Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Thursday, December 9, 2021
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- No Regulations Available for Producers, Yet Prop. 12 Takes Effect Jan. 1, 2022
- Ethan Lane Predicts WOTUS Will Continue to be Debated as Administrations Come and Go
- Beef Export Value SMASHES Annual Record; Pork Exports Still on Record Pace
- USDA to Make $800 Million Available for Economic Relief to Biofuel Producers and Renewable Fuel Markets
- EPA Proposes Comprehensive Set of Biofuels Program Updates and Improvements
- Farm Groups React to Proposed EPA Biofuel Volumes and USDA Aid
- P&K Equipment Expands to 20 Locations
- In Case You Missed It - The Tulsa Farm Show Begins Today!
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No Regulations Available for Producers, Yet Prop. 12 Takes Effect Jan. 1, 2022
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In California, the Farm Animal Confinement Proposition, commonly known as Proposition 12, is supposed to bring some big changes to the way egg-laying hens, veal calves and breeding pigs are housed, starting Jan. 1, 2022. Only, the state is still taking comments on the proposed rulemaking, which is set to end Dec. 17, 2021.
Michael Formica, assistant vice president and general counsel for the National Pork Producers Council, said there is little-to-no chance regulations will be finalized before the new year. That leaves a lot for interpretation for not only California producers, but producers who sell their affected products to Californians.
“NPPC has been working really hard, spending a lot of time in California trying to develop regulations that we can live with,” Formica said.
Ultimately, Formica wants to know how producers are supposed to comply with regulations that are not yet available.
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National Livestock was founded in 1931 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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Ethan Lane Predicts WOTUS Will Continue to be Debated as Administrations Come and Go
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Are you sick of hearing about Waters of the United States (WOTUS)? Buckle up because Ethan Lane, vice president of Government Affairs for the NCBA, told us this is going to be an issue that will continue to change with each new administration.
“This is one of those pendulum issues; depending on who is in office, they will try to move it back this direction, and then we are going to see it swing back the other direction,” Lane said. “At the end of the day, somebody is going to craft a rule that is going to make it to the supreme court - where this thing started, and the new 6-3 court will have to examine it.”
Despite WOTUS being opened up for examination again, Lane said the Biden Administration has done a good job of trying to make sure agriculture has a seat at the table.
“They are holding roundtables; they are taking public opinion (polls); they are listening,” Lane said. “Do they agree with us? Probably not, but they also recognize, and have said so publicly, that we cannot go back to (the 2015 rule.)”
For agricultural organizations like the NCBA, Lane said there is an opportunity to help craft a rule that does not give expansive power to the federal government.
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Beef Export Value Shatters Annual Record; Pork Exports Still on Record Pace
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October was another strong month for U.S. red meat exports as beef export value continued to soar, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). October pork exports were below last year’s large total but year-to-date shipments remained slightly above the record pace of 2020.
Beef exports reached 115,709 metric tons (mt) in October, up 7.5% from a year ago, while export value climbed 48% to $956.9 million - the second-highest total on record, behind August 2021. Through the first 10 months of the year, beef exports totaled 1.19 million mt, up 17% from a year ago. Export value increased 38% to $8.53 billion, surpassing the 2018 record ($8.33 billion) with two months to spare.
Pork exports totaled 226,206 mt in October, down 7% from a year ago, while export value slipped 3.5% to $618.8 million. For January through October, pork exports were up slightly from a year ago in volume (2.47 million mt) and increased 8% in value ($6.84 billion).
“Exports will likely reach about $18 billion in 2021, which is a remarkable achievement,” President and CEO Dan Halstrom said. "While global demand is tremendous and we are cautiously optimistic about further growth in 2022, supply chain pressures are not easy to overcome and are a growing concern for exporters and their international customers."
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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 daily report 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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USDA to Make $800 Million Available for Economic Relief to Biofuel Producers and Renewable Fuel Markets
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U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced yesterday that USDA will make up to $800 million available to support biofuel producers and infrastructure.
The announcement includes $700 million to provide economic relief to biofuel producers and restore renewable fuel markets affected by the pandemic.
Additionally, in the coming months, the Department will make $100 million available to increase significantly the sales and use of higher blends of bioethanol and biodiesel by expanding the infrastructure for renewable fuels derived from U.S. agricultural products.
“Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA is providing direct relief to the people of rural America who are still reeling from the economic impacts of the pandemic,” Vilsack said. “The relief we’re announcing today will pave the way to economic recovery for America’s biofuel producers, stimulate a critical market for U.S. farmers and ranchers and move the country closer to President Biden’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
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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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EPA Proposes Comprehensive Set of Biofuels Program Updates and Improvements
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Yesterday, to strengthen the role of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in advancing greater use of low-carbon renewable fuels, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed a package of actions setting biofuels volumes for years 2022, 2021, and 2020, and introducing regulatory changes intended to enhance the program’s objectives. In addition, EPA is seeking public comment on a proposed decision to deny petitions to exempt small refineries from their obligations under the RFS on the grounds that petitioners failed to show that EPA has a basis under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and recent federal case law to approve them.
“Despite multiple challenging dynamics affecting the RFS program in recent years, EPA remains committed to the growth of biofuels in America as a critical strategy to secure a clean, zero-carbon energy future,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said. “This package of actions will enable us to get the RFS program back in growth mode by setting ambitious levels for 2022, and by reinforcing the foundation of the program so that it’s rooted in science and the law.”
