Dr. Jayson Lusk Looks Forward to His Return to the OSU Family

Farm Director, KC Sheperd, is visiting with new Vice President and Dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University, Dr. Jayson Lusk.

Dr. Lusk will replace Dr. Thomas Coon and begin his duties early August of 2023. Up until 2017, Lusk said he served 13 years on faculty at OSU spending most of his time looking at consumer demand and food policy issues and studying meat and livestock markets.

“About the last three or four years I was at Oklahoma State, I started getting a lot more involved in public outreach about food and agriculture and engaging the broader public on issues around agricultural productivity and the importance of agricultural science and technology,” Lusk said. “Through some of those conversations, I thought that maybe I could have an opportunity to have a bigger impact if I took on some more administrative roles.”

Lusk said he is looking forward to getting back to OSU and learning what the challenges and needs are from students and faculty. Lusk added he has many goals as he joins the OSU family once again, as he also plans to continue support of projects from Dr. Coon such as the New Frontiers Ag Hall and improving the facilities on campus for students and researchers to better the lives of Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers.



Union Mutual of Oklahoma Turns 85 Years Old

Back in July of 1938 when Union Mutual of Oklahoma was founded, FDR was in the White House, EW Marland was in the Governor’s Mansion, and the Soldiers of Gettysburg were gathering for a reunion on the old battlefield. Union Mutual was born out of necessity in Oklahoma and serves as one of the oldest rural insurance carriers serving only the people of Oklahoma. Union Mutual was created 85 years ago for one purpose, that was and is to serve and protect rural Oklahomans and their property. That mission has bever wavered.

Union Mutual Insurance of Oklahoma 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, “Protection for Oklahomans by Oklahomans.” In poor economic times, in times when national insurance companies either stopped writing or completely left the state, Union Mutual has been there for Oklahomans. Today, Union Mutual writes insurance in all 77 counties of Oklahoma through almost 300 agency locations. These agents provide fast and reliable quotes for most lines of insurance.

Union Mutual of Oklahoma CEO Monica Collison had this to say on the company turning 85 years old. “I am humbled to lead such and extraordinary company and team with the history and legacy of Union Mutual. Union Mutual has stood with rural Oklahoma for 85 solid years and I look forward to helping it for the next 85 years.”

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

Drought Unchanged or Better in All Categories but Abnormally Dry This Week

As we end the month of June and get ready for what may be a hot dry July- three fourths of Oklahoma remains in Abnormally Dry or worse this week. That means a couple of weeks of hot dry weather in our state and things could go downhill fast.

And nationally- there are several states that are actually in worse shape than we are in this latest report. For example- Kansas remains the worse state in the US in terms of drought- 37% is in extreme drought or worse- 60% in severe drought or worse and 85% of Kansas is a moderate drought or worse. The Abnormally dry or worse number for Kansas is 97.7% . Our neighbor Missouri is also hurting- 52.7% is in severe drought or worse- 82% in moderate drought or worse and 94% Abnormally dry or worse.

And then there's Illinois- 58% of that state is severe drought or worse- up 28 percentage points in a single week in that category while 92% of Illinois is in moderate drought or worse this week versus 82 percent a week ago. Nebraska and even Iowa are also dealing with dry weather conditions- although we have friends in Nebraska who got a decent rain in the last day or so.

According to the latest Oklahoma drought monitor, exceptional drought is unchanged from last week at .52 percent.

Extreme drought or worse is also unchanged from last week at 4.79 percent.

Severe drought or worse has improved from last week’s 16.59 percent and is now at 14.26 percent.

Moderate drought or worse has improved from last week’s 41.91 percent and is now at 36.08 percent.

Abnormally dry or worse conditions have worsened since last week, moving from 73.21 percent to 76.94 percent.

According to the 6-10-day precipitation outlook map, the entire state is leaning above a 40 to 50 percent chance of precipitation through July 8.

