During Agriculture Day at the Capitol this week, Farm Director KC Sheperd caught up with Oklahoman Keeff Felty, who serves as president of the National Association of Wheat Growers.

Felty is a fourth-generation farmer in the Altus area of Oklahoma and says “The wheat crop is doing better than it has in the last several years,” Felty said.

With the right weather conditions, Felty is optimistic about this year’s crop, foreseeing a promising harvest.



“This year was one of those where we had good moisture to get it up, and for the most part, it didn’t have to struggle a lot,” Felty said. We had timely rains the whole year. Two years ago, we got it up, then we suffered with a short crop.”

Oklahoma Farm Bureau works to improve the lives of all Oklahomans by supporting our state’s agriculture community. As Oklahoma’s largest general farm organization led by Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, OKFB takes grassroots values and advocates for agriculture at the state Capitol and in Washington, D.C., to ensure our way of life continues for generations to come. Farm Bureau hosts leadership events, supports our state’s agricultural youth and connects consumers with agriculture in order to build a brighter future for our state. Become an OKFB member today online at okfarmbureau.org/join. Together, we are rural Oklahoma.

I had the chance to visit with Andy Holloway about the Hemphill County Beef Conference, which will be held next week on April 23-24 at the Jones Pavilion in Canadian, Texas.

The Tuesday and Wednesday beef cattle event has established itself as one of the nation’s leading sources for cutting-edge, critical information for beef cattle producers. Andy Holloway, County Extension Agent at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Hemphill County, who founded this event in 2015, said the Beef Cattle Conference has truly become a “Field of Dreams” story: “You Build, and They Will Come.” 

“We are expecting 600 to 800 people from all around the nation,” Holloway said. “In 2023, we had people from 11 states."

It's a busy agenda over the two days- , including Troy Applehans of Cattle Fax; Mark Makens, Atmospheric Scientist; Dr. Shannon Ferrell of Oklahoma State University; Mark Gardiner of Gardiner Angus Ranch; Kade Lawrence of Texas 4-H State Council; Dr. Loni Lucherk of West Texas A&M University; JoJo Carralles of Heart Brand Beef; Dr. Jason Smith of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension; Travis Thorne of Capital Farm Credit; Dr. Morgan Treadwell, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension; and Dallas Mount of Ranching For Profit. 

Featured keynote speaker for the 2024 Hemphill County Beef Conference, Kayleigh McEnany is the former White House press secretary and current co-host of Outnumbered on the Fox News Channel. Prior to serving in the White House, Kayleigh worked as the national press secretary for the Trump Campaign and formerly the national spokesperson for the Republican National Committee. Before joining the RNC, Kayleigh worked as a political commentator at CNN.

You can still sign up for the Conference- details are available here

Meet Gunnar Carey of Webbers Falls FFA- Your Northeast Area Star in Ag Placement

This morning, our coverage of the 2024 Oklahoma FFA Star Award Finalists continues with Ag Placement competitor Gunner Carey of the Webbers Falls FFA chapter representing the Northeast 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 Gunnar by clicking on the Blue Button at the bottom of this story.

“My project is working for a company named HogFather’s Secret,” Carey said. “It began in 2019 when my twin brother had the idea to make and sell his own skin and hair products for show pigs. He hired me in 2020.”

After buying skin and hair products for their show pigs for years, Carey said his twin brother decided it was time to make their own. Through the project, Carey said he has learned how to effectively market the products and work as a team.

After high school graduation, Carey said he plans to attend a vocational-technical school to work toward an HVAC certification.

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

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is opening a special disaster sign-up for $1 million in additional funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program for producers in Oklahoma who have been impacted by recent wildfires. Producers must submit applications to USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) by May 10, 2024, to be considered for this funding opportunity.  Affected counties are Ellis, Roger Mills, Beaver, Harper, Dewey, Woods and Texas. 

“The Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oklahoma is prepared to assist landowners with their efforts to address resource concerns caused by the recent wildfires,” said Jeanne Hamilton, NRCS State Conservationist in Oklahoma. “Loss of vegetation not only affects forages for livestock and wildlife habitat, but it can lead to increased soil loss due to erosion from wind and water. We know many of our Oklahoma producers were hit hard by this disaster and we are here to help.” 



Assistance includes practices aimed at replacing damaged infrastructure such as fencing and water resources, as well as management and recovery of affected lands. 

Memorial Day or Bust- House Ag Committee Chair Says He Will Have His Farm Bill Out of Committee By Then

House Ag Committee Chair Glenn Thompson says his committee will “without a doubt” mark up a farm bill before Memorial Day on May 27. After repeated delays in the farm bill process, there are media reports that Republicans on the Senate Ag committee plan to release a farm bill framework shortly after the House panel takes action.

However, Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow says the Senate hasn’t set a specific timeline to move the bill. A farm bill is six months overdue. Legislators say they’re working hard to pass a farm bill this year despite impasses on crop subsidies, climate, and SNAP cuts. “We’ll move on the bill when I know we can get it done,” Stabenow says. “I do see a path to doing that.”

Thompson’s package will get released before the committee vote and will offer a robust farm safety net that’s strengthened with money drawn from a USDA reserve.

During Agriculture Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, Farm Director KC Sheperd had the chance to visit with Ag Youth Council member Cooper Kline of Chandler, Oklahoma about the program hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.



The Ag Youth Council was created in 2019 by Sec. Blayne Arthur to develop future agricultural leaders by teaching professional skills, exposing members to diverse agricultural operations, and offering short-term job experience in agriculture fields.

Council members meet once a month during their year-long term, and sessions include visits to Oklahoma agricultural companies and organizations, opportunities to learn about the legislative process, and job shadows with industry professionals.

“Being able to be part of it is such an honor alongside some of my best friends,” Kline said.Through his time with the Ag Youth Council, Kline said he is grateful for the connections he has made with ODAFF members, his peers, and industry professionals from across the state.

“I don’t think there has been a meeting where we haven’t gotten one, if not multiple notecards and business cards from different people just saying, ‘call us if you need anything,’” Kline said. “I have been able to utilize some of those resources already senior year and it is something that is definitely going to help alongside my college career.”

Hay season, especially first cut, is one for your senses. There’s nothing better than the smell of fresh cut hay, the sound of smooth-running equipment cutting, raking and baling, and finally the sight of neatly stacked bales stored away, waiting to be fed. 

To get the most out of your 2024 hay season, start with high functioning, reliable tractors and equipment and keep these handy tips in mind. Get ready, first cut will be here before you know it!

Start hay season off right by thoroughly inspecting all equipment, including tractors, mowers, tedders, rakes and balers. Fuel equipment, check belts and chains, grease fittings, and fix or replace any necessary concerns. 

If you’ll be traveling on the roadway, ensure the lighting equipment, reflective material and slow-moving vehicle signs are functioning and visible to motorists. 

When it comes to getting hay equipment ready for the field, ensure all features and monitors are functioning, and be sure mower blades are sharp and new equipment is clean and free of any built-up debris. Before heading to the field, check the gearbox for fluid levels and quality and inspect bearings throughout each machine for wear; this will ensure optimal operating condition.