can help them find a professional, but sometimes it’s as simple as sitting in the buddy seat and asking how they’re doing. They might not answer you the first time, so ask it the second time,” she says.

As AgWeb reported in 2024, it’s important the friends, family, and business professionals close to farmers are prepared and able to effectively communicate in a mental health crisis. You can read more in this story, Your Mental Health Toolbox: How To Recognize The Warning Signs.

In the U.S., you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.

Why Now is the Time To Move Used Construction Iron in the Farm Equipment Auction World

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 13:51:25 GMT

Casey Seymour and Greg “Machinery Pete” Peterson agree now is the time when many farmers spend time shopping for what they call auxiliary machinery — things like wheel loaders, skid steers, track loaders and other compact and heavy utility equipment types.

“Skid steers are one of the first things that pop up when in my mind when I start thinking about that right now,” says Seymour, adding there is almost always a healthy supply of the versatile material movers in the used market.

Machinery Pete recalls skid steer values falling a bit last year due to that high supply, but this year is a different story. Values are trending up on used because, once again, the cost of a brand-new skid steer is high.

(Machinery Pete Facebook)

“Pifer’s Auction had a sale (recently), and I think it was a 2024 Deere 335 P-Tier with 275 hours on it, give or take, and I thought that sold really well at $94,000 hard cash,” Pete says.

Another notable transaction came out of Illinois, Pete recalls. At a Joel Everett Tractors & Auction sale, a 2009 John Deere 325 with under 300 hours sold for $36,000, which was well over the previous auction high of $28,500.

“It was interesting. When they got to the skid steer they paused and said, ‘Hey, folks, this 2009 model is loaded with every single option,’ which is unusual for a 16-year-old model,” Pete adds. “But again, it was palpable how many people wanted that thing, and you know, $36,000 is a big check — but for hardly any hours on it and what you’re going to pay for a new one?”

Pete and Seymour also discuss the firming up they are seeing with used values on some of the large construction equipment seen around the farm, including excavators, wheel loaders and bulldozers.

How Kerr Auctions is Unlocking Export Markets

Alex Kerr of Kerr Auctions joined the guys next to discuss how his auction house is carving out space in the export market.

Kerr says the company has capitalized on growing equipment demand overseas by creating specialized sales that cater to export buyers. These sales often feature equipment that may not have strong domestic buyer interest due to age or condition.

Kerr has established partnerships to help overseas buyers handle logistics and shipping, and the company made the decision to eliminate buyer penalties for high bidders. Both decisions demonstrate a level of transparency and trust that helps put buyer minds at ease, he thinks.

“Specialized sales do well,” Kerr says. “We got to thinking that the export buyers, they hate some of the auction things they deal with. They don’t speak the language; you’ve got to talk to them on WhatsApp, or they have an online only presence.”

Kerr Auction’s next big export-focused Inaugural Farmer/Dealer Consignment Sale is set for Aug. 14. Check out all the details here.

The Rest of the Episode

Shawn Hackett, president and CEO of Hackett Financial, joined the show for an update on where commodity markets sit today and row crop futures prices. Glen Birnbaum, principal with Sikich, came on to talk machine depreciation rates and upcoming changes to tax law.

And Aaron Fintel, used equipment specialist with 21st Century Equipment, gave his view on moving used compact construction equipment out on the western plains.

Head over to YouTube to watch the full episode , and give it a “Thumbs Up” and hit the “Subscribe” button to get every Moving Iron episode as soon as it drops.

Machinery Pete: Versatile Skid Steers, Used Tractors Are Hotter Than Fish Grease

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 21:18:37 GMT

What goes well alongside sweltering summer Midwest heat and humidity?

Well, if you answered used farm equipment auctions, you’re on the same wavelength as our used equipment-obsessed friend, Machinery Pete. He hit the road last week, capturing all of that sweet, sweet iron moving at auction.

All jokes aside, the extreme heat and humidity that hit the Upper Midwest this weekend can indeed be a bad omen for farm auction results, Pete says. Good thing there’s plenty of online auctions this summer so you can avoid the sweaty, sunburned crowds while still getting down on all the bidding action.

Here’s a quick sample of what Pete says stood out from the past seven days of red-hot farm equipment auction sales:

(Machinery Pete Facebook)

In an online Pifer Group auction that pulled used farm equipment from Minnesota and the Dakotas, a 2024 John Deere 335 P-Tier skid steer (pictured above) with 275 hours sold for $94,000. Pete says that’s a pretty good deal considering the only comparable model listed for sale at MachineryPete.com right now is a 2025 335 P-Tier. That bad boy starts at $159,000, though.

(Machinery Pete Facebook)

And a 2009 John Deere 325I skid steer with only 124 hours on it sold for $36,000 at the Harry and Lola Blackburn farm estate sale in Iowa.

On the tractor front, on Tuesday of last week, the folks at DPA Auctions moved a pair of late-model John Deere tractors that originated from farms in South Dakota.

