Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
|
|
Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Thursday, November 12, 2020
|
|
|
|
Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- NFU President Rob Larew Tours SW Oklahoma Ag and Speaks at El Reno Forum on Beef Industry Consolidation
- Oklahoma Wheat ‘ugly’ but Weathers Recent Freezing Rain Fine
- The Certified Angus Beef Brand Remains Focused on Providing Quality to Consumers and Profitability to Producers
- USDA Announces Updated Conservation Practice Standards
- 5 Myths People Believe About Roots
- Register for Free Certified Angus Beef Webinar
- NFU President Rob Larew Continues His Road Trip in Northern Oklahoma
-
Thanks to the Sirloin Club for the Opportunity to Be 2021 OYE Show Honoree
|
NFU President Rob Larew Tours SW Oklahoma Ag and Speaks at El Reno Forum on Beef Industry Consolidation
|
Results from the 2020 elections, climate change, COVID-19’s impact on agriculture and consolidation in the cattle industry were hot topics during a Nov. 10 tour of southwest Oklahoma agriculture by Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union.
The tour was hosted by American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) Cooperative.
The day-long tour ended in El Reno where Larew participated in the Oklahoma Rural and Small-Town Table of Common Interests’ Consolidation in the Beef Industry forum. Speakers at the event were Larew, AFR/OFU President Scott Blubaugh and beef market analyst Corbitt Wall. Former Oklahoma Governor David Walters and Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President Michael Kelsey also addressed the group.
After the forum, Larew was interviewed by Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays.
As the country waits on the final election results, Larew said there will be a lot of changes.
We expect change but what isn’t going to change is all the struggles and challenges faced by farmers right now, he said.
We want President-elect Biden’s team to fully understand the challenges, Larew said.
|
Midwest Farm Shows is proud to produce the two best Farm Shows in the State of Oklahoma annually- the Tulsa Farm Show each December and the Oklahoma City Farm Show each April. (rescheduled for June in 2020)
They would like to thank all of you who participated in their 2020 Oklahoma City Farm Show.
Up next will be the Tulsa Farm Show in December 2020- the dates are December 10th, 11th, and 12th.
Now is the ideal time to contact the Midwest Farm Show Office at 507-437-7969 and book space at the 2020 Tulsa Farm Show. To learn more about the Tulsa Farm Show, click here.
|
Oklahoma Wheat ‘ugly’ but Weathers Recent Freezing Rain Fine
|
Alternating weeks of warm and cold weather are typical this time of year in the Southern Plains, but the recent cold snap across much of Oklahoma still seemed significant.
In some ways, that proved to be true: Freezing rain that hit Oklahoma at the end of October caused widespread power outages still being addressed in certain communities and regions. However, it failed to negatively affect the state wheat crop in anything more than cosmetically, said Amanda de Oliveira Silva, Oklahoma State University Extension small grains specialist.
“Most of the wheat that was up had only recently emerged and yield should not really be negatively affected, from what we are seeing in wheat plots around the state” she said. “It’s not pretty but quality should be fine.”
Silva shared insights about Oklahoma wheat and the recent freezing rain on SUNUP, the university’s weekly agriculture television program, available for viewing online.
OSU Extension agricultural educators Rick Nelson of Garfield County and Zack Henderson of Custer County echoed Silva’s take on the situation.
“We can live with ugly wheat,” Nelson said. “Producers in our area of the state were mostly just elated to have some much-needed precipitation. The freezing rain was a hard way to get the moisture, but they were thankful for it.”
|
The Certified Angus Beef Brand Remains Focused on Providing Quality to Consumers and Profitability to Producers
|
The Certified Angus Beef brand has always focused on delivering a great eating experiencing for consumers while increasing profitability for producers. That’s even more important today said John Stika, president of Certified Angus Beef.
Stika and I recently spoke about about the topic.
Our mission is to increase demand for registered angus cattle, and we do that by focusing on delivering a high-quality product to the people the farthest away from the ranch, and that’s the consumer, Stika said.
We’re not focused on a certain number to determine success, he said. Ultimately our job is to connect the demand that is out there globally for high quality angus beef with the viability of farming and ranching families, he said.
It has been exciting as we put more quality in the marketplace, we’ve seen the premiums remain relatively high, Stika said.
It’s a mission statement that we have made progress on but there is always more value to pass on to the producers and the consumers, Stika said.
|
|
For our farmers who have either- always have had cotton on their farms- or those who have more recently have added the fiber crop to their operations- we have a new daily report starting to be heard on several of our Radio Stations- It's Called Cotton Talk- and we appreciate the Oklahoma Cotton Council for their support in making this a reality.
Click on the Button below to listen to our most recent report
|
|
USDA Announces Updated Conservation Practice Standards
|
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has completed and published updates to its set of National Conservation Practice Standards, which include 58 standards that have been updated or revised since August. The 2018 Farm Bill required USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to review all 169 of its national conservation practices to seek opportunities to increase flexibility and incorporate new technologies.
