Howdy Neighbors!

National Corn Statistics: Corn silking reached 97 percent, equal to the previous year and down one point from the five-year average. Corn Dough reached 72 percent, equal to a year ago and down one point from the five-year average. Corn dented reached 27 points, down one point from last year and up one point from the five-year average. Corn Conditions are rated 71 percent good to excellent, down one point from the previous week.

National Cotton Statistics: Cotton squaring reached 97 percent, down one point from a year ago, and down one point from the five-year average. Cotton Setting Bolls reached 73 percent, down ten points from a year ago and down seven points from the five-year average. Cotton bolls opening reached 13 percent, down five points from a year ago and down three points from the five-year average. Cotton Conditions reached 55 percent good to excellent, up two points from the previous week.

As for our Summer crops in Oklahoma: Corn crop conditions are now at 55% good to excellent versus 65% a week ago. The Oklahoma soybean crop is at 33% good to excellent versus 36% a week ago. Cotton in Oklahoma is at 65% good to excellent, versus 65% last week. Grain Sorghum is at 54% good to excellent, down seventeen points from a week ago at 71%. Pasture and Range conditions are at 60% good to excellent this week, versus 58% a week ago.

Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays spoke with Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, who emphasized the importance of the USDA’s announcement in Austin regarding plans to build a new sterile fly facility to combat the outbreak of the New World screwworm. USDA invited Secretary Arthur to attend the news conference held by Secretary Rollins to announce her latest efforts to battle the New World Screwworm.

“For Oklahoma, and especially for our cattle producers, we appreciate so much that Secretary Rollins has us as such a high priority,” Secretary Arthur said. She noted the significance of millions of dollars being invested in a new facility in Texas, as well as in research and innovation aimed at finding long-term solutions.

Arthur stressed just how close the threat feels to Oklahoma livestock producers. She described the most recent findings as “certainly too close for comfort for many of us,” and emphasized the importance of strong federal and state cooperation. She also praised Texas leaders for joining the effort, noting, “To have the governor there today with Secretary Rollins, just shows that everybody knows how important this is, and we want to get it right and protect our livestock producers.”

In a monumental step for veterinary education in Oklahoma, leaders gathered to celebrate the new School of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State University (OSU). The celebration commemorates a historic $250 million state funding appropriation for the reconstruction of a new, state-of-the-art veterinary teaching hospital. Farm Director KC Sheperd caught up with Steve Thompson, Director of Public Policy with the A&M Board of Regents, who hailed the day as the culmination of a dedicated, multi-year effort.

“It is a great day in Stillwater,” Thompson said, reflecting on the journey. He explained that the project became a top priority for the Board of Regents last summer, with leaders working closely with OSU President Dr. Jim Hess and the Vet Med Authority Board. The effort involved hosting legislators on campus and a “full court press the entire spring at the state capitol” to secure the necessary funding. Thompson was especially grateful for the support of the statewide vet med alumni community, noting that the new facility will have a significant impact on the future of Oklahoma’s agricultural industry.

Sheperd also visited with OSU Regent Jimmy Harrell, a long-time champion of the project, who shared his deep personal connection to OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “I was here when it was at the top of its game, many years ago,” Harrell recounted, recalling bringing his top racehorses to the campus for care. This firsthand experience fueled his desire to see the veterinary school reclaim its elite status. He credits a pivotal conversation with then-executive director (now President) Dr. Jim Hess, who told him, “Jimmy, you can’t take it to number one the way it is. We’ve got to have a new teaching hospital if we’re going to go to number one.” This clear vision set the stage for the ambitious undertaking.

This year marks the 41st anniversary of a special event where the grit and skill of Oklahoma cowboys serve a heartfelt cause. Oklahoma Farm Report’s Maci Carter sat down with Lynn Phillips, a long-time announcer and one of the event’s initial planners, to discuss the history and mission of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) Ranch Rodeo, now known as “Cowboys Helping Kids.”

“I was actually on the initial planning committee 41 years ago,” Phillips told Carter, recalling how the event was first held in 1985 at the then-new Lazy E Arena, a great place “to have what was called the range Roundup.” Over the decades, its mission has evolved to focus on a powerful partnership.

The event’s core purpose is to raise funds for the Oklahoma Children’s Miracle Network. Through the years, the rodeo has raised nearly $700,000 for medical research in Oklahoma. When Carter asked about the partnership, Phillips explained that it’s a natural fit. “You know, a cowboy, if you think about it, what his real job is, he’s a steward, not only of the land, but of livestock as well. And there’s always a soft spot in his heart for children,” Phillips said.

