Howdy Neighbors!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a new action aimed at protecting farmers, truckers, and first responders from sudden power loss caused by Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) systems. This new guidance, developed after listening to concerns from the agricultural community, will allow for a more reasonable and flexible approach to DEF system warnings. Farm Director KC Sheperd had the opportunity to talk about this with Scott Mason, Regional Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) South Central Region.

The announcement came from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and U.S. Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler. Regional Administrator Scott Mason, who attended an agriculture roundtable in Western Oklahoma where the issue was raised, highlighted the speed of the agency’s response. “I, for one, did not expect us to have something on the books so quickly,” Mason said. “I am extremely proud of this effort…to help out our farmers and ranchers who at that round table were telling us that DEF requirements directly impacted their operations.”

The new guidance provides a two-pronged solution:

• Immediate Action (Existing Vehicles): Engine and equipment manufacturers can now, without bureaucratic delays, revise the software in existing vehicles to prevent sudden shutdowns.
• Future Requirements (New Vehicles): Starting with the 2027 model year, all new diesel on-road trucks must be engineered to avoid a sudden and complete loss of power.

The Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Youth Expo and Cattlemen’s Congress, is producing two podcasts that will salute the life of Bob Funk, Sr.

Mr. Funk passed away July 15, 2025, and Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Hall of Fame broadcaster Ron Hays has talked to several individuals who knew Bob Funk, Sr. well- and they have offered their thoughts about who Bob Funk was in their life and what they believe his legacy is today and into the future.

In this Bob Funk, Sr Legacy Podcast, Part One, we offer comments from five Oklahomans who knew and loved him.

Oklahoma livestock producers are being urged to exercise caution and vigilance as new and re-emerging disease threats pose risks to animal and human health. In a recent discussion with Farm Director KC Sheperd, Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, Oklahoma State University (OSU) Beef Cattle Specialist, highlighted several key concerns, from a dangerous invasive fly to a parasitic tick and a rising number of rabies cases.

While there have been no confirmed reports of New World screwworm in the United States, Dr. Biggs noted that a recent detection in Veracruz, Mexico, has raised serious concerns. The location is approximately 370 miles from the Texas border, which she described as “a trailer ride away.” Unlike common flies that feed on dead tissue, screwworms lay eggs that turn into maggots that consume live flesh. This is a threat to all species, including livestock, wildlife, and humans. An infestation left untreated can be fatal to an animal within about two weeks. Dr. Biggs recommends that producers with any concerns about maggots burrowing into an animal’s open wounds immediately contact their veterinarian, as this is a reportable disease.

Another growing threat is the Asian longhorned tick, which was first detected in Oklahoma last summer. What makes this tick particularly concerning is its ability to reproduce asexually, meaning a single female can establish a new population. The tick can carry an agent called Theileria orientalis, specifically the Ikeda genotype. This disease presents symptoms similar to anaplasmosis but is unique in that it affects all ages of cattle and does not respond to current anaplasmosis treatments. OSU is currently running a surveillance project to help producers identify and test ticks on their animals.

Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays spoke with Michael Kelsey about the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Ranch Rodeo. “This is our 41st annual ranch rodeo,” Michael Kelsey began, referring to the long-standing tradition once known as the Range Roundup. “We changed the name to ranch rodeo, but this is our 41st edition up at the Lazy E.” He noted the strong relationship with the venue and proudly added, “This is about our 21st year to partner with the Children’s Hospital Foundation, and we are just a shade over $700,000 that we have raised for them.”



Kelsey highlighted both the legacy and the fresh energy of the event. “We’ve got a couple of new teams in it this year. Some of our older teams, you know Tim Drummond, they’ve been in every one of these.” He emphasized authenticity: “These are real cowboys and cowgirls. They’re going to go back to work on Monday morning on the ranch.”

As for the competition, Kelsey said, “It’s bragging rights only. If you win the whole thing, you get a set of spurs. Win an event, you get a nice belt buckle. But that’s about it.” He stressed the focus is on raising funds for the Children’s Hospital Foundation: “We’re just so blessed to have that facility here in Oklahoma, and I’ve talked to a lot of our OCA members who’ve used it with their children.”

