Oklahoma's Latest Farm

And Ranch News

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Howdy Neighbors!

Here is Your Daily Oklahoma Farm and Ranch News Update: 

 

  • Governor Kevin Stitt Proclaims 2025 as the Year of Ag Youth in Agriculture


  • Horned Hereford and Simmental Top Supreme Drive at Congress


  • American Chianina’s Impact: Breeding Success Across the Heart of Cattle Country


  • Cattle Producers Pleased by Withdrawal of Anti-Free Market USDA Rule


  • Blast of Cold Weather with Frigid Temps Headed This Way


  • Lexi Hunt Leads Texas Tech to Victory at the Cattlemen's Congress Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest


  • Deevers Introduces ‘Free to Hunt Feral Hogs’ De-Regulation Bill


  • Avoiding The Calfcicle: Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, DVM


  • Bonus Pic- Your Cattlemen's Congress Grand Champion Market Steer

Governor Kevin Stitt Proclaims 2025 as the Year of Ag Youth in Agriculture

Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur was eager to share the details of Governor Kevin Stitt’s proclamation of 2025 being the Year of Youth in Agriculture which was announced at Cattlemen’s Congress. Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays got the details for you. (the Pic above is Secretary Arthur flanked by several youth and Members of the Board of Directors for Cattlemen's Congress at the Tuesday night Supreme Drive)


“The intent of Governor Stitt proclaiming this the Year of Youth in Agriculture is to create awareness of all of the great things our young people do and to share it with a broader audience,” Sec. Arthur said. “We also want to remind these students to stay in agriculture because there are tons of job opportunities. Hopefully, we will have a wonderful year of telling these great stories about the good things our kids are doing.”


While the kids who show livestock and compete in 4-H and FFA have some great stories, Arthur also hopes to reach a broader audience with the lesser-known stories such as the youth who plans to return home to become the fourth or fifth generation to farm his family’s land and of the child who grew up in an urban environment, but found his or her passion for agriculture and intends to pursue it.

Listen to Ron's Interview with Secretary of Ag Blayne Arthur and Read More Here

Sponsor Spotlight

Dating back to 1891, Stillwater Milling Company has been supplying ranchers with the highest quality feeds made from the highest quality ingredients. Their full line of A & M Feeds can be delivered direct to your farm, found at their Agri-Center stores in Stillwater, Davis, Claremore and Perry or at more than 125 dealers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Texas. We appreciate Stillwater Milling Company’s long time support of the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and we encourage you to click here to learn more about their products and services.

Horned Hereford and Simmental Capture Top Honors at the Cattlemen's Congress Supreme Drive

The Supreme drive at the fifth Cattlemen’s Congress featured three drives- and two winners.


In both of the Female Supreme Drives- two groups of judges agreed on the same Heifer in both the Junior Heifer Show as well as the Open Heifer Show. Addison Bartlow of Monticello, Illinois grabbed two Supreme Championships with her Simmental heifer(shown above with her Supreme winner and the baby calf behind her)- who is a brand new mama- her four day old baby calf joined her in the ring for both the Junior Heifer Drive and then again the Open Heifer Drive


The Supreme Champion Bull(seen above) was the Reserve Champion Horned Hereford shown by Silo Creek Farms- Lane and Logan Cady- out of New Windsor, Maryland. The Reserve Supreme Bull chosen on Tuesday evening was the Chiangus Bull shown by Winegardner-Klingaman Show Cattle and VanVorhis Show Cattle out of Harrod, Ohio.


The third place in the Supreme Bull Show was the Maine Anjou Champion- shown by Candace Muir of Waynesfield, Ohio.


In the three Supreme Drives- cattle came from 20 states and Canada- the Cattlemen's Congress is truly a North American show.

Read More and Listen to the Supreme Drive Judge Here

American Chianina’s Impact: Breeding Success Across the Heart of Cattle Country

One of the major attractions of Cattlemen’s Congress is the wide range of beef breeds that it draws from forty states.

Senior Farm and Ranch Director Ron Hays caught up with Dustin Hurlbut to discuss the American Chianina breed. Hurlbut has served the American Chianina Association as Chief Executive Officer since 2021.


