To view the latest Oklahoma drought map, CLICK HERE.

For the first time in months- we have a return of severe drought in the state of Oklahoma- with most of Grant and Woods Counties landing in that category this week. Moderate Drought jumped higher as well- mostly across the northern counties of the state.

Severe drought or worse is now at 3.05 percent, up from the last two week’s zero percent.

Moderate drought or worse is now at 26.70 percent, up from last week’s 15.41 percent.

Abnormally dry or worse conditions are now at 58.88 percent, up from last week’s 50.21 percent.

According to the 6-to-10-day precipitation outlook map, the majority of the state is leaning above a 40 to 50 percent chance of precipitation through April 27th. The western majority of the panhandle along with the southeast corner of the state is leaning above a 33 to 40 percent chance of precipitation through April 27th.

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- .

Farm Reporter Maci Carter visited with Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, Dr. Rosslyn Biggs. Biggs is also the Director of Continuing Education at the OSU Center for Veterinary Medicine. Biggs talks about preventing the transmission of wildlife disease to livestock animals.

Biggs talked about some ways to establish and advance biosecurity in a livestock operation to prevent the transmission of disease from wildlife to livestock. To read Dr. Biggs’ article about biosecurity approaches to mitigate wildlife disease, CLICK HERE.

Turning the page, Biggs also talked about OSU’s internal parasite study, which is researching internal parasite resistance in beef cattle by testing the effectiveness of dewormers.

The study is seeking a minimum of 20 (preferably 30) animals that are within the same stage of production. For example, classes of cattle enrolled in the study could be mature cows of approximately the same age, weaned calves, purchased growing and weaned steers or stocker heifers, or replacement heifers. Good animal handling facilities are required where cattle can be restrained for safe fecal collection.

Introducing Halle Watson of the Stigler FFA Chapter, Your 2024 Southeast Area Star in Ag Placement

This morning, our coverage of the 2024 Oklahoma FFA Star Award Finalists continues with Ag Placement competitor Halle Watson of the Stigler FFA chapter representing the Southeast 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 Halle by clicking on the blue button at the bottom of this story.

“I specialize in barrel racing and compete in barrel racing,” Watson said.

When talking about aspects that make a good barrel horse, Waston said a horse must be able to listen and work hard for whoever is riding it. Regarding the future of her project, Watson said she plans to continue training barrel horses in the future.

“I plan to go to the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and get my dental hygiene degree, and then I plan to still train horses on the side,” Watson said.

Watson said she is thankful for the FFA because it gave her many opportunities to learn a variety of important skills that helped to ensure success in a future career, such as public speaking.

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

Farm Director KC Sheperd is talking with the Vice President of Operations at Farm Data Services and Oklahoma cattle producer Clay Burtrum, about Livestock Risk Protection.

“If you have ever been on a rollercoaster, that is what we are on in the cattle market if you have ridden this ride since last fall,” Burtrum said. “I am going to speak a little bit from personal experience. I have calves on wheat pasture that I have had insured since they were born.”



When it comes to events that move the markets down, such as the recent case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza found in a herd of dairy cows, Burtrum talked about how having that protection early can ensure producers still make a good profit when it comes time to sell their cattle.

Because producers know their profit potential and margins, signing up for LRP is a great way to rest easy and have those prices locked in.

Burtrum also talked about the value of annual forage sign-up as rumors of drought circle the southern plains. He recommends getting in touch with a local crop insurance agent to stay up to date on upcoming programs. Click the listen bar above the story to hear the full conversation!

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) are pleased that U.S. wheat farmers can help increase global food assistance under a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding program announced today.

USDA and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will invest $1 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funding to provide for the purchase, shipment and distribution of U.S. wheat and other commodities for USAID international food assistance programming. 

“Additional funding for food assistance programs will help address the most urgent humanitarian needs in a generation. USW and NAWG look forward to working with USDA and other partners to ensure additional food donations generate the significant benefits where they are needed,” said NAWG President Keeff Felty. “As NAWG works with Congress to reauthorize the Farm Bill, we continue to advocate for strengthening the in-kind commodity donation program and additional investments in the existing trade promotion programs.”

“Wheat makes up the largest portion of emergency food assistance managed by USAID’s Food for Peace office,” said Amanda Hoey, Chief Executive Officer, Oregon Wheat Commission and Chair of the USW Food Aid Working Group. “It is a natural demonstration of the generosity of U.S. farmers and their ability to produce an abundance of commodities that can be shared around the world.” For more information about food security and assistance, visit the USW website here, and the NAWG website here.

Wheat & Forages Field Day slated for April 26 in Chickasha

Oklahoma State University Agriculture will host its annual Wheat & Forages Field Day in April in Chickasha for producers to learn about wheat varieties, wheat hay forage yield and quality studies, herbicide trials, nitrogen fertility and wheat breeding.

OSU Agriculture Field Days are educational events presented by OSU Ag Research and Extension to share research-based information and resources with Oklahomans. Field days showcase current agricultural research and relevant best practices through presentations, tours, hands-on workshops and discussions.

Research at OSU locations across the state is often designed for specific applications based on region.

Who: Wheat producers in south-central Oklahoma

What: OSU Agriculture Wheat & Forages Field Day

When: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 26

Where: South Central Research Station, 1105 E. Iowa Ave., Chickasha

Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided by Oklahoma Ag Credit. Register by April 22 to be entered into a prize drawing. For more information or to register, visit the OSU Agriculture Field Days website.

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