This past Friday morning- the USDA released a couple different reports - including their latest predictions for crop production and their estimates for world supply and demand. I reached out to OSU Extension Grain Market Economist Dr. Kim Anderson, for his initial thoughts on how these reports relate to Oklahoma's harvest.

Dr. Anderson thinks the reports are overall good for the wheat market. He says the markets seem to be heading in the right direction that could eventually lead to better prices than what we've had for some time now.

This report indicates that essentially there has been no changes to the official USDA predictions for this year's wheat harvest here in Oklahoma, leaving the expected yield at 89 million bushels. USDA left in place harvested acres at 2.7 million- and an expected 30 bushel per acre yield.

USDA also left the Texas wheat harvest expectations unchanged from May- at 69 million bushels.  They increased the Kansas Wheat Crop estimate by five million bushels- to 303 million bushels- that increase was based on a two bushel per acre yield increase compared to the May data.

Anderson says reports from Oklahoma producers that have come in on wheat that's been harvested so far has had very good test weight at 60+ pounds. Unfortunately, though, protein levels leave a little something to be desired, hovering for the most part in the 10.5 to 11 percent range.

Some of our direct foreign competitors like Russia and Argentina have increased their crop production this year, which concerns Anderson. Most other countries though have seen decreases. Anderson says this trend will need to continue in order to see prices rise. He says if it does, we could stand a chance of taking a shot at that $5.00 mark.

You can read more and check out these reports for yourself - or take a listen to Anderson and I talk about his reaction to the numbers, by clicking here.

 
On Wednesday, the Oklahoma Department of Ag will hold a hearing to consider the validity of the request that has been made by the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association to hold a referendum for a second beef checkoff dollar in the state of Oklahoma. This second dollar would be on top of the federally mandated beef checkoff dollar that has been collected since the late 1980s.

There has been a lot of talk about trying to raise the current checkoff at the national level- but negotiations on that concept fell apart a couple of years ago- and there seems to be little chance that will happen anytime soon.

As a result- several states have voted on themselves a second, separate checkoff dollar- which supplements the efforts of the current checkoff.  The largest cattle state- Texas- added a second dollar about three years ago- and they have had notable success in extending the work of the checkoff in several areas- including a program where they have placed reps in several of the largest cities in Texas- and they have charged them with the task of  going from Doctor's office to Doctor's office to build a relationship with key caregivers- educating them on the value of beef in a healthy diet that will benefit their patients.

Back to Oklahoma- signatures were gathered much of last year- and were finally submitted in May by the Oklahoma Cattlemen to ODAFF requesting a referendum to consider a second separate dollar collected on the sale of cattle in Oklahoma.

According to the public notice- "A public hearing is scheduled for June 14, 2017, 2:00 PM, at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry Boardroom for the purpose of receiving testimony on the petition. If, on the basis of testimony, the Commissioner determines that the petitioning nonprofit commodity organization is representative of the producers of cattle in Oklahoma and that the petition conforms to the purposes and provisions of the Oklahoma Commodity Research Enhancement Act, the Commissioner shall designate the nonprofit commodity organization as representative of the producers of the commodity and authorized to conduct the state assessment referendum."

If the hearing goes as hoped by the cattle producers involved- a vote on a second beef checkoff dollar will be set for sometime later this year.

As part of a continuing series of stories on Significant Women in Oklahoma Agriculture, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry and Oklahoma State University are recognizing and honoring the impact of countless women across all 77 counties of the state, from all aspects and areas of the agricultural industry. The honorees were nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of 14 industry professionals. This week Eileen Day of Woodward, Okla. is featured this week as a Significant Woman in Oklahoma Agriculture.


Eileen Day's motto for life is more than a movie title.


"It's a wonderful life," said Eileen Day, reflecting on her lifelong, satisfying career as a rancher.


The 83-year-old Woodward resident, who has farmed and ranched in northwestern Oklahoma her entire life, considers herself blessed to have been so deeply involved in agriculture.


"I loved watching the cows have their calves," she said, "and it's just a joy to go out and watch your cattle. You don't get tired of that. I didn't. You can't beat that lifestyle in my opinion. You learn to be responsible, caring and have a purpose, you know, because you're raising livestock ... produce meat for people."


Day grew up helping her father on the ranch with her two sisters, which eventually totaled 7,000 acres of pasture and 1,120 acres of farmland. She recalls the ranch primarily consisting of farmland and pasture for beef cattle, but there were chickens, hogs, a garden and during World War II about 26 head of dairy cattle.

Continue reading Eileen's story about her life and influence in Oklahoma's agriculture, by clicking or tapping here.

The Oklahoma Black Historical Research Project was selected by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service office last week, to receive $600,000 in federal funding, from a total pool of $22.6 million in grant money being awarded to to drive public and private sector innovation in resource conservation.