The original Chianina imports from Italy in the 1970s were large-framed white cattle. While there are still some Italian purebreds around, currently, most registrations only contain about 6.25 to 18 percent of those original strains.


Chiangus they have been a successful cross for animals heading into feedlots. They are known for their muscling. 


The breed’s membership is most prevalent in the heart of cattle country: Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. There are also strong pockets in Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Listen to Ron's BeefBuzz wwith Dustin Hurlbut and Read More Here
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For our farmers who have either- always have had cotton on their farms- or those who have more recently have added the fiber crop to their operations- we have a daily report heard on several of our Radio Stations- It's Called Cotton Talk!

Click on the Button below to listen to our most recent report
Click here for our Latest Cotton Talk- Hosted by KC Sheperd



Cattle Producers Pleased by Withdrawal of Anti-Free Market USDA Rule

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) welcomed the withdrawal of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposed rule entitled “Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets,” announced today by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. This harmful regulation would have dismantled current cattle marketing agreements, reversed decades of innovation in the cattle industry, and threatened producer profitability.


“Under the ‘Bidenomics’ agenda, USDA pushed regulations like this one which would have undermined the free market, harmed hardworking cattle producers, and far exceeded the agency’s authority granted by Congress,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Tanner Beymer. “We are pleased that USDA recognized their failed approach and withdrew this rule. NCBA will continue advocating for sound market principles and we look forward to working with the next Administration on enhancing profitability opportunities for America’s cattle farmers and ranchers.”


We invite you to listen to us on great radio stations across the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network weekdays-

if you missed this morning's Farm News - or you are in an area where you can't hear it- click below for this morning's Farm news from Ron Hays and KC Sheperd on RON.
Listen to our Wednesday morning farm and ranch news with KC Sheperd
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Midwest Farm Shows is proud to produce the two best Farm Shows in the State of Oklahoma annually- the Tulsa Farm Show each December and the Oklahoma City Farm Show each April. 

 

They would like to thank all of you who participated in their 2024 Tulsa City Farm Show. 


Up next will be the Oklahoma City’s premier spring agricultural and ranching event with returns to the State Fair Park April 3-4-5, 2025.



Now is the ideal time to contact the Midwest Farm Show Office at 507-437-7969 and book space at the 2025 Oklahoma City Farm Show.  To learn more about the Oklahoma City Farm Show, click here

Blast of Cold Weather with Frigid Temps Headed this Way

Well, it feels like we just wrapped up a cold spell, with at least 4 days of below-freezing temps throughout the state, but it looks like another bout of Frigid temps is on the way. According to State Climatologist Gary McManus, we can expect highs in the teens and 20s, lows in the single digits, and wind chills below zero. This next storm is set to arrive this weekend. He says the wind chill will be brutal on Monday.


He also says that temperatures will do ok after the cold snap, “but this cold snap will be enough to last awhile. There will be a chance for light snow, but nothing like the last two storms. The fun arrives Saturday morning.”


So bundle up and take precautions now with this latest Winter Weather on the way. To see more from Gary McManus on his daily ticker, click here:


These tips are being offered by OSU Extension in preparation of the cold weather:

 

  • Make sure cattle have access to as much hay as they want to eat. Ruminal fermentation helps keep the animals warm. Hungry cattle do not create as much heat from fermentation.
  • Provide feed concentrate supplements every day, if possible.
  • Feed cattle beside or in a grove of trees or some other windbreak that is large enough for all the animals gathered. The better the windbreak, the lower the animal’s cold stress.
  • If there is no natural windbreak available near a water source, a quick and simple one can be made by placing a line of round bales of straw or low-quality hay where cattle can bed down.
  • Ensure cattle have unrestricted access to unfrozen water. If water intake is limited, hay intake is reduced and ruminal fermentation is affected.
  • Feed cattle relatively close to their water source, if possible. Cattle naturally want to stay out of frigid winds. The farther away the water source, the longer they will wait to get a drink.


Cattle will eat snow to meet their water needs. However, it takes time for livestock to learn this strategy. The learning curve can result in physical distress.

