Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Congress Passes 5,593 page Relief/Omnibus Package- Lots for Agriculture in There
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Congressman Frank Lucas Happy to See RAMP-UP Included in COVID-19 Relief
- USDA Secretary Perdue Says Rule Making Underway to Transfer Gene Edited Animals to USDA From FDA
- No Till on the Plains Going Virtual ONLY on January 26th
- Livestock Producers Stand Ready to Work with Congresswoman Haaland
- AFBF's Zippy Duvall Pleased With Ag Industry Help That's Embedded In COVID-19 Relief Package
- Cattlemen Call Help in COVID-19 Relief Packages Vital Help for Cattle Producers
- National Chicken Council Cheers Help for Contract Chicken Growers in COVID-19 Relief Package
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Congress Passes 5,593 page Relief/Omnibus Package- Lots for Agriculture in There
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My Parallel Study Bible has a little over 2,600 pages in it- the COVID-19/Omnibus Spending Package has more than twice as many pages- and in as small or smaller type than my Bible to boot.
So with that in mind- we are still sorting things out- and will be working into next week after Christmas in trying to highlight the things of interest to rural America and agriculture.
Specifically- courtesy of Josh Winegarner of TCFA- here is a quick summary of things in the 5,000 pages specifically related to agriculture.
And if you want a nice read as you settle down in front of the fireplace- here is the text of the 5,593 pages in PDF format.
We have some of the stories related to agriculture in today's email- more will follow tomorrow on Christmas Eve Eve.
We summarized some of the stuff related to ag in today's morning farm and ranch news as heard on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network- listen here- and there are bunches of stories- with more to come- on our website- OklahomaFarmReport.Com.
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Congressman Frank Lucas Happy to See RAMP-UP Included in COVID-19 Relief
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Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas is seeing one of his highest priorities coming to fruition just ahead of Christmas as the RAMP-UP act that he introduced back in July of this year is a part of the latest COVID-19 Relief Package.
As earlier introduced, the RAMP-UP Act establishes a program to make facility upgrades and planning grants ($80 million in direct funding and $20 million in annual funding until FY23) to existing meat and poultry processors to help them move to Federal Inspection and be able to sell their products across state lines. The legislation would also require USDA to work with states and report on ways to improve the existing Cooperative Interstate Shipment program.
Included in the COVID relief package (Sec. 764 and Sec. 765) is an amended version of the RAMP-UP Act, supporting meat and poultry processing, providing $60 million in grants to small meat and poultry processors to make improvements necessary to expand their markets by meeting federal food safety inspection standards. Grants may be used for modernizing or expanding facilities, modernizing equipment, and implementing other processes to ensure food safety.
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The Oklahoma Cotton Council is proud to serve the cotton producers and those who are a part of the cotton industry in Oklahoma- promoting and protecting their interests. In Recent Years- cotton acreage has grown in Oklahoma- and today we are the third largest Cotton State in the US- based on Acres Planted.
The Oklahoma Cotton Council works for the cotton farmer in the areas of research, advocacy and education. Follow the Oklahoma Cotton Council on Facebook.
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USDA Secretary Perdue Says Rule Making Underway to Transfer Gene Edited Animals to USDA from FDA
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On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced a significant step in modernizing regulations of agricultural animals modified or produced by genetic engineering. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be moving forward with an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) to solicit public input and feedback on a contemplated regulatory framework that would modernize our system into a scientifically-sound, risk-based, and predictable process that facilitates the development and use of these technologies for U.S. farmers and ranchers under USDA’s authorities.
Livestock producers and researchers have expressed frustration over the Food and Drug Administration's handling of agricultural animals modified or produced by genetic engineering- the CATO Institute authored in their Winter 2017-2018 publication "Regulation" a look at the aggressive takeover of biotech animals by the Agency saying "This oversight misguidedly extends a regulatory regime designed specifically for the approval of new animal drugs to the regulation of the animals themselves. This sophistic and wrong-headed approach has resulted in regulatory paralysis and the near annihilation of an entire once-promising genetic engineering sector in which the United States was poised to be preeminent."
