Recent fire dangers across Oklahoma have sparked confusion and misinformation about prescribed burns, leading experts to clarify the critical differences between controlled burns and wildfires. Trey Lam of Oklahoma Conservation and John Weir, an OSU extension specialist, addressed these concerns with Farm Director KC Sheperd, emphasizing the importance of responsible land management.

Lam began by defining the terms. “If you say a controlled burn is someone burning a trash barrel or a brush pile, or if you have a single person who goes out there and says, well, I think I’ll burn my pasture off, and they’re by themselves, that’s not a controlled burn,” he explained.

He contrasted this with prescribed burns, which involve meticulous planning and execution. “A prescribed burn has a burn plan written by a professional who’s trained and certified as a prescribed burn planner,” Lam stated. “They look at several different things… weather, wind, humidity, temperature… they look at the fuel load… fire breaks… back burns… and they will also have a group of people… enough labor there and enough equipment.”

Lam stressed the importance of weather awareness. “When they get out there that day, you know how fickle the Oklahoma weather can be. If the weather’s not right, they don’t light the fire,” he said.

The Oklahoma Pork Council, a farmer-led organization, represents the interests of all Oklahoma pig farmers. From large-scale commercial operators to first-time 4-H and FFA exhibitors, our mission is to positively impact every Oklahoman who raises pigs.

At Oklahoma Pork, we focus our efforts within four strategic intentions to serve our farmers: foreign animal disease preparedness, workforce at all levels, image enhancement, and freedom to operate. Learn more by visiting okpork.org.

Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster, Ron Hays, is talking with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart about the latest update on the Waters of the U.S. rule.

In an earlier conversation with Hays, Hart was disappointed in the Biden Administration’s EPA’s implementation of WOTUS. She said., “I think the Biden EPA acted out of spite after the Sackett decision. They implemented the rule that they were required to implement, but then sent out some internal guidance to staff across the country saying that they need to take a pretty aggressive approach to implementing WOTUS, and staff across the country did that.”

Hart was hopeful that the Trump administration would pull back some of those internal measures so that day-to-day operations would once again align with the true intent of the Sackett decision.

About a week ago, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin indicated intentions to begin resolving issues left by the Biden administration by making WOTUS more farmer- and rancher-friendly.

56 Years Bragging on Kids at the Oklahoma Youth Expo with Larry Peck

Broadcasting live from the Oklahoma Youth Expo, Farm Director KC Sheperd visited with Larry Peck, Owner/Editor of the Sentinel Leader and former owner of Ag Youth Magazine. He has been a familiar face during the show, providing pictures and coverage of OYE, previously known as the Oklahoma City Spring Livestock Show, for 56 years.

Peck remembers when it was known as the Fat Livestock Show, and Barn 3 was a former airport hangar.

He recalled the number of photographers he has used over the years saying, “At the first OYE, it was just my wife, Mary, Franke Allen, Dwayne Harrell, with the Department of Ag, and Ron Hays, were the only ones in the ring. When it was all said and done, we had the Ag Youth photo team and a lot of people in the barn and even parents and students were on the Ag Youth photo team. At one time, we were publishing fifty-thousand photos per day.”

Peck’s own children, grandson, and granddaughters also helped capture the special moments of the show. Peck retired from Ag Youth Magazine two years ago and has since purchased the Sentinel Leader, which they have made into a Youth Magazine as well.

House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-15) issued the following statement after Secretary Brooke Rollins announced USDA would be issuing up to $10 billion directly to agricultural producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop year:

“Grappling with rising input costs, declining commodity prices, record debt levels, and a lingering agricultural trade deficit, America’s farmers and ranchers are teetering on the edge of a financial cliff. That’s exactly why I fought to ensure this assistance was included in last year’s continuing resolution.

“I commend the Trump Administration for moving swiftly to stand up this vital program and provide much-needed relief to farm country. Secretary Rollins and the team at USDA deserve credit for cutting through red tape and prioritizing farm families facing financial uncertainty.

“While this relief is a crucial financial bridge for many, it is no substitute for the enactment of a strong, five-year farm bill that delivers risk management tools our farmers can rely upon for the long run. I look forward to delivering on this promise in partnership with congressional colleagues and the Trump Administration.”

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, Beck offers advice to protect ranches and livestock from wildfires.

Wildfires are a threat to ranchers this spring with dry conditions and high winds creating the perfect conditions for devastating events such as the fires across Oklahoma last weekend. Protecting your livestock and property requires preparation, quick action, and resilience. Here are key strategies to help you stay ahead of the flames.

Prepare ahead of time by creating defensible spaces around pastures and buildings by clearing brush, dead trees, and other flammable debris from around homes barns, and equipment. Mow or tightly graze firebreaks along property lines and roads to slow the spread fire. Build lots, corrals, fences, and ranch buildings from fire-resistant materials to reduce the fire risk.

Livestock evacuation and safety are important considerations in your disaster planning. Identify safe areas like large open pastures with short grass or crop fields with green growing grass or tilled soil. Ensure trucks and trailers for livestock transport are in good condition and have an evacuation plan in place. Stock emergency water, feed, and first aid supplies.

The Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates steady was a critical, albeit painful, choice. Reducing inflation remains a challenge, and with a new administration working to get everything under control, Treasurer Todd Russ recognizes the difficulty of curbing rising costs.

“I share their concerns that inflation has not yet been meaningfully reduced despite current rates,” said Treasurer Russ. “While these high rates put pressure on everyday American lives, bringing inflation down is paramount for our economy’s long-term success. The impact extends beyond financial markets—it affects the housing market, grocery bills, and childcare costs. To improve the quality of life for everyday Oklahomans, inflation must stay low.”

It’s clear the Fed feels lowering rates too soon could undermine the progress made in stabilizing prices and could erode value for the working class. By maintaining the current rate, the Federal Reserve is ensuring that inflation remains under control and avoiding a potential bounce back in inflation, which would be harder to control despite ongoing efforts.

Thursday at OYE - KC Hosts Morning Minute While Market Animal Shows Conclude - With the Final Grand Drive at Jim Norick

This morning at 9 AM- our own KC Sheperd will be hosting the final OYE Morning Minute for 2025- it will be seen live on our Oklahoma Farm Report Facebook Page- as well as on the OYE Facebook page and the Kennedy Ventures Facebook page.

KC will be talking with Executive Vice President of the OYE, Kass Newell about today being the final drive at the Jim Norick Arena.

Watch live or go and watch the Morning Minute on demand later on any of these Facebook pages.

As for the schedule-

8:00 a.m. MoorMan’s ShowTec Market Barrow Show – Barn 6 Performance Arena - Dark Crossbred

MoorMan’s ShowTec Market Lamb Show – State Fair Arena Ring 2 - Black-Faced Crossbred (two divisions)

Sunglo Market Steer Show – State Fair Arena Ring 1 - Crossbred (Division 1 Light, Division 2 Middle, Division 3 Heavy)

9:00 a.m. Farm Credit OYE Market Goat Showmanship – Super Barn Arena

AFR Goat Showmanship (Immediately following OYE Goat Showmanship) – Super Barn Arena

5:00 p.m. Scholarship Presentations – State Fair Arena

6:00 p.m. Grand Drive – State Fair Arena Order: Market Barrows, Market Goats, Lambs, & Market Steers