Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News

Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Monday, January 3, 2022
Howdy Neighbors!
Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update. 

  • 2022 Cattlemen's Congress Up and Rolling

  • Law Doubles Funding for State Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program

  • Biden Administration Rolling Out Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Action Plan Today

  • A Lot Goes into Wheat by the Time it is Made into Holiday Pastries


  • Paris Climate Agreement Rules Leave Behind Some Producers

  • 2021 Annual Report Available from Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office

  • 2022 Gelbvieh and Balancer National Sale

  • Register Now for the 2022 Red River Crops Conference January 19 and 20
2022 Cattlemen's Congress Up and Rolling
The second-ever Cattlemen’s Congress kicked off on New Years! After a wildly successful inaugural show last winter, Tyler Norvell, a member of the Board of Directors for Cattlemen’s Congress, and the rest of the board are excited to welcome everyone back to the 2022 Cattlemen’s Congress, Jan. 1 - 16, 2022 in Oklahoma City, Okla.

“It is here,” Norvell said. “Jarold Callahan mentioned yesterday that we do not get much of a Christmas anymore. I said, ‘we made that decision when we had this show last year.’”

Norvell is exactly where he wants to be. He told Ron Hays, senior broadcaster for the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, that if he had been told this time last year that the show would become such a hit, he would not have believed it.

Last year, the show broke records by bringing in nearly 10,000 head of cattle, more than 2,700 exhibitors and thousands of producers to Oklahoma City. What makes the Cattlemen’s Congress so successful is that it is simply a cattle show put on by cattlemen and cattlewomen for cattlemen and cattlewomen, Norvell said.
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.
 
Law Doubles Funding for State Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law , signed last month by the President, provides Oklahoma the opportunity to nearly double the annual amount of funding to reclaim abandoned coal mine land.

This bill also fulfills the primary legislative goal of the Interstate Mining Compact Commission (IMCC) and National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs (NAAMLP) over the past few years in seeking reauthorization of coal abandoned mine land (AML) fee collection from industry at 80% of current rates for 13 years.

The Oklahoma Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program is a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs.

After several years of uncertainty, the future of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Title IV Coal AML program is now secure.
Biden Administration Rolling Out Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Action Plan Today
According to a released provided by the White House- later today, President Joe Biden will continue to tackle the causes of the higher prices American families have been facing. The President will meet virtually with family and independent farmers and ranchers to discuss his Administration’s work to boost competition and reduce prices in the meat-processing industry, where corporate consolidation has led to rising prices for consumers and lower earnings for farmers and ranchers. The meat producers will talk about the challenges they have faced as large conglomerates have absorbed more and more smaller processors. The Attorney General and the Secretary of Agriculture will also attend.

The President will explain that under his July Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy, the Administration has been focused on tackling the lack of competition in agricultural markets. A small handful of meatpackers control the majority of the markets for beef, pork, and poultry, enabling them to squeeze farmers and ranchers while also raising prices on consumers.
 
The President, Secretary Vilsack and Attorney General Garland will announce the Biden-Harris Administration’s Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain and explain the steps the Administration is taking to increase processing options for farmers and ranchers and to create fairer and more competitive markets.
 
Support Our Sponsors!
KIS logo

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.

Click on the Button below to listen to our most recent report
A Lot Goes into Wheat by the Time it is Made into Holiday Pastries
As the holiday season wraps up, your sweet tooth hopefully got its fill of homemade, holiday goodies. While you were eating pie, cake or cookies did you ever think about where the main ingredient of your sweet treat came from? We are talking about wheat and a farmer is the easy answer, but it can get a lot more complicated than that.

To help busy wheat producers, U.S. Wheat Associates staff works through wheat checkoff dollars with state wheat commissions to promote wheat around the world. Steve Mercer, vice president of communications for U.S. Wheat Associates, told KC Sheperd, director for the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, that there is always much to do on behalf of wheat.

“Funding comes from producers, which allows us to apply for funds from the foreign agricultural service with the United States Department of Agriculture,” Mercer said. “That helps us develop export markets for U.S. wheat.”

A big opportunity recently opened up for U.S. wheat, Mercer said.

“We were (recently) pleased to hear that Vietnam decided to eliminate a tariff on U.S. wheat,” Mercer said. “There is a fair amount of hard red winter wheat exported to Vietnam by containers - small amounts, through Texas gulf, so it is quite possible that some of that is coming out of Oklahoma.”

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.
Sponsor Spotlight


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.


Paris Climate Agreement Rules Leave Behind Some Producers
The National Association of Conservation Districts represents nearly 3,000 conservation districts from Maine to Guam. Every U.S. state or territory has a conservation district, which serves agricultural producers and the public based on local needs.

Tim Palmer, immediate past president of the National Association of Conservation Districts, spoke us about some of the biggest issues facing conversation.

