Subject: Oklahoma's Farm News Update
From: Ron Hays <ronphays@cox.net>
Date: 3/31/2020, 5:51 AM
To: ron.hays@radiooklahoma.net



 
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We invite you to listen to us on great radio stations across the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network weekdays- if you missed this morning's Farm News - or you are in an area where you can't hear it- click here for this morning's Farm news from Ron Hays on RON.
 
 
 
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MarketLinks


OKC West is our Market Links Sponsor- they sell cattle three days a week- Cows on Mondays, Stockers on Tuesday and Feeders on Wednesday- Call 405-262-8800 to learn more.
 
 
   
Today's First Look:
mornings with cash and futures reviewed- includes where the Cash Cattle market stands, the latest Feeder Cattle Markets Etc.
 

At the Oklahoma National Stockyards- 7,500 cattle were on hand-  Compared to last week: Feeder steers and heifers are trading 4.00-10.00 lower. Grazing cattle along with light weight weaned calves 2.00 to 3.00 lower. You can click or tap here for the complete report from USDA Market News
 
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 yesterday afternoon around 3:30 PM.
 
 
Okla Cash Grain:  
Daily Oklahoma Cash Grain Prices- as reported by the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture from Monday March 30.


Joplin Regional Stockyards saw larger cattle numbers- but not better prices-
Compared to a light test last week, steer and heifer calves and yearlings steady to 7.00 lower. Click or tap here for the full report from USDA Market News. 
  
 
  
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.
 


 
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Ron Hays, Senior Farm Director and Editor
 
KC Sheperd, Associate Farm Director and Editor

Sam Knipp, Farm Editor

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

Oklahoma's Latest Farm and Ranch News


Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
   Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Howdy Neighbors! 

Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update. 
 

Responding to a changing marketplace that has been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak across the world, the Oklahoma Beef Council has adjusted its marketing programs to promote and educate about beef to consumers and other audiences in the state. The new efforts reflect a consumer and supply system that is rapidly changing, but a product that remains nutritious, versatile and delicious and in high demand.


"We're living in a time of great challenge, but consumers shouldn't be confused or worried about beef," says Becca McMillan, OBC chairman and a cattle producer from Mannsville, Okla. "Oklahoma beef producers are responsible for one of the most healthful, tasteful products available, and our organization wants to make sure consumers feel great about putting our wonderful products on their dinner table."

Heather Buckmaster, Executive Director for the Beef council said the Organization has made a few changes in the way they do their daily operations. 

Read more and listen to my conversation with Heather Buckmaster on this pivot by the OBC by clicking or tapping here. 



Jared Brackett is the 2020 Chairman of the Cattlemen's Beef Board- and a producer from Idaho. He offers the following special update from the CBB about the latest COVID-19 Response being taken by contractors undertaking work in the National and International Beef Checkoff Program. 

"As I watch television news reports from my ranch and listen to radio broadcasts in my truck while checking on cattle, I see the impact that COVID-19 is having on our economy, including the stock market and cattle markets. And, as a beef producer, I know firsthand how frustrating this situation is for cattlemen and women across the country. Certainly, none of us could've anticipated the circumstances we're currently facing on top of other issues that have impacted the entire beef industry over the past few years.

"While I'm a beef producer first and foremost, I'm also the 2020 chair of the Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB). Our 99-member board - consisting primarily of domestic beef, veal and dairy producers - oversees the collection and spending of Beef Checkoff dollars. Our goal is to promote beef and increase demand, and in these uncertain times, I want to assure you that the Beef Checkoff and its contractors continue to work toward that very important goal."

Over the past few days, we contacted each Beef Checkoff contractor to ask for updates in light of the rapidly evolving world situation. Here, we've summarized some ways our contractors and subcontractors are responding to ensure beef demand remains stronger than ever. 


Sponsor Spotlight


National Livestock was founded in 1932 in Oklahoma City. National's Marketing Division offers cattle for sale weekly at the Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City. The Finance Division lends money to ranchers across several states for cattle production. The Grazing Division works with producers to place cattle for grazing on wheat or grass pastures. 

National also owns and operates other livestock marketing subsidiaries including Southern Oklahoma Livestock Auction in Ada, Oklahoma, OKC West Livestock Market in El Reno, Oklahoma, and the nation's premier livestock video sale, Superior Livestock Auction. National offers customers many services custom made for today's producer. To learn more, click here for the website or call the Oklahoma City office at 1-800-310-0220.


 Most of the High Plains wheat crop and pasture and range conditions continue to look good according to the latest USDA Crop Progress Report.

For the week of March 23-29, the Oklahoma wheat crop is rated 70 percent in the good to excellent category, a slight drop from last week's 77 percent. Approximately 25 percent is fair this week (last week it was 20 percent) and 5 percent is in the poor to very poor condition this week (last week 3 percent).

