Oklahoma Cattle Producers Focus On Screwworm Threat, Drought And Profitability

mike33692
1 day ago
3 min read

Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting sign with cow silhouette, blue mountains and pine trees on a green background.

Oklahoma Cattle Producers Focus On Screwworm Threat, Drought And Profitability

Oklahoma cattle producers are watching the growing New World screwworm threat, high cattle prices and drought conditions as industry leaders gather for the 2026 Summer Cattle Industry Business Meeting in Colorado. Oklahoma cattleman Clay Burtrum says producers are also working on risk management and policy changes that could help rebuild the nation's cattle herd while protecting ranchers from continued financial uncertainty.

Burtrum, a Payne County cattle producer and co-owner of Farm Data Services, is serving on several committees during the national industry meeting, according to the Oklahoma Farm Report.

Oklahoma Cattle Producers Closely Watching New World Screwworm

For many Oklahoma cattle producers, the immediate concern is how close New World screwworm may come to the state.

"I think first and foremost, everybody wants to know where the screwworm is at," Burtrum told the Oklahoma Farm Report. "How far has it progressed into New Mexico and Texas, and especially for those in Oklahoma, how close is it to the Red River and when are we going to see it?"

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed New World screwworm in a Texas calf in June and has since continued surveillance and response efforts. The parasite can cause severe and potentially deadly wounds by feeding on the living tissue of livestock and other warm-blooded animals.

Current information about the threat and federal response is available through USDA's New World Screwworm information center.

Burtrum said he believes Oklahoma producers need to remain alert as the pest moves closer to the region.

Record Cattle Prices Create New Profitability Concerns

While high cattle prices may sound like good news for the beef industry, Burtrum said the current market is creating challenges for stocker operators.

Recent video auction prices have climbed to levels that could make it difficult for producers to generate a profit by purchasing cattle and running them on wheat pasture this coming season.

"From a profit margin for a stocker guy like me, those cattle right now will not make any money to run on wheat pasture this next year," Burtrum said.

Industry leaders are also examining potential changes to Livestock Risk Protection insurance, commonly known as LRP. Burtrum is serving on a task force exploring whether adjustments could encourage producers to rebuild the nation's cattle herd.

The USDA Risk Management Agency administers livestock and crop insurance programs designed to help agricultural producers manage financial risks. The agency announced additional livestock insurance program enhancements in May.

More information about available coverage is available through the USDA Risk Management Agency.

Drought And Crop Insurance Deadlines Add Pressure

Weather remains another major concern as cattle producers prepare for fall grazing.

Burtrum said his operation east of Interstate 35 in Payne County has benefited from recent rainfall, with full ponds and green grass. Producers in western and southwestern Oklahoma are facing significantly different conditions.

Some farmers are already chopping corn for silage, while crop insurance claims continue following dry conditions.

Burtrum also reminded producers that July 15 is an important crop insurance deadline for certain annual forage coverage. USDA says major crop insurance sales closing dates can vary by crop and location, with July 15 among the upcoming deadlines.

"We sent out a lot of very big checks this last year because we were extremely dry," Burtrum said. "Even though we think it's going to be wet, we're not real sure."

The 2026 Summer Cattle Industry Business Meeting runs July 12 through July 14 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association says the meeting brings industry leaders together to develop initiatives and establish direction on major issues facing cattle producers.

Meeting information is available through the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

Burtrum said cattle producers need to be involved in those policy discussions because decisions made through industry committees can shape programs and priorities for the coming year.