Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Thursday, November 11, 2021
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- OSU's Brian Whitacre Says Highspeed Internet Could Be Coming to Rural Towns Near You
- Dr. Tom Coon Honored with Distinguished Service to OKFB Award
- Hollenbeck Cattle Co. Utilizes Performance Beef to Simplify Their Backgrounding Operation Record Keeping
- Veterans Day Celebrations Taking Place Tomorrow To Honor all Who Served
- Seaweed Supplements Could significantly Reduce livestock Methane Emissions
- Happy Veterans Day from the Oklahoma Conservation Commission
- Meet the McMillian Family OKFB's District Four Farm and Ranch Family Honorees
- Check Out Our Market Info Lower in the Email- Including a Strong OKC West El Reno Report This Week
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OSU's Brian Whitacre Says Highspeed Internet Could Be Coming to Rural Towns Near You |
To survive, let alone thrive, rural Oklahomans, representing about 1/3 of Oklahoma’s population, need reliable, fast internet connections. Rural Oklahoma is below the national average when it comes to the availability and adoption of broadband. To help solve this problem, the federal government and companies like Hilliary Communications are stepping up to make that happen
Brian Whitacre, extension specialist for Rural Economic Development at Oklahoma State University, spoke with KC Sheperd, associate farm director for Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, about the latest on the internet situation in Oklahoma.
“A couple of months ago when I gave a presentation on broadband we had some funding through the American Recovery Plan,” Whitacre said. “Just recently, we saw the full passage of the infrastructure bill. That is a whole lot more money for broadband; we are talking about $65 billion.”
Whitacre said the money will not only go towards building infrastructure, but also helping people pay for services. Since Oklahoma ranks so low in terms of rural broadband connectivity the chances of qualifying for federal funds are very good.
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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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Dr. Coon Honored with Distinguished Service to OKFB Award |
Dr. Thomas Coon, vice president, dean and director of the Oklahoma State University Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, was recognized with the Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Farm Bureau Award on Friday, Nov. 5 during the organization’s 80th annual meeting in Norman.
The award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to agriculture and the Farm Bureau organization.
Coon earned the award for his dedication to students, farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma through agricultural education, research and extension.
“The OSU Ferguson College of Agriculture has seen many exciting changes within the past few years, and Dr. Coon has the future of agriculture including farmers and ranchers at the forefront of the New Frontiers movement,” said Rodd Moesel, OKFB president. “Oklahoma agriculture has benefitted greatly from Dr. Coon’s vision, leadership and commitment to our industry and our rural way of life.”
Coon works closely with farmers and ranchers in Extension through various programs.
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Hollenbeck Cattle Co. Utilizes Performance Beef to Simplify Their Backgrounding Operation Record Keeping |
Today on Beef Buzz, I speak with Jim Hollenbeck, owner of Hollenbeck Cattle in Jay, Okla. and the nutritionist for the Baxter Springs, Kan. location of the Farmers Cooperative Association. Hollenbeck and his wife have been running their stocker operation for more than 20 years. Recently, the Hollenbecks started using Performance Beef, a cattle management software by Zoetis.
“We have pens so we can dry lot calves, but predominantly, we run calves on Bermuda grass and rye grass,” Hollenbeck said. “We graze a lot more than we feed in pens.”
Hollenbeck said he and his wife were always looking to improve recordkeeping on the ranch.
“We were always kind of looking for a better way to keep track of our information – get away from feed sheets, help keep track of our inventory,” Hollenbeck said. “Just do a better job of managing what we do, day to day.”
While he was at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association convention the Performance Beef booth caught his attention. He did not jump at the opportunity to deploy the new software, he thought about the concepts and how they could work with his operation for about six months before he made the decision to try it, he said.
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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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Veterans Day Celebrations Taking Place To Honor all Who Served |
Veterans are Super Important to us here at the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and we want to take this time to honor them, and thank them for their Service as we Celebrate Veterans Day on November 11. There are parades and celebrations all across Oklahoma and America- check out one close to you- here are a couple of ideas of events across our state:
Veterans Day Celebration--11am, Oklahoma State Capitol, 2300 N Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK
Veteran's Day Observation
Today, 11 AM – 12 PM
Elmer Thomas Park, 501 NW Ferris Ave
Lawton, OK
Veterans Day Parade
Today, 9 AM
Downtown
Tulsa, Ok
Veterans Celebration at the Edmond Festival Market Place (1st St, Edmond) features live music, local vendors, guest speakers, live art and more. Kids can take part in several activities, and all guests can stop but the thank you card station to show support for those who have served. Free to attend. 4:30-6 p.m.
1st Annual Veterans Day Parade
Sat, November 13, 10:20 AM
Hartshorne
Hartshorne, OK
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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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Seaweed Supplements Could significantly Reduce livestock Methane Emissions |
Editors Note- We have had a couple of stories over the last year or so about research work on Seaweed as a feed additive- this comes from one of the most respected Universities in Europe and it seems to be saying that progress on this is happening- take a look- what do you think?)
