Oklahoma's Latest Farm

And Ranch News

Wednesday, October 11, 2023


School Land Lease Auctions Continue Today in Enid

Howdy Neighbors!

Here is Your Daily Oklahoma Farm and Ranch News Update: 


  • Oklahoma Winter Wheat Planted Reaches 50 Percent Completion, Up from 27% Last Week


  • OCA’s Michael Kelsey Sees Optimism and Opportunity in the Cattle Industry


  • Tough Year for Cotton in Oklahoma Due to Extreme Heat and Low Precipitation


  • **Date Correction: Native Pecan Field Day October 12 to Host Variety of Speakers and Demonstrations


  • Tips for Overseeding and Improving Pastures in The Fall


  • AM Radio Essential in Rural America, Groups Say


  • Manure Scoring with OSU’s Mark Johnson


  • Clay Pope- Maui Fires Show the Need (once again) for Fire Planning and Wildfire Fuel Load Reduction

Oklahoma Winter Wheat Planted Reaches 50 Percent Completion, Up from 27% Last Week

Harvest is rolling across the US for our major spring planted crops. The US Corn crop is now 34% harvested- up from 23% a week ago- Soybeans are now 43% harvested- up also from 23% last week- cotton stands at 25% harvested- up from 18% a week ago and grain sorghum is 44% harvested versus 35% last week.


As for our southern plains hard red winter wheat-


Oklahoma winter wheat planted reached 50 percent, up 13 points from the previous year but down 3 points from normal. Winter wheat emerged reached 23 percent, up 4 points from the previous year but down 4 points from normal.


Kansas winter wheat planted was 57 percent, ahead of 47 percent last year, and near 56 percent for the five-year average. Emerged was 28 percent, ahead of 17 percent last year, but near 29 percent average.


Texas winter wheat planted reached 55 percent, down 2 percentage points from the previous year and up 2 from the five-year average. Winter wheat emerged reached 28 percent, up 1 point from the previous year and up 2 points from the average.


For the U.S., winter wheat planted for the U.S. reached 57 percent, up 4 percentage points from the previous year and even with the five-year average.



Click here to read southern plains and U.S. crop progress summaries and to access this week's reports
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 2023 Tulsa Farm Show.  To learn more about the Tulsa Farm Show, click here

 

OCA’s Michael Kelsey Sees Optimism and Opportunity in the Cattle Industry

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am back talking with the Executive Vice President of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, Michael Kelsey, about the state of the cattle industry.


Through what Kelsey has seen around the country, he said there is a lot of optimism regarding the beef industry, as well as some concern. Some of that concern, he added, is dependent on weather conditions and when heifer retention will begin.


“The cattle market is strong, and beef demand continues to be strong,” Kelsey said.


Many producers want to begin to retain some heifers, Kelsey said, but they do not have the ability to do so just yet.


“Before you have the ability to do it, you have to have the desire to do it,” Kelsey said. “I have to have the want to. There is a lot of want to out there, and to me, that is very encouraging.”


Kelsey said the majority of cattle producers in the state recognize that there is opportunity in the beef industry for several years to come for reasons beyond profitability.

Click here to read more and listen to Michael Kelsey talk about the state of the cattle industry.

Tough Year for Cotton in Oklahoma Due to Extreme Heat and Low Precipitation

At the Shantz Farm Field Day last week, Associate Farm Editor, Reagan Calk, had the chance to visit with the NexGen Regional Manager, Shane Osborne, about this year’s cotton crop.


According to the latest Oklahoma Crop Progress Report issued by the USDA on October 2, cotton conditions rated 9 percent good to excellent, 28 percent fair, and 63 percent poor to very poor. In the week prior, conditions rated 14 percent good to excellent, 25 percent fair, and 61 percent poor to very poor. 


“It has been a very rough year,” Osborne said. “We actually started out with decent potential, but to be quite honest, the heat this year has been overwhelming. We have had an abundance of heat from early on.”


Many areas, Osborne said, never received rainfall amounts substantial enough to develop or store water in the soil profile.


