The annual American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Convention was held this weekend in Norman. Farm Director KC Sheperd talked with Re-Elected AFR President Scott Blubaugh about key issues facing Oklahoma farmers and ranchers. Fresh off his reelection, Blubaugh outlined the organization’s priorities and concerns.

“Well, thank you,” Blubaugh began, acknowledging his recent reelection. “I just finished up my second term, so today, I guess I’ll start my third term as president.”

The convention’s policy session focused on several critical areas. “A lot of the things, education, the education system here in Oklahoma and all the challenges going on with that, our members are very concerned about that,” Blubaugh explained. “We’re also [concerned about] private property rights; you know, that’s kind of a big deal across the state right now.” He emphasized the complexities of these issues, stating, “Where one person’s property rights start, and another one’s end is a real grey area, and so it’s difficult sometimes to sort all that out.” However, he praised the policy committee’s work, saying, “I think our policy committee did a great job. It’s sorting that out and coming up with some really good policy that we can now use the lobby at the state capital on our property rights.”



Looking ahead, Blubaugh discussed the upcoming National Farmers Union convention in Oklahoma City. “I think it’s probably been 30 years or longer since the National Farmers Union had their convention here in Oklahoma City, and in two weeks, we will have that,” he said. “We’ll get to take our policy and try to get as much of it in the national policy as we can, and all the other states are trying to do the same, and there’s usually a compromise in there somewhere.” 

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Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays talked to OSU Extension Livestock Market Economist Dr. Derrell Peel after the latest USDA Cattle of Feed Report was released on Friday afternoon, and Dr. Peel expects no significant market reaction from it.

January placements were up 2% from last year, marketings were up 1% from last year, and total on-feed numbers were down 8/10 of a percent.

“This report was pretty well anticipated,” Dr. Peel said. “There were no real surprises in it, so I don’t really anticipate any significant market reaction as a result of this report.”

While it is still too early to say, Dr. Peel has been anticipating cattle on-feed numbers to decline due to lower cattle numbers. January’s high prices brought cattle out of the countryside allowing feedlots to find the numbers they needed, but Peel believes that it is only a matter of time.

Ag Groups Cheer USDA’s Release of Paused Funding 

Last week, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that USDA will release the first tranche of funding that was paused due to the review of funding in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Specifically, USDA is releasing approximately $20 million in contracts for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program, and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.

Today, multiple ag groups issued statements of appreciation for the release of funds.

We continue to share comments from the Director of the Oklahoma Ag Leadership Program Edmond Bonjour as Class XXI travels across parts of Kenya for their International Capstone study experience.



On Friday, "the OALP drove out across the Laikipia plateau and visited El Karama Wildlife Conservancy, owned by Bella Nicholson and the Grant Family. The 15,000-acre land area under the conservancy allows for sustainable production of valuable livestock and agricultural products. Using methods compatible with wildlife, El Karama produces and sells regionally important livestock.

"Sahiwal cattle(Pictured above) are hardy and dual purpose – beef and milk. Fleckvieh cattle, which have a German origin, are used in their dairy. There are about 1,200 cattle on this property. Dorper sheep, about 500, are used for meat in the local market."

Click here for more from this visit at El Karama- including more pictures.

The Saturday travels of Class XX focused more on Roses and Hogs. Edmond writes “The OALP visited Tambuzi Farm, established 28 years ago. They are specialists in the production of traditional scented garden roses, mainly for events, and they sell worldwide. Tambuzi has 25 hectares of 150 commercial varieties of roses, plus complimentary production of sustainable forestry, bee keeping, and livestock.

“They plant roses on raised beds and release 10 new varieties every year. After new roses are planted, they make bending plants of the lower shoots after eight weeks which adds secondary storage for the plants. About 14-16 weeks after planting, the first roses are harvested, and the again at 12 weeks, etc. Re-bending is a continuous process. Roses have a 10-year lifespan and are then dug up. Roots go seven feet deep. Roses require weeding, water, and nutrition – compost, liquid fertilizer from worms, and organic manure from cows, sheep, and pigs. All watering is by drip irrigation from recycled water."

Click here for the recap of the Saturday, February 22nd travel of OALP in Kenya.

Application Forms Now Online for Class XXII of the OALP

As Class XXI continues to travel across Kenya- the application for Class XXII is now available on line at the OALP website.



Click here for that application– which is due by May first, 2025. In person interviews will happen in June and the XXII will meet for the first time in August of this year.

While attending CattleCon 2025, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Jeff Sarchet, Zoetis Beef Technical Services Senior Veterinarian, about his role with the company.

Coverage of CattleCon 2025 is powered by Farm Data Services of Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Dr. Sarchet covers a lot of country, supporting sales in Eastern Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Eastern Kansas, and Western Missouri. Growing up on a 5,000-head feedyard in the Oklahoma Panhandle, he gained firsthand insight into stocker cattle management.

“I’ve really enjoyed traveling from Missouri to Texas and seeing different pastures and ways they raise cattle,” Dr. Sarchet said. “It is amazing to me how much our producers adapt to their resources and use the forages that are there to their benefit.”

Zoetis cattle implants are one technology that helps producers make the most of their resources. Synovex® One Feedlot and Synovex One Grower beef implants provide up to 200 days of improved weight gain, and Synovex One Feedlot also increases feed efficiency. FDA-approved with no meat withdrawal times, implants produce more beef, safely.

This past week, Governor Kevin Stitt issued the following statement on the passing of former Governor David Boren and announced flags on state property have been lowered to half-staff to honor his life and legacy.

“Today, I join Oklahomans in mourning the loss of former Governor David Boren, who dedicated his life to serving our state. His love of Oklahoma was evident in everything he did. Sarah and I extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Molly, and the entire Boren family.”

“As a sign of respect, I’ve ordered all flags on state property to be flown at half-staff until his interment.”

Executive Order 2025-05 can be found here.

Buyers Show Avid Interest in U.S. Beef at Gulfood Trade Show in Dubai 

Gulfood is one of the largest food trade shows in the world, attracting tens of thousands of prospective buyers to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Reporting from a busy USA Pavilion at Gulfood, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom says the Gulf Region’s rebounding foodservice sector has heightened interest in U.S. beef. Gulfood also offers opportunities to meet with buyers from Africa, Europe and other regions. USMEF’s participation in Gulfood is made possible through support from USDA, the Beef Checkoff Program and the Texas Beef Council. 

In addition to promoting the unique attributes of U.S. beef, the visit to Dubai also provided an opportunity to address market access obstacles that slowed last year’s beef exports to the UAE, which is traditionally the region’s highest-value destination for U.S. beef exports. Halstrom says efforts are ongoing to help the U.S. industry meet the UAE’s halal certification requirements and to reduce interruptions in trade.

Despite a fourth-quarter slowdown in the UAE, beef exports to the Middle East rebounded in 2024, climbing 19% year-over-year to more than 52,000 metric tons. Export value also increased 12% to $230 million.