Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- National Pork Board's Bill Even on African Swine Fever and More
- NCBA Continues Work With Members and Congress in Improving Market Transparency and Cash Cattle Trade
- Shawn Wade is Optimistic About 2021 Cotton Conditions and Prices
- Do You Grow Cover Crops? Make Sure You Report Them to FSA!
- Recently Completed Reclamation Project is Excellent Example of Abandoned Mine Land Work in Oklahoma
- OSU's Mark Johnson Talks Fenceline Weaning Best Practices
- Educators, Register Your Class for Ag in the Classroom "Read an Accurate Ag Book Week"
- Now You Can RAP and Monitor Rangelands from the Great Plains Westward
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National Pork Board's Bill Even on African Swine Fever and More |
Bill Even, CEO of the National Pork Board told me industry leaders are doing everything they can to keep the U.S. pork industry uninfected.
According to Even, ASF is a regulated foreign animal disease, which means if a nation finds swine infected with ASF, exports immediately stop. With ASF reported in the Dominican Republic, a huge concern is the proximity of the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico - a territory of the U.S.
“This is the first time we’ve seen ASF in the western hemisphere since about 1980,” Even said. “If ASF spread to Puerto Rico, it would be viewed as if the disease was spreading in the (continental) U.S.”
In any given year, the U.S. exports between 25% and 30% of its total pork production, Even said. Besides the fact that ASF is a terrible disease for swine to go through, the loss of that much business would be financially devastating for U.S. pork producers.
While U.S. Pork Board leadership and members are working to prevent ASF, they are also preparing for it to spread to the U.S.
We talked with Bill Even after he spoke to the Oklahoma Pork Congress in recent days in downtown Oklahoma City.
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Dating back to 1891, Stillwater Milling Company has been supplying ranchers with the highest quality feeds made from the highest quality ingredients. Their full line of A & M Feeds can be delivered direct to your farm, found at their Agri-Center stores in Stillwater, Davis, Claremore and Perry or at more than 125 dealers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Texas. We appreciate Stillwater Milling Company’s long time support of the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and we encourage you to click here to learn more about their products and services.
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NCBA Continues Work With Members and Congress in Improving Market Transparency and Cash Cattle Trade |
Ethan Lane, vice president of Governmental Affairs at the NCBA, broke down the legislative process - both in the NCBA and the federal government for me.
When it comes to legislation, Lane said it is the NCBA’s job to inform congress. He said the NCBA has members who have differing opinions when it comes to what legislation should move forward, and that’s OK. The NCBA monitors its working groups and the market, so it knows what is working for the industry and what is not, Lane said.
“Our job has been to continue keeping the education process going,” Lane said. “I think congress is really getting a first-class education in cattle markets right now.”
Education of the industry is probably the best thing for congress going forward, said Lane. As the conversation continues, Lane thinks congress has realized there are no easy solutions to challenges the beef cattle industry is facing. With the cattle market being one of the most complex commodity markets on the planet, broad strokes and national-level mandates will not meet every producer’s needs.
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Shawn Wade is Optimistic About 2021 Cotton Conditions and Prices |
After a late start, the cotton crop in the Texas Panhandle is estimated to bloom from August 18 to 20, according to Shawn Wade, director of policy analysis and research for Plains Cotton Growers.
Our own KC Sheperd spoke with Wade on the 2021 southwest cotton crop conditions, who said the crop is on track when considering the planting date. If the fall weather cooperates with farmers, 2021 will be a good year for cotton.
“When you drive around the countryside - from north to south - there’s a lot of pretty cotton out here,” Wade said. “It doesn’t happen very often where you have a strong demand and pricing situation heading into the latter half of a growing season.”
Sheperd and Wade discuss pests, rainfall, the August WASDE report, crop condition reporting and more.in their conversation- click on the button below to read more and take a listen.
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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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Do You Grow Cover Crops? Make Sure You Report Them to FSA! |
More and more, farmers and ranchers are undertaking practices such as improved pasture management, no-till crop production and planting cover crops in an effort to improve the health of their soil, better prepare for droughts and floods and help reduce input costs.
But with all this energy and focus, one thing often gets over looked by even many of the long-term early adopters of these soil health practices—they never think about the importance of reporting any of their cover crop acres to the USDA Farm Services Agency (FSA).
If you do use soil health practices on your land, you make sure to take the additional step of enrolling your cover crop acres using form FSA-578. You need to contact your local USDA service center to make an appointment as soon as you get your covers planted this summer. You can find a list of local and state FSA offices by clicking here.