Feeder cattle prices continue to push to unimaginable highs leaving producers and traders increasingly nervous. Last week, in Oklahoma auctions, 500-pound, M/L #1 steers brought $451.90/cwt. ($2,260/head) and 800-pound, M/L #1 steers were priced at $352.55/cwt. ($2,820/head). All feeder steers (M/L #1) below 1050 pounds brought more than $300/cwt., those below 600 pounds were priced over $400/cwt. and all below 400 pounds were priced over $500/cwt. Feeder cattle prices, especially lightweight calf prices, have moved unseasonally higher this summer.

I sense that there is a growing feeling that this market is a bubble that is about to burst. While I share the anxiety that goes with the current cattle market, it is important to not forget the fundamentals that explain why the market is at this level and what they say about the coming months. 

The calculated feeder cattle supply this year is the smallest in available data for both the January and July Cattle reports. The tight feeder supply is the result of declining calf crops. Calf crops have declined the past seven years and are down 8.8 percent from the cyclical peak in 2018. The 2025 U.S. calf crop is the lowest since 1941. The beef cow herd is at a cyclical (maybe) and multi-decade low and is showing little sign of rebuilding. 

At this year’s Oklahoma Wheat Growers Annual Meeting, we were proud to honor three exceptional individuals whose lifelong service and leadership continue to shape the future of our industry.

Terry Detrick received the Service to the Industry Award for his decades of tireless advocacy on behalf of producers at both the state and national level. Terry Detrick has spent more than 40 years championing the causes of farmers and ranchers across Oklahoma and the U.S. From leading major agricultural organizations to shaping policy discussions on crop insurance and youth development, Terry’s impact runs deep.

Keeff Felty was named Mr. Wheat 2025, recognizing his innovative farming practices, commitment to research, and leadership as President of the National Association of Wheat Growers. A fourth-generation farmer and president of the National Association of Wheat Growers, Keeff Felty embodies innovation, advocacy, and service.

Don Schieber, a veteran and lifelong advocate for wheat, was also presented with the Service to the Industry Award for his global outreach, board leadership, and impact on Oklahoma agriculture. With a career spanning five decades, Don Schieber has dedicated his life to growing wheat—and growing the industry.

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Following two days of intense and skilled competition, Daube Cattle Company and 3C Cattle Company of Ardmore, Okla. earned the champion overall team title for the second consecutive year at the 41st Annual Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) Ranch Rodeo, held Aug. 15–16 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla.

12 ranch teams from across Oklahoma competed in five traditional ranch events: saddle bronc riding, wild cow milking, team penning, team doctoring, and team branding. All proceeds from the event support the Children’s Health Foundation (CHF). In addition to champion team honors, awards were presented for outstanding individual and team event performances, recognizing the skill, dedication, and teamwork demonstrated by each participant.

Stuart Ranch of Waurika, Okla. earned reserve champion team honors, while Will Trentman of the Trentman Ranch and Stierwalt Ranch team, from Pawhuska, Okla., was named Top Hand. Bud Walker of Daube Cattle Company and 3C Cattle Company was recognized with the Top Horse, and EJ Gagan of Lazy Rafter Slash Ranch, based in Lenapah, Okla., received the Tuff Hand award. Event champions included A Bar Ranch of Claremore, Okla., in Saddle Bronc Riding and Team Penning; Daube Cattle Company and 3C Cattle Company in Team Doctoring; Slash K Cattle Company of Walters, Okla., in Team Branding; and McPhail Land & Cattle of Mountain Park, Okla., in Wild Cow Milking.

Checking the Markets...

Boxed beef prices started the week sharply higher, with the Choice cutout at $404.24/cwt, up $3.67 from Friday, and the Select cutout at $377.14/cwt, up $6.38. This marks the highest Choice cutout value of 2025 and the highest overall since the COVID-era spike in 2020.  

The Oklahoma National Stockyards had 5,500 head on Monday- Compared to last week: Feeder steers 2.00-6.00 higher. Feeder heifers 5.00-8.00 higher. Steer and heifer calves sharply higher, with gains of up to 25.00. Demand continues very good for all classes. Meanwhile, Joplin had 3,966 head on Monday- Compared to last week feeder steers sold 2.00-10.00 higher with heavy 7 weight steers up to 20.00 higher. Feeder heifers under 725 lbs. sold 2.00-15.00 higher. Heavier weights sold 3.00-5.00 lower.

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