U.S. farmers retained their post-election optimistic outlook at the start of the new year as the January Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index rose 5 points above a month earlier to a reading of 141. The barometer’s rise was primarily attributable to a 9-point rise in the Current Conditions Index, while the Future Expectations Index rose just 3 points.

Compared to recent surveys, fewer producers this month pointed to lower crop and livestock prices as a top concern, which helped explain why producers felt better about the current situation. The shift in attitudes was attributable in part to an improvement in crop prices from the time of the December to the January survey. For example, Eastern Corn Belt prices for near-term delivery of corn and soybeans rose 9% and 5%, respectively, from early December to mid-January. Although producers’ appraisal of the current situation improved in January, U.S. farmers remain markedly more optimistic about the future than the current situation, as the Future Expectations Index this month was still 47 points above the Current Conditions Index. The January barometer survey took place from January 13-17, 2025.

The Farm Financial Performance Index rose 13 points in January, mirroring the rise in the Current Conditions Index. The increase in the financial performance index signals that, on average, producers expect 2025 to be a better year than 2024. The Farm Capital Investment Index, at a reading of 48 in January, was unchanged compared to a month earlier. The investment index continues to be notably stronger than last summer when it dipped to a low of 31, with this month’s index the second-highest reading of the last three years. Optimistic expectations for the future appear to be behind the strength in the investment index, but it remains to be seen whether producers’ improved attitude translates into more farm machinery and new construction investments.

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. 

While attending NCBA’s CattleCon, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster, Ron Hays, spoke with the Vice President of Governmental Affairs at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Ethan Lane about working with the new Trump administration. Oklahoma Farm Report’s coverage of CattleCon is powered by Farm Data Services.

“This is such an unprecedented set of circumstances, for a president to be coming in who was just president four years ago,” Lane expressed. “He knew he wanted to run for president again and has had policy analysts and thinkers sitting on the sidelines for the last four years thinking about what this would look like in the first couple of weeks of the new administration. No president in modern history can say they had a chance to have a do-over.”

Lane acknowledged that President Trump is moving quickly, and his tariff policies are a major topic of discussion in the ag industry. The team at NCBA is pleased to have the screwworm issue at the Mexican border resolved which provides more certainty to the cattle markets.

“To have that attention from the new administration early on when we know they have a lot of other things going on is something that really speaks to the president’s commitment to rural America and we are very grateful for that,” Lane stated.

Understanding the Beef Checkoff: A Deep Dive with Federation Chairs Dan Gattis at CattleCon 2025

At NCBA’s 2025 CattleCon, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays caught up with the Chairman of the Federation Division of the NCBA, Dan Gattis – a Texas cattle producer himself. Oklahoma Farm Report’s coverage of CattleCon is powered by Farm Data Services.

NCBA’s Federation Division is comprised of the 43 Qualified State Beef Councils which collect the dollar per head beef checkoff monies. Half of the money goes to the national organization and half stays with the State Beef Councils.

The Beef Checkoff’s mission is to grow demand for beef and ensure consumers’ confidence in the safety, nutritious fortitude, and health of deciding to consume beef.

“Those things that we do in the checkoff is what ultimately drives those dollars back to me as a cow calf producer,” Gattis said. “I came to realize how important that was; how important that message was, and the research that goes into those messages is.”

John Deere (NYSE: DE) announced today the launch of new weave automation for select round balers that helps streamline the baling process. With this automation, the operator simply places the windrow between the front tires of the tractor and lets the baler do the work. Today, round balers have gate and speed automation, which automates stopping the tractor when the bale is full sized – wrapping and ejecting the bale. The addition of weave automation allows less reliance on the operator skill to make a uniformed bale.

“Gone are the days where operators must weave a tractor during the baling process to ensure quality bale shape while not driving over windrows,” said Kaylene Ballesteros, John Deere go-to-market manager for hay & forage equipment. “Weave automation allows the baler to align with the tractor’s movements to effectively cover windrows of varying shapes and sizes.”

A New Fine-Tuned Process

The weaving hitch system allows a +38-degree swing from left to right, allowing for enhanced feed system and bale feeding capabilities. Not only does the automation make operation more streamlined, it also enhances feed quality by minimizing contamination of debris introduced by driving over windrows.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) recently launched a state-wide incentive for public schools to purchase nutritious foods from local farmers and ranchers.

The Oklahoma Local Food for School Program will reimburse schools for approved purchases of minimally processed foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, dairy and nuts.

“While expanding the market for producers, Oklahoma’s Local Food for Schools Program opens up significant opportunities for schools to give students better access to nutritious foods,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur.

The Oklahoma Local Food for Schools Program was modeled after a similar program sponsored by the federal government that showed great success during 2023 and 2024. The Oklahoma legislature has allocated $3.2 million for the program in 2025.

On February 4, 2025, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency’s Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, to achieve the agency’s mission while energizing the greatness of the American economy. This plan outlines the agency’s priorities under the leadership of President Trump and Administrator Zeldin. The newly announced Powering the Great American Comeback initiative consists of five pillars that will guide the EPA’s work over the first 100 days and beyond:

Pillar 1: Clean Air, Land, and Water for Every American

“Every American should have access to clean air, land, and water. I will ensure the EPA is fulfilling its mission to protect human health and the environment. In his first term, President Trump advanced conservation, reduced toxic emissions in the air, and cleaned up hazardous sites, while fostering economic growth for families across the country. We remain committed to these priorities in this administration, as well as ensuring emergency response efforts are helping Americans get back on their feet in the quickest and safest way possible. We will do so while remaining good stewards of tax dollars and ensuring that every penny spent is going towards advancing this mission,” said Administrator Zeldin.

Pillar 2: Restore American Energy Dominance

“Pursuing energy independence and energy dominance will cut energy costs for everyday Americans who are simply trying to heat their homes and put gas in their cars. This will also allow our nation to stop relying on energy sources from adversaries while lowering costs for hardworking middle-income families, farmers, and small business owners. I look forward to working with the greatest minds driving American innovation, to ensure we are producing and developing the cleanest energy on the planet,” said Administrator Zeldin.

All Eyes on Stillwater- Is the 19th President of OSU Stepping Down?

We have reached out to several folks and we are being told that the rumors that KC and Ron were hearing on Tuesday may well become reality later today.

Two Stillwater based news outlets went live with the same news on Tuesday afternoon- Dr. Kayse Shrum, who has been on the job since the summer of 2021 as the President of Oklahoma State University. Following the O'Colly and the Stillwater Press- the Daily Oklahoman has added their sources to the fire that seems to likely true.

The Oklahoman raises the why- and that's the question a lot of folks are wondering about and are hoping for answers in the days ahead.

Dr. Shrum has been a real advocate for the Land Grant Mission of OSU- definitely good for farmers, ranchers and all who live in rural Oklahoma.

She has been a supporter of the building of the new Ag Hall- and the efforts to begin a redo of the agronomy farm on Highway 51 on the west side of Stillwater- including new Greenhouses to benefit the Wheat Improvement Team led by Dr. Brett Carver.

This will be a developing story- as we said above- all eyes on Stillwater today to see what may lie ahead for Dr. Shrum and OSU.

BONUS from CattleCon- An Ag Perspectives Podcast with Don Close

Don Close has been watching the cattle market for a lot of years- and Oklahoma Farm Report’s Ron Hays had the opportunity to draw on that experience as they sat down at CattleCon 2025 in San Antonio to talk cattle markets.

The jumping off place was the  January 2025 Cattle Inventory report- and went a lot of different directions from there.

Click here to check out their conversation on our website- or look for the Podcast where ever you get your podcasts.