The author of this analysis says the FDA took over the regulation of such animals in 2009 when the Agency declared that its Center for Veterinary Medicine would regulate such animals like they were “new animal drugs” such as antibiotics, pain relievers, or flea medicines.
One group that is DELIGHTED is the National Pork Producers Council. “Today’s announcement is a big step forward for America’s farmers, who have weathered significant challenges over the past few years,” said NPPC President Howard “AV” Roth, a pork producer from Wauzeka, Wisconsin. “FDA regulation of gene editing will result in an impractical, lengthy and expensive approval process. Thankfully, that is not the administration’s intended plan. This announcement represents a critical milestone to ensuring American agriculture maintains its global competitive edge.”
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) already has a review process in place for gene editing in plants, which can serve as a model for livestock. Today’s proposal is the first step in this process, and NPPC looks forward to USDA and FDA promptly signing a formal agreement on the regulation of this promising new technology in livestock.
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The latest USDA Cattle on Feed report indicates many of the wrinkles caused by the pandemic in the spring are smoothing out, said Dr. Derrell Peel, OSU Extension livestock market economist.
The December cattle on feed report pegged placements in November at 91 percent of last year, Peel said.
Marketings were 98 percent of last year.
The result is a total number of cattle on feed exactly the same as one year ago, Peel said.
We know going forward cattle supply will be tighter, so we are right where we need to be, Peel said.
Dr. Peel also wrote about the Cattle on Feed numbers in his regular Monday analysis- click or tap here to check it out as well.
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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
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No Till on the Plains Going Virtual ONLY on January 26th
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Due to COVID-19 related restrictions in Wichita, No-till on the Plains is canceling the in-person portion of the 2021 Winter Conference. The group had held out hope that they might be able to gather, knowing that this annual networking experience is one of the most anticipated and valued aspects of the Winter Conference.
In a statement issued Monday, No Till on the Plains pledges "We promise to return to in-person opportunities as soon as possible. Because we had planned for this contingency, your conference lineup will continue as advertised. You will get the same great quality content you would have received on-site."
"Thank you for helping us navigate this unprecedented but very temporary interruption to our 25-year tradition and for your continued commitment to healthier soil."
The 2021 Virtual Edition of No Till on the Plains will be a one day session on January 26, 2021. To register and get more information, click on the Button below.
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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.
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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.
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Livestock Producers Stand Ready to Work with Congresswoman Haaland
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The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) released the following statement in response to the news of Representative Deb Haaland's (NM-01) future nomination to lead the U.S. Department of the Interior:
"In her representation of New Mexico, Rep. Deb Haaland has had a front-row seat to the complex land management issues that affect ranchers and rural communities every day," said NCBA Executive Director of Natural Resources and PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover. "In this new role she will have the opportunity to work with partners, like ranchers, to ensure the Department is a good land steward and collaborator in rural communities, in a way that also reaffirms grazing rights for thousands of producers across the West.
"We look forward to working with her on policy that recognizes and supports livestock producers’ role as environmental stewards and protectors of natural resources."
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AFBF's Zippy Duvall Pleased With Ag Industry Help That's Embedded In COVID-19 Relief Package
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Congress agreed on a $900 billion COVID stimulus package, which will include up to $13 billion in funding that directly benefits agriculture. Nearly $1 billion will support a dairy donation program and supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage payments for small and medium-sized producers. More help will be made available to specialty and non-specialty crop growers, and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will be expanded, which will allow small farmers to continue operating and paying their employees.
Many farmers and ranchers who were previously left out of aid will now qualify for assistance, including growers who were forced to euthanize livestock during the initial wave of the pandemic.
The American Farm Bureau Federation worked for several months to ensure the needs of America’s farmers and ranchers were brought forward to lawmakers as they considered the latest stimulus package.
