At the Oklahoma Youth Expo on March 18th, over 130 lawmakers made their way to the OKC fairgrounds to be part of the 2024 Legislative and Celebrity Showmanship Contest. Lawmakers were paired with a 4-H or FFA member and had the chance to learn how to show a goat, lamb, steer, or barrow.

The showmanship was judged, and one lawmaker was awarded champion of each species. Then, an overall winner was chosen. This year’s overall winner was House Deputy Floor Leader John Pfeiffer, who showed a steer. Other winners from the three remaining animal divisions included State Senators Lonnie Paxton and Chuck Hall, and U.S. Senator James Lankford.

Prior to the competition, Farm Director KC Sheperd talked with Representative Ty Burns, who was paired with a hog exhibitor.

“In the past, all of Oklahoma has been rural,” Burns said. “We are starting to see a shift in this.”

Burns said most state representatives are from urban areas in Oklahoma, so the legislative showmanship event gives them a chance to connect with rural Oklahomans and meet the hardworking youth who are the state's future.

Our coverage of all things OYE last week and this week is being powered by Hilliary Communications!

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.

According to the latest Oklahoma Crop Progress and Condition Report released on March 18, 2024, winter wheat jointing reached 14 percent, down 5 points from the previous year and down 4 points from normal. Winter wheat conditions rated 61 percent good to excellent, 32 percent fair and 7 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 65 percent good to excellent, 28 percent fair and 7 percent poor to very poor. 

Pasture and range conditions rated 38 percent good to excellent, 38 percent fair and 24 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 36 percent good to excellent, 40 percent fair, and 24 percent poor to very poor. 

Meanwhile in Kansas- the winter wheat crop is a couple of points better this week than last- with the wheat reported at 55% good to excellent versus 53% last week.

In Texas- the winter wheat crop is also 2 points better in the good to excellent ratings at 46% good to excellent this week, according to USDA.

Blake Kennedy Sees Night of Sales Gilt Sale Tonight to Feature Highest Quality Yet

At the Oklahoma Youth Expo, Farm Director KC Sheperd caught up with Blake Kennedy, CEO and Founder of Kennedy Ventures, to discuss the Night of Stars Gilt Sale, which will take place at 6 p.m. on March 19th at the OKC fairgrounds.

Last year’s sale hit record numbers, with 131 gilts sold for a record $1,259,250 (a $9,612 per head). The OYE and national record for a gilt sold was also set at the 2023 Night of Stars Gilt Sale at $92,000.

“This is an event that I always look forward to helping out with here at the Oklahoma Youth Expo,” Kennedy said. “We have got some changes. We moved our gilt show up a day and actually split some things apart.”

The videos of the gilts that will be featured in the sale are now live on the Kennedy Ventures website. To access the sale link and the lot preview, CLICK HERE.  

“I truly believe that this year, this is the deepest and most quality set of females we have ever offered to the public from the Oklahoma Youth Expo in terms of breeds, dark crosses, and light crosses,” Kennedy said. “There is an opportunity for everyone to get a sale order, sit down, and study their way through the sale. It is going to be a tremendous night.”

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am visiting with the Executive Director of Nutrition Research at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Dr. Shalene McNeill, about the dietary guidelines for 2025.

“USDA and Health and Human Services are now developing the 10th edition of our Dietary Guidelines for Americans,” McNeill said. “We had our very first one back in 1980. We are now on our 10th edition, and they are updated every five years.”

McNeill said the formation of these guidelines involves a process where the public is invited to a series of meetings; then, a scientific advisory committee prepares a report that ultimately becomes the policy report known as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The process is about halfway complete, McNeill said, as NCBA has provided oral and written comments on the testimony of the value of beef in a healthy diet.

“We expect that the committee work will wrap up at the end of 2024, and we will see that 10th edition of the dietary guidelines out at the beginning of 2025,” McNeill said.

McNeill said the current dietary guidelines clearly acknowledge that beef is part of a healthy diet, and as the 2025 guidelines come to completion, there are still many reasons to include it in a healthy diet.

Ahead are the market shows that lead up to the Grand Drive on Thursday evening at the Oklahoma Youth Expo.

There were actually a few barrows being shown on Monday- the picture above is of the first ever Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby where 42 young men and ladies walked through he process of buying a barrow- raising and fitting him- and bringing him "up the hill" for their first show experience at the OYE. We will have details to share with you of that in tomorrow's email with Kylee Deniz of OkPork.

We will also have stories out today with OSU President Dr. Kayse Shrum who spent time at OYE on Monday- as did US Senator James Lankford and his wife Cindy, I talked with Dr. Shrum and KC talked with Senator Lankford.

As for our market show schedule- the barrow show starts this morning at 8AM in Barn 6- and will conclude with the Grand Drive Thursday night.

The other three species start their market animal shows tomorrow at the OKC Fairgrounds- and they show both tomorrow as well as into Thursday.

Also on tap for today- the Night of Stars Gilt Sale at 6 pm tonight in the Expo Hall (new location) and this afternoon- the Diamond Hats their 2024 edition of "This One's for the Girls!" starting at 3 pm.

Our photo album on Flickr is starting to get loaded up with lots of pictures- they are there for your enjoyment- and if you would like to download some of your favorites- we are glad for you to so. Click here for the 2024 album and take a look!

Strategies for Success: Planting Soybeans Early

“Data has shown that planting soybeans early so they have the opportunity to maximize the growing season pays,” says AgriGold Agronomist Ron Roling. “Even the insurance companies have seen the advantage and moved up their planting windows.”

At grower meetings, Roling often asks who has started planting soybeans earlier and who regrets it. “Nobody really regrets it,” he says. That speaks volumes. 

Roling expects the trend of planting soybeans before corn to continue. And after a mild winter, more Iowa farmers than ever are considering early soybean planting. There are several strategies farmers can use to mitigate the risks and unlock the full potential of their acres.  

Protect with a quality seed treatment

Early planting can heighten the risk of disease, whether that’s seedling disease or sudden death syndrome (SDS). Roling says the No. 1 thing farmers planting soybeans early should do is make sure they are using standard rates of a high-quality seed treatment. 

“Fully treat your soybean seed with products that have fungicide and insecticide protection, as well as something for SDS protection, like Saltro®,” he advises. “Think of that seed treatment like an insurance policy.”

AITC Summer Road Trip Applications Now Available

Are you ready to hit the road with Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom? Applications are now available for the 2024 Summer Road Trip set for June 4-6, 2024.

“The summer road trip is one of my favorite professional learning opportunities we provide for educators,” said AITC Coordinator, Emily Ague. “It is an incredible opportunity for teachers to experience agriculture throughout Oklahoma and return to their classrooms with tools and knowledge they can share with their students. Teachers will return with a network of resources and support, as well as many new friends.”

Oklahoma teachers will travel with AITC from Norman to Stillwater to experience agriculture in the areas surrounding the state’s two Bedlam universities. Sponsored by the Oklahoma Beef Council, road trip highlights will include tours of cattle ranches, turf, equestrian, and much more.

“This trip would not be possible without the support of the Oklahoma Beef Council,” Ague said. “We are so thankful to them and excited for our teachers to meet the wonderful beef producers during the trip.”