Farm Director, KC Sheperd, caught up with extension specialist at Oklahoma State University, Brent Ladd, and talked about the Rural Economic Outlook Conference coming up on October 11 at the OSU Alumni Center in Stillwater, Okla.

The event will kick off at 8 a.m. with breakfast and registration, includes a catered lunch at noon, and will wrap up around 3:30 p.m.

“Once again, we have a great lineup of speakers,” Ladd said. “We always have a couple of outside keynote speakers, and we also have a couple of faculty (members) within the ag econ department speak as well."

Some of the speakers aside from OSU faculty include Bart Fischer of Texas A&M University, and KKTV 11 News Chief Meteorologist in Colorado Springs, Brian Bledsoe.

Among speakers from OSU staff, Ladd said Dr. Derrell Peel will be speaking on drought and cattle, Dr. Kellie Raper will be giving a department research update, Dr. Kim Anderson will be speaking on the grain markets, Dr. Amy Hagerman will be speaking on 2023 Farm Bill impacts, and Dr. Rodney Jones will give an ag economic outlook.



The Oklahoma Agriculture Mediation Program knows this is a hard time for farmers and ranchers. We want you to know we are still open, and we are still here for you. The Ag Mediation program is a free service that provides mediation to agriculture producers who may need help with ag-related disputes.

At Oklahoma Ag Mediation, we have been helping people in agriculture resolve conflicts since 1987. We know firsthand about working together to resolve conflicts, so you don’t have to go through the court systems. Let our professional mediators help you. Mediation is allowed for lease issues, farmer/neighbor disputes, family farm transitions, and more. These services are available at no cost for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers in all 77 counties. For more information, you can go to ok.gov/mediation, or give us a call at 800 248 5465.



Anti-Animal Agriculture Agendas Become More Threatening in Oklahoma

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am talking with the Executive Vice President of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation, Michael Kelsey, about battles over animal agriculture rights in the state of Oklahoma.

“There is a more organized animal rights push in the state of Oklahoma,” Kelsey said.

As these groups are becoming more active, Kelsey said it is going to be important for groups such as the OCA, the Pork Producers and the Poultry Federation to watch and play defense on matters like petition initiatives either through the legislature or through the signature-gathering process.

“I think they have shown their cards, and I think they have been very upfront that they want to see state law reflect their ideals of animal management,” Kelsey said. “That includes the ideas of Prop 12, cage size, prohibition of cages, etcetera.”

While some initiatives may not include cattle, Kelsey said the OCA recognizes cattle are still going to be targeted eventually.

“They want to adjust how we manage cattle, and they have ideas in terms of state law,” Kelsey said. “I think we are going to have to be very vigilant on that…”

Finally Fall in Oklahoma? Not yet...

Even though it will be warmer for the next few days, another cold front is on the horizon for Thursday that might even bring a few freeze warnings in certain parts of Oklahoma.

“That cold front looks rather pleasant for a diversion from this week’s heat, and it could stick around awhile," said State Climatologist Gary McManus. "Again, we may get to add to that freeze map over the weekend in the Panhandle.”

The earliest freeze in Oklahoma was back on October 8, 2012. The average freeze for the state is the first week of November.

As for rain, McManus said he is hoping to see something come along with the cold front, but right now, it still looks mostly dry. As for that Halloween Day Snow, McManus said it is something to keep watching from space.

As we all know, Oklahoma weather is always full of surprises! Daylight savings time is coming up on November 5th this year, so we only have about a month left for the later sunset.

During Pork Month this October, many pork producers are facing extremely challenging business conditions.

At NPB, we know times are tough, and we’re here to support you. We are working diligently to ensure that brighter days are on the horizon. 

As part of our commitment to revitalize the pork market, we proudly introduce Surprisingly Pork.

This isn’t just another marketing endeavor. It’s a vision to showcase pork in a new light, emphasizing that it is good for you and good for the planet. 

By investing Pork Checkoff funds in this platform, we aim to rewrite the pork narrative, positioning it as a staple for families now and for years to come.  

FMMO Modernization Progresses Slowly; Farm Bill Too

Between the USDA Federal Milk Marketing Order Modernization hearing and efforts to pass a new farm bill, dairy’s policy plate is full this fall – with plenty of opportunities for different parts of the industry to argue over what’s their favorite dish.

That’s to be expected, and disagreement along doesn’t forestall progress, said Peter Vitaliano, NMPF vice president for economic policy and market research, in a Dairy Defined podcast released today. “There’s always been contention in this industry, and as an economist, I can appreciate that, because there are genuine economic interests at stake,” he said. “So certain conflicts are inevitable, and they tend to come out in an issue such as federal orders.” 

But that said, NMPF’s proposal for comprehensive modernization remains the strongest path forward, as shown in hearing testimony. “It’s almost two years now since National Milk began crafting a very carefully balanced proposal that is in the interest of dairy farmers and their marketing cooperatives,” he said. “I think we’re doing a great job of presenting our case at this hearing. That’s the whole purpose of the hearing, to make our case in great detail based on factual evidence for our proposal, which our board of directors approved unanimously.” 

THIS Afternoon-Native Pecan Field Day October 10 in Okfuskee

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.”

THIS MORNING- School Land Lease Sale Today in Woodward

The 41st annual Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO) fall land lease auctions began yesterday in Boise City and will conclude on 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. 

THIS MORNING- Bidding for Ellis, Harper, Major, Woods, and Woodward County leases begins at 10 a.m. today at the Woodward Event Center and Fairgrounds in Woodward.

Leases in Alfalfa, Blaine, Garfield, Grant, Kay, and Kingfisher counties will be offered at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Oct. 11, at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Enid(in the Chisholm Trail Pavilion.)

Leases in Caddo, Greer, Harmon, Kiowa, Roger Mills and Washita counties will be auctioned at 10 a.m. Oct. 16 at the Comanche County Fairgrounds in Lawton.