June is usually a slower time of the year for Rugby Livestock Auction in Rugby, North Dakota. It’s normal to have cattle sales every other week. This year, owner Cliff Mattson says there are sales scheduled every week in June. That’s expected to continue in July. Exceptionally dry conditions are drying up water, there’s limited to no grass to graze and feed costs are high. Shortly after noon Monday, the Rugby Livestock Auction will be selling more than 1,000 cow/calf pairs. “Unheard of.” Mattson and Field Representative Kyle Shively both have cattle. Shively already culled half of his herd. “This is a very stressful time and I started culling three to four weeks ago. These farmers and ranchers are seeing half their cows go overnight and many may not get cattle back again.” Hear the story. Photo credit: Rugby Livestock Auction