The grant money being awarded is part of the competitive Conservation Innovation Grants program, designed to foster innovative market-based solutions for improving conservations efforts.

Oklahoma Black Historical Research Project, Inc. works to enhance agricultural production and sustainability of Native American and socially-disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma.

Read more about this project's work in Oklahoma as well as the CIG grant, in the original release from NRCS, by clicking here.

The Beef Checkoff and the Federation of State Beef Councils invites you to join them today in celebration of National Beef Jerky Day.

To promote the star of the day, Beef Councils around the country will be delivering beef jerky bouquets to media personalities in some of the larger tv markets.

The bouquets, in custom "Beef. It's What's for Dinner" vases, are being delivered to 115 television stations in the top 30 U.S. markets and others. They are accompanied by beef information that includes tips on how beef jerky is the "ultimate snack hack" for consumers.

"Beef jerky is a popular, low fat and high-quality protein that has many benefits. We think these bouquets will provide broadcasters with something fun and interesting to talk about on air," said Jerry Effertz, a beef producer from Velva, N.D. and chairman of the Federation of State Beef Councils.

The national beef jerky letter to media representatives includes five reasons beef jerky is the ideal snack hack, including:


1. It helps fuel kids through the final bell, keeping them attentive and ready to learn;


2. It helps you avoid the workday slump, as a healthier salty snack option;


3. It gives unexpected post-workout benefits as "nature's protein bar";


4. It's a fun way to help kids celebrate a win or rebound from a loss, stamping out "hangry"; and


5. It lets you stay lively on the hiking trail.

Click over to our website to learn more about this promotion and the efforts of the state beef councils to generate media coverage of jerky and other beef products.

MY QUESTION FOR YOU- what is your favorite Beef Jerky- and why???

I really like several Beef Jerky brands that are out there- including No Man's Land Jerky.  BUT- my all time favorite- and I confess I don't have a brand name for it- but some of the best jerky I have ever enjoyed are the bite sized chunks of Jerky made available at the annual Texas Cattle Feeders Association Convention- I have no idea where they get it- but oh, it soooo good! (Anybody want to share with me details?)

In the meantime- EMAIL ME details about your favorite- and I will share the answers I get over the next day or so. 

 

According to Alltech's European Research Director Dr. Maurice Boland, there is always room for improvement when talking about maximizing the efficiency of our beef cattle. At the recent Alltech Ideas Conference in Lexington, KY, Boland discussed this thought - explaining how nutrition at the beginning stage of an animal's lifecycle, can play a key role in its efficiency.


"If we look at a steer, we can take the animal when it's in utero, shortly after conception," he said, "and impose some nutritional programs there that can be either beneficial or detrimental to the subsequent life of the animal."


Boland cites research that shows if you feed your mama cows a high-energy diet in the last term og pregnancy, you can achieve a higher growth rate for the calf. He says genetics can also influence a calf's growth rate.


"We're trying to feed animals so that they have the best chance of optimizing their genetic potential," Boland said. "By doing that, we're trying to enhance their efficiency and ultimately produce better quality meat, that will be more nutritious for the consumer."


Listen to Dr. Boland explain how nutrition management can increase your herd's efficiencies, with me, on Friday's Beef Buzz - click here.

The bipartisan Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (S. 517) is currently awaiting action in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. If made into law, it would extend the Reid Vapor Pressure volatility waiver to gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol (E15), creating a level playing field for E15.

In an effort to take every opportunity available to see this legislation pass, Growth Energy has invested seven figures into an ad campaign promoting a vote in the affirmative for this bill. TV and digital ads have been ordered in Washington, DC and key markets around the country.

"This legislation is essential to America's continued leadership in low-carbon biofuels," said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. "It will lift a needless burden on retailers and let drivers pick their own fuel - saving money and improving air quality. For too long, outdated rules have forced drivers to switch to less environmentally-friendly options at the pump during the summer driving season, when fuel prices reach their peak. After three years of hard work, we finally have a chance to enact a fix. Growth Energy is committed to ensuring that lawmakers and their constituents know exactly why this is so important, especially when it comes to lifting market barriers for biofuels. This campaign will highlight how red tape is limiting consumer choice at the pump, denying drivers access to cleaner, more affordable fuel options."

Even though this fuel is generally cheaper for consumers, this legislation could also be beneficial to retailers as well.

"From a retail perspective, this minor fix would be a major relief to those offering E15 today and remove one of the biggest barriers for those wanting to offer E15," wrote Mike Lorenz, Executive Vice President for Sheetz. "This fix doesn't change anything about renewable fuel targets, but it does give consumers who want a cleaner, higher-octane and more affordable option the ability to choose for themselves. Not to forget, it also supports a homegrown industry responsible for supporting hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs."

The EPW hearing on the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, is scheduled to be held this Wednesday. Read more about this legislation and see the campaign promoting it, by clicking here.