Oklahoma's Latest Farm

And Ranch News

Friday, June 30, 2023


We Will Publish Our Email on Monday July 3-

Off on the 4th and Back Again on Wednesday

Howdy Neighbors!

Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update. 

 

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


  • Drought Unchanged or Better in All Categories but One This Week


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


  • Oklahoma State and 12 other Schools Leave Tuition Unchanged for the Coming Academic Year


  • World Wheat Production Projected at Record Levels While U.S. Sees Tight Stocks


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


  • National Wheat Foundation Hosts Wheat Farm Tour



  • More Stories for Your Weekend Reading


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.

Click here to read more and listen to KC and  Dr. Jayson Lusk talk about his return to OSU 
Sponsor Spotlight



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.

Click here for the US Drought Monitor Map- Interactive so you can look at drought by state or even by county

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.

Click here to read more and listen to Michael Kelsey talk about the upcoming annual OCA Convention and Trade Show
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For our farmers who have either- always have had cotton on their farms- or those who have more recently have added the fiber crop to their operations- we have a daily report heard on several of our Radio Stations- It's Called Cotton Talk!

Click on the Button below to listen to our most recent report
Click here for our Latest Cotton Talk- Hosted by KC Sheperd


Oklahoma State and 12 other Schools Leave Tuition Unchanged for the Coming Academic Year

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education today set tuition and mandatory fee levels for Oklahoma’s public colleges and universities. Tuition and mandatory fees for resident undergraduate students in 2023-24 will not increase at 13 institutions across the state system of higher education. For in-state undergraduate students, tuition and mandatory fees will increase an average of 1.5% statewide for the 2023-24 academic year.


“Keeping higher education affordable for the students we serve is a responsibility the State Regents take very seriously,” said State Regents’ chair Michael C. Turpen. “Oklahomans are impacted by inflation and other economic challenges, and the State Regents work to balance their needs with the operating requirements of our colleges and universities, who must maintain academic quality and student support services to continue building our state’s educated workforce.”


On average, a full-time Oklahoma undergraduate college student will pay $97.20 more for tuition and mandatory fees in 2023-24.


“Our top priority as a state system is strengthening Oklahoma’s workforce while empowering individual Oklahomans to achieve their dreams,” said Chancellor Allison D. Garrett. “Our higher education institutions are working to implement the bold goals outlined in Blueprint 2030, our new strategic plan. Oklahoma’s public colleges and universities remain among the most affordable in the nation.”

Click here to read more about tuition and mandatory fees for resident undergraduate students in 2023-24

We invite you to listen to us on great radio stations across the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network weekdays-

if you missed this morning's Farm News - or you are in an area where you can't hear it- click below for this morning's Farm news from Ron Hays and KC Sheperd on RON.
Listen to our Friday Farm and Ranch News with KC Sheperd
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Sponsor Spotlight



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

 

World Wheat Production Projected at Record Levels While U.S. Sees Tight Stocks

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.

Click here to listen to Kim Anderson and see the lineup for this week on SUNUP

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.”

Click here to read more about how summer prescribed burns can help regenerate grazing lands

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.

Click here to read more about the wheat farm tour for congressional staff and USDA employees

