Derrell Peel: Higher Cattle Prices, Lower Carcass Weights, and Less Beef Production

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am visiting with Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Market Economist, Derrell Peel, talking about the latest Cattle on Feed Report issued by the USDA.

This latest USDA Cattle on Feed Report showed that placements in the month of January were down four percent from last year, Peel said, and marketings in January were at 104 percent, up four percent from last year.

“That gives us an on-feed number for February first that is down four percent on a year-over-year basis,” Peel said.

Although slaughter numbers are about even with a year ago, Peel said those numbers are predicted to drop.

“We are still working our way through these last supplies of cattle in the feedlot,” Peel said. “In general, this cattle on feed report was pretty well anticipated. I would say if anything, the marketings number is maybe just a tick lower than some people expected. It is kind of on the lower end of the range of estimates. So, maybe you treat this report as slightly bullish, but in general, it was pretty well anticipated.”

Oklahoma Wheat Crop in Slightly Better Shape Than a Year Earlier

The 2023 Oklahoma winter wheat crop is ending February in better condition than the 2022 crop was facing. The USDA’s Crop Condition report released on Monday afternoon for Oklahoma shows the 2023 crop in 36% good to excellent condition(only one percent rated excellent) and is called 41% in poor to very poor condition. The 2022 crop at the end of last February was rated 11% in good to excellent and 55% poor to very poor. Wheat pasture grazing stands at 63% here in 2023 versus 66% in 2022.

In contrast- the Kansas crop condition ratings show a worse crop this year versus 12 months ago. Kansas wheat is 19% good to excellent and 51% poor to very poor- the 2022 crop last winter stood at 37% good to excellent and 28% poor to very poor.



Oklahoma Farm Bureau works to improve the lives of all Oklahomans by supporting our state’s agriculture community. As Oklahoma’s largest general farm organization led by Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, OKFB takes grassroots values and advocates for agriculture at the state Capitol and in Washington, D.C., to ensure our way of life continues for generations to come.

Farm Bureau hosts leadership events, supports our state’s agricultural youth and connects consumers with agriculture in order to build a brighter future for our state. Become an OKFB member today online at okfarmbureau.org/join. Together, we are rural Oklahoma.

Todd Lamb Discusses SQ 820 Vote on March 7 and Concerns About Repercussions of Recreational Marijuana

At the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Leadership Conference, Associate Farm Editor, Reagan Calk, had the chance to visit with former Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma, Todd Lamb, about State Question 820, the Recreational Marijuana Legalization Initiative.

Oklahoma SQ 820 is on the ballot in Oklahoma as an initiated state statute on March 7, 2023. A “no” vote opposes legalizing recreational marijuana for adult use in Oklahoma.

“Four years ago, the state of Oklahoma passed a state question that allowed medicinal use of marijuana, and that is arguably out of control in a lot of areas,” Lamb said. “Oklahoma is starting to get that under control now with some more regulation.”

SQ 820 permits smoking marijuana around children, Lamb said, by saying that it is not child endangerment. It also prohibits considering marijuana addiction in child custody and visitation cases, Lamb added.

“It also does not establish a maximum THC level, which is problematic because that increases the addiction rate in Oklahoma,” Lamb said. “You talk to a lot of healthcare professionals and mental health professionals, and they say marijuana is a gateway drug.”

There is a lot of pressure for Oklahoma to “get this right,” Lamb said because the nation is likely to follow in the same direction.

OSU Wheat Research Aims to Provide Oklahoma Wheat Growers with Best Tools for Success

At the OGI Wheat Meeting, Farm Director, KC Sheperd, caught up with OSU’s Dr. Brett Carver about the latest wheat research and tools to aid wheat producers in choosing a variety that sets them up for success.

Dr. Carver leads the OSU Wheat Improvement Team and conducts the wheat breeding and genetics research program. His work in wheat variety development continues a long tradition at OSU that began in the mid-1940s by Dr. A.M. Schlehuber, and continued by Dr. E.L. Smith from 1966 to 1998.

“We are in a good position,” Carver said. “I think, as far as new varieties coming out, whether it is next year or the next ten or 15 years, I think we are in a very good position.”

Yield and quality-wise, Carver said he feels very confident, which has encouraged him to try new things.

At the 85th Annual OACD State Meeting, Farm Director, KC Sheperd, sat down with Extension Specialist for Agriculture and Food Policy, Amy Hagerman. Prior to her presentation, Hagerman talks to Sheperd about a Climate Informed Agriculture Survey conducted recently, presented in partnership with OSU Extension, USDA Southern Plains Climate Hub, and USDA NRCS.

As a significant amount of funding has come down the pipeline for climate-smart agriculture, Hagerman said there has been a lot of interest in using those funds for programs regarding adaptation to climate change.

“The Southern Plains Climate Hub approached me to work together with them, with NRCS, with the districts in the state, to try to get a handle among their people- these front-line workers in conservation, of their perspectives of climate change, of adaptation programs and how we can best utilize these funds that are coming to do the most good for Oklahomans,” Hagerman said.

A survey was recently implemented at each of the five area conservation district meetings, Hagerman said, and individuals at these meetings had the chance to share what they have experienced with these programs. The survey, aimed at advocating for conservation, was very specific to the individuals questioned.

Most individuals were concerned with how to best adapt and respond to environmental/climate changes seen in Oklahoma, Hagerman said, and to continue improvement into the future.

NACD Releases 2023 Farm Bill Recommendations

Today, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) released policy recommendations for the 2023 Farm Bill. Over the last year, NACD’s Farm Bill Task Force has convened more than a dozen times to review USDA conservation programs and consider policies to strengthen support for voluntary, locally led conservation efforts. The recommendations were recently approved by NACD’s Board by Directors at NACD’s Annual Meeting in New Orleans.

NACD’s most important priority is for Congress to keep conservation investments provided by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in farm bill conservation programs. The 2023 Farm Bill provides Congress with an important opportunity to integrate IRA conservation funding into the conservation title to administer these investments over a longer period of time, make bipartisan decisions on the exact funding allocations within the title, and eliminate administrative and management redundancies. This request is critical to addressing the high unmet demand for NRCS conservation programs, which are currently only able to serve about one in every three eligible producers.

To support locally led conservation efforts, the recommendations also push back against one-size-fits-all policies, the addition of national carve-outs within programs, and limitations on conservation practices. NACD also calls on Congress to provide strong support for historically underserved producers, tribes, and the development of our nation’s conservation workforce

Livestock show preparation: Biosecurity to prevent/reduce the spread of disease

Spring livestock shows are quickly approaching with summer junior nationals and fall fairs not far behind. Biosecurity should be a priority for exhibitors and their teams before, during and after the show to maintain the health and welfare of the animals shown as well as the herd at home.

Biosecurity is the development and implementation of management procedures to reduce or prevent unwanted diseases from entering the herd or population, as well as limit or prevent the spread of disease within the operation.

“Biosecurity is important at the livestock show because we’re bringing animals from multiple different operations to a single event,” said Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, director of continuing education and beef cattle extension specialist. “We have the chance, although it’s small if we’ve prepared our animals correctly, for the transmission of disease.”

It is important to develop biosecurity plans that are specific to the individual operation and developed in partnership with everyone involved in the care of show animals. These written plans should be reviewed regularly and updated as needed.

Good biosecurity relies upon good animal husbandry and attention to detail. Daily assessments of all animals are necessary. An animal’s attitude, behavior, feed and water intake, fecal output and overall appearance should be noted. Changes in clinical signs and treatments should be documented.

Youth exhibitors should also be taught the value of preventative measures and appropriate animal health and nutrition interventions.