Yesterday, the Obama Administration launched a new trade enforcement action against the People's Republic of China at the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerning China's administration of tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for rice, wheat, and corn. The complaint filed by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) charges that China's administration of its TRQs for these commodities breaches China's WTO commitments and undermines American farm exports. The United States is launching this trade enforcement challenge to hold China to its trade commitments and help level the playing field for American rice, wheat, and corn farmers. The announcement marks the 15th trade enforcement challenge the Obama Administration has launched against China at the WTO.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that China's TRQs for these commodities were worth over $7 billion in 2015. If the TRQs had been fully used, China would have imported as much as $3.5 billion worth of additional crops last year alone.


In a separate matter, USTR also announced today that it has requested that the WTO establish a dispute settlement panel to examine China's level of domestic support for Chinese producers of rice, wheat, and corn.

Several leaders in Washington chimed in after this announcement applauding the action by USTR.

"China continues to ignore the commitments it made in joining the WTO," said Representative K. Michael Conaway, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. "Not only is China unfairly subsidizing its producers to the detriment of American farmers, they are also refusing to provide the market access they promised. We have been sounding the alarm, and I am pleased to see USTR taking action to hold China accountable."

"We need to hold China accountable for unfair trade practices that hurt American farmers," said Senator Debbie Stabenow, Raking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. "I applaud the USTR for taking steps today to level the playing field so that our businesses can create jobs and compete in the global economy." 

"An equal playing field is vital for America's farmers to compete in a global marketplace," said House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson. "It is imperative that the United States take this action to hold China accountable for failing to meet WTO commitments."

For the full story and to read more statements by officials, click here.

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) issued a joint statement welcoming the two trade dispute actions by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) challenging Chinese government policies that distort the wheat market and harm wheat growers throughout the rest of the world. USW and NAWG say they are encouraged to see the U.S. government take such a strong position on trade enforcement, which is crucial for building confidence in existing and new trade agreements.

"As with its price support case, the USTR is shining a light on other policies that pre-empt market driven wheat trade, stifle our export opportunities and force private sector buyers and Chinese consumers to pay far more for milling wheat and wheat-based foods," said USW President Alan Tracy.


"The facts in these two cases go hand-in-hand, demonstrating how Chinese government policies create an unfair advantage for domestic wheat production," said Gordon Stoner, president of NAWG and a wheat farmer from Outlook, Montana. "Both actions call attention to the fact that when all countries follow the rules, a pro-trade agenda and trade agreements work for U.S. wheat farmers and their customers."

Click here to read the joint statement issued by the wheat groups.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway released a statement also expressing his support for the steps taken to curb what he calls "predatory trade practices" by China.

"While the U.S. government's action today is long in coming and only a first small step, I welcome the action and urge much, much more to come in order to one day deliver to America's farm and ranch families-and all Americans-a fair shake at what has been to date a decades old unfulfilled promise of free markets and a level playing field."

To read Chairman Conaway's full statement, click here.

This week I sat down with American Farmers and Ranchers President Terry Detrick for his reflections on agriculture in the state this year and what his focuses will be heading into 2017.

Although we were blessed this year in many ways, an amazing wheat crop for one, Detrick says we still had some setbacks that we can learn from moving forward.

Detrick says the defeat of 777 and the passage of the Massachusetts' Sate Question 3, which put restrictions on the sale of pork, poultry and veal, is just a taste of what the opponents of agriculture have in store for the future. He says it will be up to us, the farmers and ranchers, to educate the general public about what we do on the farm, and equip them with the knowledge to understand the agenda being pushed by anti-agriculture groups.

"We did not anticipate properly, the lengths to which the 'NO' promoters would take," Detrick said. "Did we not tell the right story - or did we not tell the story the right way? I'm not sure."

Detrick implies that right now, the agricultural community should take every opportunity to prepare for future problems that may arise. A Farm Bill that works and works well, is also a step in the right direction, as he forecasts up to three years before the grain markets improve.

Be sure to catch Detrick who joins me this Saturday for our weekly In the Field segment on KWTV News9 in the Oklahoma City area at 6:40 a.m.

Click here to read more and for a chance to listen to my entire conversation with Detrick on his reflections of 2016.

President-elect Donald J. Trump announced yesterday his intent to appoint U.S. Congressman Ryan Zinke from Montana as Secretary of the Interior.

