Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Thursday, April 22, 2021
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Biden Administration's Infrastructure Bill Includes 40 Percent of Things Not Traditionally Considered Infrastructure, Says Cong. Frank Lucas
- Groundbreaking on New Frontiers Agricultural Hall Takes Place Friday at OSU
- New Livestock Electronic Tracking System Simplifies Record Keeping
- Producers save money, Boost yields with OSU Soil Testing
- USDA Expands Conservation Reserve Program to Boost Enrollment and Address Climate Change
- Oklahoma Senate Approves Rural Broadband Grant Program
- Introducing Shaylee Maddox of the Thomas Fay Custer FFA Chapter, Your 2021 Southwest Area Star in Ag Production
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Biden Administration's Infrastructure Bill Includes 40 Percent of Things Not Traditionally Considered Infrastructure, Says Cong. Frank Lucas
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The multi-trillion-dollar jobs and infrastructure legislation proposed by President Biden covers more than what is traditionally considered infrastructure, said Oklahoma’s Third District Congressman Frank Lucas.
"I think the Biden administration is trying to use the name of infrastructure to fund their wish list to take care of all their other projects in one mighty $2.25 trillion dollar package," Lucas said.
The “roads and bridges” part has always been included in bipartisan infrastructure bills, but Lucas said only about six percent of the proposal will go to roads and bridges.
Less than five percent will go to broadband, which is very important to rural Oklahoma, Lucas said.
The words “social justice” and “climate justice” crops up frequently in Biden’s proposal which Lucas said would soak up about 40 percent of the proposed legislation.
It is basically a little bit of a highways, roads and bridges bill and a whole lot of everything else on their agenda, Lucas said.
To pay for the bill, the administration wants to raise the corporate income tax rate from 21 percent to 28 percent.
We went through a lot of struggles to get it lowered to make us competitive in the global market and keep U.S. companies from going overseas, Lucas said.
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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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Groundbreaking on New Frontiers Agricultural Hall Takes Place Friday at OSU
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Groundbreaking for the New Frontiers Agricultural Hall is taking place this Friday at 1:30 on the Oklahoma State University Campus.
Due to weather, the Groundbreaking: New Frontiers Agricultural Hall has been moved to the McKnight Center on the OSU campus. COVID-19 protocols are in place and in-person attendance will be limited. We kindly ask that those who have not already RSVP’d please tune in virtually at OState.TV.
Face coverings and social distancing required in person.
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New Livestock Electronic Tracking System Simplifies Record Keeping
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A new company outside of Kansas City has developed a unique system to help cattle producers electronically track their cattle, said Matt Poindexter, Harrisonville, MO cattle producer and representative for LivestockLens.
Poindexter was recently interviewed by Radio Oklahoma Agriculture Network Associate Farm Director and Editor KC Sheperd.
We’re a data management company that does RFID tags for tracking animals and keeping general records, Poindexter said.
You’re able to know what animals are in the pasture when you pull into the field, he said.
Producers using their system can build a set of registered EPD’s on a commercial herd and you will see every dollar that goes into them, he said.
The system replaces the old pencil and notebook method traditionally used to track animals.
Basically, we mount an antenna on the chute and when a cow comes through the reader automatically reads that cow, Poindexter said.
It’s all stored in the cloud and you can access the data with any device, he said.
The company started with thermal image cameras to detect fever in a feedlot and as additional opportunities arrived the company expanded to other products.
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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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Producers save money, Boost yields with OSU Soil Testing
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Oklahoma State University is a national leader in soil, water and forage testing. The commercial laboratory processes more than 60,000 samples a year and is accessible to the public through OSU Extension.
From cattle ranchers to urban gardeners, the state testing facility helps producers save money, increase yields and protect the environment. In Tulsa County, the OSU Extension office is a seasonal hot spot for vegetable growers and lawn care specialists seeking nutrient analysis of their soil. Brian Jervis, Tulsa County Extension educator and horticulture specialist, said his office collects more than 1,500 samples a year and is the first stop for many nurseries and greenhouses.
“Whether it’s a problem with their vegetables or a question about turf varieties, soil testing is the first thing we recommend to clients,” he said.
Tulsa County Extension personnel help members of the public fill out the inquiry forms that accompany a soil, water or forage sample. Clients often are interested in OSU’s chemical analysis for projects related to lawn care, gardening and the planting of fruit trees. For basic lawn testing, they are advised to take 15-20 cores from each sampling area using a soil probe that extracts a 6-inch profile. Casey Hentges, OSU consumer horticulture specialist, demonstrates how to take a sample and bust up the cores in a bucket in this episode of Oklahoma Gardening. Once the soil is blended and any visible plant material and rocks are removed, the sample is placed in a Ziploc bag or special sample bag available at all county Extension offices. The soil is mailed to the state lab in Stillwater where Hailin Zhang, lab director and OSU Extension nutrient management specialist, oversees all analysis.
