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!
Today's First Look:
mornings with cash and futures reviewed- includes where the Cash Cattle market stands, the latest Feeder Cattle Markets Etc.
Each afternoon we are posting a recap of that day's markets as analyzed by Justin Lewis of KIS futures- click or tap here for the report posted yesterday afternoon around 3:30 PM.
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
Carson Horn, Associate Farm Director and Editor
Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager
Dave Lanning, Markets and Production
Macey Mueller, E-mail and Web Writer
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Oklahoma's Latest Farm and Ranch News
Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Our Merry Christmas Edition!!!!
Friday, December 23, 2016
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Howdy Neighbors!
Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
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 Featured Story:Christmas Eve Eve is Here- What You Need to Know
I realize that many of our regular readers have already gone onto holiday mode- and if you are one of those or not- whenever you do read this- I am hoping you and yours have a wonderful Christmas holiday! Now let's give you a few things about the next few days:
It's a short trading day for our Ag Futures: Livestock Futures close today at 12:00 noon central, Grain Futures close at 12:05 pm while cotton trades in New York to its regular closing time of 1:20 pm. Crude and Natural Gas and the rest of the energy complex trade to their normal close of 4:00 PM central.
All markets are closed on Monday, December 26th in observance of Christmas- as banks, government offices and almost every office you normally do business with.
Livestock Auction Barns are universally closed until after the New Year.
We will not be sending an email on Monday, December 26- but will return on Tuesday morning.
We will have radio reports on many of our Radio Oklahoma Ag Network stations on Monday.
THIS MORNING- USDA will be issuing a whole six pack of reports-
Cattle on Feed, Chickens and Eggs, Cold Storage, Cotton Ginnings, Hogs and Pigs and Peanut Prices.
All of these reports will be released at the same time- 11:00 AM Central.
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Sponsor Spotlight
Oklahoma AgCredit serves rural Oklahoma communities and agriculture with loans and financial services. Providing loans for rural property, farm and ranch land, country homes, livestock, equipment and operating costs is all we do.
We are the state's largest agricultural lending cooperative, serving 60 Oklahoma Counties. To learn more about Oklahoma AgCredit, click here for our website or call 866-245-3633.
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Wanna USDA Position With the New Administration???
With the election of Donald Trump, the new administration is looking for leadership at the state level for two key appointments within the state of Oklahoma. The posts that need to be filled include the Oklahoma Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency and the Oklahoma Executive Director for the USDA Rural Development Office in Oklahoma.
Senators Jim Inhofe and James Lankford are looking for qualified applicants for these positions- and have assembled an industry advisory committee to receive and consider recommendations to the Senators for the positions.Rodd Moesel with American Plant Services in Oklahoma City is chairing the Advisory group- and invites those who are interested in being considered for one of these positions to email him by clicking here with a resume.The Advisory panel will take applications until January 6th.
Once the Advisory panel has reviewed all applications- they will be forwarding as many as 3 names for each job to the Senators, who will then make the recommendation to the new USDA Secretary in the early days of the Trump Administration.
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While OFB President Tom Buchanan will agree that there have been better years in the past for the ag industry in our state and on the national level, he is also quick to point out that it's not all been bad in 2016, alluding to phenomenal yields in virtually every commodity out there. He says in a lot of ways, it's been a great year for farmers in Oklahoma. He says, too, the lessons learned this past year have prepared us for what's to come. I sat down with him this week to reflect on some of the issues he's seen popping up this year and how Farm Bureau will move forward to address them on behalf of farmers and ranchers around the state.
"Sixteen again, showed us some of the challenges that we will face moving forward and that's continuing to educate and discuss with our fellow Oklahomans about who we are and what we do and why what we do is good for them," Buchanan said. "I don't think that will ever go away and it probably never should."
Buchanan says that priorities for Oklahoma Farm Bureau in the coming year will most likely be a continuation of their normal agenda founded on their base concern - protecting private property rights. In addition, he says there will most likely be some taxation issues arise, as well as some discussions to be had regarding the feral hog situation, water rights and even the state's budget.
Two specific issues though that Buchanan says are not fully developed yet but are starting to bubble up in conversations everywhere around the state, are education and medical care in our rural communities.
He contends that rural communities are finding it harder and harder to attract and retain talent in both education and medical fields to their towns. Buchanan reports that he is beginning to hear complaints that the impact of this situation is starting to be felt around the state. However, he says the scenario is not dire by any means.
"Every problem has a solution and we will be there working and helping achieve the solution to those problems," Buchanan concludes.
Be sure to catch Tom and I this Saturday morning on my weekly In the Field segment on KWTV News9 in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday morning at 6:40 a.m. In the meantime though, you can read up on more of his reflections, or listen in on our conversation this week right now, by clicking here. |
US Wins World Trade Organization Trade Enforcement Dispute for American Farmers and Ranchers
United States Trade Representative Michael Froman announced yesterday that a World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel has found in favor of the United States' challenge to Indonesia's wide-ranging restrictions and prohibitions on horticultural products, animals, and animal products. The United States, working closely with New Zealand as co-complainant, filed this dispute to address trade barriers in Indonesia that restrict the importation of American fruits and vegetables (such as apples, grapes, and potatoes), animal products (such as beef and poultry), and other agricultural products.
