The Oklahoma wheat harvest is virtually at a standstill in all locations across the state due to rains over the weekend. Some producers were hoping the ground would be able to carry them in parts of central and north central Oklahoma late this afternoon.

Oklahoma wheat harvest made strides Wednesday through Friday of last week, but then statewide rains across most all regions of the wheat belt have hindered progress. Producers and custom harvesters have been getting late starts even on the days they could get into the fields due to high humidity. Test weights have dropped in some locations of Southwest and Central Oklahoma, but overall test weights across the state were still 60 plus in most locations up until Friday evening. It is thought that in Northern Oklahoma, where wheat has a later maturity date that hopefully test weights will hold up in those regions once producers get into the fields. Yields across the state have been ranging from 30 bushels per acre to 50 bushels per acre, depending on management practices. Producers with management-intensive plans have been reporting yields in the mid-60s to mid-80s, depending on weather and location.  

The Oklahoma Wheat Commission is calling harvest 30% completed.

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Spring-planted crops are off to a good start nationally, with the US Corn Crop at 72% Good to Excellent this week, Soybeans at 66% Good to Excellent, and the US Cotton Crop at 48% Good to Excellent.

Oklahoma's Winter wheat conditions were 62 percent good to excellent, 27 percent fair, and 11 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 58 percent good to excellent, 32 percent fair, and 10 percent poor to very poor. NASS says we have 30% of the crop harvested, down 48 percentage points from a year ago and 16 points from the five-year average.

As for our neighbors, Kansas winter wheat conditions rated 61 percent good to excellent, up from 50 percent last week. Meanwhile, Texas wheat conditions rated 37 percent good to excellent, down from 37 percent last week. 56 percent of the Texas crop is harvested, and Kansas has begun harvesting with 3 percent of the crop put up.

Oklahoma's pasture and range conditions rated 69 percent good to excellent, 24 percent fair, and 7 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 63 percent good to excellent, 31 percent fair, and 6 percent poor to very poor.

Mark McCully Discusses Angus Association’s Methane Efficiency Research

Mark McCully has served the American Angus Association as Chief Executive Officer since 2019. Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays caught up with McCully to discuss the disappointment some cattle industry members are feeling after the American Angus Association accepted grant money from the Bezos Earth Fund to research methane efficiency in cattle on grass as part of a multi-country research project.

Although the social media narrative has been extremely negative, the American Angus Association has been applauded for participating in the research on other avenues. McCully said, “I think folks are excited that we’re able to fund some of this research and be prepared for what tools our producers might need four or five years down the road, so we don’t get behind. The Angus breed has always been led by producers with an eye for the future, respectful of our traditions and heritage, and making sure that we are prepared to continue down the road.

The agricultural industry in the United States is facing a significant labor shortage, a crisis that demands immediate attention and a shift in how it’s discussed. Sarah Black, General Manager of Great Lakes Ag Labor and representing the Michigan Farm Bureau, recently spoke with Farm Director KC Sheperd, shedding light on the critical need for agricultural workforce reform.

Black stressed the importance of distinguishing between the agricultural labor crisis and the broader issue of immigration. A key point Black highlighted is the legal status of these workers, reminding everyone that these are not migrant workers. When discussing potential solutions, Black pointed to the current wage structure as a primary area for reform. She specifically addressed the adverse effect wage rate (AEWR) associated with the H-2A program and underscored the vital role these guest workers play in the nation’s food security.

Oklahoma, a state often associated with scorching, dry summers, is experiencing an unusual start to June, marked by persistent rainfall, mild temperatures, and a notable absence of the typical dry heat. This “un-Okie” trend, as State Climatologist Gary McManus humorously puts it, is setting the stage for a potentially uncomfortable shift as humidity is poised to make its grand entrance.

The continuous precipitation has left the state exceptionally wet, a situation McManus acknowledges is a good thing until it gets hot and more rain is on the way. He said the lack of a gradual transition into summer temperatures is another significant concern. According to McManus, Oklahomans haven’t had the necessary “acclimation of a prolonged ramp-up in both actual air temps and heat index to get us ready.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced American agricultural producers will have greater market access to Thailand and Vietnam and maintained access to Brazil. The Trump Administration continues to break down non-tariff barriers and defend current market access, and these latest actions are some of many wins ahead for American producers.

U.S. dairy producers will have maintained access to Brazil markets, citrus and apple growers will be able to sell more products to Thailand, and stone fruit growers will face lower non-tariff trade barriers in Vietnam as a result of the action taken by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Farm Groups in G7 Countries Urge Their Governments to Recognize Importance of Resilient Ag Sector

Ag Organization leaders in the seven countries that make up the G7- Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States have released a statement ahead of their annual meeting of the informal group of countries that are considered the most advanced economies in the world. The groups contend that "Farmers across the G7 are confronting unprecedented pressures as the world faces overlapping geopolitical, economic, and environmental challenges. Inflation, high interest rates, and continued fallout from recent financial shocks have destabilized farm economies. At the same time, trade disruptions, and fractured supply chains are compounding uncertainty in the agricultural sector. "

The National Farmers Union is the group that engages with these groups from the United States. Rob Larew says in their joint statement “This is a crucial moment for family farmers and ranchers across the world. Economic, political and environmental challenges are putting the stability of agriculture at risk. Together with our G7 partners, we stand united in strengthening the conditions for farmers in the global marketplace, particularly by addressing the growing risks of consolidation in the agri-food chain. We must work collaboratively and intentionally to shape policies that are both environmentally sustainable and economically viable, ensuring agriculture continues to thrive for generations to come.”