To view the latest Oklahoma drought map, CLICK HERE.

According to the latest Oklahoma drought monitor report, exceptional drought remains at zero percent, unchanged from the start of the calendar year.

Extreme drought or worse remains at zero percent, unchanged from the past 11 weeks.

Severe drought or worse is unchanged from the past four weeks at .19 percent.

Moderate drought or worse is now at 3.82 percent, slightly lower than last week’s 3.85 percent.

Abnormally dry or worse conditions are now at 45.16 percent, up from last week’s 34.61 percent.

According to the 6-to-10-day precipitation outlook map, the southern quarter of the state is leaning above a 33 to 40 percent chance of precipitation through March 23rd. The remaining parts of the state can expect “near normal” precipitation through that March 23rd date.

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I am visiting with Kansas State University Extension Livestock Market Economist, Dr. Glynn Tonsor, about the latest Meat Demand Monitor released on February 29, 2024.

In a summary comparing February data to January data, Tonsor said demand was up for domestic retail for six of the evaluated products. Looking at food service, Tonsor said February demand for dinner meals away from home compared to January was lower in all eight categories.

“The typical person is concerned about their finances, and it is important to clarify that sentiment is not the same as bottom-line,” Tonsor said. “They tend to be very related, but you can have a break-even or get slightly ahead from an accounting perspective, but you still don’t’ feel comfortable, or you are not optimistic that things are going to get better, therefore your sentiment is going to be eroding.”

Supreme Commercial Breeding Gilt Shown by Kashan Young of Rogers County 4-H- Plus Thursday Purebred Results

Over 1,200 crossbred gilts were shown on Wednesday and Thursday to open the 2024 Oklahoma Youth Expo. Judges Troy Sloan of Missouri and Zach Schweke of Minnesota selected the dark cross gilts on Wednesday and finished with the light cross gilts on Thursday before the midday Supreme drive.

They agreed on the Dark Cross Champion as the Supreme Commercial Breeding Gilt of the 2024 OYE- Kashan Young of Rogers County 4-H(Pictured above) winning a three thousand dollar scholarship plus securing the leadoff spot for the Night of Stars Gilt Sale this coming Tuesday evening, March 19.

Click here for the Crossbred Breeding Gilt results.

After the Crossbreds were wrapped up- including selecting the 70 best females for the Tuesday Night of Stars Gilt Show- the first five Purebred breeds were shown Thursday afternoon.

Breed Champs named include:

Chesters

Champion- Layne Allen, Canute 4-H

Reserve- Madelyn Gray, Vanoss FFA

Durocs

Champion- Gabby Todd, Porter 4-H

Reserve- Neely Pritchard, Weatherford 4-H

Herefords

Champion- Hudson Long, Dibble FFA

Reserve- Layken Abbott, Yale 4-H

Landrace

Champion- Braxten Willis, Caney Valley FFA

Reserve- Devlynn Cartmell, Kremlin-Hillsdale FFA

Polands

Champion- Cason Catlin, Hinton FFA

Reserve- Macyn Olson, Oologah FFA

More from the Thursday Purebred show is available here.

Our coverage of the 2024 OYE is being powered by Hilliary Communications.

Check out our pictures from 2024 OYE on our Flickr Album- we are adding new pics every day.

This week on SUNUP is Oklahoma State University Extension grain market economist Kim Anderson. During this week’s edition, Anderson talks about the latest in the crop markets.

“It is not news that wheat prices have been in a downtrend since late July when prices were around $8.40 in northern Oklahoma,” Anderson said. “Prices trended down into early November, hit $6, then moved by December 1st down to $5.40. They went back up over $6 for just a while by mid December, and they have been going down ever since until early this week when wheat prices hit $5.”

Now, Anderson said wheat prices are up around $5.40 to $5.50.

“It looks like they have been trading between that $5 and $5.50,” Anderson said. “We will have to break the $5.50 for it to move up. I would be surprised if it did.”

With stocks to use ratios for hard red winter wheat at an average, Anderson said many are wondering why wheat prices have been trending down.

“If you will look at exports, it might tell us something about what is going on in these markets,” Anderson said.

Exports are projected to be below average, Anderson said, and much of this is impacted by the Black Sea area.

Record Numbers Expected for Ag Mechanics Show at Oklahoma Youth Expo

At the Oklahoma Youth Expo, Farm Director KC Sheperd had the chance to visit with Scott Eisenhauer of P&K Equipment, who has been a major booster of the OYE’s Ag Mechanics contest. This Saturday, the fourth Ag Mechanics Contest will move into a larger venue on the OKC Fairgrounds(The Pavilion) and there are a record 318 entries for this year- up from 239 in 2023.

Eisenhauer said it is impressive to see the mechanical skills and abilities that the students in the contest are able to showcase.



“Young people with technical and mechanical skills are what we need to work in our dealerships,” Eisenhauer said. “It was a logical fit for us from the beginning that some of the students that will be having projects there might be potential candidates for our employees and our training programs and all those types of things. P&K is glad to be a partner from the beginning of the ag mechanics contest.”

A Message from Oklahoma State FSA Executive Director Steve Kouplen

Hello Oklahoma agriculture enthusiasts!

Recently, Oklahoma has experienced wildfires in the western part of the state. Although I pray this year has limited damage caused by wildfires, it never hurts to prepare. 

Ask your local FSA office about both the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). Both of these programs are resources for the producers negatively impacted by natural disasters. 

Before disaster strikes, here are some suggestions to prepare:

• Document livestock diligently
• Type, gender, weight, etc.
• Save sales receipts of any animal sold due to injury from the natural disaster or lack of forage thereafter
• Document property loss with photos and dates (burnt fence lines, equipment, etc.)

Consult with your FSA Office prior to making repairs to potentially receive cost share assistance for eligible losses on materials, services, labor, equipment and sales tax.

Happy farming! Steve Kouplen

More stories for your weekend reading!