The 41st annual Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO) fall land lease auctions will begin October 9, 2023 in Boise City and conclude October 19, 2023 in Shawnee. Over 500 tracts in 36 counties will be available for lease at the eight auctions.

All leases are for a term of five years unless otherwise indicated. Detailed lists of available tracts, including minimum bids required, are available online at www.clo.ok.gov. You can also get details on the leases to be auctioned by clicking here for the CLO Brochure. Visit the agriculture real estate auction page and sign up for email updates to stay informed of auction specifics. The leases are suitable for a variety of agricultural and recreational uses and generate revenue that goes directly to Oklahoma education.

Statewide, over 750,000 acres are actively managed by the Commissioners of Land Office, and revenue generated from lease auctions is distributed to Oklahoma schools and universities. In Fiscal Year 2021, over $116 million was distributed to Oklahoma education beneficiaries.

Common schools do not have any restrictions on how the Land Office dollars are used and may be used for everything from teachers’ salaries to bus maintenance and expense. Higher education is required to use the funds for capital improvements, which could include anything from maintenance to funding for new buildings or dormitories.



Oklahoma AgCredit supports rural Oklahoma with reliable and consistent credit, today and tomorrow. We offer loans for land, livestock, equipment, operating costs and country homes (NMLSR #809962) to farmers, ranchers and rural businesses across 60 counties. As a cooperative, we are owned by the members we serve. Through our Patronage Program, we have returned more than $74 million to our members since 1997.

For more information on our services or to find a location near you, visit our website here.



Extreme Drought or Worse up from Last Week, While Moderate Drought Looks Better

According to the latest Oklahoma Drought Monitor, Exceptional Drought remains at zero percent, unchanged for the past few weeks.

Extreme drought or worse is now at 14.34, up from last weeks, 12.91 percent.

Severe drought or worse is now at 32.40 percent, up from last week’s 30.93 percent.

Moderate drought or worse is slightly better now at 45.30 percent, improved from last week’s 46.76 percent.

Abnormally dry or worse conditions are now at 63.29 percent, improved from last week’s 65.71 percent.

According to the 6-10 Day Precipitation Outlook Map, most of the panhandle and southwestern Oklahoma is leaning below a 40 to 50 percent chance of precipitation through October 14. The rest of the state is leaning below a 40 to 50 percent chance of precipitation through October 14.

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

Maximizing Value of Cull Cows with Derrell Peel

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am talking with Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist Dr. Derrell Peel about the cull cow market and more.

“The cull cow market has moved higher this year just like all the other cattle markets,” Peel said.

A cull cow of average quality, Peel said, is bringing around $1.08 to $1.10 per pound depending on dressing percentage.

“We had record beef production in 2022 that was based on slaughter, which was driven by the drought liquidation that we had, so we were sort of pulling inventories down and pulling cattle forward because we marketed calves early and so on,” Peel said.



Now, Peel said, steer slaughter is down, and heifer slaughter is down as well, but at a slower pace.

“Beef cow slaughter is down significantly this year at about 13 percent,” Peel said. “Dairy cow slaughter is the only class of cattle that is actually up on a year-over-year basis, so you have to look over into the dairy market to explain that.”

Year-to-date, Peel said total cattle slaughter is down about 3.9 percent for the year so far.

This Week on SUNUP is Oklahoma State University Extension grain market economist Kim Anderson. During this week’s edition, Anderson talks about commodity prices.

Anderson said wheat prices are at $6.25 in the Pond Creek area and around $6.35 in the panhandle. Wheat harvest is expected to be around the same as last year at about 69 million bushels, Anderson added.

As for where wheat prices will end up, Anderson said it is not likely for prices to go lower than $3 or above $13 dollars, but it is not impossible either.

Looking at the 2024 harvest prices, Anderson said right now, wheat producers can forward contract for $6.25.

“If you look from harvest to harvest, from year to year, the average change is $1.26, and the average price in Pond Creek has been $7.45, so that gives you a range of $6.20 to $8.70 for next year,” Anderson said. “We are at $6.25 right now, so we are already at the bottom of that.”

Anderson said that based on history in Oklahoma, most producers will get a higher average price for their wheat if they will sell during the June to August period.

Weakening Crop Prices and High Production Costs Weigh on Farmer Sentiment

Agricultural producers’ sentiment declined for the second month in a row during September as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell 9 points to a reading of 106. Producers expressed concern about both their current situation as well as future prospects for their farms. The Current Conditions and Futures Expectations Indicesboth declined 10 points in September leaving the Current Conditions Index at a reading of 98 while the Future Expectations Index stood at 109. Weakening prices for major crops and ongoing concerns about high production costs and interest rates weighed on producers’ minds this month. September’s declines left all three indices below year-ago levels. This month’s Ag Economy Barometer survey was conducted from September 11-15, 2023.

The Farm Financial Performance Index was unchanged in September compared to August, leaving the index at a reading of 86. Although the index didn’t change, there was a shift in responses to the question the index is based upon, with fewer producers reporting that they expect financial performance to be about the same as last year. In a nod to how variable conditions have been around the country this growing season, there were small increases in the percentages of producers who 1) expect better conditions and 2) expect worse financial conditions compared to last year.

New John Deere 1 Series Round Balers Are Fast and Efficient While Capturing Important Bale Data

John Deere’s new 1 Series Round Balers help farmers ensure optimal moisture levels and consistent bale weights are maintained in every field, in every windrow and with every bale.

The 1 Series features innovative Bale Doc technology to document bale moisture and weight in near real time. That data can then flow into the John Deere Operations Center for post-harvest analysis. After analysis is completed, farmers can make informed decisions about nutrient management or use the data to help get the best prices possible for their bales, or to reduce fertilizer costs.

“No matter what the size of your operation, John Deere offers a 1 Series Round Baler that delivers consistent, high-quality round bales,” said Chase Milem, marketing manager for John Deere. “Operators can see in real time what the moisture levels are of the bales they are making, right from the cab. This is information farmers can use to decide if they need to stop baling for the day, or whether they should apply a preservative like John Deere GREEN-GARD.”

More Stories for Your Weekend Reading