We have really enjoyed reading the harvest updates since the middle of last week that we asked for via social media- farmers telling us their story that has developed over one of the latest harvests that most of us can remember..We have a story on our website that offers the complete thread of updates provided to us- check it out!

One of the great things we are seeing is that yields and quality have held up better than we anticipated. An example of both the good and bad of this late harvest was provided on Sunday afternoon- "Jason Skaggs, Branch Manager with Farmers Grain Company offers this report on Sunday afternoon- “Nash Area: still pretty wet in some areas. Some farmers getting finished up but many still have several thousand acres to be cut. Test weights still maintaining around 60 with protein levels anywhere from 11-14. Wheat still doing really good except the weed and grass pressure is getting bad.”

On Saturday, we got this from southwest Oklahoma- "Larry Peck offers this from Sentinel- “Still cutting good wheat, combine crews still here and getting way along .lots of 60 test weights and a lot of 40 plus bushel here in Sentinel ,all pastured wheat cut, we are probably 70 % done, just a guess. By the way- Larry followed up on Sunday and told us it's about done around Sentinel;"A little left and a few mud holes!

North of Sentinel- there's still a lot of wheat to harvest- and a word for everyone involved in harvest from Karen Eifert Jones- "Harvest report from Waukomis. Remind folks to be careful when moving fields. Our friend pulled in front of a train. He's expected to recover but quite an impact." BE CAREFUL FRIENDS

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The 2025 wheat harvest is presenting a mixed bag for custom harvesters, with persistent rain and high humidity posing challenges despite overall strong yields and crop quality. Paul Paplow of U.S. Custom Harvesters, currently in Kiowa, Kansas, shared his insights with Farm Director KC Sheperd. While many areas have endured significant rainfall, Paplow's crew in Kiowa has been fortunate, only experiencing minor rain that hasn't halted their cutting schedule. This contrasts sharply with regions to their north and south, which have seen much heavier downpours. Due to varied weather patterns, Paplow's operation is spread across multiple states, including Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, with plans to consolidate machinery as areas finish up.

Weather remains the primary hurdle for the harvest. Paplow confirmed widespread rain and hail in Kansas, noting a friend in the Kingman area received several inches of rain, leaving fields "extremely wet." High humidity has also consistently delayed morning starts for harvesters. However, a recent shift with increased wind and warmer temperatures offered a hopeful outlook for better "harvest weather." Despite these difficulties, Paplow reports that wheat in his immediate vicinity looks good, with improving test weights potentially due to variety and elevation, minimizing late freeze damage. He also shared encouraging yield reports, with crops ranging from "40 to about 70," indicating "very, very good yields."

OSU’s Derrell Peel: Placements Show Mexican Feeder Cattle Ban Hurting Southern Plains Feedlots

On Friday, the USDA released their monthly Cattle on Feed Report for June. Oklahoma Farm Report’s Ron Hays talked about the numbers provided by USDA with Oklahoma State University Livestock Market Economist Dr. Derrell Peel. Dr. Peel says the Report does show a continuing trend of tighter feedlot supplies. May placements were at 92% of last year’s figures, with marketings at 90%, resulting in a total on-feed inventory of 99% of a year ago. While the report was largely anticipated, Peel noted that placements came in “a little lower than expected,” and marketings were “fractionally” down. “

The absence of Mexican cattle, though not yet a major price driver, is a significant factor. If this trend persists for several more months, it could lead to a deficit of 800,000 to 900,000 head of cattle on an annualized basis, adding considerable pressure to already limited domestic feeder supplies. When you look to the state by state placements- you really notice the lack of Mexican feeders. Texas placements were down 17% compared to a year ago, and Oklahoma placements were down 22% compared to a year ago. It’s likely that both Texas and Oklahoma are seeing such drastic drops in placements because of the import ban on all Mexican cattle, due to concerns related the New World Screwworm.

Agritourism, the blend of agriculture and tourism, is rapidly emerging as a significant opportunity for family farms and their communities, offering diverse experiences tailored to individual farm products and situations. Audrey Comerford of Oregon State University Extension noted the remarkable ingenuity within the sector, with examples ranging from tulip farms to dairies producing specialized cheeses and even vodka from whey. She broadly defines agritourism as "anytime the visiting public is coming onto a farm or ranch," encompassing direct sales like U-pick operations, entertainment such as festivals, hospitality like farm-to-table dinners, outdoor recreation, and educational activities.

In Oklahoma, U-pick operations are a particularly popular form of agritourism, allowing visitors to harvest their own strawberries, blueberries, peaches, pumpkins, or even Christmas trees depending on the season. These experiences offer more than just produce, providing a sensory connection to the source of food. Studies, like one in Oregon's Willamette Valley, show that most agritourism customers (66%) are local, residing within 50 miles of the farm, indicating strong community ties. Despite the ongoing challenge of comprehensive data collection due to the sector's diverse nature, extension services are actively working to provide more robust numbers to support the continued growth and evolution of agritourism.

Sixty-nine high school students from rural Oklahoma recently returned from an all-expenses-paid, week-long trip to Washington D.C., thanks to their local electric cooperatives. This annual Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, a long-standing tradition spanning decades, is coordinated by the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives (OAEC) and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. This year, over 2,000 youth delegates from 44 states participated in this unique educational opportunity designed to immerse young people in America's rich history and democratic principles, while also teaching them about the cooperative business model.

During their six days in the nation's capital, the students explored iconic landmarks, visited museums, toured the White House, and spent a significant day on Capitol Hill. There, they met with congressional staff from Senator James Lankford, Senator Markwayne Mullin, and Congressman Frank Lucas' offices, with Senator Mullin even providing a private Capitol tour. Nicki Fuller, OAEC General Manager/CEO, highlighted the cooperatives' commitment to their communities, stating, "Electric cooperatives deeply care about their communities, and it shows in their investment in the next generation of leaders." She emphasized that these young people are crucial for driving future innovation and economic prosperity in Oklahoma.

Representatives Frank D. Lucas (R-OK-03) and Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) have introduced the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Act, a bipartisan bill designed to improve food access for tribal communities. This bill aims to give tribal governments permanent control over the FDPIR program, which provides essential food to eligible families on reservations and in approved surrounding areas, including parts of Oklahoma. For many tribal households, FDPIR serves as a vital alternative to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), especially where access to grocery stores is limited.

The FDPIR pilot program, initially authorized for five years by the 2018 Farm Bill, has shown success, but its temporary nature has hindered the growth of small and mid-sized tribal producers. This new legislation seeks to build on these successes by allowing all eligible tribes to self-contract and administer the FDPIR program for their members. Both Representatives Lucas and Davids emphasized the importance of tribal self-determination in addressing food insecurity. Lucas stated, "Tribes have proven that they are willing and able to successfully administer this program—now it is time to expand access to all tribes." Davids highlighted unique barriers faced by tribal communities, such as long distances to stores and supply chain disruptions.