Farm Director KC Sheperd recently spoke with State Climatologist Gary McManus about the recent dramatic weather shifts in Oklahoma, from record-breaking rainfall to the looming summer heat. McManus provided an insightful look at the state’s current conditions and what Oklahomans can expect in the coming months.

Looking ahead, he addressed concerns about how long the soil moisture would last before drought could return. “We’re not in any danger of drought coming back very quickly right now, even though we’re going to see upper 90s midweek this week in some areas.”

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Despite traveling through areas that had wheat fields suffering from drought and facing a wide spread Wheat Streak Mosaic virus- crop scouts on the first day of an annual three-day tour of Kansas projected an average yield for hard red winter wheat in the northern portion of the state at 50.5 bushels per acre (bpa). That estimate was above the Wheat Quality Council tour’s five-year average of 45.1 bpa for the same area from 2019-2024, and above its estimate of 49.9 bpa last year. The estimate was the tour’s highest day-one yield estimate since 2021. Tour scouts surveyed 196 fields on Tuesday between Manhattan and Colby, Kansas.

Oklahoma Farm Report’s Ron Hays talked about the first day of the tour with the President of the Oklahoma Wheat Growers, Dennis Schoenhals of Kremlin, Oklahoma. Schoenhals says that the care he is in traveled through some very prooductive wheat country- and ended up with a 57 bushel per acre average for their 12 stops. They did see Wheat Streak Mosaic in many of the fields they were in- and as they got west of Russell, Kansas, drought became more of a concern.

Ag Groups Respond to Release of Budget Reconciliation Text

Farmers, ranchers, and rural America continue to live under the policies of the 2018 Farm Bill, a five-year authorization that has been extended for an additional two years. These policies are outdated and fail to meet the moment in farm country, where many producers and regions are experiencing the worst economic downturn since the 1980s farm crisis.  

In consideration of the length of time it is taking to deliver a complete farm bill, many provisions were included in the preliminary reconciliation bill released for Senate markup today. Various ag groups issued responses- click on the links below to read more from each group:.

The fertilizer market is currently navigating a complex landscape shaped by new tariffs, trade actions, and emerging policy initiatives. Farm Director KC Sheperd recently spoke with Corey Rosenbusch, President and CEO of The Fertilizer Institute, gaining valuable insights into these dynamic forces.

Rosenbusch painted a picture of Washington’s fast-paced and often unpredictable environment, addressed the significant impact of tariffs, and highlighted the unique challenges of the agricultural sector in the context of these trade discussions.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the appointment of Erin Morris as the next Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), which operates under the Department’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs mission area.

“My fellow Fightin’ Texas Aggie Erin Morris brings a strong track record of leadership, technical knowledge, and dedication to the agricultural community,” said Secretary Rollins.

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 reminds us that May is National Beef Month.

May is National Beef Month. It is a month-long celebration to recognize the importance of the beef industry and honor the hard-working farmers and ranchers who raise cattle. This is a time to appreciate beef as part of our diet and an opportunity to highlight the nutritional benefits and versatility of beef, as well as its role in American meals and cultural celebrations. Beef month aims to encourage consumers to purchase and enjoy beef, and support those who produce it.

General and Continuous Signup for CRP Now Open Til June 6th

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced several Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrollment opportunities for agricultural producers and landowners. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting offers for both the General and Continuous CRP beginning today through June 6, 2025.  



CRP, USDA’s flagship conservation program, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. For four decades, CRP has provided financial and technical support to agricultural producers and landowners who place unproductive or marginal cropland under contract for 10-15 years and who agree to voluntarily convert the land to beneficial vegetative cover to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and support wildlife habitat. The American Relief Act, 2025, extended provisions for CRP through Sept. 30, 2025.