Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
|
|
Thursday, January 6, 2022 |
|
|
|
Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Hereford Breed is Well-Represented at Second Annual Cattlemen's Congress
- Farmer Sentiment Rises on Strengthening Current Financial Position
- Hilliary Media Group Acquires Oklahoma Farm Report and Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
- Today at Cattlemen's Congress: It's Going to be Udderly Cold!
- New National Poll Shows Encouraging Signs of Reduced Stigma Around Farmer Mental Health
- Making Your Land More Resilient to Drought
- OARA is Set to Host Professional Applicator Training This Month
|
Hereford Breed is Well-Represented at Second Annual Cattlemen's Congress |
The second annual Cattlemen’s Congress is underway in Oklahoma City. In its inaugural year, Cattlemen’s Congress quickly proved to be a world-class purebred cattle event with nearly 10,000 cattle in attendance. This year, more than 20 unique breeds of cattle are being represented at the show.
Shane Bedwell, chief operating officer and director of breed improvement at the American Hereford Association, told Ron Hays, senior broadcaster for Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, that the Hereford breed is going to be well-represented at the show for the second year.
“The second-annual event looks to be a big one,” Bedwell said. “The numbers are up across the board, specifically in Hereford. We have cattle from all over the U.S. and a few that came from Canada.”
Bedwell said the turnout is fantastic, with the Hereford breed presence doubling in the pen shows. Pen shows are unique by way of allowing folks to view a set of cattle that a producer has bunched together as a group of three or five that represents their operation well.
“It is a nice event that allows commercial producers to jump in on some genetics,” Bedwell said.
|
National Livestock was founded in 1932 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.
|
Farmer Sentiment Rises on Strengthening Current Financial Position |
For only the second time since May, the Ag Economy Barometer rose in December. This month’s index climbed to a reading of 125, 9 points higher than in November. Both the Index of Current Conditions and the Index of Future Expectations rose in December with the rise in the barometer attributable mostly to an improved perspective on current conditions in the agricultural sector. December’s Index of Current Conditions stood at 146, 18 points higher than a month earlier, while the Index of Future Expectations rose just 4 points to 114.
A more positive outlook regarding their farm’s financial situation by ag producers was a major contributor to this month’s rise in both the Index of Current Conditions and the barometer. The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer sentiment index is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey.
This month’s survey was conducted from December 8-14, 2021.
The Farm Financial Performance Index rose 7 points to 113 in December which is the index’s highest reading since May. December marked the second month in a row that farmers reported a stronger financial performance for their farms. This month’s rise leaves the financial index just 3 points below its year-ago level and caps a rise of 18% since the index bottomed out back in June.
|
Hilliary Media Group Acquires Oklahoma Farm Report and Radio Oklahoma Ag Network |
Hilliary Media Group today announced its acquisition of Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, Oklahoma Farm Report, Oklahoma Energy Today and Road to Rural Prosperity among other news sites. The new properties will operate under the name Rural Oklahoma Network, with original content syndicated to more than 50 radio stations across Oklahoma.
The Rural Oklahoma Network will consist of the well-respected Oklahoma Farm Report and Oklahoma Energy Today, online news outlets and daily newsletters covering farm, ranch and energy news and including market reports and market analysis. The Rural Oklahoma Network will also relaunch the Road to Rural Prosperity, a weekly podcast with in-depth interviews of leaders in agriculture, energy, health care, tourism and politics in rural America.
“Hilliary Media Group is committed to telling the incredible stories of the people and industries that make up rural America,” Dustin Hilliary, publisher of Hilliary Media Group, said. “We are proud to establish the Rural Oklahoma Network through this acquisition as we strengthen and expand our statewide coverage of the rural way of life.”
Ron Hays, KC Sheperd, Dave Lanning, Chelsea Stanfield and Jerry Bohnen will join the Hilliary Media Group team to continue covering rural news as part of Rural Oklahoma Network.
|
|
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
|
|
Today at Cattlemen's Congress: It's Going to be Udderly Cold! |
In ring one of the Jim Norrick Arena, the Junior Angus Breeding Heifer Show is set to begin at 8 a.m.
In ring two of the Jim Norrick Arena, the Junior Percentage Charolais Heifer Show/Junior Charolais Heifer Show is set to begin at 8 a.m. Followed by the Open Charolais Heifer & Bull Show.
In the Performance Arena, the National Hereford Heifer & Bull Pen Show is set to begin at 8 am.
The Herd Sire Display is set to open at 9 a.m.
The day is set to wrap up with the Angus at the Congress Sale, starting at 5 p.m.
Meanwhile, Simmental cattle are set to begin their arrival at Cattlemen's Congress!
