Howdy Neighbors!

Its time for the friday farm funny!! Farming and ranching can be stressful so enjoy a little laugh!!

Dry conditions continue to affect a majority of Oklahoma, with nearly 60% of the state (59.20%) currently experiencing drought conditions ranging from Abnormally Dry (D0) to Extreme Drought (D3). While the most severe category, Exceptional Drought (D4), remains at statewide and unchanged from the start of the calendar year, the overall widespread dryness persists. Severe Drought (D2) areas are concentrated in parts of central and southern Oklahoma, impacting portions of counties including Jefferson, Choctaw, and Stephens.

The most intense condition, covering and unchanged since the previous week. These areas continue to linger in southern Oklahoma, with the extreme drought areas focused on and stretching between portions of counties such as Kiowa, Stephens, and Seminole. The lack of change highlights that the drought gripping the southern counties has not diminished in severity despite recent weather events.

Unfortunately, short-term relief appears unlikely, as the indications show below-normal chances across the entire state through mid-December. Southern Oklahoma faces the greatest deficit, with a 50-60% chance of below-normal precipitation through December 13th, while northern Oklahoma is leaning toward a 40-50% chance. This forecast suggests that producers and communities in the affected southern counties will face ongoing dry conditions in the immediate future.

Following the Thanksgiving holiday, agricultural markets have been characterized by narrow movement and sustained pressure on prices. In a conversation with Farm Director KC Sheperd, Dr. Todd Hubbs, Oklahoma State University Crop Marketing Specialist, detailed the factors keeping prices flat and offered strategic advice for producers looking to make sales in 2024.

Hubbs noted that post-holiday trading has been contained, reflecting an overall quiet environment despite global headlines. “Relatively narrow band of movement across most ag markets,” Hubbs said. “Not a lot of info, you know, narrow bands for the most part as we’re settling in“.

Looking ahead to the upcoming monthly WASDE report, Hubbs is “not expecting much change” for domestic crops, as final production figures will not be released until January. The real global influence comes from South America. Hubbs noted that the Brazilian soybean crop is currently setting up to be a “huge one”. While weather patterns associated with La Niña tend to bring dryness to southern areas of Argentina and Brazil, Hubbs advised that there is currently “no reason to fade those crops”.

Senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Mike Jennings, regional sales manager for SmartLic, who explains why fall and early winter mark one of the most critical windows of the year for cattle nutrition. Jennings says the season brings “a sharp decline in forage quality,” just as cows enter late gestation and their nutritional needs climb.

He emphasizes that once forage goes dormant, “the protein as well as the mineral content goes down and will no longer supply the daily needs of the animal without supplementation,” making tools like SmartLic or Feed in a Drum protein tubs valuable for maintaining body condition. Jennings stresses that protein is especially vital in this period, calling it “one of the most limiting nutrients” and the primary fuel for rumen microbes.

He explains that protein provides the nitrogen needed for microbial growth so cattle can “efficiently digest the fiber in their diet,” which is particularly important when grazing “low-quality standing or fed forages.” By maintaining healthy rumen activity, producers help cattle unlock more of the energy still present in dormant forage.

Noble Research Institute (Noble), a trusted educational resource for farmers and ranchers since 1945, has launched its newest course designed to help orchardists and viticulturists transition to regenerative land management. Noble Orchard Essentials, a comprehensive 3-day in-person program, equips participants with practical tools and regenerative knowledge to enhance soil vitality, strengthen tree and vine health and boost both yield quality and whole-system profitability.

The inaugural offering of Noble Orchard Essentials will be hosted at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, on March 17-19, 2026. Registration for the first two 2026 Noble Orchard Essentials dates and locations is now open, including March 17-19, 2026, in Stephenville, Texas. May 12-14, 2026, in Modesto, California

“Orchardists and viticulturists are seeking practical, research-based guidance to improve their operations,” said Charlie Graham, Ph.D., senior regenerative ranching advisor at Noble Research Institute. “Noble Orchard Essentials gives growers proven regenerative principles that enhance soil vitality, reduce reliance on expensive inputs and build long-term resilience — all while maintaining or increasing profitability.”

