Held each year the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving and generosity. Started back in 2012, Giving Tuesday can look different for everyone. The day is about giving what you can for what you believe in, whether that be in the form of service, donation, or many other methods of generosity.

In the case of our farm and ranch community- I always think first of our youth- as we build a foundation for the future of not just an industry- but also very much a way of life.

In Oklahoma- we have three excellent state level choices. The Oklahoma FFA Foundation, the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation and the Oklahoma Youth Expo's Onward Campaign all provide ways to support our rural youth now and for years to come.

A program that I have supported and invested time and money into is the Oklahoma Ag Leadership Program. This program is operated by Oklahoma State University but is primarily supported by ag groups and the alums of OALP- One long standing way to support OALP if you are an alum is the Noble Challenge Grant- click here for more info.

The OSU Foundation is featuring the OSU Student Farm in their Giving Tuesday efforts- here's a link to that story we have on our website from a few days ago.

Of course- our ag groups also have Foundations and other fundraising projects that you may want to invest into- it's a great day to check into those possibilities as well.



Oklahoma Farm Bureau works to improve the lives of all Oklahomans by supporting our state’s agriculture community. As Oklahoma’s largest general farm organization led by Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, OKFB takes grassroots values and advocates for agriculture at the state Capitol and in Washington, D.C., to ensure our way of life continues for generations to come.

Farm Bureau hosts leadership events, supports our state’s agricultural youth and connects consumers with agriculture in order to build a brighter future for our state. Become an OKFB member today online at okfarmbureau.org/join. Together, we are rural Oklahoma.

 

This publication is the last weekly Crop Progress report issued for the 2023 season. The first weekly report will be released on Monday, April 1, 2024.

For the U.S., winter wheat emerged reached 91 percent, up 1 percentage point from the previous year and up 2 points from the five-year average. Winter wheat conditions rated 50 percent good to excellent, 35 percent fair and 15 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 48 percent good to excellent, 35 percent fair and 17 percent poor to very poor.

In Oklahoma, winter wheat emerged reached 94 percent, unchanged from the previous year but up 1 point from normal. Winter wheat conditions rated 53 percent good to excellent, 40 percent fair and 7 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 44 percent good to excellent, 45 percent fair and 11 percent poor to very poor. 

In Kansas, winter wheat emerged was 93 percent, ahead of 86 percent last year, and near 90 percent for the five-year average. Winter wheat conditions rated 32 percent good to excellent, 36 percent fair and 32 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s ratings were 33 percent good to excellent, 35 percent fair and 32 percent poor to very poor. 

In Texas, winter wheat planted reached 92 percent, down 6 percentage points from the previous year and down 1 from the five-year average. Winter wheat emerged reached 78 percent, down 6 percentage points from the previous year and down 2 points from the five-year average. Winter wheat conditions rated 46 percent good to excellent, 35 percent fair and 19 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 45 percent good to excellent, 35 percent fair and 20 percent poor to very poor.

Livestock Marketing Association Looks to Modernize Packers and Stockyards Act

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am talking with the Livestock Marketing Association’s vice president of government industry and affairs, Chelsea Good. Hays and Good talk about the policy that LMA has been focusing on. On the top of that list is the Farm Bill.

“The 2023 Farm Bill efforts are now 2024 Farm Bill efforts, but we do have four leaders in the House and Senate Ag Committees that say they are very committed to this process, so that is something we are very hopeful for is to see active work on the Farm Bill in the spring,” Good said.

Good said there are a few pieces that LMA has been working on as it relates to Packers and Stockyards updates.

“The Packers and Stockyards Act is more than 100 years old, so it is written for businesses that don’t exist anymore,” Good said.

Good added that LMA would like to see local livestock auction owners have the ability to invest in entities such as local locker plants or a regional-sized packer.

“We need more competition in the packing space,” Good said. “We have folks that are actively interested in being involved in that. We need to get rid of that prohibition to allow them to invest in increased competition.”

American Seed Trade Association Sees Crop Insurance, Research, Conservation, and Trade as Key Priorities in 2023 Farm Bill

At the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasters Convention in Kansas City, Associate Farm Editor, Reagan Calk, had the chance to talk with the President and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association, Andy LaVigne. 

“Our members produce conventional, biotech, and organic seed,” LaVigne said. “Anything planted- pretty much our members are producing.”

LaVigne said seed production this year was higher than predicted. When it comes to securing that seed, LaVigne recommends that producers talk to their seed dealer early to ensure they are able to plant the seed of their choice.

“Talk to your seed company about what will work best for my market demand that is out there and what I want to do with my operation,” LaVigne said. “That helps the seed company analyze what they have got in their stock to fit that demand, but also analyzing the future of what they want to produce and multiply for your future demands.”

Mike Seyfert Sees Grain Export in Better Standings Than a Year Ago

Farm Director KC Sheperd recently had the chance to visit with the President and CEO of the American Grain and Feed Association, Mike Seyfert. Sheperd and Seyfert talk about grain transport and more.

The National Grain and Feed Association is a trade association of grain elevators, feed and feed ingredient manufacturers, grain and oilseed processors, exporters, and livestock poultry integrators. 

“From when it leaves the farm until it gets to your gas tank or your kitchen table, it probably was handled by one of our members or traders in some way,” Seyfert said. 

Seyfert also gave a transportation update and said things are looking better than they were a year ago. While rail and trucking seem to be doing better, Seyfert said overall freight is down, as well as ag exports.

“On the waterways, obviously, we have got low water on the Mississippi,” Seyfert said. “I think we are in a little better spot on that than we were last year as well. I think we are a little bit up on the water levels now.”

State Veterinarian Dr. Hall Warns Against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak

State Veterinarian Dr. Rodd Hall warns Oklahomans to be aware that the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza that began in the spring of 2022 is continuing this fall.

Dr. Hall says the virus is very deadly to domestic poultry, especially chickens and turkeys, and is being spread by wild waterfowl as they migrate south to their wintering grounds.

Please urge friends, neighbors, clients, and others who have domestic poultry to utilize the best biosecurity they can to prevent their poultry from becoming exposed to wild waterfowl or areas where wild waterfowl have been.

If someone you know experiences sudden high mortality in their domestic poultry, do not hesitate to call Dr. Hall and his team at 405-522-6141.