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Crop Progress: Oklahoma Wheat Planting Reaches 37%, Pasture and Range Conditions Improve Slightly

In the latest Crop Progress report from USDA, the U.S. Corn Crop is rated 56% Good to Excellent this week, equal to 56% a week ago. Corn harvested stands at 44%. Soybeans harvested stands at 64%. The U.S. Cotton Crop is rated 35% good to excellent this week versus 34% a week ago. Cotton harvested stands at 41%. For the U.S. Grain Sorghum crop, the latest good to excellent ratings are 26%, equal to last week’s 26%. Sorghum harvested stands at 46%.

Winter Wheat planting now stands at 63%, compared to 51% one week ago. In Oklahoma, wheat planting now stands at 37% compared to 28% a week ago. Texas wheat planting is now at 64% compared to 54% one week ago. Kansas is now at 60% planted compared to 44% one week ago.

In the southern plains, Oklahoma pasture and range conditions are now ranked 13% good to excellent, versus 9% last week. Poor to very poor ratings are now at 56%, versus 66% a week ago. Kansas good to excellent conditions are ranked at 35% compared to 33% last week. Poor to very poor conditions are ranked 30% this week compared to 32% last week. Texas good to excellent conditions are ranked 18% this week compared to 16% last week. Poor to very poor conditions are ranked 48% this week compared to 52% a week ago.

Oklahoma FFA state officer Annie Schneider is preparing to represent Oklahoma at the 2026 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she will serve as a delegate and compete in the national extemporaneous public speaking contest.

Schneider, a member of the Seiling FFA chapter, spoke with Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays about her responsibilities as a state officer, her experience in public speaking and the role FFA plays in developing agricultural leaders.

Schneider is serving as the Oklahoma FFA Northwest Area Vice President and will travel to the national convention with other members of the state officer team. “I’m currently serving as Oklahoma FFA Northwest Area Vice President, so I get to go up there with the association, with some of my teammates, be a delegate,” Schneider said. Our coverage of the 2026 National FFA Convention is powered by Hilliary Communications, Always Innovating, Because Every Community Matters

Thousands of attendees filled historic Stockyards City this past Saturday, October 17, for the annual Stockyards Stampede, a daylong celebration showcasing Oklahoma’s rich Western heritage and vibrant agricultural community.

A focal point of the day was Oklahoma’s Best Beef Competition, where beef producers from across the state put their top cuts to the test, allowing attendees to purchase wristbands, sample delicious local beef, and vote for the winners, with proceeds directly benefiting the Oklahoma CattleWomen before the afternoon awards ceremony.

Oklahoma beef producers showcased their products at Oklahoma’s Best Beef Competition in Oklahoma City’s historic Stockyards City, where Whiskey Creek Cattle and Processing claimed first place, Anderson Family Ranch finished second, and Piguet’s Prime Time earned third place along with the People’s Choice Award.

Global Beef Trade Update

In a recent cow calf corner article Dr. Derrell Peel writes: The most recent USDA Livestock and Poultry: World Markets and Trade report shows that beef production among major world producers for 2027 is projected at 60.031 million metric tons, down fractionally from 2026 and down 3.7 percent from the peak in 2025.

 Among major beef producing countries, production is down in Brazil, the U.S., China, the European Union, Australia, Russia and South Africa. Beef production is projected to increase in 2027 in India, Argentina, Mexico and Canada.

Total global beef exports have been mostly steady since 2025 with 2027 projected to be fractionally lower than 2026 at 13.885 million metric tons. This follows a relatively steady increase in the previous decade prior to 2025.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency is delivering approximately $ 307 million farm safety net and conservation program payments to Oklahoma farmers, ranchers and landowners.

USDA recently announced nationwide historic safety net assistance totaling $13.8 billion in gross payments through the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for the 2025 crop year and an additional $1.8 billion in Conservation Reserve Program annual payments for 2026.

“These dollars help producers and landowners in our state cover operating expenses, purchase supplies and equipment, and do business with local companies, creating a positive economic ripple effect throughout our rural communities,” said Eddie Fields, State Executive Director in Oklahoma. “It’s a tremendous investment in Oklahoma agriculture and, collectively, in American agriculture.”

Agricultural producers across the region are tracking a massive climate driver dominating the southern tier: a powerful, historic El Niño pattern sitting across the equatorial Pacific.

According to State Climatologist Gary McManus, the unusually warm ocean waters extend hundreds of feet below the surface, supplying sustained energy that will influence Southern Plains weather straight through next spring.

For agricultural producers, the near-term setup brings pleasant conditions following significant precipitation events. A massive rainfall event recently dropped heavy moisture across west-central and central areas, providing critical relief to soil moisture levels without requiring extra moisture support from Tropical Storm Simon, which dissipated over the Pacific.

Ever bitten into an unripe persimmon? That mouth-puckering surprise is one you won’t forget! The American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is well suited to Oklahoma and offers more than just sweet fall fruit. Its glossy leaves and bright orange fruit add beauty to the landscape, while providing food for birds and other wildlife.

Thinking about planting a persimmon tree? Keep these tips in mind: Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil and plenty of room to grow. Water young trees regularly while their roots establish, and mulch to conserve moisture. Some varieties need a nearby pollen source to produce fruit, so check with your nursery before buying. Asian persimmons generally produce larger fruit but are less cold-hardy than American varieties.

The secret to enjoying persimmons? Patience! American persimmons need to become fully soft before eating. Their orange color alone doesn’t mean they’re ripe, and contrary to popular belief, they don’t need a frost to become sweet. As the fruit ripens naturally, the tannins responsible for that puckering sensation decrease.

Monday evening brought a bit of disappointment for Oklahoma FFA past State President Cooper Kline as he was not a part of the 22 National Officer candidates that were selected to proceed into Phase 2 of the National Officer process While that dream ends- Cooper remains in the hunt to hear his name called Friday night during the American Stars presentation- in the American Star Farmer category.

Tuesday will see more of the Oklahoma contingent arrive in downtown Indianapolis for the 2026 National FFA Convention. Oklahoma once again will be one of the leading states in the entire country to chase after high honors in both the Proficiency Awards and the National Agriscience Fair. When you combine the finalists in those two areas together- Oklahoma has the second most finalists of any state- only behind Ohio who has 54 total finalists- Oklahoma has 51- we are ahead of Texas who claims 48.

Eight Oklahoma Chapters are in the hunt for Model of Excellence and Premier Chapter honors. Those chapters include Madill, Navajo amd Newkirk Chapters in the Model of Excellence category. In the Premier Chapter Building Communities category- Haileyville, Sroud and Weatherford are in the hunt for a national championship while in the Premier Chapter- Strengthening Ag category- Adair and Stroud FFA are both chasing national honors this week.

Checking the Markets...

With the hopeful anticipation that fed cash cattle prices will trade at least steady if not a tick higher later this week when trade develops -- traders showed good support and good faith toward the live cattle complex and kept most of the contracts higher through Monday's close. October live cattle closed $0.05 lower at $227.50, December live cattle closed $0.32 lower at $228.02 and February live cattle closed $0.05 higher at $230.92. 

Boxed beef prices closed mixed: choice down $0.73 ($371.58) and select up $6.86 ($359.91) with a movement of 104 loads.

And upon seeing the live cattle contracts keep with their higher trend throughout the day, the feeder cattle complex couldn't bear the idea of not following suit and seeing its contracts trade higher as well. October feeders closed $0.80 higher at $344.42, November feeders closed $2.02 higher at $343.92 and January feeders closed $1.65 higher at $339.92. 

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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