Oklahoma pasture and range conditions virtually unchanged from last week, rated 54 percent in the good to excellent category this week (last week it was 53 percent), 40 percent is fair (last week was 43 percent) and 6 percent poor to very poor compared to 4 percent last week.

Wheat jointing reached 44 percent, up 6 points from the previous year but down 3 points from normal. Canola blooming reached 1 percent, down 13 points from the previous year and down 16 points from normal.

For Kansas, winter wheat condition rated 50 percent in the good to excellent category this week (48 percent last week), 38 percent is fair (same as last week) and 12 percent is in the poor to very poor category (last week 14 percent). Approximately 3 percent of the Kansas wheat crop was in the jointed stage.

For our neighbors to the south, small grains continued to develop in most areas of the state due to increased moisture, however, cool weather slowed development in a few areas of the Cross Timbers and the Blacklands. Meanwhile, some areas of South Texas had reported premature heading as well as some failed fields due to dry conditions.

Overall the Texas wheat crop is showing some improvement, this week it is rated 56 percent good to excellent (last week it was 49 percent), 30 percent is rated fair (33 percent last week) and 14 percent is poor to very poor (last week was it was 18 percent).
Texas range and pasture are rated 36 percent good to excellent this week (42 percent last week), 32 percent fair (34 percent last week) and 22 percent is rated poor to very poor this week (last week it was 24 percent).


Mondays, Dr. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, offers his economic analysis of the beef cattle industry. This analysis is a part of the weekly series known as the "Cow Calf Corner" published electronically by Dr. Peel and Glenn Selk. Today, Dr. Peel examines the cattle market responses to recent market turmoil.

Economists often say that market prices are determined by demand and supply. What they really mean is more correctly stated as "market prices are determined by expectations of demand and supply". Under more stable and normal circumstances, this distinction is not particularly significant. However, the current market situation creates significant disparities between the current supply and demand situation and expectations for coming supply and demand conditions. The result is a number of seeming paradoxes between different cash cattle and beef markets and between cash and futures markets.

Fed and feeder cattle markets have exhibited extreme volatility while balancing current market conditions and expectations for the future. As the Dow Jones fell from over 29,000 in the third week of February to less than 19,000 one month later, Live cattle futures fell from about $112/cwt. to $86/cwt. (June contract) over the same period. The markets reflect the ongoing concern about the weakening U.S. and global macroeconomic conditions resulting from COVID-19. June Live cattle futures recovered to $97/cwt. before dropping again late last week to $89/cwt. Live cattle futures have also reflected the risk that labor disruptions could disrupt packing plant operations.

Cash fed cattle prices declined from nearly $120/cwt. in mid-February to a low around $106/cwt. in mid-March. Cash fed prices declined on broader concerns reflected in the Live futures as well as the supply pressure of increased beef production. Year to date beef production is up 6.3 percent through mid-March. In the past two weeks, cash fed cattle prices rebounded to about $119/cwt. as packers increased beef production in response to the sharp demand increase for retail beef. Beef production is estimated to be up over 11 percent the last two weeks of March. Saturday cattle slaughter the past two weeks is estimated to be up 90 percent year over year and contribute to a 5.9 percent year over year increase in total cattle slaughter for the two-week period. Carcass weight continue well above year ago levels. 


Today I sat down with Ethan Lane, Vice President of Government Affairs for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, about keeping the food supply chain moving.

We are pleased to hear the industry is focused on keeping the pipeline full, Lane said.

The good news, Lane said, is the industry has shifted from its position a few weeks ago, worrying about having one employee test positive for COVID-19 and shutting the whole system down, to a position today of isolation and safety, yet keeping the system open.
Flexibility is very important, Lane said.

There is just nothing to compare this to, Lane said. I don't think any of us would imagine having a conversation about what it would be like to grind the U.S. economy to a halt, yet that is where we are.

We can only keep the economy asleep so long, Lane said.
The beef industry especially can't go to asleep as people still need to eat, Lane said.


Sponsor Spotlight

 
The Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association is the trusted voice of the Oklahoma Cattle Industry. With headquarters in Oklahoma City, the OCA has a regular presence at the State Capitol to protect and defend the interests of cattlemen and cattlewomen.
 
Their Vision Statement explains the highest priority of the organization- "Leadership that serves, strengthens and advocates for the Oklahoma cattle industry."
 
To learn more about the OCA and how you can be a part of this forward-looking group of cattle producers, click here for their website. For more information- call 405-235-4391. 



