Oklahoma's Latest Farm

And Ranch News

Friday, January 17, 2025


MLK Day on Monday January 20- Stock Market and Ag Futures will be Closed- We Will Have a Email on Monday

Howdy Neighbors!

Here is Your Daily Oklahoma Farm and Ranch News Update: 

 

  • American Supreme Drive Concludes 2025 Cattlemen's Congress


  • Ag Groups Write in Support of Brooke Rollins to be Confirmed as Ag Secretary


  • Simmental Cattle: The Breed with Adaptability and Profitability in Mind


  • OKFB, Foundation for Ag Announce Large-Animal Vet Scholarship


  • Last Week’s Significant Snowfall Event Slightly Improved Some Drought Conditions in Oklahoma


  • This Week on SUNUP: John Michael Riley Says Cotton Yields Negatively Impacted Prices in the Latest WASDE Report


  • NSP Supports USDA’s CSA Interim Rule


  • CattleCon 2025: Explore the Latest in John Deere Tools and Tech to Improve Productivity on the Ranch

American Supreme Drive Concludes 2025 Cattlemen's Congress

The final selections of the 2025 Cattlemen’s Congress have helped conclude the 2025 thirteen day event. Vice President of Operations at Express Ranches, Kevin Hafner, make the last picks of the 2025 show in the American Supreme drive as he pulled the Champion Santa Gertrudis bull from the lineup and made him the Supreme American Champion Bull. The bull, XL’s Amiercan Pharoah 303 ET, was owned by Excell Santa Gertrudis of Houston, Texas.


The 2025 American Supreme Open Heifer was the Beefmaster champion, Ellis Maddie. She was owned by `Kalli Ellis and Addison Poe of La Ward, Texas


Finally, the Reserve Supreme Open Heifer was used by the judge as the Supreme Champion Junior Heifer for 2025- CCC-ACC STARBURST 674M14. She was owned and shown by Cleavie Allen of Crockett, Texas.


The American Supreme drive was the last event of the 2025 show for Cattlemen’s Congress- and the last event for Congress in the soon to be demolished Jim Norick Arena. The 2026 Cattlemen’s Congress will be in the new OG& E Coliseum January 4-15, 2026.

Read More about the American Supreme Drive at Cattlemen's Congress

Sponsor Spotlight

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

 

Ag Groups Write in Support of Brooke Rollins to be Confirmed as Ag Secretary

The following is an excerpt from a letter from various Ag groups compelling Congress to approve Brooke Rollins as Secretary of Agriculture.


Dear Chairman Boozman and Ranking Member Klobuchar:


We write in support of Brooke Leslie Rollins’ nomination to be the 33rd Secretary of Agriculture. We represent farmers, ranchers, growers, hunters, forest owners, conservationists, cooperatives, state departments of agriculture, renewable fuel producers and agribusinesses nationwide —encompassing all aspects of American agriculture, food, nutrition and rural America — and we look forward to Ms. Rollins’ strong leadership at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).


Ms. Rollins has been engaged in American agriculture since an early age, baling hay and raising livestock in Glen Rose, Texas. Rollins spent summers working on her family’s farm in Minnesota and participated in all levels of 4-H and FFA. She continues to raise livestock today and is now passing her passion for agriculture on to her children, who are also involved in FFA and showing steers. Rollins’ strong foundational knowledge of agriculture also extends to her formal education, attending Texas A&M, where she received her Bachelor of Science in agricultural development on scholarship.


Throughout her career, she has brought the perspectives of the American farmer and rancher to her work. She served as deputy general counsel and policy director for former Texas Governor Rick Perry, where together they advanced many agricultural priorities. She also championed rural priorities across the federal government as President Trump’s former Director of the United States Domestic Policy Council.

Read More of the Letter and See Which Groups Signed It Here

Simmental Cattle: The Breed with Adaptability and Profitability in Mind

Simmental cattle are making waves in the beef industry, and for good reason. At the recent Cattlemen’s Congress, KC Shepherd sat down with Luke Bowman, Director of SimGenetic Development with the American Simmental Association (A.S.A.), to discuss what makes this breed so successful. Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays is featuring comments from that conversation in today’s BeefBuzz.