The WTO Panel agreed with the United States on 18 out of 18 claims that Indonesia is applying import restrictions and prohibitions that are inconsistent with WTO rules.
"The Obama Administration has again prevailed on behalf of U.S. farmers, ranchers, and businesses," said Ambassador Froman. "Today's panel report will help eliminate unjustified trade restrictions on American agricultural products, allowing U.S. farmers and ranchers to sell their high-quality products to customers in Indonesia - the fourth-most populous country in the world."
Froman's announcement drew praise from leaders across the nation including US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
"This is a slam dunk for American agriculture," Vilsack said. "Since 2012, Indonesia has maintained an untenable import licensing program, harming the ability of U.S. producers to sell a wide range of American-grown products in the Indonesian market - from potatoes to beef to grapes to oranges to poultry. Importantly, the WTO Panel findings will discourage Indonesia from simply substituting new trade-distorting approaches for the measures repealed, restoring American farmers' and ranchers' ability to compete."
To get the full story behind the dispute filed with the WTO, click here. |
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Sponsor Spotlight
We are happy to have the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association as a part of our great lineup of email sponsors. They do a tremendous job of representing cattle producers at the state capitol as well as in our nation's capitol. They seek to educate OCA members on the latest production techniques for maximum profitability and to communicate with the public on issues of importance to the beef industry. Click here for their website to learn more about the OCA.
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In addition to all the WTO talks going on yesterday, the Obama Administration announced, too, that the Office of the United States Trade Representative would be taking action against the European Union and their unfair trade practices that discriminate against U.S. beef imports.
Acting on the request of the U.S. beef industry, USTR scheduled a public hearing and is preparing public comments in connection with the EU's ban on most U.S. beef products. The EU's ban on U.S. beef is not based on sound science and discriminates against American beef farmers, ranchers, and producers. If the trade action resumes, the United States would reinstate industry-supported tariffs on a list of EU products imported into the United States.
"The WTO determined that the European Union's ban on U.S. beef imports violates its international trade obligations," said Ambassador Michael Froman. "The EU has failed to live up to assurances to address this issue, and it's now time to take action."
House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson weighed in on the matter saying, "There is no doubt that American beef products are safe. The 20 year EU ban has been in effect far too long. It is not based on fact and should be lifted. The beef industry is an important contributor to our nation's economy, especially rural economy. This announcement is welcome news for America's beef producers."
For the full picture on the EU's unfair trading practices that harm the US beef industry, click here. |
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Want to Have the Latest Energy News Delivered to Your Inbox Daily?
Award winning broadcast journalist Jerry Bohnen has spent years learning and understanding how to cover the energy business here in the southern plains- Click here to subscribe to his daily update of top Energy News.
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Have you ever wondered how Santa's reindeer can make that monumental journey on Christmas Eve? Well, Dr. Glenn Selk of OSU has taken it upon himself to build a theory based around some key facts about reindeer that may help us all understand how they get Ole St. Nick to his appointed rounds all over the world each year.
"First of all, historians report that reindeer have been domesticated by humans for over 5000 years. Since Santa himself is no spring chicken, we can assume that they have worked together for quite awhile. They should not have any trouble finding their way around. There is no need to worry about them getting lost.
"We do know that reindeer are ruminants. They are like cattle in this regard. They have four compartments to their stomach. Of course Santa gets them filled up with hay and moss before he leaves the North Pole, so they should have plenty of feed stored in the four compartments to make it all around the globe. Also, cattle nutritionists have known for years that hay digests more slowly than grain, therefore the big meal that the reindeer eat before the journey should last even longer. Or just like your mom says "It'll stick to their ribs!"
How do they fly? Well that's a tougher question... to find out how Dr. Selk explains this one, click here to find out the answer and to read the rest of his hypothesis. |
Some John Deere B Christmas Thoughts
For some of the long time readers of this email- we have been doing it since 2006- you might vaguely remember our mentions of my growing up on a small family farm in Kentucky where we had an old John Deere B as our tractor for most of my growing up years.
With that old two cylinder B, we plowed, cultivated, planted tobacco and pulled the wagon to carry the harvested tobacco to the barn where we hung the sticks holding the tobacco stalks up into the rails in the barn to dry. We would hook up a belt on the fly wheel and shell corn. A few years back, I got ahold of a Ertl special edition of a John Deere B and gave it to my Dad for Christmas- that sparked great conversations that year of our days on the farm- they had moved to town by that point- and I was reminded of some of the hard but good times that my Mom and Dad had on that farm in Woodford County in central Kentucky.
Well- my folks have taken up residence with Jesus- but I still have that John Deere B model on the shelf just behind me with other treasures from days gone by- and I am sure that I will be sharing that Christmas gift of the past(and many more) with one or more of my grandkids in the days to come.
