USDA's weekly Crop Progress Report shows that nationwide, the US Corn crop now stands at 65% good to excellent - down 2 points from last week. Soybeans were unchanged this week at 68% good to excellent - Cotton fell 2 points this week to 40% good to excellent and Sorghum declined 1 point to 48% good to excellent.



Oklahoma's spring-planted crop conditions were mixed. Corn conditions rated 60 percent good to excellent, up 1 point from last week. Soybean conditions rated 45 percent good to excellent versus 50% last week. Cotton conditions rated 45 percent good to excellent, down 5 points from a week ago, and Sorghum conditions rated 69 percent good to excellent- which is 3 points up from a week ago.

Sorghum harvest has been happening in southwestern Oklahoma for awhile- but still no harvest numbers reported from NASS- the picture above is from Matt Muller in Jackson county who has already finished harvest on his milo crop that was stressed by drought- Corn harvest is being reported by NASS- now standing at 14% in the state versus 7% last week.

Kansas's conditions are steady except for cotton which improved 7 points to 55 percent good to excellent. Soybeans rated at 60 percent good to excellent, up one point from last week, and Sorghum conditions rated 42 percent good to excellent, down 1 point from last week.

Texas's spring-planted crop conditions are mixed as compared to last week with Corn conditions unchanged at 41 percent good to excellent. Cotton conditions declined to 26 percent good to excellent from last week's 29 percent rating. Sorghum conditions fell 3 points to a 47 percent good to excellent rating.

Pasture and Range Conditions for the 48 states dropped four points from last week to 30 percent good to excellent. Oklahoma has declined 2 points to a 47 percent good to excellent rating - Kansas improved 2 points to 43% good to excellent - Texas declined 10 points to 13% good to excellent while Missouri declined 1 point to a 78% good to excellent rating.

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:



Oklahoma Farm Report’s Maci Carter attended the AgHERCulture Event this year and caught up with Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur to talk about the event and what it provides for Oklahoma’s youth.

“Tonight, we had our collegiate AgHERCulture event,” Arthur explained. “We had keynote speaker Kirby Schnor, who is a very well-recognized face in ag media. We also had several mentors who spent time talking and networking with college students from across Oklahoma as well as some K-State students. “

The goal of the event is to give tomorrow’s agricultural leaders and producers the opportunity to get advice from women already established in the agriculture industry and to potentially create long term networking relationships with mentors.

“We happen to think that we have the best mentors anywhere,” Arthur said, “We have tons of women who have given their time to this event over time, but this evening, we had lots of gals from all sectors of ag giving their perspective on what it was like to be in college and how they pursued their current careers.”

Ethan Lane Criticizes USDA’s Fairness Rule for Undermining Producer Profitability: Comment Open Until 9/11/24

Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster, Ron Hays, spoke with the Vice President of Governmental Affairs at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Ethan Lane about USDA’s proposed rule to clarify unfair practices in the livestock, meat, and poultry industries back in June. This conversation brings us up to date with the USDA’s Fairness Rule’s extension for comments which will now close on September 11.

Lane, along with his team at NCBA, reviewed the rule page by page. They determined that the bulk of it models the old Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), but it is now called the Fair and Competitive Livestock Poultry Markets Proposal.  

“When you read through the rule and the preamble, it is an incredibly vague rulemaking that essentially says anything that differentiates product for cattle producers based on price, on quality, on innovation is unfair and uncompetitive and could be open for challenge under this new rule,” Lane said. “Without question, this is an attack on producer profitability. This is intended to do away with the idea of producers being able to seek additional premiums on their cows and seek profit on their cattle based on changes they make to their production practices, such as the investments they make in genetics. This seeks to do away with all of that to make a return to commodity cattle and uniform prices throughout the industry.”

Lane said the new rule aims to eliminate premiums and lock in uniform prices throughout the industry.

KC Sheperd talked with Marketing & Public Relations Specialist Scott Munz about the Oklahoma State Fair set to kick off on September 12 and run through September 22, 2024, in Oklahoma City.

Many experienced Oklahomans look forward to the State Fair, not only for the excitement, revenue, and entertainment it provides but also for the rain that always seems to fall at some point during the 10-day period in an otherwise dry season.

The State Fair Park media team recently released a press release detailing their new attractions and creative new food choices to be found at the fair. “We are excited about it,” Munz said. “Everyone around here gets a sense of excitement, and the adrenaline level here is off the charts. We are excited to get the gates open and offer our efforts to the Oklahoma public.”

Munz admitted that he has been dubbed among his peers as the Official Fair-Food Taster. “My all-time Hall of Fame favorite is the Polish sausage from Netterfields Concession, up on the circle. I think it’s the best food product and has been for many years, so you will find me there more often than not, but I do go around and try some of the new offerings also,” he said.

Voters in 53 counties head to the polls Tuesday for the August 27 Runoff Primary Election and several nonpartisan elections. The State Election Board offers these tips and reminders to Oklahoma voters ahead of the election.

ELECTION DAY VOTING

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Lines at the polls are typically longest before work, during the lunch hour, and after work. All eligible voters in line by 7 p.m. will be permitted to vote.

CLOSED PRIMARIES

Voters are reminded that Oklahoma has modified, closed primaries.

In order to participate in a party’s Runoff Primary election, you must be a registered voter of that party. However, the Democratic Party has chosen to open its primaries to Independent voters this year, while the Republican and Libertarian parties have chosen to keep their primaries closed. Independent voters who wish to participate in the Democratic Runoff Primary, must request a Democratic Runoff Primary ballot from election workers. Independent voters may not vote a Republican Runoff Primary ballot or Libertarian Runoff Primary ballot.

Oklahoma State University Extension invites cattle producers to participate in the Oklahoma Quality Beef Network, a value-added marketing program.

In partnership with the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, OSU Extension offers the OQBN Network for beef producers, educators, veterinarians and industry professionals to elevate animal quality standards and improve communication between all segments of Oklahoma’s beef industry.

Implementing OQBN requirements has increased the value of program-certified cattle by $5.9 million from 2010-2023.

Producers who enroll in the OQBN program receive educational support from Extension professionals to enhance the health and performance of their herds. OQBN benefits include verification of management practices, potential increased market value, reduced calf stress, increased calf health and performance. The program also supports alignment with appropriate value-added cattle markets and increased marketing opportunities at local sale facilities.

“Respiratory disease continues to be an issue in our beef production system,” said Paul Beck, OSU Extension specialist in beef nutrition. “Preconditioning is one of the best ways to counter this threat by preparing calves for the stress of marketing, transportation and receiving at the stocker or finishing facility.”

Shaping Tomorrow’s Industry Leaders: NPPC Announces New Strategic Investment Program for Young Pork Advocates

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) unveiled a new Strategic Investment Program, “Young Pork Advocates,” for young individuals ages 18-22. This initiative expands on NPPC’s Strategic Investment Program and aims to empower young advocates within the pork industry.

At the 2024 World Pork Expo, NPPC hosted the inaugural Young Pork Advocates Issues Meet contest, which fostered lively discussions on key industry topics. Emma Kuhns of Illinois emerged as the winner of the meet, underscoring the program’s role in promoting active participation among young advocates.

“The top reason students should get involved is because of the invaluable network connections being made that are a launch pad for a successful career,” Kuhns said. “I’ve had the opportunity to meet with fellow students and industry professionals who share my passion for the pork industry and for making a difference.”