As Cop26 continues to debate methane - with the US And EU having pledged to reduce agricultural methane outputs from ruminant livestock by upwards of 30% by 2030 - scientists at the Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS) at Queen’s University Belfast are to feed seaweed to farm animals in a bid to slash methane by at least 30%.
Seaweed has long been hailed a ‘superfood’ for humans but adding it to animal feed to reduce methane gas released into the atmosphere by ruminants' burping and flatulence is a relatively new idea. Early laboratory research at IGFS has shown promising results using native Irish and UK seaweeds.
Previous research in Australia and the USA generated headline results - up to 80% reductions in methane emissions from cattle given supplements from a red seaweed variety. These red seaweeds grow abundantly in warmer climates; however, they also contain high levels of bromoform - known to be damaging to the ozone layer. Seaweed indigenous to the UK and Ireland tends to be brown or green and does not contain bromoform.
UK and Irish seaweeds are also rich in active compounds called phlorotannins, found in red wine and berries, which are anti-bacterial and improve immunity so could have additional health benefits for animals.
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A Special Veterans Day Greeting from the Oklahoma Conservation Commission |
A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL VETERANS!
Thank you and more! We want to thank all Veterans and their families, and active military and their families as well, for the sacrifices you are making for us!
For a special thank you, we turned to OCC Commissioners and U.S. Military Veterans Phil Campbell and Scotty Herriman - Phil, U.S. Air Force, and Scotty, U.S. Army.
Everyone appreciates the power of a photo, so we asked each man to provide one from his time of service and followed with the question, “When you look at that photo, what does service mean to you?”
Scotty Herriman: “As I look at this photo I am reminded that this was the year 1970 and I was 20 years old. My first flight, my first time on extended leave from mom and dad and from the farm, and my first time really having my eyes and ears opened to the public- both good and bad and somewhat frightening. As we mature, reality says almost every soldier encounters this at first, yet goes ahead to fulfill their mission dealt them- all in the pursuit of our freedom. May we all remember our veterans every day, and convey thanks to them who provided our freedom.”
Phil Campbell: “Service in a word is sacrifice. As I look upon this photo I recall a young man embarking upon numerous things; leaving home as well as flying on an airplane for the very first time. These are the same feelings that thousands of men and women have experienced over time in their acts of sacrifice. On this Veteran's Day make time to render a heartfelt thank you to a veteran for their sacrifice to preserve the numerous freedoms that we enjoy every day. Happy Veterans Day!”
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Meet The McMillan Family-OKFB Farm & Ranch Family 2021-District 4 |
Today we are Featuring the McMillan Family!
They are one of nine Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farm and Ranch Families honored at this year's Annual Meeting and represent District Four.
Sustainable is a word often portrayed as the ideal in agriculture, but many find it hard to define.
But Zeno and Becca McMillan of Johnston County believe sustainability is not just a word; it’s an action.
Each and every day, the south-central Oklahoma couple – along with their daughter, Rory – strives to work hand-in-hand with nature to raise cattle and care for the land on their Red Angus and red baldy cow/calf operation.
“(Sustainability) is people like Zeno and I, and Rory, just doing the best management practice for the land that it was intended to have,” Becca said.
The fifth-generation ranchers lean into the wisdom taught by their ancestors to steward the land well.
“His grandfather told us, ‘Take care of the land and it’ll take care of you,’” Becca said. “And that’s kind of how we’ve approached everything out here.”
Taking advantage of the natural environment found on their ranch, the family raises cattle using primarily the resources provided to them by nature.
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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 fell sharply on Wednesday- Choice Beef was down $2.28 while Select Beef was down $4.00 on November 10th.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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OKC West in El Reno had 10,869 this week on Tuesday and Wednesday.
According to USDA Market News- Compared to last week: Feeder steers and heifers sold fully steady. Demand moderate. Steer and heifer calves not well tested last week for a trend but a much higher undertone was noted. Demand good. Several large attractive strings of calves were on offer. All cattle tagged as Value Added are part of either the Annual Integrity Beef sale, or the Oklahoma Quality Beef Network program.
Meanwhile- Manager Bill Barnhart at OKC West writes on Facebook- "Another active market at the auction this week. Lots of very nice calves were on offer at the Tuesday sale. Many of which were part of the Integrity Beef Alliance and the Oklahoma Quality Beef Network. These calves were all long weaned with a proven health protocol and 3rd party verified. They were met with very good demand. Calves were generally higher particularly on the higher quality offerings. The feeder market also remained strong on Wednesday as numbers of long-tailed yearlings are dwindling. Some fat cattle trade was reported today in the Southern Plains at 132 finally breaking out of the rut we’ve been in for many months. Packers are currently in a pinch to fill holiday orders with less market ready cattle available."
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
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 Jed Green, the founder of the group ORCA- Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action. They discuss the problems that have developed in rural Oklahoma because of the explosive growth of medical marijuana production in the state- and of the need for better regulation of the industry- as well as recognition of the economic benefits Green believes are a part of the arrival of this industry- especially in areas where legal operations are being established.
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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