Christmas is a time for family- and the fact that God wants us in His Family so much that He sent His Son to this earth so we might be able to have a relationship with Him is nothing short of a miracle. Our final story this morning- just below- speaks of that- and reminds us why it is so wonderful to be able to say with love at this time of year- Merry Christmas!
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Joe and the Baby- A Look Back 2,000 Years Ago
Max Lucado has a way of taking the truths of the season and allowing us to see them in a different way. What if we were able to go back some 2,000 years ago- and be a fly on the wall where Joseph of Nazareth was standing- looking up into the night sky?
Here's what Max Lucado says that he might be muttering as he waits on the birth of a child by his wife, Mary. (From He Still Moves Stones)
"This isn't the way I planned it, God. Not at all. My child being born in a stable? This isn't the way I thought it would be. A cave with sheep and donkeys, hay and straw? My wife giving birth with only the stars to hear her pain?
"This isn't at all what I imagined. No, I imagined family. I imagined grandmothers. I imagined neighbors clustered outside the door and friends standing at my side. I imagined the house erupting with the first cry of the infant. Slaps on the back. Loud laughter. Jubilation.
"That's how I thought it would be.
"But now. Now look. Nazareth is five days' journey away. And here we are in a- in a sheep pasture. Who will celebrate with us? The sheep? The shepherds? The stars?
"This doesn't seem right. What kind of husband am I? I provide no midwife to aid my wife. No bed to rest her back. Her pillow is a blanket from my donkey. My house for her is a shed of hay and straw.
"The smell is bad, the animals are loud. Why, I even smell like a shepherd myself.
"Did I miss something? Did I, God?
"When you sent the angel and spoke of the son being born--this isn't what I pictured. I envisioned Jerusalem, the temple, the priests, and the people gathered to watch. A pageant perhaps. A parade. A banquet at least. I mean, this is the Messiah!
"Or, if not born in Jerusalem, how about Nazareth? Wouldn't Nazareth have been better? At least there I have my house and my business. Out here, what do I have? A weary mule, a stack of firewood, and a pot of warm water. This is not the way I wanted it to be! This is not the way I wanted my son.
"Oh my, I did it again. I did it again didn't I, Father? I don't mean to do that; it's just that I forget. He's not my son. He's yours.
The child is yours. The plan is yours. The idea is yours. And forgive me for asking but, is this how God enters the world? The coming of the angel, I've accepted. The questions people asked about the pregnancy, I can tolerate. The trip to Bethlehem, fine. But why a birth in a stable, God?
"Any minute now Mary will give birth. Not to a child, but to the Messiah. Not to an infant, but to God. That's what the angel said. That's what Mary believes. And, God, my God, that's what I want to believe. But surely you can understand; it's not easy. It seems so- bizarre.
"I'm unaccustomed to such strangeness, God. I'm a carpenter. I make things fit. I square off the edges. I follow the plumb line. I measure twice before I cut once. Surprises are not the friend of a builder. I like to see the plan before I begin.
"But this time I'm not the builder, am I? This time I'm a tool. A hammer in your grip. A nail between your fingers. A chisel in your hands. This project is yours, not mine.
"I guess it's foolish of me to question you. Forgive my struggling. Trust doesn't come easy to me, God. But you never said it would be easy, did you?
"One final thing, Father. The angel you sent? Any chance you could send another? If not an angel, maybe a person? I don't know anyone around here and some company would be nice. Maybe the innkeeper or a traveler? Even a shepherd would do."
Max Lucado goes on to say "I wonder. Did Joseph ever pray such a prayer? Perhaps he did. Perhaps he didn't.
"But you probably have.
"You've stood where Joseph stood. Caught between what God says and what makes sense. You've stared into a sky blackened with doubt. And you've asked what Joseph asked.
"You've asked if you're still on the right road. You've asked if you were supposed to turn left when you turned right. And you've asked if there is a plan behind this scheme. Things haven't turned out like you thought they would.
"Each of us knows what it's like to search the night for light. Not outside a stable, but perhaps outside an emergency room. On the gravel of a roadside. On the manicured grass of a cemetery. We've asked our questions. We questioned God's plan. And we've wondered why God does what he does.
"No, the Bethlehem sky is not the first to hear the pleadings of an honest heart, nor the last. And perhaps God didn't answer every question for Joseph. But he answered the most important one. "Are you still with me, God?" And through the first cries of the God-child the answer came. "Yes. Yes, Joseph. I'm with you."
"There are many questions that we won't be able to answer. Many times we will muse, "I wonder"
"But in our wonderings, there is one question we never need to ask. Does God care? Do we matter to God? Does he still love his children?
"Through the small face of the stable-born baby, he says yes.
"Yes, your sins can be forgiven.
"Yes, your name can be written in heaven.
"Yes, death has been defeated.
"Because God has entered the world.
"Immanuel. God is with us."
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Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, American Farmers & Ranchers, Livestock Exchange at the Oklahoma National Stockyards, Stillwater Milling Company, 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!
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Click here to check out WWW.OklahomaFarmReport.Com
God Bless! You can reach us at the following:
phone: 405-473-6144
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