Oklahoma's Latest Farm

And Ranch News

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Howdy Neighbors!

Here is Your Daily Oklahoma Farm and Ranch News Update: 

 

  • Oklahoma Rancher Troy Shelby Appointed to NCBA Cattle Health Committee


  • K-State’s Dr. Bob Weaber Explains EPDs and Selection Indexes


  • Strategies to Address the Loss of Dicamba in Cotton with OSU’s Jenny Dudak


  • Watch the Confirmation of Brooke Rollins as Secretary of Agriculture Nominee


  • Paul Beck on Feeding Ionophores to Beef Cows


  • Hughes County Okla. Ranch Manager Arrested on 83 Felony Counts of Larceny of Livestock


  • Frank Lucas to Chair Task Force on Financial Services Committee


  • Madilyn Norvell Takes Grand Champion Market Steer Honors at NWSS

Oklahoma Rancher Troy Shelby Appointed to NCBA Cattle Health Committee

Yesterday, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced the appointment of key cattle industry leaders to serve on the association’s policy committees. The policy committees review, discuss, and vote on resolutions brought forward by NCBA members. These grassroots policies become part of NCBA’s policy book, which directs advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C.


“What sets NCBA apart as an organization is our grassroots policy process,” said NCBA President-Elect Buck Wehrbein, a Nebraska cattle producer. “Our volunteer committee leaders serve an important role by providing a venue for cattle producers from across the country to discuss the critical issues facing our industry and make decisions on how to move forward. I am proud of this highly distinguished group of cattlemen and cattlewomen, and I know they will serve the entire cattle industry well.”


As part of those committees, Madill, Oklahoma rancher and veterinarian Troy Shelby, D.V.M., will serve as vice chair of the organization’s Cattle Health and Well-Being Committee. Initiated in 1898, NCBA is the oldest and largest national trade association representing America’s cattle farmers and ranchers.


“Dr. Shelby has distinguished himself as a leader in the Oklahoma cattle industry, culminating in his current role as president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association,” said NCBA Policy Division Chair Kim Brackett. “Our policy committee leaders serve NCBA by helping us develop the association’s policy book—a collection of policy positions that guide NCBA’s advocacy in Washington, D.C. This grassroots policy process ensures that cattle producers are the ones making decisions on NCBA’s priorities. Dr. Shelby’s experience as a veterinarian will be critical as NCBA remains focused on cattle health, countering foreign animal disease, and protecting our ranching way of life.”

Read More and See the other New Committee Leaders Here

Sponsor Spotlight


National Livestock was founded in 1932 in Oklahoma City. National’s Marketing Division offers cattle for sale weekly at the Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City. The Finance Division lends money to ranchers across several states for cattle production. The Grazing Division works with producers to place cattle for grazing on wheat or grass pastures. 




Dakota Moss with Livestock Risk Services is also a part of the National Livestock Family.


National also owns and operates other livestock marketing subsidiaries including Southern Oklahoma Livestock Auction in Ada, Oklahoma, OKC West Livestock Market in El Reno, Oklahoma, and the nation’s premier livestock video sale, Superior Livestock Auction. National offers customers many services custom made for today’s producer. To learn more, click here for the website or call the Oklahoma City office at 1-800-310-0220.

K-State’s Dr. Bob Weaber Explains EPDs and Selection Indexes

Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays is talking with Dr. Bob Weaber of Kansas State University about EPDs and indexes. Dr. Weaber consults with the North American Limousin Foundation about their genetic activity. He has found that putting EPD data into indexes is a good way for a breed to reach its improvement goals.


“One of the significant challenges, particularly for our commercial cattleman, is that most breed associations produce more than a dozen EPD traits but making sense of those can be a real challenge,” Dr. Weaber said. “That is where selection indexes and selection index technology has really helped to still those EPDs into single values aligned with a specific production objective into a much more usable tool.”