Bowman’s goal for Simmental Genetics is to continue the march already started. “We want to be the ultimate commercial animal, and the ultimate animal for folks with diversified portfolios, whether they are selling commercial bulls or marketing Junior heifers,” Bowman said. “Simmental takes the cake when compared to other breeds, year after year.”


Simmentals are known for their adaptability. The A.S.A. has long had an open herd book so that genetics can be selected for the environment the cattle will live in.


“That has always been a foundational piece of our breed association and continues to be a driving force today,” Bowman commented.

Listen to Ron's BeefBuzz featuring Comments from KC and Luke Bowman's Conversation 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



OKFB, Foundation for Ag Announce Large-Animal Vet Scholarship

Oklahoma Farm Bureau and the OKFB Foundation for Agriculture have launched a new large-animal veterinarian scholarship in an effort to help create a pipeline of veterinarians who can provide essential services to farmers and ranchers.


One scholarship will be awarded in the amount of $15,000 to a student who is studying veterinary medicine at Oklahoma State University with the intent of working as a large-animal veterinarian in Oklahoma.


“Oklahoma Farm Bureau members are all too aware of the shortage of large animal veterinarians in our state who are essential to providing critical services and helping farmers and ranchers care for their livestock,” said OKFB Foundation for Agriculture President David VonTungeln. “OKFB and our foundation are proud to provide financial support for a student who will soon work in a rural Oklahoma community helping local agriculturalists care for their animals in the best way possible.”


The large-animal veterinarian scholarship program focuses on providing reimbursement for students’ tuition and other educational expenses.

Read More About the Scholarships Here

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.
Click to Listen to Our Morning Ag News from RON
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Sponsor Spotlight



P&K Equipment is the largest John Deere dealer across Oklahoma, with 18 locations, as well as an additional two locations in Arkansas. We are proud to serve our communities & the surrounding areas. P&K is committed to keeping your equipment running strong. In these colder months, sign up for our P&K Advantage maintenance & inspection specials. And year-round, it’s easier than ever before to buy genuine John Deere parts online at GetGreenParts.com. Pick up your order in stores or have it shipped directly to you! P&K Equipment is committed to taking care of you long after the sale.

Last Week’s Significant Snowfall Event Slightly Improved Some Drought Conditions in Oklahoma

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 29, 2024, when it was 41.57%.



Severe drought or worse conditions are unchanged from 0.33 percent since January 2nd.


Moderate drought or worse, conditions have decreased to 5.25 percent, down from 5.52 percent last week.


Abnormally dry or worse conditions have decreased to 24.88 percent, down from 29.72 percent last week.


As for our neighbors, more than 1 to 1.5 inches of precipitation (liquid equivalent) supported improvements for portions of eastern Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.


Kansas Drought Monitor shows Moderate Drought decreased from 28.72 last week to 24.63 this week. Texas Drought ratings decreased slightly from 43.51 percent a week ago to 43.63 percent. For central Texas which received generous precipitation for this time of year, low 28-day streamflows (below the 20th percentile in D1 and 10th percentile in D2) precluded a larger area for a 1-category improvement. D2 to D3 drought was expanded across the Edwards Plateau of Texas due to 28-day average streamflows below the 10th and 5th percentile, respectively.


Although light precipitation (less than 0.5 inch, liquid equivalent) fell across parts of south-central to southeastern Kansas, this precipitation was too low to justify any improvements. Elsewhere, across the Central to Northern Great Plains, no changes were made as early to mid-January is a dry time of year. D1 was expanded across southwestern Colorado due to low snow water equivalent and 60-day SPI.


Kansas Drought Monitor shows Moderate Drought unchanged from 24.63 percent last week. Texas Drought ratings decreased slightly from 43.63 percent a week ago to 41.81 percent.



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

Click Here To Read More About the Latest Drought Monitor Report

This Week on SUNUP: John Michael Riley Says Cotton Yields Negatively Impacted Prices in the Latest WASDE Report

This week on SUNUP, OSU Agriculture Economist Dr. John Michael Riley discusses the highs and lows of current grain and cotton markets.