View the Mesonet Maps Provided by McManus Here

Lexi Hunt Leads Texas Tech to Victory in the Cattlemen's Congress Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest

The 2025 Cattlemen’s Congress Jarold Callahan Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest has concluded, and the overall winning team in the Senior College Division is Texas Tech University, and the individual by a record number of points earned - 4 points ahead of the previous record - is Texas Tech University Junior Lexi Hunt. Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays scored an interview with the winner right after the awards.


Cattlemen’s Congress was the first national competition of the year, and the Texas Tech Livestock Judging team has been working hard for months to prepare. Originally from Buckeye, Arizona, Hunt’s livestock judging career began in 4-H and then carried over to FFA.


“My love for it sent me to South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, for junior college,” Hunt said. “There, I was coached by Connor Brew alongside some awesome teammates and had an awesome time there. That led me to my time at Texas Tech in Lubbock where I, along with ten other judging team members, are under the advisement of Coach Skyler Scotten and Kase Lerow.”


Texas Tech placed first in all three of the species- with the Oklahoma State team placing second in all three.


In the JUCO Division- NEO of Miami, Oklahoma claimed the Grand Championship. Check out their picture below!

Listen to Ron's Interview with Lexi Hunt and View the Rest of the Results Here

Deevers Introduces ‘Free to Hunt Feral Hogs’ De-Regulation Bill

In response to years of feral hogs causing extensive damage to property and agriculture in rural Oklahoma, Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, has introduced SB478, the Free to Hunt Feral Hogs bill, designed to remove all required permits for hunting feral hogs and free Oklahomans to protect their land, crops, and livestock from their destructive impact.


“Feral hogs are much more than just a nuisance—they are a threat to Oklahoma’s farms, ranches, and livelihoods,” Deevers said. “It is preposterous that Oklahomans need to obtain multiple permits from multiple agencies to protect their own property from substantial damage. No one should have to navigate permit processes and bureaucratic red tape in multiple agencies just to protect what is rightfully theirs.”


Feral hogs cause an estimated $1.5 billion in damage annually across the United States, with Oklahoma bearing $30 to $50 million in losses each year. “These invasive animals wreak havoc on crops, devastate ecosystems that support quail and turkey, destroy fencing, and contaminate waterways, imposing significant financial burdens on farmers, ranchers, and rural communities,” Deevers said. “They degrade water quality, cause soil erosion, and outcompete native wildlife for food and habitat. This combination of property damage, agricultural destruction, economic strain, and ecological damage underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to manage feral hog populations and protect Oklahoma’s agricultural and environmental heritage.”

Read More about the Proposed Bill Here

Avoiding The Calfcicle: Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, DVM

Calving season is just around the corner or has already arrived for many. Preparing in advance, particularly for those facing inclement weather, will position producers to successfully address the needs of calves and avoid “calfcicles” in frigid temperatures.


Even before delivery, evaluating calving locations and facilities is a good place to start. Areas should be clean and dry. Consider providing shelters for animals to escape the weather. However, remember that as animals congregate, there can be an increase in disease contamination and transmission. Excellent onsite facilities or the ability to transport to a veterinary clinic is essential when addressing calving problems.


Remember to discuss your calving plan with your veterinarian. Build a relationship with your veterinarian well before a 2 am emergency calving call. Due to high demand, many veterinary practices will only accept emergencies from existing clients. Your veterinarian can work with you and your team to develop protocols for handling calving issues, especially during the cold.


At calving, heifers that labor in Stage 2 of parturition for longer than an hour, and cows that labor longer than 30 minutes, should be examined immediately. Be certain that calving equipment is clean, functional, and readily accessible. Your veterinarian can also help you develop essentials for a calving kit with critical items and medications.

Read More from Dr. Rosslyn Biggs Here

Bonus Pic from Cattlemen's Congress- Your Grand Champion Market Steer Shown on Tuesday- Shown by Ramey Yochum of Sapulpa, Oklahoma

Let's Check The Markets!
OKC West is our Market Links Sponsor- they sell cattle three days a week- Cows on Mondays, Stockers on Tuesday and Feeders on Wednesday- Call 405-262-8800 to learn more.
Today's First Look:
Ron on RON Markets as heard on K101  
mornings with cash and futures reviewed- includes where the Cash Cattle market stands, the latest Feeder Cattle Markets Etc.
Hear Today's First Look

Wholesale Boxed Beef Prices were mixed - Choice Beef was down $0.37 and Select Beef was up $1.14 on 1/14/2025.


Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News

Boxed Beef Report

OKC West in El Reno had 5,000 head of calves on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.


According to USDA Market News- Compared to last week: Steer and heifer calves sold 10.00-15.99 higher. Demand good. 


Looking ahead to today's yearling sale- OKC West will have their yearling sale.


Click below for the complete closing report.

OKC West in El Reno Calf Market Report from 01/14/2025

On Tuesdays, Ron Hays gets the latest market commentary from Ben Hale of Western Livestock Auctions.

 

This commentary is posted on our website-click here for this Tuesday's story featuring Hale's comments.

 

Learn more about Western Livestock Auctions, Click Here.

Listen to Ron Hays talk with Ben Hale about the cattle Market
Each afternoon we are posting a recap of that day's markets as analyzed by Justin Lewis of KIS futuresclick below for the latest update on the Livestock and Grain Futures Trade..
Click Here to Listen to Justin's Commentary From 1/14/2025
Okla Cash Grain:  
Daily Oklahoma Cash Grain Prices- as reported by the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture- The report available after the close of the Futures Trade for that day.
Read Cash Grains Report from 1/14/2025
Our Daily Market Wrapup from the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network - analyzing the Futures Markets for that trading day- as reported by KC Sheperd.
Click to Listen to Our Weekday Wrap with KC
Slaughter Cattle Recap: 
The National Daily Slaughter Cattle Summary- as prepared by the USDA Market News
Read Report
TCFA Feedlot Recap:  
Finally, here is the Daily Volume and Price Summary from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
Read Report

Our Oklahoma Farm Report Team!!!!

 

Ron Hays, Senior Farm/Ranch Broadcaster and Editor

 

KC Sheperd, Farm Director and Editor


Dave Lanning, Markets and Production


Stevie White, Farm News and Email Editor


Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager

Podcasts From Oklahoma Farm Report and More

Two of our regular reports are also podcasts that you can subscribe to- Our daily Farm and Ranch News with KC Sheperdavailable here on the Apple Podcast Platform


The second is our daily Beef Buzz with Ron Haysavailable here on the Apple Podcast Platform


Periodically- we offer interviews on our Ag Perspectives Podcast series- this podcast is available here.


Ron has also has a series of podcasts from interviews with newsmakers at the Cattlemen's Congress- Click here or you can find them on your favorite Podcast platform- look for them by searching for Cattlemen's Congress Conversations.


We are making plans to jump back into regular installments of what has been called the Road to Rural Prosperity- a new name and fresh content is in the works- for now- click on the blue button below for one of our favorites that is a timeless classic.


The link below is one of our most recent podcasts- Ron spotlighting the Life and Times of Dr. Kim Anderson, who has just retired from OSU.

Listen to Ron Hays talking with Kim Anderson about his 42 years in OSU Extension and the Famous "A Third A Third A Third" Advice he has given.
Listen to Ron
Beef Buzz
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Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, Oklahoma Farm BureauGreat Plains KubotaStillwater Milling CompanyNational Livestock Credit CorporationOklahoma Beef CouncilOklahoma Wheat Commission, Oklahoma AgCredit, the Oklahoma Cattlemens Association, and  KIS Futures for their support of our daily Farm News Update.


For your convenience, we have our sponsors' websites linked here- just click on their name to jump to their website- check their sites out and let these folks know you appreciate the support of this daily email, as their sponsorship helps us keep this arriving in your inbox on a regular basis- at NO Charge!



We also appreciate our Market Links Sponsor - OKC West Livestock! 




We invite you to check out our website at the link below too that includes an archive of these daily emails, audio reports and top farm news story links from around the globe.

Head to Our Website OklahomaFarmReport.Com
God Bless!
Reach Out To Us:
Tim West
President/General Manager
Rural Oklahoma Networks

405-317-6361

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Mike Henderson
Director of Sales

405-615-4922

KC Sheperd
Farm Director
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network

405-443-5717

Email KC
Ron Hays
Senior Farm/Ranch Broadcaster
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network

405.473.6144
Email Ron