Howdy Neighbors!

The US Winter Wheat Harvest is 80% complete as of July 28, 2025, versus 73% completed a week ago. Spring crop conditions nationally show the US Corn crop is at 73% good to excellent one point lower than last week.

The US Soybean crop is 70% good to excellent, up 2 points from a week ago at 68%.

Cotton crop conditions are 55% good to excellent, down 3 points from last week at 57%.

As for our Summer crops in Oklahoma:

Corn crop conditions are now 67% good to excellent this week vs 70% a week ago.

The soybean crop is 46% good to excellent versus 54% a week ago.

Cotton is 53% good to excellent, versus 63% last week.

Grain Sorghum is 77% good to excellent from a week ago at 80%

Finally, Pasture and Range conditions are 65% good to excellent this week versus 69% a week ago.

Oklahoma State University’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (OSU Agriculture) is gearing up for a dynamic fall semester, with positive enrollment projections, the addition of a key new faculty member, and ambitious plans for facility enhancements. Dr. Jayson Lusk, Vice President and Dean of OSU Agriculture and Regents Professor in Agricultural Economics, recently shared the excitement with Farm Director KC Sheperd during the OCA convention.

Summer has been a period of vibrant activity, with major youth programs drawing hundreds of students to campus. “We had our big three Field Day, where we had about 1500 students from across the country that come in and focus on livestock judging,” Dr. Lusk reported. This was quickly followed by the 4-H Roundup, which brought “several hundred students from all around Oklahoma” for various competitions and scholarship opportunities. These events serve as a critical transition point, signaling the shift towards “back to school priorities.”

Enrollment trends are strong, with the College of Agriculture anticipating an increase in its student body. Notably, a significant portion of incoming agricultural students are from out-of-state. Dr. Lusk explained that this is not due to turning away Oklahoma residents, but rather reflects OSU’s growing reputation. “We have become a place that’s very attractive because we’ve continued to focus on commercial agriculture, on a place that we can learn real-world, hands-on skills,” he stated. 

After enduring a prolonged and intense heat wave, Oklahomans can finally look forward to a significant shift in weather patterns later this week. State Climatologist Gary McManus announced today that a “rather strong cold front, given the season,” is set to enter the state on Thursday, bringing with it a welcome reprieve from the scorching temperatures.

“When you have that sudden switch in temperature when the unbearable heat becomes, uhhhhh…bearable. THAT’S the genius of summer,” McManus quipped, describing the anticipated relief.

The state has been under the grip of a relentless heat wave, with some areas experiencing extreme conditions. Grandfield, for example, has logged “10 consecutive days at or above 100” degrees. Across much of Oklahoma, heat index values have been consistently in the triple digits for two straight weeks, a trend expected to continue for the next couple of days before Thursday’s much-awaited change.

At the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in San Diego, Senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays spoke with Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Ethan Lane. Our Coverage from San Diego is powered by Farm Data Services of Stillwater.

Following the signing of The One Big Beautiful Bill, Ethan Lane emphasized the importance of closely monitoring how the executive branch implements what Congress has passed. “The lawmaking is done, now the regulatory side kicks off,” he explained, highlighting that NCBA’s team—like Kent Bacus—will transition from lobbying efforts to overseeing the implementation process. “All that knowledge coming out of this process the last two years translates directly into the implementation phase,” Lane noted.

One concern Lane raised is how accurately agencies will follow congressional intent. “It’s the telephone game, right? Best intentions of Congress then have to be implemented by the agencies,” he warned. He stressed that this process is even more delicate in a “post-Chevron deference world,” where federal agencies have far less leeway. “They’re gonna have to stay within those confines in a way that historically they haven’t had to,” Lane said, referencing potential legal challenges if agencies overreach.

Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, welcomed news of yet another trade deal recently announced by President Trump and the White House, this time between the U.S. and the European Union.

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins the deal includes an agreement for the EU to purchase $750 billion in U.S. energy, including American-made ethanol.

