Howdy Neighbors!

It's time for the friday farm funny!! Farming and ranching can be stressful, so enjoy a little laugh!

The Tulsa Night of Champions did not disappoint, featuring great kids and great animals.

The Tulsa Night of Champions started with the Market Barrow Show, with Payten Kienholz of the Tonkowa FFA Named Market Barrow Champion, winning her a $10,000 Check!Reserve Grand with a $7,500 prize went to Alivia Brumley with her Dark Cross from the Chickasha FFA Chapter.

Next up was the Market Meat Goat Grand Drive, where Maudie Peach, out of Division 3 took the Grand Champion Title with her from the Mooreland FFA Chapter.

The Final Crowning was the Grand Champion Market Steer Drive. Grand Champion Market Steer went to Mulhall-Orlando’s Denver McKay with his Cross Steer, winning a $25,000 Check.

Reserve Grand Champion went to Sapulpa FFA’s Finley Yocham with her Cross, as well as winning a $20,000 Check for her hard work.

According to the latest Oklahoma Drought Monitor report, Moderate Drought conditions were slightly higher this week versus last- 4.86% vs 3.23%. The Moderate drought numbers are much smaller than the 61.31% seen at this time a year ago. Abnormally Dry or worse conditions have increased to more than the one third coverage of the state at 35.92% versus 27.88% last week.

According to the 6-to-10-day precipitation outlook map, the panhandle and a small portion of northwestern Oklahoma are leaning above 40-50% chance of rain, central Oklahoma is leaning above 33-40% chance of rain, and southeastern Oklahoma is expecting near normal conditions.

In the southern plains, Like most other regions this week, the South was warmer than normal for late September, with temperature anomalies mostly checking in 2-6 degrees above normal. Rainfall amounts across the region varied widely. More isolated 1-2 inch rain amounts fell in central Texas and southeast Oklahoma. Recent drier and warmer weather led to some local expansion of abnormal dryness and short-term moderate drought in central Oklahoma. 

Governor Kevin Stitt has appointed Lindel Fields as the new State Superintendent, following the official resignation of Ryan Walters on Tuesday.  The governor made the announcement Thursday afternoon at Eisenhower International School in Tulsa. It was reported earlier this week that Fields, who was a retired Career Tech administrator, would take over as Oklahoma state superintendent. During his introductory news conference, Fields said his top three priorities are reading proficiency, teacher recruitment and retention, and creating career pathways.

Fields has worked in the education sector in Oklahoma for more than three decades, most recently serving as the CEO of Your Culture Coach. He is currently based in Tulsa.Fields studied at Oklahoma State University from 1991 to 1996, graduating with a B.S. in Trade and Industrial Teacher Education. He went on to further his education at Southern Nazarene University, getting his M.A. in Education Leadership from 1997 to 1999.

Lindel began “Your Culture Coach” in May 2021 and currently serves as the CEO. The company’s website states their mission is “transforming education,” and their vision is “We elevate leaders and transform cultures to recruit and retain passionate and loyal team members through world-class training.” Fields served as the CEO and Superintendent of Tri-County Tech, a public-sector educational institution from July 2009 to May 2021.  Fields will serve the remainder of Walters’ term as State Superintendent. 

Governor Kevin Stitt has appointed Lindel Fields as the new State Superintendent, following the official resignation of Ryan Walters on Tuesday. The governor made the announcement Thursday afternoon at Eisenhower International School in Tulsa. It was reported earlier this week that Fields, who was a retired Career Tech administrator, would take over as Oklahoma state superintendent. Read more here.

Pro Tem Paxton Comments on Appointment of Lindel Fields as State Superintendent

Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, today applauded Governor Kevin Stitt’s appointment of Lindel Fields as Oklahoma’s next State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Fields retired in 2021 after a distinguished 30-year career as a CareerTech administrator, most recently serving as superintendent and CEO of Tri County Tech in Bartlesville. Under his leadership, Tri County Tech expanded significantly and became a national model for excellence in career training. “Lindel Fields has dedicated his life to education, workforce development, and ensuring Oklahomans have the skills they need to succeed,” Pro Tem Paxton said.

House Speaker Comments on Changes at State Department of Education House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, today issued the following statement in response to changes announced regarding the State Department of Education: “Superintendent Fields will bring a wealth of administrative and education experience to the Department of Education and I look forward to working with him, Secretary of Education Dan Hamlin and their team as we seek to use data-driven research and measurable results to guide decision-making and strengthen education across our state for all students.“

Senior Farm and Ranch Director Ron Hays shares insights from Dr. Rosslyn Biggs of Oklahoma State University. Dr. Biggs, who serves as Director of the Center for Rural Veterinary Medicine and as a beef cattle extension veterinary specialist, recently discussed the serious threat of the New World screwworm on the Angus at Work podcast. She cautioned, “We need to be very concerned.” Biggs explained that the parasite isn’t actually a worm, but a fly that deposits its eggs in open wounds or mucous membranes.

