The Oklahoma State University/A&M Board of Regents has approved a request to draft construction plans for new facilities at the OSU Agronomy Research Station in Stillwater, home to the university’s renowned wheat improvement program.

The project’s first phase will involve selecting architectural and construction management firms to assist with the design and construction of new greenhouses and a headhouse at the site. The cost for this initial phase is expected to be $10 million.

The current OSU agronomy farm, located on the west side of campus along Highway 51, is a historic facility that houses one of the top wheat breeding programs in the world. OSU has commercialized 34 wheat varieties since 2000 and has the largest footprint for variety development in the Great Plains region.

“When we talk about our efforts at OSU to feed and nourish the world, it starts at the agronomy farm and is led by the wheat improvement team,” said Jayson Lusk, vice president and dean of OSU Agriculture. “Economically, wheat is the most important crop in Oklahoma, and the state’s harvest feeds people all over the United States and the world.”



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

 

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am back talking with Kansas State University’s Dr. Bob Weaber about the future of genomics in beef cattle.

At Kansas State, Weaber said there is continued work on direct measures of dry matter intake, and carcass data. Weaber said carcass data is incredibly important to the cattle business, although it has lagged across many breed organizations because of the expensive cost and difficulty level of collection.

“Mature cow weight is another area that is really important from a selection index standpoint because it describes cost of production for our cows,” Weaber said.

While it is important to work on the progress of existing traits, Weaber said it is also critical to focus on the future. At Kansas State, Weaber said he and his colleagues are conducting more research on male fertility work to better understand differences in breeding soundness exams and how they influence conception rate and male fertility to improve the number of bulls that make it through seed stock production and out into the commercial space to improve efficiency.

Regarding discussions on sustainability in the beef industry, Weaber said methane is energy loss to the cowherd, and some estimates say upwards of ten percent of a cow’s energy is discarded as methane. Weaber said if there were a way to capture and use that energy, it would be to cattle producers’ advantage from a production strategy and an environmental improvement standpoint.

If You Wear Cotton, You Are Invited to the 2024 Denim Ball at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in OKC!

Mark your calendars for the 2024 Denim Ball planned for April 5th and 6th at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in Oklahoma City. If you wear cotton, you are invited! Farm Director KC Sheperd recently had the chance to visit with Oklahoma Cotton Council Member Services Representative, Charity Martin, and talk about this year’s event.

“This event is Oklahoma’s fundraiser for the Committee for the Advancement of Cotton,” Martin said. “That is the National Cotton Council’s PAC fund that they use to support the cotton industry on a variety of levels.”

Each state is responsible for raising a certain amount of money to go towards the national fund, Martin said, so the Denim Ball allows Oklahomans to come together to raise money and support the cotton industry.

On November 2, 2023, USDA published the final rule to amend organic livestock and poultry production standards. According to USDA, the purpose of the final rule is to “clarify aspects of the existing USDA organic regulations that are not interpreted or enforced in a consistent manner” and to “better assure consumers that organic livestock products meet a consistent standard, as intended by the Organic Foods Production Act.”

The final rule amends livestock care and production practices. In the updated livestock care and production standard section, USDA provided a list of prohibited physical alterations for both avian and mammalian species. The rule affirms that treatment of animal with a synthetic substance not on the approved list or with a non-synthetic substance on the prohibited list would cause the animal to lose its organic status. The rule further affirms that producers may not withhold treatment from an animal even if the animal would lose its organic status.

The final rule also separates the existing living conditions standard into two distinct sections – living conditions for mammalian species, which includes honeybees, and living conditions for avian species. For the mammalian living condition standard, producers must provide enough space for animals to lie down, stand up, and fully stretch their limbs and allow animals to express normal behavioral patterns over a twenty-four-hour period. Additionally, the final rule outlines when mammalian animals may be housed individually or must be housed in groups. Further, the final rule clarifies that animals may be temporarily confined for breeding, but they may not be confined to observe estrus or to confirm pregnancy. For avian species, the final rule describes the requirements for indoor and outdoor spaces, providing producers with two options for calculating the amount of space needed. Lastly the avian living conditions section prohibits total confinement of birds but also provides a list of circumstances that allow for temporary confinement. 

OKFB’s 2024 Leadership Conference set for Feb. 13

Oklahoma Farm Bureau members are encouraged to attend the organization’s 2024 Leadership Conference Tuesday, Feb. 13, at the Embassy Suites Downtown Medical Center in Oklahoma City.

The one-day event will give Farm Bureau members the opportunity to hone their leadership skills, hear about the latest Farm Bureau news, and learn about legislative and regulatory issues that affect agriculture from lawmakers, state officials and leaders from around the state. The evening will conclude with a legislative reception and awards dinner.

Featured speakers and guests include Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, NonDoc Editor in Chief Tres Savage, AFBF Economist Danny Munch and more.

Farm Bureau members planning to attend may register for the conference using the online form below. Overnight accommodations are available at a discounted rate until Friday, Jan. 26.

For more information about the 2024 Leadership Conference, contact Kinsey Westwood at (405) 523-2412.

Thousands of cattle producers will be headed to Orlando this week for the 2024 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show being held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

Several Oklahoma producers will be front and center- including Cheyenne rancher Jimmy Taylor- (pictured above)- who will be wrapping up his year as the Chairman of the Cattlemen's Beef Board. Taylor terms out at this meeting and concludes his six years as a part of the checkoff body that oversees the collecting and investment of the dollar a head beef checkoff.

Gaye Pfeiffer of Orlando has been appointed by USDA Secretary of Ag Tom Vilsack to take that Oklahoma slot on the CBB board. Cheryl DeVuyst of Morrison was reappointed at the same time Gaye was named to the Beef Board- she will start her new three year term at this meeting and is interviewing for a leadership role with CBB this week.

Ruth Coffey operates the Double C Ranch near Springer, Oklahoma with her husband Chuck and she will step into the Presidency of the American National Cattlewomen at the end of their meetings on Tuesday. That will start a busy year of travel for Ruth as she represents the group nationally over the next 12 months. Chuck Coffey understands that type of schedule - having served as the Chair of the CBB a couple of years back. Coffee is now a board member of the Oklahoma Beef Council- and is interviewing this week for the vice chairmanship of the Federation of State Beef Councils.

We will be in Orlando covering these stories and lots more from the world of beef production- our reports coming from Orlando are being powered by Farm Data Services of Stillwater- we appreciate their support

Electric Cooperatives with Fiber Subsidiaries Awarded Broadband Expansion Grants

Rural consumers in the service areas of five electric cooperatives with fiber subsidiaries will be empowered with reliable, high-speed broadband following a historic announcement from the Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO).

The Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board authorized 142 broadband infrastructure expansion projects in 57 counties. Project funding is designated from Oklahoma Legislature-approved American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.

“Access to reliable and affordable broadband will enable better educational and healthcare services, stimulate economic development, and empower Oklahomans to leverage the online technologies of the future, regardless of zip code,” Mike Sanders, OBO executive director, said.

Approved projects for electric cooperatives will be carried out in 18 counties and total more than $76 million in awarded grants. The boost in funding will enable electric cooperatives with fiber subsidiaries to continue the empowerment of the unserved and underserved with high-speed internet.