(DPA Auctions)

In that sale, two 2024 John Deere 8R 280 MFWD tractors, one with just under 1,200 hours (pictured above) and another with 1,451 hours on it, sold for $315,000 and $296,000, respectively.

“Those were both above the average auction price this year, which is just over $282,600,” Pete says. “And interestingly, that’s up from last year’s average which was just over $258,000.”

And finally, Pete’s “Pick of the Week” is a pair of used tractors:

(Machinery Pete Facebook)

At the Blackburn estate auction in Iowa, a Gold Key Certified 2009 John Deere 7230 Premium 2WD tractor (above) with only 1,076 hours sold for $94,500.

And at the Al Bruhn farm auction sale Saturday in Mapleton, Iowa, a vintage 1968 International Harvester 756 German diesel tractor set a new all-time record at $29,000. The previous high for that year/model was $21,000.

Auction to Watch This Week

Sullivan Auctioneers and Big Iron Auctions is having a “No Reserve Dealer Inventory Reduction” online auction for Sinclair Tractor featuring a huge collection of machines from the dealer’s Iowa stores. Check out the video preview from auctioneer Dan Sullivan above.

Your Next Read: Farmers Are in the Buying Mindset for Used Equipment

Under Contract: Future of the Oklahoma National Stockyards Remains Optimistic

Tue, 06 May 2025 12:15:54 GMT

One of the largest livestock auctions in the country, the Oklahoma National Stockyards (ONSY), has been placed under contract for purchase by a group of investors, according to a release.

The buyer group, led by Oklahoma farmer, rancher and cattle feeder, Chris Franklin, plans to ensure continued operation of the livestock market with possible development of adjoining properties. Around 350,000 head of feeder cattle flow through the auction annually, averaging 7,000 to 8,000 head per week and has been a major contributor to the livestock industry in the region for more than 100 years.

“We are excited about this new chapter for the Oklahoma National Stockyards,” Franklin shared in a statement. “Our focus remains on supporting our customers, preserving the stockyards’ vital role in Oklahoma’s and the nation’s agricultural economy, and fostering a thriving marketplace for the livestock industry.”

ONSY is a publicly traded company with the majority of the shares held by members of the same family. Without any heirs interested in operating the facility, it was offered for sale in the fall of 2024 in hopes of finding a buyer committed to continuing on the legacy of the stockyards since its inception in 1910.

Jerry Reynolds, president of ONSY, says a lot still has to happen before the purchase would be finalized. The closing date has been set for October and could be extended, but producers can expect the same service the auction has always offered customers.

“It’s business as usual,” he says. “Until there’s a need for something to transition or change, customers can have the assurance to show up every week we have a sale and our commission firms are going to work to get the best value they can. We are seeing record prices and a phenomenal market.”

ONSY continues to operate with nine commission companies representing the cattle with sales held year-round.

(Chloe Reid)

Ben Hale, owner of Western Livestock Commission Company and president of the Oklahoma City Livestock Exchange, says he is optimistic about the future of the ONSY after meeting with Franklin.

“It’s an honor for our team at Western to play a role in preserving such a historic market,” he shared on social media. “There’s still work ahead, but we’re committed to seeing it through — for the good of our industry and everyone it serves.”

Western Livestock Commission Company is one of nine commission companies representing cattle at the stockyards, which is a unique business structure compared to other livestock auctions around the country.

“It’s the only one that I know of in the country, and it really speaks to the history of Oklahoma National Stockyards because as long as it continues to operate, it is technically the only remaining of the original terminal cattle markets in the country,” says Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University extension livestock marketing specialist.

Future plans
The buyer group says it’s committed to maintaining ONSY’s legacy of excellence and plans to actively engage with leading agricultural organizations in Oklahoma, including the Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, American Farmers and Ranchers, and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, to strengthen partnerships and support the state’s agricultural ecosystem, according to the statement.

Peel is hopeful the auction will continue into the future, but says it will face challenges, including with water, urban pressure and facility improvements to make.

“They are located right at the edge of Oklahoma City, and have faced increasing challenges over the years because of that location,” he says. “The city’s grown up around them. They’re sitting right next to the Oklahoma River. It’s a very expensive place to operate, and their facilities are not new. They’ve got continuing needs for reinvestment if they’re going to continue to operate as an auction.”

Until 1961, livestock sales were handled only by private agreement or treaty between the seller and buyer through the services of the on-premises commission companies.

(ONSY)

History of the stockyards
Historically, packing plants were in areas with terminal markets located next to them where producers brought in cattle and consigned them for sale private treaty and were represented by commission companies. Chicago, Kansas City and Denver all had terminal livestock markets, which have been closed for decades.

“In the early 1960s it switched to a livestock auction, but the commission companies continue to be the ones that represent all the cattle that go through there,” Peel explains. “Oklahoma National doesn’t represent any cattle. They own the facilities, provide the auctioneer and run the sales.”