More Stories for Your Weekend Reading

Mullin it Over Column – “Joe Biden Must Get Tough on China”
Registration open for OSU beekeeping workshop
Beltway Beef Podcast: Conversations with Cooksley: Rancher Perspective from Nebraska
FFA Members Prepare for Careers in Power, Structure, Technical Pathways
NCBA Files Legal Motion to Strike Down Biden WOTUS Rule
Biden Administration Partners with Agricultural Producers to Promote Competition, Strengthen Food Supply Chain and Rural Economies
Bill Bullard Commentary, “Cheap Imports: Death Knell for the West”
Robotics in agriculture: Solinftec robot that reduces up to 90% of herbicides will have a website for a waiting list
2023 Post-Election Audits Show Accuracy of Oklahoma’s Voting System
Don’t Repeat Plant-Based Mistakes with Lab-Produced Fake ‘Milk’
NAWG Hires New Government Relations Representative (An OSU Grad!)
The Top-Searched Foods to Grill in Every State
Swine Vets Lobby for Foreign Animal Disease Funding in 2023 Farm Bill
Let's Check The Markets!
OKC West is our Market Links Sponsor- they sell cattle three days a week- Cows on Mondays, Stockers on Tuesday and Feeders on Wednesday- Call 405-262-8800 to learn more.
Today's First Look:
Ron on RON Markets as heard on K101  
mornings with cash and futures reviewed- includes where the Cash Cattle market stands, the latest Feeder Cattle Markets Etc.
Hear Today's First Look

Wholesale Boxed Beef Prices were higher- Choice Beef was up 15 cents and Select Beef was up 50 cents on Thursday 06/29/2023.


Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News

Boxed Beef Report

Weekly Cattle Auction Reports


The buttons below allow you to check out the weekly Cattle Auctions in the region that we post on our website and here in our daily email update.


The markets below- except for Woodward- will be closed all of this coming week- their next sales are the week of July 10th.

Oklahoma National Stockyards Market Report from June 26, 2023
Oklahoma National Cow and Bull Replacement Sale from June 27, 2023
Tulsa Stockyards on Monday June 26, 2023 
Joplin Regional Stockyards Market from Monday June 26, 2023
OKC West in El Reno Market Report from June 27 and 28, 2023
Woodward Livestock from Thursday June 29, 2023- NO USDA Market News Report Available as of Friday morning- They were expecting about 2,000 head on Thursday- will post details of actual sale on Monday 7/3/23
Okla Cash Grain:  
Daily Oklahoma Cash Grain Prices- as reported by the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture- The report available after the close of the Futures Trade for that day.
Read  Cash Grains Report from 06/29/2023
Our Daily Market Wrapup from the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network - analyzing the Futures Markets for that trading day- as reported by KC Sheperd.
Click to Listen to Our Weekday Wrap with KC
Slaughter Cattle Recap: 
The National Daily Slaughter Cattle Summary- as prepared by the USDA Market News
Read Report
TCFA Feedlot Recap:  
Finally, here is the Daily Volume and Price Summary from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
Read Report
Our Oklahoma Farm Report Team!!!!
 
Ron Hays, Senior Farm/Ranch Broadcaster and Editor
 
KC Sheperd, Farm Director and Editor

Dave Lanning, Markets and Production

Reagan Calk, Farm News and Email Editor

Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager

Rural Oklahoma is full of some of the greatest success stories throughout the entire state and is a big reason why Oklahoma is on track to become a top 10 state. 


The Road to Rural Prosperity dives into these stories, bringing you stories covering rural life, agriculture, energy, healthcare, tourism, and politics affecting rural America. 


The Road to Rural Prosperity is here to tell stories about rural America, for rural America.

Since the legalization of Medical Marijuana in Oklahoma with State Question 788- criminals have flocked to the state to set up illegal grow houses because of cheap permits, cheap land and lax rules allowing them to get into the business of growing marijuana in Oklahoma- supposedly for the in state Medical Marijuana market.


Ron Hays talks with Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics spokesman Mark Woodward about how these enterprises have invaded Oklahoma- the magnitude of the current problem and how the state is pushing back on thousands of bad people who have set up shop in the state- with the hope to reduce the number of these operations dramatically in the days to come. It's a huge problem all across rural Oklahoma but Woodward believes progress is being made to reign in these illegal marijuana farms.


Search for Road to Rural Prosperity and subscribe on your favorite Podcast platform.


To hear this podcast, you can click here or tap below:

Listen to Episode 85 with Ron Hays talking Criminals in Oklahoma Growing Marijuana with Mark Woodward of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics
Listen to Ron
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