Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News

Friday, April 14, 2023




The 2023 Oklahoma City Farm Show Continues Friday and Saturday- Click Here for Details


Howdy Neighbors!

Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update. 

 

  • Visit Great Plains Kubota at the OKC Farm Show to Sign Up for Show Bucks


  • Nearly 50 Percent of Oklahoma Remains in Severe Drought Conditions in Latest Monitor


  • Introducing Matt McGuire of the Oologah FFA Chapter, Your 2023 Northwest Area Star in Agricultural Placement


  • Oklahoma Beef Passport Launches May 1


  • Drought Conditions in Over Half the State Brings Hard Times for Farmers and Ranchers


  • ‘Up And Down, Down And Up’: Input Costs Vary For Wheat Farmers As Pivotal Spring Season Arrives


  • Economic impact study shows livestock auctions are growing in importance for rural vitality



  • More Stories for Your Weekend Reading

Visit Great Plains Kubota at the OKC Farm Show to Sign Up for Show Bucks

At the 2023 Oklahoma City Farm Show, I visited with Reed Boettcher of Great Plains Kubota to talk about this year’s show and what Great Plains Kubota has to offer.


Great Plains is one of the lead exhibitors at this year’s farm show, and they are the sponsor of the “show bucks” daily giveaway.


“We have got everything from the turf equipment, the lawn mowers, utility vehicles all the way up to the big ag tractor- the Kubota M7, and even some hay equipment- some Vermeer and Kubota round balers to look at,” Boettcher said. “We pretty much brought, I would say, a little too much, but we have a bit of everything here.”


Great Plains Kubota has grown each year at the Oklahoma City Farm Show, Boettcher said, as they have had the chance to grow their space to better show their products to visitors. Over the years, Boettcher said Kubota has strategically expanded their equipment line with the use of new technologies.


The signup for Oklahoma Farm Show “show bucks” is located at the Great Plains Kubota booth.

“You have got to come see our booth if you want a chance to win that thousand dollars at 1 o’clock,” Boettcher said. “It is right in the heart of our booth.”


The Show Bucks drawing will happen both Friday and Saturday at 1 PM sharp.


The 2023 Oklahoma City Farm features over 300 exhibitors offering a variety of goods and services for all sizes of farms and ranches.


It is happening at the Bennett Event Center on the OKC Fairgrounds 9 to 5 on Friday and 9 to 4 on Saturday- Admission and Parking are free.

Click here to read more and listen to Ron and  Reed Boettcher of Kubota at the OKC Farm Show
Sponsor Spotlight



The Oklahoma Agriculture Mediation Program knows this is a hard time for farmers and ranchers. We want you to know we are still open, and we are still here for you. The Ag Mediation program is a free service that provides mediation to agriculture producers who may need help with ag-related disputes.


At Oklahoma Ag Mediation, we have been helping people in agriculture resolve conflicts since 1987. We know firsthand about working together to resolve conflicts, so you don’t have to go through the court systems. Let our professional mediators help you. Mediation is allowed for lease issues, farmer/neighbor disputes, family farm transitions, and more. These services are available at no cost for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers in all 77 counties. For more information, you can go to ok.gov/mediation, or give us a call at 800 248 5465.

Nearly 50 Percent of Oklahoma Remains in Severe Drought Conditions in Latest Monitor

According to the latest Oklahoma Drought Monitor, exceptional drought has increased over one percentage point from last week, now at 16.53 percent (last week was at 15.27 percent).


Extreme drought or worse has also increased from last week, and is now at 39 percent, up from last week’s 37.9 percent.


Severe drought or worse is unchanged from last week at 48.59 percent.


Moderate drought or worse is virtually unchanged- moving from last week’s 53.65 percent to this week’s 53.68 percent.


Abnormally dry or worse conditions have moved down slightly from last week’s 60.3 percent to this week’s 59.7 percent.


According to the 6-10-day precipitation outlook map, the majority of the state, aside from the western edge of the panhandle, is leaning above a 33 to 40 percent chance of precipitation through April 22. The western edge of the panhandle stands at a “near normal” chance of precipitation through April 22.


To view Oklahoma's drought numbers for this week, click the Oklahoma drought map above the story.

