Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- OCA's Michael Kelsey Says Medical Marijuana Issue Will Dominate 2022
- Lucas Applauds $554 Million USDA Investment Expanding Critical Rural Oklahoma Infrastructure
- Protect the Harvest is Working to Protect Agriculture in the U.S.
- CRP State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement is Bigger and Better for Oklahoma Landowners
- Report: Higher Wages, Rising Input Costs and Supply Chain Problems Pushing Up Pork Prices but Not Profits
- North American Meat Institute Statement on Massachusetts' Delay of Consumer Price Hikes on Pork
- Wildfire Season: Prepare for the Worst
- Virtual Registration Open for 2022 American Farm Bureau Convention
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OCA's Michael Kelsey Says Medical Marijuana Issue Will Dominate 2022
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Local and regional issues, compounded with Pandemic-related challenges, have made 2021 quite the doozy for Oklahoma Cattlemen. Michael Kelsey, executive vice president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, told us that 2021 has been a unique year.
“I hope we never see another year like this again ever, if not for a long time,” Kelsey said. “(We are) ending with a lot of challenges - a lot of opportunities but also a lot of challenges.”
Issues like fed-cattle price discovery, supply chain disruptions, market volatility and more are all predicted to continue well into 2022.
“(For instance,) marijuana - I never dreamed we would have this type of discussion,” Kelsey said. “It has got worse and got better - in essence, it has evolved. I’ll start with the positives. Director Adria Berry has been a breath of fresh air at OMMA. She is doing a fantastic job and has a monumental task. She has agreed to come to our winter policy meeting to visit and update us.”
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Union Mutual was chartered in 1938 to write property and casualty insurance in the state of Oklahoma. Over the years, Union Mutual has maintained the attitude that started the company and continue to be that company that understands Oklahomans’ insurance needs when they contact any member of the UMIC team.
In poor economic times, in times when national insurance companies either stopped writing or completely left the state, Union Mutual has been there for Oklahomans. Today, Union Mutual writes insurance in all 77 counties of Oklahoma through almost 300 agency locations. These agents provide prompt and reliable quotes for most lines of insurance. Just recently, UMIC launched a new product in the preferred market space that has seen unprecedented growth with our rural customer base and falls in line with our Company mantra of “Protection not Politics”, when meeting the needs of our consumers and agents.
Monica Collison took over as CEO of Union Mutual in May of 2019. Under her leadership and through the hard work of her Union team, the company has continued to see positive results and productive growth with profit throughout the state of Oklahoma. Union Mutual offers a wide variety of coverage options for Oklahomans. For 82 years, Union Mutual has led the way to protect all of Oklahoma.
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Lucas Applauds $554 Million USDA Investment Expanding Critical Rural Oklahoma Infrastructure
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Last week, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the investment of more than $554 million to build and improve critical rural infrastructure in Oklahoma. Congressman Frank Lucas released the following statement applauding the investment in Oklahoma’s communities helping expand access to high-speed internet, clean water, and reliable electricity in people’s homes and businesses across rural Oklahoma:
“From businesses on Main Street, classrooms in our local schools, and households dotted across rural Oklahoma, investments in infrastructure help shape the daily lives of each and every Oklahoman. USDA’s investment in expanding critical, rural infrastructure will create jobs and provide the necessary resources needed to expand broadband and dependable electric power for those serving rural communities,” said Congressman Lucas. “Investing in rural Oklahoma undoubtedly increases economic opportunities for our communities’ small businesses, family farms, and hard-working families; and improves the livelihoods of those who call rural Oklahoma home. I thank USDA for their investment in Oklahoma’s rural infrastructure, ensuring that when rural America thrives all of America thrives.”
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Protect the Harvest is Working to Protect Agriculture in the U.S.
