Oklahoma's Latest Farm

And Ranch News

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Howdy Neighbors!

Here is Your Daily Oklahoma Farm and Ranch News Update: 

 

  • Oklahoma’s Winter Wheat Conditions Leap to 42 Percent Good to Excellent Rating


  • Oklahoma Beef Council’s Trade Mission: Exploring West Africa’s Market


  • Introducing Laela Begley of the Elgin FFA Chapter, Your 2025 Southwest Area Star in Agriscience


  • Derrell S. Peel Says All Bets are Off regarding the Beef Cattle Industry


  • Lucas Honors Congressman Wes Watkins on House Floor


  • Spring Abounds with a Bouquet of Agritourism Opportunities in Oklahoma


  • Gather Paperwork and Take Video Before Disaster Strikes


  • Prospective Plantings Report Shows Big Shift to Corn


  • Governor Says He Was Justified in Firing OFS Director- AFR Says Bad Idea to Disband Agency

Oklahoma’s Winter Wheat Conditions Leap to 42 Percent Good to Excellent Rating

U.S. winter wheat condition was rated 48 percent good to excellent as of Sunday, April 6, down from 56 percent at the same time last year, according to USDA NASS’ first weekly national Crop Progress report of the year released on Monday. Aside from Texas, the Southern Plains (Oklahoma and Kansas) have improved winter wheat crop conditions since last week.


Oklahoma's Winter wheat conditions rated 42 percent good to excellent, 40 percent fair and 18 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 33 percent good to excellent, 40 percent fair, and 27 percent poor to very poor.


Our neighbors to the north also saw an improvement in wheat conditions- Kansas has their wheat crop rated 51% good to excellent versus 49% last week. Meanwhile, Texas wheat conditions are unchanged from last week's 26% good to excellent rating.


Pasture and range conditions in Oklahoma rated 34 percent good to excellent, 44 percent fair and 22 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 30 percent good to excellent, 35 percent fair, and 26 percent poor to very poor.


Range and pasture conditions in Texas rated 16 percent good to excellent, 26 percent fair, and 58 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 11 percent good to excellent, 24 percent fair, and 65 percent poor to very poor.

Read More about the Latest Crop Progress Report Here

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Oklahoma Beef Council’s Trade Mission: Exploring West Africa’s Market

Ron Hays talks with Heather Buckmaster of the Oklahoma Beef Council about her current trade mission to West Africa.


“It is a wonderful opportunity for us to educate future buyers for U.S. beef, and I think a lot of producers want to ask, ‘Why Africa?’” Buckmaster said.


She said the answer is easy, and it’s in the numbers. There are 1.2 billion consumers in Sub-Sahara Africa, and they have the youngest median age of any group of consumers in the world. This is valuable when considering that many established markets are seeing declining populations.


Predictions indicate that by 2030, 1 in 4 people on the planet will be on the continent of Africa, where incomes are also growing.


“Most importantly, it is an opportunity for us to maximize the value of that carcass,” Buckmaster pointed out. “Due to cultural differences, let’s be honest, one of the things that makes the U.S. beef industry important is that it is so large.”

Listen to Ron's BeefBuzz with Heather Buckmaster and Read More Here

Introducing Laela Begley of the Elgin FFA Chapter, Your 2025 Southwest Area Star in Agriscience

During the month of April, the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and Oklahoma Farm Report are spotlighting the 19 Area Stars of Oklahoma FFA, who are among the highest achievers in the organization.


The stars come from the five areas in four categories- Star in Ag Placement, Star in Agriscience, Star in Agribusiness, and Star in Agricultural Production.


This week, we spotlight the four area stars in Agriscience in 2025.


One Star Finalist featured in the coming days from each of the categories will be named the State Star Award Winner during the 99th Oklahoma State FFA Convention, which will take place on May 6th and 7th in Tulsa, Oklahoma.


This week, our coverage of the 2025 Oklahoma FFA Star Award Finalists continues with Agriscience competitor Laela Begley of the Elgin FFA chapter representing the Southwest Area.

Listen to KC's Conversation with Laela Begley and Read More About Her Agriscience Project Here
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For our farmers who have either- always have had cotton on their farms- or those who have more recently have added the fiber crop to their operations- we have a daily report heard on several of our Radio Stations- It's Called Cotton Talk!


