August exports of U.S. pork were steady year-over-year, led by another tremendous performance in Mexico, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports were well below the large totals posted in August 2022 but showed improvement over July results. 

August pork exports totaled 226,519 metric tons (mt), steady with last year, while export value fell 1.5% to $649.5 million. Through the first eight months of 2023, pork exports were 11% above last year’s pace at 1.91 million mt, valued at $5.32 billion (up 9%).

“I cannot say enough about Mexico’s remarkable demand for U.S. pork and the critical revenue these exports drive for the U.S. industry,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “But the story of this year’s export growth extends well beyond Mexico, as demand is climbing in other Western Hemisphere destinations and the U.S. industry is also achieving gains in several Asia-Pacific markets.” 

August beef exports totaled 109,000 mt, down 19% from last year – when export volume was the second highest on record – but a 6% increase over July. Export value was $883.9 million, down 15% year-over-year but 9% above July. For January through August, beef exports trailed last year’s record pace by 12% in volume (881,343 mt) and 19% in value ($6.69 billion). 



The vision of the Oklahoma Beef Council is to be a positive difference for Oklahoma's farming and ranching families and the greater beef community, and its mission is to enhance beef demand by strengthening consumer trust and exceeding consumer expectations. 

To learn more, visit www.oklabeef.org. Also, don't forget to like its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/oklabeef for stories on Oklahoma's ranching families and great beef recipes. 

And Check out this video below that helps you learn more about the Beef Checkoff- It's the latest Drive in Five.

Risks and Rewards of Planting Late-Season Corn with OSU’s Josh Lofton

At the Shantz Farm Field Day in Hydro, Okla., Associate Farm Editor Reagan Calk caught up with Oklahoma State University Extension Cropping System Economist Josh Lofton and talked about this year’s late-season corn.

Lofton spoke about some late-season corn grown in Hydro at the field day and described this type of corn as a risk-reward scenario.

“Inherently, when we plant these later systems, they are always risky systems because they are outside of what we normally do,” Lofton said. “However, the reward is often there, because in a lot of our double crop and a lot of our late season, we are typically in a lot better environmental conditions.”

If producers have never planted late corn, Lofton said they need to be prepared for southern rust disease. While southern rust is common in corn, Lofton said it usually comes when the corn is mature enough not to see yield limitations.

“As opposed to last year, we are seeing a little bit more spike of the southern rust than we did last year,” Lofton said.

The hot and dry September had an impact on this year’s crop as well, Lofton said.

Beef Checkoff Research Shows Positive Impact of Beef on Diabetes and More

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am back visiting with the Executive Director of Nutrition Research at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Dr. Shalene McNeill, talking about beef nutrition research.

“We want to build on some great research builds that we have had, even over the past few years,” McNeill said. “Now, more state beef councils are investing in research because they see the importance as well as what we are doing with the national checkoff.”

In the last six months, McNeill said the Beef Checkoff has completed two big studies.

“One is getting back to the dietary guidelines showing that today, Americans are eating beef within the recommendations of the dietary guidelines,” McNeill said. “In other words, we don’t have to cut back on our beef intake to fit and meet the dietary guidelines.”

The second research study released, McNeill said, was focused on diabetes.

“We actually showed that regular beef eating as part of a healthy and balanced high-protein diet reversed some of the symptoms of diabetes,” McNeill said. “You can eat a higher protein diet, you can have great health benefits, you can reverse some of the symptoms of diabetes…”

State agriculture commissioners, secretaries and directors each lead departments and programs unique to their state. Yet, they all play a role in advocating for farmers and agricultural businesses while protecting the people of their state. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) recently interviewed Oklahoma Agriculture Secretary Blayne Arthur as part of its Work In Ag series to gain insights into the vital role that the chief state agricultural officers play in promoting and advancing farmers and the food system within their respective states.

Arthur says one of her main goals in her position is to boost prospects for local producers and businesses.

“One of the primary goals here in my function at the department of agriculture is to increase opportunities for our ‘Made in Oklahoma’ companies which are our local producers – and that could be everything from beef producers to folks who are making salsa or jellies or jams,” Arthur said.

She shared that this includes expanding market opportunities for them, not only domestically, but also internationally. Branding Oklahoma products for consumers who are paying more attention to where their food comes from not only supports local farmers, but also stimulates the state’s economy.

Native Pecan Field Day October 10 to Host Variety of Speakers and Demonstrations

Farm Director, KC Sheperd, is talking with Oklahoma State University Associate Fruit and Pecan Extension Specialist, Becky Carroll, about the upcoming 2023 Native Pecan Field Day on October 12 at Leon Bailey’s Pecan Farm in Okfuskee County from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

While registration begins at 2:30 p.m., Carroll said the event kicks off at 3 p.m.

Anyone can attend the event, but registration is required by October 10, since dinner will be provided. It is recommended to bring a lawn chair and plan to stay for dinner at the grove at the conclusion of the field day.

Carroll said pecans are one of Oklahoma’s biggest commodities. Oklahoma is one of the top native pecan producers in the nation, and around 75 percent of Oklahoma’s total pecan production is native pecans.

“We produce, on average, about 17 million pounds of pecans each year,” Carroll said. “It varies greatly because pecans are called alternate-bearing plants, so they may have a big crop one year and not much the next.”

October is National Farm to School Month

October is National Farm to School Month! Join us and thousands of schools, early care and education sites, farms, communities, and organizations across the country as we celebrate food education, school gardens and lunch trays filled with healthy, local ingredients. 

At the core, farm to school is built for and by communities, with all of us working together to cultivate a better future for us all. Farm to school brings together a community of individuals across sectors, generations, and interests—farmers, parents, students, advocates, teachers, food service workers, and lawmakers—who all share a common vision of an abundant, nourishing, and equitable food system.

Throughout October, our activities will be focused on celebrating achievements, sharing stories of collaboration and community, and highlighting progress toward racial equity in farm to school, so that we can continue to grow stronger, together.

September 2023 Gross Receipts for the State of Oklahoma

Gross Receipts to the state Treasury for the past 12 months outpace the prior year’s revenue in September. While the downward trend from the March record annual high of $17.64 billion continues, the 12-month total of $17.14 billion is still $110.66 million or 0.6 percent higher than the previous year’s revenues. The September receipts of $1.475 billion were $225 million or 18 percent more than the $1.25 billion generated in August. When comparing this as a single month to last September, the revenue totals show a drop of $113.6 million or 7.1 percent. This monthly comparison shows the Gross Production Tax component, which are receipts from energy sources, fell from $184.7 million to $93.4 million, a decrease of $91.3 million or 49.4 percent.

Other Indicators: The U.S. jobless rate rose to 3.8 percent in August, up by 0.3 percent from the previous month. Oklahoma’s unemployment rate also had a modest increase for the month ending at 2.8 percent, up by 0.1 percent in August. As measured by the Consumer Price Index, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the annual inflation rate rose in August to 3.7 percent. The energy component of the index still showed a decline over the year, dropping 3.6 percent, but the food index remained higher than the overall inflation rate, ending the month at 4.3 percent. Regional economic trends continue to indicate cautious optimism. The Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index for the nine-state region increased from 49.5 to 52.5 in September, rising above growth neutral. The Oklahoma component of the index showed solid improvement in September, growing to 53.7 from 46.9 the previous month.