May 11
NRCS Chief Aubrey Bettencourt recently visited Oklahoma to witness the state’s ongoing conservation efforts and engage with over 900 youth participants at a national land judging contest. Farm director KC Sheperd was on hand with Bettencourt who described the state as the “birthplace of the service,” Bettencourt emphasized that the agency’s primary mission is to …
May 11
As the 2026 cotton planting season approaches, Oklahoma producers are closely monitoring environmental conditions to ensure a successful start. Farm Director KC Sheperd recently spoke with Oklahoma State University (OSU) Cotton Extension Specialist Jenny Dudak to discuss the critical factors farmers should consider before putting seed in the ground. Monitoring Soil and Air Temperatures The …
May 08
The National Land and Range Judging Contest is far more than a simple academic competition; it is a cornerstone for the future of global food security and environmental stewardship. As Farm Director, KC Sheperd discussed with Larry Wright, the event’s longtime leader, the contest represents a lifelong commitment to the protection of natural resources. For …
May 08
In a recent discussion at The Fertilizer Institute, Farm Director KC Sheperd sat down with Chris Glen to discuss the current landscape of the fertilizer industry. As the spring planting season approaches, the conversation focused on the industry’s efforts to ensure growers have the crop nutrients they need to maintain the nation’s food and fuel …
May 08
As the 100th State FFA Convention gathered students, advisors, and supporters from across Oklahoma, one familiar face returned home wearing the national blue and gold jacket at the highest level. National FFA Organization President Trey Myers joined senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays to reflect on the whirlwind journey that has taken him around …
May 07
The agricultural commodities market is currently facing significant downward pressure, as highlighted by OSU Crop Marketing Specialist Todd Hubbs in a recent conversation with Farm Director KC Sheperd. This agricultural market outlook reveals a landscape of “red” in the futures markets, driven largely by geopolitical developments and shifting investor sentiment. Hubbs noted that proposed administrative …
May 07
The 2026 weather outlook and its profound impact on American agriculture took center stage at the NAFB Washington Watch event, where USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey detailed the transition from neutral conditions to a strengthening El Niño pattern. Rippey, who serves as the managing editor of the Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, provided a comprehensive review …
May 07
Farmers often focus on weather, markets, and equipment, but every season truly begins long before planting—with the seed itself. That foundational role is exactly what leaders in the seed industry say deserves more attention as innovation, regulation, and global trade continue to shape the future of agriculture. A Legacy Rooted in Innovation Speaking with Oklahoma …
May 07
To view the latest Oklahoma drought map, CLICK HERE. Oklahoma’s drought story continues to move in two very different directions, with southeastern parts of the state seeing gradual improvement while western Oklahoma slips deeper into extreme drought. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows more than 80 percent of the state remains in drought, with extreme drought …
May 07
Coy Davidson (front center), member of the Elgin FFA Chapter, will lead the nearly 31,000 members of the Oklahoma FFA Association for 2026-2027. Members elected the 19-year-old to his presidential position during the 100th Oklahoma FFA Convention on May 6. An agricultural economics major at Oklahoma State University, Davidson previously served as the 2025-2026 Oklahoma …
