Howdy Neighbors!

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced major updates to federal crop insurance, reducing red tape for farmers, modernizing long-standing policies, and expanding access to critical risk protection beginning with the 2026 crop year. The Expanding Access to Risk Protection (EARP) Final Rule streamlines requirements across multiple crops, responds to producer feedback, and strengthens USDA’s commitment to putting America’s farmers first.

“President Trump is cutting burdensome regulations and strengthening the farm safety net to ensure the future viability of American agriculture. Across the Trump Administration, we are removing burdensome regulations that were strangling small businesses.

For every new regulation, President Trump has eliminated a remarkable 48 – lifting a weighted blanket from the American economy,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “With this new rule, we are delivering real, meaningful relief by modernizing the system, expanding access to crop insurance, and making it easier, not harder, for farmers and ranchers to protect their operations and keep doing the work that keeps America fueled and fed. We are continuing to put Farmers First every step of the way.”

Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Stacy Simunek released the following statement after USDA’s Dec. 5, 2025, announcement of changes and refinements to numerous federal crop insurance programs for the 2026 crop year with the Expanding Access to Risk Protection Final Rule.

“Oklahoma Farm Bureau members are tremendously appreciative of the Trump administration’s streamlining of federal crop insurance programs to help our state’s farmers and ranchers access, comply with and participate in federal crop insurance and risk management programs.

“Our state’s agricultural producers have faced drought and disasters over the past several years that have decreased crop yields and negatively impacted farm income, which has highlighted the importance of agricultural safety nets including federal risk management programs."

The United Sorghum Checkoff Program is currently experiencing a wave of positive developments, driven by celebrity investment, new food applications, and the crop’s inherent resilience. Norma Ritz Johnson, Executive Director of the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, recently shared the details with Farm Director KC Sheperd.

The Novak Djokovic Effect and New Premium Markets: Johnson confirmed that a key source of excitement is the market for Pop Sorghum, a snack she called “the dentist’s favorite” because, unlike popcorn, “there is no kernel left.” This product recently gained global attention thanks to a major investment from a legendary figure.

“There is a company called Cobb Foods that is very active in processing the Pop Sorghum,” Johnson said. “They have a legendary tennis player on the global level, Novak Djokovic, who recently became a major investor in that company.” Djokovic is a strong proponent of the crop, crediting sorghum for his health and his successful return to tennis.

Senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Dr. Cheryl DeVuyst, vice chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion Board and head of agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University’s Ferguson College of Agriculture. DeVuyst, who also operates a cow-calf operation near Morrison with her husband, says her commitment to serving on the CBB comes from a lifelong connection to the cattle industry.

“The beef industry is so important in the state of Oklahoma… and the producers across the country deserve what we can do for them to build demand for their product,” she says, adding, “I grew up on a dairy farm, so I have been in the cattle industry really my whole life.” DeVuyst says she’s especially passionate about education, noting the checkoff’s growing emphasis on providing accurate, science-based information to young people.

She highlights work with the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, which brings urban science educators onto farms and ranches. “There’s so much misinformation out there,” she explains. “We want them to have the truth… not information that might be biased.” By giving teachers firsthand knowledge in areas like genetics, methane, and sustainability, she says students learn that beef is nutritious, environmentally beneficial, and produced by “upcyclers.”

US Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), along with Representatives Tom Cole (R-OK), Frank Lucas (R-OK), Kevin Hern (R-OK), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), and Josh Brecheen (R-OK), sent a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Director Mehemet Oz urging approval of the state’s Rural Health Transformation application, which outlines targeted steps to improve access, outcomes, and long-term sustainability for rural providers.

The Working Families Tax Cuts Act created the Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion program intended to fund initiatives in each state that will increase access to and the sustainability of health care in rural America. States will begin to receive funds in 2026.

the letter begins as follows: As some of the authors of the Rural Health Transformation fund, we are pleased to write this letter in support of the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s (OSDH) application for the Rural Health Transformation Program. This program presents a generational investment into rural health care that seeks to promote innovation, strategic partnerships, infrastructure development, and workforce initiatives across our rural communities. 