“The climate conversation is very important to our producers,” Palmer said. “There is any number of conservation or environmental credits that are coming online.”

While it is great that farmers are being rewarded for conservation efforts, there are some grey areas, according to Palmer.

“Partly because the Paris Agreement rules say that (conservation efforts) have to be something new,” Palmer said. “So, our producers who have been doing no-till for 30 years, crop rotation, adding grazing or maintaining grazing in a program do not qualify under the international rules.”
2021 Annual Report Available from Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office
The Commissioners of the Land Office for the State of Oklahoma released its 2021 Annual Report. See the report by clicking the blue button, below.
2022 Gelbvieh and Balancer National Sale
The 2022 Gelbvieh and Balancer National Sale is set to begin today at 6 p.m. Monday Jan. 3, 2022 at the Super Barn Sale Arena at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds. The sale is held in conjunction with the 2nd Annual Cattlemen's Congress.

The sale will feature Gelbvieh and Balancer Lots. Seven Bulls plus open and bred heifer lots featuring genetics that can positively influence your herd for years to come.

For more information call Matt Sims at 405-641-6081.
You can view the catalog by clicking the blue button, below.
Register Now for the 2022 Red River Crops Conference January 19 and 20
Oklahoma State University Extension and Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension are again teaming up to present the annual Red River Crops Conference on Jan. 19-20.
As usual, the conference will focus on cotton the first day and in-season crops the second day. Cost is $25 per participant. This year’s conference will take place at the Jackson County Expo Center, located at 300 S. Todd Lane in Altus, Oklahoma. Attendees are asked to pre-register to assist in the planning for refreshments, meals and conference materials.


“Profit-loss margins being what they are for most producers, use of the most up-to-date, research-based recommendations is vital to making sound management decisions; think of the conference as one-stop shopping to get needed information,” said Gary Strickland, OSU Extension Jackson County agricultural educator and regional agronomist for southwestern Oklahoma.



Topics and speakers for Jan. 19 conference sessions include:
  • National Cotton Council update – Dr. Jody Campiche, National Cotton Council director of economics and policy analysis.
  • Cotton market update – Dr. John Robinson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension cotton marketing economist.
  • Herbicide program update – Todd Baughman, OSU Extension weed specialist.
  • Cotton Inc. overview – Ryan Kurtz, director of agricultural and environmental research for the organization.
  • Cotton insect update – David Kerns, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Integrated Pest Management coordinator.
  • Cotton area program update – Emi Kimura, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agronomist, and Seth Byrd, OSU Extension cotton specialist.


Topics and speakers for Jan. 20 include:

  • Grain and livestock market update – Francisco Abello, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension farm management economist.
  • Current wheat crop status and in-season management – Amanda de Oliviera Silva, OSU Extension small grains specialist.
  • Sorghum pest control technologies and research update – Brent Bean, director of agronomy for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program.
  • Current weed control studies in the Southwest – Misha Manuchehri, OSU Extension weed specialist.
  • Hay storage and management – Marty New, OSU Extension area livestock specialist, and Aaron Henson, OSU Extension Tillman County agricultural educator.
  • Farm Bill update and outlook – Bart Fischer, co-director of Texas A&M’s Agricultural Food Policy Center.          
  

Check with your local extension office in either Oklahoma or Texas to get registration information. or contact Strickland at gary.strickland@okstate.edu or 580-477-7962.          
Let's Check The Markets!
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.
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.
Wholesale Boxed Beef Prices were mixed on Thursday. Choice Beef was down 45 cents and Select Beef was up $1.14 on Thursday, 11/30/2021.

Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
Oklahoma National Stockyards
had 7,000 head on the yards early Sunday evening- Kelli Payne, President of the Oklahoma National Stockyards tells us that 8,500 head plus this morning when the sale begins at 6:30 AM.

Compared to the last sale back on December 13th-Feeder steers unevenly steady. Feeder heifers 1.00-3.00 higher. Heavier weight steers and heifers lightly tested. Steer and heifer calves steady, instances of up to 8.00 higher. Demand continues good for all classes, despite another week of large runs. In many cases, heavier weight cattle are out selling their lighter weight mates due to high feed costs.

Click below for the complete closing report.
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..
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.
Our Daily Market Wrapup from the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network - analyzing the Futures Markets for that trading day- as reported by KC Sheperd.
Slaughter Cattle Recap: 
The National Daily Slaughter Cattle Summary- as prepared by the USDA Market News
TCFA Feedlot Recap:  
Finally, here is the Daily Volume and Price Summary from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
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
 
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:

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 also appreciate our Market Links Sponsor - OKC West Livestock! 


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.
God Bless!
Reach Out To Us:
Tim West
President/General Manager
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network

2401 Exchange Avenue,
Suite F
Oklahoma City, OK 73108

405.317.6361
Ron Hays
Senior Director of Farm Programming
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network

405.473.6144