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The Make America Healthy Again Commission released the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, a sweeping plan with more than 120 initiatives to reverse the failed policies that fueled America’s childhood chronic disease epidemic. The strategy outlines targeted executive actions to advance gold-standard science, realign incentives, increase public awareness, and strengthen private-sector collaboration.

Chaired by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Commission is tasked with investigating and addressing the root causes of America’s escalating health crisis, with a focus on childhood chronic diseases.

“The Trump Administration is mobilizing every part of government to confront the childhood chronic disease epidemic,” Secretary Kennedy said. “This strategy represents the most sweeping reform agenda in modern history—realigning our food and health systems, driving education, and unleashing science to protect America’s children and families. We are ending the corporate capture of public health, restoring transparency, and putting gold-standard science—not special interests—at the center of every decision.”

The Make America Healthy Again Commission, chaired by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has unveiled the Make America Healthy Again Strategy, a plan with more than 120 initiatives to tackle America’s growing childhood chronic disease crisis. Click here to read more.

American Farm Bureau Federation: MAHA Report Recognizes Solutions Within Agriculture. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Make America Healthy Again Commission’s “Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy.” “Farmers and ranchers share the goal of improving health outcomes in America, and they are dedicated to growing safe, nutritious and affordable food for America’s families. Healthy meals start with healthy farms, and we appreciate the report’s recognition of the vital role farmers play in the food supply chain. “A renewed focus on American-grown fresh fruits, vegetables and meat, along with reintroducing whole milk into the school meal programs can help provide a foundation for a lifetime of smart choices. 

National Cattlemens Beef Association: American Beef is a Perfect Fit with the Second MAHA Report. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association welcomed the release of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s second report. In May, the MAHA Commission’s first report highlighted the positive role beef plays in a healthy diet. “From every angle, it is tough to beat American beef. Our farmers and ranchers raise the best beef in the world, providing a healthy, fresh protein option to millions of families every day,” said NCBA President and cattle producer Buck Wehrbein. “We responsibly steward millions of acres of land, water, and wildlife habitat, including some of America’s most cherished landscapes and species.

House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson

"We appreciate the efforts of the MAHA Commission to enhance engagement with agricultural producers and stakeholders in developing these updated recommendations. America’s farmers are stewards of the land, producing our nation’s food while protecting the environment. Their expertise is essential in shaping sound, science-based policies that maintain a safe and healthy food supply. We look forward to working with the administration to implement policies that advance these goals while addressing the challenges and realities encountered by farmers, ranchers, and producers.”

Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Industry Consultant Dr. Nevil Speer who began by emphasizing the unprecedented nature of today’s cattle prices. He explained, “Producers I talked to, they keep talking about how great it is. They’re surprised. They never dreamed that they would see prices like this and in profits too, prices have way outrun any rise in cash costs that is required to run cows, and so it’s just been amazing.”

Looking at supply, Speer noted that the industry hasn’t yet hit its tightest point. “The narrative out there is that we’ve been running tight numbers, we’ve kept up in terms of beef production. I can’t imagine what’s going to happen when we start keeping heifers at home and then things really get tight.”

Speer also addressed management decisions during the current strong markets. “We’re clamoring for cattle, and that’s always what happens in strong markets. But… while feed is really cheap, every producer I work with, I am encouraging them to keep them, wean them and keep them at home, feed them and make that money. Why give that to somebody else? If you can do it at home, because the market is working in your favor.”

House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) issued the following statement after House passage of H.R. 4550, reauthorizing the U.S. Grain Standards Act through FY2023:

“I’m proud that the House has passed the U.S. Grain Standards Act with strong bipartisan support, a testament to our shared commitment to fair markets and reliable standards for American farmers. I urge the Senate to act quickly so we can get this important bill to the President’s desk.”

The United States Grain Standards Act, first enacted in 1916, is the statutory foundation for the nation’s grain inspection and grading system. The Act authorizes USDA’s Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) to establish official marketing standards for grains and oilseeds and oversee official inspection and weighing services.

Hale noted a good-sized run of about 700 or 800 head, with signs that the fall run of calves has started. Hale said many producers are still bringing calves to market without weaning or vaccination protocols, which is reflected in the trade. “The soft calf trade was cheaper yesterday by about $4-5, and unweaned calves sold $8–$10 lower” in some cases compared to weaned calves. Still, he emphasized that prices remain strong overall, even with slight declines from recent highs.

Some producers are choosing to sell calves earlier than usual to capitalize on the strong market. Hale said checks are still bringing “lots of dollars per head.”

The conversation turned to wheat pasture prospects. Hale noted recent rains have improved conditions across a wide area, setting up strong potential for wheat grazing this year—the best in four or five years. This would help disperse cattle on wheat rather than crowding them in grow yards.

