Subject: Oklahoma's Farm News Update
From: Ron Hays <ronphays@cox.net>
Date: 12/20/2019, 6:11 AM
To: ron@ronhays.com



 
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Today's First Look:
mornings with cash and futures reviewed- includes where the Cash Cattle market stands, the latest Feeder Cattle Markets Etc.
 
Here's a rundown of several of the key regional markets this final week of cattle market trading in 2019- click on the Sale Name to see complete results:




Woodward- which sold cattle yesterday with Yearling prices higher as 201 came to a close. 

 
Each afternoon we are posting a recap of that day's markets as analyzed by Justin Lewis of KIS futures- click here for the report posted on Thursday afternoon, December 19th.
 
 
Okla Cash Grain:  
Daily Oklahoma Cash Grain Prices- as reported by the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture- as of Thursday afternoon, December 19th.
 
  
Futures Wrap:  
Our Daily Market Wrapup from the Radio Oklahoma Network - analyzing the Futures Markets from the previous Day.
 
Feeder Cattle Recap:  
The National Daily Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary- as prepared by USDA.
 
Slaughter Cattle Recap: 
The National Daily Slaughter Cattle Summary- as prepared by the USDA.
 
TCFA Feedlot Recap:  
Finally, here is the Daily Volume and Price Summary from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
 


 
Our Oklahoma Farm Report Team!!!!
 
Ron Hays, Senior Farm Director and Editor

Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager
 
Dave Lanning, Markets and Production

Kane Kinion, Web and Email Editorial Assistant

Oklahoma's Latest Farm and Ranch News

 
Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
    Friday,  December 20, 2019

Howdy Neighbors! 

Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update. 
 









One Featured Story:

The US Mexico Canada Agreement has passed with the greatest of ease by a final vote of 385 to 41 in the US House. With this vote, the US House has delivered President Donald Trump a major legislative victory just a day after his impeachment in the lower chamber.


Passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, moves Trump significantly closer to fulfilling his campaign promise of updating NAFTA with Mexico and Canada. It's also a win for Democrats, who wanted to demonstrate they could pass legislation that benefits American workers while they pursued impeachment.


The new deal still must go before the Senate for a straight up-or-down vote. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has already said it will not be considered until after the Senate impeachment trial in January. But the USMCA is expected to pass with strong bipartisan support in the upper chamber.


Click here to read more about the passage of USMCA and read the reactions from congressional members. 


Sponsor Spotlight
 
 
The Oklahoma Pork Council is a producer organization representing the interests all of pork producers throughout Oklahoma. 
 
Pork Farmers in Oklahoma recognize our obligation to build and maintain the trust of customers and the public in our products and our practices. To promote confidence in what we do and how we do it, we affirm the following ethical principles: food safety, animal Safety, environment, public health, employee care and the communities in which we operate.
 
Click here to learn more about the Oklahoma Pork Council.



The US Mexico Canada Agreement has passed with the greatest of ease by a final vote of 385 to 41 in the US House. With this vote, the US House has delivered President Donald Trump a major legislative victory just a day after his impeachment in the lower chamber.


It still must be approved by the Senate and that will come sometime in early 2020- but it will likely be easily approved by US Senators.


A tremendous amount of positive reaction has come in from the agricultural community- here are several of those reactions:


U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued this statement:

USMEF applauds the House of Representatives for approving the implementing legislation for USMCA and the bipartisan effort by Congressional leaders and the Trump administration to bring USMCA to a House vote.


************

National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) President Jennifer Houston issued the following statement regarding the U.S. House of Representatives' approval of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by a vote of 385-41:

"Today was a crucial win for all U.S. beef producers and a reassurance that U.S. beef will continue to have duty-free access to Canada and Mexico," said Houston. "A big thank-you goes to the Trump Administration and every lawmaker who voted to approve USMCA. Of course, there is still more work left to do, so I urge the Senate to swiftly pass the USMCA and send it to the President's desk."


***********

Michael Kelsey with the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association offered this reaction:

"The House passage of USMCA by an overwhelming margin is a great victory for the Oklahoma and US beef cattle industry. Canada and Mexico are two of our top five trading partners. We must keep growing our export markets in order to continue adding value to our cattle. This is a great step in that direction and we certainly want to thank all five of Oklahoma's Representatives for their yes votes. Now we need the Senate to take up USMCA post haste and send it to the President's desk for his signature. Senators Inhofe and Lankford have been strong supporters of beef trade and leaders in calling for USMCA to be passed. We thank them for their continued voice of reason and support!"


***********

The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall:


"Farm Bureau commends the House for approving the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. It was a bipartisan effort as shown by the overwhelming 385 to 41 vote, and we appreciate the work of members of Congress on both sides of the aisle in getting this deal done.


************

Following the U.S. House's approval of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Rodd Moesel released the following statement:


"Oklahoma Farm Bureau members are optimistic after today's passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement, and we thank all five Oklahoma House members for their active support of the agreement.

