Aug 11
Feeder steer prices held steady to $5 higher as reduced supply and hot summer weather shaped recent activity across Western Livestock auctions. Farm Director KC Sheperd sat down with Ben Hale of Western Livestock to review current sale conditions, buyer preferences, and expectations for the regional cattle market through the remainder of August. Cattle Volume …
Aug 11
Oklahoma landowners are leveraging federal conservation initiatives to restore vital natural habitats while maintaining agricultural production. State Executive Director Eddie Fields recently joined Farm Director KC Sheperd to discuss how the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) project and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) are supporting environmental stewardship across Oklahoma. The SAFE project, managed through …
Aug 06
To view the latest Oklahoma drought map, CLICK HERE. Oklahoma’s drought conditions took a significant turn for the worse this week, with expanding areas of abnormally dry conditions driven by persistent heat and below-normal rainfall. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows worsening conditions across much of the state, while forecasters are watching the potential for much-needed …
Aug 05
Managing feedlot heat stress mitigation has emerged as a top priority for livestock operations working to prevent severe cattle losses across the Plains during extreme summer heat events. While recent reports across the region indicate scattered cattle deaths due to heat-related illnesses, overall losses remain far lower than the catastrophic numbers seen in previous major …
Aug 03
In the latest Crop Progress report from USDA, the U.S. Corn Crop is rated 61% Good to Excellent this week, down 2 points from last week. Soybean crop conditions are 63% good to excellent this week, equal to last week. The U.S. cotton crop is rated 42% good to excellent this week, down 3 points …
Jul 30
To view the latest Oklahoma drought map, CLICK HERE. Another week of summer heat has kept drought concerns front and center across Oklahoma. While conditions have stabilized in much of the state over the past few weeks, dry weather continues to challenge producers in western Oklahoma as they await meaningful rainfall. According to the Drought Monitor, the exceptional …
Jul 23
To view the latest Oklahoma drought map, CLICK HERE. Exceptional drought tightened its grip on Oklahoma again this week as the state’s driest category expanded slightly, offering another reminder that growing season stress is far from over. With August just around the corner and the latest outlook showing little chance for meaningful rainfall across much of …
Jul 16
To view the latest Oklahoma drought map, CLICK HERE. Despite some welcome improvement this week, drought continues to be a concern across western Oklahoma as dry conditions persist in several counties. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows exceptional drought retreating slightly, while nearly half of the state remains affected by moderate to extreme drought. Although recent …
Jul 09
To view the latest Oklahoma drought map, CLICK HERE. According to the Drought Monitor, exceptional drought has remained unchanged this week. Conditions are still present in Washita, Kiowa, Beckham, Woodward, Beaver, Roger Mills, and Texas counties. Exceptional drought now covers only 1.75% of the state compared to 7.13% two weeks ago. Moderate to extreme drought conditions in the current …
Jul 06
A recent spell of hot weather in parts of rural America has raised crucial questions about the timing of post-emergence weed control in soybeans. Farm Director KC Sheperd spoke with Dr. Rodrigo Werle, an associate professor of weed science at the University of Wisconsin, about his recommendations for spraying when temperatures rise. He emphasizes that …