“NRCS is committed to efficiently and effectively implementing the Farm Bill and delivering on our promise to America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners,” NRCS Acting Chief Kevin Norton said. “These practices are the building blocks of conservation, and they are science based and site specific. We took a hard look at our existing practices on the books, looking for opportunities to improve flexibility and integrate technology.”
NRCS’s National Conservation Practice Standards provides guidelines for planning, designing, installing, operating and maintaining conservation practices. The 58 revised standards cover a wide range of practices, including irrigation water management, heavy use area protection, and composting facilities. During the review process, NRCS is adding two new conservation practices dealing with wastewater treatment and wildlife habitat planning, along with maintaining an additional 18 interim conservation practice standards that are being tested to establish and document natural resource benefits.
|
|
We invite you to listen to us on great radio stations across the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network weekdays-
if you missed this morning's Farm News - or you are in an area where you can't hear it- click below for this morning's Farm news from Ron Hays and KC Sheperd on RON.
|
Sponsor Spotlight
Established in 1905 as Oklahoma Farmers Union, AFR/OFU has been a champion for rural Oklahoma for more than 100 years. Today, the AFR/OFU Cooperative provides educational, legislative and cooperative programs across the state and AFR Insurance provides auto, home, farm and life insurance to both rural and urban Oklahomans.
|
|
|
5 Myths People Believe About Roots
|
Larry York, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Amy Hays, Adult Education Manager write in the latest issue of the Noble news and views about Roots.
We all know roots are important to the plant even if we don’t always see them and a lot of what they do remains hidden. In our work at Noble Research Institute, we see that producers are very interested in learning more about roots.
There are some good ideas out there, but there are also some misconceptions. Here we’ll do some myth busting based on common questions and ideas encountered with producers.
MYTH 1:
Balls of roots are always good when you pull up a plant.
All else being equal, we can say that more roots are better. However, all else is not equal and there are negative reasons why plants might produce extra roots. First, roots are very costly to the plant — 50% of the sugar the plant makes from photosynthesis is typically used for root construction and maintenance. Therefore, it’s very important that plants balance giving just the right amount to building the right size and shape root system to drive plant growth. Fact is, if a plant only invested in roots and not leaves, it would not live very long. As mentioned, there are negative reasons that roots might proliferate. For example, it’s well known that roots proliferate in order to scavenge for water and nutrients. Therefore, very prolific root systems may indicate soil or plant deficiencies that may actually be limiting plant growth. If a main root is damaged by disease, worms or insects, it often has more lateral (or branch) roots.
|
Register for Free Certified Angus Beef Webinar
|
How do you certify your herd to produce the Certified Angus Beef ® (CAB®) brand?
The short answer? You don’t.
The long answer is one of the many that Kara Lee, CAB assistant director of producer engagement, will answer in an upcoming virtual presentation.
The free, one-hour "Getting to Know the Certified Angus Beef ® Brand" webinar is set for November 19, 1:30 p.m. Central.
CAB was designed to increase demand for registered Angus cattle by adding value throughout the supply chain, and today quality cattle are worth more to every segment.
Qualifying carcasses earn upwards of $1.7 million in grid premiums each week, Lee says, but knowing how it all comes together is the first step to capturing some of that value.
"The Certified Angus Beef brand is a well-known, almost household name for many cattle producers. However, the structure of the brand is often less well known," she says. "This is for any producer who wants a better understanding of how the company works for them and wants to know how to connect that to what they do on the ranch."
|
NFU President Rob Larew Continues His Road Trip in Northern Oklahoma
|
American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union Cooperative hosted National Farmers Union President Rob Larew on a tour of Northern Oklahoma Nov. 11. Larew saw cattle operations in Tonkawa and Vinita and got to check out one of the top tourist destinations in Oklahoma- the Pioneer Woman's Mercantile Exchange in Pawhuska.
The AFR/OFU-NFU began Wednesday’s tour at Blubaugh Angus Ranch near Tonkawa. In addition to crops, the family operation produces purebred Angus cattle and direct markets beef. During the visit, AFR/OFU President Scott Blubaugh and Larew discussed challenges and opportunities in the purebred cattle sector. They also covered the cattle industry concentration concerns, as well as future conservation opportunities for Oklahoma’s producers.
While in Tonkawa, the AFR/OFU-NFU tour group met with area producers over lunch. During the gathering, Larew spoke to attending farmers and ranchers about the continuing need to work together and highlighted the bipartisan nature of agriculture issues.
Larew also talked at length about the current farm stress issue and emphasized his belief that America’s farmers and ranchers are resilient and can rise to meet current challenges. He assured producers that Farmers Union would be there to help wherever possible, saying “When times are difficult and challenging, that’s when Farmers Union is at its best.”
You might be wondering- why would a national farm organization President want or need to spend three days traveling Oklahoma? Well, Oklahoma continues to be one of the major states for NFU membership- our state, along with North Dakota- make up a huge percentage of the National Farmers Union membership.
