In Oklahoma City, OK, on a big run of cattle this week, feeder steers sold steady to $3 lower. Feeder heifers were called $1-2 lower. Steer and heifer calves sold $2-4 lower on moderate demand.

In response to a major rangelands fire, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) initiated an emergency gather of the Idaho Saylor Creek horse management area (HMA) Aug. 31 in a bid to temporarily relocate horses due to lack of available forage.

Representatives of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) question the affiliation of R-CALF with the animal rights and environmental activist group Food and Water Watch. According to separate news releases issued by the two groups, R-CALF and Food and Water Watch are joining forces on the campaign to support USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration’s (GIPSA) proposed rule on livestock marketing.

The joint USDA/Department of Justice workshop on competition in the agricultural markets drew an estimated 1,300 people to Fort Collins, CO, on Friday. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder heard testimony from agricultural producers and other industry representatives about how concentration in the industry is affecting the markets.

Fed cattle trade on Thursday was inactive in the Southern Plains and Colorado. Not enough sales for a market trend, Tuesday was the last reported market in these regions. In the Texas Panhandle live sales sold at $99.50.