Howdy Neighbors!

In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, farmer and rancher Brent Brewer spoke with Farm Director KC Sheperd about farmer mental health resources and the critical issues of mental health and stress management within the agriculture community. Brewer, who began his advocacy as a “sideline” with the Farmers Union, noted that his mission has since “gone national”. He emphasized that his work is not limited to farmers alone, stating, “It’s stress and life in general. No matter what walk of life you come from, it’s always great to know how to relieve your stress”.

Brewer explained that recognizing the signs of stress is as essential as knowing how to perform CPR. He identified a lack of sleep and waking up in the middle of the night as common indicators of personal stress. As simple remedies, he suggested sleeping with a television on at low volume to help the mind relax and rest, a practice he and his wife have adopted. He also stressed the importance of taking breaks. “I also suggest, you know, plan a play date with your spouse,” he said, citing his own planned trip with his wife to watch “Mutton Busting” at the Kay County Fair to get a “little bit of break from our farm life”.

Brewer acknowledged that farmers are often “really private” and that mental health can be a “taboo” subject. He underscored the unique challenges of the profession, particularly the financial and emotional burdens. He said that, unlike other business owners, when a bank forecloses on a farm, a producer risks losing their business, their job, and often their home. Brewer, who farmed through the 1980s, said he watched neighbors “put up their farms for sale” during that period.

Senior Farm Broadcaster, Ron Hays, had the chance to visit with Destinee Weeks about Hands off My Land to talk about Oklahoma property rights. Weeks explained that “Hands Off My Land is an advocacy group formed basically for exactly what it sounds like—to protect our land and protect the rights of those landowners and rural citizens across the state.” She emphasized the group’s diversity, saying it includes people from “every nook and cranny of the state” who share the same principle of preserving rural lifestyles.

She noted the group was sparked by legislative debates: “During session, there was a lot of discussion about property rights, and where the general public’s interest overlaps with property rights, specifically in the energy sector.” Bills about wind and solar setbacks raised wider questions, which she called “a little bit alarming” for landowners who rely on generational farms.



Addressing groups with different views, Weeks said: “ We have very different views on what private property rights and what it’s going to take to save Oklahoma farms and ranches.” She stressed her group’s position: “We believe that we, as the landowners know what’s best for our families, and that we know the best stewardship and the best practices to keep this family farm together.”

Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Sigrid Johannes about the Make Our Children Healthy Again strategy released by the Make America Healthy Again Commission. Johannes opened by calling the report “an incredible culmination of many months of effort, not just at HHS, but at USDA as well.” She emphasized the partnership the document reflects and highlighted a “continued emphasis on fresh, whole, unprocessed food” as “a fantastic win for the beef industry,” since beef delivers “fresh, nutrient-dense protein that also happens to be the highest quality and most delicious beef in the world.”

She acknowledged her earlier skepticism but said the report surpassed expectations. “I think this is, by far, their most scientifically grounded, their most fact driven, and frankly, their strongest argument for everyday Americans who want to get back to eating whole unprocessed foods.” Johannes tied this to broader public health goals, noting beef’s role as “a nutrient dense source of protein and 11 other essential vitamins and minerals.”

Johannes also stressed the diversity of beef options, pointing out that “we have more than 30 cuts of retail beef at the grocery store that meet USDA definition for Lean.” She said the commission’s work has given the industry an opportunity “to showcase the really wide range of products that we offer in the beef industry no matter what your concern is, or no matter what your preference is.”

Despite a cooler-than-normal summer, the Oklahoma cotton crop outlook is shaping up to look Pretty Good. The Crop so far is in good shape as it heads into the final stages of the season. According to OSU Cotton Extension Specialist Jenny Dudak, everyone seems to be “pretty excited” about their crop this year.

The main concern is that the recent cool weather has put the state “a little bit behind” on growing degree day (GDD) accumulations compared to the past three years. To get the crop across the finish line, producers need more heat. While the weather has been “nice” for people, the cotton crop has been “lacking a little bit of that heat”. Overall, this year’s crop is in better condition than last year’s, primarily due to having had more rain.

The good news for producers is that the crop is largely past the major pest windows. Dudak noted that the season is “pretty much out of the flea Hopper window” and getting close to being out of the “stink bug window” as well. No major pest issues have been reported. As producers begin to think about harvest, Dudak explained that applying harvest aids is considered “an art form, more than a hard science” due to the many factors involved. She recommends using a combination of two methods to determine if a crop is ready:

1. Checking for boll maturity: The uppermost first-position boll that will make the basket should be four nodes above a cracked boll.
2. Assessing open bolls: About 60% to 70% of harvestable bolls should be open.

The fed cattle market is showing signs of sands shifting underfoot as weekly cash trade showed signs of fatigue as cattle traded, on average, about $1/cwt. lower last week. This interrupts what has been a steadily firmer price trend building after a short-term pullback in late June. 

