JaLeigh Oldenburg of the Mulhall-Orlando FFA Chapter was named Oklahoma's 2018 State Star Farmer for her success in managing a purebred sheep flock. Her SAE was recognized as the top agricultural production program among the 794 FFA members who received the State FFA Degree this year. 

Oldenburg said her father's passion for the Southdown sheep breed was the inspiration to start her own breeding business. She currently manages a flock of 135 registered breeding ewes and 10 rams.

Oldenburg is the fourth woman to win this award since its inception in 1939.

Oologah FFA member Jesse Rader was named the State Star in Agribusiness for his success in operating a honeybee business for his supervised agricultural experience. 

Aside from beekeeping, Rader's farming operation includes beef and dairy cattle, poultry, produce and pecans.

Rader plans to attend Rogers State University for two years after which he will transfer to Oklahoma State University to finish his undergraduate degree as well as a graduate degree in animal science on the path to a career in animal reproduction.

To see the video produced on Rader- and to read more and to hear the audio- click or tap here.

 

The 2018 U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) is hosting its General Assembly Meeting this week in Downtown Oklahoma City. The event attracted stakeholders from across the beef value chain intent on advancing, supporting and communicating the continuous improvement efforts being made to raise the bar on sustainability in US beef production.

During Wednesday's program, a consumer panel focus group consisting of a number of Oklahoma City area beef consumers generated a lot of eye-opening discussion as participants opened up about their personal purchasing habits, preferences and concerns when it comes to the US beef industry.

Among the topics discussed, several highlights include consumer panelists saying they would generally opt to purchase conventional beef at a lower price than more costly organic beef products; most agreed beef would be their preference when presented with other entrée options; and while most understood the necessity of antibiotic use in beef production - the use of growth hormones struck a common chord with participants who were either outwardly hostile or suspicious of its use. We pulled the final question of the session out that pertained to antibiotic and growth hormone use and featured it as a stand alone story- click or tap here to check that out. (By the way- as you listen- please do not harm yourself as you beat your head repeatedly against the wall as mistruths are uttered by the panelists who believe the "old wives tales" about especially growth hormones!)

You can ALSO listen to the entire panel discussion from the USRSB event, by clicking or tapping here. 

Oklahoma State University Extension Grain Market Economist Dr. Kim Anderson offered his reaction in regard to estimates on Oklahoma's 2018 wheat crop released during the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association's annual meeting this week which pegged the 2018 crop pretty low compared to normal at just around  58 to 62 million bushels total - nearly 40 million short compared to crops over the last decade. But Anderson argues that the more concerning question right now is what this crop will have in regard to quality - protein and test weight. 

Anderson spoke to the collective worry of elevator manager across Oklahoma who say this year's short crop may potentially be conducive to developing good protein - which leaves test weight as the wildcard this year. 

"Protein without test weight is not a quality of milling product," Anderson remarked. "They are concerned about how they are going to market this crop when it comes in. From here on out, we need to hope the wheat comes in with test weight and with protein."

In the meantime, faced with prices below the break even point, farmers are turning toward the siren song of cotton right now in droves hoping to capture some of the commodity's current profitability. But Anderson advises producers to be cautious in making that decision pointing out that cotton requires a higher investment, has more risk associated with it and is completely dependent on good weather conditions.

Click here to listen to Anderson's reaction to the numbers released this week at the OGFA meeting. 

Over 900 students and sponsors from across the country have converged on Oklahoma City this week for the 67th annual National Land and Range Judging Contest hosted by the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD). Qualifying teams from over 30 states will challenge their knowledge of soil and plant science, land management and natural resources conservation in the field. Oklahoma has several teams of its own participating. 

After two days of practice runs, the official contest takes place today in the El Reno area- it appears that the Mesonet site in El Reno missed the heaviest rains- reporting seven tenths of an inch of rain from the storms overnight. 

Contest winners will be announced this evening during a banquet at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

The OSU Department of Plant and Soil Science will offer a $1,500 scholarship to the top-scoring individual in the land judging contest and a $1,500 scholarship to the top-scoring individual in the homesite evaluation contest and an additional $1,500 sponsored by OSU. 

Click here to learn more about this annual event held each year right here in Oklahoma.