************
Oklahoma pig farmers are thankful the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement. 

Dottie King, president-elect of the okPORK board of directors, says finalizing the USMCA is a tremendous positive for Oklahoma pig farmers across the country.

"Oklahoma's hog farmers greatly appreciate the leadership shown by Oklahoma's Congressional delegation in supporting USMCA and voting yes on USMCA," said King. "Mexico represents one of the largest export markets for Oklahoma pork."

okPORK is pleased about the passing of USMCA through the House and encourages Oklahoma Senators to also vote yes on this deal. 



Click here to read more from other ag groups and their support for the passage of USMCA. 

NaysayerTwo Ag Groups(Guess who) Are Naysayers on USMCA


It's actually three groups that are not particularly happy with the final implementing language of the USMCA that easily passed the US House on Thursday.

National Farmers Union has what they called a closely divided vote within their National Board of Directors- but decided to support the "amended USMCA" with President Roger Johnson saying "this wasn't the fair trade deal farmers and ranchers were hoping for. It does nothing to restore COOL, despite its popularity with consumers and farmers alike. Consumers want to know where their food comes from and farmers want to tell them - it's absurd that this commonsense and mutually beneficial rule still hasn't been reestablished."

It's also Mandatory COOL that has two groups offering bs down on USMCA- US Cattlemen's Association and R-Calf USA.

Leo McDonnell with USCA says "This administration promised to "Make America Great Again," but it is becoming evident this does not include U.S. ranchers.   The failure to include meaningful Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) for beef in USMCA is disheartening at best."

And R-Calf USA added "The USMCA, same as its predecessor the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), does not require beef derived from Mexican or Canadian cattle to bear a label of origin at retail sale in our domestic marketplace.

"We are extremely disappointed but not at all surprised that it is business as usual in the House of Representatives. They continue to support the financial self-interests of multinational corporations while harming American consumers and independent cattle producers.

"But it isn't over yet, we will now shift our focus on the Senate and meanwhile, we know that our efforts have significantly elevated the awareness that mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) for beef must be restored and we will not rest until it is."

The releases from all three of these groups can be read by clicking or tapping here. 



Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing two important actions that will help the agricultural sector protect crops from pests and weeds. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is approving the use of 10 pesticide products on hemp in time for the 2020 growing season. Nine of these products are biopesticides and one is a conventional pesticide. EPA is also issuing a proposed interim decision on atrazine - a widely used herbicide. Both actions provide regulatory certainty and clarity on how these tools can be used safely while also helping to ensure a strong and vibrant agricultural market.


"With common-sense actions, we are protecting the health of our nation and ensuring that crops such as corn, sorghum, sugar cane and hemp can be protected against a broad spectrum of weeds and pests," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "Under the Trump Administration, the EPA is committed to providing much needed certainty to farmers and ranchers across the country who rely on crop protection tools to ensure a global supply of products, while driving economic growth in agricultural communities across America."


"EPA's actions today help support American farmers' efforts to grow hemp just in time for the first growing season," said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. "No other President has done more to remove strangling regulations and promote American farmers than President Trump. From repealing WOTUS, to implementing year-round E-15, and ensuring 15 billion gallons of ethanol are in the marketplace next year, this Administration continues to put farmers first."


You can read more from the EPA regarding hemp protection, by clicking or tapping here

 
The State Chamber of Oklahoma announced Thursday that after a nationwide executive search, Chad Warmington has been chosen as its next President and CEO, effective February 1, 2020.


"I'm grateful to those who have served on our search and advisory committees over the last six months, and to Schnake Turnbo Frank who oversaw our process with professionalism and integrity," said Steve Hahn, Chairman of the State Chamber's Board of Directors. "After a thorough and collaborative search involving close to 100 candidates, we chose a finalist whose background, experience, and passion make him an ideal candidate for this role."


Warmington currently serves as the President of the Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma, an organization formed after the merger of the Oklahoma Oil & Gas Association and the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association. He oversaw the merger of the two organizations and their staff, the establishment of a unified executive committee and Board of Directors, and the implementation of new governance structures and bylaws.


Warmington has also served as Chief of Staff to three Speakers of the Oklahoma House, on the staff of U.S. Sen. Don Nickles, and as campaign manager for multiple statewide candidates. He has recently been named to the Board of Directors to the Oklahoma Youth Expo.



Click here to read more about the new CEO of the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce. 


Sponsor Spotlight
 
 
It's great to have one of the premiere businesses in the cattle business partner with us in helping bring you our daily Farm and Ranch News Email- National Livestock Credit Corporation.  National Livestock has been around since 1932- and they have worked with livestock producers to help them secure credit and to buy or sell cattle through the National Livestock Commission Company.  

They also own and operate the Southern Oklahoma Livestock Market in Ada, Superior Livestock, which continues to operate independently and have a major stake in OKC West in El Reno. To learn more about how these folks can help you succeed in the cattle business, click here for their website or call the Oklahoma City office at 1-800-310-0220.



