Howdy Neighbors!

Farm director KC Sheperd spoke with Oklahoma State University President Jim Hess, as Oklahoma is celebrating a monumental investment in the future of veterinary medicine, centered around a new, state-of-the-art facility at Oklahoma State University (OSU) with legislators, lawmakers, Veterinarians, and OSU fans all on hand to celebrate. The occasion was particularly special for OSU President Dr. Jim Hess, who celebrated 50 years to the day since he first set foot on campus as a freshman in 1975. The new $329 million project, which will become a premier Veterinary Teaching Hospital, is a point of immense pride for Hess, who has been a passionate advocate for the project.

The new facility is not just a building; it is a strategic investment with a profound mission. As Dr. Hess explained, the goal is to “change lives, affect our food supply and solidify the future.” He emphasized the critical role of veterinary medicine in protecting the state’s great agricultural economy. “Pork, chicken, and beef are not produced in the back of the Walmart store,” he reminded listeners, highlighting the lasting impact OSU’s veterinary medicine program has on safeguarding the food supply and pushing the agricultural economy forward. This commitment is a core part of OSU’s identity as a land-grant university, a status Dr. Hess proudly champions. He defined the land-grant mission simply as access to high-quality education and as problem solvers through research, extension, and instruction.

The future of the new veterinary teaching hospital is bright, with construction expected to begin in the spring. Dr. Hess revealed that the site location has been narrowed down to two spots, with a strong preference for a location that would serve as a “gateway facility.” This would ensure that everyone driving by would see it and “say, Man, are we proud of Oklahoma State University and the College of Veterinary Medicine!” The new building, expected to take a couple of years to complete, is being hailed as one of the most historic achievements in generations.

The August World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report from the USDA has delivered a mixed bag for commodity markets, with significant revisions to acreage and yield estimates that are shaking up the balance sheets for corn, soybeans, wheat, and livestock. According to Rich Nelson, from Allendale, who spoke with Farm Director KC Sheperd, this report is the first “live” one of the season, incorporating actual Farm Service Agency (FSA) acreage numbers and yield data, making its findings particularly impactful.

Nelson called this a “Lightly Postive report for wheat” because the USDA “did see exports increased on this report.” U.S. wheat production is now estimated at 1.927 billion bushels, a slight decrease from the previous month. Ending stocks are projected at 869 million bushels, down from 890 million. Despite the lower supply, wheat farmgate prices are down to $5.30 per bushel from $5.40.

Winter wheat production is forecast at 1.36 billion bushels, with a U.S. average yield of 54.8 bushels per acre. This is an increase in yield from both the previous month and the previous year. Specifically, hard red winter production is up 2%, and soft red winter is up 1%. However, white winter production is down 3%.

Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Pat McFerron of CMA Strategies, who warns that Proposition 12 in California, which dictates pork and egg production standards, is a gateway for anti-animal agriculture groups to expand restrictions nationwide. “The anti-animal agriculture crowd would like to spread the Proposition 12 chaos to other species and other states, including Oklahoma,” he said. McFerron explained this challenge to the Oklahoma Pork Congress, stressing that the impact reaches beyond just economics. “We’ve got to continue to educate people about the importance of agriculture and agribusiness, not just to our economy, but also to our values and our core structure of who Oklahomans really are.”

He noted that Oklahoma’s political makeup makes it a tempting target for activist groups. “Oklahoma is a target for them… if we can make a difference here, we can do that anywhere, it’s kind of their mindset.” The state’s relatively low campaign costs make it even more vulnerable. “Compared to other places, [it’s] relatively cheap entry to run a State Question, to run a campaign, to buy television and radio, and so it puts us at the tip of the spear in these kind of fights.”

McFerron warned against complacency and division within agriculture. “They know the phrase divide and conquer, and that’s their goal. They’ll say, ‘Hey, today we’re going after pork… we’re not going to touch you.’ And then three years later… they’ll come again.” He urged unity across all livestock and related industries, from beef to poultry to rodeo, in order to resist piecemeal attacks on different sectors.

Troy Marshall, USDA NASS state statistician, said the August crop production report offers “a glimpse of what that production is anticipated to look like, if it should realize.” In Oklahoma, “corn production saw about a 44% increase, up about 57.9 million bushels,” due to “improved yields and expansion in overall harvested acres.” Sorghum production was “up 55% over last year,” soybeans saw a “1.9% increase,” and cotton had a “74% increase over last year” following drought impacts in 2023. Hay production, however, was “down about 4% to about a 5.7 million pound production” due to early wet weather.

He noted there was “no change on our yield and production here in Oklahoma for wheat” in the August update. Looking to neighboring states, Marshall said Kansas corn production rose “about 15% over last year,” sorghum was up “about 21%,” but soybeans fell “about a 5.8% decrease” due to reduced acreage and slightly lower yields. Kansas cotton production was “down about a 30% to about 140,000 bales,” while hay production rose “about 35%.”



