And the rains came. The end of the month rain that parts of Oklahoma saw last Thursday have been multiplied several times over with the rainfall map this morning being added to as we send this Monday morning email.

Even Cimarron County is getting a little of the rainfall in this pass as Kenton is the only Mesonet station in the state that got nothing over the last five days based on the snapshot above- Boise City got just one hundreth.

You can click on the map above to see the real time times totals later on Monday- I actually have it linked to the 7 day rainfall total which is really the same as the five day total because we were all dry as a bone before last Thursday.

There is one eight inch total at Bixby- but lots of reports I have heard suggest that in those areas where rain came first last Thursday and was added to over the weekend- there are some localized areas that have approached ten inches of rainfall- our friend John Pfeiffer who lives on Highway 51 west of I-35 is in one of those pockets (visiting with him at the Angus Convention in Ft. Worth)

Besides the official Bixby number=- there are currently 9 seven inch Mesonet reports- 10 six inch totals and that's before the Monday rains underway as we write are happening.

Pastures will benefit as well as wheat fields that were planted early- and were dying- plus those dusted in- but perhaps the one universal blessing for cattle producers in most counties- ponds going from dry to full in a matter of hours.

More rain is in the forecast for Thursday/Friday and by the way- Kenton has rain/snow in the forecast for today- freezing temps for tomorrow morning and more rain/snow expected starting Wednesday thru the end of the week. It is November.

The Oklahoma Wheat Commission promotes greater use of wheat in domestic and international markets through research, market development and public education.

Our Commissioners develop policy and programs, direct the funding, represent producer interests and, of course, promote Oklahoma wheat!

Learn more about the Oklahoma Wheat Commission by clicking here for their website.

Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays visited with the President of Certified Angus Beef, John Stika, about how CAB grew its business over the past fiscal year.

This is part two of the conversation with Stika, click here for part one.

Certified Angus Beef grew by about 4.8 million pounds, a 0.4% growth from last year, resulting in its second most productive year.

“While International is the smallest of the three divisions that we have, we grew our international sales by almost five percent this year,” Stika said.

Domestically, food service experienced the second-best year ever, marking 14 years of growth out of the past 15. However, retail continued to feel the pressure of high prices which translates into margin pressure at the store level, then typically a reduction in feature activity of beef and Certified Angus Beef. Retail sales were down 1.5%.

Application now open for TSCRA Leadership Development Foundation Working Grant Program

The Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Leadership Development Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization committed to future generations of land and livestock stewards and leaders, announced today the application window for the TSCRA Leadership Development Foundation Working Grant Program is now open.

The TSCRA Leadership Development Foundation Working Grant Program was designed to support individuals through financial capital who are establishing, operating or growing a beef business.

The program is open to entrepreneurs in Texas and Oklahoma including cow-calf operations, stockers, feeders, packing plants, large animal veterinary clinics and any other related segment of the beef value chain.

“Access to capital is one of the greatest challenges in the beef industry today,” said TSCRA Leadership Development Foundation Chair Carl Ray Polk Jr. “By investing in these entrepreneurs, we’re not only supporting their success but also securing the future of our nation’s food supply and natural resources.”

America’s Conservation Ag Movement hosts live, farmer-led networking events, called Virtual Peer Networks, which allow producers to hear the latest from experts and innovators moving the needle in conservation ag. They can glean insights and meet other like-minded farmers and ranchers in their own states and others at these interactive virtual events. In 2024, ACAM is hosting a series of VPN events in Montana, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New York.

On October 30, the first VPN of the fourth quarter was hosted by Oklahoma rancher Jack Thomas who utilizes a strong partnership with his local conservation district and USDA-NRCS to expand conservation on his 2,000-acre cow calf operation. During his recent field day, Jack shared how river-bottom conservation tactics, rotational grazing, and financial incentives are changing his fourth-generation farm for the better. He was joined by his local USDA-NRCS officers Trevor Folsom and Julie Lamb for the discussion. Oklahoma Farm Report’s Stevie White is featuring comments from that conversation.

Folsom detailed that the NRCS office has aided Thomas with erosion control, replacing historical cropland with grass to preserve topsoil, and further plans to help Thomas implement bale grazing into his operation to help increase organic matter in the soil.

The American Soybean Association raised the alarm this week after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its final registration for glufosinate-P, which imposes additional restrictions beyond what was outlined in the draft released May 2024.

The draft registration included mitigations designed to protect endangered species and their habitats, such as a 50-foot downwind buffer for aerial applications and conservation practices to minimize runoff. At that time, EPA concluded these measures would adequately safeguard listed species and their critical habitats.

The final registration, announced earlier this month, introduced significant new restrictions. These include a 10-foot buffer for ground applications, initially deemed unnecessary, and three additional measures to reduce runoff. EPA also established pesticide use limitation areas (PULAs) for two species: one for the Spring Creek bladderpod and another for the Whorled Sunflower, which now restricts glufosinate-P use entirely within its range.

In a media release from ASA, Director Alan Meadows, who farms soybeans in Tennessee, expressed concern over the unexpected severity of the restrictions, noting that this issue was not raised during the draft comment period. Meadows stated, “The additional limitations raise questions about EPA’s commitment to its Herbicide Strategy and suggest undue influence from external pressures.”

As the agricultural community navigates these changes, ASA advocates for a balanced approach that considers both environmental protection and the needs of farmers, emphasizing the importance of a science-based regulatory framework.

Why It Matters

ASA is concerned about the implications of these additional restrictions. The agency initially expressed confidence in its Herbicide Strategy to protect endangered species, yet the final registration includes requirements that exceed the original mitigations. This raises questions about the consistency and predictability of the regulatory process, potentially setting a troubling precedent for future herbicide registrations. As ASA and other agricultural groups discuss next steps, it is crucial to raise awareness about these developments and their impact on the farming community.

Keep America Beautiful®, in partnership with Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, Pottawatomie Go (Pogo), and United Way of Eastern Frontier Country, invites Pottawatomie County residents impacted by the April 2023 tornado to register for the Pottawatomie County RETREET initiative. Eligible homeowners can receive up to two large native trees at no cost to replace those lost during the storm, in addition to tree risk assessments, debris removal, and expert advice on long-term tree care. 

“At Keep America Beautiful, we understand the power of trees and the impact they have on the overall health and well-being of a community,” said Jerí Irby, Keep America Beautiful RETREET Manager. “Losing trees in a disaster of this scale is devastating and replanting them is a crucial part of the recovery process. It’s not only about restoring the landscape—it’s about restoring hope for those who have been through so much.” 

“Replanting trees is more than restoring the natural beauty of our community—it’s about healing and strengthening the core of our neighborhoods”, said John Bobb-Semple, Pottawatomie Go Executive Director. “This initiative is vital to improving our built environment and fostering a sense of new beginnings, but it requires all of us to come together and make it happen.” 

State Election Board Offers Tips Ahead of Tuesday Election Day

Voters head to the polls Tuesday for the General Election. The State Election Board offers these tips and reminders to Oklahoma voters ahead of the November 5 General Election.

ELECTION DAY VOTING

Make a plan to vote. 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. Presidential elections typically have a higher turnout than other elections. If turnout is heavy at your precinct, be prepared for possible wait times. All eligible voters in line by 7 p.m. will be permitted to vote.

VERIFY POLLING PLACE

All voters should confirm their polling place before heading to the polls. Voters can confirm their polling place using the OK Voter Portal or by contacting their County Election Board or the State Election Board. The State Election Board reminds voters that you must vote at your assigned polling place on Election Day.