Commercial cattlemen need to make good selections when the goal is profitability. According to Dr. Weaber, the producer must first have a specific breeding objective in mind to take advantage of selection index technology.


“For a lot of commercial cow calf producers that keep replacement heifers and sell calves at weaning, two important selection decisions are described: the alignment of what your market endpoint is and do you keep replacement females from your herd. That defines where we are going to put emphasis in the selection objective and what traits are going to get weighted in the appropriate selection index,” Dr. Weaber explained.

Listen to Ron's BeefBuzz with Dr. Bob Weaber and Read More Here

Future of Cotton Production: Strategies to Address the Loss of Dicamba with OSU’s Jenny Dudak

Following the 2025 Beltwide Cotton Conference in New Orleans, Farm Director KC Sheperd caught up with the new OSU Cotton specialist Jenny Dudak for a rundown on what was discussed. The three days of individual reports, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and seminars were designed to provide attendees with the information needed to help producers make key cotton production/marketing-related decisions.


Dudak judged Weed Science Oral Presentations by students. She said, “I saw a lot of good presentations regarding herbicide usage in cotton.”


In other presentations, she mentioned hearing some exciting things regarding the new Axant Flex Cotton with BASF and PhytoGen reps saying that they weren’t adding anything new for the next season but rather sticking with E1 or non-Roundup-ready cotton.


“They were really excited about their packages moving forward,” she said. “There was a lot of good information shared and as always, there were really good conversations with cotton specialists across the United States to discuss what everybody else is doing and looking at. It was a very good time.”

Listen to KC's Interview with Jenny Dudak 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



Watch the Confirmation of Brooke Rollins as Secretary of Agriculture Nominee

Senate Ag Committee Chair John Boozman of Arkansas will gavel his Committee to order this morning at 10 AM Eastern time to hold a Confirmation Hearing for Brooke Rollins, President Trump’s choice to be his Secretary of Agriculture.


There was a slight delay in getting the necessary paperwork complete for the confirmation to move forward but everything seems to be in place to her confirmation completed- Rollins has promised to resign from her positions with America First Policy Institute, America First Works and the Texas Public Policy Foundation. She will also shut down her consulting business, BLR Ideas, to take on the position of US Secretary of Ag position. Once confirmed, she will take over the role held for the last four years by former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, who also served eight years as USDA Secretary in the Obama Administration.


Most DC observers see no issues with her confirmation to become the next Secretary of Ag.

Click Here to Watch the Confirmation Hearing of Brooke Rollins

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 Thursday morning farm and ranch news with KC Sheperd
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Sponsor Spotlight


The Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association is the trusted voice of the Oklahoma Cattle Industry. With headquarters in Oklahoma City, the OCA has a regular presence at the State Capitol to protect and defend the interests of cattlemen and cattlewomen.


Their Vision Statement explains the highest priority of the organization- "Leadership that serves, strengthens and advocates for the Oklahoma cattle industry."


To learn more about the OCA and how you can be a part of this forward-looking group of cattle producers, click here for their website. For more information- call 405-235-4391.

Paul Beck on Feeding Ionophores to Beef Cows

Weekly, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Nutrition Specialist Paul Beck offers his expertise on the beef cattle industry. This is part of the weekly series known as the “Cow Calf Corner,” published electronically by Dr. Derrell Peel, Mark Johnson, and Beck. Today, he discusses feeding ionophores to beef cows.


Forage and supplemental feed costs have the most influence on profitability of cow-calf operations. Feed and pasture have been estimated to be 68% of variable costs and 47% of total costs of maintaining a cowherd. An economic analysis by Kansas State University showed that the top 1/3 producers in profitability had 39% lower feed and pasture costs than low-profit producers.


