In this week's crop progress report, winter wheat headed reached 11 percent, up 2 percentage points from the previous year and up 4 points from the five-year average. Winter wheat conditions rated 55 percent good to excellent, 32 percent fair and 13 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 56 percent good to excellent, 32 percent fair and 12 percent poor to very poor.

Oklahoma winter wheat conditions rated 60 percent good to excellent, 30 percent fair and 10 poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 68 percent good to excellent, 24 percent fair and 8 percent poor to very poor. Mid April ratings a year ago were dramatically lower as we were only at 13% good to excellent and 53% poor to very poor.

Meanwhile, Kansas winter wheat slipped six points lower in the good to excellent category to 42% this week. Texas actually improved in their winter wheat ratings this week by four points to 48% good to excellent. Both Kansas and Texas are more than 30 points better in the good to excellent ratings versus this time in 2023.

All three states are ahead in crop development compared to this point in 2023.

Pasture and range conditions in Oklahoma rated 42 percent good to excellent, 40 percent fair and 18 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 39 percent good to excellent, 42 percent fair and 19 percent poor to very poor. 

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.

Ag Day at the Capital Kicks off this morning at 9am.

This is always an excellent opportunity to get a great look at the many aspects of agriculture in our state.

Several vendors will be on hand at the event on the Second Floor Rotunda. There will be some tasty samples of Oklahoma products as well as the Oklahoma Cattlewomen and the Oklahoma Beef Council who will be promoting beef with their tasty samples!

The annual event celebrates agriculture’s impact on Oklahoma while highlighting the many commodities grown across the state.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau, AFR, & OCA members, along with other agriculture organizations and Made in Oklahoma producers, will be sharing the story of agriculture at their booths in the rotunda of the Capitol with guests and legislators.

Ag in the Classroom will also be on hand to celebrate the Ag in the Classroom Teach of the year and the youth Contest Winners!

Introducing Grace Wright of the Stratford FFA Chapter, Your 2024 Central Area Star in Ag Placement

This week, our coverage of the 2024 Oklahoma FFA Star Award Finalists concludes with Agribusiness competitor Grace Wright of the Stratford 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 Grace by clicking on the Blue Button at the bottom of this story.

“I started working for a fruit and vegetable stand when I was about 13 years old, and I have worked there for the past five summers,” Wright said. “We do anything from planting and irrigating to picking and selling.”

Wright said she has definitely developed a “green thumb” by learning to care for all of the plants while working with fruits and vegetables. Another great part of the job Wright mentioned was having the chance to taste the fruits of her labor, literally!

After graduating from high school, Wright said she plans to attend Oklahoma State University to pursue a degree in agricultural communications so she can continue to advocate for the agricultural industry through her writing, photography, and more.

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

I am talking with Rick Machen of the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management. Machen is the institute’s executive director and served the institute for many years before taking on this position.

The impact of King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management stretches from coast to coast, sustaining ranching heritage through education, innovation, and outreach.

“We were founded in 2003 when the King Ranch turned 150 years old,” Machen said. “The family at the time has always been very philanthropic, and the family said they could see the need for professional ranch management for the larger and more complex ranches.”

“Last year was our 20th anniversary, and we have 53 alumni scattered across the country,” Machen said. Some of them manage ranches, some of them work in government agencies, some of them work in lending institutions, so we are very proud of the alumni, and we have a great 20-year heritage behind us.”

Machen said part of the program consists of graduate student training, and the other part is outreach and education. All but one of the outreach and education lectureships are available online, so anyone can participate.

To visit the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management to find out more, CLICK HERE!

The Beef Advocate contest was held this past Friday at OKC West Stockyards. The contest is a statewide competition open to Oklahoma youth from grades 5th – 12th at OKC West Stockyards in conjunction with the commercial cattle grading scholarship contest.

The students were judged in several categories:

1. Media—The contestant will participate in a mock media interview. The interviewer will ask pre-determined questions and have the option to ask follow-up questions. A panel of judges will observe the interaction for knowledge, articulation, poise, and the contestant’s ability to explain beef production and present the beef community in a positive manner.

2. Peer—A staged conversation between a contestant and his/her peer that includes beef production and/or nutrition. A panel of judges will observe each contestant’s ability to relay to their peers appropriate and accurate information regarding the beef community and beef nutrition.

In the Senior Division, First place went to Bridger Arrington, an 11th grader at Mulhall Orlando FFA. Second place went to Allison Schneeberger, an 11th grader at Newkirk FFA, and third place went to Baylee Weatherford, a Senior at Vallient FFA.

Raylynn Parsons, a 7th grader at Valliant FFA, was first in the Junior Division. 2nd Place went to Berkley McKay, an 8th grader at Mulhall Orlando FFA, and 3rd place went to Jamie Parsons, a 5th grader from Vallient 4H.

Agriculture Emissions Fall to Lowest Levels in 10 Years

America’s farmers and ranchers are leading the way in greenhouse gas emission reduction through voluntary conservation efforts and market-based incentives.The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2022. The report shows American agriculture reduced emissions by almost 2% from 2021 to 2022, the largest decrease of any economic sector.

American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the data in the latest Market Intel, noting, “U.S. agriculture represents just under 10% of total U.S. emissions when compared to other economic sectors… By EPA’s own methodology, emissions from agriculture totaled 634 million metric tons in CO2 equivalents, or 9.99% of all U.S. emissions, during 2022. This represents a decrease of 1.8%, or 12 million metric tons, from 2021… 2022 marks the lowest U.S. agricultural greenhouse gas emissions since 2012.”

“The latest numbers demonstrate farmers’ and ranchers’ commitment to growing the food and fiber America’s families rely on while improving the land, air and water, a benefit to the farm and the climate,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “The drop in agricultural emissions highlights the success and importance of voluntary and market-based programs that support farmer efforts in sustainable agriculture practices.

The latest numbers should also serve as inspiration to lawmakers who can build on this progress by passing a farm bill, which not only provides a safety net for farmers, but also helps them meet sustainability goals.”

OKFB Members Elevate Voice of Agriculture in Washington, D.C.

More than 50 Oklahoma Farm Bureau members traveled to Washington, D.C., April 8-12 to advocate for agriculture and learn about the latest national issues facing the industry during OKFB’s 2024 Washington, D.C., Summit fly-in.

The trip included congressional briefings, industry updates, group activities and time to tour the sights of our nation’s capital, allowing Oklahoma farmers and ranchers an opportunity to share their perspectives with officials and industry representatives who craft laws and oversee regulations impacting agriculture.

Lankford shared with Farm Bureau members his position on immigration and border security, the wars in Ukraine and Israel, and the progress he has seen on the farm bill. Mullin visited about budgetary appropriations and earmarks, government shutdowns and the challenges that follow, and tribal relations.

AFBF’s Dave Salmonson and John Walt Boatwright shared the work the national farm organization is doing to provide relief for labor pressures facing farmers and ranchers, efforts to spur the Biden Administration to work toward new trade agreements and an update on the Environmental Protection Agency’s strategies and maneuvers on restricting pesticide usage related to the Endangered Species Act along with the agency’s recent ruling restricting the use of over-the-top dicamba.