In Texas, Marshall reported corn production “increased about 18% to 246 million bushels” and sorghum was “up about 10% to 99.1 million bushels.” Soybeans dropped “about 31% due to reduction in acres and lower yields,” while cotton saw a “26% increase totaling about 5.14 million bales.” Texas hay production was “down about 13% to about a 10.3 million pound production.”

Ben Hale reported strong market activity at the Oklahoma National Stockyards, with “5600 head yesterday.” Despite extremely hot weather on Sunday, conditions improved on Monday, and the market held up. “When we took that limit down nine bucks Friday, we thought it was going to be a disaster, but all in all, the cattle were really higher.” Hale stated.

Hale described a good tone in the market, similar to recent weeks. “Just a lot of upbeat in the market, still not a lot of true long yearlings around, a lot of shorter-weaned yearlings, but it is sure driving the demand.” He noted that calves, short weaned and even long weaned, were in high demand. “It doesn’t really matter the quality, people are still seeing lots of grazing out there. And we’ve got this rain, and that’s not going to do anything but keep that demand going.”

Recent sales of breeding stock have also been positive. “We’ve seen that last week selling those fancy pairs at Comanche, there is just a lot of demand on them.” While there were some value-added Angus cattle this week, Hale said the biggest runs come in November and December. “Some guys sold a little bit earlier this year, taking advantage of that market as good as it is.”

Over the past few weeks, once weather permitted baling of hay in Oklahoma and good yields were reported, buyers and sellers have been asking “What is hay worth this year?”

From January to May, the average price of all types of hay across the U.S. had been seasonally increasing, from $153/ton in January to $176/ton in May. With the majority of the country receiving ample spring and early summer moisture, May prices appear to have been the annual peak. In June, the same hay price was down $11 from a month earlier to $165/ton. Alfalfa posted a decrease as well, quoted at $177/ton, down $14 from May. As drought continues to hold a grip in the western U.S., it was mostly western states that quoted recent higher prices of hay.

As a result of increased hay stocks coming into 2025, more acres and Mother Nature’s help, hay prices have continued to trend lower. The price forecast had been for the U.S. hay price to average $165/ton in 2025. That expectation is likely on the high side, with potential back towards $157-$160 for an annual average. Prices are expected to have a typical seasonal decrease into the end of the year. Given that trend, fourth quarter prices should average around $150/ton.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler published an op-ed in the Des Moines Register today during their trip to Iowa detailing how the Trump administration is addressing concerns caused by Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). Administrator Zeldin highlighted how the new guidance empowers manufacturers to revise their DEF system software to prevent sudden, severe derates and eliminate abrupt shutdowns that create real-world disruptions. 

Reducing derates will save American farmers, truckers, and other diesel equipment operators from costly repairs, increase the amount of time operators have to secure DEF, and protect countless Americans affected by this issue. 

Read what Administrators Zeldin and Loeffler had to say: Diesel engine operators can exhale with EPA’s new DEF guidance “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, working hand in hand with the U.S. Small Business Administration, is providing relief for any farmer whose tractor has suddenly shut down mid-field, or trucker whose 18-wheeler has quickly slowed to a snail’s pace only to stall on the side of a highway. The Trump administration is issuing new guidance for manufacturers of vehicles and equipment that require Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). 

Oklahoma Farm Bureau has created “Farm in a Bag,” a new program to share the agriculture story with elementary-aged school children.

OKFB’s Farm in a Bag program combines a wide variety of agriculture- and food-themed plush squeeze toys, an agriculture-accurate book and facts about the agriculture industry.

Farm Bureau members, leaders and other agriculturalists can use the Farm in a Bag as a tool to share the agriculture story within schools, local libraries and community events.

Checking the Markets...

Boxed beef values surged on Tuesday, with Choice cutout climbing $9.06 to $390.58 and Select up $6.03 to $365.64, widening the spread to $24.94. On June 27, 2025, Boxed Beef Choice Cutout values hit their 2025 high at $396.49. From there, the market fell to $361.32 by July 31—a drop of $35.17. Since that low, prices have surged in seven of the last eight sessions, climbing $29.26 to reach $390.58 today, putting them just $5.91 shy of the year’s peak.

With 2,300 calves at the OKC West Market on Tuesday- Compared to last week: Steer and heifer calves 5.00-15.00 higher with biggest advancement on steers and bigger heifers. No trend to set on unweaned cattle but the market was noticeably higher. Most buyers are focused on immediate supply more closely than the daily swings in cattle futures. Because of historically high prices, calves normally held for fall-runs are being brought to town now, both weaned and unweaned.

Beaver Livestock Auction had 4,707 on Tuesday- Compared to last sale: Feeder steer 8.00-11.00 higher, except for 600-700 pound and 900-1000 pound steer being 14.00-18.00 higher. Steer calves 5.00-10.00 higher. Steer calves 300-400 pounds 5.00 lower. Feeder heifers 3.00-6.00 higher. Heifer calves 2.00-5.00 higher with 600 800 pound weight classes bringing as much as 15.00-20.00 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 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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