While attending the Local Ag Summit, hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry in partnership with the ONIE Project, Farm Director KC Sheperd had the chance to speak with Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell.

Pinnell says that agriculture is currently experiencing more momentum than it ever has before, because more than ever, consumers want to know where their food is coming from. “That is good for these small business owners and for our agritourism industry,” he said. “One of the more popular tourist attractions that people are looking for today is something that they can do on a farm or ranch.”

He said that politicians need to understand that this curiosity will only expand and that more of the next generation will seek agricultural products and choose to live in farming communities. “That is going to be a revolution in this country in future decades,” he predicted. “Politicians have to get on board with it.”

He encouraged farming and ranching communities to actively connect with their representatives and invite them to their operations. “If they say ‘No’ then it might tell you that it is time for some new representation,” he bespoke. “Agriculture is still the backbone of the state of Oklahoma with oil and gas and a few other industries. We are number four in the country regarding the number of farms. That is good, but we need a whole lot more to feed the world.”

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.

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 are unchanged from 5.24 percent, since January 16.

Abnormally dry or worse conditions are unchanged from 26.11 percent, last week.

As for our neighbors, most of the region was dry for the week outside of those areas impacted by the winter storm that traversed across the Gulf Coast areas of Texas and into central Louisiana and Mississippi. Temperatures were cooler than normal over the entire region with the greatest departures over southern Louisiana into Mississippi where temperatures were 12-16 degrees below normal. Improvements were made to the abnormally dry conditions in Mississippi and in portions of east Texas. Severe and extreme drought was expanded in southern Texas with regard to the long-term drought signals in place, especially on the hydrologic systems in the region. Dryness continues in Tennessee with degradation in the southern, middle and eastern portions of the state as moderate, severe and extreme drought all expanded this week.

Kansas Drought Monitor shows Moderate Drought only slightly up from 24.63 percent last week to 24.94. Texas Drought ratings increased slightly from 42.29 percent a week ago to 42.35 percent.



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

Click here for the US Drought Monitor details for this week.

Accelerating Genetic Progress in Angus Cattle through Genomics

Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster, Ron Hays, is back talking with the president of Angus Genetics, Inc. (AGI), Kelli Retallick-Riley, about genomic progress in the beef cattle industry.

The use of EPDs and EBVs in the Angus industry dates back to the 1970s and has increased significantly. Only four were used back then compared with 26 today. Now, the focus is on improving the accuracy of the tools available.

Retallick-Riley said that EPDs come in handy in identifying genetic markers isolated from environmental components to success, such as good management practices, to be more sure of selecting herd sires.

“When you start to layer on things like genomics and all of the phenotypes that our producers have sent in, on average, we are going to increase our accuracies by almost a whole calf crop’s worth of data. One, they are selling as yearling bulls because our database with genomics coupled with the phenotypes is so powerful that we are able to do that in the Angus breed,” she said.

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

With the new Trump administration in place, grain markets have jumped since inauguration day.

“The next trading day, prices of the futures market jumped, and that flowed into cash markets,” Riley said. “As the futures markets went up, our cash markets here in Oklahoma went up about the same amount. Since then, it has fallen off a little bit, but our cash markets in Oklahoma have followed that same pace.”

Riley said it was difficult to tie the jump to the events of inauguration day; however, the dollar did weaken which generates optimism about the potential for exports in the grain markets.

“Over the last week, we have seen a 25-cent to 27-cent jump in wheat prices. Cotton prices really popped that same day. Both of those are very export heavy, and so it definitely helped that the dollar weakened,” Riley detailed.

After an extensive executive search, the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives’ (OAEC) Board of Trustees selected Nicki Fuller as new General Manager/CEO of the statewide association that represents 30 electric cooperatives in Oklahoma.

“Nicki is well equipped to lead our statewide organization,” said Bob Usry, president of the OAEC Board of Trustees and Norman-based Oklahoma Electric Cooperative director. “Her unique skills and experience make her a well-rounded leader. Her visionary leadership will guide our electric cooperatives into a new era.”

Nicki’s tenure will begin on April 1. She will follow Chris Meyers, who is retiring on March 31 as the head of the association after 15 years of service.