Attorney General Gentner Drummond today is celebrating a significant win for Oklahoma’s agricultural and energy sectors, as a federal court has vacated the Biden-Harris administration’s rule that listed the lesser prairie chicken as an endangered species.  

A U.S. District judge yesterday ruled in favor of Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas, finding that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service committed “foundational error” when it declared the bird endangered in 2022. The court’s order eliminates burdensome federal restrictions that threatened Oklahoma’s economy. 

“This is a tremendous victory for Oklahoma farmers, ranchers and energy producers,” Drummond said. “We told the Biden administration its rule was outrageous and illegal federal overreach. This court decision affirms we were right. Oklahoma’s cattle grazing, energy production and rural economy are no longer under siege by this unlawful regulation.” 

American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Cooperative has announced its 2025-2026 AFR Youth Advisory Council. This year’s council members were chosen by popular vote during the organization’s 2025 Senior Leadership Summit, which was held July 30- August 2.

Members of the 2025-2026 AFR Youth Advisory Council are Annie Schneider, Seiling; Jewel Scherler, Chattanooga; Kaden Pliler, Purcell; Faith Wrigth, Stratford; and Hadley Ott, Lomega.

The AFR Youth Advisory Council is an opportunity for high school seniors who are active in the AFR Youth Program to further their leadership and program management skills. Council members assist in planning many AFR Youth Program events, facilitate general AFR events and act as mentors for younger Oklahoma youth. Council members also participate in agriculture-based service projects throughout the year.

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is intensifying its call for action from Congress and the administration after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest World Agriculture and Supply and Demand Estimates report projected a record 16.7-billion-bushel corn crop this year, further threatening the livelihood of farmers already facing record-low corn prices.

“Corn growers are already marketing their corn for extremely low corn prices, and this massive projected corn supply without market-based solutions to increasing corn demand is already causing corn prices to fall further,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “Because we need markets fast for this supply, we are redoubling and intensifying our call for Congress to pass pending E15 legislation that will allow for year-round consumer access to higher blends of ethanol and for the Trump administration to quickly broker deals that will open new foreign markets for corn.”

Today’s WASDE report projects average corn yields of 188.8 bushels per acre for 2025, for an overall crop of 16.7 billion bushels. If the projections prove accurate, this year’s crop will be the largest on record by far: 1.4 billion bushels above the current production record set in 2023, a 9.1% increase.

The Red Angus Association of America has launched a new supply chain initiative in collaboration with Breedr, a livestock management technology platform. For producers participating in RAAA’s Angus Access marketing program, this collaboration offers real-time, data-driven tools to improve cattle traceability, meeting market access requirements and enhancing the value of Red Angus cattle.

Breedr’s cattle management platform enables digital tracking of individual animals from ranch to rail. By investing in this innovative supply chain tool, RAAA is enabling Red Angus genetics to connect more seamlessly with verified beef programs, giving producers greater access to the branded beef marketplace and advancing Red Angus cattle within the beef industry. 

“Partnering with the Red Angus Association of America is a natural extension of Breedr’s commitment to supporting ranchers with modern tools that drive value, profitability and sustainability,” said Ian Wheal, founder and CEO of Breedr. “Combining Breedr’s data-driven insights and analytics with RAAA’s trusted Angus Access program empowers Red Angus producers and increases collaboration across the beef supply chain.”

Checking the Markets...

Boxed beef prices were mixed Wednesday afternoon, with Choice slipping $0.09 to $390.49/cwt while Select climbed $2.32 to $367.96/cwt. The Choice/Select spread narrowed to $22.53, down $2.41 from the previous day. 

OKC West Manager Bill Barnhart writes about this week's market- "6,400 sold this week at OKC West. The cattle market shook off Friday’s 9.00 futures sell off as prices were up again this week, stockers 5.00-15.00, and feeder cattle 2.00-10.00. Price discovery used to occur after haggling over a 1.00-2.00 difference in value, nowadays that spread can be an incredible 10.00-20.00/cwt. often 50.00-150.00 per head. Positive news keeps feeding the market flames. Cattle imports are down 500,000 hd. year to date, mostly Mexican cattle adding to the cattle shortage. A bumper corn crop is forecast by USDA, up 13% over year ago levels, which would be the largest corn crop on record also adding to optimism for cattle feeders. At these prices calves will continue to come to town early."

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