Imagine a future where every young Angus breeder steps into the industry equipped with knowledge, leadership skills and purpose. A future where research helps cattlemen overcome challenges; where education and opportunity are never out of reach.

That future is being built today, thanks to the generosity of Angus breeders and supporters who believe in the power of giving back. Through the Fund the Future campaign, the Angus Foundation is turning vision into reality.

Through annual production sales, consignment lots, bull sales or private treaty offerings, breeders are stepping up to support the Fund the Future campaign, which provides unrestricted dollars to power scholarships, leadership development and research efforts that support the beef industry, all in support of the Angus Foundation’s mission.

Farm Report intern Karleigh Erramouspe spoke with International Fresh Produce Association Vice President Mollie Van Lieu, who began by explaining the Association’s role. She describes the group as “a trade association representing the full fresh produce supply chain,” covering “fruit and vegetable and fresh-cut floral growers all the way to retailers and food service.”

Her comments frame the organization as one that works across every step of the produce industry, from farms to consumer-facing businesses. She then gives an overview of the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movement, noting its origins and political context.

Van Lieu explains that “the principles of it were started by now Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.” and that after he exited the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Donald Trump, the movement “really became part of the Trump agenda, about ending chronic disease and medical freedom.” This sets the stage for how MAHA intersects with nutrition p

The current state of the fertilizer market is one of daily fluctuation and global complexity, according to Veronica Nigh, Chief Economist for The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), who spoke with Farm Director KC Sheperd.

Addressing the mixed reports of rising and falling fertilizer prices, Nigh offered a characteristic explanation: “Well, you know, I’m going to give you a typical economist answer. There’s a lot of supply and demand fundamentals that are changing every day.” She noted that this volatility, which feels like “the name of the game… for the last several years,” is heavily influenced by factors outside the farm gate.

For the upcoming spring season, there’s a positive element on the supply side, largely due to recent US policy. Nigh highlighted a significant move by the administration: "The President decided to remove tariffs, those IEEPA tariffs on finished fertilizer products, and that’s really going to help some of those imports on fertilizers really return to some normal flows, which helps because 35% of all fertilizer supply in the US is imported."

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement has made U.S. corn growers more globally competitive and should be extended for 16 years, according to testimony today from the president of the National Corn Growers Association before U.S. trade officials.

“The United States exports nearly five and a half billion dollars’ worth of corn to Mexico,” said Ohio farmer and NCGA President Jeff Bower. “This is about 40 percent of total corn exports. And, the United States exports almost one and a half billion dollars’ worth of ethanol to Canada, which is 35 percent of ethanol exports. The strength of these export markets is all because of the USMCA.”

Bower’s testimony was delivered to officials in the Office of the United States Trade Representative, which is the executive agency responsible for developing and promoting U.S. trade policies.

Checking the Markets...

The live cattle complex enjoyed a day of mostly widespread support as, not only did the futures contracts continue to scale higher through Thursday's close, but the stronger presence of the futures market helped start some positive business in this week's fed cash cattle market too. December live cattle closed $2.50 higher at $221.45, February live cattle closed $2.10 higher at $224.00 and April live cattle closed $1.77 higher at $225.17.

January feeders closed $4.72 higher at $336.57, March feeders closed $3.92 higher at $329.72 and April feeders closed $3.42 higher at $328.60. At Clovis Livestock Auction in Clovis, New Mexico, compared to their last sale two weeks ago, steer calves weighing 300 to 350 pounds sold steady; steers weighing 350 to 600 pounds traded $11.00 to $35.00 higher; yearling steers weighing 600 to 700 pounds sold $6.00 to $15.00 higher.

Click here for our Markets Page on OklahomaFarmReport.Com- there you will find our latest reports on cattle auctions, boxed beef, cash grains and market analysis.

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