For 2022, EPA is proposing the highest total volumes in history, putting the program on a stable trajectory that provides for significant growth. The proposed volumes for 2022 are over 3.5 billion gallons higher than the volume of renewable fuel used in 2020. The proposed volume of advanced biofuel for 2022 is over 1 billion gallons greater than the volume used in 2020. EPA is also proposing to add a 250-million-gallon “supplemental obligation” to the volumes proposed for 2022 and stating its intent to add another 250 million gallons in 2023.
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Farm Groups React to Proposed EPA Biofuel Volumes and USDA Aid
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National Sorghum Producers Chairman Kody Carson: “The EPA announcement is a patchwork proposal. The bid to roll back 2020 RVOs is deflating. At a time when farmers are facing record high costs of production, historic regulatory uncertainty and extreme weather challenges, going backward on past obligations will further weaken the largest domestic market to the detriment of American farmers and rural communities.”
“President Biden promised his administration would ‘honor the critical role the renewable fuel industry plays in supporting the rural economy and the leadership role American agriculture will play in our fight against climate change. We’re also pleased USDA will finally be allocating $700 million in pandemic assistance for losses related to biofuel production."
American Soybean Association President Kevin Scott: “We are appreciative that EPA has released its decision on these numbers that are critical to implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), but of course we would have liked to have seen higher retroactive numbers for 2020 and 2021. And, we would like to have the 2023 volume announcement that was due the end of November. We are heartened, however, by the 2022 RVO and hope 2023 remains on that upward trajectory.”
National Corn Growers Association President Chris Edgington: Reopening 2020 volumes is unprecedented and rewards the use of more oil at the expense of the environment. We strongly urge EPA to move forward with finalizing the strong 2022 volumes while correcting course on the proposed retroactive cuts.”
Missouri Corn Growers Association President Jay Schutte: “Today EPA and the Biden-Harris Administration delivered a mixed bag to corn farmers. While enforcing the federal law as intended by Congress for 2022, the agency simultaneously undercut the integrity of the RFS by retroactively lowering 2021 and 2020 blending levels for corn-based ethanol. Allowing EPA to reopen the finalized 2020 blending rules sets a dangerous precedent."
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P&K Equipment Expands to 20 Locations
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Local dealership group, P&K Equipment, Inc., has expanded to a total of twenty locations with the acquisition of Standridge Equipment, Co., a John Deere dealership with locations in both Chickasha and Duncan, Oklahoma.
The two newest locations will join P&K Equipment’s eighteen existing locations, including sixteen throughout Oklahoma and two in Arkansas. The acquisition of Standridge Equipment was finalized Dec. 06, 2021. The first official day of P&K Equipment business in Chickasha and Duncan is Tuesday, December 07, 2021.
“The Standridge family has a long history in the John Deere business, extending well over 50 years," Scott Eisenhauer, general manager of P&K Equipment, said. "We are honored to continue their successful legacy. We look forward to their customers, community partners, & employees joining the P&K team. As we grow the P&K brand into these new areas, our number one goal will be to continue providing the highest level of customer service with a sense of urgency in all aspects of our business- whether it’s sales, parts, and service. We look forward to utilizing the many P&K resources to serve customers in southwest Oklahoma and to provide them with the excellent P&K Experience.”
Most of the Standridge employees will join the P&K team, including Trey Adams and Josh Adams, who will continue to lead the Chickasha and Duncan locations and integrate them into the P&K family.
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In Case You Missed It - The Tulsa Farm Show Begins TODAY!
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Every year, the Tulsa Farm Show wows Oklahomans as the state’s largest indoor farm show. This year, the show boasts more than 400,000 square feet of exhibits, including over 300 companies, all featuring a full line of displays. The show comes just in time for end-of-year purchasing decisions.
Scott Guttormson, show manager for Midwest Shows Inc., said this year’s show has the same beloved elements with some new ones added.
“A mechanical bull will be at the show this year,” Guttormson said. “Also, we have about 12 people now participating in the cattle equipment demos.”
The premier sponsor of the TFS is the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. Each year, OKFB offers safety training for attendees of the TFS, Guttormson said.
Don't forget to stop by the Radio Oklahoma Ag Netowkr/Oklahoma Farm Report booth and say hi to Ron, KC and the rest of the gang!
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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 fall. Choice Beef was down $3.92 and Select Beef was down 2.59 on Wednesday, 12/08/2021.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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OKC West in El Reno had 13,769 on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week- their next to last week of sales for calendar year 2021.
According to USDA Market News- Feeder steers under 800 lbs sold steady to weak, over 800 lbs 2.00-4.00 higher. Feeder heifers traded 3.00-6.00 higher. Demand good to very for feeder cattle. Steer and heifer calves that were weaned with multiple rounds of shots sold fully steady on a heavy offering. Demand was good for weaned calves, moderate for remainder of the sale.
Manager Bill Barnhart also offers some thoughts on this week's trade via their Facebook page: "Big runs this week on calves and feeder cattle. The calf market was softer this week at the Tuesday sale. The best quality calves sold steady all others were lower. Stocker operators are getting stocked up and the short pasture conditions coupled with a lack of moisture are causing concern for most. Producers who normally run their calves on wheat pasture are bringing them to market. The good news is the feeder market is exceptionally good right now. Many calves are going to backgrounders and feedyards. There has been a lack of true yearlings for cattle feeders to pick from and the market shows it. Feeder yearlings sold 2.00-5.00 higher again this week."
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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