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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
Oklahoma Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization working to improve the lives of all Oklahomans by supporting our state’s agriculture community. As Oklahoma’s largest general farm organization, OKFB advocates for farmers and ranchers at the state Capitol and in Washington, D.C., to ensure our way of life continues for generations to come. With leadership events, supporting our state’s agricultural youth and connecting consumers with agriculture, Farm Bureau promotes and sustains Oklahoma agriculture in numerous ways. Join with OKFB today by becoming a member at okfarmbureau.org/join. Together, we are rural Oklahoma.
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Recently completed Reclamation Project is Excellent Example of Abandoned Mine Land Work in Oklahoma |
Some believe you can’t go back in time. However, that’s exactly what the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program does. In this case, they’ve returned nearly 24 acres to productive use that were surface mined for coal over 45 years ago.
Construction on the Owen-Cherokee West Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation project in the Muskogee County Conservation District reached completion on July 20 and two days later the Final Inspection of the Project in eastern Oklahoma was held.
This project is in a highly visible location at an intersection with heavily traveled county roads. The property has been dramatically improved, and the landscape conforms to the natural environment with the elimination of significant health and safety hazards. Approximately 23.5 acres of land have been reshaped and reclaimed.
“This was a wooded area before, but now this gives us easier access to my other acreage for the grandkids to go fishing,” the landowner said.
Such projects afford many opportunities for producers, sometimes it is business related, sometimes it is more quality of life.
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OSU's Mark Johnson Talks Fenceline Weaning Best Practice |
Mark Johnson, extension beef cattle breeding specialist at Oklahoma State University, offers his expertise on breeding best practices.
“Regardless of when and how many calves you will wean, methods of reducing stress on fresh weaned calves is of great interest to cattlemen and of benefit to cow-calf operations. Traditional methods of weaning calves typically involve total separation of calves from cows by moving calves to a new pasture or dry lot pen. This week we address the concept of “fenceline weaning” a management process that allows fenceline contact between calf and dam for at least four to ten days following weaning. Fences need to be sturdy enough to permit nose to nose contact while preventing nursing. The objective of fenceline weaning is to allow social interaction between calf and dam while weaning the calves off mother’s milk.
“Studies have shown several benefits of fenceline weaning:
- Calves bawl and walk less for the first several days post weaning.
- Calves spend more time resting and eating during the first several days post weaning.
- Calves gain more weight in the first couple of weeks post-weaning.
- Calves that eat and drink more during the first days after weaning stay healthier.
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Educators Register Your Class for Ag in the Classroom "Read an Accurate Ag Book Week" |
Please mark your calendars and save the date for Ag in the Classroom's "Read an Accurate Ag Book Week" which will be held September 7 to 10.
Make sure you follow all the steps so your class will be eligible to win a bushel basket of books from AITC. The goal is to have teachers and students in all 77 counties across Oklahoma participate this year.
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Now You Can RAP and Monitor Rangelands from the Great Plains Westward |
It's known as the Rangeland Analysis Platform- or RAP- and this APP allows you view rangeland resources from Oklahoma, Kansas and points northward to Canada westward to the Pacific.
“I’ve waited my whole career for this kind of tool,” says Shane Green, USDA NRCS range management specialist in Utah. “It provides the context for landscape planning that’s been lacking in the rangeland profession.”
America’s vast western grazing lands produce food for the nation, recreation revenues for local communities, and habitat for wildlife. Producers often manage large swaths of rangelands, making it a challenge to track how vegetation has fared over time.
Details on the APP and how you can get it for free are available in our webstory linked below. There will be a bit of a learning curve- but it may prove to be a really nice tool to add to your online skill set- check it out.
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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 SHARPLY higher- Choice Beef was up $8.26 and Select Beef was up $3.22 on Tuesday 8/17/21.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Oklahoma National Stockyards had 6,341 on Monday August 16th.
Compared to last week: Feeder steers unevenly steady. Feeder heifers steady to 3.00 lower. Steer calves 4.00 - 6.00 lower. Heifer calves unevenly steady. Demand is moderate.
Click below for the complete closing report.
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OKC West in Wel Reno had an estimate of 1,800 head for their calf run on Tuesday.
Compared to last Tuesday: Steer and heifer calves sold mostly 3.00-5.00 lower. Demand light to moderate. Heavy supply of un-weaned and or short weaned calves were on offer.
Click on the button below for details of the trade as compiled by the USDA Market News Service.
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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
Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager
Chelsea Stanfield, Farm News and Email Editor
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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.
KC Sheperd talks with Oklahoma's 17th Lt. Governor, Matt Pinnell. Pinnell is also serving as the first Oklahoma Secretary of Tourism & Branding. Pinnell says lots of exciting things have Oklahoma on an upward trajectory- and he shares several highlights in today's conversation. Today's Road to Rural Prosperity Podcast is powered by Banc First, Loyal to Oklahoma and to you.
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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