Scrap Metal Recycling for Oklahoma Farmers and Ranchers

Southern Oklahoma farms and ranches are sitting on a lot of scrap metal — often more than the operators realize. Old implement yards, retired equipment, torn-down outbuildings, leftover fence posts, worn-out irrigation pipe, and decades of accumulated iron and non-ferrous metal add up to real money at the scale in Ardmore. This guide is written specifically for Carter County, Love County, and Murray County agricultural operations who want to know what they have and what it is worth.

What Farm Operations Typically Have

Agricultural scrap tends to fall into a few consistent categories across the Texoma region:

Field Iron and Fence Material

Old field fencing, t-posts, barbed wire, cattle panels, and pipe rail fencing from retired pasture areas represent some of the easiest scrap to convert to cash. Barbed wire and t-posts are ferrous scrap — they price as iron — but the weight adds up quickly on any significant fence removal. Old pipe rail and square tubing grades as long iron or mixed steel depending on dimensions.

Farm Equipment and Implements

Retired plows, discs, tillers, cultivators, and other implements are primarily ferrous scrap with some cast iron components (disc blades, coulters). Cast iron blades and rotors price as cast iron — a step above regular steel scrap. The iron chassis and frame grades as light iron or mixed steel. On a complete piece of retired equipment, the cast iron components are often the highest-value pieces by weight.

Engine Blocks and Transmissions

Old tractor engines and heavy equipment powertrains contain significant cast iron in the block, heads, and transmission housing. Cast iron prices above regular iron at our yard. A complete old engine block from a big tractor is worth bringing in — the weight of cast iron adds up quickly. Note: drain fluids before transport where possible.

Copper Wire from Old Equipment

Irrigation pumps, old grain dryers, and aging farm electrical systems often contain copper wire and motor windings that are worth considerably more per pound than the ferrous components. Pull the copper wiring from retired equipment before it goes to the iron pile. A pump motor with intact windings grades as an electric motor — accepted whole, no disassembly needed.

Aluminum Irrigation Pipe

Aluminum irrigation pipe and gated pipe from older surface irrigation systems is aluminum scrap — priced significantly above iron. If you are replacing poly pipe or drip irrigation and retiring old aluminum surface pipe, bring it in separately. Even bent or damaged aluminum pipe prices as sheet/extrusion aluminum.

Propane Tanks and Anhydrous Equipment

Old farm propane tanks and anhydrous ammonia equipment must be properly purged and certified empty before acceptance at any scrap yard. This is a safety requirement, not a preference. An improperly purged tank is a serious hazard. If you have old propane or anhydrous equipment to retire, call us at (580) 490-2096 first to discuss the proper process.

What a Farm Cleanup Can Be Worth

The numbers vary with market conditions, but a realistic farm cleanup in Carter or Love County often looks something like this:

Even at conservative prices, a farm cleanup of that scope in Carter County can return several hundred to over a thousand dollars at the scale. The exact amount depends on current prices and exact grades — use our calculator for today's estimates.

Pickup Service for Large Agricultural Loads

Many farm operations have the material but not the equipment or time to haul it to the yard. For qualifying large agricultural loads throughout Carter County, Love County, and Murray County, Texoma Recycling can arrange pickup. Call us at (580) 490-2096 or request a pickup online to discuss your situation.

For very large scale farm cleanups — multiple equipment pieces, significant fence removal, or large outbuilding demolition — it is worth calling ahead to coordinate so we can ensure we have the capacity to process your load efficiently when you arrive or when we arrive for pickup.

A Few Things Farms Cannot Sell as Scrap

• Unpurged propane or anhydrous tanks — must be certified empty before acceptance
• Pesticide or chemical containers — these are hazardous material and cannot be recycled as scrap metal
• Asbestos-containing materials — older farm buildings may contain asbestos insulation or siding; this requires hazardous material remediation before demolition, not scrap recycling
• Underground storage tanks — these require proper UST closure procedures through the Oklahoma Corporation Commission before removal

If you have questions about specific items on your operation, call us before the trip. We would rather help you figure out what to do with something than have you haul it to Ardmore and back.