Click here to read a national drought summary and access this week's graphs and charts

Introducing Matt McGuire of the Oologah FFA Chapter, Your 2023 Northwest Area Star in Agricultural Placement

During the month of April, the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and Oklahoma Farm Report are spotlighting the 17 Area Stars of Oklahoma FFA that are among the highest achievers in the organization.


The stars come from the five areas in four categories- Star in Ag Placement, Star in Agriscience, Star in Agribusiness, and Star in Agricultural Production.


One Star Finalist featured in the coming days from each of the categories will be named the State Star Award Winner during the 97th Oklahoma State FFA Convention coming up on May 2nd and 3rd in Tulsa, Okla.


This week, our coverage of the 2023 Oklahoma FFA Star Award Finalists continues with Ag Placement competitor Matt McGuire of the Oologah FFA chapter representing the Northwest Area.


McGuire said his project involved custom hay services for his employer, Mr. Smith. Due to the drought, McGuire said there was plenty of business.


“Mr. Smith already has a customer base built up from previous years he has done hay,” McGuire said. “We definitely got a lot more new customers looking for hay and people reaching out, and we had hay that was sold before we could even get it baled up and put on the ground.”


Following high school graduation, McGuire plans to attend a five-year school to pursue a career in commercial plumbing with Shoemaker Commercial Industries. McGuire said he also plans to continue helping Mr. Smith on the hay production side.

Click here to read more and listen to KC Sheperd talk with Matt McGuire ahead of the 2023 Oklahoma FFA Convention in Tulsa.
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For our farmers who have either- always have had cotton on their farms- or those who have more recently have added the fiber crop to their operations- we have a daily report heard on several of our Radio Stations- It's Called Cotton Talk!

Click on the Button below to listen to our most recent report
Click here for our Latest Cotton Talk- Hosted by KC Sheperd

Sponsor Spotlight


Midwest Farm Shows invites you to join them today through Saturday for the 2023 Oklahoma City Farm Show!


Over three hundred exhibitors have all the latest in agriculture with a full line of displays, including tractor, sprayer, tillage, harvest equipment, cattle management products, and more.


Exciting events at this year’s show:


  • Free Coffee & Rolls each morning!
  • Daily $1,000 “SHOWBUCKS” drawing ~ Sponsored by Great Plains Kubota
  • Ride and Drive Spartan Mower giveaway ~Sponsored by Spartan Mowers
  • OSU Extension Seminars — Thursday and Friday at 1:30pm
  • Live Music by Rusty Rierson!


Admission and parking for the event at the OKC Fairgrounds is free!

 

To learn more about the Oklahoma City Farm Show, click here



Oklahoma Beef Passport Launches May 1

The Oklahoma Beef Council wants to reward you for eating beef at Oklahoma restaurants this summer. Sign up for the Oklahoma Beef Passport, eat beef at local restaurants, earn points to win prizes – it’s just that simple.


To get your all-digital Oklahoma Beef Passport, go to oklabeef.org/passport. In the passport you’ll be able to see all the 35+ participating Oklahoma restaurants. Visit these restaurants between May 1 and September 30 and you’ll earn points. You can use those points as entries for three great prize packages.



  1. Pit Boss Sportsman 820 Wood Pellet Grill + $250 Cusack Meats beef gift card.
  2. YETI cooler (Tundra 45, tan) + $150 Cusack Meats beef gift card.
  3. Webber 2 pc grill set, grilling hot pads, digital stainless steel meat thermometer, and $100 Cusack Meats beef gift card.


Some of the restaurants signed up are Florence’s in Oklahoma City, Eskimo Joe’s in Stillwater, and Lucille’s Roadhouse in Weatherford. We’re adding restaurants all the time and there are participating restaurants across Oklahoma.


Any entrée containing beef will count toward your Oklahoma Beef Passport points. So, you can enjoy a steak, hamburger or barbecue beef brisket.

“We are excited to have Oklahoman’s join us for the Oklahoma Beef Passport in supporting Oklahoma restaurants and enjoying wonderful beef meals,” said Heather Buckmaster, OBC executive director.


We invite you to listen to us on great radio stations across the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network weekdays-

if you missed this morning's Farm News - or you are in an area where you can't hear it- click below for this morning's Farm news from Ron Hays and KC Sheperd on RON.
Listen to our Friday morning farm and ranch news with KC Sheperd
Subscribe To the Daily Email

Sponsor Spotlight



National Livestock was founded in 1932 in Oklahoma City. National’s Marketing Division offers cattle for sale weekly at the Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City. The Finance Division lends money to ranchers across several states for cattle production. The Grazing Division works with producers to place cattle for grazing on wheat or grass pastures. 



