Howdy Neighbors!

The fall armyworm is a perennial and persistent pest, consistently invading Oklahoma from the Gulf Coast states starting in early summer. In a conversation with Farm Director KC Sheperd, Kelly Seuhs, an entomologist at Oklahoma State University (OSU), confirmed that armyworms are a problem “almost a problem. I feel like every year” and advised producers to be proactively scouting, particularly in late summer and early fall, when the pests transition from unnoticed larvae into destructive, rapidly feeding pests.

Armyworms are a nearly annual problem, with activity levels varying depending on weather patterns and jet streams. While they can infest various crops, this year Seuhs noted a significant focus on grasses.

“A lot of what I’ve been hearing personally is from the grasses pastures and even homeowner lawn situations,” he said, noting that they had been “bombarded with a lot of calls and a lot of activity with hay producers in the southern part of the state.”

Oklahoma State University (OSU) has filled a key role in its agricultural economics division with the hiring of Dr. Todd Hubbs, who steps into the role of Small Grains Specialist, succeeding the influential Dr. Kim Anderson.

In an interview with Farm Director KC Sheperd at the Rural Economic Outlook Conference, Dr. Hubbs discussed his background, his new duties, and the current challenges facing the grain markets.

From USDA to OSU: A Career in Crop Outlook Dr. Hubbs brings extensive experience in agricultural market analysis to his new position. Before coming to OSU, he served as the senior outlook economist for the Economic Research Service (ERS) at the USDA, where he worked on the crucial WASDE (World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates) committees, focusing on wheat, feed grains, and oil seeds. Prior to his federal role, he was the crop outlook specialist at the University of Illinois.

This beef buzz features comments from Beef Cattle Specialist Dr. David Lalman of Oklahoma State University, who recently discussed cow size, genetics, and management decisions for today’s cow-calf producers during the OSU Field Day with Oklahoma Farm Report’s Carli Davenport.

Lalman explained that cow size remains a key factor in determining profitability for operations with limited grazing land. “There’s a strong genetic correlation for yearling weight growth and carcass weight and mature cow size,” Lalman said. “And so if you have a restricted land base, you know, the bigger your cows are, the fewer cows you can run if you’re going to put the same grazing pressure on your land.” Fewer cows mean fewer calves to sell, which can “probably” lower overall profitability for weaning-based systems.

Dr. Lalman emphasized that while larger cows can produce heavier calves, they also require more feed resources. “There’s also a strong correlation between mature cow size and forage intake,” he explained. This relationship makes balancing growth potential with resource availability essential for producers. Managing that tradeoff, Lalman said, is “why it’s important” to consider cow size carefully when making breeding and selection decisions.

If Congress passed legislation that allowed for year-round, nationwide access to fuels with 15% ethanol blends, corn use in ethanol could increase by 50% at full implementation, supporting a higher market price for corn and energy stability for Americans, according to a new analysis released by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).

“Congress could address the economic crisis affecting corn growers by passing legislation that would make higher blends of ethanol readily accessible to all Americans,” said NCGA President Jed Bower. “We urge Congress to act now to make that happen.”

NCGA has spent months calling on Congress to pass the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025, which would eliminate an outdated regulation that prevents the sale of fuel with 15% ethanol blends, referred to as E15. The organization has highlighted research showing that year-round access to E15 helps farmers and rural communities while bolstering U.S. energy security and saving consumers money at the pump.

Dr. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, says Boxed beef cutout values peaked at Labor Day and fell through September. On a daily basis, the Choice boxed beef cutout peaked on September 3 at $416.01/cwt. and bottomed one month later on October 3 at $362.27/cwt. before stabilizing. Fall is when beef demand transitions from a grilling focus to cool-weather crock pot cooking and back-to-school restaurant traffic.    

Beef tenderloin, after being relatively weak in 2024 and early 2025, has increased sharply in the third quarter. Tenderloins are typically strong in the fall and winter as restaurant traffic increases, with a bump in May for Mother’s Day. Wholesale ribeye was strong going into summer and again in the fall in anticipation of restaurant holiday Prime Rib demand. Strip loins were very strong in the first half of the year, then dropped sharply mid-summer before stabilizing the last few weeks. Top sirloin, popular for summer grilling, peaked mid-summer and has declined seasonally through the third quarter of the year. All of these wholesale values are well above year-ago levels. 

