For the U.S., winter wheat planted for the U.S. reached 93 percent, down 2 percentage points from the previous year and even with the five-year average. Winter wheat emerged reached 81 percent, up 1 point from the previous year and the average. Winter wheat conditions rated 47 percent good to excellent, 36 percent fair and 17 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 50 percent good to excellent, 33 percent fair, and 17 percent poor to very poor.

In Oklahoma, winter wheat planted reached 91 percent, down 3 points from the previous year and down 2 points from normal. Winter wheat conditions rated 49 percent good to excellent, 43 percent fair, and 8 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 49 percent good to excellent, 35 percent fair, and 16 percent poor to very poor.

In Kansas, winter wheat emerged was 86 percent, ahead of 74 percent last year and 81 percent for the five-year average. Winter wheat conditions rated 31 percent good to excellent, 36 percent fair and 33 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 31 percent good to excellent, 35 percent fair and 34 percent poor to very poor. 

In Texas, winter wheat planted reached 82 percent, down 10 percentage points from the previous year and down 4 points from the five-year average. Winter wheat conditions rated 40 percent good to excellent, 39 percent fair and 21 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 44 percent good to excellent, 37 percent fair and 19 percent poor to very poor. 

Nationally- harvest is getting very close to completion for corn, soybeans and sorghum. Corn harvest nationally now stands at 88%- two points ahead of the 5 year average- Soybean harvest is 95% done- up four points versus the 5 year average while grain sorghum is 92% harvested- five points ahead of average.

Cotton harvest has reached the 2/3 complete level- now 67% harvested- that's four points ahead of the 5 year average.

Union Mutual of Oklahoma Turns 85 Years Old



Union Mutual was born out of necessity in Oklahoma and serves as one of the oldest rural insurance carriers serving only the people of Oklahoma. 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 bever 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. 

At the Oklahoma Farm Bureau's 82nd Annual Meeting, during the opening general session this past weekend, Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director, KC Sheperd, was presented with the Journalist of the Year award by OKFB President, Rodd Moesel.

This award honors members of the media who best tell the story of agriculture to the public.

Congratulations, KC!

NAWG’s Keeff Felty Talks Farm Bill Extension and Wheat Grower Priorities

I recently had the chance to visit with the Vice President of the National Association of Wheat Growers, Keeff Felty, about the farm bill from the perspective of wheat producers. We caught up with him Saturday night at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau banquet- Keeff was just back from Cincinnati where the NAWG held their fall board meeting.

“We have been working on our policy for at least the last 18 months, and we really haven’t deviated from that a lot,” Felty said. “We know what our core needs and asks are for the farm bill.”

The biggest priority of NAWG, Felty said, is protecting crop insurance. Felty said wheat producers would also like to see a reference price increase in the Title I of programs of ARC and PLC.

“We would like to see improvements in crop insurance as well,” Felty said.

Although things are beyond the control of producers, Felty said there is still optimism that a farm bill will be produced in a timely manner.

“It does appear that we are going to have an extension,” Felty said. “That is kind of breaking news. I don’t know what all of the particulars are.”

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am talking with the Chief Executive Officer of the American Angus Association, Mark McCully, about exciting things happening for the Angus breed.

“There is a ton of optimism there, and I think we have got so many things that are going right in our business,” McCully said. “We are not without challenges. We all understand the significant cost of inflation and so many of the challenges we have, but there are an awful lot of positives.”

The demand side of the Angus business, McCully said, has created a great deal of optimism for producers. As innovation is prevalent in the Angus breed, McCully said he believes it will continue to be a big part of the breed’s future.

“A study that we have got out on our website at angus.org and over in Angus Media- we call it Industry Insights, but it is pretty extensive survey work that we did that looks at cow-calf producers and the cattle feeders,” McCully said. “What I think we have known is the Angus cow has been quite prevalent across our beef industry for some time. What that data said is 81 percent of commercial cow-calf producers consider Angus a primary breed in their cow herd.”

Cattle Markets Now and Later with Derrell Peel

Dr. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, offers his economic analysis of the beef cattle industry as part of the weekly series known as the “Cow Calf Corner,” published electronically by Dr. Peel and Mark Johnson. Today, Dr. Peel talks about the cattle markets.

Cattle producers are taking advantage of the much stronger cattle prices this fall. In numerous meetings this fall, producers have indicated to me that they are selling the majority of steers and heifers; in part to capitalize on higher prices, and in some cases, because of continuing drought and pasture and hay limitations which are making additional sales necessary. Reported national feeder cattle volumes (auction, direct and video/internet) are up 5.6 percent year over year since Labor Day, with the majority in September (contributing to the large September feedlot placements). The total volume in October was up 2.4 percent but was down year over year at the end of October and beginning of November. In Oklahoma, feeder cattle auction volumes have been down 13.7 percent year over year this fall. However, there are indications of another month of large placements in the next Cattle on Feed report.

Bigger feeder cattle (600 pounds and higher) prices have fallen about 9-10 percent since September, mostly under the weight of the huge market correction in Feeder and Live cattle futures. Despite the recent decrease, prices for these heavier feeder animals are still 33-35 percent higher compared to the same time last year.

OSU New Frontiers Landscape to be Sustainable and Efficient

While the corner of Farm Road and Monroe Street on the Oklahoma State University campus may currently be an active construction site for the new home of OSU Agriculture, OSU Landscape Services has plans to transform the area into a beautiful and educational landscape environment.

Nick Ouellette, university landscape design manager, said each project on campus starts with an analysis of the existing site location and studying interactions the location has throughout campus. The survey helps determine needs and factors to consider during the design process.

“The OSU landscape master plan assists in driving all components and plans on campus,” Ouellette said. “Design standards were developed with input from students, faculty and staff to enrich creative learning opportunities and social interactions throughout the campus landscape. Landscape Services strives to accentuate our Neo-Georgian architecture while creating a safe, accessible campus for all to enjoy.”

The main entrance of New Frontiers Agricultural Hall, which will house the Ferguson College of Agriculture, OSU Ag Research and OSU Extension, will consist of landscape material and features that complement the existing landscape plantings and design standards along Monroe Street.