According to the latest Oklahoma drought monitor report, exceptional drought remains at zero percent, unchanged from the start of the calendar year.

Extreme drought or worse has increased to 41.57 percent, up from 33.74 percent last week.

Severe drought or worse has increased to 67.70 percent, up from 58.66 percent last week.

Moderate drought or worse, increased to 83.54 percent, up from 78.62 percent last week.

Abnormally dry or worse have increased to 92.27 percent, up from 89.83 percent last week.

As for our neighbors, widespread degradation took place over much of northern and eastern Texas and into the southern portions of the state, where almost every drought category intensified, most now in severe drought or worse. Moderate and severe drought expanded over portions of West Texas as well. In Arkansas, most of the western portions of the state had degradation this week, now in severe to extreme drought. Moderate drought expanded over southeast Arkansas. Severe drought emerged in northwest and southwest Louisiana, and moderate drought expanded over more of the east and southeastern areas. In Kansas, severe and extreme drought expanded over the southeast while severe drought expanded over the northeast and western portions of the state. Moderate drought also expanded in western Kansas. 

Kansas Drought Monitor shows Moderate Drought expanding from 75.62% last week to 76.84 this week. Texas Drought ratings saw an increase from 66.69% a week ago to 73.65%.

Click here for the Kansas Drought Monitor Page and Click here for the Texas Drought Monitor Page.

Scroll down to our last story this morning for the latest five day map showing rainfall across our region- it's colorful!

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.

Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster, Ron Hays, visited with the President of Certified Angus Beef, John Stika, about a near-record fiscal year in sales that CAB wrapped up in September 2024.

“When you look at our sales numbers, we actually had the second-best sales year in our forty-six-year history, with sales coming in at 1.237 billion pounds,” Stika said. “This is really exciting for us and, actually, it was near record sales.”

What Stika found surprising was that the brand’s supply was the largest in history. A recent press release from CAB reported that while the total fed cattle supply declined by 1.6%, this year a record 5.96 million carcasses, up 2.4%, were certified for the brand, with 37.4% of all Angus cattle meeting the brand’s strict quality standards. A record 730,000 carcasses qualified for Certified Angus Beef ® Prime.

“The biggest thing is that as an industry, we put more quality into these cattle than ever before,” Stika said. “Not only are there more Angus cattle in the mix, but we fed them a little longer this year as well.”

Properly Cooked Pork Remains Safe Amidst Oregon H5N1 Swine Detection

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) confirms there is no food safety concerns about the nation’s pork supply after the detection of H5N1 influenza in swine on a small backyard farm in Oregon. NPPC continues to work closely with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services and pork industry stakeholders on disease surveillance programs.

“The confirmed case in Oregon poses no threat to consumer health or food safety; properly handled and cooked pork products remain safe for consumption,” said Bryan Humphreys, NPPC CEO. “The entire pork industry remains committed to safeguarding food safety and human and animal health.”

With rigorous on-farm biosecurity programs in place, the pork industry has worked alongside APHIS since 2009 to carry out the swine influenza surveillance program to identify influenza viruses circulating in swine, proactively detect reassortment viruses that could impact public health, and gain knowledge to contribute to improved animal health diagnostics and vaccines.

“Pork producers have always been proactive and diligent about implementing biosecurity plans as part of their daily production practices to assure animals wellbeing and food safety,” said Lori Stevermer, NPPC president and Minnesota pork producer. “This detection serves as a reminder for producers of all sizes to understand and address influenza virus risks.” 

NPPC appreciates the ongoing collaboration among producers, industry stakeholders, and state and federal animal health officials. These partnerships are essential for rapidly detecting and eradicating viruses, including H5N1.

Additional Resources:

• APHIS Announcement: Federal and State Veterinary Agencies Share Update on HPAI Detections in Oregon Backyard Farm, Including First H5N1 Detections in Swine
• APHIS Influenza A Swine Surveillance Program
• Biosecurity for Pig Farms

Farm Director KC Sheperd caught up with Jeff Calender of Great Plains Kubota to see what is new with Kubota equipment.