Click on the Button below to listen to our most recent report

Click here for our Latest Cotton Talk- Hosted by KC Sheperd


The latest news from the Oklahoma State Capitol is available daily on the Radio Oklahoma News Network.


Click on the blue button to hear from our Radio Oklahoma Network News Director Jacquelyn Farris

Click here for the latest report from the State Capitol on RON


Derrell S. Peel Says All Bets are Off regarding the Beef Cattle Industry

Dr. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, offers his economic analysis of the beef cattle industry as part of the weekly series known as the “Cow Calf Corner,” published electronically by Dr. Peel, Mark Johnson, and Paul Beck. Today, Dr. Peel analyzes the possible future trajectory of the beef cattle industry.



Cattle market fundamentals have not changed. The industry faces ever-tightening feeder cattle supplies that will eventually lead to decreased feedlot inventories and declining beef production. The question of heifer retention and herd rebuilding remain very uncertain as both weather and external factors dim producer expectations. Cattle prices peaked recently at record levels and will likely pull back, at least for some period of time. The remainder of the year is now very uncertain.

Read More from Dr. Derrell Peel Here

We invite you to listen to us on great radio stations across the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network weekdays-

if you missed this morning's Farm News - or you are in an area where you can't hear it- click below for this morning's Farm news from Ron Hays and KC Sheperd on RON.
Listen to our Tuesday morning farm and ranch news with KC Sheperd
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Sponsor Spotlight



The vision of the Oklahoma Beef Council is to be a positive difference for Oklahoma's farming and ranching families and the greater beef community, and its mission is to enhance beef demand by strengthening consumer trust and exceeding consumer expectations. 


To learn more, visit www.oklabeef.org. Also, don't forget to like its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/oklabeef for stories on Oklahoma's ranching families and great beef recipes. 


And Check out this video below that helps you learn more about the Beef Checkoff- .

Lucas Honors Congressman Wes Watkins on House Floor

Congressman Frank D. Lucas (OK-03) spoke on the House floor today to honor the life and legacy of the late Oklahoma Congressman, Wes Watkins.


You can watch his full remarks by clicking here or on the video above.


SELECTED QUOTES:

“While Wes Watkins’ legacy in Congress cannot be overstated, to Oklahomans, his kindness, generosity, and love for his community might be what we remember most… 

“Oklahomans will remember Wes Watkins as a dedicated public servant who fought hard to bring abundant opportunities and true prosperity to his neighbors… 


“He never forgot his original mission of serving Oklahoma and the work of his lifetime will continue to benefit the state for centuries to come.” 

Spring Abounds with a Bouquet of Agritourism Opportunities in Oklahoma

As the cold of winter moves past and spring temperatures take its place, Oklahomans are seeking more time outdoors to soak up the warmth of the sun, feel a fresh breeze on their skin, and take in the scents and sounds of spring. That is where Whitney Wilkinson and her team in the agritourism department of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry come in. Visiting with our own Stevie White, Wilkinson laid out many of the spring opportunities blooming in agritourism across the state.


“We have a lot of really cool things happening this time of year,” Wilkinson shared. “One of our biggest things going on right now is You Pick Tulip farms. We have seen an explosion of tulip farms across the state in the last couple of years.”


A few years ago, there was only one, and now there are 11 located on farms in every sector across the state from Enid to Ardmore, Altus to Tulsa. You Pick Tulip Farms are great places to take friends, family members of all ages, and a special someone. Tulip farms also present great opportunities for photos.


According to Wilkinson, Texas used to be the prime destination for Oklahoma tulip pickers, but as more and more Oklahoma producers have realized that they could offer similar experiences closer to home, they have jumped on the opportunity.

Listen to Stevie's Interview with Whitney Wilkinson and Read More Here

Gather Paperwork and Take Video Before Disaster Strikes

Organizing financial documents and safely storing them before a fire or tornado can prevent additional stress and confusion following the disaster.


Oklahomans affected by wildfires know firsthand how it feels to watch their home, apartment or property burn and then ask, “What do I do now?”