As the new year begins, the Angus Foundation invites the Angus family to “Join Us in January” for a month filled with opportunities to give back, celebrate Angus and invest in the future of the breed. January kicks off with opportunities to support the Angus Foundation through several offerings available in conjunction with the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City, and the National Western Stock Show in Denver. The month is set to inspire another year of generous support for the Foundation’s mission of education, youth and research in 2026.

A special feature to the January events is the sale of Angus Foundation “Fund the Future” donated lots. The Fund the Future program allows breeders to donate proceeds from a designated sale lot to the Angus Fund, which provides unrestricted dollars to support the breed. 

Fund the Future Lots will be featured in the Bases Loaded Sale, held January 6 at Heritage Place in Oklahoma City; the Denim and Diamonds sale held on January 7; and your last chance to help fund the future will come in the Angus at the Congress sale held on January 8 at 4:00 p.m.  

Intern Karleigh Erramouspe spoke with Brian Schrock, the territory manager of Ag Direct, who explained that fluctuating commodity prices and profit margins are causing producers to focus heavily on managing cash flow. He stated, “Customers are honestly trying to manage cash flow as much as possible, with possibly current debt, but taking on new debt to buy equipment.”

With the rising cost of new machinery, producers are increasingly looking at “used equipment through auction channels, private party channels, as well as their dealers, to try to find good quality used equipment to meet their needs as they grow.” Regarding trends in farm equipment, Schrock highlighted that dealer liquidations through auctions have been prominent over the past 12 to 18 months.

“Dealers are trying to clean up their inventory, take it to auction, liquidate it to reduce their operating costs,” he said. He also noted that producers are exploring refinancing opportunities to improve cash flow, and that leasing—both for new and late-model used equipment—offers “a lower cost of entry with a lower initial payment up front” compared to traditional loans.

American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) recently concluded its 80th annual fall speech contest at Oklahoma State University. The contest, which maintains a central agricultural theme, saw nearly 500 students compete at the district level, with over 160 finalists advancing to the state level. Top competitors in categories like Agricultural Policy, Agribusiness, and Natural Resources received cash awards.

AFR/OFU

Novice: 1st: Haddie Roller, Cashion; 2nd Cricket Collins, Frederick; and 3rd Mack Schnaithman, Garber

Junior: 1st: Jaime Parson, Valliant; 2nd Claira Stafford, Altus; and 3rd Molly Murphy, Silo

Intermediate: 1st: Jalyn Lundry, Haworth; 2nd Sutton Brown, Jenks; and 3rd Maggie Carroll, Cashion

Senior: 1st: Taylor Rose, Springer; 2nd Shaylee Davis, Silo; and 3rd Zoe Linhares, Broken Arrow

Agriscience

Junior: 1st: Kamon Fisher, Seiling; 2nd Kreed Campbell, Jet; and 3rd Lacey Grimes, Fletcher

Intermediate: 1st: Rylan Compston, Mooreland; 2nd Lincoln Stafford, Altus; and 3rd Ella Murray, Edmond

Senior: 1st: Claire Myers, Lomega; 2nd Denver McBride, Silo; and 3rd Bailey Johnson, Jenks

Checking the Markets...

The livestock complex rallied throughout the day as all three of the livestock markets closed higher Friday afternoon. From Friday to Friday, livestock futures scored the following changes: December live cattle up $11.58, February live cattle up $9.30; January feeder cattle up $15.08, March feeder cattle up $15.45.

Boxed beef prices closed lower: choice down $1.52 ($361.20) and select down $2.93 ($347.39), with a movement of 152 loads

MONDAY'S CATTLE CALL: Steady to somewhat higher. The Packers are likely tight on supply, and prices could trade higher again next week.

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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