Ionophores are a class of antibiotics that shift rumen microbial populations to increase energetic efficiency and reduce the production of waste molecules such as methane. These feed additives are used extensively in the stocker and finishing production segments of the beef industry but their use of ionophores in the cow-calf industry has lagged. The ionophore monensin (marketed as Rumensin) was approved for use in replacement beef and dairy heifers in 1983 and for beef cows in 1988. In finishing cattle ionophores decrease feed intake by 5% while increasing gains by 1.5% and feed efficiency by 7%.


For developing replacement heifers, similar to growing and finishing cattle, monensin increased average daily gain, decreased feed intake, and improved feed efficiency. The reproductive effects were impressive, showing decreased age at first puberty and the percentage of heifers cycling before the breeding season without affecting weight at puberty. Even though early puberty and cyclic activity of heifers is often positively correlated with earlier conception, this analysis did not find differences in first service or AI pregnancy rates or total pregnancy rates for heifers.

Click Here To Read More from Paul Beck

Hughes County Okla. Ranch Manager Arrested on 83 Felony Counts of Larceny of Livestock

A 60-year-old Stuart, Okla. man was arrested Jan. 8, by Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Rangers Cody Hyde and Gavin Gatrell. Darrel Bernard Morris faces 83 felony charges of larceny of livestock for unlawfully selling cattle owned by his employer.


The investigation began in December 2024 after Special Ranger Hyde received evidence and a witness statements indicating that Morris, the manager of a ranch in Hughes County, Okla., had stolen 83 yearling cattle between January 2023 and December 2024 from the ranch.


According to the investigation, Morris transported the stolen cattle to several livestock auctions, where he sold them for over $108,000.


Morris was arrested at his residence on felony charges.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association extends a thank you to the Hughes County District Attorney’s office for their joint efforts in this investigation to successfully bring this case to prosecution.

Frank Lucas to Chair Task Force on Financial Services Committee

Today, the House Financial Services Committee held its organizational meeting for the 119th Congress. Congressman Lucas was placed on the Subcommittee on Capital Markets and the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions. Lucas was also named the chair of the Task Force on Monetary Policy, Treasury Market Resilience, and Economic Prosperity. He is the senior Republican on the committee.


At the meeting, Congressman Lucas spoke in favor of the creation of the Task Force:


“This new Task Force is a recognition that the monetary policy actions of the Federal Reserve deserve the focus and distinct attention of this Committee…


“The Task Force will evaluate the mechanisms the Fed uses to target stable prices and assess how to achieve economic prosperity for all Americans…

Click Here to Read More and Listen to Frank Lucas's Full Remarks

Madilyn Norvell Shows Grand Champion Market Steer at National Western in Denver

Madilyn Norvell of Tuttle was in the spotlight on Wednesday evening in Denver at the 2025 National Western Stock Show- as her steer was slapped as the Grand Champion of the Show in the Junior Market Steer Division.


Her steer will sell on Friday night during the annual premium sale auction of the NWSS. The 2024 Grand Champion Steer sold for $185,000. The record holder was a steer sold in 2023 for $200,000.

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 lower - Choice Beef was down $0.03 and Select Beef was down $1.56 on 1/22/2025.


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

Boxed Beef Report

OKC West in El Reno had 5,321 head this week on Tuesday and Wednesday.


According to USDA Market News- Compared to last week Feeder steers traded 3.00-8.00 higher. Feeder heifers mostly steady. Demand good. Steer and heifer calves sold 5.00-8.00 higher. Demand continues to be very good.


Meanwhile- OKC West Manager Bill Barnhart offers these comments o the OKC Facebook page: The market surge picked up where it left off last week fueled by a sharply higher board and renewed optimism. Feb. Live Cattle closed up 3.00 at 200.05 while March Feeders closed up a whopping 5.82 at 273.07. Consequently, cash prices at the auction were all stronger. Some fats traded early in the week at 201, steady with last week, but with today’s rise in the board cattle feeders will be thinking more money.


Click below for the complete closing report.

OKC West in El Reno Market Report from 01/21 and 01/22/2025
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 1/22/2025
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 1/22/2025
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
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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
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