Favorable Pasture Conditions, High Cattle Prices in Karnes County

Recent rainfall brought favorable pasture conditions to Karnes County, and cattle prices remain high.

“We’ve been blessed with anywhere from seven inches to probably 15 to 20 inches of rain within the past 45 days,” Chris Carter, a rancher in Kenedy, said. “Prior to that, we went through drought-type conditions, but here lately, it’s been very good.”

Compared to the past several years, Carter said pastures are in much better shape this year. He said some people in his area are talking about getting a second cutting of hay.

“Last year, people didn’t get a second cutting of hay in. It started off very well, and they got their first cutting but didn’t get that second cutting,” he said. “We just never had any more rain. So, this year compared to last year is much better.”

Along with running a cow-calf operation with his father, Carter operates Karnes County Livestock Exchange with his cousin. The auction barn has been in his family since 1946 and has seen a lot of cattle sold throughout the years.

“The market is extremely good right now, and the prices are good,” Carter said. “Almost every calf coming through our ring brings over $1,000 dollars.”

The average weight of calves being sold through his ring ranges from 350 to 400 pounds.

“The packer market is just as good and as high as it’s ever been,” Carter said. “We’re seeing $3,500 packer bulls, $2,200 for cows, and that’s been very good.”

The Karnes County sale barn averages about 450 head of cattle a week.

“We should be running 700 head of cattle a week. The reason that our number is down is because numbers are down across the state and the nation,” Carter said.

The nation’s cattle herd is the lowest it’s been since the 1970s, largely driven due to consecutive years of drought.

But improved pasture conditions and high cattle prices have brought optimism to rural Texas.