Exceptional Drought Finally Dips Below One Percent In Oklahoma

According to the latest Oklahoma drought monitor, Exceptional drought has improved from last week’s 1.45 percent and is now at .52 percent.

Extreme drought or worse has improved from last week’s 5.85 percent and is now at 4.79 percent.

Severe drought or worse has improved significantly from last week, moving from 25.38 percent to 16.59 percent.

Moderate drought or worse improved from last week’s 49.25 percent to this week’s 41.91 percent.

Abnormally dry or worse conditions worsened, moving from last week’s 65.01 to this week’s 73.21.

According to the 6-10-day precipitation outlook map, the majority of the state is standing at a near-normal chance of precipitation through July 1. The southern border is leaning below a 33 to 40 percent chance through that date.

To view this week's Oklahoma drought numbers, click the Oklahoma drought map above the story.



Midwest Farm Shows is proud to produce the two best Farm Shows in the State of Oklahoma annually- the Tulsa Farm Show each December and the Oklahoma City Farm Show each April.

The Tulsa Farm Show is Oklahoma’s premier agricultural and ranching event- and returns to the SageNet Center (Expo Square) December, 7-8-9, 2023. 



Now is the ideal time to contact the Midwest Farm Show Office at 507-437-7969 and book space at the 2022 Tulsa Farm Show.  To learn more about the Tulsa Farm Show, click here. 



Beef Researcher Matt Spangler Seeks to ID Genetically Superior Beef Cattle 

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am talking about cattle genomics with professor of animal science and extension beef genetics specialist, Dr. Matt Spangler of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“I think genomics does represent an exciting change in the ability to identify genetically superior beef cattle,” Spangler said. “Really, it is a change that has occurred over the past ten to 15 years incrementally.”

Now, Spangler said, producers have the ability to genotype young, non-parent animals and increase the accuracy of those genetic predictions to the same level as if the animals had already had over ten offspring.

“The benefit of that is being able to increase the accuracy of their EPD’s but also decrease the generation interval- that is the average age of the parents when the next generation is born,” Spangler said. “Those two things together allow beef cattle producers to make faster genetic change. I think a challenge or maybe a charge for our industry going forward is really refining what their objectives are.”

For the commercial segment of the cattle industry, Spangler said a big goal would be utilizing the power of genetic technology to garner phenotypes.



“The weights, the actual carcass measurements, fertility measurements, to use back in our genetic evaluation systems to make sure we are continuing to make the next generation of cattle better, and by better, of course I mean producing products that the consumer demands and maintaining profitability through all segments of our industry,” Spangler said.

The Wheat Marketing Year in Review

Final export commitment data for marketing year (MY) 2022/23 that ended May 31 is now available, providing an overview of the year’s export and demand trends.

In this article, we will look back on the MY 2022/23 demand trends and current MY 2023/24 data to provide context for the year to come as the world wheat market conditions continue to recover from the year’s volatility.

Since the start of 2022/23, wheat prices and freight decreased, and currency markets stabilized following the steep price shock of Mr. Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Despite the improved conditions, volatility and its consequences still reverberate through the U.S. and global wheat markets.

MY 2022/23 Year End Commercial Sales

Even with the year’s price risk, when ordinary hard red winter wheat exported from the Gulf of Mexico averaged $10.70/MT FOB, Mexico, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan remained among the top U.S. wheat importers in 2022/23 and have consistently been among the leading importers over the last five years.

As U.S. wheat competitiveness began to improve early in calendar 2023, China entered the market, ultimately surpassing Taiwan to claim the number five spot as their purchases surged 38% above the year prior. Moreover, China became the world’s largest wheat importer with the June World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) putting Chinese wheat imports at a record 14.0 MMT.

This Week on SUNUP is Oklahoma State University Extension grain market economist Kim Anderson. During this week’s edition, Anderson talks about the world crop market and the changes in those markets over the years.

“One factor that we cannot ignore is El Nino and La Nina,” Anderson said. “That is weather patterns that go around the world and determine where crop conditions are good and where crop conditions are bad.”

Anderson talked in depth about how the crop markets have changed over the years, and the involvement of countries such as Russia and China in those world markets. Today, Anderson said, Russia has a large influence on wheat prices.

“Brazil is the number one exporter of corn this year, and they have been the number one exporter and the most important exporter of soybeans,” Anderson said. “Brazil effectively controls the price of beans.”

On the manufacturing side, Anderson said China and India control the markets.

Reports Detailing 2022 National Beef Quality Audit Results Now Available

Approximately every five years, the beef cattle industry undergoes a National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA), funded by the Beef Checkoff, to help determine quality conformance of the U.S. beef supply. Reports detailing 2022 NBQA results are now available at www.bqa.org. The Market Cows and Bulls and Fed Cattle reports outline where the beef supply chain is making positive changes as well as areas for improvement. 

“The NBQA gives us an idea of what we need to be focusing on as an industry,” said Dr. Trey Patterson, CEO of Padlock Ranch and chair of the Beef Quality Assurance Advisory Group. “We can celebrate successes in safety, quality and efficiency and we can challenge ourselves on what we can do better.” 

About a month ago- there was a preview of the 2022 with the agricultural trade media- we had the chance to talk with Dr. Morgan Pfeiffer and Dr. Clay Mathis about the 2022 data a that time- and we have links below to those conversations that we featured in our Beef Buzz segments.

Since 1991, the NBQA provides an understanding of what quality means to the various industry sectors, and the value of those quality attributes. This research helps the industry make modifications necessary to increase the value of its products. 

The findings from the 2022 NBQA serve to improve quality, minimize economic loss, and aid in advancements in producer education for the U.S. beef industry. The 2022 NBQA provides valuable information about the production of live cattle into beef carcasses and serves as a benchmark for the beef industry.

Food Safety is the Main Ingredient to a Successful Cookout

Whether you’re a grill master or a first-time barbecue cook, food safety should always be part of your routine to ensure a healthy and happy Fourth of July.

“Recent USDA consumer behavior studies have shown that individuals don’t always properly wash their hands or use a food thermometer,” said USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Emilio Esteban. “Show your family and friends that you’re a true grill master by cooking food to a safe temperature and washing your hands after handling raw meat and poultry.”

Ensure your food is safe to eat this Fourth of July by following these food safety steps:

Clean: Scrub the grill clean before use. Clean utensils and plates before they touch food. No access to a faucet? Carry bottled water, soap and paper towels. Wash your hands before and after handling raw meat and poultry. Follow proper handwashing steps to stop bacteria from spreading from your hands to your meal. Make sure to wet hands, lather with soap, scrub for 20 seconds, rinse and dry.

Separate: Avoid cross-contamination. Separate raw meat and vegetables by using different cutting boards. Place raw meat or poultry on one plate and cooked meat and poultry on another. Don’t use the same utensils to place raw meat and poultry on the grill and take cooked food off.