The 2024 Oklahoma Youth Expo is headed to the finish line as the Sale of Champions will happen this afternoon at 4 PM in the Norick Arena at the OKC Fairgrounds. The Sale Order for the 214 animals of the four species can be seen by clicking here.

Let's talk Grand Drive from last night- the Grand Champion Market Steer that will lead off the sale later today was the Champion Crossbred- owned by Ruby Bell of the Bristow FFA Chapter.

The Reserve Grand Champion Steer was shown by Kelton Arthur of the Ripley FFA Chapter. Arthur showed the reserve crossbred.

CLICK HERE for more details about the grand steer drive.

As for the market barrows- the 2024 Grand Champion Market Barrow was the Champion Hampshire barrow shown by Wade Richey of Altus 4-H.

Reserve Grand Champion was Channing Goodson of the Tecumseh 4-H, who showed the Champion Dark Cross Barrow.

CLICK HERE for more details about the grand barrow drive at the 2024 OYE.

Details about the best in show for the Market Lambs and Market Goats are further down in today's email.

Our coverage of all the young people involved at the OYE is powered by Hilliary Communications.

The vision of the Oklahoma Beef Council is to be a positive difference for Oklahoma's farming and ranching families and the greater beef community, and its mission is to enhance beef demand by strengthening consumer trust and exceeding consumer expectations. 

To learn more, visit www.oklabeef.org. Also, don't forget to like its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/oklabeef for stories on Oklahoma's ranching families and great beef recipes. 

And Check out this video below that helps you learn more about the Beef Checkoff:

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 12 weeks.

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

Moderate drought or worse is now at 3.53 percent, down slightly from last week’s 3.82 percent.

Abnormally dry or worse conditions are now at 43.56 percent, down from last week’s 45.16 percent.

According to the 6-to-10-day precipitation outlook map, almost the entire state is at a “near normal” chance of precipitation through March 30. A small strip of the southern border of the state is leaning below a 33 to 40 percent chance of precipitation through March 30.

Genomic Data Works Alongside Performance Records to Optimize Cow-Calf Operation Production

I am back talking with Kelli Retallick-Riley, the President of Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI), a subsidiary of the American Angus Association. Retallick-Riley talks about the latest genomic advancements in the Angus industry.

To hear part 1 of the conversation with Kelli Retallick-Riley, CLICK HERE.

“We just launched our functional longevity research EPD, so functional longevity is obviously important for a commercial cow-calf man. We want our cows to stay in the herd and have a calf every year,” Retallick-Riley said. “We know that, and that is really where we want to land. We have been able to accumulate a lot of phenotypes- actual records and management records from our producers over the years and try to come up with a genetic prediction for that specific trait.”

Coming up near mid-summer or early fall of 2024, Retallick-Riley said, is a teat and udder score EPD, which measures teat and udder suspension scores.

“We have never had a huge issue in the Angus breed with overall udder design and makeup, but we do see variation in those scores as our breeders are continuing to promote them,” Retallick-Riley said. “We want to be able to have those types of traits out there.”

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

“There hasn’t been much movement at all in crop prices over the last couple of weeks, or maybe even over the last month,” Anderson said.

Anderson said the reason for this lack of movement has a simple answer: There is just not much going on.

“We have got the winter wheat crop, it is all planted and in relatively good condition both in the United States and around the world,” Anderson said. “We have got the corn and soybean summer crop plantings coming up, but again, moisture is relatively good around. I think the market feels like they have got a good handle on things in the U.S. and the world, and there is just not much happening.”

The Perspective Plantings report will be released from the USDA next Thursday, Anderson said, and it will contain the estimates for all summer crops, including spring wheat. It will also contain the final planting estimates for hard red winter wheat and soft red winter wheat, Anderson added.

Let's continue to spotlight the Grand Champions in the market animal divisions at the 2024 Oklahoma Youth Expo- next- the Grand Champion Market Lamb.

Champion market lamb of the 2024 Oklahoma Youth Expo was awarded to Clay Randall of Canute FFA. His lamb was the Champion Black Faced Cross.

Reserve champion market lamb was awarded to Hayz Wilson of the Mason 4-H.

Click here for the full story on the Market Lamb Grand Drive from last night's celebration.

And finally- your 2024 Grand Champion Market Goat was shown by Jase Sparks of Hartshorne FFA, who won division three champion on Wednesday.

Reserve Champion was awarded to Sayde Allen of the Canute FFA Chapter, who won division four earlier in the week.

CLICK HERE for the full story from the Market Goat Grand Drive.

The Sale Order for the 214 animals of the four species in this afternoon's Sale of Champions can be seen by clicking here.

We have loads of photos from this year's OYE to check out Flickr album for 2024- available here!

At the Oklahoma Youth Expo, Oklahoma Farm Reporter Maci Carter had the chance to visit with Lacey Dale Gracia and talk about this year’s “This One’s for The Girls” event put on by Diamond Hats. Gracia, who is now with Diamond Hats, was previously the Marketing Manager for Express Ranches. 

This year’s theme centered around Bees, as girls were encouraged to “Bee Kind,” “Bee Thankful,” “Bee Present,” “Be Professional,” Bee Yourself,” “Bee Informed,” and “Be Polite.” Over 300 girls attended the event filled with positive messaging and energy.

“It was the dream born in my heart that I visited with Mr. Bob Funk about in the early days of Diamond Hats when we were sitting at the National Finals Rodeo women’s luncheon,” Gracia said. “I said, “I really want to go home and impact girls, give them a couple of hours to escape out of the barn where they are working alongside the boys, and as hard as the boys, and just give them an impactful party experience where they are reminded that they are girls, and they can come sparkle,’”

At the event, Gracia said attendees had the chance to visit different themed booths to engage in fun activities and learn lifelong skills.

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