Cattlemen consigning to Oklahoma National choose one of the nine companies to represent their cattle in the sale.

“Each company has its list of customers, they bring cattle in, taking turns selling them,” Peel explains. “They start every week and each one of them sells so many pens of cattle, rotating through and repeating the list until everybody’s sold out of cattle. It’s a very unique setup, but it really speaks to the history and the legacy of Oklahoma National as the last remaining terminal market in the country.”

Business as usual
Hale and Reynolds admit numbers were down in April, but that was likely weather related as Oklahoma has seen record rainfall for this time of year. They both noted cattlemen were having a harder time getting cattle out, but there are lots of cattle ready to be sold.

Cattle auctions are held Monday and Tuesday each week.

(ONSY)

“What makes a good sale barn is having a good amount of cows and calves to sell, and you got to have yearlings to sell,” Hale says. “With that you have a year round market. That’s what we have. We sell a lot of calves off the cow, and we sell a lot of yearlings off grass and wheat. We stay pretty consistent year round. It sits on I-35, I-40 and I-44 so it’s easy to get to.”

The impact the stockyards is not only felt by producers, but the city benefits economically as well. Hale notes the area is extremely busy Sunday through Tuesday with sales of fuel, hotels and shopping.

“There’s even the tire shop down here on the south end of town where we’re at, which is extremely busy on Monday and Tuesday,” Hale says. “There’s also lots of shopping that takes place. It’s a lot of people coming in every week and would be millions of dollars that it brings in throughout the year.”

Your next read: Functional Facilities Reduce Stress and Boost Efficiency

Discover Equipment Trends: From Tractors to Hay Tool Innovation

Thu, 01 May 2025 17:00:58 GMT

As May arrives, bringing warmer weather throughout much of the country, two segments in the used equipment auction world are also heating up: lower horsepower utility tractors and unique antique tractors.

Machinery Pete says the utility tractor class (125 hp to 175 hp with a loader) has been fairly strong for the past two years now, and noted a recent sale that shows higher price upside coming into play for those machines.

(Machinery Pete Facebook)

A John Deere 6115M MFWD tractor (962 hours) with a H310 loader with grapple sold for a record $107,500 at an auction last week in Plano, Texas.

Another transaction that caught the eye of Pete and host Casey Seymour took place Tuesday evening at an Almond Vintage Power auction near Nicomas, Ill.

(Machinery Pete Facebook)

A 1911 Imperial 4070 tractor in beautiful condition sold for $955,500. Only three tractors in that year/model are known to exist.

“It’s a very extreme example, but it shows there’s no shortage of money in the market right now, whether it’s the right piece of land or a crazy collector’s item like that,” Pete says.

Seymour, who has over 20 years of experience in the used equipment space, then spent some time with Pete unpacking some of the best practices they’ve picked up over the years for visual marketing up-for-auction equipment.

“The more information you can put out there, the better opportunity you have to spark somebody’s interest,” Seymour says. “And it’s a way to set yourself apart, whether you’re an auction company or a dealership or even selling it privately, to show you’ve got nothing to hide.”

Hay Tool Technology Evolves
Kaylene Ballesteros, go-to market manager – hay and forage products, John Deere, talked about the company’s approach to technology and automation in hay equipment.

She says adding automation to hay tools is no different than the evolution from horses pulling steel plows to diesel tractors working the ground. The idea is the technology has to make hay producers lives easier and also bounce some ROI back into their operations.

Years ago, John Deere launched its baler automation technology, and it recently built onto that ecosystem with Weave Automation. The feature automates “the art of weaving back and forth over the row really carefully” to make sure you get a perfectly square shoulder bale every time.

“Now, the hitch of the baler does the weaving for you, based off bale size and threshold settings it will make sure that bale is a square shoulder bale,” Ballesteros adds. “So, they can sit in that cab with a little less to worry about or go to their kid’s basketball game and put somebody else in the seat. It takes the stress out of that situation, too.”

Is Demand for Used Combines and Utility Vehicles On the Rise?
Aaron Fintel, used equipment specialist, 21^st Century Equipment, says 2025 is still the year of the last-minute equipment purchase. He had a farmer call him just a few days ago, on the cusp of full bore planting season, looking for a used planter. Fintel is also predicting higher demand coming into play on used combines and utility tractors in the 100 hp to 175 hp segment.

“It’s almost like everybody heard how cheap they were and said ‘Well, I suppose we should probably look into one,’” he says of buying behavior in the used utility tractor segment.

Another insight Fintel shares is the current tariff situation and uncertainty in the economy is stifling buying activity among livestock producers. Cattle ranchers, unlike their corn and soy raising counterparts, are riding a wave of strong prices for beef and other proteins.

Watch full episodes of the Moving Iron Podcast and Machinery Pete TV for FREE on our new streaming platform, Farm Journal NOW.

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