Yesterday at Heritage Place, close to 100 guests with a vested interest in agriculture and the farm bill were in attendance to listen to the Chairman of the House Ag Committee, GT Thompson, and Congressman Frank Lucas. The event was moderated by Oklahoma Ag Secretary Blayne Arthur. Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director, KC Sheperd attended the event and was able to bring back audio from the speakers.

Also in attendance were Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Rodd Moesel, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association’s Michael Kelsey, and American Farmers and Ranchers’ Scott Blubaugh. Many Oklahoma legislators made an appearance, along with Oklahoma State University’s Dr. Jason Lusk.

Chairman Thompson voiced that an extension on the expired farm bill will be needed.

“The extension will help to avoid any significant and harmful consequences,” Thompson said.

Regarding the extension, Congressman Frank Lucas said that an extension will provide certainty, which is critical.

“Always remember that when we complete the new farm bill and it is signed into law by the president, it will take effect immediately,” Lucas said



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) in just a month- 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. 

Oklahoma Winter Wheat Conditions Show Improvement in Latest Crop Progress

In Oklahoma, winter wheat planted reached 87 percent, down 2 points from the previous year and normal. Winter wheat emerged reached 72 percent, down 1 point from the previous year and down 3 points from normal. Winter wheat conditions rated 49 percent good to excellent, 35 percent fair and 16 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 42 percent good to excellent, 44 percent fair and 10 percent poor to very poor.

In Kansas, winter wheat planted was 96 percent, near 92 percent for both last year and the five-year average. Winter wheat conditions rated 31 percent good to excellent, 35 percent fair and 34 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 32 percent good to excellent, 32 percent fair and 36 percent poor to very poor.

In Texas, winter wheat planted reached 78 percent, down 9 percentage points from the previous year and down 2 points from the five-year average. Winter wheat conditions rated 44 percent good to excellent, 37 percent fair and 19 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 41 percent good to excellent, 44 percent fair and 15 percent poor to very poor.

For the U.S., Winter wheat conditions rated 50 percent good to excellent, 33 percent fair and 17 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 47 percent good to excellent, 35 percent fair and 18 percent poor to very poor.

Nationally- Harvest is nearing completion- the US corn crop is 81% harvested- 4 points ahead of average- soybeans are 91% harvested- five points ahead of the 5 year average- grain sorghum is 85% harvested- four points ahead of average and the US cotton crop has passed the half way mark at 57% harvested- two points ahead of average.

Certified Angus Beef Continually Pushing the Angus Breed Towards Growth and Success

At this year’s American Angus Convention, I had the chance to visit with the President of Certified Angus Beef, John Stika, about the success of the Certified Angus Beef brand.

The focus of the convention, Stika said, was innovation and keeping the Angus breed moving forward for years to come. One of the most significant innovations in the beef industry, Stika said, has been Certified Angus Beef.

“When you look before Certified Angus Beef, it was just a commodity industry,” Stika said. “I think when you look at where we are at today, the brand is the emphasis that really got that branded beef revolution started.”

While there are many programs that continue to add value, Stika said the Angus industry is proud of the 45-year history of Certified Angus Beef. For the eighth year in a row, Stika said over a billion pounds of Certified Beef have been sold globally.

“This last year, we sold, around the world, 1,227,000 pounds of Certified Angus Beef, which is the third best year in our history as a brand,” Stika said.

To celebrate National Pork Month on October 24, a free Prairie Fresh pork lunch was served, courtesy of the Made in Oklahoma Coalition, Oklahoma Pork Council, Head Country, and Homeland Stores. Following the lunch, Farm Director, KC Sheperd had the chance to visit with Kylee Deniz, the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Pork Council.

As the holiday season is near, the Oklahoma Pork Council will be kicking off the Give-A-Ham Campaign on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

Every year on Giving Tuesday, Oklahoma’s Give-A-Ham campaign launches with a challenge from the Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors President. This starts the coordinated holiday season giving effort, and through the involvement of various individuals and local donations, an impact is made in Oklahoma.

“It is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, so it is coming quickly,” Deniz said.

At the end of the campaign, Deniz said she expects to have hundreds of hams given.

Ag Lender Survey: Liquidity, Farm Income Top Ag Lender Concerns for Producers in 2023

Liquidity has become the primary concern among agricultural lenders for their producer customers, followed closely by farm income levels, according to the 2023 Agricultural Lender Survey report produced jointly by the American Bankers Association and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, more commonly known as Farmer Mac (NYSE: AGM and AGM.A). Rising input costs, previously ranked as the top concern in 2021 and 2022, dropped to the third highest this year, according to the report released today at the ABA Agricultural Bankers Conference in Oklahoma City.

“After a record-setting year of farm income, producers have experienced some margin compression in 2023 and lenders are taking notice,” said Jackson Takach, Farmer Mac’s chief economist. “During economic cycle transitions, the fundamentals are increasingly important, and I think that’s why you see lenders rank balance sheet liquidity and farm income levels as their top concerns facing producers in the coming year.” 

“Despite margin compression, agricultural credit quality remained strong in 2023,” said Tyler Mondres, senior director of research at ABA. “Lenders expect a return to trend for credit quality in the coming year, which was reflected in a moderate increase in concern for ag loan deterioration. While lenders are taking prudent risk management steps in response, such as reviewing underwriting standards and loan terms, they are prepared to continue providing critical support to America’s farmers and ranchers.”

Dr. Barry Pollard of Pollard Farms in Waukomis was elected to serve as the President and Chairman of the Board for the American Angus Association for the coming year at their annual meeting in Orlando, Florida on Monday. The picture above is the new leadership for the Angus Association- Left to right- Dr. Barry Pollard, Jonathan Perry of Tennessee and Jim Brinkley of Missouri.

Dr. Pollard started his Angus herd in 1992, with the purchase of several bred heifers and yearlings. Since then he has built up his herd to well over 30 elite donor cows, 400 performance cows and heifers, and raising 400-500 spring and fall calves every year.

Dr. Pollard will be featured this week on our daily Beef Buzz program- be watching for that- he told us that it's a busy week for him as he not only has taken on this role in the Angus business- but he will be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame on November 16th in Norman.

2023 Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections Open This Week

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots this week for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county and urban county committee elections to all eligible agricultural producers and private landowners across the country. Elections are occurring in certain Local Administrative Areas for these committee members who make important decisions about how Federal farm programs are administered locally. Producers and landowners must return ballots to their local FSA county office or have their ballots postmarked by Dec. 4, 2023, for those ballots to be counted. 

“County committees provide an opportunity for producers to play a meaningful role in delivering farm programs. In order for county committees to be effective, they must truly represent all who are producing,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “Voting in these elections is your opportunity to help ensure our county committees reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. If you receive a ballot in the mail, I hope you’ll take a few minutes to cast your vote, drop it in the mail or return it to your local office. Your voice and vote matter.” 

Producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the county committee election. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation to FSA, even if they have not applied or received program benefits. Additionally, producers who are not of legal voting age, but supervise and conduct farming operations for an entire farm, are eligible to vote in these elections.