Oklahoma's Latest Farm

And Ranch News

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Howdy Neighbors!

Here Are Your Top Stories in Today's Oklahoma Farm and Ranch News:

 

  • USDA Secretary Rollins Addresses Farm Broadcasters, Outlines Administration’s Ag Agenda


  • OGFA Meeting Sees Second Hundred Million Bushel Wheat Crop in as Many Years


  • Investing in Your Herd: Dr. Randall Spare’s Insights on Genomic Testing Benefits


  • Oklahoma Prepared Public Speech State Champ is Annie Schneider of Seiling FFA


  • And Lots More Farm News Below

USDA Secretary Rollins Addresses Farm Broadcasters, Outlines Administration’s Ag Agenda

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins met on Tuesday with the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB), including Farm Director KC Sheperd, and Farm Reporter Maci Carter to discuss the administration’s agricultural policies and address concerns from farm producers as part of their Washington watch event. This event highlighted the crucial role of farm broadcasters in disseminating vital information to rural communities.


Rollins began by acknowledging the NAFB’s long-standing contribution. “Since 1944, you all have connected the countryside to the information needed, including timely market updates and local agriculture news and weather,” she stated. She emphasized the importance of a free press, quoting Thomas Jefferson: “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government? I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter, the newspapers without a government.” 


Rollins then outlined the USDA’s priorities, including addressing avian influenza, trade issues with Mexico, and ensuring fair trade for American farmers. “Since our avian influenza plan was unveiled, the price of eggs has gone down,” she said. “We put pressure on the Mexican government for failing to cooperate in addressing the New World screwworm and also for failing to meet its water delivery obligations under the 1944 water treaty, and we’ve been fighting for fair trade for every American Farmer and Rancher.”

Sponsor Spotlight

Great Plains Kubota is Oklahoma's family of full-line Kubota dealerships offering Kubota sales, service, and parts. As an Oklahoma Elite Kubota dealer, we have a large selection of Kubota Tractors, Kubota Mowers, Kubota Utility Vehicles, Kubota Construction Equipment and Kubota's line of Hay Tools. Give us a call today at 855-4KUBOTA or stop by any of our Kubota dealerships in Ada, Ardmore, Duncan, Edmond, Shawnee, Norman, Stillwater and our newest location serving western Oklahoma and beyond, Clinton. To schedule a DEMO with one of our Outside Salesmen, email gpsales@gpkubota.com Visit us and see why Great Plains Kubota is... rand that serves! 

OGFA Meeting Sees Second Hundred Million Bushel Wheat Crop in as Many Years

At the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association’s 127th Annual Meeting, Farm and Ranch Broadcaster, Ron Hays, had the chance to catch up with Oklahoma State University Extension Area Agronomist Specialist Josh Bushong. Bushong talks about Oklahoma’s winter wheat crop and the estimates for harvested acres, yield, and total production from OSU Extension and Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association members.

This is the 45th year of the Crop Tour Report. Hays noted that in 2024, the wheat crop improved significantly after that year’s report was released. Bushong explained, “It is a snapshot in time. It is our best estimate to see what kind of crop we need to manage here pretty soon.”


The total 2025 wheat crop tour estimates came to 2,815,491 harvested acres, 35.9 bushels per acre, and a total production of 101.169 million bushels. The estimate from the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association members came to 2,777,000 harvested acres, 37.2 bushels per acre, and a total production of 103.336 million bushels. It is important to note that these estimates should be perceived as a moving average.

Investing in Your Cow Herd: Dr. Randall Spare’s Insights on Genomic Testing Benefits

Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster, Ron Hays, had the chance to speak with the operator of the Ashland Veterinary Center, Dr. Randall Spare, at the recent Hemphill County Beef Conference in Canadian, Texas. They discussed the importance of maintaining a high-quality product for beef consumers.


