Howdy Neighbors!

National Corn Statistics: Corn mature reached 7 percent, down three points from the previous year and equal to the the five-year average. Corn Dough reached 83 percent, equal to a year ago and down one point from the five-year average. Corn dented reached 44 points, equal to last year and the five-year average. Corn Conditions are rated 71 percent good to excellent, equal to the previous week.

National Cotton Statistics: Cotton Setting Bolls reached 81 percent, down seven points from a year ago and down six points from the five-year average. Cotton bolls opening reached 20 percent, down four points from a year ago and down two points from the five-year average. Cotton Conditions reached 54 percent good to excellent, up one point from the previous week.

As for our Summer crops in Oklahoma: Corn crop conditions are now at 66% good to excellent versus 55% a week ago. The Oklahoma soybean crop is at 35% good to excellent versus 33% a week ago. Cotton in Oklahoma is at 67% good to excellent, versus 65% last week. Grain Sorghum is at 72% good to excellent, down seventeen points from a week ago at 54%. Pasture and Range conditions are at 55% good to excellent this week, versus 60% a week ago.

Senior Farm And Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays spoke with Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), who addressed concerns following the CDC’s report of a human case of New World screwworm in early August. Woodall explained, “From what we understand, it was an individual who had made a trip to one of the countries in Central America (el salvador) that has New World screwworm, which is all of the countries in Central America right now, came back, had some pain, went to seek treatment and discovered that they were infested with New World screwworm larva.” He emphasized that the key point was the effectiveness of the CDC’s procedures: “The protocol worked, and that individual was treated and the larva were destroyed.”

Woodall noted that while the story may have caught people off guard, it was not unexpected. “While, yes, it’s surprising to see that particular story, you know, it’s not shocking,” he said. He explained that there have been similar isolated human cases in the U.S. over the past decade. “There was a human case in the United States last year in 2024, there was one in 2023, we also know of one that happened in 2014 and all of them were very similar.” Each involved a person traveling abroad, returning with larvae, and then seeking treatment once the pain became unbearable.

For NCBA, the main focus is on whether established safeguards are functioning. Woodall stressed, “We as NCBA were not shocked to see that there is a human case.” He added that the consistency of the response has been reassuring: “When the pain got unbearable, they went to seek treatment, and the CDC was engaged, it was identified, and those larva were destroyed.”

The Governor’s Mansion recently hosted the “AgHERculture College Edition” event, bringing together young women interested in agriculture with experienced professionals. Led by Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, this annual gathering focuses on networking, mentorship, and career development for women in the state’s agricultural sector.

Oklahoma farm reports Maci Carter caught up with Secretary Arthur, who explained that the evening is designed to connect college students with female mentors. “This is a fun evening where we have lots of female mentors who work in the ag space here in Oklahoma, who give their time to come and spend time with college students here in Oklahoma,” Arthur stated. The main goals include facilitating networking, sharing career experiences, and offering practical advice. The intention is that these interactions will lead to “internship opportunities, but just looking for some good career development experiences here,” she added.

The event featured a variety of mentors, providing students with different perspectives on agricultural careers. “We had a lot of college students, kind of from across the state,” Arthur noted, mentioning an activity where students identified their hometowns, showing broad participation.

The latest USDA-NASS Cattle on Feed report shows August 1 feedlot inventories at 10.922 million head, down 1.6 percent year over year. This is the eighth consecutive smaller monthly inventory and is the smallest monthly feedlot total since October 2017 (Figure 1). The 12-month moving average of feedlot inventories, which removes seasonality and shows general trends, dropped in August to the lowest level since March 2019.

July feedlot placements were slightly larger than expected, likely reflecting early sales of “fall-run” calves in response to ever-higher feeder cattle prices. Feeder cattle volumes in Oklahoma auctions are up 27.2 percent year over year in the past six weeks. Higher than expected placements occurred despite the lack of Mexican cattle imports. Texas placements were down 25 percent year over year; a 95,000 head reduction compared to one year ago. Total feedlot placements in July were down 104,000 head, meaning that the decrease in Texas accounts for over 91 percent of the total decline in monthly placements. July feedlot marketings were about as expected at 94 percent of last year.

The latest release of monthly livestock slaughter from USDA-NASS shows that beef production in July was down 4.5 percent year over year, contributing to a year-to-date decrease of 2.7 percent for the first seven months of 2025. Total cattle slaughter thus far in 2025 is down 5.8 percent, including a 4.2 percent decrease in fed (steer + heifer) slaughter and a 12.5 percent decrease in cow slaughter for the first seven months of the year.

