Perspectives Podcast - Oklahoma Farm Report

Today’s Ag Perspectives Podcast features a Hall of Famer that has helped thousands of livestock producers in the southwest get top dollar for their animals through his sixty plus years at the Oklahoma National Stockyards. Oklahoma Farm Report’s Ron Hays sat down with Tom Gilliam at the market known as the “World’s Largest Stocker and Feeder Cattle Market” just a month ahead of his 90th birthday and talked with him about growing up in southwest Oklahoma, graduating from Oklahoma State University and starting his life’s work at one of the Commission Firms at the Oklahoma National Stockyards. The story of Tom Gilliam’s career at the Oklahoma National Stockyards began in 1959 at the Farmers Commission Company. For the modest sum of $100 a week, Gilliam’s first role was far from glamorous: he was responsible for washing the manure from the hog pens. Opportunity knocked just a few months into his tenure when the company’s veteran hog salesman fell ill. Asked if he could step into the role, Gilliam didn’t hesitate. He accepted the challenge, even though it meant he had to continue washing the pens while taking on the responsibilities of a salesman—all for the same $100 a week. From there, he moved on to Interstate Commission and moved over from hog buying to cattle. Fast forward through the years and being involved in working for multiple Commission Firms the late 1980s. Gilliam and long time partner Bill Griffeth purchased Stockman Livestock Commission Co. in 1987. They were inaugural inductees into the Cattle Marketers Hall of Fame in 2019. Earlier in his career- Gilliam was inducted into the Oklahoma Ag Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Oklahoma Pork Council Hall of Fame in 2006. Ron and Tom talked about his life in the business, how the business has changed, his family, faith and more. The post An Oklahoma Treasure- Ron Hays Visits with Livestock Market Hall of Famer Tom Gilliam first appeared on Oklahoma Farm Report.

Ron Hays talks the cattle industry’s big picture with the CEO of Cattlefax, Randy Blach At CattleCon26 in Nashville, one of the highlights was the annual Cattlefax Industry Outlook that happened on the final day of the gathering of cattle producers. CEO of Cattlefax, Randy Blach and his team looked at cattle prices, feed prices, beef demand and lots more. Oklahoma Farm Report’s Ron Hays talked with Blach after the presentation- and they covered some of the big picture issues that are “Center of the plate” for the beef cattle industry. Coverage of CattleCon 2026 is powered by Farm Data Services of Stillwater, Oklahoma.The post Latest Ag Perspectives Podcast Features Big Picture Outlook with Randy Blach of Cattlefax first appeared on Oklahoma Farm Report.

“The Hess Address” is a new quarterly feature on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network designed to keep producers directly connected to Oklahoma State University leadership. In this series, Farm Director KC Sheperd sits down with OSU President Dr. Jim Hess to go beyond the headlines and discuss the real-world impact of higher education on rural Oklahoma. In this episode, President Hess opens up about the challenges of managing a snow-covered campus, unveils the ambitious “Code Calls” fundraising campaign, and explains why upgrading OSU’s agronomy research facilities is a critical legislative priority for the state’s wheat growers.The post On Today’s Ag Perspectives Podcast- KC Sheperd Presents the Hess Address first appeared on Oklahoma Farm Report.

Ron Hays talks Dietary Guidelines with NCBA Executive Director of Nutrition Science, Health and Wellness Shalene McNeill Oklahoma Farm Report’s Ron Hays spent time with NCBA’s dietician Dr. Shalene McNeill just days after the Trump Administration released their 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines, which they called a historic reset of nutrition policy. Important for the beef cattle producers that McNeill works for through the Beef Checkoff, the USDA says in their news released on the new guidelines- at the top of the list of guidelines that explain their plan- Prioritize protein at every meal. Hays and McNeill look at that means to the consumer- and how that will impact eating habits over the next several years. Listen to their full conversation by clicking on the Listen Bar above. The post Dietician Shalene McNeill and Ron Hays Do Deep Dive on New Dietary Guidelines- It’s All About Protein first appeared on Oklahoma Farm Report.

Ron Hays talks with Michael Kelsey of OCA about Cattlemens Congress and OCA’s Upcoming Winter Policy Meeting Oklahoma Farm Report’s Ron Hays caught up with Michael Kelsey, Executive Vice President of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association at the 2026 Cattlemen’s Congress and talked about the value of Congress to the Oklahoma cattle industry- and then moved on to spend most of their time previewing the 2026 OCA Winter Policy Meeting, set for January 21st at the Embassy Suites Northwest Oklahoma City from 9 AM to 4:30 PM. Kelsey tells Hays that they have invited Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond to come and explain his position as he represents the State of Oklahoma in the poultry lawsuit that has been revived after laying dormant for over twenty years. OCA is also inviting the Poultry Federation to send a representative to offer their position in this battle that finds poultry contract growers in the middle and threatens their way of life. This issue also raises real questions about the court being able to dictate environmental policy and overrule established science based regulations at the state and federal levels. Kelsey says his members will consider if they need to update their policies as a result of the developments in this case. OCA will also welcome Colin Woodall of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association to the meeting, as Woodall will offer an overview of the federal issues impacting the cattle industry just ahead of CattleCon 2026 which will be happening in early February in Nashville, Tennessee. OCA will review their federal policies ahead of the Nashville meeting when several members will be weighing in during Committee meetings there. Lots of other issues will be considered- including state tax policy and possible changes in property taxes that will be considered by the State Legislature starting in February. Kelsey also expects a conversation about the efforts to keep New World Screwworms out of the US and Oklahoma. Ron and Michael have a wide ranging conversation previewing the meeting- click on the audio button above to listen. Share your thoughts, exercise your membership voting power and help chart the course for a successful Oklahoma beef industry! Member Engagement is Vital to the Success of Policy Development! Be sure to attend the 2026 Annual Winter Policy Meeting.    Extended discounted registration available online until January 19.   Onsite registration is $65/person.    OCA Membership is Required to Attend.    Dues May be Paid at the Door.  $50 Early Registration Fee, Lunch Included.The post Our Latest Ag Perspectives Podcast- Ron Hays Previews OCA Winter Policy Meeting with Michael Kelsey first appeared on Oklahoma Farm Report.