In today’s beef buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Oklahoma State University Extension livestock market economist Dr. Derrell Peel to dig further into the latest cattle inventory numbers and what they really say about where the industry stands. Peel summed up the new report simply, saying it’s the “same story, next …
Tag: agriculture
Feb 10
Colin Woodall Discusses NCBA and the Beef Checkoff
In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Colin Woodall, Chief Executive Officer of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Woodall addressed ongoing criticism from a segment of producers surrounding NCBA’s role in the dollar-per-head Beef Checkoff, calling much of that criticism “misinformation” and laying out how the system actually works. …
Feb 10
Ben Hale: Strong Demand and Tighter Inventory Are Fueling Cattle Markets
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 …
Feb 06
Eat Real Food: RFK Jr. Tells CattleCon 2026 Beef Is Essential to America’s Health
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told the packed CattleCon26 audience that reforming America’s dietary guidance became a top priority immediately after taking office. He said the Biden-era proposed guidelines he inherited were “453 pages long” and “crafted by lobbyists and driven by the same mercantile impulses that had put Fruit …
Feb 05
OSU’s Dr. Todd Hubbs: Soybean Rally Offers Pricing Opportunity Amidst “Wishy-Washy” Global Markets and Drought Concerns
OSU’s Dr. Todd Hubbs: Soybean Rally Offers Pricing Opportunity Amidst “Wishy-Washy” Global Markets and Drought Concerns The grain markets are seeing significant movement this week, driven by geopolitical headlines and social media posts from the White House. Farm Director KC Sheperd recently caught up with Dr. Todd Hubbs, Oklahoma State University Crop Marketing Specialist, to …
Feb 05
Drought Expands Across Oklahoma as Winter Moisture Falls Short In This Weeks Drought Monitor
To view the latest Oklahoma drought map, CLICK HERE. Oklahoma continues to grapple with expanding drought conditions, with nearly three-quarters of the state now classified from moderate to extreme drought, even as exceptional drought remains absent. Much of the snow that fell during recent winter weather has now melted, and temperatures are beginning to edge slightly …
Feb 05
South American Horse Screwworm Case Is Contained in Florida By USDA
Following reports of a New World screwworm detection in a horse imported from South America to Florida, Chief Veterinarian for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Kathy Simmons, spoke with Ron Hays CattleCon26 to clarify how the case was identified, treated, and contained under existing USDA protocols. Simmons explained that the case involved a horse imported …
Feb 04
Oklahoma’s Cheyenne Sparks Steps into National Leadership Role with ANCW
Speaking with senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays at CattleCon26, Cheyenne Sparks of Oklahoma CattleWomen shared the excitement surrounding her new leadership role with the American National CattleWomen. Sparks announced that she has been elected vice president of ANCW, calling it the culmination of a long journey of involvement. “I’m very excited to share …
Feb 03
Farmer sentiment drops sharply at start of 2026 as economic concerns increase
Farmer sentiment weakened sharply in January as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer (AEB) Index dropped from 136 in December 2025 to 113 in January 2026 (see Figure 1). The Current Conditions Index dropped 19 points while the Future Expectations Index dropped 25 points (see Figure 2). Among the five indices that make up the AEB Index, the largest decline …
Feb 02
NCBA To Support Poultry Growers With Amicus Brief Against State Of Oklahoma
Farm and ranch leaders gathered at CattleCon 2026 as Oklahoma cattlemen joined policy, checkoff, and federation meetings amid winter weather delays. Senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays caught up with Michael Kelsey, executive vice president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association at CattleCon26, who outlined why this meeting mattered for Oklahoma and why recent developments …

























