Subject: Oklahoma's Farm News Update
From: Ron Hays <ronphays@cox.net>
Date: 4/17/2017 6:33 AM
To: ron@ronhays.com



 
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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 futuresclick or tap here for the report posted yesterday afternoon around 3:30 PM.
 
 
Okla Cash Grain:  
Daily Oklahoma Cash Grain Prices- as reported by the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture on Thursday, April 13th.
 
  
Futures Wrap:  
Our Daily Market Wrapup from the Radio Oklahoma Network - analyzing the Futures Markets from the previous Day.
 
Feeder Cattle Recap:  
The National Daily Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary- as prepared by USDA.
 
Slaughter Cattle Recap: 
The National Daily Slaughter Cattle Summary- as prepared by the USDA.
 
TCFA Feedlot Recap:  
Finally, here is the Daily Volume and Price Summary from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
 


 
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

Oklahoma's Latest Farm and Ranch News

 
Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
   Monday, April 17, 2017

Howdy Neighbors! 

Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update. 
 
Featured Story:
SonnyDaysRain Now- But A Week Away From Sonny Days at USDA as the Oklahoma City Farm Show Week Arrives  
 
We have rain in hunks of Oklahoma this morning- and rain chances are in the forecast for much of Oklahoma today- fifty percent chances for rain in central Oklahoma between 9 AM and 3 PM based on the News9 App.

Here's a snapshot of our rainfall across Oklahoma since Friday morning:



That four inch plus rainfall is in the tiny Osage County community of Foraker and wins the prize for the most precipitation across Oklahoma for the Easter holiday weekend.

MEANWHILE- the outlook is for Sonny conditions at the US Department of Agriculture early next week- once the US Senate gets back to Washington and finally has a confirmation vote on USDA Secretary nominee Sonny Perdue. Mitch McConnell has a vote planned for next Monday- but we will see if the Democrats will cooperate or not- as they are still mad about the Majority Leader pulling the sixty vote rule for the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Gorsuch.

If confirmed- Secretary Perdue will have a whole lot of work to catch up on- and will be at the mercy of the Senate to get Deputies and others approved months after he was nominated for the job that includes an office overlooking the Washington Mall.

FINALLY- we remind you that Thursday through Saturday is the 2017 Oklahoma City Farm Show- admission and parking are still free- at least for this year- and the show will look totally different this year as the inside part of the show will be in the brand new Bennett Event Center. The outside exhibits and activities will all be due south of the new building.

More details about the show later in the week- but we look forward to seeing you at this year's show- stop by and say howdy at the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network booth- Booth number 3104.

 


Sponsor Spotlight
 
 
It's great to have the Livestock Exchange at the Oklahoma National Stockyards as a sponsor for our daily email.  The eight Commission firms at the Stockyards make up the exchange- and they are committed to work hard to get you top dollar when you consign your cattle with them.  They will present your cattle to the buyers gathered each Monday or Tuesday at one of the largest stocker and feeder cattle auctions in the world.
 
Click here for a complete list of the Commission firms that make up the Livestock Exchange at the Oklahoma National Stockyards- still the best place to sell your cattle- and at the heart of Stockyards City, where you can go around the corner enjoy a great steak and shop for the very best in western wear. 

Census2017 USDA Census of Agriculture Countdown Begins for America's Farmers and Ranchers  

Every five years, USDA-NASS conducts a census of the US agriculture industry sending out surveys to each and every farm across America through the mail. It is that time again, and farmers everywhere can expect their 2017 Census of US Agriculture to be arriving in their mailboxes soon. Those overseeing the survey strongly encourage all farmers and ranchers who receive a survey to make sure they complete their forms and return them to NASS.


"The Census of Agriculture remains the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for every county in the nation," said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. "As such, census results are relied upon heavily by those who serve farmers and rural communities, including federal, state and local governments, agribusinesses, trade associations, extension educators, researchers, and farmers and ranchers themselves." 