Rep. Zinke has spent his time in the U.S. House of Representatives building an impressive portfolio on Interior issues ranging from federal mineral leases to tribal affairs to public lands conservation. Rep. Zinke is widely praised for his voting record that supports the Teddy Roosevelt philosophy of managing public lands, which calls for multiple-use to include economic, recreation and conservation.

"I am pleased to nominate Congressman Ryan Zinke as our Secretary of the Interior. He has built one of the strongest track records on championing regulatory relief, forest management, responsible energy development and public land issues," said President-elect Donald J. Trump.

"As someone who grew up in a logging and rail town and hiking in Glacier National Park, I am honored and humbled to be asked to serve Montana and America as Secretary of Interior," said Rep. Zinke.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall responded to this announcement, expressing his confidence in Trump's decision.

"The nomination of Ryan Zinke for Secretary of the Interior signals an important step toward balanced use of federal lands. During his time in the House, he has recognized that the federal government has an obligation to manage, rather than merely preserve, the 28 percent of U.S. land it controls. He supports a pragmatic, 'all of the above' approach to energy generation rather than limiting ourselves to one form of energy over another. He is a proven leader and qualified choice for the position.

Click here to read the full announcement about Trump's nomination of Zinke. To continue reading Duvall's response, click here.

Chilly and sometimes freezing temperatures are making their wintertime appearance in the Southern Plains states, and that means livestock producers need to be paying extra attention to the drinking water needs of their animals.

"No matter what type of livestock you raise, remember the days when you most want to stay by the fire are the days it pays to pay closer attention to water management," said Robert Bourne, Bryan County Extension director and agricultural educator for Oklahoma State University's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.


Limited water intake depresses animal performance quicker and more drastically than any other nutrient.

"Frozen water sources and improperly functioning automatic waters are major contributors to limiting water intake," Bourne said. "Animals drink water most readily between 40 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Heated waterers that overheat can be just as big a problem as frozen water. Check them often and on a regular schedule."


Free choice salt or salt in the diet will serve to increase water consumption and help ensure adequate hydration. Still, sound management when employing this strategy is needed.

Click here to read more about proper water management for your herd this winter.

 
Drought has dramatically expanded across Oklahoma in the latest Drought Monitor. In reality, the forecasters that release the Monitor weekly are "catching up" with what has been developing on the ground since the beginning of fall. The map below shows the latest Drought Monitor status and was released on Thursday morning.




According to Oklahoma State Climatologist Gary McManus- "Lost in all this talk about winter and cold and freezing and frigid and frostbite and when-will-it-end is another hazard that gets far less notoriety, but is much more damaging...drought. And this week, we did what's called a "reassessment" of the drought situation across Oklahoma. We do these from time to time when we feel like the proper drought depiction has sort of "gotten away" from us.

"That can mean the data we're seeing isn't matching what's actually happening on the ground, and that was the case over the past month or so. After some very detailed descriptions from county level down to the individual ag producer level communications, it was time for that reassessment. Hence, we have seen a huge jump in the drought conditions this week since last week based on a new understanding of the actual impacts."

As for the actual numbers- we go for total drought numbers in the state from 58% a week ago to 72% this week- and when you add in the "abnormally dry" stat- you have virtually the entire state on the dry side- over 87% to be exact.

Click or tap here to read more- and to see the water level map for the lakes in our state- not a pretty picture there either.

MEANWHILE- brace yourself for lots of cold and maybe just a tiny bit of moisture- Jed Castles of News9 provides us the graphic for central and western Oklahoma:

This week on SUNUP, Oklahoma State University Extension Grain Market Analyst Dr. Kim Anderson explains the role the United States' plays in world wheat production.

The five-year average for the US in 1987 was about 2.3 billion bushels. The current five-year average runs only at about 2.1 billion. Compared to other countries, Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan for instance, their production in the 80s was around 3 billion. Today, it's over 4 billion.


"So, we've seen an increase in production just about everywhere around the world except in the US," Anderson said.


Increase planted acres, higher yields and better infrastructure have all contributed to this area's increased production. According to Dr. Anderson, this trend is not just a cycle, but rather it is here to stay for the foreseeable future.

Anderson says we can still remain competitive in the wheat market but to do it successfully, "we got to have protein, test weight, and milling quality wheat."

Click here for a chance to listen to an early edition of Anderson's appearance on this week's episode of SUNUP.