A landmark alliance is launching free, anonymous, online mental health and wellbeing services to provide a nationwide safety net of confidential and on-demand support to farmers, ranchers and farm families. Unveiled at the American Farm Bureau Federation 2024 Convention, Farm Family Wellness Alliance’s groundbreaking solution harnesses the best resource to build farm family wellness—access to a community, including a network of farmers and ranchers who understand the challenges and rewards that come with the agricultural way of life.

Access to services starts at Togetherall, a safe, clinically moderated peer-to-peer community, where members around the world are there to listen, support and give members’ mental wellbeing a boost. Through an anonymous profile, users can access a global network of peers, backed by the safeguarding of licensed clinicians overseeing the community around-the-clock. Access to the platform is available to members of a farm family aged 16 and older.

In addition to Togetherall’s global community, farmers and their families will have access to an agricultural sector sub-group to share or read others’ experiences in a safe, judgement-free zone.

“Farming is tough even on the best days. That’s why Farm Bureau has been committed to helping farmers and ranchers across the country get connected with the tools and resources they need to promote mental health and wellbeing—and to check in on their friends, neighbors and loved ones. Togetherall will help us all to do just that,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.” It’s OK not to be OK, but it’s not OK not to reach out when you’re hurting. We are grateful for how this partnership will strengthen our rural communities and provide the support we all need.



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.



In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am talking with Oklahoma State University Livestock Market Economist, Derrell Peel, about the latest USDA Cattle on Feed Report released on January 19, 2024.

In the January Cattle on Feed Report, Peel said placements in the month of December came in at 96 percent of a year ago. Peel said marketings in December came in at 99 percent of a year ago.

Peel said the on-feed total for the report was 102 percent of last year.

“We are still carrying more cattle compared to a year ago into the new year, but this report was very close to expectations,” Peel said. “No surprises. I don’t think there will be any market reaction to it from the standpoint of the general report.”

Peel said the fact that cattle numbers peaked in 2019 and have been declining for five years says that at some point, feedlot inventories will come down. Due to drought and strong markets last fall, Peel said the industry has been pulling cattle ahead.

“One of the things we continue to do is place and feed a lot of heifers,” Peel said.

Tips for Cattle Care in Colder Weather and More with OSU’s Dr. Rosslyn Biggs

Farm Director, KC Sheperd, is talking with DVM, Oklahoma State University State Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, Rosslyn Biggs, about caring for livestock in cold weather and preparations to make beforehand. Biggs also talks about OSU’s study on internal parasites, the Integrated Beef Cattle Program, and the upcoming Oklahoma Veterinary Conference.

Biggs said older cows and baby calves will need the most care regarding shelter and nutrition during colder weather. Calves can sustain injuries due to freezing conditions that can impact their ears and more, Biggs added.

Bulls do not need to be forgotten during extreme cold weather either, Biggs said, as they can sustain injuries that can have a negative impact on breeding.

“Make sure we have bedding for these animals where they can get down and be warm and out of the wind,” Biggs said.

Biggs also stressed the importance of feeding cattle well before the cold weather hits and having backup plans for water issues. For calving during colder weather, Biggs said she likes to have a calving kit ready to go at all times.

NASDA members, the state commissioners, secretaries and directors of agriculture, have chosen five issues to serve as the organization’s primary policy focus for 2024. They include the 2024 Farm Bill, food safety, labor reform, pesticide regulation and PFAS.

NASDA CEO Ted McKinney remarked on the gravity of these issues for 2024.

“These issues were chosen for the organization’s 2024 focus as NASDA members see urgent need for action in these areas to support farmers and ranchers in their ability to grow our nation’s food, fiber and fuel. Further, we believe these are the areas where state departments of agriculture are uniquely positioned to champion policy solutions this year,” McKinney said.

NASDA has published one-pagers offering background and insight for each policy priority.

2024 Farm Bill

NASDA implores Congress to expedite passage of a unified farm bill that secures a commitment to American agriculture, notably its farmers and ranchers, and the critical food and nutritional assistance programs for those who need it most.

Food Safety

State departments of agriculture are the frontline in protecting consumers against foodborne illness and food contamination. NASDA will continue to advocate for funding state Food Safety Modernization Act programs to protect our food supply and ensure farmers across the country are equipped with the information needed to apply Food Safety Modernization Act requirements on their farms.

Farm Bureau Names 2024 Farm Dog of the Year

Four-legged friends often play a vital role on family farms and ranches, prompting Farm Bureau to launch the Farm Dog of the Year contest several years ago – now a popular feature of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Convention.

The winner of the 2024 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year award is Skippy, owned by Georgia Farm Bureau members Donald and Laura Adams. AFBF, with support from Nestlé Purina PetCare, recognized Skippy, three regional runners-up and a People’s Choice Pup today at its convention.

“It has been a pleasure partnering with Purina for the sixth annual Farm Dog of the Year contest, providing the public a glimpse of daily life on the farm,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Although farmers and ranchers love what they do, it’s well known that farming can be stressful. Farm dogs can help ease the burden, because they often play a dual role as both working dogs and companions to farm families.”

What’s a Good Bull Worth in 2024?

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 the value of a good bull.

The spring bull buying season is here it’s time to revisit the age old question. The question has been asked forever, or at least as long as we have been breeding cattle with a notion of trying to make the next generation better. It is a classic and timeless question. It is an important question. At this time of year, when many bulls are being marketed and we are planning ahead for spring breeding season, it is a question that is asked a lot!   

The Answer

It depends on your herd strategy. Dr. Johnson says a "good bull" has to have the right EPDs for your operation and must pass the breeding soundness checks that are available these days. THEN- it's all about how you plan to market your calves/yearlings- or if you retain ownership.

Johnson offers details on all of that and concludes "in the current market, a good bull is worth somewhere between $7,710 – $12,075 to a commercial cattle operation. Where exactly in that range depends on your marketing plan and the market conditions at that time. Not an exact number because there are many variables in play."

It's a good read- click on the blue button to dive into the details.

Alltech 2023 U.S. Harvest Analysis Reveals Variable Mycotoxin Risk

This year, U.S. farmers and producers have experienced droughts, high rainfall, and other weather events affecting the corn harvest, making it more critical than ever to analyze mycotoxin risks across the nation. The Alltech 2023 U.S. Harvest Analysis has collected and assessed almost 450 new-crop samples from across the U.S., and the results show regional variation in mycotoxin risk. Samples showed lower risk in the upper Midwest and higher risk in the East. A combination of drought and untimely rains led to much of the risk.  

Mycotoxins are produced by certain species of molds and are a concern for livestock producers, as they can influence feed quality and subsequent animal health and performance. The Alltech U.S. Harvest Analysis, a decade-long initiative, is a comprehensive step in understanding the complexities of new-crop quality, mycotoxin prevalence, and the threat that mycotoxins pose to animals and producers. To determine the most accurate representation of mycotoxin risk across the U.S., samples are collected by Alltech representatives and sent to the Alltech 37+®laboratory at the company’s headquarters in Kentucky, which can detect up to 54 individual mycotoxins.

The corn silage and corn grain crops for the U.S. in 2023 have been a “moving target” for mycotoxin risk, according to Dr. Max Hawkins, technical support manager with Alltech’s mycotoxin management team.

“Drought in the Southwest and the Western Corn Belt created distinct fumonisin risks in this region, while further eastward, late season rainfall created ideal conditions for Fusarium toxins such as type B trichothecenes to flourish,” he said.