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

Cattle Industry Policy to Be Discussed at Upcoming OCA Convention and Trade Show

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am back talking with the executive vice president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, Michael Kelsey, with more information about the upcoming Annual OCA Convention and Trade Show.

The OCA’s 71st Annual Convention and Trade Show will be held on July 21st and 22nd in Norman, Oklahoma, at the Embassy Suites Convention Center. 

There may be some discussion at the convention, Kelsey said, over how OCA’s policy fits into policy at the national level. One example of policy discussions at the national level, he added, is increasing the Beef Checkoff at the federal level using the ‘96 commodity checkoffs act.

“The ’96 act is a general commodity checkoff act,” Kelsey said. “It is not specific to any one particular commodity.”

While OCA’s policy is supportive of the Beef Checkoff and increasing the Checkoff, Kelsey said it is not set on using the ’96 act.

“It will be interesting to see where our membership comes into play and comes to rest on that topic as we move into NCBA,” Kelsey said.

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.

“I don’t think the wheat market knows where it wants to go,” Anderson said. “It is just going up, and it is just going down.”

Looking back into early May, Anderson said harvest delivery for wheat was at $6.95, then it moved up to $8.54. In June, Anderson said prices have been between $7.35 and $8.15, averaging at $7.71.

“You have got world production this year projected to be 29.4 billion bushels,” Anderson said. “That is a new record. That is better than last year’s record of 29 billion.”

World ending stocks are sitting at 9.95 billion, which is up from last year’s 9.8 billion, but still below average.

“U.S. total wheat production is at 1.67 billion bushels,” Anderson said. “This is the third year in a row that U.S. wheat stocks have been between 1.6 and 1.7 billion. The average is about 1.8, so still below average.”

There is adequate wheat around the world, Anderson said, but tight stocks in the U.S.

How Summer Prescribed Burns Can Be A Safe And Efficient Way To Regenerate Grazing Lands

As people exercise each day to promote their health, they tear down and use their muscles, so those muscles can grow back stronger. And research shows the more diverse and strategic such exercises are, the better the outcome in building muscle.

In a similar sense, the prescribed burning of native rangelands rejuvenates the land for it to come back stronger than before. Steven Smith, a Noble Research Institute wildlife and fisheries consultant, says it is an excellent tool to restart nature’s clock. When the area grows back, the new growth is not only more nutrient-dense, but it is also more palatable for livestock and wildlife. Burning is also a relatively economical approach to brush management when compared to other options.

A step back in time shows fire was an asset to the land long before prescribed burning became a common management practice. Another history lesson shows not all land is created equal, and different regions require different approaches.

“Very few environments did not have fire occur in some form or fashion,” Smith says. “The difference is the frequency of fire.”

National Wheat Foundation Hosts Wheat Farm Tour

On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, the National Wheat Foundation and Maryland wheat grower Eric Spates, hosted a wheat farm tour for congressional staff and USDA employees. The attendees had the opportunity to explore the farm, witness the wheat harvesting process, and listen to speakers who specialize in the agriculture industry. The discussions centered around crucial topics such as risk management, conservation, pesticide programs, and environmental issues.

“Wheat harvest is an exciting time, no matter if you have experienced it 50 times or have never been in a wheat field before, being here on Spates’ farm to see first-hand the fields and combine running is always a memorable experience, “Bernard Peterson, Chairman of the National Wheat Foundation and a Kentucky farmer. “Wheat accounts for 20% of the calories consumed in the world so it is an extremely important food crop. This tour emphasizes the Foundation’s commitment to educating people about wheat and farming. We are thankful to Spates for having a real farm serve as a classroom during wheat harvest.”

The objectives of the tour were focused on strengthening participants’ appreciation for the intricacies of farming. It aimed to provide firsthand exposure to the meticulous stewardship practices concerning land, water, soil, air usage, and other vital natural resources crucial to the farm’s success.

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