U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of the Army (Army) have completed a series of listening sessions to hear input from the public on the agencies’ revised definition of “waters of the United States,” or WOTUS. Public input is essential to the rulemaking process and these sessions provided an important opportunity for the …
Category: Ag News
Dec 22
Ben Hale Recaps Strong Year-End Cattle Markets for Western Livestock
Final livestock sales for 2025 wrapped up on a strong note across Western Livestock markets, according to Ben Hale. Looking first at the Oklahoma National Stockyards, Hale said receipts totaled about 8,500 head, up from 7,400 a year earlier. While some classes eased slightly, overall demand remained solid. “The feeders were higher, heifers were higher, …
Dec 22
Fire Weather Update: Anomalous Warmth and Dry Conditions Extend Fire Danger Across Oklahoma
Statewide Overview Oklahoma is facing a week of unseasonably warm temperatures and continued dry conditions. While meteorologists do not expect “critical” fire weather—characterized by extreme winds and low humidity—the underlying fire danger remains significant. The primary concern this week is the condition of the vegetation (fuels). A recent period of accelerated drying, combined with a …
Dec 22
John Bode Calls for Science-Based MAHA Policies
John Bode, president and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association, spoke with Oklahoma Farm Reports’ Maci Carter. Bode opened the discussion by outlining who he sees as the current “winners” and “losers” in the MAHA effort. He said the wins include recognizing “that obesity-based chronic disease is a real problem,” which helps policymakers target real …
Dec 22
Secretary Rollins Intervenes to Protect Potter Valley’s Water Supply
Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins filed a notice to intervene in the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project proceedings currently being considered by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This action will allow USDA to ensure that the interests of the National Forest Service, local farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers, communities, and other stakeholders are …
Dec 22
Chairman Thompson Applauds Confirmation of CFTC Chairman Mike Selig
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) issued the following statement after the United States Senate confirmed Mike Selig to serve as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission: “Congratulations to Mike Selig on his confirmation as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. His leadership comes at a transformative time for the Commission and for financial …
Dec 22
Farmer Focus: Passing the Gavel, Randy Mooney Reflects on His Time as NMPF Chairman
Randy Mooney saw the dairy industry weather economic swings, policy shifts, labor challenges, and an evolving consumer marketplace during his 17 years as NMPF chairman, he said in the latest NMPF Farmer Focus. He has seen farms adapt with new technology and cooperatives evolve how they serve their members, and he has witnessed the growing …
Dec 22
Drummond renews call for poultry litter settlement after court issues sweeping cleanup order
Attorney General Gentner Drummond today responded to a federal court judgment holding major poultry corporations responsible for phosphorus pollution in the Illinois River Watershed (IRW). The ruling requires Tyson, Cargill, George’s, Simmons and Cal-Maine to fund decades of cleanup and imposes strict restrictions on waste application practices. “This judgment has significant ramifications for the industry. …
Dec 22
Production vs. Pay Rate: Which Metric Actually Drives More Revenue for Broiler Growers?
Contract broiler growers must make business management decisions like any other farmer. However, the scope of those decisions is very different compared to farmers growing and marketing grain, for instance. Broiler growers raising birds on contract for integrated poultry companies have contractually limited abilities to implement production management changes, and since they essentially have one …
Dec 20
USDA’s Final 2025 Cattle on Feed Report Signals Tighter Supplies Ahead
In today’s Beef Buzz, Oklahoma Farm Report’s Ron Hays talked with Extension Livestock Market Economist Dr. Derrell Peel of Oklahoma State University on Friday afternoon- shortly after the release of the December Cattle on Feed Report. Dr. Peel sees this final 2025 USDA report on feedlot numbers as another indication of tightening U.S. cattle supplies. …
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