 |
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.
Let's Check the Markets!
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.
Another Day- Another Record for Wholesale Boxed Beef Trade- Choice beef on Tuesday afternoon jumped $18.98 from Monday- finishing at $330.82. Select beef was $22.10 higher at $320.88. Click here for the complete report as compiled by USDA Market News.
OKC West in El Reno had 1,500 calves for the Tuesday trade- prices not well tested- click here for the complete report as compiled by USDA Market News.
Okla Cash Grain: Futures Wrap: Feeder Cattle Recap: Slaughter Cattle Recap: TCFA Feedlot Recap:
Our Oklahoma Farm Report Team!!!!
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
Wednesday. April 29, 2020
|
Howdy Neighbors!
Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
|
|
 President Trump Signs Executive Order Under Defense Production Act to Order Meat Processing Plants to Stay Open
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday evening, using the Defense Production Act (DPA) to order meat processing plants to stay open and designating them as critical infrastructure.
The order will apply to all meat processing plants in the U.S. in an effort to prevent further disruptions to the food supply. Trump signaled he would sign this order earlier on Tuesday following estimates that meat production capacity nationwide could be reduced by as much as 80 percent.
"It is important that processors of beef, pork, and poultry ("meat and poultry") in the food supply chain continue operating and fulfilling orders to ensure a continued supply of protein for Americans. However, outbreaks of COVID-19 among workers at some processing facilities have led to the reduction in some of those facilities' production capacity," the president wrote in the order.
The order delegates the Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to take actions to ensure that meat and poultry processors continue operations.
Click here to read the Secretary's plans to move forward with the plan to help processors stay open- balancing the safety of the workers with the need to keep the supply chain moving for beef, pork and poultry.
|
|
Sponsor Spotlight
As Oklahoma's largest John Deere dealer, P&K Equipment is proud to be your local expert source for equipment, parts, and service. As an Oklahoma-based, family-run company, the P&K network consists of 16 locations in Oklahoma, 2 locations in Arkansas, and 9 locations in Iowa. Our Oklahoma and agricultural roots run deep and our history spans over 30 years.
At P&K, we make it our mission to provide you with top-notch solutions and unbeatable customer service at a price you CAN afford. Visit pkequipment.com and you'll have it all at your fingertips: request a quote, schedule service, get a value for your trade, find current promotions, and shop for parts online. Stop by one of our locations today to meet the P&K team. You'll see why around here, John Deere starts with P&K.
|
Agriculture Groups Supportive of Trump Administration Move to Keep Meat Supply Chain Operating
Several Agriculture groups have commented on the Trump Administrations decision to invoke the Defense Production Act to keep meat processing facilities across the country open during this crisis.
Former USDA official Chuck Connor with the National Council of Farm Coops praised the move- saying ""NCFC would like to commend the Trump Administration for invoking the Defense Production Act (DPA) to keep meat processing facilities across the country open during this crisis. Protecting our country's food supply is a key national security issue-making sure Americans have access to enough food has been a priority of our government since the founding.
"The situation faced by meat processors is unprecedented and without action today, there is a very real threat of severe disruptions to the food supply chain. In addition, inaction will have impacts far into the future, as the inability to sell the animals they have raised and fed threatens the financial viability of farmers and ranchers across the U.S." Click here for their full statement.
****************
Meanwhile, The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) the Executive Order will help ensure the ongoing production of meat and poultry to feed Americans during the COVID-19 crisis.
"By keeping meat and poultry producers operating, the President's Executive Order will help avert hardship for agricultural producers and keep safe, affordable food on the tables of American families," said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. "The safety of the heroic men and women working in the meat and poultry industry is the first priority. And as it is assured, facilities should be allowed to re-open. We are grateful to the President for acting to protect our nation's food supply chain."
Click here for their full statement.
*********************
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association believes that the action taken by President Trump will help keep the beef supply chain intact, ensure beef remains available to consumers and ultimately provide the food that American consumers will need to reopen the nation.
"While there are currently no widespread shortages of beef, we are seeing supply chain disruptions because of plant closures and reductions in the processing speed at many, if not most, beef processing plants in the United States. We thank President Trump for his recognition of the problem and the action he has taken today to begin correcting it," said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. "American consumers rely on a safe, steady supply of food, and President Trump understands the importance of keeping cattle and beef moving to ensure agriculture continues to operate at a time when the nation needs it most."