Kansas State Livestock Market Economist Dr. Glynn Tonsor says that USDA, on a preliminary basis, has updated its 10-year models for meat consumption in this country.


Tonsor says that for 2020, per capita meat consumption numbers will be a little bit bigger than in 2019. "Every year for maybe 20 years now USDA's done this, and then they put out initial releases in November-December. And then the final numbers become available in February. First, let's take per capita volumes of consumption across the main meats, they're expected to peak actually in 2020, so this coming year is projected to be the highest in the upcoming ten years and higher than it was in 2019, up a full two pounds when we talk about total meats. And when you break that down, beef is expected to be up half a pound, be just under 58 pounds per person. Pork up almost half a pound again, just about 52 pounds per person and chicken is up more than a full pound per person right at 95 pounds.


On the other side of this, Tonsor also talks about cattle numbers, "The beef cow inventory in 2020 is forecast to be down 120,000 cows. If that occurred, that would be 31.6 million cows. That is consistent; I would argue if not just understated a little bit, with the number of cull cow transaction volumes we've had in the last couple of months. The cow inventory is expected to kind of trough out in 2022 at 31.2 million. So embedded in that is USDA projecting a decline in the herd, but not a big decline. So I mean if you do the math on that it's less than a half a million, five hundred thousand cows that would be coming down from the peak. We've definitely had time in the past where the herd has come down by more than that. I'm going to highlight I could buy that is we might have plateaued, shrink the herd but not shrink it a lot, because from my perspective I don't see lots of strong negative margins for the cow-calf sector, at the moment, that is going to squeeze folks and cows out of the industry quicker.


You can listen to the entire conversation between Tonsor and I on Thursday's Beef Buzz - here


Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule that establishes the required renewable volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for 2020, and the biomass-based diesel volume for 2021. Through this action, the Trump Administration has fulfilled yet another key promise to the American people, American farmers and American biofuels producers by increasing biofuels volumes under the renewable fuel standard and modifying the program requirements to ensure those volumes are met. The EPA is committed to ensuring a net of 15 billion gallons of conventional biofuel is blended in 2020.


"Through President Trump's leadership, this Administration continues to promote domestic ethanol and biodiesel production, supporting our Nation's farmers and providing greater energy security," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "President Trump committed to our nation's farmers that biofuel requirements would be expanded in 2020. At the EPA we are delivering on that promise and ensuring a net of 15 billion gallons of conventional biofuel are blended into the nation's fuel supply."


Under the Trump Administration, EPA has consistently increased the renewable volume obligations and continued to expand the nation's renewable fuels sector. Through this rule, EPA has modified the RFS program by projecting small refinery relief to ensure that these final volumes are met, while adjudicating small refinery relief when appropriate. 
You can read more from the EPA regarding RFS, by jumping over to our website

While EPA paints a rosy picture of what they are proposing under the RFS- biofuel supporters are walking away with a bad taste in their mouths- Their reaction is in our next story.



Biofuel supporters are NOT thrilled with the bottom line that EPA has come up with in their 2020 RFS proposal. 

Kevin Ross, President of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) offered this statement shortly after the EPA announcement: "The Administration has chosen to move forward with a final rule that corn farmers believe falls short of adequately addressing the demand destruction caused by EPA's abuse of RFS refinery waivers. While using the DOE recommendations to account for waivers is an improvement over the status quo, it is now on corn farmers to hold the Administration to their commitment of a minimum of 15 billion gallon volume, as the law requires. We will use future rulemakings and other opportunities to hold the EPA accountable."

Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy also quickly commented on Thursday- "President Trump pledged to deliver certainty and stability for America's farmers and biofuel producers by restoring integrity to the RFS. While we're encouraged that EPA is finally taking steps to follow the law and account for biofuel demand lost to secretive oil refinery exemptions, this rule leaves important work unfinished. Integrity is restored to the RFS only if the agency accurately accounts for exemptions it will grant."

You can read by clicking here several other comments from the Biofuel Supporters who believe EPA did not live up to what President Trmp promised back in September of this year on the Renewable Fuel Standard.

 
Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, AFR Insurance, Oklahoma Pork CouncilOklahoma Farm Bureau, Stillwater Milling Company, National Livestock Credit CorporationOklahoma Beef Council, Oklahoma AgCredit, Oklahoma Ag Mediation Program, Inc., the Oklahoma Cattlemens Association and  KIS Futures for their support of our daily Farm News Update. For your convenience, we have our sponsors' websites linked here- just click on their name to jump to their website- check their sites out and let these folks know you appreciate the support of this daily email, as their sponsorship helps us keep this arriving in your inbox on a regular basis- at NO Charge!


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We invite you to check out our website at the link below too that includes an archive of these daily emails, audio reports and top farm news story links from around the globe.   
 

 
God Bless! You can reach us at the following:  
 
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