“That storage in the profile- we rely heavily on that to make cotton in Oklahoma both for dryland, of course, but also the irrigated acre depends heavily on that storage in the profile,” Osborne said. “Our best crops come from a combination of irrigation and storage. When we don’t have that, it is going to be a very tough year.”

Click here to read more and listen to Reagan Calk talk with Shane Osborne about this year’s cotton crop.
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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


Sponsor Spotlight

The Oklahoma Pork Council, a farmer-led organization, represents the interests of all Oklahoma pig farmers. From large-scale commercial operators to first-time 4-H and FFA exhibitors, we hope every Oklahoman who raises pigs has been positively impacted by our mission.

 

According to an economic impact study for the National Pork Board:

 

  1. Oklahoma’s pork industry supports more than 34,000 jobs throughout the various stages of production. That translates to one in 50 Oklahoma jobs, many in rural communities.    
  2. Oklahoma hog sales generate over $976 million in annual cash receipts. That means pork serves as Oklahoma’s second largest agriculture enterprise after cattle production. 


Learn more about the state’s pork industry at the Oklahoma Pork Council by  clicking here



**Date Correction: Native Pecan Field Day October 12 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.”

Click here to see event info and listen to KC Sheperd talk with Becky Carroll about the upcoming Native Pecan Field Day.

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 Wednesday morning farm and ranch news with KC Sheperd
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Sponsor Spotlight



Union Mutual of Oklahoma Turns 85 Years Old



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 never 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. 



Tips for Overseeding and Improving Pastures in The Fall

There are several reasons to overseed pastures in the fall, and several ways to do it. Jim Johnson of Noble Research Institute shares his best tips for cover-crop success.



If you’re thinking about overseeding cover crops in your pastures this fall, that’s a good place to start – thinking about both the why and the how.


Jim Johnson, senior ag consultant at Noble Research Institute, says there are three main reasons ranchers and farmers might consider planting a cover crop on grazing land in the fall:


  1. “It could be that they have too much bare ground,” he says. “They’ve got perennial pasture that’s maybe been weakened by drought or maybe by overgrazing or maybe a combination of both, and they want to get some cover on it.”
  2. “Another reason would be to add diversity. Maybe they have a monoculture of bermudagrass, and they want to add some diversity to that.”
  3. Johnson says, “Probably the best-case scenario to plant is that they want to extend the grazing season,” he says, to have more forage growing when their perennial warm-season grass pasture is dormant.


It’s important to consider, however, whether or not putting in a cover crop is always the best solution to covering ground or adding diversity, Johnson says.

Click here to read more about Overseeding and Improving Pastures in The Fall from the Noble Research Institute

AM Radio Essential in Rural America, Groups Say

On Tuesday, the Rural & Agriculture Council of America (RACA) and seven other organizations representing rural and agricultural interests wrote a letter to Congressional leaders in support of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. This bill would require vehicles manufactured in, or imported into, the U.S. to have devices installed that provide access to AM radio.


In the letter, the groups say, “AM radio is an essential communications medium in rural America. Local news, weather, and sports reporters are recognized as respected sources for information that affects the lives of millions of rural residents.”


Other organizations signing onto the letter include the Latino Farmers & Ranchers International, Inc., Livestock Marketing Association, National Grange, National Farmers Union, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, Independent Beef Association of North Dakota, Independent Cattlemen’s Association of Texas, and the North Dakota Farmers Union.


To read the letter, click here.

Manure Scoring with OSU’s 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 manure scoring.


At this time of year, producers with spring calving herds are in the process of managing cows for the next calving season in 2024. With warm season grasses going dormant and losing nutritional quality. There are a couple of convenient management tools we can use to ensure we are meeting our cow’s nutritional requirements. The first is body condition scoring cows and the second is to monitor manure consistency. By monitoring body condition score (BCS) across our entire cowherd, on a regular basis, we can monitor the plane of nutrition over the long-term.


