It was a historic night for the world's largest junior livestock show. On Tuesday evening, the 20th Night of Stars Gilt Show had 130 gilts sell for a grand total of $1,610,750 and a per gilt average of $12,390. That far surpassed the record set last year of $1.259 million and a per gilt average of $9,612.

All of these gilts were shown by 4-H and FFA youth who sold their animals in the sale- the best of just over 2,000 head that were in the Breeding Gilt show of this past week.

High of the night was the first gilt sold- the Supreme Crossbred Gilt for $175,000- shown by Kashan Young of Rogers County 4-H. The Reserve Supreme Crossbred sold for $75,000 and was shown by Isaiah Gamez of Adair FFA.

In recent years- there are always two or three gilts that see their value pushed up in the competitive bidding process. Last night- there was a third crossbred gilt- the 87th pig sold in the sale that brought more than the Reserve Supreme Champ- $91,000- it was the 35th best Dark Crossbred in the show and was owned by Jackson Harper of Madill FFA. A buyer and a competing bidder decided that gilt (and the genetics in her lineage) was worth more than all but one other animal in the entire sale.

Our coverage of the 2024 OYE continues to be powered by Hilliary Communications!

As the premier John Deere dealer across Oklahoma & Arkansas, P&K Equipment is proud to serve our 20 communities and the surrounding areas. From residential, small ag & hay, large ag, & compact construction equipment- the P&K team makes it easy to buy & own your John Deere equipment.

You’ll find transparent pricing & easy financing options on the website & in stores. You’ll have technology, sales, parts, and service support long after the sale. So when you’re ready to experience the ease of operating John Deere equipment- you can trust the experts at P&K Equipment.

I recently had the chance to visit with the President of Oklahoma State University, Dr. Kayse Shrum, at the 2024 Oklahoma Youth Expo. Shrum was a participant in Monday’s OYE Legislative and Celebrity Showmanship and also attended the 2024 Pork Partners Derby.

“My older kids participated in OYE every year when they were in high school, and since that time, when I was at the medical school, we started giving scholarships, and I came out here every year,” Shrum said.

As Shrum is no stranger to OYE, she commended the opportunities the event presents for the youth of Oklahoma. Extension plays a large role in the agriculture industry, and Shrum said she is proud of OSU’s land grant mission.

“What makes Oklahoma State and other land grant universities different from other research universities is extension,” Shrum said. “That is what sets us apart and I think that is what is really endearing the way land grants were created to extend an education to a new class of individuals, and then to take the knowledge we have and make it available on the front lines.”

A Proclamation on National Agriculture Day, 2024 from President Joe Biden

On Tuesday- the White House released a statement from President Joe Biden to spotlight March 19 as National Ag Day:

"On National Agriculture Day, we celebrate generations of American farmers, farmworkers, fishers, ranchers, foresters, and all those who work around the clock to put food on our tables and steward our Nation’s lands. They represent the best of America — pride in community, love of family, and work ethic and strength that power our economy and help feed the world. "

Today on National Ag Day, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture celebrates agriculture’s significant role in driving local, state and national economies across the U.S. NASDA is a proud partner of the eighth annual “Feeding the Economy” report, a nationwide study commissioned by 30 food and agriculture groups to provide insight into the food and agriculture sectors’ economic impact. In addition to national data, the report also provides detailed analyses of economic impacts at the state and county levels.

NASDA CEO Ted McKinney recognized the strength of the U.S. food and agriculture sectors is a direct result of the dedication and commitment of individuals working at every point along the supply chain.

“The Feeding the Economy report is an annual highlight of the strength and resilience of the U.S. food and agriculture sector, and its release continues to be an ideal way to celebrate National Agriculture Day,” NASDA CEO Ted McKinney said.

The numbers in the report can be broken down at the state level and even to the Congressional District level.

For example- the Oklahoma stats show agriculture has a 111 billion dollar impact to the Oklahoma economy.

First Ever Pork Derby Big Success at Oklahoma Youth Expo

In an effort to recruit more young folks to the Livestock world, the Oklahoma Pork Council helped launch the first annual “Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby.”

I talked with the Executive Director of OkPork Kylee Deniz about the concept that became reality on Monday in the main swine show ring that is the hoped for destination for every 4-H and FFA member showing gilts or barrows at OYE- they all want to make it “up the hill.”

Alex Brooks of Tipton FFA took the Champion Spot, with Charley Nix of Carnegie FFA with the Reserve. The Bronze award went to Kensli Shaffer of the Laverne FFA Chapter.

According to Kylee Deniz with OkPork, students held a ‘draft day’ event at OSU where the students were able to learn more about feeding, training and biosecurity in addition to selecting their hogs from the available OSU Swine Farm options.

Deniz says that the OkPork board of directors committed funds to pay for the pigs purchased in the draft from the OSU Swine Farm.

Dr. Barry and Roxanne Pollard are proud to invite you to their 25th Annual Bull Sale at Pollard Farms in Waukomis, Oklahoma.

The sale will start at 12:30 PM today at the farm in Waukomis. You can also participate by on LiveAuctions.TV.

The Pollards have elite Angus genetics and are providing genomically enhanced EPDs on the 100 home raised service age bulls that will be offered today.

Click here for the sale catalog.

Click here for sale videos of the bulls being offered.

Call Sale Manager Matt Sims for last minute questions at 405-641-6081.

Reducing Mature Weight and Increasing Cow Productivity

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 reducing mature weight and increasing cow productivity.

The increasing mature weight of United States beef cows is concerning. Larger cows have higher nutrient requirements. Improving the efficiency, sustainability and profit potential of commercial cow calf production involves reducing feed costs while improving pounds of calf weaned. Reducing the mature weight of beef cows has a favorable impact on feed costs. Cumulative weight weaned throughout a cow’s life in production is the result of total pounds of calves weaned and will be higher for cows that annually calve earlier, wean a healthy calf, and avoid being culled as a result of reproductive failure, unsoundness and bad disposition.

The Role of Selection and Mating

Mature cow size can be effectively controlled through sire selection. Mature cow weight is a high heritability trait with literature estimates ranging from 35 to 70%. Selection pressure applied to Mature Weight Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) in sire selection should be an effective means of changing mature weight.