Oklahoma has been impacted by drought greater than some other state, by a number of measures. The January 1 stock of all cattle and calves in Oklahoma was down 11.5 p.c 12 months over 12 months, from a 2022 complete of 5.2 million head to 4.6 million head. The lower of 600,000 head was double the second largest all cattle lower in Nebraska. The lower in Oklahoma cattle inventories included decreases within the beef cow herd, alternative heifers, feeder provides and feedlot inventories.
The Oklahoma beef cow herd decreased by 140,000 head in 2022 (largest state lower within the nation) to a January 1 complete of 1.981 million head, a 6.6 p.c lower 12 months over 12 months and the bottom beef cow stock since 2016. Oklahoma remains to be the second largest beef cow state (after Texas), however now could be simply fractionally bigger than Missouri, which was unchanged within the final 12 months. The liquidation in Oklahoma isn’t over. Drought circumstances proceed in Oklahoma with the most recent Drought Monitor exhibiting 94.84 p.c of the state abnormally dry (D0) or worse, together with 56.71 p.c of the state in D3 and D4 ranges of drought.
Within the first 5 weeks of 2023, the mixed Oklahoma public sale quantity of cull cows is up 49.2 p.c 12 months over 12 months. Hay provides are very tight in Oklahoma, as in lots of different locations, and a few producers could face extra culling to get by the winter.
Substitute beef heifers in Oklahoma have been down 2.5 p.c 12 months over 12 months, a smaller lower in comparison with the 5.8 p.c lower nationally in beef alternative heifers. Oklahoma stays the quantity two beef heifer state (after Texas) and forward of South Dakota. The comparatively modest lower in beef alternative heifers means that Oklahoma producers are placing the very best precedence on retaining heifers over different courses of cattle regardless of unfavorable circumstances.
Oklahoma inventories of steers (>500 lbs.), different heifers (>500 lbs.) and calves (<500 lbs.) have been all down with steers down 23.8 p.c 12 months over 12 months, different heifers down 27.8 p.c from final 12 months and calves down 4.4 p.c 12 months over 12 months.
The Oklahoma feedlot stock was down 11.1 p.c from the earlier 12 months. The estimated provide of feeder cattle exterior feedlots in Oklahoma (steers + different heifers + calves – feedlot stock) was down was down 18.5 p.c to the bottom stage since 2014. The feeder provide estimate consists of cattle grazing winter wheat pasture, which is sharply diminished this 12 months.
A latest tour in central Oklahoma confirmed many wheat fields with poor or rising stands whereas others had full stands however have a lot much less progress than regular for this time of 12 months. Solely a small p.c of the wheat fields had cattle turned out for grazing and people have been stocked considerably lower than regular.
Drought circumstances within the subsequent 4-5 months can be key and can set the stage for the rest of the 12 months in Oklahoma. If prospects for vital enchancment in pasture and hay circumstances will not be in place by Might, the state doubtless faces extra beef cattle liquidation in 2023.