National also owns and operates other livestock marketing subsidiaries including Southern Oklahoma Livestock Auction in Ada, Oklahoma, OKC West Livestock Market in El Reno, Oklahoma, and the nation’s premier livestock video sale, Superior Livestock Auction. National offers customers many services custom made for today’s producer. To learn more, click here for the website or call the Oklahoma City office at 1-800-310-0220.

Drought Conditions in Over Half the State Brings Hard Times for Farmers and Ranchers

Forty percent of Oklahoma is out of the drought zone, while another seven to eight percent are in the abnormally dry range. Over half of the state is still suffering from significant drought.


In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am featuring comments from the vice president of operations at Farm Data Services, Clay Burtrum, about his experience with handling the drought in the short and long term.


Burtrum farms and ranches within the territory that is under significant drought conditions. A big issue Burtrum is dealing with, he said, is adjusting for the lack of water availability.


“If you look at the Mesonet- less than a quarter inch of rain in over 60 days right there in Payne County,” Burtrum said. “I farm in Payne, Pawnee, and Noble. I haven’t had significant rainfall in over 60 days.”


One way Burtrum has adjusted his property to utilize rainfall for long-term relief includes cleaning out ponds.


“I used the drought commission money as it was commissioned to us to do,” Burtrum said. “We have done those programs with the conservation commission, but now you look here we are in the middle of April- no significant rains to fill the ponds.”

Click here to read more and listen to Clay Burtrum talk about drought conditions in Oklahoma.

‘Up And Down, Down And Up’: Input Costs Vary For Wheat Farmers As Pivotal Spring Season Arrives

Farmers who spent the past year staring at charts and graphs that gauge costs and returns would certainly by now be quite familiar with the sensation of vertigo.


Up and down, down and up.


The proper term is “volatility,” and for those who make a living growing wheat and other crops, it can affect decisions made in spring – a time when farmers typically spend a lot of money on the front end of one crop while also waiting for the rear end on another.


USW Vice Chairman Michael Peters, who grows hard red winter (HRW) wheat in Oklahoma, is the farmer who put the “mixed bag” label on his current inputs situation.


He has bigger problems with moisture, or lack thereof.

His farm being located on the Southern Plains, Peters has an added challenge he and other Oklahomans share with fellow producers in northern Texas, most of western Kansas and portions of Nebraska and Colorado.


“The problem for my area is the lack of rainfall,” he said. “Our winter wheat crop is looking a little tough at this point.”


According to USDA, approximately 51% of U.S. winter wheat is produced in an area currently experiencing drought, down from 69% as the year began.

Click here to read more about factors impacting this year's wheat crop

Economic impact study shows livestock auctions are growing in importance for rural vitality

A 2023 economic impact study, which updated a study from 2017, found that livestock auction markets continue to be important for the growth and vitality of rural communities. The study of an average, fixed-facility livestock auction market revealed that the market provides approximately $2 million in total value-added dollars to its local community. This result is up from $1 million identified in the 2017 Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) Economic Impact Report.  


The case livestock auction market, located in a rural Missouri town with a population of less than 5,000, sells all classes of cattle in a weekly sale. The auction market was selected as a representative example of LMA member-livestock auctions based on type of operation, gross sales of livestock, rural location of market and population of city. LMA represents 85% of the livestock auction markets in the United States, with cattle being the largest per-head species sold through livestock auction markets annually (32 million head, per 2020 USDA P&S Annual Report data). 


Key findings also revealed that the market studied provides 17 jobs, generating $888,000 in labor income to the community’s economy. Additionally, the market contributes $447,000 in local taxes and $108,000 in federal taxes. Of the total value-added number, contributions were also made by the on-site café, which further provides labor income, state, local and federal taxes.  


“Livestock auction markets today remain critical to helping our rural communities continue to thrive,” said Kristen Parman, LMA Vice President of Membership Services. They generate a competitive sale environment which results in cash for local livestock producers. That cash equals dollars spent in town and investments back into their businesses and operations.” 

