Howdy Neighbors!

The Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Youth Expo and Cattlemen’s Congress, has produced two podcasts that 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 that 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 part one of our Podcast paying tribute to the Legacy of Bob Funk, Sr.- we had several friends and admirers of Mr. Funk that told their story- click here to listen to that podcast. Our thanks for the joint efforts of the Oklahoma Youth Expo, Cattlemen’s Congress and Hillary Communications to make this Podcast series possible. 

In this Bob Funk, Sr Legacy Podcast part Two, we offer comments from several Oklahomans who knew and loved him. That includes our State Secretary of Ag Blayne Arthur, Jennifer Callahan and former First Lady for Oklahoma Cathy Keating.

Oklahoma is bracing for a significant shift in its weather pattern, one that State Climatologist Gary McManus is calling a welcome departure from the typical late-summer heat. As the state heads into the final week of August and beyond, residents can anticipate a period of heavy rainfall and unseasonably cool temperatures, a change that McManus describes with palpable enthusiasm. “How does more heavy rain and highs in the 70s, lows in the 50s and 60s sound?” McManus asked.

The forecast represents a stark and refreshing contrast to the sweltering August days Oklahomans are accustomed to. McManus, who has been documenting the state’s weather for years through his popular Mesonet Ticker, sees this as a brief, but glorious, interlude.

This upcoming weather pattern also comes on the heels of an already historically wet year for Oklahoma. According to McManus, the state is already in the “top-10 wettest Jan. 1 through Aug. 19 periods on record for at least the last 100 years, based on our statewide average rainfall.” The addition of another “blast of heavy rains” early next week will only solidify this record.

Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Bray Haven, Executive Vice President of Cattlemen’s Congress, who reflects on the success of the most recent show held this past January. He noted that “our entries and the numbers shown were up five to six percent across the board, sales were up about 15%,” and highlighted the debut of their first-ever commercial female sale, which he called “incredible” and something they plan to continue. Haven explained that their focus is on attracting more producers from the countryside, saying, “That’s what this show’s about, connecting the cattle industry.”

Haven described Cattlemen’s Congress as a premier event in the livestock world, comparing it to a championship setting. “It really, truly is kind of like a Super Bowl,” he said, noting that they draw participants from “45 plus states, even other countries like Canada.” He emphasized that no other cattle show in the U.S. has the same level of entries, which makes winning at Cattlemen’s Congress especially prestigious.



He also discussed unique elements of the show that set it apart, including the implementation of open female and open bull supreme drives in addition to the junior drives. “You do kind of get this Mecca, the best in the world type of event,” Haven explained. This, he said, brings excitement not only for exhibitors and cattle owners, but also for spectators who come to watch.

Farm director, KC Sheperd, recently sat down with Ethan Drake, a summer intern for the Oklahoma Pork Council, to discuss the state’s significant role in the national pork industry. Originally from Missouri, Drake got his start with the organization through the pork industry group, a college program designed to connect students with industry professionals.

“I really got to know more about the Oklahoma Pork Council and kind of what they did,” Drake said. He jumped at the chance to intern, eventually becoming the education and outreach intern. “I was like, boy, this can’t be the end. I’ve got to have something else.”

During his internship, Drake learned that Oklahoma is home to the fifth-largest breeding herd in the United States. This distinction has earned the state the nickname “the baby pig state.”

In previous articles we discussed supplementation programs and how supplementation rates affect stocker calf performance and efficiency. After understanding how stocker calves respond to different supplementation rates, the next step is matching the right supplement strategy to your forage type, cattle performance goals, and budget.

General Guidelines for Supplementation Rates. Low rate (0.2 to 0.3% of body weight): Supplement Type: High Protein (38-45% Crude Protein) or moderate protein (25-30% crude protein) oilseed meals or byproduct feeds.

Useful in late summer when forage protein content limits forage digestion and livestock gains. Feeding a low amount of a high protein supplement provides the rumen a protein boost to support microbial activity and digestion increasing forage intake and animal performance. Can be provided 2 to 3 days per week. Best for native range and warm-season bunch grasses such as Old World Bluestems.

It’s time to find those dancin’ boots and get ready to enjoy the sights, sounds and flavors of the “songwriting capital of the world.” Registration is now open for CattleCon 2026, which will be held for the first time in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Music City Center, home of CattleCon 2026, is walking distance from well-known attractions like Lower Broadway, the Ryman Auditorium, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Johnny Cash Museum and so much more. 

Don’t get distracted by the many honky tonks in the heart of Nashville, because education will be a primary focus during the event. A new highlight is that all registration options include access to Cattlemen’s College education sessions and demonstrations. Attendees can also look forward to a variety of other educational opportunities including the CattleFax Outlook Seminar, consumer insights session and industry updates. 

“We are excited to make Cattlemen’s College available to all CattleCon 2026 attendees,” said Buck Wehrbein, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president. “We have made the 2026 event one not to be missed.”

Purina Animal Nutrition has unveiled the second edition of its Beef-on-Dairy Industry Report, offering producers an in-depth look at the evolving role of beef-on-dairy cattle in the U.S. beef supply chain.

The updated report features the latest data, market analysis and research-backed practices for improving beef-on-dairy outcomes from genetics and nutrition to on-farm management and marketing strategies.

“Beef-on-dairy cattle now account for 12-15% of fed cattle slaughter, creating a steady source of quality beef at a time when native beef numbers are tight,” says Laurence Williams, beef-on-dairy development for Purina Animal Nutrition. “With intentional genetics, nutrition and management, this group of cattle can deliver consistent quality to consumers while adding lasting value throughout the supply chain.”

At President Trump’s direction, U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Greer launched a Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s attacks on American social media companies and other unfair trading practices that harm American companies, workers, farmers and technology innovators. In response, R-CALF USA submitted comments calling for the suspension of Brazilian beef imports.

In its comments, R-CALF USA argued that Brazil’s repeated disregard for U.S. tariff rate quotas, chronic food safety failures and history of corruption threaten American food security, along with American consumers and independent cattle producers.

According to USDA data, Brazil exceeded its 65,000 metric ton beef import quota within the first 17 days of 2025 and by midyear shipped more than five times its allotted quota into the United States.

Checking the Markets...

According to DTN- There was a thin movement in the cash cattle market in Nebraska, where packers were able to get some dressed cattle bought at $385 and live cattle at $245, which is steady to tick higher than last week's weighted average. Still no trade has developed in the South, but asking prices remain firm at $240. Both Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle Futures continue to roar higher- October live cattle closed $3.50 higher at $234.85,while September feeders closed $5.67 higher at $358.10.

Boxed beef values were mixed on Wednesday afternoon. Choice cutout slipped $1.35 to $405.85/cwt while Select gained $3.40 to $383.16/cwt, narrowing the Choice–Select spread to $22.69. Loads totaled 102. 

OKC West in El Reno had a Tuesday/Wednesday total of 8,319 head sold- Manager Bill Barnhart writes "2025 will go down in history as a record breaking Summer to remember. The market was a runaway again this week. Many buyers who were balking at the prices 30 days ago are now gathering up inventory dollars higher. USDA called our market from 2.00-25.00 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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