Nebraska cattle break national price records

Sale barns from across the country have been making headlines with record-setting cattle prices. While it is no secret that the beef market has been good to cattle ranchers this summer, the Valentine Livestock Auction in Valentine, Neb., has been consistently setting new records.

So, what makes these cattle from Nebraska so sought after by feedlots? It comes down to the care and management producers in the Sandhills of Nebraska put into their livestock.

“The grass is plentiful, and the water's good,” says Greg Arendt, longtime VLA manager. “But the grass is not a high-protein grass, and so these cattle have a different appearance than cattle from other regions. Sandhills cattle don't necessarily get as fleshy, so we must supplement, because sand does not have minerals, and consequently you must buy mineral.”

Arendt explains that because of the conditions that these cattle are accustomed to, they will respond quickly to high-quality feed in the feedlot. In his opinion, this is the price differential that Sandhills cattle have.