The Census of Agriculture highlights land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures, and other topics. 


If you are new to the ag industry or for whatever reason did not receive a survey in 2012, you still have time to sign up to receive one this year. by visiting www.agcensus.usda.gov and clicking on the 'Make Sure You Are Counted' button through June.


To learn more about the NASS 2017 Census of Agriculture and how the collected information is used, click here to read the full story.
TrumpChinaTrump Convinces China to Grant Market Access to US Beef - NCBA Hails It a Major Victory  

Word came early last week, that a victory was won for US beef producers during President Donald Trump's Summit meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. China announced just a few days after Xi's return home that the Chinese government has agreed to move forward with opening access back up to their markets for US beef, which were shut tight in 2003 after a brief episode concerning mad cow disease. Kent Bacus, director of international trade and market access for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association spoke with me about this new signal of hope to America's beef industry.


"President Trump, he listened to the requests, not only from NCBA, but from the North American Meat Institute and the US Meat Export Federation - and we asked him to make this a priority issue," Bacus said. "So, when you think about all of the requests coming into the White House for issues to be discussed, we consider this a victory, that beef was included as a priority issue."


While this news has been well received, Bacus acknowledges that there is still a lot of discussion that needs to take place, hammering out the technical barriers of a trade agreement, such as traceability. These discussions have been going on for months now, since China first hinted at opening up their doors again, but they have since seemed to stagnate. However, backing from Xi may help to speed up the process.


"Over the next 100 days, the Chinese and the US leaders are going to identify a path forward where they're going to address some of these technical barriers to trade," he said. "So, we still have a little bit of time going forward to see our beef enter the Chinese market."


Listen to NCBA's Kent Bacus give a briefing on China's announcement regarding US beef access to its markets, on today's Beef Buzz - click here.
SageCountsIntroducing Sage Counts of the Latta FFA Chapter, Your Southeast District Star in Agriscience

We finished last week's highlight of the District Stars in Agriscience, with Sage Counts of the Latta FFA Chapter, representing the Southeast District. Counts conducted an experiment centered on testing the efficiency of innovative modern farming practices compared with traditional practices.


"The whole project was to determine if vertical farming can produce more produce in a less amount of space compared to conventional farming," she explained.


In her experiment, Counts hung net pots from towers made of 5'' PVC fence posts, and grew tomatoes, bell peppers and lettuce, then compared the amount of produce she was able to harvest compared to the amount of space required to grow the same amount through conventional farming practices.


"I learned that vertical farming will produce a lot more produce in a less amount of space compared to conventional farming," she concluded. "I think vertical farming can definitely be a solution to possibly feeding the world with the less amount of land that we're having."


Counts plans for the future are to attend Oklahoma State University and major in bio-systems engineering with a focus on natural environmental resources. She hopes to use this degree to become a soil and water resource engineer and to help others through missionary work.


You can read more about Counts and her experiences as a member of the FFA, or listen to my interview with her, by  clicking here.
 
 
American Farmers & Ranchers is the proud sponsor of our District Star spotlights this month. Be sure to visit the AFR website by clicking or tapping here to learn more on how AFR supports the young people of Oklahoma, and how AFR can provide you with quality insurance for your home, auto, farm, and life.


Sponsor Spotlight

 
We are pleased to have American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company as a regular sponsor of our daily update. On both the state and national levels, full-time staff members serve as a "watchdog" for family agriculture producers, mutual insurance company members and life company members.

Click here to go to their AFR website to learn more about their efforts to serve rural America!

DowHelpsICYMI - Ranchers in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas Assisted by Dow AgroSciences Donation

The recent wildfires that roared across the Southern plains caused unprecedented damage to ranch land, cattle, wildlife and personal property. Dow AgroSciences, through The Dow Chemical Company Foundation, is helping ranchers through donations to the Kansas Livestock Foundation, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Foundation, and Texas Farm Bureau Agriculture Research and Education Foundation.


