Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays has checked in with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall for a New World Screwworm update after the May 11th closure of the US-Mexican border to Mexican cattle entering the US because of concerns about the spread of New World Screwworms further into Mexico. 

The closure announced by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins on May 11th highlights the reality that the New World Screwworm flies have broken through the natural barrier in southern Mexico, where they could have been contained. “I believe it is no longer a question of whether or not we see a return of New World Screwworms in the United States; it is a matter of when that is going to happen,” Woodall disclosed. “It’ll probably be sometime later this summer.”

The flies currently exist roughly 700 miles south of Texas, and as the geographic land mass widens the further North they go, controlling them becomes more and more difficult, and more and more sterile flies are needed, which currently are not available in adequate quantities to hold the flies off..

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During a recent visit to Washington, D.C., Farm Director KC Sheperd sat down with Congresswoman Stephanie Bice to discuss key legislative priorities and the changing political landscape. The conversation highlighted Bice’s focus on fiscal responsibility, election integrity, and protecting Oklahoma’s agricultural interests.

Protecting Oklahoma’s agricultural land from foreign ownership is a top priority for Bice. “We certainly want to make sure that we don’t see foreign investment into Oklahoma, particularly in farm communities,” she stated. Bice has co-sponsored and filed bills to prohibit foreign entities, particularly the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), from purchasing farmland, citing national and agricultural security concerns. She stressed the importance of state collaboration to vet potential buyers and ensure transparency.  

Drought Banished to the Northwest and Oklahoma Panhandle this Week

According to the latest Oklahoma drought monitor report, Severe drought or worse conditions have decreased to 2.99 percent, down from 6.91 percent last week.

Moderate drought or worse conditions have decreased to 11.94 percent, down from 13.95 percent last week.

Abnormally dry or worse conditions have decreased to 15.52 percent, down from 24.91 percent last week.

Kansas Drought Monitor shows Moderate Drought very slightly increased from 36.84 percent last week to 36.94 percent. Texas Drought ratings decreased from 46.31 percent a week ago to 41.08 percent.



Click here for the Kansas Drought Monitor Page and Click here for the Texas Drought Monitor Page.

Click here for the US Drought Monitor details for this week.

State Climatologist Gary McManus is urging Oklahomans to remain highly weather aware this weekend as a significant shift in the atmospheric pattern is expected to bring much-needed rain(see the rainfall for the coming days above), but also the potential for severe storms.

Acknowledging the remaining uncertainty in the forecast, particularly for the high-end severe weather potential later in the weekend, McManus advised residents to stay informed. He strongly recommended that Oklahomans begin monitoring their local National Weather Service (NWS) offices for the most precise and up-to-date information.

The Office of the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF), in coordination with multiple law enforcement agencies, recently seized almost 65 pounds of processed marijuana and nearly 29,000 plants at three illegal marijuana farms in Cleveland County. Two Chinese nationals, Ruibin Wu and Xihai Yin, were arrested on charges including aggravated manufacturing, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. 

Tips on suspected illegal marijuana operations can be submitted to the Attorney General’s office through this online form. 

Read the charges against Ruibin Yu and Xihai Yin. 

On today’s Cow-Calf Corner, Mike Trammell, Oklahoma State University Southeast Regional Forage Agronomist, talks about managing mixed forage pastures.

As pasture stands mature, especially monocultures, they tend to become a complex mixture of plants or a polyculture of plants that have become adapted to a specific area and management style. These polycultures may contain a mixture of grasses and legumes. Some producers may look to re-establish these pastures and maintain a pure stand. Others may work to optimize the management of these mixtures to better fit their existing operation. Mike Trammel lists a few ways these mixed forage resources can be managed to better meet operational needs.

Klobuchar, Thune Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Connect Farmers with Most Effective Conservation Practices

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) reintroduced their bipartisan legislation to strengthen agricultural data collection and research to connect farmers with the most effective conservation practices.



The Agriculture Innovation Act would improve the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s data collection procedures for assessing how various conservation and production practices increase crop yield, improve soil health, and bolster productivity. The USDA currently manages and stores valuable producer data, but the data can be better utilized to inform farmers and producers’ understanding of which conservation practices help reduce risk and increase profitability.