Hays pointed out a statement that Dr. Spare made during his presentation at the event titled “The Value of Artificial Insemination to a Commercial Cowherd,” in which Dr. Spare insisted that all beef producers are involved in the food production business. Such a statement might have been considered controversial in the past.


“As ranchers and cow calf producers, we are literally at the grass level and we are doing menial tasks every day, but when we are making genetic, health, or nutrition choices, we need to understand that somebody is going to buy our product. Somebody is going to eat that steak, and we want them to have the very best experience,” Dr. Spare compelled.


He emphasized the importance of ensuring that consumers enjoy their beef-eating experiences so that they will be willing to pay its higher price over and over again.

Support Our Sponsors!

KIS logo


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


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 Capitol Correspondent Jacquelyn Farris


Oklahoma Prepared Public Speech Overall Champ is Annie Schneider of Seiling FFA

Oklahoma Farm Report’s Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays had the honor of helping judge the State Prepared Public Speaking contest at the 99th State FFA Convention and Expo on May 6 at the BOK Center. Once the decision was made, he scored an interview with the winning competitor, Annie Schneider of the Seiling FFA Chapter, where she serves as the Chapter President.


In addition to public speaking competitions, she has compiled vet science projects and competed in livestock judging, but she says that speeches are her favorite.


“My Natural Resources Speech is essentially emphasizing the issue of overgrazing, why it’s important that we don’t overgraze, and different grazing plans that farmers and ranchers can implement to ensure that they are taking good care of their land and cattle,” she described.


Her interest in the topic began while riding around with her dad, looking at land and cattle and discussing the issue of overgrazing with him. She has developed the speech over the course of two years and is excited to present her speech at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, in a few months.


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.

Sponsor Spotlight



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.


The Tulsa Farm Show is Oklahoma’s premier agricultural and ranching event- and returns to the SageNet Center (Expo Square) December, 2025. 



Now is the ideal time to contact the Midwest Farm Show Office at 507-437-7969 and book space at the 2025 Tulsa Farm Show.  To learn more about the Tulsa Farm Show, click here

Richard Gupton: ARA’s Focus on Regulatory Certainty and Farm Bill Priorities

At the NAFB Washington Watch in Washington, D.C., Oklahoma Farm Report’s Maci Carter had the chance to speak with Richard Gupton, Senior Vice President for Public Policy & Counsel at the Ag Retailers Association (ARA.).


The ARA is based in Washington and represents the interests of ag retailers and distributors throughout the nation. As the representative voice, ARA recently penned a letter to Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., regarding the Make America Healthy Again campaign.


“The concern is that they may be short-sighted and ban critical pesticide products in their decision making, so we just want to make sure that those tools remain available and that they use, scientific risk-based decisions and follow the law, because the agricultural industry has been making America healthy for years,” Guton explained.


He pointed out how agricultural practices utilize modern technologies to ensure that the safest, most abundant, and lowest-cost foods are being provided for both American consumers and global consumers. He reiterated that the letter was sent to explain the importance of those tools to agricultural production in hopes of preventing knee-jerk decisions to ban them.

Mark Johnson discusses Needle Selection for Vaccinating Cattle

Mark Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist, offers herd health advice as part of the weekly series known as the “Cow Calf Corner,” published electronically by Dr. Derrell Peel, Johnson, and Paul Beck. Today, Johnson discusses needle selection for vaccinating cattle.


When selecting a needle, choose one that is sharp, durable, and detectable. It should be standard practice to avoid contaminated, burred, bent, or broken needles. To help combat the chances of a needle breaking, use a durable, specialized stainless-steel needle with a thick-walled cannula. Change needles as frequently as necessary to guarantee needles remain sharp. If you are managing any blood-borne pathogens in your herd, such as anaplasmosis or bovine leukosis, it is necessary to replace the needle after each animal. Detectable needles offer the benefit of being easily identified and found by the metal detection systems within beef processing plants. The only 100% detectable needle is made of a specialized, highly ferritic, stainless-steel alloy.

Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Russ Applauds Legislative Advancements in Agricultural Support and Economic Development

Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Russ today commended the Legislature for the successful passage of House Bills 1541 and 1549, marking significant strides in strengthening Oklahoma’s agricultural lending tools and modernizing how the state manages private activity bonds.


House Bill 1541 focuses on refining the Agriculture Linked Deposit Program, to better serve farmers and ranchers by expanding access to low-interest capital. The bill increases the amount of funds available through the program, removes unnecessary red tape, and puts loan decision-making authority back where it belongs — in the hands of local banks that know their communities best. It empowers Oklahoma’s local lenders to support the agricultural economy from the ground up, helping producers access better financing, boost rural development, and keep investment dollars working inside the state.


House Bill 1549 streamlines how Oklahoma allocates private activity bonds by updating definitions and setting clear guidelines for bond pools and applications — ensuring that funds are directed toward projects that drive economic growth. The bill strengthens the state’s ability to match capital with community needs and provides clearer, more attractive access for Oklahoma investors to over $500 million in tax-free bonds. By clarifying how bond capacity is allocated and used, Oklahoma becomes a more attractive place for investment and development, while encouraging tax-exempt investment opportunities to remain in-state.

May Rainfall Piles on Top of Record April Totals

While April was a record setting month for rainfall in a lot of Oklahoma- the faucet has not yet been turned off- there is a bit of overlap in the graphic above from the last hours of April and what is really May in south central Oklahoma- but the one to two inches in much of the state adds to the moisture profile, which is significantly better than a year ago. (The map above is clickable- click on it and you can explore which locations has what amount of rainfall over the last seven days)


The latest Crop Progress report of this week tells the story of topsoil and subsoil moisture:

Top soil moisture sits at 87% adequate to surplus this week versus 67% a year ago. And- the rains have made it to the subsoil levels too. Subsoil moisture is now at 83% adequate to surplus this week versus 73% a year ago.


Ponds and Lakes are full- the soil profile is as well- we may have a La Nina kind of a late spring/summer but we won't be reporting drought for a little while at least.

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.

We are changing how we present markets to you on our website- click on the Blue Button to see our Markets Page that is evolving

Wholesale Boxed Beef Prices were higher- Choice Beef was up $1.10 and Select Beef was up $4.90 on 5/6/2025.


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

OKC West in El Reno had 1,797 head on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 for their Stocker and Calf Sale


Compared to last week: Steer and heifer calves over 450lbs 1.00-4.00 lower, under 450lbs 1.00-6.00 higher. Overall quality was mostly plain, indicating a stronger demand for lighter weight calves. Over an inch of rain has fallen across the trading area again, today. Conditions are wet and muddy but the grass is growing.


For Wednesday- OKC West is expecting 5,000 head- 1,600 Feeder Heifers and 3,400 Feeder Steers.


Click below for the complete closing report.

On Tuesdays, Ron Hays gets the latest market commentary from Ben Hale of Western Livestock Auctions.

 

This commentary is posted on our website-click here for this Tuesday's story featuring Hale's comments.

 

Learn more about Western Livestock Auctions, Click Here.

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..
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.

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 Life and Times of John Pfeiffer, Jr, the latest Oklahoma Ag Hall of Fame Inductee.

Facebook  Twitter  Youtube  

Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, Oklahoma Farm BureauGreat Plains KubotaStillwater Milling CompanyNational Livestock Credit CorporationOklahoma Beef Council, Stewart Martin Kubota, 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.

God Bless!
Reach Out To Us:

Tim West

President/General Manager

Rural Oklahoma Networks


405-317-6361


***************


Mike Henderson

Executive Director of

Hilliary Media Group


405-615-4922


KC Sheperd
Farm Director
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network

405-443-5717

Ron Hays
Senior Farm/Ranch Broadcaster
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network

405.473.6144