“Don’t make any major decisions during the first couple of days,” said Andrine Shufran, entomology and plant pathology specialist for Oklahoma State University Extension. “You don’t realize how hard it becomes to make simple decisions, much less important ones.”


Shufran and her husband lost their home in the wildfires that swept through the west side of Stillwater on March 14. As they gathered with neighbors on the street that afternoon, fire and smoke approached from all sides as fire officials drove by to notify the neighborhood it had 30 minutes to evacuate.

Read More About Disaster Preparedness Here

Prospective Plantings Report Shows Big Shift to Corn

Despite the immense uncertainty in agriculture due to the escalating trade war, farmers do not have the luxury of delaying planting decisions – or planting itself. Now that spring has arrived, they will soon head to the fields to put this year’s crop in the ground.


The 2025 Prospective Plantings report surveyed nearly 74,000 farmers between February 27 and March 18 on what they intend to plant this year. As expected, due to market conditions and a large dip in acreage last year, farmers are intending to plant significantly more corn, moving away from cotton, wheat and soybeans.


The main take away from the Prospective Plantings report is that we’re planting corn – a lot of it. Farmers intend to plant 95.3 million acres of corn in 2025, a 5.2% increase of 4.7 million acres compared to corn planted last year. This figure came in above most, but not all, trade estimates and 1.3 million acres above USDA’s projection at February’s Agriculture Outlook Forum. If realized, planted corn acres would be the third highest since 1944 and the highest since 2013.


Corn is taking acres from many crops, with the largest swings in total acres away from cotton and soybeans. If realized, at 30.8%, corn would be at its highest-ever percentage of principal planted crops since at least 1993, when the total principal crops planted metric was first available from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Read More of AFBF's MarketIntel Report Here

Governor Defends His Dismissal of State Oklahoma Forestry Service Chief- AFR Says No Way to Idea of Disbanding the Agency

According to a story from News9 in Oklahoma City on Monday- Governor Stitt believes he has justification for the removal of Mark Goeller from his position as Director of the Oklahoma Forestry Service.


"Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt released a statement on Monday saying that the Oklahoma Forestry Services director only used half of the available resources to help firefighters during a wildfire outbreak on March 14.


"He said the Secretary of Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry and the Director of Oklahoma Emergency Management investigated the wildfire response and that "they were met with reluctance to give answers."


"When they received the answers they needed, they found that the director only deployed half of his available resources to help local firefighters around the state.


"While our local firefighters were stretched thin, leadership at Forestry Services failed to act with the urgency the moment demanded."


"Stitt says he has tasked Agriculture Secretary Blayne Arthur and Public Safety Secretary Tricia Everest to create a report on how the response had failed and where future improvements can be made."


Meanwhile- the President of the American Farmers & Ranchers, Scott Blubaugh, issued this statement in a Monday evening release responding to comments from Governor Stitt that maybe we should eliminate the OFS altogether:


 “Any effort to diminish or disband the Oklahoma Forestry Service is a misguided, terrible idea. The OFS not only plays a significant role in the state’s expansive timber industry, but also trains, supplies and coordinates rural fire departments across the state. An OFS reduction would inhibit our rural fire departments’ ability to respond when it matters most. The pocketbooks, property, and possibly lives of Oklahomans are at stake. We should be talking about more funding, not less.”


Let's Check The Markets!
OKC West is our Market Links Sponsor- they sell cattle three days a week- Cows on Mondays, Stockers on Tuesday and Feeders on Wednesday- Call 405-262-8800 to learn more.
Today's First Look:
Ron on RON Markets as heard on K101  
mornings with cash and futures reviewed- includes where the Cash Cattle market stands, the latest Feeder Cattle Markets Etc.
Hear Today's First Look

Wholesale Boxed Beef Prices were higher - Choice Beef was up $1.05 and Select Beef was up $2.12 on 4/7/2025.


Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News

Boxed Beef Report

Oklahoma National Stockyards had 1,589 head on Monday, April 7, 2025


Compared to last week: Feeder steers 5.00-10.00 lower. Steer calves over 500lbs 15.00 lower and under 500lbs unevenly steady. Feeder heifers 12.00-15.00 lower. Heifer calves 20.00-25.00 lower. Demand moderate. Quality average. All classes of cattle lightly tested today due to heavy rain and colder temperatures over the weekend. Cattle futures were sharply lower late last week and are lower again today


Click below for the complete closing report.