"It is hard to imagine the devastation of the millions of burned acres and the associated tragedies in loss of life, homes, and livestock," says Rajan Gajaria, Dow AgroSciences Vice President, North America and Latin America. "Our hearts go out to our many longtime customers and friends in this region who have been impacted. We hope our support can play a part in farmers and ranchers getting back on their feet."


"It's humbling and downright overwhelming how generous individuals and companies, like Dow AgroSciences, have been to help ranchers recover from this devastating natural disaster," said Jeff Jaronek, coordinator, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Foundation. "The healing process will be slow, but I'm proud to be part of this industry that is quick to help each other when times are tough. We want the contributors to know that 100 percent of the fire relief donation funds will be distributed directly to ranchers affected by the wildfires."


Click here to continue reading the complete story behind Dow AgroSciences' generosity to farmers and ranchers affected by the recent wildfires and learn how their donation has helped these people in this time of need.
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.

 

ChallengeLearn to Practice Better Nutrition Habits by Joining the Beef Checkoff's 30-Day Food Waste Challenge

The Beef Checkoff is asking everyone to join them in their mission to spread the word about reducing food waste in America and around the world. So, just in time for Earth Day, the Checkoff has brought back The 30-Day Food Waste Challenge, to promote the fight against food waste. By participating, you'll learn ways of implementing small day-to-day changes while simultaneously raising awareness of food waste issues by sharing your journey on your personal blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media channels.


Over the course of 30 days, you'll progressively follow steps designed to help you understand your own food waste habits and learn how to improve them. During the final days of the challenge, you'll have time to reassess, take notes and see if your waste habits have changed for the better.


Begin your challenge today, and let your community know that food wast stops with you. Sharing your decision to take a stand against food waste and your commitment to the Beef Checkoof's 30-Day Food Waste Challenge on your social media channels, using #WasteLess.


Click here to read more about the Challenge or to get your journey started on the path of reducing food waste, visit the "Beef. It's What's For Dinner website throughout the month of April and arm yourself with the facts about food waste in America, tips and resources to help you waste less food and encourage others to join you.
DairyTechDairy Farmers of America and Vanguard Renewables form Strategic Alliance to Promote New Technology Converting Manure to Energy

While waste management and environmental sustainability are top priorities for dairy farmers today, renewable energy methods, like anaerobic digesters that convert manure to energy, are not broadly used on American dairy farms. These systems often require major capital expense to implement as well as significant expertise and time commitment to manage. For these reasons, among others, farmers have been reluctant to invest in the technology, despite the benefits. 


However, Dairy Farmers of America, a national farmer-owned dairy cooperative, and Vanguard Renewables, a Massachusetts-based renewable energy developer, announced last week a strategic partnership that will help bring anaerobic digestion technology to more farms across the country.


For those business models that meet financial thresholds, Vanguard Renewables will provide capital investment for anaerobic digestion systems on DFA member farms. Vanguard also will help oversee and monitor the on-site operation of the digester on DFA member farms. This extremely valuable expertise will allow farmers to remain focused on the core operational aspects of running their farms and not get distracted by the digester, while gaining added income from dairy operations.


"Truth is, anaerobic digesters are extremely complex systems and could easily become a full-time job for a farmer to manage," said John Hanselman, Executive Chairman at Vanguard Renewables. "We want to help farms by streamlining the development process and by providing professional operation.


You can get the full story on this new partnership that could potentially make significant advancements in stewardship and sustainability for the dairy industry, by clicking or tapping here.
Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K EquipmentAmerican Farmers & Ranchers, Livestock Exchange at the Oklahoma National Stockyards, OERBOklahoma Farm BureauStillwater Milling Company, Oklahoma AgCreditthe 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 also invite you to check out our website at the link below to check out an archive of these daily emails, audio reports and top farm news story links from around the globe.   

 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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