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Scientists have evidence that humans have been practicing animal husbandry since at least the Neolithic Revolution, about 10,000 years ago. Fast forward to present day, there are people in the U.S. who think animal agriculture should stop. The folks at Protect the Harvest (PTH) dedicate their lives to inform, educate, protect and respond on behalf of the entire agriculture community.
As the global pandemic has slowed life down for many, more free time has translated into a rise in animal rights extremist group activity in the last year-and-a-half. That’s why KC Sheperd, director for Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, spoke with Mike Siemens, a member of the Board of Directors for PTH, about the role the organization plays for the agriculture industry.
“We have put together an organization that goes out and supports all aspects of agriculture … To push back and educate the public on what the activist groups are doing to the industry,” Siemens said. “I have been involved in the animal-welfare arena for about 20 years now, and there are a lot of misconceptions out there.”
He pointed out that many activist groups may look or sound harmless at first glance. Through positive names and clever marketing, these extreme groups gain public support to push the vegan agenda, eliminate production of red meat and eliminate ownership of animals, he added.
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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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CRP State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement is Bigger and Better for Oklahoma Landowners
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The USDA’s Farm Service Agency Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is one of the world’s largest voluntary conservation programs with an established track record of preserving topsoil, sequestering carbon, reducing nitrogen runoff and providing healthy habitat for wildlife. Today, the program offers enhanced benefits and opportunities to Oklahoma landowners looking to make a difference for species like northern bobwhites and monarch butterflies.
Through CRP SAFE (State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement), landowners are given the option to restore cropland to native grassland habitat to benefit wildlife. Expiring CRP acres may also be eligible, especially lands that meet native vegetation requirements.
During 2021, the program was modified to provide enhanced benefits to landowners including signing incentive payments, practice incentive payments, and one-time “inflationary” adjustments that are designed to increase program payments and encourage participation. CRP SAFE is also included within the continuous signup period, meaning applicants can enroll anytime.
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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
Midwest Farm Shows is proud to produce the two best Farm Shows in the State of Oklahoma annually- the Tulsa Farm Show each December and the Oklahoma City Farm Show each April.
They would like to thank all of you who participated in their 2021 Tulsa City Farm Show.
Up next will be the Oklahoma City’s premier spring agricultural and ranching event with returns to the State Fair Park April 7-8-9, 2022.
Now is the ideal time to contact the Midwest Farm Show Office at 507-437-7969 and book space at the 2021 Oklahoma City Farm Show. To learn more about the Oklahoma City Farm Show, click here.
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Report: Higher Wages, Rising Input Costs and Supply Chain Problems Pushing Up Pork Prices but Not Profits
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In a report issued today on retail pork prices economists with Iowa State University, North Carolina State University and the National Pork Producers Council found that pork prices, not industry profits, are rising. Prices are rising due to increased transportation costs, supply bottlenecks and delays and increased labor costs throughout the pork chain. Those factors, said Iowa State’s Dermot Hayes, NC State’s Barry Goodwin and NPPC’s Holly Cook, were either caused or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other factors that have affected prices up and down the pork chain over the past 18 months, the report noted, include a 2.5 percent loss in pork packing capacity that resulted from a federal court order stopping faster harvesting line speeds, higher energy costs, rising feed costs and, most importantly, a shortage of workers, which has hindered productivity and caused wages to increase.
“This report shows there are numerous issues affecting pork prices, but increased profits, whether at the retail, wholesale, or farm level, are likely not a significant contributor to the rising prices,” said NPPC President Jen Sorenson. “Pork producers, for their part, are continuing to produce hogs to meet the strong demand for pork the industry has seen despite the pandemic.”
The report also found the farm-to-wholesale price spread - the difference between what producers receive for hogs from packers and what packers receive for pork from retailers - has remained relatively constant over the past two years aside from a spike in May 2020 when some packing plants shut down because of COVID illness among their workforce.
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North American Meat Institute Statement on Massachusetts' Delay of Consumer Price Hikes on Pork
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The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) released a statement on a bill approved by the Massachusetts Legislature to delay enforcement of rules called for in Question 3, the Commonwealth’s animal confinement voter initiative. The bill now goes to the Governor to be signed into law.