“I’m deeply honored to serve Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives and carry on the mission of powering lives and empowering communities throughout Oklahoma’s 77 counties,” said Fuller. “Growing up on co-op lines, I’m eager to advocate for the members of our co-ops and look forward to contributing to an industry that makes a difference in the lives of many.”

The following article comes from the Kansas Reflector and was written by Allison Kite. Oklahoma’s Panhandle sits atop the Ogallala Aquifer.

Aquifer levels in parts of western Kansas that rely on groundwater for everything from drinking to irrigation fell more than a foot last year, Kansas Geological Survey scientists said Tuesday. 

The Kansas Geological Survey earlier this month completed its annual campaign to measure the Ogallala Aquifer, which supplies the western one-third of the state with water. The Ogallala, the largest underground store of freshwater in the nation, has been declining for decades because of overuse to irrigate crops in otherwise arid parts of the state. 

According to preliminary data presented to the Kansas House Water Committee, aquifer levels in the groundwater management area covering southwest Kansas fell by 1.52 feet between January 2024 and this month, a larger drop than the 1.43-foot decline the year before.

Western Kansas’ management area saw a half-foot decline, on par with the year before.

Another Nominee Confirmed- Former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum Now Secretary of Interior

The Senate easily confirmed Doug Burgum as secretary of the Interior Department Thursday, a job that positions him to act on President Donald Trump’s energy strategy. The vote was 79 to 18.

Last night, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) released a statement congratulating Doug Burgum on his confirmation as Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior:

“NCBA and PLC congratulate Doug Burgum on his confirmation as Secretary of the Interior. Secretary Burgum has a proven record of supporting rural communities and promoting a balanced approach to energy development and conservation. His leadership will be critical for ensuring that ranchers and public lands grazing permittees are recognized as a valuable partner in stewarding Western landscapes and for removing regulatory burdens that have plagued management of grazing allotments for decades,” said Kaitlynn Glover, executive director of PLC and NCBA Natural Resources. “We look forward to working with Secretary Burgum to protect the livelihoods of ranchers who rely on public lands, safeguard the health of these ecosystems, and promote policies that benefit rural communities and the entire nation.”

Roger Mills County Cattlemen’s Assoc. 47th Annual All Breed Bull Sale and Messner Ranch 64th Annual Production Sale on Saturday, February 1

Oklahoma Cattlemen seeking their next herd sires will have a choice to make this Saturday, February 1 because two premier bull offerings will be held on that day.

At 27234 NS 164 Rd., Slapout, Oklahoma at 12:30 pm, the Messner Ranch 64th Annual Production Sale will offer 140 Hereford & Angus Bulls. They will be followed by 60 Hereford and Angus Heifer Pairs and Heavy Bred Cows. Attend in person or check out the sale on DV Auction- click here for details.

For more information about the Messner Ranch 64th Annual Production Sale, call or email Van Messner at (580)552-1555 or van1messner@gmail.com. Check out their sale catalog by clicking here.

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Shortly prior to that, at 12:15 pm at the Red Barn Arena (1 Mile South of Cheyenne, OK on 980 Rd), the Roger Mills County Cattlemen’s Assoc. 47th Annual All Breed Bull Sale will be held.

Nearly 60 Breeding Aged Bulls, Registered and Commercial Black and Red Angus, Horned and Polled Hereford, Simmental Black Brockle, and Composite Bulls will be offered by:

Markham Angus

Atkinson Angus Farms

Lazy S Ranch

Owen Atkinson

5-D Cattle

TJ Dorrell

Twisted D Cattle

John Mollet

Black Hereford Ranch

Jenkins Angus Farms

Matt Thornbrough

Heath Cattle Company

JL Allen Cattle Co.

Don Moler

Ashton Cockrell

For More Information about the Roger Mills County Cattlemen's Assoc. 47th Annual All Breed Bull Sale and/or Catalogs, call Lynda Lucas at (580) 497-7366, Ashlea Yager at (580) 497-7124, or Ryan Long at (580) 339-1919 or email: RMCCattlemen@yahoo.com.

Click here for the PDF of the Sale Consignments.