Learn more about the Wednesday part of this road trip by clicking on the button below this story.
|
Thanks to the Sirloin Club for the Opportunity to Be 2021 OYE Show Honoree
|
Traditionally, the identity of the person or persons that are named the Show Honoree of the Oklahoma Youth Expo is a closely guarded secret until they are named at the annual business meeting of the Sirloin Club- a group that has been around since the 1950s as a Support/Booster Group for what is known today as the Oklahoma Youth Expo(back in the fifties- it was the OKC Fat Stock Show)
But COVID-19 took away the element of surprise- at least in a live event. Instead- I had my WOW moment that I was to be named the 2021 Show Honoree in a phone call from Celeste Nelson.
To be sure- I was virtually speechless with that news(alright- radio broadcasters are never really "speechless) but it has caused me to contemplate my involvement with the OYE for the past forty years.
While so many of the previous Show Honorees are specialists- they work as a Volunteer in a specific part of the event- in the hog barn or cattle barn or yes, Mr. Funk, the Goat Barn- I have the privilege of seeing it all- I race from one show ring to the next- doing interviews and taking pictures and being amazed by the 4-H and FFA members who are a part of the OYE.
The crazy show has grown so much since those first times I walked the barns of the State Fairgrounds- from a Market Animal show to the ever growing breeding animal contests, Showmanship and Fitting Contests and the Night of Stars Gilt Sale and the OALE college students and the All State recognition and this past year- the Ag Mechanics Contest.
It's a daunting task to even begin to report on all of the achievements that happen in those ten days- but I would not want to be anywhere else those ten days in March- and it is very humbling to realize I get to put my Show Honoree jacket on this coming March and move from one venue to the next- Thanks Sirloin Club- I will do my best to make you proud!
|
|
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:
Ron on RON Markets as heard on K101
mornings with cash and futures reviewed- includes where the Cash Cattle market stands, the latest Feeder Cattle Markets Etc.
|
Wholesale Boxed Beef Prices were mixed on Wednesday after they were sharply higher on Tuesday. Choice Beef was up a nickel while Select Beef was down 23 cents.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
|
OKC West in El Reno ended up with 9,804 head of cattle in the trade this week.
Compared to last week: Feeder steers were lightly tested last week, especially on heavier weights but where trends could be established mostly 1.00-2.00 higher. Feeder heifers traded 8.00-10.00 higher. Demand good to very good for all classes on limited comparable sales. Higher cost of feedstuffs, mostly corn, has buyers more active on heavier weight cattle. Steer and heifer calves sold 4.00-10.00 higher with most advances being seen on lighter weight cattle that are ready to be turned out on wheat pastures. Demand good to very good. quality average to mostly attractive. Flesh conditions were a driving factor as several drafts were fleshy and or full.
Click below to check the full report.
|
Each afternoon we are posting a recap of that day's markets as analyzed by Justin Lewis of KIS futures - click below for the latest update on the Livestock and Grain Futures Trade..
|
Okla Cash Grain:
Daily Oklahoma Cash Grain Prices- as reported by the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture- The report available after the close of the Futures Trade for that day.
|
Our Oklahoma Farm Report Team!!!!
Ron Hays, Senior Farm Director and Editor
KC Sheperd, Associate Farm Director and Editor
Dave Lanning, Markets and Production
Sam Knipp, Farm News Editor
Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager
|
|
Rural Oklahoma is full of some of the greatest success stories throughout the entire state and are a main reason Oklahoma is on track to become a top 10 state.
The Road to Rural Prosperity will dive into these stories each week bringing you insight into the great things happening in and to rural Oklahoma. We will bring you stories covering rural life, agriculture, energy, healthcare, tourism and politics all affecting rural America.
The Road to Rural Prosperity is here to tell stories about rural America, for rural America.
From Big Sky Country to Oklahoma- Dr. Derrell Peel has watched the cattle and beef markets for decades- and Host Ron Hays talks with him on this Road to Rural Prosperity about the changes he was seen in the beef cattle marketplace since he first arrived in Stillwater. Holder of the Charles A. Breedlove Endowed Professorship in Agribusiness, Peel joined the OSU faculty in 1989 as OSU Cooperative Extension livestock marketing specialist, a position he still fills today and for which he has received significant renown from both industry and academia.
Today's Road to Rural Prosperity is powered by the Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma- the voice of Oklahoma oil and natural gas.
To find out more about our full series of Podcasts on The Road to Rural Prosperity- click or tap here.
To hear this Podcast you can click here or tap below:
|
|
Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, AFR/OFU, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Ag Mediation Program, Great Plains Kubota, Stillwater Milling Company, Oklahoma Cotton Council, 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!
Reach Out To Us:
|
|
Tim West
President/General Manager
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
2401 Exchange Avenue,
Suite F
Oklahoma City, OK 73108
405.317.6361
|
|
Ron Hays
Director of Farm Programming
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
405.473.6144
|
|
|
|
|
|
|