Feb 23
Call for Support: Oklahoma Volunteer Fire Departments As the fire season continues amid wildfires across Oklahoma, Oklahoma’s Volunteer Fire Departments (VFDs) are facing significant funding and supply shortages. These departments are the primary defense for rural communities, yet many operate with outdated gear and limited budgets. Here’s how to help: Community members can support these …
Feb 23
The agricultural financial sector is currently navigating a period of normalization, following several years of record-high cash flows and historic liquidity. Jackson Takach, Chief Economist at Farmer Mac, provided a deep dive into the credit quality and lending trends shaping the industry during his presentation at the 2026 USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum and Why Farmland …
Feb 20
Oklahoma farmers and ranchers are facing a wide range of urgent challenges, from wildfire devastation to uncertainty surrounding farm policy, as former House Ag Committee Chair and current senior member of the House Ag Committee Congressman Frank Lucas joined Ron Hays for an in-depth conversation on the Oklahoma Farm Report. Lucas opened by addressing the …
Feb 20
In a landmark 6-3 decision issued Friday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the administration overstepped its constitutional authority by unilaterally imposing sweeping global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The ruling, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, effectively dismantles the “reciprocal” tariff framework established in 2025, which had placed duties …
Feb 19
Farm Bureau leaders are gearing up for a critical stretch at the Oklahoma Capitol, with a renewed focus on grassroots engagement and policy advocacy as the legislative session ramps up. Speaking at the recent leadership conference, Stacy Simunek, president of Oklahoma Farm Bureau, emphasized to Ron Hays that the timing is right to prepare members …
Feb 19
To view the latest Oklahoma drought map, CLICK HERE. Oklahoma continues to face dry conditions, with the latest Drought Monitor showing nearly three-quarters of Oklahoma affected by moderate to extreme drought, unchanged from last week. While extreme drought has eased slightly to just over 9 percent of the state, large areas remain dry, and the 6-to-10-day …
Feb 18
In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays talked recently at CattleCon26 with Sigrid Johannes, Senior Director of Government Affairs For NCBA, about the growing concern surrounding New World screwworm and what government and industry are doing to keep it out of the United States. Johannes says that even in winter, the …
Feb 18
Oklahoma Wildfires Burn 150,000+ Acres; Gary McManus Warns of New Red Flag Danger The wildfire crisis in Oklahoma has reached a critical threshold, with state officials and meteorologists sounding the alarm as the destruction mounts. According to Oklahoma State Climatologist Gary McManus, the toll is staggering: over 150,000 acres have already been consumed, resulting in …
Feb 18
As Oklahoma livestock groups unite to take a more proactive role in shaping the conversation around food, Kylee Deniz with the Oklahoma Pork Council joins senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau leadership conference to discuss the launch of the new All For Food coalition, an effort that brings multiple …
Feb 17
Oklahoma State Representative David Hardin joined Ron Hays at the 2026 Farm Bureau leadership conference to discuss the ongoing poultry litter litigation, saying the case has reached a point where “some serious decisions have to be made.” Hardin said while he hopes the judge accepts proposed settlements, he is uncertain that will happen given earlier …