When retail prices for any consumer product reach record high levels, the corresponding drop in demand usually materializes in short order. Beef appears to be among the few exceptions to that rule, having defied common expectations surrounding price elasticity. Retail grocery prices for beef skyrocketed in recent years and show no signs of descending any time soon. But surprisingly, demand has not softened — it’s actually edged upward. According to USDA data, the all-fresh retail beef demand index in the second quarter climbed to its highest level in at least 25 years.

The remarkably steady allure of beef, even at current prices, is likely a result of several factors currently shaping consumer food buying behaviors, according to a new research brief from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange. Key among those factors is the heightened interest in dietary protein, changing health perceptions surrounding beef, and the availability of restaurant-quality beef at retail grocery stores.

“Twelve months ago, the question was whether beef demand would hold up at higher prices, but today most analysts are fairly certain that beef value risk is to the upside,” said Brian Earnest, lead animal protein economist with CoBank. “Retail per capita beef consumption is headed for 60 pounds this year. U.S. consumers can’t seem to get enough protein these days, and among animal proteins beef remains king.”

High school students across Oklahoma are gaining confidence and clarity about their futures thanks to Brighter Future, a college and career readiness program offered through Oklahoma State University Extension.

Designed for high school students, Brighter Future equips participants with the tools and knowledge to navigate life after graduation. Whether students plan to attend college, enter the workforce, pursue a trade or join the military, the program helps them prepare for the future.

For Savanna 4-H Club member Natalie Hollingshead, the program has been transformative. She said creating a timeline and schedule for college helped her understand what steps she needed to take to prepare. “It really opened my eyes to how different college would be compared to high school,” Hollingshead said. “It made everything feel more real and showed me how to plan ahead so I can succeed.”

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers held their annual shotgun shoot fundraiser Friday, Aug. 15, at Silverleaf Shooting Sports in Guthrie. More than $12,000 was raised for the OKFB Foundation for Agriculture to continue to support Oklahoma agriculture and promote agriculture throughout the state.

More than 50 teams with a total of 200 shooters participated in the sporting-clay-style tournament across 12 stations that tested their skills with real-world hunting scenarios.

Awards were given to top shooters in youth, collegiate and open divisions. The winning team in the open division received $100 for each shooter and a shotgun shell pouch. The winning junior and collegiate division teams also won $100 for each shooter and a shotgun shell pouch. The top shooters in all three divisions received a soft gun case and $100. The second-place team received $50 for each shooter and the third-place team received $25 for each shooter.

In western Oklahoma, as summer transitions to autumn, a long-standing tradition comes alive. For over 87 years, Elk City has hosted the Rodeo of Champions, an event showcasing skill and Western heritage that attracts more than 15,000 people annually. Held each Labor Day weekend at the Beutler Bros. Arena, this rodeo is a significant community event, managed by a dedicated team of volunteers and deeply rooted in the local culture.

The history of the Elk City Rodeo is closely tied to the Beutler family, a name recognized in rodeo for nearly a century. It began in 1929 when John Beutler, an Elk City rancher, acquired ten horses that proved to be natural buckers. To help during the Depression, he leased them to a rodeo in Clinton, Oklahoma, leading to the formation of the Beutler Brothers Rodeo Company.

Today, the Beutler & Son Rodeo Company, run by Bennie and his son Rhett, supplies livestock for numerous rodeos nationwide, including their hometown event. Their animals are consistently chosen for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, highlighting their quality stock.

Checking the Markets...

As we reported in our conversation with Colin Woodall (see above)- the protocol of a human bringing New World Screwworm in from Central America caught the larva and destroyed them- but that story spooked traders of cattle futures and it was a ride straight down at the open- but as the day worn on- that story was declared less and less important- The story sent futures 435 points lower in the first few minutes of trading but the nearby October Live Cattle Futures finally closed $1.05 lower at $236.82. Boxed beef continued higher on Monday, with Choice at $408.49, up $0.58 from Friday, and Select at $385.38, up $1.72.  The Choice cutout was another fresh high for 2025.

Oklahoma National Stockyards had 6,250 head on Monday- Compared to last week: Feeder steers and heifers 4.00-10.00 higher. Steer calves 10.00-20.00 higher, spots sharply higher. Heifer calves under 500 lbs unevenly steady; over 500 lbs 8.00-12.00 higher. Demand continues very good for all classes. Today's run very similar to a fall calf run with many un-weaned calves included. 

Joplin's Monday auction had 10,357- Compared to last week feeder steers sold generally 5.00-17.00 higher compared to last weeks light receipts. Light 4 weight steers sold up to 590.00/cwt. Feeder heifers sold 5.00-20.00 higher with heavy 6 weights up to 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.

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