In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am visiting with Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist, Dr. Mark Johnson about the upcoming Cattlemen’s Conference set to take place on May 24-25 in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Cattlemen’s Conference is a type conference based around building and crafting the right kind of cattle. Thirty Five years ago, cattle industry leaders came together and held the Blue Print for the Right Kind of Cattle Conference, focused on building cattle that fit the industry at that given time. Today, the industry has evolved and therefore, our cattle need to do the same.

“It really led us to where we are today to do the best job we could to make improvement in cattle and increase profit potential in beef production,” Johnson said. “We needed to be using EPDs and genetic values for the traits that we could measure objectively.”

The topics to be discussed at the Cattlemen’s Conference, Johnson said, will be broad in scope.

“We are going to address pasture management, dealing with drought, and making our soil plants and beef production systems sustainable long-term,” Johnson said. “We are going to take a look at current trends in the meat packing industry. We are going to take a look at some data that we are collecting right now in terms of what is going on nationally in terms of carcass size and carcass specifications that we get into right now.”



The Oklahoma Agriculture Mediation Program knows this is a hard time for farmers and ranchers. We want you to know we are still open, and we are still here for you. The Ag Mediation program is a free service that provides mediation to agriculture producers who may need help with ag-related disputes.

At Oklahoma Ag Mediation, we have been helping people in agriculture resolve conflicts since 1987. We know firsthand about working together to resolve conflicts, so you don’t have to go through the court systems. Let our professional mediators help you. Mediation is allowed for lease issues, farmer/neighbor disputes, family farm transitions, and more. These services are available at no cost for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers in all 77 counties. For more information, you can go to ok.gov/mediation, or give us a call at 800 248 5465.

According to the latest Oklahoma Drought Monitor report, Exceptional drought in the state has increased from 11.2 percent to 12.8 percent since last week.

Extreme drought or worse has increased slightly from 36.6 percent to 37.3 percent.

Severe drought or worse has decreased from 50.1 percent to 48.5 percent.

Moderate drought or worse has decreased from 59.07 percent to 53.6 percent.

Abnormally dry or worse conditions have also decreased from 65.6 percent to 60.3 percent.

According to the 6-10-day precipitation outlook map, roughly the southeast half of the state is leaning above a 40 to 50 percent chance of precipitation through April 8. Central Oklahoma and further west, including the panhandle and that southwest region is leaning above a 33 to 40 percent chance of precipitation through April 8.

To see the latest Oklahoma drought stats, click the Oklahoma drought map above the story.

Brady Sidwell Emphasizes Importance of Risk Management for Ag Producers

At the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation Spring Seminar, a panel of remarkable speakers came out and had the chance to educate guests on many topics relevant to today’s cattle industry, from operational diversification to protecting your profits.

Associate Farm Editor Reagan Calk had the chance to catch up with Brady Sidwell with Sidwell Strategies, after his presentation, where he talked about the importance of risk management.

With factors such as weather extremes and grain price movements impacting the markets, Sidwell said he does not see any relief for that volatility in those markets happening any time soon.

“Macro forces have been a big factor in commodity markets and cattle markets as of late with everything going on in the banking sector and around the world and geopolitics,” Sidwell said. “For quite some time, we are going to see all these factors continue to influence, and weather extremes continue to influence the cattle market volatility.”

As China has emerged as one of the largest beef importers from the U.S. market, Sidwell said things are becoming more challenging.

“President Xi just came off the national congress and was appointed into an unprecedented third term as president of the country as consolidated power, and then, of course, just getting back from Russia here a week ago,” Sidwell said. “It is clear between partnerships there and potential for some kind of Taiwan aggression, that the border and the emergence of China and kind of the counter to western allies are getting trickier.”

Griswold Cattle Grass to Grid Bull and Female Sale Happens TODAY in Stillwater

Griswold Cattle Company Grass to Grid Bull Sale is TODAY-

Friday- March 31, 2023 at 1:00 PM

The sale is being held at the GRISWOLD CATTLE SALE FACILITY located at 9313 East 6th Avenue in Stillwater, Oklahoma

(Located 7 miles east of the Highways 177 and 51 junction)

Selling 160 Bulls

Angus, SimAngus and MaineAngus

For more information- call John Griswold 405-780-3300

Click here for the Grass to Grid sales information on the Griswold Cattle website- including a link to the Sale Book, videos and Sale Order.

In response to the U.S. Senate passing a resolution to stop the Biden administration’s latest Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, several ag groups have released reactions to this action.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented Thursday on the Senate passage of a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval of the 2023 Waters of the U.S. Rule.

“AFBF applauds Senators for coming together to repeal the 2023 WOTUS rule. Today’s bipartisan vote under the Congressional Review Act follows a similar effort in the House earlier this month. A majority of Congress has now told EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers that this overreaching rule will lead to more uncertainty for America’s farmers and ranchers.

“Farmers and ranchers are committed to protecting the land and water they rely on to grow food for America’s families. Unfortunately, the 2023 WOTUS threatens the progress made to responsibly manage natural resources. We urge President Biden to recognize the concerns from members of both parties and rescind this troubled rule.”

The Biggest Factor Impacting Prices Between Now and Wheat Harvest is Weather, says Kim Anderson

This Week on SUNUP is Oklahoma State University Extension grain market economist Kim Anderson. During this week’s edition, Anderson talks about the latest in the grain markets and prices. 

“If you have been watching crop prices lately, you have probably been pretty bored,” Anderson said. “However, we have had enough moving in the prices to make some farmers nervous.”

Anderson said harvest delivery of wheat in northern Oklahoma around the Medford and Pond Creek area is around $8.00 to $8.20 per bushel. Southern Oklahoma around Snyder, Anderson said, is around $7.90, and the panhandle is around $8.20 to $8.25 per bushel.

Corn can be forward contracted in northern Oklahoma around the Medford and Pond Creek area for around $5.50 per bushel, Anderson said, and in southern Oklahoma around Weatherford, corn is forward contracting for $5.90 per bushel. In the panhandle, it is around $6.30.

Soybeans can be forward contracted in most of Oklahoma for around $12.20, Anderson said, and in the panhandle area for about $11.90.

Dairy Fueling the Field

Over the last couple of years, it has been rare to tune into a college sporting event without mention of the new NCAA name, image and likeness (NIL) policies presenting exciting and unique opportunities for college athletes and brands alike. This monumental shift in the NCAA rules regarding NIL deals is a huge step forward in student athletes rights and an incredible opportunity for brands to target a far-reaching demographic of consumers.

Foundationally, the NIL policies comprise three elements known as “right of publicity” which include name – used to identify and address someone, image- photographs, imagery or videos of someone and likeness – the students’ identity as an athlete that makes them marketable. Already utilizing and seeing success with similar sports partnerships such as Olympic athletes, Fuel Up to Play 60 NFL ambassadors and as the official nutrition partner of the Dallas Cowboys- expanding into college athletes to promote Built w/ Chocolate Milk and other sports nutrition messaging was a natural fit for Dairy MAX.

College athletes present a unique marketing opportunity for Dairy MAX. They are health-conscious, making them the perfect fit to share the many nutritional and recovery benefits of dairy, but are also diverse in many ways, including gender, sport, background, and channels where they share information. This diversity presents more opportunities to partner with female athletes and reach other sports outside of football. Collegiate athletes are also at the perfect age to capture the attention of the Gen Z audience (ages 11-26).

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