News

What to know for the 2024 season Wheat producers across the state are closely monitoring fields for signs of first hollow stem, the maturity stage of the plant that indicates the time to stop grazing cattle. Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle specialist, said first hollow stem is right around the corner. Timing is crucial in late winter and early spring. If stocker calves are pulled off grazing fields too early, producers risk losing the weight gain on their livestock. If calves are left on pastures too long after first hollow stem, wheat profit potential will drop. OSU Extension agricultural economist Eric DeVuyst said research shows producers should remove cattle from grazing fields before first hollow stem. By the numbers DeVuyst said grazing just one day after first hollow stem could cost $6.26 per acre in wheat yield loss. Producers could see a loss of $41 per acre if fields are grazed one week after first hollow stem. According to DeVuyst, Oklahoma- grown wheat would need to bring $2 per bushel and stocker calves would need to produce $1.90 per pound at finishing weight for producers to break even at harvest. Wheat would need to sell for $5.50 per bushel and stockers would require a market price of $5 per pound to justify grazing past first hollow stem. For more information, catch Paul Beck on “SUNUP,” the production agriculture television show of OSU Agriculture. Eric DeVuyst also discusses the financial aspects of grazing first hollow stem in a recent “SUNUP” segment. OSU Extension uses research- based information to help all Oklahomans solve local issues and concerns, promote leadership and manage resources wisely throughout the state’s 77 counties. Most information is available at little to no cost.

Attended the Oklahoma Great Plain Academic Conference Awards Banquet and received the following awards:

Registered voters who become physically incapacitated after 5:00 p.m. Monday, February 19 th and are unable make it to the polls, still have an opportunity to cast their ballot.

On Tuesday, February 20th, we celebrated National Future Farmers of America Week at the State Capitol.

We send out a big thank you to all of the area volunteer and full time firemen out there that have been putting their lives on the line fighting these devastating fires in western Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle. Prayers for all of the towns that suffered so many losses. We are all hoping and praying for a much better week.

The 2nd and Adams Church of Christ will be hosting a Ladies Day called “Blessed Beyond Measure” on Saturday, March 23rd, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The program will feature Shenia Dindy, from College Station, Texas. Registration will begin at 9 a.m., and those wanting to attend need to RSVP to the church by calling 580-225-0718. Brunch will be provided that morning.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Oklahomans will soon get a little wiggle room in their grocery budget.

Taylor Sullivan has long ties to Beckham County

Massive fires broke out on Tuesday across the Texas Panhandle and several Oklahoma counties that border the state. Because of the chaos, multiple communities and two states plagued by the fire, it is still unclear how many acres burned. The highest report that this reporter has seen as of 10 pm on Wednesday was approximately 850,000 acres, but that official was clear that it really cannot be known. The cause of the fire or fires is also not yet known. One report indicated thirteen homes were burned on the Oklahoma side, but again, that number is not confirmed. The number of confi rmed homes on the Texas side will be larger, but no numbers are coming out of that.

MISDEMEANORS

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is Oklahoma’s second highest-ranked university in the recently released U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of online bachelor’s degree programs. SWOSU is only behind the University of Oklahoma (OU) in the U.S. News 2024 Best Online Programs.