Oklahoma National Stockyards Market Report from 04/07/2025

The Joplin Regional Stockyards had a total run of 3,257 head on Monday April 7, 2025


Compared to last week feeder steers under 530 lbs. sold 10.00-25.00 lower, with weights from 530 lbs. to 725 lbs. selling 10.00-15.00 lower. Steers over 725 lbs. sold 2.00-4.00 lower. Feeder heifers under 525 lbs. sold 15.00-30.00 lower with heavier weight selling 5.00-15.00 lower. Supply was light with moderate demand. Overall quality of the offering was considerably lower than last week


Click on the button below for details of the trade as compiled by the USDA Market News Service.

Joplin Regional Stockyards Market from Monday 04/07/2025
OKC West in El Reno Cow and Bull Market Report from 04/07/2025
Each afternoon we are posting a recap of that day's markets as analyzed by Justin Lewis of KIS futuresclick below for the latest update on the Livestock and Grain Futures Trade..
Click Here to Listen to Justin's Commentary From 4/7/2025
Okla Cash Grain:  
Daily Oklahoma Cash Grain Prices- as reported by the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture- The report available after the close of the Futures Trade for that day.
Read Cash Grains Report from 4/7/2025
Our Daily Market Wrapup from the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network - analyzing the Futures Markets for that trading day- as reported by KC Sheperd.
Click to Listen to Our Weekday Wrap with KC
Slaughter Cattle Recap: 
The National Daily Slaughter Cattle Summary- as prepared by the USDA Market News
Read Report
TCFA Feedlot Recap:  
Finally, here is the Daily Volume and Price Summary from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
Read Report

Our Oklahoma Farm Report Team!!!!

 

Ron Hays, Senior Farm/Ranch Broadcaster and Editor

 

KC Sheperd, Farm Director and Editor


Dave Lanning, Markets and Production


Stevie White, Farm News and Email Editor


Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager

Podcasts From Oklahoma Farm Report and More

Two of our regular reports are also podcasts that you can subscribe to- Our daily Farm and Ranch News with KC Sheperdavailable here on the Apple Podcast Platform


The second is our daily Beef Buzz with Ron Haysavailable here on the Apple Podcast Platform


Periodically- we offer interviews on our Ag Perspectives Podcast series- this podcast is available here.


Ron has also has a series of podcasts from interviews with newsmakers at the Cattlemen's Congress- Click here or you can find them on your favorite Podcast platform- look for them by searching for Cattlemen's Congress Conversations.


We are making plans to jump back into regular installments of what has been called the Road to Rural Prosperity- a new name and fresh content is in the works- for now- click on the blue button below for one of our favorites that is a timeless classic.


The link below is one of our most recent podcasts- Ron spotlighting the 10th Annual Hemphill County Beef Conference.

Listen to Ron Hays talking with Andy Holloway about the 10th Annual Hemphill County Beef Conference
Listen to Ron
Beef Buzz
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Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, Oklahoma Farm BureauGreat Plains KubotaStillwater Milling CompanyNational Livestock Credit CorporationOklahoma Beef Council, Stewart Martin KubotaOklahoma Pork Council, Oklahoma Wheat Commission, Oklahoma AgCredit, the Oklahoma Cattlemens Association, and  KIS Futures for their support of our daily Farm News Update.


For your convenience, we have our sponsors' websites linked here- just click on their name to jump to their website- check their sites out and let these folks know you appreciate the support of this daily email, as their sponsorship helps us keep this arriving in your inbox on a regular basis- at NO Charge!



We also appreciate our Market Links Sponsor - OKC West Livestock! 




We invite you to check out our website at the link below too that includes an archive of these daily emails, audio reports and top farm news story links from around the globe.

Head to Our Website OklahomaFarmReport.Com
God Bless!
Reach Out To Us:
Tim West
President/General Manager
Rural Oklahoma Networks

405-317-6361

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Mike Henderson
Director of Sales

405-615-4922

KC Sheperd
Farm Director
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network

405-443-5717

Email KC
Ron Hays
Senior Farm/Ranch Broadcaster
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network

405.473.6144
Email Ron