U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, on National Agriculture Day, announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing up to $10 billion directly to agricultural producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop year. Administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), ECAP will help agricultural producers mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices.

“Producers are facing higher costs and market uncertainty, and the Trump Administration is ensuring they get the support they need without delay,” said Secretary Rollins. “With clear direction from Congress, USDA has prioritized streamlining the process and accelerating these payments ahead of schedule, ensuring farmers have the resources necessary to manage rising expenses and secure financing for next season.”

Authorized by the American Relief Act, 2025, these economic relief payments are based on planted and prevented planted crop acres for eligible commodities for the 2024 crop year. To streamline and simplify the delivery of ECAP, FSA will begin sending pre-filled applications to producers who submitted acreage reports to FSA for 2024 eligible ECAP commodities soon after the signup period opens TODAY. Producers do not have to wait for their pre-filled ECAP application to apply. They can visit fsa.usda.gov/ecap to apply using a login.gov account or contact their local FSA office to request an application once the signup period opens.

By the way- multiple groups have cheered the rolling out of the $10 Billion in help for farmers- Check out our Ag News on our website to see comments from American Farm Bureau, National Farmers Union, Congressman Frank Lucas and others.

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. 

Up next will be the Oklahoma City’s premier spring agricultural and ranching event with returns to the State Fair Park in just two weeks from now-  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. 

The top 128 gilts out of 3,000 that were shown last week at the 2025 OYE Gilt show were in the spotlight on Tuesday night at the 2025 Night of Stars Gilt Sale- and it was another million dollar result for the 4-H and FFA consignors. Gilts were sold to breeders who liked their pedigrees and genetics from coast to coast with buyers mentioned from Maryland to California during the course of the three hour plus sale.

After the last lot was sold- officials reported the sale generated $1.24 million dollars with a per gilt average of $9,583 per gilt- just slightly under the 2023 sale.

Fourteen of the gilts topped $25,000 on the night- including the high selling gilt that was in the middle of a bidding war in the second half of the sale lineup. Lot 97, the 35th Dark Cross ended up bringing $80,000 for her owner, Kylen Kamp of Laverne FFA.

Early in the sale- the Reserve Supreme Commercial Gilt- Lot 4- owned by Catherine McClain of Leedey FFA- brought $75,000 (banner of her gilt shown above). The gilt that judges called the best of the Commercial show- the Supreme Champion Commercial Gilt shown by Mayla Coleman of Madill FFA was priced by bidders at $60,000.

Click on the blue button below to read more about the highest selling gilts of last night- including four purebred lots that were prices at $25,000 or more.

Our coverage from the 2025 OYE is powered by Hilliary Communications

Pros and Cons of Gene Editing: Insights from Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam

Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam is a Cooperative Extension Specialist in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis, and runs the Animal Genomics and Biotechnology Laboratory. She recently spoke about gene editing at K-State’s Cattlemen’s Day. Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays is featuring comments from her conversation with K-State’s radio network after her presentation.

Yesterday, she explained what gene editing is and some opportunities it presents for the beef industry. Click here for that conversation. Today, she is discussing some of the pros and cons of the practice.

The main benefit of gene editing is to introduce useful genetic variations into an animal without altering anything else. “I see it as a synergistic improvement on conventional breeding programs,” Dr. Van Eenennaam said. “It is a targeted way to introduce useful genetic variations into breeding programs.”

The risks of gene editing are centered mostly around the public’s perception of the practice, specifically animal activist groups that make money from creating fear around GMOs. “They have found a very lucrative business model in creating fear around that technology,” the doctor explained. “They have said genome-edited products in their definition of what a GMO is. Of course, they are because they make a lot of money doing this!"

Ag Mechanics has always been a big deal in the world of ag education with a lot of students enjoying welding and building projects, and perhaps the most prestigious venue to showcase these creations is at the Oklahoma Youth Expo Ag Mechanics Contest. Senior Farm and Ranch Director Ron Hays caught up with the contest superintendent, Jerry Renshaw, to discuss the growing success of the event.

This year marked the sixth anniversary since the contest’s inception, and it was the biggest yet with 270 projects entered, a 35-project increase from last year. “We were almost full,” Renshaw said, anticipating a move to another building soon.

The projects represent the creativity and skill of participants ranging from nine years old to high school seniors. The contest was created to allow more students to participate at OYE.

“In this ag mechanics show, probably 82% are students that do not show livestock,” Renshaw revealed. “This is another avenue for these kids to build projects that exemplify their skills and compete with the lifelong skill that comes out of it.”

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins released the following message in recognition of National Agriculture Day to honor the farmers, ranchers, and producers who feed, fuel, and clothe the world:

“Today on National Agriculture Day, we recognize the people who make it all possible. The farmers, the ranchers, and the producers who dedicate their lives to feeding, to fueling, and to clothing our nation.

“Agriculture isn’t just an industry — it is a way of life. I know that firsthand. Growing up in agriculture and being a part of 4H and FFA shaped who I am today. It taught me that farming is about more than the work. It’s about perseverance and innovation and a deep respect for the land.

“Every day, through challenges and triumphs, the men and women in agriculture show up. They adapt, they solve problems, and they push forward ensuring that future generations can continue this proud tradition.

“So today, let’s just not celebrate agriculture. Let’s celebrate the people behind it. To every farmer, to every rancher, and to every producer, we see you, we appreciate you, and we thank you. Happy National Agriculture Day!”

Trade has become a hot topic this year, with a lot of uncertainty. Trade policy decisions being made in Washington will impact farmers and ranchers in the countryside. This Market Intel report is part of a series exploring different topics related to agricultural trade, including the potential impacts of trade policy changes and Agricultural Exports 101.

Tariffs can be a double-whammy for farmers. Farmers not only end up paying more for inputs, they also often take the brunt of retaliatory tariffs. With over 20% of U.S. agricultural goods exported, retaliatory tariffs can pose a major threat to farmers’ ability to turn a profit. The most recent rounds of U.S.-imposed tariffs, and subsequent retaliation, are no different. The three top countries targeted for tariffs to date: Mexico, Canada and China, are also our top three markets for agriculture exports at $30.3 billion, $28.3 billion and $24.7 billion, respectively, in 2024.

The imposition of tariffs on imports to the U.S., and subsequent retaliatory measures by other governments, is occurring so rapidly that it’s hard to keep track of which tariffs have been announced, which have been paused, and which are in force from our own government – let alone from our many trading partners.

From Inauguration Day through March 18, 2025, an additional 20% of tariffs have been applied to all Chinese products, 25% to most Canadian and Mexican products (which were subsequently paused through April 2 on USMCA-compliant products) and 25% to all steel and aluminum imports from all countries.

Canada and China have already implemented retaliatory tariffs in response to U.S.-imposed tariffs. The European Union also recently announced that they plan on imposing tariffs on U.S. products in early April.

Wednesday at OYE - Market Animal Shows Continue

8:00am MoorMan’s ShowTec Market Barrow Show – Barn 6 Chester White, Hampshire, Poland China, Light Crossbred

MoorMan’s ShowTec Market Lamb Show – State Fair Arena Hair Sheep, Southdown, Shropshire, Dorset, White Faced Crossbred, Natural, & Hampshire

Sunglo Market Steer Show – State Fair Arena Angus, Charolais, Chianina, Hereford, Limousin, Maine–Anjou, Shorthorn, Simmental, AOB (Gelbvieh, Saler, and all other breeds not listed)

Farm Credit Market Goat Show – Super Barn Arena All Divisions