While cattle in the northern reporting regions of Nebraska and Iowa/Minnesota have long commanded a significant premium over Texas and Kansas cattle, this trend also ended last week. The northern market averaged roughly $2/cwt. lower while Texas and Kansas averages remained steady. 

Some indications point toward short-term cattle supplies in the north a bit more adequate at this time than they have in in recent weeks. With the passing of Labor Day beef demand, Live Cattle futures ended last week with a softer tone. This extended to much deeper cuts this Tuesday as the market sold off in a major way. Little news on the fundamental side could have pressured the market, but when it comes to the reaction from speculative traders, President Trump’s recent comments about future lower beef prices can’t be ignored. 

Rains this summer have given a great opportunity for what pasture this fall. There have been many reports of large populations of fall army worms feeding on volunteer wheat and other cool-season annuals in crop fields. Tillage as we prepare seedbeds for planting can remove host vegetation and disrupt habitat but has varied effect on the life cycle of fall armyworms. As wheat planting progresses across Oklahoma, producers need to be vigilant—fall armyworms can quickly erode stand vigor and reduce grazing potential.

Identification: Adult moths span about 1½ inches. Males have dark gray, mottled wings with a pale diagonal stripe and a white tip spot; females are duller gray-brown. Eggs are laid in masses of 50–200 and covered with fuzzy scales. Mature larvae reach around 1½ inches long, with green, brown, or nearly black coloration, four small black spots per abdominal segment, and a distinctive pale, inverted “Y” on the head.

Life Cycle: These pests don’t overwinter in Oklahoma. They migrate north each summer from the Gulf Coast, Texas, or Mexico, typically arriving by late June. Generations overlap into October or November, with each female laying approximately 1,000 eggs—leading to rapid population growth (Royer et al., EPP-20-25; OSU Wheat Update, Oct 2024).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is delivering on its commitment to support child health and American agriculture by opening applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants. Through this grant opportunity, USDA will invest up to $18 million in farm to school projects that connect farmers to USDA’s child nutrition programs through local food procurement, agricultural education, school gardens, and more.

New this year, USDA reimagined the Farm to School Grant program, implementing several improvements, including streamlining the application, removing barriers to innovation, and emphasizing partnerships to give small family farms the best chance at success.

“At the MAHA Report announcement, alongside Secretary Kennedy, we announced one of the key actions USDA has already taken to contribute to making our children healthy again – Farm to School Grants. These initiatives are one of the best ways we can deliver nutritious, high-quality meals to children, while also strengthening local agriculture,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “These grants will open new doors for small family farms, expand access to healthy food in schools, and inspire the next generation of Great American Farmers. Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA is proud to streamline this program, so it works better for families, farmers, and communities across our nation. Putting America’s Farmers First starts with putting our children first.”

The U.S. sorghum market enters 2025/26 with a bigger crop, weaker domestic demand, and uncertain access to China. The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects U.S. sorghum production at 9.94 million metric tons (MMT), up nearly 14% from last year. At home, demand is wilting, with domestic use set to fall by almost a quarter. The market hinges on foreign demand, especially from China. 

China’s use is expected to jump nearly 50% in 2025/26 to over 11 MMT, and imports may approach 8 MMT (USDA-ERS, 2025). On a 2019-2023 quantity average, about 72% of China’s sorghum imports came from the United States (FAO, 2025). Yet, the U.S. export rebound is far from assured. In early 2025, following the U.S.-China trade dispute, Beijing imposed duties on U.S. sorghum and suspended firms on quality grounds. Shipments to China fell more than 95% in the first half of the year.

Australia and Argentina moved quickly to fill part of the gap, sending sorghum—including some cleared for baijiu (a Chinese liquor made from fermented sorghum)—into South China ports. For farmers across Texas and the Southern Plains, the result has been a fragile Gulf basis, highly sensitive to whether Chinese demand resumes or alternative buyers step in. Mexico remains steady; Spain is emerging, and Vietnam is showing interest. But no one matches Beijing’s scale. 

Checking the Markets...

Boxed beef was lower again on Wednesday, marking the fifth straight decline and down a combined $10.37 over that stretch. Choice cutout closed at $405.64, down $2.03 from Tuesday, while Select finished at $383.68, down $3.28. The Choice/Select spread sits at $21.96 on 136 loads.

OKC West had a total run of 7,130 on Tuesday and Wednesday- Compared to last week: Feeder steers 2.00-7.00 lower. Feeder heifers 2.00-7.00 lower except 600-700lbs 5.00 higher, online buyers were aggressive for 6 weight heifers. Feeder quality was plain to average. Steer and heifer calves 15.00-20.00 lower. The bulk of calf 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.

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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