“We’re pleased that Congress understands the toll the pandemic continues to take on farmers, ranchers and rural Americans,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Farmers who were left out of previous aid packages or whose losses were far more devastating than recognized in initial aid are grateful that their families will be helped, too. We recognize the need is great across our entire economy and farm families will join the rest of America in our determination to recover from the hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
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Cattlemen Call Help in COVID-19 Relief Packages Vital Help for Cattle Producers
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The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) secured critical wins for cattle producers this week through the latest government funding and COVID-19 relief packages. The deal includes additional Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) support for cattle producers, expanded resources for state-inspected meat processors through inclusion of the Requiring Assistance to Meat Processors for Upgrading Plants (RAMP UP) Act, certainty that cattle producers can recoup payment losses by establishing a dealer trust, funding for agriculture quarantine inspection services and an extension of Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR). NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued the following statement:
“We are grateful to leaders on both sides of the aisle and both sides of Capitol Hill for working diligently to deliver this year-end package that provides vital relief to U.S. cattle producers. This package addresses many of NCBA’s year-long policy priorities as well as our work to respond to the multiple market shocks producers have experienced over the past year.”
“Local meat processors across the country continue to be severely backlogged due to COVID-19. NCBA has advocated relentlessly for passage of the RAMP UP Act, which allocates federal grant dollars to these small businesses – the modified version of this bill included in the House package allows local processors to take advantage of interstate retail channels and provide greater market access, ensuring beef always remains in stock.”
“With the inclusion of funding for additional cattle assistance through CFAP, agricultural quarantine inspection services and the extension of LMR through Sept. 30, 2021, a tremendous amount of continuity and certainty is given back to ranchers and farmers across the country. Now that the hard work of brokering this deal is complete, NCBA urges both houses of Congress to swiftly pass this legislation and send it to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.”
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National Chicken Council Cheers Help for Contract Chicken Growers in COVID-19 Relief Package
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The COVID-19 stimulus bill agreed upon today contains language that would authorize USDA to provide up to $1 billion in assistance to contract chicken growers for revenue losses sustained as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund is earmarked specifically for contract growers of livestock and poultry to cover up to 80 percent of revenue losses, according to bill language released by Congressional leadership.
“On behalf of the chicken industry and our farm families across the country, I want to personally thank Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) for his leadership and his support in helping to secure this vital funding,” said National Chicken Council (NCC) President Mike Brown. “USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Congressmen Robert Aderholt (R-AR), Jim Costa (D-CA), Steve Womack (R-AR) and Trent Kelly (R-MS), and the Senate and Congressional Chicken Caucuses were also instrumental in this effort. It would not have been possible without the support of the American Farm Bureau Federation and dozens of state poultry federations who all have worked for many months to make this a reality.”
Contract chicken farmers have been excluded in the previous three federal COVID-19 stimulus packages.
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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.
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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.
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Wholesale Boxed Beef Prices went solidly higher on Monday- Choice Beef was up $2.29 and Select Beef was up $2.99.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Weekly Cattle Auction Reports
The buttons below allow you to check out the weekly Cattle Auctions in the region that we post on our website and here in our daily email update-
PLEASE NOTE- All of these markets have finished selling cattle in 2020- and will resume their auctions the first full week of 2021.
The only Market Selling this week is Joplin- with 7,500 on hand yesterday- Compared to last week, steer calves and yearlings steady, heifers steady to 2.00 higher. Demand moderate to good- Check the second button down to see the full USDA Market News Report for Joplin this week.
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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..
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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.
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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
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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.
Host Ron Hays travels the Road to Rural Prosperity with mixed feelings as he talks with Roy Lee Lindsey of OkPork- who has just announced his resignation as Executive Director as the head of the group representing hog farmers in Oklahoma- as he prepares to take a similar position with the North Carolina Pork Council- North Carolina the second largest pork state in the US.
Today's Road to Rural Prosperity is being sponsored in part by the Oklahoma Rural Water Association.
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:
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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.
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God Bless!
Reach Out To Us:
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Tim West
President/General Manager
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
2401 Exchange Avenue,
Suite F
Oklahoma City, OK 73108
405.317.6361
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Ron Hays
Director of Farm Programming
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
405.473.6144
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