Apr 06
Prior to the border closing in November 2024, U.S. imports of Mexican cattle had averaged 1.18 million head annually in the previous decade (Figure 1) and 1.12 million head per year in the previous 35 years. Mexican cattle imports equaled 3.4 percent of the total U.S. calf crop from 2015-2024 and 3.1 percent since 1990. …
Apr 06
A you-pick berry farm experience in Oklahoma provides consumers with a direct connection to local agriculture, and Pati Colston says her operation, Agape House Berry Farm, is designed to offer both fresh fruit and on-farm engagement during the summer season. Speaking with associate farm reporter Carli Davenport, Colston outlined what visitors can expect at her …
Apr 06
In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Michael Kelsey, who says the clock is ticking fast for cattle industry priorities as the Oklahoma legislative session nears its end. A Shortened Timeline at the Capitol With a state budget already agreed to, Kelsey says lawmakers could wrap up the session …
Apr 06
On October 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that introduced several modifications in the determination of adverse effect wage rates (AEWRs) applicable to H-2A workers hired by U.S. farmers. The new methodology departs from relying on wage data from the Farm Labor Survey (FLS) and will instead set …
Apr 06
Today, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN-02) released the following statement regarding President Trump’s budget request for fiscal year 2027, which cuts the U.S. Department of Agriculture budget by $5 billion (19 percent). “Now more than ever, farmers need our support. Their markets have been decimated by President Trump’s tariffs, and in turn, raided by our competitors. The president’s war in Iran has driven fertilizer costs sky-high, making inputs even more expensive than their historical highs. At this critical time, rather than invest in farm country and rural America, the president has decided to gut key programs critical to the growth and success of family farmers. This budget is just another signal …
Apr 06
The fed cattle market has traded in a steady range around $235/cwt. live and $372/cwt. dressed in the past two weeks, roughly $10/cwt. lower than the late February high on a live basis. The post-report adjustment to the harvested head count two weeks ago pulled that week’s total to a paltry 503,000 head. Last week’s …
Apr 06
The office of Congressman Josh Brecheen is still accepting submissions for the Congressional Art Competition. Each spring, Members of the House of Representatives host a nationwide high school art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent across our nation. The theme for this year’s completion is “Celebrating 250 years of America.” Students’ artwork and accompanying …
Apr 05
A double shot of rainfall since the start of the month resulted in the southeastern half of the state seeing lots of two inch rainfall totals the first four days of April. According to Oklahoma Mesonet data, Pontotoc and Hughes Counties in east central Oklahoma had the highest rainfall totals from the early April rains- …
Apr 03
February exports of U.S. pork were slightly higher year-over-year, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). While beef exports trended lower, due in large part to continued lack of access to China, shipments of beef variety meat posted another strong increase. February was a robust month for …
Apr 03
A recent amendment to the federal Farm Bill is drawing attention from sportsmen and canine organizations over its potential impact on traditional dog training and performance events. The provision, originally part of the Greyhound Protection Act (H.R. 5017), was added to the House version of the Farm Bill during committee markups. While the primary intent …
