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 remains at zero percent, we last had extreme drought numbers the week of October 29th when it was 41.57%.



Severe drought or worse decreased to 0.33 percent, down from 0.59 percent last week.

Moderate drought or worse, conditions decreased to 5.52 percent, down from 11.54 percent last week.

Abnormally dry or worse conditions decreased to 29.72 percent, down from 43.22  percent last week.

As for our neighbors, Severe drought was removed along the Oklahoma-Texas and Louisiana-Arkansas borders, as well as from southern Mississippi, and improved in central Texas. Moderate drought was improved over large portions of Arkansas, eastern Texas, and in parts of Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi.

moderate drought was expanded in southeast Kansas. Abnormal dryness was expanded in southwest Colorado, where weekly rainfall totals are 5% to 20% or normal for the week. Small areas of the region did observe heavy rainfall, where rainfall totals were more than an inch above normal. 

Kansas Drought Monitor shows Moderate Drought slightly increased from 28.00 last week to 28.72 this week. Texas Drought ratings decreased from 53.89 percent a week ago to 43.51 percent.

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

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, is back talking about the 2025 Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City with the Executive Vice President of the show, Bray Haven.

The Cattlemen’s Congress began as a replacement show when COVID restrictions caused the cancellation of the National Western Stock Show in 2021. It has quickly become a cornerstone of the beef cattle industry and North America’s largest breeding beef cattle show. The fifth annual event is slated for January 4 – 11, 2025 at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.

Haven expressed excitement about the progress being made on the new coliseum at the fairgrounds and looks forward to seeing the reactions of Cattlemen’s Congress attendees when they see it.

“It is really exciting to see what is going on here in Oklahoma City,” he said. “Oklahomans have seen the transformation of Oklahoma City, and it is continuing right here on the fairgrounds. It will be exciting when we get to move into it next year, but the 2025 Cattlemen’s Congress is upon us, and we are excited to welcome people back to Oklahoma City!”

Farmers Head into 2025 with Another Farm Bill Extension

Passed and signed into law in the early hours of Dec. 21, 2024 – the day a government shutdown would have begun if Congress had not acted – the American Relief Act of 2025 includes $31 billion in natural and economic disaster aid for farmers and ranchers, a second extension of the 2018 farm bill and $2.5 billion in additional aid to be distributed through USDA.

This Market Intel breaks down what these provisions mean for agriculture.

Farm Bill Extension

The 2018 farm bill expired – for a second time – on Sept. 30, 2024. While the farm bill has been expired for nearly three months, the impacts of an expiration unfold slowly and unevenly across programs it supports. If an extension had not been passed, markets would have gone over the “Dairy Cliff” on Jan. 1, 2025, with USDA required to purchase dairy products at about twice current market prices, based on parity price formulas established in the 1930s using 1910-1914 commodity prices. Similarly high prices would have been offered for many crops in the 2025 crop year under so-called permanent law, which is suspended with every farm bill – and every farm bill extension.

While the farm bill extension gives Congress until Sept. 30, 2025, to pass a new farm bill, it did not fund numerous programs without baseline funding – so-called “orphan programs.” The first extension of the 2018 farm bill included $177 million for 19 of its 21 orphan programs for the 2024 fiscal year. The current extension includes no such funding. Unfunded programs range from the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program to Emergency Citrus Disease Research.

In addition to a farm bill extension through September 30, the American Relief Act of 2025, recently passed by Congress, contains $9.8 billion in market relief payments for 20 covered crops. This economic assistance is intended to offset part of the economic loss producers are facing following a decline in crop prices and production costs remaining high.

Analysis from the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri says the top ten states were based on estimated payments for corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, sorghum, rice, barley, oats, and peanuts, shows Texas at #1 with $963 million, primarily because it’s the largest U.S. cotton producer. Iowa is next with $846 million because of strong support for corn and soybean farmers. Illinois is next at $790 million, followed by Kansas at $787 million and Nebraska at $625 million, rounded out the top five. Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Indiana, and Missouri finish out the top ten.

Oklahoma producers can look forward to receiving $287 million from the package- most of that going to wheat producers- $196 million.

By Commodity- the top states are Cotton- Texas; Corn and Soybeans- Iowa; Wheat and Sorghum- Kansas.

Launched in 2021, the Agoro Carbon Alliance’s mission is to drive the global adoption of regenerative agriculture practices through high-quality, science-based carbon solutions that improve soil health and farmer prosperity, while providing businesses an opportunity to invest in a sustainable future. Oklahoma Farm Report’s Maci Carter got to talk with Agoro’s Global Marketing & Communications Manager Ashley Bruner about the alliance and what it does for both producers and the environment.

Bruner explained, “We work with farmers and ranchers across the United States on switching to sustainable practices which become another revenue stream for them while improving soil health.”

Agoro has a team of support agronomists who go alongside producers to support them as they change to sustainable practices. The company handles all carbon credit certification processes to allow producers to continue to focus on their own operations while getting paid for the sequestered soil carbon generated from their new practices.

Agoro is backed by Yara International, one of the largest crop nutrition companies in the world. Its longstanding stability in the market adds confidence in Agoro’s mission for producers.

Oklahoma businessman, civic leader, and philanthropist Gene Rainbolt passed away today at 95 years old.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond and Congressman Tom Cole were among the many government leaders who issued statements of tribute and condolences after his death.

Attorney General Drummond said:

“I am saddened to learn of the death of Gene Rainbolt. One of Oklahoma’s greatest civic leaders, Gene was a proud Oklahoman, through and through – a product of the Dust Bowl who went on to become an innovator in banking, a champion for education, and a leading light in philanthropy. His contributions to the state he dearly loved are beyond measure. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. While we grieve his loss, the life of Gene Rainbolt can inspire us all.”

“Only Gene Rainbolt would be thoughtful and shrewd enough to write his own obituary – and it was as thoughtful, nuanced, and insightful as the man himself,” mused Congressman Cole.

“Gene was an Oklahoma original. He always gave credit to others for his many accomplishments. His teachers, mentors, family, business associates, and others in his life were always singled out by him with praise and appreciation. However, the truth was that Gene himself was a man of extraordinary energy, wisdom, and determination. He was astute in his judgment of business ventures and always discerning about the people he met. This is what enabled him to build a banking empire that spans the state and has done so much to fuel and finance Oklahoma’s growth and prosperity.

“Yet, Gene Rainbolt was more than just a canny businessman. He devoted so much of his wealth to making Oklahoma a better place by donating millions of dollars to worthy causes and institutions, including his beloved University of Oklahoma.

“Gene also generously supported public leaders in both parties and worked to strengthen the institutions and associations that strive to enhance the quality of life in our state. He donated to those people and institutions he thought worked to advance and improve the prospects of his fellow Oklahomans. He never stopped trying to help those around him to achieve their dreams, develop their talents, and strengthen their communities – and they loved him for it.

“Gene Rainbolt lived life fully and well. He loved and cherished his family, stood by his friends in both good and bad times, and served his country and state with consistency and distinction. Gene made everybody and everything around him better. He will be missed by all who knew him and by many more who knew him only through his deeds and generosity. We, as a state, have lost a great Oklahoman. I, as an individual, have lost a wise, wry, and witty friend who can never be replaced and will never be forgotten,” said Congressman Cole.

BRRR...Cold is Coming!