Kubota offers a full line of equipment. From lawnmowers to RTVs up to 200 hp tractors. Cadender said, “Kubota is also a dealer for Vermeer, Arrowquip cattle chutes, and Hustler hay equipment.”

He mentioned that feeding solutions are the focus at this time of year as natural foraging becomes depleted and ranchers have to start feeding their animals. “Either you are unrolling a bale, bale processing – Vermeer Feed Mixers have really taken off. That is where our thought process is right now coming into the wintertime, and also saving money, reducing costs, and saving time for producers.”

Kubota offers demos of their equipment to be sure the buyer knows how to use their equipment properly and is satisfied with the performance of the product.

Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America, et al. v. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Secretary Thomas Vilsack, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Administrator Michael Watson

The New Civil Liberties Alliance has filed a Complaint against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) new rule requiring electronically readable (EID) eartags for certain cattle and bison transported across state lines, rather than long-used visual tags. Representing ranchers, farmers, and livestock producers who move cattle across state lines, NCLA urges the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota to halt this illegal attempt to eliminate an already-in-place efficient means of cattle identification.

In 2013, APHIS promulgated a final rule regulating traceability for interstate livestock movements, a regulation that permitted several forms of “official identification” for certain cattle and bison moving across state lines, including both visual-only and electronically readable eartags and providing producers with flexibility to choose among options. Over the past decade, the agency advanced and abandoned less formal measures for mandating radio frequency identification (RFID) eartags. In May 2024, however, APHIS issued its new rule to end the use of visual-only eartags as a form of official identification for certain cattle and bison moving between states, requiring visually readable EID eartags in their place.

What better place to explore the future of the Angus breed than in a city built by the cattle industry. The American Angus Association® is headed to Fort Worth for the 2024 Angus Convention, Nov. 1-4. Cowtown will serve as a fitting backdrop to drive innovation, explore and shape the future of the Angus breed, and engage in education and conversation.

“We are looking forward to being back in Fort Worth for Angus Convention this weekend,” said Caitlyn Brandt, director of events and junior activities for the American Angus Association. “Cowtown certainly attracts cattlemen and women from across the country along with allied industry members.”

One of the highlights in recent years at this event has been the Genetic Symposium- as the Angus breed has been cutting edge in their efforts to improve the beef cow herd as well as the carcasses that provide the beef for a great eating experience for consumers. This year the emphasis is on health challenges in beef cattle. From hereditary diseases to resilience against environmental stressors, we will explore advancements made in other species and how genetic advancements could transform the landscape of beef cattle management. Discover how harnessing genetic insights can not only mitigate health issues but also enhance productivity, sustainability, and profitability within the beef industry.

Pederson, Patzkowsky Bill Leads to Emergency Drought Committee’s New Program

On Monday, the Emergency Drought Committee approved a new program to deliver critical drought relief for Oklahoma agricultural producers. The application period opens on Nov. 12 and will remain open through Jan. 31, 2025. Applications will be available at local conservation districts and on the Oklahoma Conservation Commission website starting Nov. 12.

Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, and Rep. Kenton Patzkowsky, R-Balko, authored HB3182, the legislation which made this program possible. The bill allows the Secretary of Agriculture to declare drought conditions, opening the path to distributing emergency funds pending committee approval.

“Drought has hit our producers hard this year, and they need timely support to keep operations running,” Pederson said. “This new assistance program is designed to offer immediate, practical relief to those impacted by severe drought. From helping to secure water resources to addressing infrastructure needs, this program will be a critical tool in ensuring that Oklahoma’s producers can weather these conditions and continue to drive our agricultural economy.”

And Finally- Your Five Day Rainfall Map- Whoa!

Courtesy of our state Climatologist Gary McManus- here is latest graphic at the top of the latest Mesonet Ticker and the rainfall expected that starts as early this afternoon and evening and runs mostly through Monday evening is definitely drought denting.

Meanwhile- we welcome November first to Oklahoma with very fall like temps- from the refrigerator approved 36 degrees at Lake Carl Blackwell to the 57 balmy degrees in Idabel- much different than just a couple of days back.