Howdy Neighbors!

Dr. Brett Carver reflected on the long-standing legacy of Oklahoma’s wheat research program during the 75th Anniversary Seed Stocks celebration. Farm Director KC Sheperd caught up with Dr. Carver at the Celebration, “It’s been a wonderful history to be part of,” he said. “One of the first people I met when I came here in 1985 was Oklahoma Foundation Seed Stock personnel.” Carver noted the evolution of the seed industry over time and added, “I’d like to think it’s in pretty good shape today. Yeah, we could all think we’re better, but I think we’re pretty healthy in the foundation seed business.”

Looking to the future, Carver expressed strong hopes for the new Wheat Improvement Center and a modernized greenhouse facility. “I want glass or plastic now, and I want water that’s reliable, all those things come together in making a greenhouse facility.” He emphasized that it’s not about expanding work for the sake of it but maximizing impact: “I think we can do more with the money we have. Instead of just spending and spending… let’s spend it moving forward and investing in the future of wheat.”

Dr. Carver referenced other standout facilities in the U.S. as inspiration. “I have seen really nice facilities in Washington… North Dakota… Kansas.” One of the key goals, he said, is to extend the breeding season. “We are so compressed right now in a very dilapidated facility… When we can do that, we can squeeze more breeding cycles. Breeding cycles means more progress.” He said the vision is straightforward: “We would take some features of all these places we’ve seen and put them into what’s going to be a really dynamite facility moving forward.”

Exports of U.S. pork bounced back in June, finishing the first half of 2025 on a high note, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef export volume was the lowest in five years, due in part to China’s failure to renew registrations for the vast majority of U.S. plants.

Beef exports totaled 93,928 mt in June, down 15% from a year ago and the lowest since June 2020. Export value was $769 million, down 18% and the lowest in 17 months. For January through June, beef exports were 6.5% below last year’s pace at 602,221 mt, while value fell 6% to $4.92 billion.

“The June export results really underscore the urgent need to resolve this impasse with China,” Halstrom said. “China’s tariff rate on U.S. beef is currently 32%, which is too high, but not insurmountable. The problem is that with only a few plants eligible to ship to China, the tariff rate becomes irrelevant. Consistent and transparent plant approvals, without expiration, were among the most important components of the 2020 Phase One Agreement with China, and it’s time for China to return to those commitments.”

Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays was at the 580 Cattle Conference in northwestern Oklahoma, where Dr. Derrell Peel, livestock market economist, discussed how the cattle industry has been using various strategies—or “tricks”—to stretch limited cattle supplies, particularly at the feedlot level. “It makes sense for them to do that. It’s obviously what their incentives are, to try to keep the feedlots as full as possible and utilize those facilities well,” Peel explained. However, he cautioned that these strategies, like extending days on feed and feeding more heifers, may have obscured how tight supplies have actually become. “There’s only so far you can go with those,” he said.

One significant impact of these strategies has been larger carcasses. “We’ve extended the days on feed, so the carcasses jumped sharply in 2024—they’re still higher yet in 2025 above the trend line,” Peel noted. While this increases total pounds for feedlots and packers, much of that gain is fat, not necessarily more meat. “It does enhance grading percentage slightly. So it’s a mixed bag of effects,” he added. But again, he warned that the industry is now reaching the limits of these tactics.

These larger, fatter carcasses are indirectly helping meet demand for ground beef, especially when paired with lean trimmings from imported beef. “That’s how we end up with a lot of hamburger that we’ve got consumers wanting,” said Peel. With cow slaughter down, “we are relying to a much bigger extent on those imported beef trimmings.” This introduces more uncertainty due to trade policies, tariffs, and international relations. Peel emphasized, “They do get used, but they’re not necessarily exactly what we’re looking for when we make those cattle bigger.”

After a pleasant, unseasonably mild stretch of weather, Oklahomans are being reminded that it is, in fact, still August. According to State Climatologist Gary McManus, the state is transitioning back to a more typical weather pattern after a “burst of late-September weather” that saw temperatures drop over the past week.

“Yesterday marked a transition from that burst of late-September weather, back to early August,” McManus stated. “So we’re back in the saddle again.”

The milder temperatures, which were a welcome change for many, are being replaced by a more familiar late-summer heat. The warmth is expected to intensify, with the peak heat arriving on Friday. This hot spell is forecasted to persist throughout the weekend and into the early part of next week.

