The General Manager of the Dickinson, North Dakota-based Stockmen’s Livestock Exchange, Larry Schnell, says it’s early for a fall cattle run. “Normally, we don’t sell a good number of calves until the second or third week of October. On September 16, we sold 2,000 calves. I can’t remember the last time we had 400 to 500 calves in all of September.” The movement is all drought related. Schnell also says many ranchers in the west are trying to determine how many cows they can feed. The recent rains have brought optimism for some North Dakota cattle producers, encouraging them to hold on to the herd. “Northwest North Dakota is a good example. In other areas, rain isn’t helping at all.” On Thursday, September 30, Schnell says Stockmen’s Livestock Exchange could move more than 3,000 calves. “It’s a pretty dire situation for many.” Hear the story.