“This is yet another example of this Administration’s commitment to American energy dominance, and we applaud President Trump, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for putting rural America first in their trade negotiations,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “This latest trade deal with the EU will deliver concrete benefits to the American ethanol industry and to the rural communities it supports. 

In his weekly column for Cow Calf Corner- Dr. Derrell Peel says the July Cattle on Feed (COF) report showed the continued decrease in feedlot inventories. Feedlot placements in June were down 7.9 percent year over year, more than expected. June feedlot marketings were down 4.4 percent year over year, in line with pre-report expectations. 

Over the past six months, total placements were 5.0 percent less than one year earlier while total marketings were down 4.0 percent year over year. Placements decreased by 539 thousand head and marketings decreased by 437 thousand head in the past six months. The difference means that placements decreased by 102 thousand head more than marketings thereby reducing feedlot inventories. Average placements and marketings have generally been falling for roughly five years, at a faster rate recently.

The July COF report also included the quarterly breakdown of steers and heifers in feedlots. Heifers in feedlots decreased by 5.4 percent from last year. However, heifers, as a percentage of total feedlot inventories, was 38.1 percent, up from the April 1 level of 37.6 percent. The number of heifers in feedlots would indicate that heifer retention is not underway to a significant level.

In the heart of rural America, where grocery stores are few and far between, one young woman is proving that the next generation of agriculture is not only passionate—but purpose-driven.

Kate Myers, a recent graduate of Lomega High School, is a force behind Beef for the Bank, a non-profit with an inspiring initiative dedicated to supplying local food banks—and families in need—with an essential source of protein: beef. What began as a senior project and FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) has grown into a full-scale mission to combat food insecurity in underserved rural communities.

Meet Kate: The force behind beef for the bank

Kate Myers, a recent graduate of Lomega High School, is a force behind Beef for the Bank, a non-profit with an inspiring initiative dedicated to supplying local food banks—and families in need—with an essential source of protein: beef. What began as a senior project and FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) has grown into a full-scale mission to combat food insecurity in underserved rural communities. 

The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Foundation recently awarded college scholarships for 2025, totaling $47,500, to six students pursuing careers in agricultural communications. The students will attend and be recognized for their achievements at a special NAFB Foundation Celebration Luncheon on Nov. 19, 2025, during the NAFB Convention in Kansas City. Since its inception in 1977, the foundation has funded over $1 million in agricultural student scholarships and internship grants.

Maci began her radio career as an intern for us here at Oklahoma Farm Report in 2023, and did such an incredible job that we convinced her to keep working on assignments for us since then! She has received internships from John Deere and, most recently, KOCH this summer. Maci will be a Senior at OSU this fall, pursuing a dual degree in Ag Communications and Ag Business. Maci is also President of the Ag Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT), all while carrying a 4.0 GPA. We are beyond proud of the things she continues to do, and know her future is BRIGHT!

“The NAFB Foundation, with support from our members and corporate donors, is proud to invest in these talented and deserving agriculture communications students,” says Meghan Grebner, NAFB Foundation president and broadcast supervisor for Brownfield Ag News. “This investment to cultivate the next generation of farm broadcasters and ag communicators for all of American agriculture is made possible through the generous support of corporate donations, booster club contributions, and funds raised at our annual auction at convention.

Checking the Markets...

Superior Livestock is in day two of their 2025 Video Royale sale today at 10 AM central- 133,826 will sell this week.

Monday auction markets had Oklahoma National with 2,972 head- Compared to last week: Feeder steers and steer calves 8.00-13.00 higher with spots 20.00 higher. Feeder heifers and heifer calves 10.00 20.00 higher. Demand very good.. Joplin reported 4,710 and much higher- Compared to last week feeder steers under 500 lbs. sold 25.00-30.00 higher. Heavier weights sold steady to 8.00 higher. Feeder heifers under 500 lbs. sold 20.00-25.00 higher with heavier weights selling steady to 8.00 higher.

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.

Click here for our Markets Page on Oklahoma Farm Report- there you will find many of the reports we have linked on the right-hand column found on the previous format of our email.

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