The Southwest Livestock Exchange is a small livestock sales yard going by American standards founded by Joe Hargrove in 1942 with the business now being run by his daughter Melody Speer her husband Jimmy and sons Justin and Cline.
Map of San Antonio, Texas.
Map of San Antonio Texas
The livestock exchange operates differently to how Irish marts operate. Animals that come into the ring with the exception of in-calf cows and breeding heifers, are sold in cents per lb.
The opening bid is dictated by management and continues to closure with all stock on the market.
Each lot is weighed on the way out of the ring and not coming into the ring.
The only data on display is the weight of the animal as it leaves the ring. No mart board with the date of birth, breed, etc information is available in Texas.
Cattle numbers have been in decline in Texas for a number of years but seem to be stabilising at 12.2 million in 2025.
This is down from 12.7 million in 2022 to a low of 12 million in 2024. Drought is a major factor affecting numbers together with market demand and input costs. The region is suffering one of the more severe droughts in recent years.
Stock leaving the sales yard is sold predominantly to feedlots. Last Thursday’s sale saw numbers down due to cold weather with just over 280 cattle sold through the ring.
Lightweight choice bullocks sold from $315-$440/cwt (€6.65-€9.19/kg). The US cwt is 100 lbs and 2000 lbs per ton.
One dollar is currently worth €0.96. In calf heifers sold to a top of $2400 (€2,304/head). The USA beef price is currently coming close to €8/kg.
Suckler cow numbers have declined but the Speer family say that the trend is for animals to be finished at higher weights resulting in beef output volume being maintained due to higher carcase weight at slaughter.
Inheritance
No inheritance tax applies on land transfer, regardless of who the inheritor is, on properties valued at $25 million or less. This threshold has varied in the past depending on which party is in power.
Industry Supports
There are no direct government supports for the beef industry, however, it is possible to take out market insurance where the producer can lock in at a minimum selling price which if not achieved the policy will cover the difference.
The premium is split in half between the producer and the government. This system is operational in the arable industry also.
While there are some contracts with producers, packers tend to own a lot of feedlots themselves.
Environmental Regulations and Hormone use
Regulations tend to be few and far between. Withdrawal periods following dosing etc must be observed. Hormone usage is widespread and fully accepted.
There are however growing niche markets for organic produce. Certified Angus-type schemes exist with targets such as 51% black hides and the ability to supply 17-inch rib-eye steaks a prerequisite to these schemes.
The black hide % is a measure of what degree of Brahman blood may be in the carcase. Brahman blood introduces a greater degree of heat tolerance in the animal but needs to be limited in Certified Angus for better eating quality. Beef consumption appears to be increasing according to the Speer Family.
Higher carcase weights at slaughter have helped satisfy this trend, however consumers don’t seem to have major concerns as to the origin of beef supplies.
Higher carcase weights at slaughter have helped satisfy this trend, however consumers don’t seem to have major concerns as to the origin of beef supplies.
Tariffs
The Speer family feel that in the short term, there could be a negative impact but long term beef producers could benefit as foreign imports cost more.
Fertiliser, diesel and cereal prices
Straight Nitrogen costs $510 (€489/tonne) while NPK compound comes in at round $900 (€864) per tonne.
Diesel for farm use is coloured like in Ireland and costs $2.70 per US gallon (€2.59/gallon) compared with road diesel at $3.20 (€3.07/gallon).
The difference in price for road diesel is highway tax used by the state for highway maintenance. Barley is currently priced at $200 (€192) /ton.
While the COVID outbreak caused production costs to come down, costs have trended upwards ever since. This year (2025) is showing the best ever beef prices, however the gap in costs is closing steadily.
Both TB and Brucellosis have virtually been eliminated but slaughterhouses do monitor and report instances.
Land Prices
The key to land values in this part of Texas is the availability of water for irrigation.
Dry land is valued at $5,000 (€4,800)/acre while irrigation land is valued at $8,000 (€7,680)/acre. Water consumption is measured in foot acres i.e. if an acre were to be covered to a depth of one foot which is 325,851 in US gallons.
Farmers are regulated as to how much they can pump depending on the current water table height.
All conversations eventually revolve around rainfall and the lack thereof. A relatively recent trend is for high-net-worth individuals to purchase land for recreational use.
High deer fences are built to enclose deer. Hunters are known to pay up to $5,000 (€4,800/head) to shoot a buck. The effect has been to raise land prices above their agricultural value.
It’s common in Texas to sow winter wheat and use it for grazing. The photo above shows a 260-acre irrigated pivot system with 450 heifers grazing it. Weight gains of 2lbs (.9/kg/day) per day are expected.
It is not uncommon in this area to sow winter wheat and use it for grazing. The photo above shows a 260-acre irrigated pivot system with 450 heifers grazing it. Weight gains of 2lbs (.9/kg/day) per day are expected with the best animals going for breeding and the remainder destined for finishing on feedlots.
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