Sunday was a summer like day across Oklahoma- with temperatures well above mid April highs. A large part of the northwest half of the state- from Osage County down to Harmon and Jackson Counties had day time highs in the 90s. Four locations recorded highs of 96 degrees- Butler, Fairview, Freedom and Seiling.(the map above is linked to the Mesonet to allow you to check on the high temp of yesterday across the state)

We can expect temps back into he 80s and even some 90s again today- ahead of a stormy night in parts of the state.

Jed Castles with News9 in Oklahoma City reported on Monday morning that the area in orange is area currently most likely to see significant storms today into the evening and even overnight hours.

There is another storm system lined up for Oklahoma by Thursday night/Friday- the severe stuff is never welcomed- but these systems do bring chances of rain- and that is very much wanted and needed for pastures, our 2024 wheat crop and the soil profile ahead of spring planting.

Midwest Farm Shows is proud to produce the two best Farm Shows in the State of Oklahoma annually- the Tulsa Farm Show each December and the Oklahoma City Farm Show each April.

The Tulsa Farm Show is Oklahoma’s premier agricultural and ranching event- and returns to the SageNet Center (Expo Square) December, 6-7-8, 2024. 

Now is the ideal time to contact the Midwest Farm Show Office at 507-437-7969 and book space at the 2022 Tulsa Farm Show.  To learn more about the Tulsa Farm Show, click here.

When Steve DeWitt was experimenting with ingredients to make the perfect pancake mix, he immediately saw differences that brought to life the distinctive baking characteristics of individual wheat varieties.

DeWitt’s increasing familiarity with the intricacies of flour is something he never anticipated while growing up on the family farm near Braman in north central Oklahoma. Only in recent years did he become interested in marketing his own homegrown grain in a minimally processed form.

DeWitt sells his products through an online store, but the bulk of sales are to what he calls “year-round farmers market stores” focused on local sourcing. Oklahoma City and Tulsa have several, but others have sprouted up in smaller towns like Arcadia, New Castle, Piedmont and Deer Creek.

Still, the market is changing, and DeWitt sees potential in new directions pursued by OSU’s chief wheat geneticist and distinguished professor Dr. Brett Carver, who leads the wheat breeding program. He’s been carefully following varietal advances for years, looking for options that combine good yield potential with environmental adaptability and desirable baking characteristics.

Introducing Brynna Raines of the Meeker FFA Chapter, Your 2024 Central Area Star in Agribusiness

This week, our coverage of the 2024 Oklahoma FFA Star Award Finalists concludes with Agribusiness competitor Brynna Raines of the Meeker FFA chapter representing the Central Area.

Farm Director KC Sheperd interviewed all 18 Star finalists recently in Stillwater after they were judged in their respective areas- and you can hear KC talk with Brynna by clicking on the Blue Button at the bottom of this story.

Raines runs a pet-sitting service where she cares for all types of animals, from dogs and livestock to even snakes. Raines said she saw a need for a pet-sitting service in her community, so she created her own.

When it comes to caring for different animals, Raines said she is not afraid to use her resources to learn more about different species. Raines plans to attend Oklahoma State University to major in Agricultural Education in the fall and continue her business through college.



Raines also thanked all of those who have helped her along the way and supported her during her project and said she is excited to see her business grow in the future.

Our coverage of the Stars and the 2024 State FFA Convention is powered by Hilliary Communications.

At the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Convention, I talked with Callahan Grund, the Executive Director of U.S. CattleTrace. Hays is back talking with Grund today about animal identification at the speed of commerce.

To listen to Part One of the conversation, CLICK HERE.

“I think there is technology available and out there today that allows us to reach that speed of commerce, but it is connecting the dots,” Callahan said. “Obviously, as we know with many different items in the cattle industry, connecting the dots may be the hardest thing we do because we are so segmented. It is the beautiful part of our industry, but it makes it a challenge on issues like this.”

Grund said U.S. CattleTrace has taken the necessary precautions to ensure that producers’ data remains private.

“We don’t have any individual producer data,” Grund said. “It is just the ID, date, time, and GPS coordinates, so where that animal may have been read at that instance, no personally identifiable information there, and the database is locked up and secured only to use in the case of a disease outbreak.”

CattleTrace partner organizations include the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, the Kansas Livestock Association, Florida Cattlemen’s Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association. To see the full list of CattleTrace partners, CLICK HERE.

Benefits of Estrus Synchronization and Artificial Insemination

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 benefits of estrus synchronization and more.

Regardless of when your calving season occurs, manipulating the reproductive process of your cow herd can result in shorter breeding and calving seasons. Accordingly, more calves born earlier in the calving season result in an older, heavier, more uniform calf crop when you wean. Shortened calving seasons permit improvements in herd health and management such as timing of vaccinations and practices that add to calf value with less labor requirements (or at the very least concentrating labor efforts into a shorter time frame). Cows that are closer to the same stage of gestation can also be fed and grouped accordingly which facilitates a higher level of management.

Estrus synchronization can be used for natural mating or breeding by Artificial Insemination (AI). Synchronization protocols permit us to concentrate the labor needed for heat detection to a few days, and in some cases eliminate the need for heat detection when cows can be bred on a timed basis. Choosing an estrous synchronization protocol which can be used with AI or natural mating can be difficult as a number of synchronization methods are available. Traditional protocols are designed to mimic or control the corpus luteum on the ovary. Newer protocols have been designed to control ovulation and/or the follicular waves that occur on the ovary during the 21-day estrous cycle. Estrus synchronization systems vary in cost, labor required, and effectiveness.  

USDA Forest Service Invests $764,330 to Support Oklahoma Schools, Roads and More

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service today announced it is issuing more than $232 million to support public schools, roads and other municipal services through the agency’s Secure Rural Schools program. As the Biden-Harris administration invests in ways for forests to generate more economic opportunity in rural areas, it also aims to support the quality of life in those communities through programs like Secure Rural Schools. The program was reauthorized for fiscal years 2021 through 2023 through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Fiscal year 2023 funds will be paid to 745 eligible counties in 41 states and Puerto Rico.

In addition to Secure Rural Schools payments, the Forest Service is using Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act funding to improve forest conditions, support local economies and create jobs by investing in forest restoration projects, road and trail maintenance, recreation opportunities and wood innovation development.

Over the past 10 years, the Forest Service has distributed $2.4 billion through the Secure Rural Schools program.

The Forest Service retains some of the funding to support projects that improve forest conditions and support jobs in rural communities. Resource advisory committees made up of residents representing varied interests and areas of expertise review and recommend the projects that meet their local needs. This year’s payments to states are below:

For payment information by county, visit Secure Rural Schools – Payments | US Forest Service.