Chuck and round products have more diverse demands compared to steak items. Though not as popular during summer grilling, chuck and round products may be demanded for value retail cuts, at-home slow-cooking, exports, or for grinding. Very strong prices for lean trimmings this year have pulled more round products into ground beef markets this year. Summer ground beef demand has likely peaked seasonally but tight lean supplies will keep ground beef prices elevated. Brisket values have decreased from an early fall peak but remain popular year-around.

Associate Farm Reporter Carli Davenport spoke with OSU Extension Weed Specialist Liberty Galvin, who discussed how drones are creating new opportunities in modern agriculture, both for livestock and crop production. She explained that “drones are a technological opportunity for us to expand our agricultural operations”, noting that producers in Oklahoma are using them to “scout fence lines and monitor their cattle.”

As a weed scientist, Galvin emphasized her focus on pesticide use and said drones provide “a great opportunity to expand our spraying capabilities, because drones don’t touch the soil.” This allows producers to apply products “when the soil is wet or over tall crops, giving them a little bit more flexibility.”

A point of concern in her research is droplet size and drift during aerial spraying. Galvin explained that “the EPA and the U.S. government have been really cracking down on drift recently,” and that drift potential depends largely on droplet size. She warned that “any droplet size that is less than 150 microns has high potential for drift,” whether applied from a ground rig or a drone.

 National FFA Organization is one of six national organizations to receive a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. These grants are being awarded through the latest round of Lilly Endowment’s initiative, Character Development Through Youth Programs, which helps youth-serving organizations with a nationwide reach create, test, implement and sustain strategies that support character development in young people ages 5 to 18. This grant will enable National FFA to expand its current efforts of character development to regional and local levels that will benefit states, teachers and students.

“We’re deeply honored to receive this support from Lilly Endowment,” said Ambra Tennery, director of educational programs in the program and events division of the National FFA Organization. “Every day, across all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, our members are learning not just about agriculture, but about responsibility, integrity, and service. This grant reinforces the value of those lessons and helps us continue building future leaders who make a difference in their communities.”



These organizations have long histories of supporting young people and helping them grow into healthy, resilient adults,” said Ted Maple, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for education and youth programs. “With their distinctive missions and programs, they are embarking on new creative and strategic approaches to support youth in developing character traits that will enhance their prospects in life and help them develop into responsible citizens who will have a positive impact on the lives of others.”

Each October, approximately one-fifth of CLO agricultural lease lands are appraised and offered at public auction for farming, grazing, and recreational use. Revenue generated from these auctions supports Oklahoma schools, contributing over 88 million dollars in the past five years.

Tracts which go unleased at public auction are offered on a first come, first served basis through the end of the year. Remaining unleased tracts are offered through a sealed bid auction the following year.

Tuesday October 14th- the auction will take place at the Elk City Convention Center in Elk City Oklahoma. The auction will begin at 10am and will feature leases from Beckham, Caddo, Custer, Kiowa, Roger Mills, and Washita Counties.

Checking the Markets...

Choice Boxed beef prices started the week lower on Monday, with the Choice cutout at $363.91, down $1.66, and Select at $349.75, up $3.36. The Choice/Select spread narrowed to $14.16, compared to $19.18 on Friday. Total loads increased to 173, up from 124.

The Monday Oklahoma National Stockyard sale saw 5,500 head sell- Compared to last week: Feeder steers 10.00-20.00 higher. Feeder heifers 5.00-15.00 higher. Steer and heifer calves 20.00-30.00 higher, heifer calves up to 40.00 higher. Demand extremely good for all classes including weaned or un-weaned calves. Cattle futures continue to make strong gains. The October Feeder contract has jumped just over 21.00 since the low on October 2nd.

Joplin Regional had 8,397 cattle on Monday- Compared to last week feeder steers sold 5.00-20.00 higher with feeder heifers selling 10.00-30.00 higher. Supply was heavy with very good demand. Bidding was extremely active online and in person. 

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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