Howdy Neighbors!

Screwworm Threat Demands Producer Vigilance: OSU Entomologist Dr. Justin Talley Outlines Livestock Risks, Biosecurity Protocols

With nearly 100 cases confirmed since June, the pressure from New World screwworm populations continues to build along the southern border. Farm Director KC Sheperd recently sat down with Oklahoma State University Entomology Professor Dr. Justin Talley to examine the pest’s current spread, its destructive life cycle, and the critical management steps livestock producers must take.

“When it comes down to this pest, you know, we think we can get it under control and there’s some natural life cycles that we get past, but really what’s happening is this pest is going to be continually pressuring the U.S. because of the population in Mexico,” Dr. Talley explained.

“Until we get that population in Mexico reduced, it’s always going to threaten.” Recent spikes in activity have raised red flags across the Southwest. “The new cases in Arizona and New Mexico, it’s popping up more frequently in the last two weeks, mainly because we have that pressure from Mexico and some other entities,” Dr. Talley noted.

A decade after brilliant yellow canola fields were a common sight across Oklahoma between 2013 and 2015, the oilseed is poised for a major resurgence. In a recent interview, Farm Director KC Sheperd sat down with canola specialist John Fenderson—who retired from Bayer in 2023 before returning to help steer the crop’s regional revival—to explore the emerging era of what agronomists are calling “Canola 2.0.”

According to Fenderson, modern canola production is far removed from the early iterations that frustrated growers years ago.

Bolstered by advances in genetics and surging biofuel demand, canola is emerging as a powerful rotational partner for winter wheat. The renewed momentum behind canola is heavily backed by national energy transitions. While genetic improvements over the past 25 years have laid the foundation, market drivers are pushing the crop back into the spotlight.

Senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Specialist Dr. David Lalman about reducing hay waste and proper hay storage. Lalman will be among the presenters at OSU’s Livestock and Range Field Day on November 5 at the university’s Range Cow Research Facility near Orlando, Oklahoma.

One of Lalman’s topics will focus on reducing hay waste through different feeding methods and feeder designs. OSU will demonstrate several types of hay feeders during the field day, giving producers a chance to see how different options can affect the amount of hay cattle waste.

Lalman said the most important consideration is choosing a feeder that keeps cattle from pulling hay out or allowing it to blow away. “Really, the main thing is just to use a style of feeder that minimizes the amount of hay that can either blow out or be drug out by the cows when they’re consuming it,” Lalman said.

For Whom the Drought Tolls: Extreme Heat, Drought Impact Quail Survey Numbers

By Tell Judkins, Wildlife Biologist: Over thirty-five years ago, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) began conducting roadside surveys to monitor quail numbers across the state.

In August and October, 81 routes of 20 miles in length are surveyed in all counties except Oklahoma and Tulsa, which are excluded due to urbanization.

With few observations in general, these roadside surveys can have a wide degree of variability, but the consistency of the survey methodology over time allows us to interpret the information on a historical scale. These surveys give us an index of bird numbers, not an actual census.

Oklahoma farmers face important ARC and PLC enrollment decisions this fall as USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) works through a delayed enrollment process for the 2026 crop year and opens the window for 2027 elections.

With new reference prices, updated base acres and more information available about this year’s harvest and grain markets, producers have several factors to consider before choosing between the two programs.

Dr. Amy Hagerman, associate professor at Oklahoma State University, spoke with Oklahoma Farm Report associate farm reporter Carli Davenport about what farmers need to know before making their ARC and PLC elections, how the programs differ and which deadlines producers should keep in mind.

More than 1 million Oklahoma voters cast their ballots on November 3 in the 2026 General Election. However, the total votes cast and turnout percentage for the 2026 General Election were down compared to the last two gubernatorial elections in 2022 and 2018.

While the high turnout for early voting this year created optimism that participation numbers might exceed previous years, unfortunately, this did not equate to a high voter turnout overall.

We are grateful for the voters who exercised their right to vote and appreciate the thousands of poll workers and election officials who worked hard to ensure that this election was free and fair.

The Arabian Horse Association is celebrating a remarkable stretch of progress. In just six months, the Association has carried the story of the Arabian horse well beyond the traditional show ring, brought a bolder and more proactive voice to its national events, and launched seven priorities built to serve members, welcome newcomers and inspire the next generation of riders. And this is only the beginning.

The Arabian Horse Association is showing the world what Arabian owners have always known: the Arabian is a versatile, athletic and accessible partner for today’s horse lovers.

The Association’s messaging now pairs the breed’s celebrated heritage with its performance and modern relevance, spotlighting endurance, sport horse, dressage, hunter, western and recreational riding alongside the show ring. Families, young riders and newcomers are starting to see pathways in, supported by mentorship and education.

Oklahoma State University Agriculture will host a Weed Research & Technology Plot Tour on Nov. 12. Oklahoma wheat producers are invited to come learn about wheat weed science research after fall planting.

Producers will have the opportunity to view various seed treatments, seed safeners, fall-applied herbicide treatments, and cultural weed control strategies for robust crop establishment and to reduce weed pressures.

Registration is free. For more information, visit the Field Days website or email Liberty Galvin at lbgalvin@okstate.edu.

Checking the Markets...

Bids were offered throughout the day in Kansas at $218, but no new trade developed following Tuesday's light business. On Tuesday Northern dressed cattle were traded in Nebraska at $340, but not enough cattle have traded to say that any sort of a trend has developed yet for the week.

Boxed beef prices closed lower: choice down $2.73 ($362.50) and select down $1.72 ($356.65) with a movement of 114 loads.

It was a disappointing day as well for the feeder cattle complex as the market not only closed lower, but the spot January contract fell below the 100-day moving average. November feeders closed $2.50 lower at $332.02, January feeders closed $2.65 lower at $325.72 and March feeders closed $3.12 lower at $320.85. 

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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