Tag: agriculture

USDA Officials Refute Border Rumors, Say Screwworm Still 25 Miles from Texas

In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays features comments from Director of the New World Screwworm Directorate Rear Admiral Michael Schmoyer and State Veterinarian for the Texas Animal Health Commission, Bud Dinges, who are working to correct misinformation and provide an update on the New World screwworm situation along the U.S.-Mexico border. …

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Space Imagery Reveals Severe Vegetation Stress Across Western Oklahoma as Flash Drought Tightens Grip

The lack of vibrant green across western Oklahoma is becoming more apparent as the season progresses, leaving the landscape looking far less robust than it should for this time of year. State Climatologist Gary McManus noted the persistent struggle of the local plant life, highlighting that the vegetation remains pitiful across the western regions and …

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Farmer sentiment slips again as high input costs remain top concern

Farmer sentiment dropped again in May as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer (AEB) Index declined from 121 points in April to 119 (see Figure 1). The Current Conditions Index fell by 8 points, while the Future Expectations Index increased by 1 point (see Figure 2). This month’s Current Conditions Index was 21 points below last year’s December index, reaching its lowest …

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Grain Markets Under Pressure: Ample Global Stocks and Favorable Weather Outweigh Strong Demand Signals

A combination of favorable weather forecasts and geopolitical factors drove agricultural commodity markets lower over the past week. Grain markets are currently caught in a tug-of-war between strong demand signals and bearish supply realities, including an improving moisture outlook for the U.S. Corn Belt and ample global stocks. Wheat Market Outlook: A Challenging Week for …

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Oklahoma Wheat Harvest Reaches 35 Percent Amid Drastic Yield Swings and Persistent Drought

The Oklahoma wheat harvest is officially underway, but the results rolling across the scales are telling two entirely different stories. According to the latest field data from the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, the statewide harvest is approximately 35 percent complete, moving much faster than the recent weekly snapshot from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), …

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NASA Agriculture Data Helps Farmers Improve Water Use and Drought Decisions

Farmers are navigating a time when precision and timely information can make all the difference—and some of the most valuable tools are coming from space. Oklahoma Farm Reports Maci Carter spoke with Karen St. Germain, with NASA. Germain says the agency has supported agriculture for decades, even if many producers don’t immediately make that connection. …

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Economists Warn Uncertainty Still Looms Over Cattle Markets

In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays continues to feature comments from a trio of cattle market economists — Dr. Derrell Peel, Don Close, and Nevil Speer — about packer margins, beef demand, and the biggest risks facing cattle producers during a recent panel discussion at the U.S. Meat Export Federation …

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Crop Progress: Winter Wheat Harvest Jumps to 23% Despite Poor Ratings

According to the latest crop progress report released on June 1st, 2026, Oklahoma’s winter wheat headed is at 100%, while winter wheat conditions are rated 13% good to excellent, 53% poor to very poor, and 34% fair. Oklahoma winter wheat harvested is at 23% this week compared to 7% last week. Kansas winter wheat headed …

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Africa Trade Barriers Prompt USMEF Call for USTR Action on Meat Imports

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is formally requesting that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) investigate how several African nations are restricting imports of U.S. beef and pork. USMEF Director of Export Services Jim Remcheck explained that while trade agreements are designed to foster mutual growth, certain countries are utilizing unscientific barriers to block American …

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How High Is Too High for Today’s Beef Consumer?

In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays features comments from three leading beef economists — Dr. Derrell Peel, Don Close, and Nevil Speer — about one of the biggest questions facing the cattle business today: at what point, if any, will consumers back away from beef prices that continue climbing higher? …

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