“A lot of information was given to us on Friday. In addition to the WASDE, we also got the Annual Crop Production Summary, the Quarterly Grain Stocks Report, and the Winter Crop Planning Report,” Riley said. “All of it really was a surprise except for wheat.”


He noted market-positive adjustments to corn and soybean yields and increases in cotton yields which impacted the market negatively. USDA shaved a bushel per acre off of soybean yield and 3.8 bushels per acre off of corn yield.


“Some of that has been expected to be seen, but we didn’t know when USDA was going to bring that into the report,” Riley commented. “As corn and bean harvests were beginning, they started drying up quite a bit in the Midwest and test yields were down quite a bit. We were waiting for that to happen, but it finally did, and it happened in a big way and really surprised the markets in that regard.”

Click Here to Listen to John Michael Riley's Comments on the WASDE Report and to See What Else is on SUNUP

NSP Supports USDA’s CSA Interim Rule

National Sorghum Producers (NSP) endorses the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s interim rule on Technical Guidelines for Climate-Smart Agriculture Crops Used as Biofuel Feedstocks. NSP Chair Amy France, a sorghum farmer from Scott City, Kan., released the following statement:


“We sincerely thank Secretary Vilsack and the Undersecretary’s office for their tireless efforts in recognizing the role of climate-smart agricultural practices in producing low-carbon transportation fuels.


“Sorghum farmers have long been at the forefront of innovation, serving as environmental stewards while working closely with livestock and biofuel producers to navigate challenging weather cycles. This proposed rule acknowledges the vital contributions of climate-smart agriculture in producing low-carbon fuels for today’s vehicles and fostering rural economic growth through value-added agriculture. It positions our producers to continue their leadership as the world’s most efficient food, fiber, and fuel producers.


“We also applaud the USDA for recognizing sorghum as The Resource Conserving Crop. Sorghum plays a critical role in biofuel production across the arid regions of the U.S. High Plains, providing essential feedstock rotations that enhance the resilience and durability of local production systems.

“NSP remains committed to advancing this effort and will provide detailed input during the comment period to ensure the rule’s successful implementation. We encourage local producers to reach out to their elected officials and emphasize the importance of finalizing this rule in Treasury guidelines to create lasting benefits for farmers and biofuel producers alike.


“We look forward to working with the incoming administration on the finalization of this rule. Domestic support for homegrown fuel and farmers is good for America and critical to our nation’s energy and agricultural future.”

CattleCon 2025: Explore the Latest in John Deere Tools and Tech to Improve Productivity on the Ranch

Discover how John Deere’s latest precision ag technology and automation solutions can help ranchers boost productivity, improve efficiency, and simplify hay and forage operations. Stop by and visit John Deere at Booth 2025 during CattleCon, Feb. 4-6. Experts will be on-hand to discuss how John Deere is helping ranchers be productive – from baling hay to completing other chores around the ranch.

Learn more about:


  • The latest precision ag technology designed with ranchers and livestock operators in mind
  • Tools for automating baling and collecting documentation to make better agronomic choices
  • Steps ranchers can take now to be ready for emerging technologies


The John Deere lineup includes:


  • Precision Ag
  • Tractors
  • Hay & Forage
  • Utility Vehicles
Read More About John Deere's Presence at CattleCon Here
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 $0.73 and Select Beef was up $1.34 on 1/16/2024.


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

Boxed Beef Report

Weekly Cattle Auction Reports


The buttons below allow you to check out the weekly Cattle Auctions in the region that we post on our website and here in our daily email update:

Oklahoma National Stockyards Market Report from 01/13/2025
Tulsa Stockyards for Monday January 13, 2025
Joplin Regional Stockyards Market from Monday 01/13/2025
OKC West in El Reno Market Report from 01/14 and 01/15/2025
Woodward Livestock Market from Thursday 01/16/2025
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 1/16/2025
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 1/15/2025
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
Blue Green Gazette
Calendar
Auctions
Market Links
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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