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National Corn Statistics: Corn mature reached 15 percent, down three points from the previous year and up one point from the five-year average. Corn Dough reached 90 percent, up one point from a year ago and down one point from the five-year average. Corn dented reached 58 points, equal to the previous year and down two points from the five-year average. Corn Conditions are rated 69 percent good to excellent, down two points from the previous week.

National Cotton Statistics: Cotton Setting Bolls reached 90 percent, down four points from a year ago and down three points from the five-year average. Cotton bolls opening reached 28 percent, down seven points from a year ago and down two points from the five-year average. Cotton Conditions reached 51 percent good to excellent, down three points from the previous week.

As for our Summer crops in Oklahoma: Corn crop conditions are now at 65% good to excellent versus 66% 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 77% good to excellent, up five points from a week ago at 72%. Pasture and Range conditions are at 63% good to excellent this week, versus 55% a week ago.

Associate Farm Reporter Carli Davenport spoke to Micaela Halverson who explained that the annual AGHerCulture event is designed to inspire high school girls interested in agriculture. “This is an event that we have been doing for the last five years here in Oklahoma, but it is a gathering of high school agricultural girls and students that want to learn a little bit more about themselves and possible career opportunities,” she said. This year, more than 150 students participated, engaging with mentors and exploring different paths within the agricultural industry.

The day began with a personality test designed to help the girls better understand their strengths and tendencies. Halverson shared, “This morning, all of the students got to take an in-person, live personality test and learn a little bit more. Are they fun, energetic analytical people’s people or very structured and organized rule followers?” After that activity, students moved into career-fair style sessions with mentors representing fields such as animal agriculture. “We’ve got 13 different mentors here today, and those students are getting to go through 10 of those groups and dive a little bit deeper, exploring what options they might have,” she added.

Choosing the right mentors was no easy task. “Deciding on mentors was really tough, because we know a lot of really amazing women in ag,” Halverson explained. The team worked to include professionals across a wide variety of fields, narrowing it down to those “that were excelling and successful and who also interacted with students, and wouldn’t mind being here today and being able to share and easily talk about what they do.”

Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Andy Holloway, a longtime Extension Educator from Canadian, Texas, who joined the conversation to highlight the success and growth of the Hemphill County Beef Conference. He noted that the event just celebrated its 10th anniversary this past spring. “We should have been at 11, but because of COVID, we lost a year,” he explained. Looking ahead, the 2026 conference will mark its 11th in a row, and Holloway said he’s already excited about what’s coming.

When asked how he keeps improving the event each year, Holloway said the key isn’t in the planning alone. “Our conference is just a God thing, and it’s the inspiration that He gives me to go out and get those speakers and put it all together.” For 2026, three central themes are guiding the program: regenerative pasture management, cattle markets, and legacy. He emphasized that after the 2024 wildfires, regeneration of the land is especially critical, and the booming cattle markets are creating “generational wealth” for producers.

Attendance continues to be a standout feature of the conference. Holloway shared proudly, “We had almost 1,000 people this year, from 24 states across the whole country.” For the first time, the event also drew international participants from Australia, Canada, Ireland, and South Africa. Nearly half of Texas’s 254 counties were represented as well, underscoring the wide reach of the program. He added that the trade show has grown alongside the event, with many OCA sponsors also supporting Hemphill County.

Unseasonably cool and wet weather in late August has resulted in the best prospects for early planted wheat in several years. Ample rain across much of Oklahoma, especially in major wheat production areas, is providing the moisture and cool soil temperatures necessary for wheat germination. Early wheat establishment and growth could lead to earlier and more grazing potential this fall. Producers will be looking ahead to the best ways to utilize additional wheat forage this fall and winter.

The current cattle market situation provides quite different opportunities and challenges for cow-calf and stocker producers. In late 2022, cattle prices began the sharp trend up leading to current levels. Table 1 shows how 2025 cattle market conditions compare to the last week of August in 2022.

The value of calves has increased by nearly 135 percent in the three-year period, increasing from less than $1,000/head to almost $2,300/head. The value of yearlings has increased over 110 percent in the same period. The stocker margin between the two levels has increased just over 50 percent since 2022, with a current value of gain of $1.99/lb. In other words, while a 475-pound steer currently sells for over $4.81/lb., the value of adding an additional 300 pounds of weight to the steer is just about $2.00/lb. All costs of production beyond the animal cost, plus any profit potential, must be covered by the value of gain. 

