In Texas, corn's condition in Texas has remained unchanged since last week, still rated at 79 percent good to excellent, 18 fair, and 3 poor to very poor. Cotton's condition in Texas is currently 58 percent good to excellent, 28 fair, and 14 poor to very poor. Sorghum condition in the state has remained unchanged since last week still rated 78 percent good to excellent, 18 percent fair and 4 percent poor to very poor.  Pasture and range conditions have improved this week, rated at 49 percent good to excellent statewide, 35 fair and 16 percent poor to very poor. To view the complete Texas Crop Progress and Condition Report, click here.

The USDA released the August 2017 Cattle on Feed report this past Friday. OSU Extension Livestock Market Economist Dr. Derrell Peel dedicated his article in the weekly Cow/Calf Corner newsletter to highlighting this report and analyzing the numbers in it.

"The August USDA Cattle on Feed report shows an August 1 feedlot inventory of 10.604 million head, 104.3 percent of last year. This is the largest August feedlot inventory since 2012. July marketings were 104.1 percent of one year ago and the largest since 2014. Placements in July were up 2.7 percent year over year, the largest since 2013. This report was close to pre-report expectations with placements slightly less than average expectations but within the range of estimates," writes Peel.

Although, these numbers are up year-over-year, Peel says they seem to be moderating from the previous four months of sharply higher placements.

Given the chain of catastrophic weather events as of late, Peel begs the seemingly appropriate question that some may have yet to consider - to what extent has drought contributed to the movement of cattle through feedlots? Peel suggests that drought conditions across cattle country have most likely forced the movement of cattle, citing USDA's calculation that there is approximately 12 percent of the US herd in drought-stricken areas currently. Added to that, some of these areas have been faced with wildfires as well.

"Lack of forage has led to significant destocking in the worst areas with cows culled or relocated to other regions," he writes.

And on top of everything else, now producers to the South are dealing with hurricane Harvey and what is said to potentially be the worst flooding event in US history.

"Torrential rains and massive flooding are impacting much of southern and eastern Texas and southern Louisiana," Peel reports. "In addition to a large human population, this region is home to a large number of beef cows. Upwards of a million or more cows in Texas and Louisiana will be impacted. Many unweaned calves are still on ranches at this time of year. Cattle losses are likely as deep water and widespread flood conditions are expected to persist for many days in some regions."

To read Dr. Peel's complete analysis of the latest USDA Cattle on Feed report and how extreme weather events are impacting the cattle industry, click here. To listen to Peel's initial reaction to the report when it was release last Friday, click or tap here, and hear his remarks included in Monday's Beef Buzz.

The Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association put on another great ranch rodeo over the weekend, at the 33rd Annual Range Round-Up. Twelve historic Oklahoma ranches competed this year for the top honors and this time - the team of cowboys from Buford Ranch, headquartered in Hominy, Okla. was named Champion, after earning the most total points, placing among the top three in the Team Branding and Team Penning events.

"We participate because we enjoy the comradery. I also love the opportunity to educate and entertain the general public by showcasing some real ranch activities," said Doug Branch, team member of the Buford Ranch team. "When you add in the fact that a large portion of the proceeds are given to charity, it makes the event very worthwhile."

The Buford team will now have the opportunity to compete during the Working Ranch Cowboy Association World Finals ranch rodeo coming up later this year in November.

Other honors were given last Saturday night as well. Robert Forst, representing the Stuart Ranch team, rode the horse that was selected for the Top Horse Award and the AQHA Top Horse Award. Robert was also recognized as the Top Hand. The Tuff Hand award went to Tyler Bode of Alfalfa Land and Cattle.


The biggest honor of the event, though, was shared by all those that participated and attended - which was supporting the meaningful cause behind the event.

According to a release from the OCA, "the Range Round-Up has affectionately been called, 'Cowboys Helping Kids'. 2017 is the 21st year that the selected charity has been the Children's Hospital Foundation and in that time, the OCA has donated more than $456,000.00.

"I have a family of my own and I can't imagine the tough times that many of those children and their families have been through," Branch said. "Meeting children who have reaped the benefits of the funds raised from OCA's Range Round-Up was humbling and meaningful."

For the complete results of the 2017 Range Round-Up, or to learn more about the event itself, check out the full release on our website - click here.

As the organization's longest running sponsor, the National FFA Organization wanted to thank the John Deere corporation for its 74 years of support.

This week, National FFA CEO Mark Poeschl and National FFA Foundation President Molly Ball visited John Deere to thank them in person.

As a platinum sponsor, John Deere has helped FFA prepare students for careers in agriculture, and to be leaders and advocates for the industry, for nearly three quarters of a century.

"We are so thankful for John Deere and their dealers' generous support of our mission and helping us grow our leaders and prepare them for career success," said Ball. "The scholarship program is just one way that Deere is ensuring a bright future for our FFA members as we diversify the pipeline of young people pursuing careers in agriculture."

Poeschl and Ball highlighted John Deere's most recent initiative in advocating for the education of rural youth, which came about five years ago, when the company partnered with FFA to sponsor a scholarship program.

This year, that program awarded 139 college scholarships to FFA members, valued at more than $278,000 to help them pursue careers in the ag industry.

Learn more about John Deere's commitment to our youth in agriculture and how National FFA is celebrating their relationship, by clicking here.

DuPont Crop Protection announced the release of a new herbicide called, EverpreX, formulated to help soybean producers manage weeds and resistance in their fields to protect yield and productivity.

DuPont's statement on the new product says EverpreX,  

"provides extended residual control of ALS-, PPO- and/or glyphosate resistant weeds, including waterhemp, Palmer amaranth and other pigweed species."

Intended to be used in tandem with glyphosate herbicides, such as DuPont™ Abundit® Edge - EverpreX delivers a more complete, consistent control of many ALS-, PPO- and glyphosate-resistant grass and broadleaf weeds.

According to the product release, it is compatible and easily mixed with many other soybean herbicides, and contains S-metolachlor for residual control via inhibition of shoot- and root-tissue growth soon after weed germination.

It can be applied up to 45 days prior to planting and as much as 90 days before harvest. The product can be incorporated into most any weed management plan, designed for use as an early preplant, preplant incorporated, pre-emergence or postemergence herbicide with recropping adaptability when rotating from soybeans to other crops.

Find out more about this new herbicide by DuPont, and learn how it could potentially help you on your operation. Just click here to continue reading about this innovation from DuPont's line of crop protection products.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers Monday announced a series of teleconferences regarding the repeal and revision of the Waters of the U.S. rule. Nine of the conferences will focus on a specific sector, including agriculture, conservation, small entities, construction and others. The teleconferences will run throughout the fall on Tuesdays beginning September 19, 2017. The teleconference for agriculture is scheduled for Tuesday, October 17, 2017.

Registration information can be found on the EPA website- click here to jump there. The EPA is following an executive order by President Donald Trump in repealing and replacing the WOTUS rule. Earlier this year, EPA administrator Scott Pruitt said the change would offer certainty for agriculture.