Dr. Biggs described the unique danger of the pest: “These New World screwworm flies will lay their eggs in an opening as small as a tick bite.” As the eggs mature into maggots, they feed on live tissue. “It’s effectively eating that animal alive,” she said, noting that untreated infestations can lead to an animal’s death within two weeks. During calving season especially, she added, the screw worm could “drastically change how we operate in so many ways.”

Looking back at past eradication success, Dr. Biggs highlighted the use of sterile insect technology. “What’s unique about female New World screwworms is that they only mate once,” she explained. “So if we’re able to sterilize the male flies… once that female mates, if she mates with a sterile fly, then that’s the end of the life cycle.” This method, historically used in Panama, helped push the pest out of the United States and Mexico.

The Schantz Family Farm Field Day is scheduled for October 9th, and it will be held in a way that honors the legacy of Merlin Schantz. As Farm Director KC Sheperd recalls, Merlin would call her every year to talk about the “awesomeness of this field day,” and the event will continue his tradition of providing valuable information to producers in the region.

The field day will begin at 7:30 a.m. with registration, coffee, and donuts, followed by a bus tour starting at 8:15 a.m. Aaron Schantz said that people can “just show up” and are welcome to take the school bus tour or drive their own vehicles.

The tour will feature three stops, highlighting key research and management strategies for cotton, peanuts, and soybeans. The first stop will be a cotton variety trial that includes an examination of “non Roundup cotton” and features OSU Cotton Specialist Jenny Dudak. Next, attendees will visit a peanut location for a USDA peanut variety trial and The final stop will be at the farm to discuss soybeans. 

In recognition of October as National Pork Month, a time of year to recognize the significant contributions of pork production, Zoetis is proud to celebrate everyday heroes who embody a passion for farming and a commitment to the industry’s future. This year, through its Champions of Care initiative, Zoetis is honoring individuals who exemplify everything that is good about the pork industry.

“A pig farm is only as healthy as its animals. It’s the people who make the difference,” said Wes Lack, National Sales Director, Zoetis Pork. “Every day, we see the spirit of caregiving by those who put their passion into practice. It speaks to everything that is right about American agriculture and what Champions of Care highlights.”

One such champion is Jim Coakley, swine herd manager at Oklahoma State University’s Swine Education and Research Center. Coakley is not only responsible for overseeing animal care of the school’s swine farm unit, but he is also nurturing the next generation of leaders. His story is the focus of a new Champions of Care video that highlights how hands-on education and mentorship are creating opportunities to attract students to agricultural careers.

Chain Ranch Red Dirt Roundup Cattle Sale

The Chain Ranch Red Dirt Roundup is set for Saturday, October 4 at the Chain Ranch in Canton, Oklahoma. This year’s offering features 1,200 head of cattle. The sale order and video catalog are now available online. For questions about the sale or to discuss bidding options, please call (405) 669-1435 or visit Chain Ranches website.

Express Ranches Fall Bull Sale

Join Express Ranches on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in Yukon, Oklahoma, for their Fall Bull Sale. The event will feature 235 Angus bulls, 21 Hereford bulls, and 350 commercial Angus spring-bred females. Attend the auction in person at the ranch or you can participate via Live Ag or Live Auctions.TV. View the sale book here and find more details on their website at Express Ranches.

Checking the Markets...

As we hit the end of the week-  DTN reports bids were offered throughout the day, but no new sales were reported following the light business that developed on Wednesday. On Wednesday, some light trade was noted at $360, which is $5.00 lower than last week's weighted average. Asking prices are noted in the South at $237 to $240 and in the North at $363 plus. 

On Thursday, Choice boxed beef closed at $363.22, down $5.25 from Wednesday’s $368.47, while Select fell to $343.40, down $3.49 from $346.89. The Choice/Select spread narrowed to $19.82 compared to $21.58 the previous day, with 132 loads reported versus 151 on Wednesday.

Woodward had 1,630 head of cattle on Thursday- Compared to last week: Limited comparison of feeder cattle. Few feeder steers under 800 lbs sold 5.00 lower; over 800 lbs 6.00-8.00 higher. Feeder heifers under 700 lbs steady to 3.00 lower; over 700 lbs 4.00-8.00 higher. Demand moderate to good for feeder cattle. Steer calves sold steady to lower in a light test. Heifer calves 4.00-8.00 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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