It will be blustery today at the Fairgrounds- wind chills this AM near zero and actual temps to only top out in the mid twenties- it does warm up Friday and Saturday.
|
|
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
The Oklahoma Agriculture Mediation Program knows this is a hard time for farmers and ranchers. We want you to know we are still open, and we are still here for you. The Ag Mediation program is a free service that provides mediation to agriculture producers who may need help with ag-related disputes.
At Oklahoma Ag Mediation, we have been helping people in agriculture resolve conflicts since 1987. We know firsthand about working together to resolve conflicts, so you don’t have to go through the court systems. Let our professional mediators help you. Mediation is allowed for lease issues, farmer/neighbor disputes, family farm transitions, and more. These services are available at no cost for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers in all 77 counties. For more information, you can go to ok.gov/mediation, or give us a call at 800 248 5465.
|
|
|
New National Poll Shows Encouraging Signs of Reduced Stigma Around Farmer Mental Health |
Farmers and people in rural areas are more comfortable talking about stress and mental health challenges with others, and stigma around seeking help or treatment has decreased in rural and farm communities but is still a factor, according to a new research poll from the American Farm Bureau Federation.
AFBF conducted the survey of rural adults and farmers/farmworkers to measure changes and trends in stigma, personal experiences with mental health, awareness of information about mental health resources and comfort in talking about mental health with others. The poll results were compared with previous surveys AFBF conducted in 2019 and 2020 focusing on farmer mental health, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on farmer mental health, respectively.
AFBF will be featuring two events focused on farmer mental health at the 103rd AFBF Convention in Atlanta, Georgia: a panel discussion with Farm Bureau representatives on Sunday, Jan. 9, at 10:45 a.m. EST, and a QPR mental health training workshop conducted by AgriSafe that offers farmers and farm families skills to recognize and respond to mental health crises using the Question, Persuade and Refer approach, on Monday, Jan. 10, at 2:00 p.m. EST.
If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or has concerns about their mental health, visit the Farm State of Mind website at farmstateofmind.org for information on crisis hotlines, treatment locators, tips for helping someone in emotional pain, ways to start a conversation and resources for managing stress, anxiety or depression.
|
Making Your Land More Resilient to Drought |
Now that the 2021 crop year has ended, it’s time to start planning for 2022 and beyond. Many farmers and ranchers west of the Mississippi River have had a very difficult year in 2021 due to drought. Those in other areas of the country were spared from the worst of the drought this time but may not be as lucky in future years. So, as you’re planning for 2022 production, you may want to consider some conservation practices that can help make your land and livestock more resilient to drought and help your bottom line.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service can help you conserve water and build resilience to drought, through conservation practices that improve irrigation efficiency, boost soil health, and manage grazing lands.
USDA helps you improve your irrigation efficiency to ensure each drop of water is used wisely. Saving water on your farm can help during drought and can offset rising water costs; reduce expenditures for energy, chemicals, and labor; and enhance revenues through higher crop yields and improved crop quality. Funded conservation practices include conversion to more efficient irrigation systems, such as micro-irrigation or subsurface drip irrigation, installation of irrigation pipeline, irrigation water management, structures for water control, and flow meters. Tools like drip irrigation, which provides water precisely where and when it’s needed, can achieve greater precision with flow meters and soil moisture sensors.
|
OARA is Set to Host Professional Applicator Training This Month |
The Oklahoma Agribusiness and Retailers Association announced they are set to host Professional Applicator Training Jan. 19, 2022, at Redlands Community College in El Reno, Okla.
Registration is required and can be acquired by going online to oklahomamaag.com. Pre-registration is $125 for members and $200 for non-members. After Jan. 11, 2022, registration increases to $175 for members and $250 for non-members. You may register at the door at 8 a.m.
The first training is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. with the last training wrapping up around 4 p.m.
|
|
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 continue to rise. Choice Beef was up 11 cents and Select Beef was up 38 cents on Wednesday, 01/05/2022.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
|
OKC West in El Reno had 6,963 head this week- their first days of trade for 2022..
Compared to the last sale of 2021- Feeder steers traded mostly 2.00-4.00 lower. Feeder heifers sold 1.00-3.00 higher. Demand moderate for steers, good for heifers. Steer and heifer calves that were long weaned with shots sold mostly 4.00-8.00 higher with instances as
much as 10.00-12.00 higher on lighter weights. Demand good to very good.
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 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:
|
|
Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Ag Mediation Program, Great Plains Kubota, Stillwater Milling Company, 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.
|
|
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
Director of Farm Programming
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
405.473.6144
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
