Mar 03
On Tuesday evening the House Ag Committee, under the leadership of Chairman GT Thompson of Pennsylvania, began the work of marking up the “Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026” which has also been dubbed as Farm Bill 2.0. Many key provisions of farm policy in the US were addressed last summer- including reference …
Mar 03
This evening, the House Committee on Agriculture began consideration of H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.Congressman Frank D. Lucas delivered opening remarks speaking in support of the legislation.Having passed four Farm Bills during his tenure in Congress – including the 2014 Farm Bill as Chair of the Committee – Congressman …
Mar 03
Michael Langemeier and Joana Colussi, Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture Farmer sentiment improved in February as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer (AEB) Index rose from 113 points in January to 116 (see Figure 1). The Current Conditions Index increased by 11 points, while the Future Expectations Index dropped 1 point (see Figure 2). The Future Expectations Index this month was 45 points …
Mar 03
At the OACD state meeting, Farm Director KC Sheperd visited with Caleb Stone of the Natural Resources Conservation Service to discuss the Regenerative Pilot Program and what it means for Oklahoma producers. Stone explained that while the program is new as a pilot, it operates within existing conservation frameworks. “It’s a pilot that operates within …
Mar 03
On Tuesdays, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays visits with Ben Hale of Western Livestock Auctions as he talks about the latest in the markets and more. Established in 1995, Western has grown into a multi-generational family-owned and operated business and stands as a symbol of tradition, excellence, and a deep-rooted passion for the …
Mar 03
Bill Clark of Roff has been selected as the recipient of the Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award®. The $10,000 award honors farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land. Clark, the owner of Rising Sun Ranch from Pontotoc County, was …
Mar 02
Farm Director KC Sheperd recently sat down with Brad Kosanke and Scott Eisenhauer of P&K Equipment to discuss the latest in agricultural technology and workforce development initiatives aimed at supporting producers and the next generation of technicians. Enhancing Producer Autonomy with Service Pro John Deere has introduced Operations Center Service Pro, a subscription-based tool designed …
Mar 02
The climatological winter of 2025–2026 has officially entered the record books as the warmest in Oklahoma history, leaving a trail of intensified drought and devastating wildfires in its wake. As the state transitions into March, State Climatologist Gary McManus suggests the current Oklahoma Weather week could serve as a “make-or-break” turning point for the parched …
Mar 02
Barry Squires, a longtime producer and board member, recently sat down with Carli Davenport, associate farm reporter, to discuss his agricultural background, the value of cooperatives, and the challenges farmers face today. Squires is affiliated with Farmers Co‑Op Mill & Elevator and also serves on the board of the AFR, bringing both on-the-ground and leadership …
Feb 27
At the 2026 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the rollout of the “One Farmer, One File” initiative. This modernization effort aims to replace the Department’s fractured IT infrastructure with a single, streamlined digital record that follows producers across all agency systems. The initiative addresses decades of redundant processes. Rollins …