According to State Climatologist Gary McManus, August 2025 delivered a surprise to Oklahomans, wrapping up the summer with an unseasonably cool and wet finale. Instead of the usual late-summer heat, two strong cold fronts moved through the state, bringing fall-like conditions that broke multiple weather records. The final week of the month saw a notable chill and steady rainfall, marking the end of summer much earlier than expected.

A significant amount of rain accompanied the unseasonal cold. The statewide average rainfall from August 25–31 was 2.58 inches, making it the second-wettest such period on record, falling just short of the 2003 record. For the entire month, August ranked as the 21st-wettest on record with a statewide average of 4.32 inches. Northwest Oklahoma saw the heaviest downpours, with some areas receiving 4 to 6 inches above normal rainfall. The May Ranch Mesonet site led the state with an impressive 11.01 inches.

This late-month rainfall was a welcome sight, providing relief from a developing drought. While drought had returned to a small portion of the state earlier in the month, the late August rains helped ease conditions, with further improvements expected in September.

The Oklahoma 4-H Foundation is celebrating a year of significant milestones and looking ahead to new opportunities to support the state’s youth. In a recent interview, Farm Director KC Sheperd spoke with Milford Jenkins, President of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation, about the organization’s recent successes and upcoming events.

A Milestone Roundup and Generous Scholarships This past July, Oklahoma State University’s campus hosted the 104th Oklahoma 4-H Roundup, an event that serves as an exciting culmination for 4-H members from across the state. “Many, many youngsters… that might be their first introduction to Oklahoma State University is through 4-H Roundup,” Jenkins said. The foundation, thanks to the generosity of donors and sponsors, awarded over $200,000 in scholarships to deserving 4-H youth, underscoring the organization’s commitment to investing in the next generation.

The Oklahoma 4-H Foundation is also gearing up for its 28th annual 4-H Clover Classic Golf Tournament on November 3rd at the Oak Tree Country Club in Edmond. The event, which will be expanded to both the east and west courses this year, is a key fundraiser for the foundation. The tournament is a four-person best-ball scramble, a format that makes it enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels. As Jenkins explained, “You don’t have to be a good golfer… It’s all about having fun and supporting our 4-Hers.”

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association announced the appointment of Clay McKinney as executive director of law enforcement, brand and inspection services. McKinney has been serving in this role on an interim basis since earlier this year and assumes the permanent position effective immediately.

In his role, McKinney will oversee daily operations for the association’s Special Rangers and brand inspectors across Texas and Oklahoma. Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Rangers are law enforcement officers commissioned through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) or the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) and specialize in investigating livestock theft and agricultural crimes. The department also manages market inspectors who document brands and other identifying marks on millions of cattle sold annually at nearly 100 Texas livestock markets.

“Law enforcement services are core to the mission of our association, and Clay is the right person to carry that forward,” said Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Jason Skaggs. “He has provided great leadership during his interim tenure, and we respect the experience, integrity, and commitment he brings to this role.” 

Rep. Ty Burns has resigned from the Oklahoma House of Representatives following his guilty plea earlier this week to domestic abuse and assault charges. Among his committee assignments- Burns was a member of the House Ag Committee.

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert said he agreed with Burns’ decision to step aside.

“Domestic violence of any kind cannot and will not be tolerated by the House of Representatives,” Hilbert said in a statement Friday. “I share his belief that it is best for him and his family to focus on his treatment and rehabilitation at this time. Alexis and I will be praying for Ty and his family as they navigate this challenging time.”

Burns pleaded guilty Thursday in Pawnee County District Court to one misdemeanor count of domestic abuse and two misdemeanor counts of assault. He received a one-year suspended sentence and will complete a Batterers Intervention Program.

Checking the Markets...

Boxed beef prices declined on Tuesday compared to Friday, with both Choice and Select cutouts posting losses. The Choice cutout dropped $1.99 to $413.42, while Select fell $3.83 to $386.17, widening the Choice/Select spread to $27.25, up from $25.41. 

OKC West sold 2,500 calves on Tuesday after Labor Day- Compared to last week: Steer calves unevenly steady. Heifer calves over 500lbs unevenly steady, under 500lbs 3.00-5.00 higher.  They expect to sell 4,500 yearlings today.

Beaver County Livestock had 3,799 go through the ring on Tuesday- Compared to last sale: Conservatively, feeder steer 2.00-5.00 higher. Feeder heifers 2.00-4.00 lower on lesser quality. Steer calves 7.00-10.00 higher with 350 lb calves being 20.00 higher. Heifer calves 5.00-9.00 higher, with instances of 25.00-28.00 higher on heifer calves weighing 450-550 lbs

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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