OKLAHOMA CITY (RFD NEWS) — Wildfires across Oklahoma, including the devastating Ranger Road Fire that broke out last week, have caused widespread damage to farms and ranches across the state and in neighboring Kansas, prompting rural communities to begin the long process of recovery while assessing the full impact on agriculture.
Michael Kelsey with the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report to provide an update on current fire conditions and what cattle producers are facing on the ground.
In his interview with RFD NEWS, Kelsey shared what he is hearing directly from ranchers, including impacts to livestock, fencing, forage, and overall operations. He also discussed the association’s ongoing fire relief fund and outlined what the recovery process is beginning to look like, as well as where the greatest needs are moving forward.
Finally, on a personal note, Kelsey reflected on his time in the National FFA Organization as the industry celebrates National FFA Week, and how that experience helped shape his career in agriculture.
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Ranger Road Fire has burned 283,000 acres across Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle and is nearing containment, as ranchers begin assessing cattle and infrastructure losses as they look toward recovery.
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Domestic beef demand remains solid, with the strongest growth occurring through retail channels, according to consumers surveyed in the latest K-State Meat Demand Monitor.
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The long-term viability of a ranching operation often hinges on how effectively its owners navigate the overlapping layers of IRS regulations, state tax incentives, and USDA disaster programs.
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