More than 100 years of science-based, community service by Oklahoma State University Extension will continue unabated through the challenges presented by the novel coronavirus pandemic, Associate Vice President for OSU Extension Damona Doye said.

"It is very important that we all remain safe, productive and healthy during this pandemic," Doye said. "We face an evolving situation, which is forcing all of us to adapt and innovate. Extension resources will be available to help."

OSU Extension is a state agency administered by the university's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and is a key component of OSU's mandate to promote wellness, leadership and economic development for all Oklahomans.

Many Extension offices, which can be found in all 77 of the state's counties, have been directed by state and local authorities to close their doors and cancel face-to-face meetings to protect the health of Extension personnel and the public. However, true to their spirit of commitment, those workers are making themselves available electronically via social media, teleconferences, phone calls and texting.

The Extension website at https://extension.okstate.edu provides a wealth of educational content designed especially for Oklahoman's, such as guidance on crops and livestock, gardening and insects, health and nutrition, and 4-H and family. The site also has more than 1,000 fact sheets tailored to state residents.


Superior Livestock Auction is dedicated to remaining America's leader in livestock marketing and with that dedication comes a commitment to providing our consignors, representatives, buyers and industry partners the best and most dependable service possible. 2020 will celebrate the fifth offering of Superior Livestock's Gulf Coast Classic, an auction that presents a unique opportunity to highlight calves from Louisiana and southeast United States.

Superior has made the decision to move our Gulf Coast Classic offering April 16th & 17th from Natchitoches, Louisiana to our studio in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards.

This decision comes as the country is facing an unprecedented time and Louisiana's Governor John Edwards' is restricting gatherings of large groups. Superior Livestock and management are aware of the difficult decisions that others in our industry are facing currently and our prayers are with our Louisiana family and we look forward to returning to Natchitoches in 2021.

With that decision and this announcement, we are thankful for our technology which allows us to continue with the offering while abiding by current CDC regulations. We look forward to still being able to highlight our producers from Louisiana and southeast United States even while not with them physically.

The consignment deadline for this offering is April 6th and the offering will be April 16th & 17th broadcast live from the Superior Livestock Studio in Fort Worth, Texas

Seven Dicamba Training, OSU Webinars On, Wheat Field Days Canceled. 

Oklahoma State University has several digital opportunities to look at production decisions for 2020- as well as to receive needed Dicamba Certification Training. For cotton producers, a meeting via webinar is planned for THIS MORNING- starting at 9 AM.

There will also be a webinar on THIS EVENING- March 31st that will look more closely at economic mitigation efforts among regional cattle producers, said JJ Jones, southeast area Extension agricultural economist. Other specialist scheduled to attend include agricultural economists Trent Milacek and Scott Clawson.

"Cattle prices are down and no one is certain about the outlook," Jones said. "We will survive this and things will turn around, but we need to talk about how that's going to happen."

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

The upcoming wheat field days through May 10th has been canceled. 

Amanda De Oliveira Silva has provided an update for all the wheat industry stakeholders about the upcoming wheat field days.

Silva says, "We have already installed small orange stakes (with plot number and variety's name information) in every single plot of the replicated trials. We will leave about 20 printed copies of the plot maps in each field location and finish putting the large variety signs in each location soon We hope that in this way anyone can do a self-guided tour if desired. We will continue to manage all plots and collect data as usual. Also, we are working to develop a virtual wheat field day as an alternative to the in-person field day and you should hear from me soon."

 
Pork
AND FINALLY- World Pork Expo a No Go- and No 2020 HRW Wheat Tours/Estimates

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) today announced that its board of directors has decided to cancel the 2020 World Pork Expo in June due to COVID-19 human health concerns. World Pork Expo 2021 is scheduled for June 9-11 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

"While deeply disappointed to cancel this year's Expo, NPPC's board of directors unanimously agreed it was prudent to make this decision now," said NPPC President Howard "A.V." Roth, a pork producer from Wauzeka, Wisconsin. "By eliminating COVID 19-related uncertainty surrounding the event, we allow producers and others across the industry to focus on the essential role we play in the nation's food supply system at this critical time."

**********

Also being cancelled is the 2020 Wheat Quality Council Wheat Tour across Kansas and parts of Colorado and Oklahoma- The dates for that event were May 4-7 and the Executive Director of the Wheat Quality Council, Dave Green, says that this is the first time that a wheat crop tour has been cancelled since it was started back in the 1970s.

Along with that- Joe Neal Hampton of the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association has told us that there will not be a Oklahoma Wheat Crop Report session that same week- as he says "just about like everything else."  
 
Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, AFR Insurance, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Great Plains Kubota, 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!


We also appreciate our Market Links Sponsor - OKC West Livestock!
 
 
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:  
 
phone: 405-473-6144
 

 



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