Oklahomans experienced warmer than normal temperatures last week with the combination of drought, record heat and low humidity contributing to several wildfires.  The latest USDA Crop Progress and Condition reports small grain conditions continued to decline with 73 percent of the crop in poor or very poor condition, and only 27 percent in fair to good shape.  Jointing reached 93 percent, up three points from last week. Winter wheat headed reached 81 percent by Sunday, 42 points ahead of the previous year. Canola conditions were rated 79 percent poor to very poor, with 16 percent rated fair. (Click here to read the full Oklahoma report.)

Dry, windy conditions in Kansas continued to negatively impact its winter wheat crop with 18 percent rated very poor, 29 percent poor, 36 percent fair and 16 percent good.   Winter wheat headed was listed at 15 percent, ahead of three percent last year but behind a 29-percent five-year average.  (The Kansas report is available by clicking here.)

In Texas, hot, humid conditions prevailed across much of the state, with most of the state receiving little to no precipitation.  Winter wheat continued to suffer across much of the High Plains with 64 percent in poor or very poor condition, 35 percent listed as good or fair and only one percent rated excellent.  (You can read more of the Texas report by clicking here.)

Derrell Peel: Indications of Herd Expansion Continue to Strengthen

Stocker and feeder cattle prices remain sky high presenting a dilemma to cow calf operators: do you sell heifers now and take the profit, or do you hold on to them to rebuild the herd in hopes prices will remain high into the future?

Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist Dr. Derrell Peel says in the latest Beef Buzz that this is not a new problem and has been with us for some time.

"I think that's sort of a classic problem that's been at the root of every herd expansion in the beef industry for a lot of years. In the early stages of that as prices start to go up, producers have this tradeoff between the immediate value of selling that heifer versus the investment value of that heifer for future production."

Peel says it's a question of timing. He says when producers become convinced that prices will hold, they opt to keep the heifers and expand their herds. He says indications are now pointing to producers holding back more heifers to do just that.

Click here for more.

 

Dave Lalman Offers Considerations for Haying or Grazing Out Damaged Wheat

With freeze and drought taking their toll on this year's wheat crop, many producers in western Oklahoma are considering whether to turn their cattle back out on the wheat or harvest it for forage.

In a report for SUNUP, Dr. Dave Lalman, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle specialist, says producers might want to think about haying the wheat as early as possible if weather conditions hold. He says that would help defray next year's feed bills.

For those producers who can turn cattle back out, he says they want to consider the possibilities of wheat pasture bloat and grass tetany.

"I would guess that most people's wheat is far enough along with the flag leaf and maybe even developing a head. At that point, wheat pasture bloat is probably not a big concern, but the easy thing to do to prevent that is to make sure the cattle are full when they are turned out the first time."

You can read more of this story or watch a video version of it by clicking here. 

Fire Dangers Remain Elevated Across Oklahoma

The record heat will continue for the next couple of days as highs climb into the upper 90s and lower 100s. Worsening drought conditions, combined with strong south winds, will lead to extreme wildfire conditions through at least Wednesday, says News 9 Meteorologist Lacy Swope.    

Following wildfires in Logan County Sunday and Monday, officials with Oklahoma Forestry Services (OFS), a division of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry, are urging Oklahomans to be very cautious with any outdoor activity that could spark additional blazes. Residents are urged to report any smoke or fire to the nearest fire department immediately.

"Crews are working to contain the fires that started Sunday in Logan and Woodward counties, as well as other fires in the eastern part of Oklahoma," said George Geissler, Oklahoma State Forester.  "The weather doesn't look like it will improve any for the next few days so we hope everyone will remain vigilant with outdoor activities." 

You can read more by clicking here.   

This N That- Washington Watch, Not SURE and Okarche Scratched from Schedule

We are in our Nation's Capitol for much of this week as we take part in an annual ritual of spring for us- the National Association of Farm Broadcasting's Washington Watch.  The schedule in recent years has been predictable in where we go and what we do is fairly consistent- however, the names and faces and the issues are always changing and that is case again this year.  Among the new faces we will be interacting with in 2014 is Gina McCarthy, the new Administrator for the EPA.  We have an hour with her later this morning and her defense of the Waters of the US proposal will be front and center- we will offer a Tweet or two during that no doubt.

On Wednesday- we will be spending some time with the Chairman of the House Ag Committee, Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas.

Later in the week- we will spend some time at the Animal Ag Alliance spring event- as they focus on Millennials and how the meat industry should interact with them and market to them in the years to come.

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On our website- we have a news story from yesterday that proclaimed the start of signup for SURE for 2012- sounds great except for the fact that Oklahoma has no eligible crops for this rather limited sign up- that according to State FSA Director Francie Tolle.

It was a good program from the previous farm bill that helped a lot of producers in our state- but the limited availability for this signup does not include Oklahoma so no need to be making a call to your local FSA office to ask questions about this one- our thanks to Francie for giving us that heads up that we could share with you.

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Finally- a quick note on the Wheat Field Plot meetings that the OSU Wheat Improvement Team is helping stage across the wheat belt in our state.   

Dr. Jeff Edwards tells us that one of the stops planned for today has been cancelled- there will be no Wheat field tour stop in Okarche this morning- the other stops in Kingfisher, Omega and Homestead will proceed as planned. Click here for the calendar item we had posted earlier about these meetings.