McManus’s forecast indicates that while a “cold (i.e., kinda cool) front” is on the horizon, it won’t bring significant relief in the form of rainfall. The front is expected to bring a slight cooling trend, but not enough to drastically change the overall weather pattern.

Late summer is a critical period for stocker operations grazing both native rangeland and introduced pastures. While native grasses and introduced Old World bluestem pastures provide adequate forage during the growing season, their nutrient content—especially protein and energy—becomes limiting during late summer or under drought conditions. Introduced forage species such as bermudagrass are highly productive and usually provide adequate protein, but digestibility—and therefore energy content—declines in late summer, limiting stocker gains.

Strategic supplementation can help maintain optimal growth rates and maximize returns, but the key to success is matching the supplement to the pasture.

Why Supplement? To Correct major nutrient deficiencies: As forages mature, their digestibility and protein levels decline. Stocker calves, especially those with high growth potential, may not meet their nutrient requirements from forage alone. Supplementation provides additional energy and protein to help calves maintain target average daily gains, improve feed efficiency, and reach market goals on time.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins hosted the third day of the Great American Farmers Market yesterday at the National Mall with an evening of gratitude, service, and spiritual heritage in American agriculture.

The farmers market highlights the critical contributions of rural America and small businesses to the nation’s well-being. SBA Administrator Loeffler emphasized this point, stating, “There is nothing like small town America to power the American dream. That’s where I came from. Country does well when small businesses and small communities do well.” Over 50 vendors from more than 35 states are participating, with daily themes spotlighting a variety of topics, including health, faith, forestry and firefighters, national history, and agricultural education. The celebration also features appearances from several cabinet members and a lineup of notable performers.

In the spirit of National Farmers Market week, we encourage everyone around the country to visit their local farmers market. Made In Oklahoma was also well represented at the Celebration at the National Mall in DC as the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, food, and forestry promoted “Made in Oklahoma” products.

The Oklahoma State Treasurer’s July 2025 report shows continued year-over-year growth in state tax collections, despite a modest 4.5% drop from the previous month. Total monthly receipts reached $1.41 billion, up 3.6% compared to July 2024, while 12-month collections totaled $16.97 billion, an increase of 0.3% over the prior year.

“Oklahoma’s tax revenue continues to show steady year-over-year growth, even as monthly collections shift with seasonal and economic patterns,” said State Treasurer Todd Russ. “Our state’s consumer activity remains a strong pillar of stability amid national headwinds.”

Oklahoma’s 12-month rolling revenue trend posted its strongest monthly increase in over two years, suggesting signs of steadying economic conditions. This marks the clearest indication yet that the state may be turning a corner after more than a year of softening revenues.

In an article by Scott Stiles, he says Since 2011, the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has provided monthly reports of crop acreage beginning in August.   This information is based on farmer reports of planted, prevented planted, and failed acres received and summarized to date.  A final acreage summary is released in January.  Beginning in October (occasionally in September), these data are used by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) for comparison to survey-based planted acreage estimates in the monthly Crop Production report. 

In this article, we examined the relationship between the preliminary August FSA planted acreage and the final FSA planted acreage for cotton.  We also looked at the relationship between final FSA planted acreage and NASS planted acreage.

While FSA acreage data represents a census of planted acreage enrolled in farm programs, the FSA acreage data does not function as official USDA planted acreage estimates (because not all farms are enrolled in the farm programs administered by the FSA). The official planted acreage estimates are the responsibility of NASS, the statistical agency of the USDA.  

Checking the Markets...

Boxed Beef prices continued higher on Wednesday, with the Choice cutout gaining $4.92 to reach $374.86, marking the fourth straight daily increase and a $13.54 rise over that span.

OKC West in El Reno had 6,515 head on Tuesday & Wednesday this week- Compared to last week: Feeder steers 1.00-3.00 higher. Feeder heifers 1.00-5.00 higher. Feeder steer quality average. Feeder heifer quality plain to average. OKC West Manager Bill Barnhart says of this week's trade "The feeder sale this week was only modestly stronger. Demand was excellent. With 2800 selling Tuesday , (twice as many as normal for an early August sale)calves are coming to town early. Producers are wanting to take advantage of prices. Most are unweaned and not worked and if this trend continues will cut into our fall numbers."

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 OklahomaFarmReport.Com- 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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