According to the latest Oklahoma drought monitor, Exceptional drought is unchanged from last week at 1.45 percent.

Extreme drought or worse has improved from last week’s 9 percent and is now at 5.85 percent.

Severe drought or worse has improved significantly from last week, moving from 35.72 percent to 25.38 percent this week.

Moderate drought or worse improved slightly from last week’s 50.56 percent and is now at 49.25 percent.

Abnormally dry or worse conditions worsened slightly, moving from last week’s 64.59 percent to this week’s 65.01 percent.

According to the 6-10-day precipitation outlook map, the panhandle through central Oklahoma is leaning above a 33 to 40 percent chance of precipitation through June 24. The remaining part of the state, further east, including the northeast corner and southeast corner, is standing at a near-normal chance of precipitation through that date.

Click the Oklahoma drought map above the story to see this week's drought numbers.



Union Mutual was chartered in 1938 to write property and casualty insurance in the state of Oklahoma. Over the years, Union Mutual has maintained the attitude that started the company and continue to be that company that understands Oklahomans’ insurance needs when they contact any member of the UMIC team.

That’s 83 years of protecting rural Oklahomans, providing town and country, poultry house and legacy rural actual cash value policies.

With over 80 years of experience and 300 agents in all 77 Oklahoma Counties to serve you, it’s time to take a good hard look at Union Mutual Insurance Company.

For the agent nearest you, go to unionmutualic.com or give them a call at 405 286-7703.

Dean Tom Coon Reflects on His Time at Oklahoma State University as His Retirement Approaches

Farm Director, KC Sheperd, is talking with the vice president and dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Dr. Thomas Coon, about his upcoming retirement.

Looking back on his career over the years, Coon talked about the journey that led him to Oklahoma State University.

“I was on the faculty at the University of Missouri early in my career, went to Michigan State, was there 25 years, had served as extension director for nine years, and qualified for retirement there,” Coon said. “Our kids were out of high school, they were in college, and OSU came knocking.”

Passing up retirement from Michigan State, Coon said he chose to take the step and join the OSU family.

“They decided they wanted to give me a try, and the rest is history,” Coon said.

One of the things that stuck out to Coon about OSU agriculture, he said, was the overwhelming support and positive attitude from the faculty, students, alumni, and those that OSU agriculture serves.

Ranchers Must Step Up to the Plate as Animal Rights Extremists Increase Pressure

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am talking with South Dakota rancher and animal agriculture advocate, Amanda Radke about the threats animal rights groups pose to agriculture.

At the Livestock Marketing Association’s annual convention, Radke gave a presentation about how to tackle these issues and stay protected in the livestock industry.

“These animal rights activists and environmental extremists are dedicated to attacking us through lobbying, legislation, litigation, and media campaigns,” Radke said. “They are relentless.”

Radke said there are many organizations, including but not limited to PETA, HSUS and ASPCA, that have mastered appealing to people’s emotions to check off goals on their agendas.

“Most of us in agriculture are just trying to do what needs to be done,” Radke said. “Take care of the land and the livestock and feed people.”

Rough Weather Afternoon/Night- Hail and Tornadoes in Oklahoma and Texas Panhandle- 3 Dead in Perryton

According to reports from KVII TV in Amarillo- at least three people are dead and 75-100 injured after multiple tornadoes hit Perryton- a town in the northeast corner of the Texas Panhandle. Perryton is 7 miles south of the Oklahoma state line- due south of Beaver County- and about 80 miles due west of Woodward.

Perryton Fire Chief Paul Dutcher says one of those killed was in a mobile home park that took a "direct hit" from a tornado.

Dutcher said at least 30 trailers were damaged or destroyed.

One of our radio affiliates is KXDJ FM in Perryton- Chris Samples with the station has reported that they are on auxiary power as most of the town was without power after the storms plowed through.

In Oklahoma- reports of tornadoes and huge hail in Lawton(pic above is a storm seen near Pumpkin Center in Comanche County- from the KSWO TV Facebook page)

News9 reports that there was also a tornado that touched down near Shattuck in northwest Oklahoma.

Golf ball to baseball sized hail has been reported in many locations- let us know how you have fared in these latest storms that have hit our region.

The Mesonet graphic below is a snapshot at 4:30 this morning of the past 24 hours showing statewide rainfall- we have it linked to the Mesonet website so you can look realtime on a location by location basis.

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.

Wheat prices have been moving around quite a bit this week, Anderson said, and finally stabilized. Anderson said he does not see that stability lasting very long.

“We are back down around $7.45 for harvest-delivered wheat,” Anderson said.

World wheat production is at a record 29.4 billion bushels, Anderson said, coming from a 29-billion-bushel record last year.

“We have lots of wheat around the world, so you look back at that price and it indicates to me there is some downside pressure there,” Anderson said.

Russia has plenty of wheat to put on the export market, Anderson said, which puts pressure on prices.

Farm Bureau Continues to Advance Farmers’ Right to Repair

The American Farm Bureau Federation signed a memorandum of understanding with CLAAS of America, providing even more farmers and ranchers the right to repair their own farm equipment. The MOU follows similar agreements AFBF entered with John Deere, CNH Industrial Brands (which includes Case IH and New Holland), AGCO and Kubota. Combined, the five MOUs cover approximately three quarters of the agricultural machinery sold in the United States.

“The memorandum of understanding with CLAAS demonstrates AFBF’s continued commitment to ensure farmers have access to the tools they need to keep their farms running, and America’s families fed,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Farmers and ranchers are more dependent on technology than ever before and they asked us to find a private-sector solution to the right to repair issue. This agreement is another step toward guaranteeing timely repairs for farmers regardless of the equipment they use.”

Eric Raby, senior vice president, Americas, for CLAAS said, “CLAAS is delivering on our continuing promise to provide solutions that improve our customers’ businesses, as their success and our success go hand in hand. We are pleased to announce our MOU with AFBF solidifying for farmers the right to repair.”

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills QB, Kicks offStar- studded Line-up on Like a Farmer Series

Josh Allen is a household name best known for his touchdowns on Sunday nights—but he’s also a farmer.

That’s the premise behind the new Like a Farmer video series, presented by AgAmerica, available on all major streaming platforms and YouTube starting today.

“We’re missing targeted programming for the backbone of the American economy—farmers! There isn’t anything out there focused on showcasing all the different people who not only have a passion for agriculture and land ownership but take an active role in it. –Pat Spinosa, Like a Farmer host.

During its pilot season, Like A Farmer will host big names, who you might know for their contributions to country music, pop culture, or sports. But what most viewers might not know about is each guest’s passion for agriculture.

Since his roots growing up on a cattle and citrus farm, series host, Pat Spinosa, has had a particular passion for shining a light on the American farmer. He hopes that by showcasing household names who share his passion for rural America, he can help celebrate the American farmer and educate the American people about the importance of the heartland of our nation.

In the premiere episode, Josh Allen equates training for the Bills opening season with his hard-earned grit growing up on his family farm.

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