Click here for NCBA's full statement
******************
Other groups that have offered comments include (Click on the name of the group to read their statement)
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers
National Chicken Council
|
National Cattlemen's Beef Association Executive Director, Government Affairs, Allison Rivera, today released the following statement in response to a bipartisan letter from 24 U.S. Senators to U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) --
"Now more than ever, we can see how vitally important it is for haulers to have the flexibility they need to get live and perishable goods to market as quickly and as safely as possible. Hauling livestock is inherently different than hauling typical consumer goods, and we continue to look for flexibilities within Hours of Service to safely haul livestock around this country. As we look toward an infrastructure package we are grateful for the continued support on Hours of Service flexibilities."
|
|
Lawmakers reached an agreement to allow agriculture to participate in the Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. The agreement is part of a larger deal, a $484 billion coronavirus package to extend the Paycheck Protection Program.
Radio Oklahoma Associate Farm Director KC Sheperd spoke with the President of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Elkhart, Ks, Shan Hanes, to see what this means for producers. Hanes said they've been working with the ancillary groups for agriculture, the tractor dealers and the supporting industries for Ag have also really felt some of the crunch "We've spent a lot of time and resources getting those folks eligible. Those guys have employees they have to keep in the shop and in the fields making repairs. So for us, it extends beyond the farmers, and those businesses that farmers depend on."
Hanes said some advice he gives to producers during this time is to stay in contact with your bankers and make sure they have the latest information available because in these situations there is not a lot of guidance, "We are getting new information every day trying to put this stuff together and looking for every opportunity we have to help our customers, whether its farmers or farm businesses, we are looking for ways to help them work through this process."
|
|
Sponsor Spotlight
KIS FUTURES specializes in Futures and Options for Institutions, Commercials, Hedgers, and Individual Traders and executes trades for its clients in the following markets: Livestock, Grains, Energy, Metals, Softs, Financials, Currencies, and Stock Index Futures. For more information, please give them a call Toll Free at (800) 256-2555. Click here for their website to learn more.
And- their iPhone App, which provides all electronic futures quotes is available at the App Store- click here for the KIS Futures App for your iPhone.
|
Meat processing plants closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic have hammered the pork industry harder than the beef industry but Katelyn McCullock, director and senior agricultural economist for the Livestock Marketing Information Center, believes the situation could worsen for the cattle industry. Today's Beef Buzz features comments from McCullock as she analyzes the latest processing and marketing numbers.
Overall slaughter capacity for beef processing plants have decreased 25-30 percent in recent weeks as plants temporarily close due to COVID-19. McCullock said it could deteriorate even further.
"I think it depends how many plants are closed at the same time and the ability to shift slaughter depending on which region you're in," McCullock said.
"I would expect cow prices to move lower," she said.
McCullock said there are still a lot of uncertainties hanging over the market.
|
Today, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor announced the association's support of the Clean Fuels Deployment Act, introduced by biofuels champions and U.S. Representatives Abby Finkenauer (D-Iowa), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Angie Craig (D-Ill.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.).
The legislation authorized $500 million over five years for the Department of Transportation to provide grants that will incentivize the deployment of fueling infrastructure for ethanol and biodiesel, with a focus on ethanol blends greater than 10 percent and biodiesel blends greater than 20 percent.
"The strong support of rural champions like Reps. Finkenauer, Marshall, Craig, and Bacon has never been more important, and we are grateful for their continued leadership on behalf of American farmers and biofuel producers," said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor.
|
Thirty-eight agriculture groups and businesses sent a letter to congressional leaders requesting changes to the Paycheck Protection Program. Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sectors received only 1.3% of the original $349 billion in approved funding.
The letter states, "several issues remain with the Small Business Administration's implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program that have made it challenging for farmers and ranchers to participate."
The American Farm Bureau Federation is among the organizations that signed the letter.
"The CARES Act is a lifeline for farmers and ranchers struggling to stay afloat during this pandemic," said American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. "COVID-19 has created an unprecedented impact on almost all markets, and farmers are struggling to pay employees while paying their own bills. As lawmakers consider replenishing the disaster loan program, it's crucial that they ensure agriculture is given equal access to assistance.
|
Coming Thursday- OCA to Release a List of Producers that are Selling Beef Direct
The Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association is working to compile a list of OCA members who sell beef direct to the consumer.
"With the current COVID-19 pandemic and the meat supply chain being disrupted by sickness of employees at packing plants, the demand to buy beef direct is at an all-time high!" said Mike Weeks, President of the OCA. "After several inquiries, we have decided to compose a list of OCA members who sell beef direct."
Consumers can expect this list to be available on Thursday, April 30 on the OCA's website and social media channels encouraging consumers to call the producers on the list to purchase beef.
Click here to learn more- and contact the OCA if you are a rancher/cattle producer and a member of the OCA who wants to participate in selling beef directly to consumers.
If you are not a member of the OCA- you can call them and take care of that, too.
|
|
Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, AFR Insurance, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Great Plains Kubota, Stillwater Milling Company, National Livestock Credit Corporation, Oklahoma Beef Council, Oklahoma AgCredit, 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 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
|
|
|
