It turned out to be a quick trip to Oklahoma City for the State Legislature- as Governor Kevin Stitt held a news conference but decided not to make a public appearance at the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee meeting held on Tuesday morning.

By mid afternoon- Senate Leader Greg Treat announced on the Senate floor “But with the governor not answering the call and showing up in special session in the Appropriations and Budget Committee for a session he called and (for which he) still has not articulated a plan, I will, Mr. President, move that when the clerk’s desk is clear, the second extraordinary session of the 59th Legislature adjourn sine die.”

It seems like the Governor and the Senate leadership are mostly talking to each other through the media- Governor Stitt held a news conference in the morning instead of appearing before the Senate Committee and Senate Leader Treat held a News Conference after he had told the Senators to go home.

Standing with the Governor at that News Conference was House Speaker Charles McCall of Atoka- who told Non Doc after the news conference “I think what the governor is really asking for is he wants a quarter-percent cut,” said McCall. “At this point, this is the fourth session that we’ve talked about this -counting two constitutionals and now two specials - put it up for a vote. I mean, just let the chips fall where they are. If the Senate doesn’t want it, then the issue is closed. But as of now, only the House has voted on this stuff.”

Democratic Leaders for the Senate Kay Floyd offered a statement in and around the Special Session but on the GOP side- only State Senator (and rancher)Warren Thompson of McCurtain released a statement saying “I am disappointed that we adjourned from special session without providing tax relief to Oklahomans. We have put historic amounts in state savings, and it is time to give back to hard-working taxpayers. "



National Livestock was founded in 1932 in Oklahoma City. National’s Marketing Division offers cattle for sale weekly at the Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City. The Finance Division lends money to ranchers across several states for cattle production. The Grazing Division works with producers to place cattle for grazing on wheat or grass pastures. 

National also owns and operates other livestock marketing subsidiaries including Southern Oklahoma Livestock Auction in Ada, Oklahoma, OKC West Livestock Market in El Reno, Oklahoma, and the nation’s premier livestock video sale, Superior Livestock Auction. National offers customers many services custom made for today’s producer. To learn more, click here for the website or call the Oklahoma City office at 1-800-310-0220.

Severe Weather, Cooler Temps and Rain are all In the Forecast this Week

It looks like we might actually see some fall temperatures this week, and also the possibility of rain, but as we know, in Oklahoma, when we get rain, there is a chance we will see a threat of severe weather.

State Climatologist Gary McManus says we will see the possibility of large hail, a slight tornado risk, and possible flash floods.

“It appears the severe hail is a big threat," McManus said. "Somebody’s gonna get 3-5 inches of rain, and somebody else close to them is gonna get a half-inch. But flash flooding is a big concern over the next couple of days.”

Looking at the forecast, there is some chance of severe weather throughout the state through this evening, and then we could see much cooler temps on the horizon.

McManus says we will see almost 'winter-like' temps as the weekend rolls in.

Those fall-like temps will be welcome as it has been hot the past few weeks, with most of the state still showing 80s and 90s. McManus says we may even have our first freeze on the horizon.

Woodward Livestock Auction Under New Ownership- Grand Reopening This Thursday

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am featuring comments from Farm Director KC Sheperd’s interview with the new owner of the Woodward Livestock Auction, Ben Hale. 

For the last 23 years, the Woodward Livestock Auction has been owned and operated by Jerry Nine. Now, Nine has sold the auction to Hale and his family. Hale also operates the Western Livestock Commission at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and the Comanche Livestock Auction with his family.

“About three years ago, we bought one in Knoxville, Iowa as well that we still operate,” Hale said.

During the regular sale day this Thursday, October 5, Hale said there will be a special re-grand opening for the Woodward Livestock Auction.

“Just to do an official kick-off, you know, ribbon cutting to tell everybody we are glad we are there, appreciate the business, and look forward to many years of doing the same thing,” Hale said.

