ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the management of cattle marketed at the central market and Oklahoma City Stock Yards, where over 1 million head of cattle are sold each year, making it the "largest cattle market" in the world. Managers through the years have used their own experience and that of others to put into practice innovative management ideas and changes that enable them to give the best service possible to cattlemen who are customers of the market. Physical changes in facilities include new unloading and loading chutes and docks, innovative pen construction that allows the cattle to be more comfortable in drier and cooler. Commission men are very competitive people who earn their money by providing the service of sorting, feeding, and caring for cattle in a manner that will bring the most return for customer product. Knowledge of the "buying power" on a market is of utmost importance in making a wise decision as to where people should sell livestock.