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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
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 Expands Conservation Reserve Program to Boost Enrollment and Address Climate Change
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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Wednesday that USDA will open enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) with higher payment rates, new incentives, and a more targeted focus on the program’s role in climate change mitigation. Additionally, USDA is announcing investments in partnerships to increase climate-smart agriculture, including $330 million in 85 Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) projects and $25 million for On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials. Secretary Vilsack made the announcement at the White House National Climate Task Force meeting to demonstrate USDA’s commitment to putting American agriculture and forestry at the center of climate-smart solutions to address climate change.
“Sometimes the best solutions are right in front of you. With CRP, the United States has one of the world’s most successful voluntary conservation programs. We need to invest in CRP and let it do what it does best—preserve topsoil, sequester carbon, and reduce the impacts of climate change,” said Vilsack. “We also recognize that we can’t do it alone. At the White House Climate Leaders Summit this week, we will engage leaders from all around the world to partner with us on addressing climate change. Here at home, we’re working in partnership with producers and local organizations through USDA programs to bring new voices and communities to the table to help combat climate change.”
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Oklahoma Senate Approves Rural Broadband Grant Program
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Legislation creating the State Broadband Deployment Grant Program is one step closer to becoming law. On Wednesday, the full Senate voted in favor of House Bill 1124, by Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow, and Rep. Logan Phillips, R-Mounds.
Leewright is chair of the Senate’s Business, Commerce and Tourism Committee, and co-chair of the state’s Rural Broadband Expansion Council. The Council was created in the 2020 session to identify ways to expand broadband access throughout rural Oklahoma. Leewright said HB 1124 is one of several measures moving through the Legislature this year as part of a comprehensive approach to address this critical need. Oklahoma is ranked 47th in rural broadband access.
“Congress has voted to make $7 billion available for broadband expansion. The mission of the State Broadband Deployment Grant Program will be to help us capture those federal broadband expansion dollars and make sure they are going where they’re needed most and will do the greatest good,” Leewright said.
Under HB 1124, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, with input from the Rural Broadband Expansion Council, would promulgate rules and procedures for the establishment of the State Broadband Deployment Grant Program. This will include the development of a competitive grant program to award funding to applicants seeking to expand access to broadband Internet service in Oklahoma. The bill directs Commerce and the Council to look at best practices in other states to help facilitate the framework of the program and creates a revolving fund.
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Introducing Shaylee Maddox of the Thomas Fay Custer FFA Chapter, Your 2021 Southwest Area Star in Ag Production
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During the month of April, the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and Oklahoma Farm Report is spotlighting the twenty Area Stars of Oklahoma FFA that are among the highest achievers in the organization.
The stars come from the five areas in four categories- Star in Ag Placement, Star in Agriscience, Star in Agribusiness and Star in Production Agriculture.
This week, we spotlight the five area stars in Ag Production for 2021.
One Star Finalist featured in the coming days from each of the categories, will be named the State Star Award Winner during the 95th Oklahoma State FFA Convention coming up April 27, and 28th in Oklahoma City.
This week, our coverage of the 2021 Oklahoma FFA Star Award Finalists continues with Ag Production competitor Shaylee Maddox of the Thomas Fay Custer FFA chapter representing the Southwest Area.
Maddox’s project focused on producing registered Southdown sheep on her family farm.
Maddox credits her family for helping with the project and meeting many great people around the country.
Her FFA career has spanned a variety of activities including livestock showing, public speaking and livestock judging.
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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 continue to go higher- Choice Beef was up $2.20 and Select Beef was up $1.41 on Wednesday April 21st.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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OKC West in El Reno had 5.938 head of cattle this week on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Compared to last week: Feeder steers traded 2.00-5.00 lower with exception of heavier weight cattle that could come out against the October Live CME contract selling 1.00-3.00 lower. Feeder heifers sold 2.00-3.00 lower. Demand light to moderate. Several days of the CME Live and Feeder Cattle contracts being lower has buyers being cautious. Steer and heifer calves were to lightly tested on comparable trades for a trend. Demand moderate.
Click below for the complete closing report.
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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 is the 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 affecting rural America.
The Road to Rural Prosperity is here to tell stories about rural America, for rural America.
Host KC Sheperd sat down with Dr. Brett Carver, Regents Professor
Wheat Genetics Chair in Agriculture, Wheat Breeding and Genetics in his office on the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater and talked about a variety of subjects- all relating back to his passion for breeding wheat. He offered his take on how the 2021 wheat crop has handled the historic freeze the southern plains dealt with in February of this year, reviewed the wheat varieties that have come out of his program and looked ahead to what might be coming next.
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, 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, Union Mutual Insurance, 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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