Dr. Mark Johnson of OSU writes in this week's Cow Calf Corner about the body condition scoring system (BCS)that is used to assess body energy reserves in beef cows. The BCS system used for beef cattle ranges from 1 to 9. A score of 1 indicates cows that are thin and emaciated, cows of BCS 9 are fat and obese. Pictures and definitions of the BCS system can be found in Chapter 20 of the 8th edition of the OSU Beef Cattle Manual.

When condition scoring cows, producers should look beyond age, frame size, depth, length pregnancy status and hair coat. The condition scoring system is intended to provide a consistent system to quantify relative fatness regardless of these other factors that create difference in cows‘ appearance.  There is a strong relationship between weight and BCS. For each unit change in BCS, cows should gain or lose approximately 7% of their BCS 5 weight. For example, a cow that weighs 1,200 lbs. at a BCS 5 should reach a BCS of 6 at 1,284 lbs. or drop to a BCS 4 at 1,116 lbs.

Best time to Evaluate BCS? Typically, late summer/early fall when cows are slicked off and in 2nd trimester of pregnancy is the most accurate and easiest time of the management cycle to evaluate BCS on cows. Weaning time or at time of fall pregnancy checks is realistically the most convenient time of the annual management cycle to capture a weight on cows. If cows need to be fed and managed to have adequate BCS by the start of calving season, managing for a target weight gain can be effective.

US Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19) reintroduced the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025, which would take government shutdowns off the table and force Congress to stay in town until their work is done.

“We have to change the way Washington spends money. Our debt is now more than $37 trillion. Congress cannot keep avoiding the hard choices to fix it,” said Lankford. “Shutting down the government does not fix the debt problem; it just makes it worse. The best way to finish negotiating the hard issue is to keep Congress in Washington until the budget is finished. That puts the pressure on lawmakers, not on families and important services.”

“In the real world, if you fail to do your job, there are consequences. Yet, when Congress fails to pass appropriations on time, the burden falls squarely on hardworking Americans – taxpayers, seniors, and our men and women in uniform,” said Arrington. “My Prevent Government Shutdowns Act is commonsense legislation that would shift the burden of a shutdown away from We the People and onto the politicians where it belongs – by forcing Members of Congress to stay in Washington until their work on appropriations is complete.” 

On Saturday, September 6th, 2025, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a lifelong cow-calf rancher, traveled to Southwest Oklahoma for a meeting with rural agricultural producers in the Altus community. Senator Mullin spoke with Oklahomans at the Plains Cotton Cooperative Association (PCCA) regarding warehouse operations, drought and water planning, and the challenges of getting Oklahoma cotton to lucrative markets.

“During our meeting, the cotton farmers spoke about current federal regulatory issues, and the overall need to cut down on red tape—I heard them loud and clear,” Mullin concluded. “I appreciate Altus leading the charge on water resilience with support from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Oklahoma Rural Water Association, and the U.S. Department of War. I’ll continue to be a strong partner on the federal level to promote Altus’ long-term growth and success.”

Senator Mullin and Chairman Smith began their cotton facility visit with a briefing from leaders from PCCA and the Altus community. PCCA leadership provided a warehouse development update and detailed an ongoing groundwater project aimed at limiting evaporation and bringing quality water to Altus airmen and its citizens by eliminating organic matter in the water supply.

Checking the Markets...

Boxed beef was lower again on Tuesday, marking the fourth straight decline and down a combined $8.34 over that stretch. Choice cutout closed at $407.67, down $2.02 from Monday, while Select finished at $386.96, up $1.62. The Choice/Select spread narrowed to $20.71, compared with $24.35 the previous day, on 156 loads.

OKC West had 3,000 calves on Tuesday- Compared to last week: Steer and heifer calves 15.00-20.00 lower. The bulk of supply consisted of unweaned bulls with no shots, and they traded at a sharp discount. With the weather turning inconsistent and temperatures swinging up and down, calf health is beginning to slip. Demand has softened for unweaned calves carrying no shots. Looking ahead to the Wednesday yearling market- they expect 4,500 head- with 1,700 Feeder Heifers and 2,800 Feeder Steers.

Beaver County ran 5,611 head on Tuesday- Compared to last week: Steer and heifer calves under 500 lbs. 3.00-8.00 higher. Steer calves 500-600 lbs. 4.00 lower. Heifer calves 500-600 lbs. 12.00 lower conservatively. Feeder steer 600-700 lbs. 18.00 lower in a light comparison, feeder steer over 700 lbs 5.00-10.00 higher. Feeder heifers 5.00-10.00 lower

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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