This will answer the question “What condition are my cows in, and are they gaining, maintaining or losing condition?” The goal is to have cows in a BCS 5 at calving (on a 1-9 scale). If cows are in adequate condition (BCS 5 or higher) and maintaining, no immediate nutritional changes are needed. However, if cows are in poor condition (BCS less than 5) or losing condition, nutritional management changes are needed requiring the addition of protein supplemental and/or energy so that BCS does not drop below 5 before calving. If the cows are in BCS greater than 5 and maintaining, the nutrition program is more than adequate.

Click here to read more from Mark Johnson on manure scoring

Maui Fires Show the Need (once again) for Fire Planning and Wildfire Fuel Load Reduction

There is a new blog post out at the Southern Plains Perspective. Read below! The Southern Plains Perspective is authored by Clay Pope- who farms with his wife Sarah and is a contractor for the USDA Southern Plains Climate Hub in the area of outreach.  


Wildfires-It’s no surprise that this is the topic that comes up again and again when you talk about adapting to the changing climate. After all, wildfires are pretty scary and unlike tornadoes, hurricanes, thunderstorms and the like, you rarely have the advanced warnings about how weather conditions are developing just right for an extreme event (although that is changing—actually wrote about the developing early warning systems for wildfires not to long ago. You can read it here).  Wildfires are horribly destructive and are definitely on the rise as our rainfall patterns change.  And no recent tragedy shows this more than the fires that plagued Maui, Hawaii in August.


It’s been two months since fires broke out on Maui and decimated the historic town of Lahaina, leaving 115 dead and a community changed forever. This catastrophic wildfire is now considered the deadliest in the U.S. in over a century. And while many factors contributed to this terrible event, one thing clearly stands out—the presence of large amounts of invasive vegetation that created a fuel source for the fire.

Click here to read the full blog post from the Southern Plains Perspective
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 lower- Choice Beef was down $2.36 and Select Beef was down $1.35 on Tuesday 10/10/2023.


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

Boxed Beef Report

Oklahoma National Stockyards had a final count of 6,121 head on Monday- October 20, 2023


Compared to last week: Feeder steers and heifers mostly steady but those over 800 lbs. not well tested. Weaned steer calves 2.00-3.00 higher; un-weaned or short weaned steers 3.00-6.00 lower. Heifer calves steady to 5.00 lower. Demand good for feeders and long weaned cattle; moderate for others. Cattle futures lower again today despite the light numbers of available feeders. Speculators are pointing to outside influences for reasons to the lower cattle futures on Monday. Quality mostly average.


Click below for the complete closing report.

Oklahoma National Stockyards Market Report from 10/09/2023

OKC West in El Reno had a calf run of 2,500 head for Tuesday, October 10th.


For Wednesday 10-11-23

OKC West is Expecting 2,500 head.

1,000 Feeder Heifers @ 9:00am

1,500 Feeder Steers @ 10:30am


On Tuesday- Compared to last week: Steer and heifer calves that were weaned sold fully steady to 3.00 higher. Un-weaned or short weaned calves remain to sell with a lower undertone. Demand good for weaned cattle, light to moderate for others.


Click on the button below for details of the trade as compiled by the USDA Market News Service.

OKC West in El Reno Calf Market Report from 10/10/2023
Each afternoon we are posting a recap of that day's markets as analyzed by Justin Lewis of KIS futuresclick below for the latest update on the Livestock and Grain Futures Trade..
Click Here to Listen to Justin's Commentary From 10/10/2023
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 10/10/2023
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.

Cattle Industry Leader Bob Drake sits down and talks with Ron Hays about his lifetime of service in the cattle business. Drake has served as the President of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, the last President of the old National Cattlemen's Association and Vice President of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau.


He loves politics and being a change agent for the cattle producer back up at the fork of the creek. Drake had a front row seat as the Beef Checkoff was approved by cattle producers and he believes it's way past time to find a way to get a second dollar at the national level.


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 86 with Ron Hays talking with one of the legends in the Beef Cattle Business- Bob Drake of Davis, Oklahoma
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