“We appreciate the actions of Governor Charlie Baker and the Legislature to put Massachusetts consumers first and avoid further price hikes for pork,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “We welcome the expertise of the Department of Agriculture Resources in promulgating new rules and urge the Department to consider changes to provisions that are unworkable or overly burdensome.”
At issue is Question 3’s January 1, 2022, deadline prohibiting the sale of meat in Massachusetts from sows or the offspring of sows housed in a gestation crate.
In August, the Meat Institute submitted comments to the Massachusetts Attorney General calling for changes to the then proposed rules. Provisions related to the certification and record keeping of every transaction of hogs or pork products by packer processors are burdensome and costly.
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Wildfire Season: Prepare for the Worst
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Weekly, the "Cow-Calf Corner" published electronically by Paul Beck. Today, John Weir writes about wildfire preparedness.
Wintertime in Oklahoma brings a lot of changes to the land. The dormant season is the driest time of the year rainfall wise, with December through February normally receiving the least amount of rain than the other months. Then the drying and curing of the past summers growth of forage adds to conditions favorable for wildfires. Typically, most wildfires in the state occur December through March due to these dry conditions, but wildfires can happen any month of the year. Being prepared for a wildfire is something that we can do year-a-round, just a small amount of preparation can make a difference if you are ever faced with an oncoming wildfire.
One of the first things you should do is check with your insurance agent and determine what is covered and if you have enough coverage in case you were to receive damages from a wildfire. Then you need to start looking around your home, barns and other structures to see if there is anything that can be done to reduce the risk around those structures. Make sure all the tall grass is mowed short around them, remove any volatile trees, like cedars, that may be growing nearby. Also make sure to remove all flammable items, such as wood piles, from around buildings as well.
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Virtual Registration Open for 2022 American Farm Bureau Convention
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Are you unable to attend the 2022 American Farm Bureau Convention in Atlanta, Jan. 7-12, 2022? Consider registering for the virtual event. Select workshops and sessions will be broadcast live with most available for on-demand viewing on the convention virtual platform.
Virtual convention attendees have the opportunity to hear from motivational and entertaining keynote speakers: AFBF President Zippy Duvall, James D. “Murph” Murphy, founder & chairman of Afterburner, and comedian Jeff Allen. Attendees can also watch the “final four” round of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet and pick a favorite team in the Ag Innovation Challenge.
“We’re pleased to provide a great lineup of virtual events for those who may not be able to attend the 103rd American Farm Bureau Convention in person,” said Duvall. “I hope you will join us as we look ahead to 2022 and focus on the people, purpose and possibilities of Farm Bureau and U.S. agriculture.”
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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 were down yesterday. Choice Beef was down 99 cents and Select Beef was down 75 cents on Tuesday, 12/21/2021.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Weekly Cattle Auction Reports
The buttons below allow you to check out the weekly Cattle Auctions in the region that we post on our website and here in our daily email update. We also have added the final sale of 2021 for Superior Livestock in the buttons below.
These markets have wrapped up their sales for 2021- they all return the first full week of January, 2022.
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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 a big reason why Oklahoma is on track to become a top 10 state.
The Road to Rural Prosperity dives into these stories, 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.
Our Latest RRP is an end of year conversation between Oklahoma Third District Congressman Frank Lucas and Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Senior Farm/Ranch Director Ron Hays.
They talk about the recently passed extension of the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Measure as well as the Cattle Contract Library Act of 2021, the continued wait on the US Department of Justice investigation into the major meat packers, Congressman Lucas' work on the Science Committee, his continued intentions to return to the House Ag Committee in time to be a part of writing the next Farm Bill and a comparison of Congress when he first arrived in Washington in the mid 1990s and today.
Search for Road to Rural Prosperity and subscribe on your favorite Podcast platform.
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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