Hale said this is an exciting opportunity to expand his family’s footprint in the cattle industry further in the state. Hale is grateful to have the chance to work in this business with his family, he said, as his children play an integral role in operating.

The National Sorghum Producers board of directors re-elected officers and a new director at its annual board and budget meeting in August. Craig Meeker of Wellington, Kansas, will serve a second term as chair, Amy France of Scotty City, Kansas, will continue to serve as vice chair and Kody Carson of Olton, Texas, retains his position as past chair.

“This executive leadership team has represented sorghum farmers exceptionally well this past year, and we look forward to following their leadership through 2024,” NSP CEO Tim Lust said. “As we near more concentrated farm bill debate and other issues pressing sorghum farmers and the industry, Craig, Amy and Kody serve as a shining example of dedication and expertise, guiding us toward a more prosperous and sustainable future for sorghum in the United States. Our industry is fortunate to have them at the helm of this industry during this important time.”

Importance of Reproductive Efficiency with Mark Johnson

Mark Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist, offers herd health advice as part of the weekly series known as the “Cow Calf Corner” published electronically by Dr. Peel, Mark Johnson, and Paul Beck. Today, Johnson talks about reproductive efficiency.

If beef production was perfect, all our cows and heifers would get pregnant in the first 21 days of breeding season, calve unassisted about 9 – 9 ½ months later and wean off a calf weighing 50% of their mature weight about 6 – 7 months after calving. Our cattle would be living in symbiosis with nature so that the cattle, the soil and the plants grazed in our production environment were all healthy, vigorous and productive. Cows highest nutritional requirements (at peak lactation) would occur when our forage was of the highest quality and post-weaning, our dry cows would be grazing our mature or dormant forage when they have their lowest nutritional requirements of the annual production cycle. The cows would seldom vary from a body condition scores (BCS) of 5.5 – 6.

The reality that beef production is not perfect and the “ideals” listed above are seldom achievable on a herd-wide basis, should never be considered an acceptable excuse to accept less than those standards. Selection, nutrition, herd health and parasite control, proper stocking rates and range management all impact the Percent Calf Crop Weaned. And while we manage according to what is practical and economically feasible, we need to remain steadfast and relentless in our pursuit of a 100% calf crop weaned and breeding females weaning off the highest possible percentage of their mature weight. Why? Because in cow-calf production systems, the source of the initial product in the beef production chain, few traits (if any) outweigh the economic importance of Percent Calf Crop Weaned. Breeding females that are open at the end of breeding season or fail to carry a pregnancy to term and produce a live calf, and calves that die between birth and weaning are a drain on the profit potential of any operation.

Building Hereford’s Successful Future

“Being a young producer in the breed, this is a really important time to get a broad perspective on what the industry is doing as a whole and all of the different dynamics within the Hereford breed,” says Jacob Rausch, Rausch Herefords, Hoven, S.D. “That way, when I’m back home at my operation, I’m taking all of those things into consideration. I’m not getting tunnel vision or pigeonholing myself. It’s going to create an opportunity for more success.”

Rausch was one of six young Hereford breeders selected to attend the American Hereford Association’s (AHA) first Seedstock Academy, an intensive week-long opportunity in September to learn more about current beef industry dynamics, to network and share ideas with other seedstock and commercial producers.

“As a young breeder, it’s exciting to see what we can do to further improve this breed. It’s been really nice to branch off and see the different environments people operate in, but all come together and talk about the value of Hereford cattle throughout the United States,” says Shayne Wiese, Wiese and Sons, Manning, Iowa. “The connections alone, and the camaraderie has been outstanding. Also, getting a crash course into a lot of these Association programs is very, very helpful to me.”

“It is a really great learning experience, not just for what we can do better every day, but how we can think through things and make things better for the long term,” says Emilee Holt, NJW Polled Herefords, Decker, Mont. “The Seedstock Academy multiplied a normal learning experience by 10. The people you were surrounded with multiplied that times another five.”