More Stories for Your Weekend Reading

OSU researchers help sustain long-time gigging tradition
Tracking Federal Milk Marketing Order Policy Developments
Genetic Testing Identifies Potential Growth Performance of Finishing Steers
CAB Insider: Regional Winter Performance in Carcass Weights
2023 Cattlemen’s Conference – Blueprint For The Future
OKFB to host annual food matching program
New Podcast Episode Up at the Southern Plains Perspective- Clay Pope Talks With Gary McManus
NACD Leads Letter Supporting Conservation Programs and Technical Assistance in Federal Spending Bill
Certified Angus Beef- Connecting the Culinarian and the Rancher
OSU and OCA to Host Fed Cattle Field Day April 27th in Stillwater
Let's Check The Markets!
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.
Today's First Look:
Ron on RON Markets as heard on K101  
mornings with cash and futures reviewed- includes where the Cash Cattle market stands, the latest Feeder Cattle Markets Etc.
Hear Today's First Look

Wholesale Boxed Beef Prices were higher- Choice Beef was up $1.94 and Select Beef was up $1.57 on Thursday 04/13/2023.


Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News

Boxed Beef Report

Weekly Cattle Auction Reports


The buttons below allow you to check out the weekly Cattle Auctions in the region that we post on our website and here in our daily email update.



Oklahoma National Stockyards Market Report from 4/3/2023
Oklahoma National Stockyards Cow and Bull Market from Tuesday 04/11/2023
Tulsa Auction Report from Monday 04/10/2023
Joplin Regional Stockyards Market from Monday 04/10/2023
OKC West in El Reno Market Report from 04/11 and 04/12/2023
Woodward Livestock Market from Thursday April 13, 2023.
Each afternoon we are posting a recap of that day's markets as analyzed by Justin Lewis of KIS futuresclick below for the latest update on the Livestock and Grain Futures Trade..
Click Here to Listen to Justin's Commentary From 04/13/2023
Okla Cash Grain:  
Daily Oklahoma Cash Grain Prices- as reported by the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture- The report available after the close of the Futures Trade for that day.
Read  Cash Grains Report from 04/13/2023
Our Daily Market Wrapup from the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network - analyzing the Futures Markets for that trading day- as reported by KC Sheperd.
Click to Listen to Our Weekday Wrap with KC
Slaughter Cattle Recap: 
The National Daily Slaughter Cattle Summary- as prepared by the USDA Market News
Read Report
TCFA Feedlot Recap:  
Finally, here is the Daily Volume and Price Summary from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
Read Report
Our Oklahoma Farm Report Team!!!!
 
Ron Hays, Senior Farm/Ranch Broadcaster and Editor
 
KC Sheperd, Farm Director and Editor

Dave Lanning, Markets and Production

Reagan Calk, Farm News and Email Editor

Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager

Rural Oklahoma is full of some of the greatest success stories throughout the entire state and is a big reason why Oklahoma is on track to become a top 10 state. 


The Road to Rural Prosperity dives into these stories, bringing you stories covering rural life, agriculture, energy, healthcare, tourism, and politics affecting rural America. 


The Road to Rural Prosperity is here to tell stories about rural America, for rural America.

Since the legalization of Medical Marijuana in Oklahoma with State Question 788- criminals have flocked to the state to set up illegal grow houses because of cheap permits, cheap land and lax rules allowing them to get into the business of growing marijuana in Oklahoma- supposedly for the in state Medical Marijuana market.


Ron Hays talks with Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics spokesman Mark Woodward about how these enterprises have invaded Oklahoma- the magnitude of the current problem and how the state is pushing back on thousands of bad people who have set up shop in the state- with the hope to reduce the number of these operations dramatically in the days to come. It's a huge problem all across rural Oklahoma but Woodward believes progress is being made to reign in these illegal marijuana farms.


Search for Road to Rural Prosperity and subscribe on your favorite Podcast platform.


To hear this podcast, you can click here or tap below:

Listen to Episode 85 with Ron Hays talking Criminals in Oklahoma Growing Marijuana with Mark Woodward of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics
Listen to Ron
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We invite you to check out our website at the link below too that includes an archive of these daily emails, audio reports and top farm news story links from around the globe.
Head to Our Website OklahomaFarmReport.Com
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Radio Oklahoma Ag Network

405-443-5717

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Radio Oklahoma Ag Network

405.473.6144
Email Ron