Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Friday, February 25, 2022
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe Expected to Announce His Retirement from the Senate on Friday
- OYE Already Smashing Records as Over 25,000 Animals and Exhibits Entered for 2022 Show
- Precipitation From February 16 - 24 Slightly Alleviates Drought Conditions in Eastern Oklahoma
- Congressman Frank Lucas Celebrates National FFA Week
- OSU's Kim Anderson Explains How the Russian Invasion of Ukraine is Affecting Crop Prices
- Kelli Retallick with Angus Genetics Inc. Says Genomic and Phenomic Research Has Come a Long Way
- USDA Commits $215 Million to Enhance the American Food Supply Chain
- NCBA and AFBF React to USDA Food Supply Chain News
- Thanks Chelsea- You Will Be Missed!
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Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe Expected to Announce His Retirement from the Senate on Friday
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Oklahoma's Senior Senator Jim Inhofe is preparing to make a public announcement on Friday that he will resign from the US Senate just before the start of the next Congress in early January 2023. The Senior member of the Oklahoma Congressional delegation first went to Washington as a Congressman in 1987 and then moved over to the Senate- winning his first term in 1994. He was elected to his sixth term in 2020.
Sources have told the Oklahoma Farm Report that Inhofe talked with his Senate Staff- both his personal staff as well as key staffers in the Committees he serves as a senior minority member on Thursday afternoon informing them of his decision.
The Oklahoman talked with the Senator and he told them that he is a peace with the decision.
Several national and state media outlets have begun the speculation game as to who might file in April to run this year for the right to serve the final four years of Inhofe's sixth term in the Senate.
The names that we have read and have also heard in the last twenty hours include:
Congressman Kevin Hern
Congressman Markwayne Mullin
Former Okla Speaker of the House TW Shannon
Governor Kevin Stitt
Lt Governor Matt Pinnell
Sen. Inhofe's Curent Chief of Staff Luke Holland
former U.S. Attorney Trent Shore
We will be talking to leaders in Oklahoma Agriculture in the days ahead about the Inhofe legacy when it comes to the farm and ranch way of life- that's after the ball is rolled out by the Senator later today.
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OYE Already Smashing Records as Over 25,000 Animals and Exhibits Entered for 2022 Show
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The stage is set for the 2022 Oklahoma Youth Expo coming up March 7th through the 18th at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds. Kass Newell, Executive Vice President of the Oklahoma Youth Expo says "the entries are up again at the OYE by around 2,000 entries when you total everything together, which is incredible."
She adds "to no surprise, the hogs are up the most of anything again this year for both gilts and barrows." Over fifteen thousand gilts and barrows have been entered for the 2022 event.
We talked with Kass about the record breaking numbers and a return to a more normal OYE in 2022. In 2020, the OYE was cut short after most of the breeding classes were shown because of the COVID shutting down public events in central Oklahoma in mid March- and in 2021, PEDv concerns forced a major shift in the hog shows- having the barrows show in their normal time frame while the breeding gilts did not show up until after the barrow show was concluded and the Premium Sale of Champions was held- this was done to offer the best chance to protect the health of the animals showing and the hog herds back home.
As for the latest revised numbers we were provided with by the OYE staff on Thursday- 25,034 entries were received into the OYE office- and based on percentages entered versus those who have arrived at the Fairgrounds over the last couple of years- record large shows in all the barns are a real possibility. 7,499 exhibitors submitted these entries, representing all 77 Oklahoma Counties.
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Precipitation From February 16 - 24 Slightly Alleviates Drought Conditions in Eastern Oklahoma
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With data ranging between Feb. 16 through Feb. 24, conditions slightly improved, expanding the area of eastern Oklahoma that has continued to fight off drought conditions from 2.3% to 6.6%. At this point, every county except for Adair County is experiencing abnormally dry conditions or worse. Thus, the overall picture improved for Oklahoma by 3.7%!
Right now, 93% of the state is experiencing abnormally dry conditions or worse. Moderate drought conditions affect 12% of the state. Severe drought conditions affect 21% of the state. Extreme drought conditions affect 49%. Exceptional drought conditions affect nearly 3% of the state, unchanged from last week.
Click on the map graphic above to see more drought info for the state.
The 6-to-10-day precipitation outlook map shows Oklahoma is likely to receive below-normal precipitation levels for this time of year. The 6-to-10-day temperature outlook map shows above-normal temperatures are likely for most of the state.
Please note that any precipitation Oklahoma has received since Tuesday, Feb. 22, is not considered in this Drought Monitor report.
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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!
Click on the Button below to listen to our most recent report
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Congressman Lucas Celebrates National FFA Week
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Last week, Congressman Frank Lucas joined Representatives Tracey Mann and Jimmy Panetta, co-chairs of the Congressional FFA Caucus, and Representatives GT Thompson and Jim Langevin, co-chairs of the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus, introducing a bipartisan resolution designating February 19-26 as National FFA Week.
“As an Oklahoma FFA alum, I know just how important National FFA is to our communities’ young adults and future ag leaders in Oklahoma. FFA chapters across Oklahoma are actively fostering the next generation of leaders by teaching the skills and instilling the sense of service that they need to succeed, which is why I'm excited to join my colleagues in recognizing this week as National FFA Week,” said Congressman Lucas. “Thank you to the teachers, advisors, and parents who help provide young Oklahomans with the tools they need to succeed in the classroom, on the farm, and beyond.”
In addition to designating National FFA Week, the resolution also recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization in developing the next generation of leaders who will change the world and celebrates 70 years of the National FFA Organization’s membership magazine, now called New Horizons.
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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 Cattlemen's Association is the trusted voice of the Oklahoma Cattle Industry. With headquarters in Oklahoma City, the OCA has a regular presence at the State Capitol to protect and defend the interests of cattlemen and cattlewomen.
Their Vision Statement explains the highest priority of the organization- "Leadership that serves, strengthens and advocates for the Oklahoma cattle industry."
To learn more about the OCA and how you can be a part of this forward-looking group of cattle producers, click here for their website. For more information- call 405-235-4391.
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OSU's Kim Anderson Explains How the Russian Invasion of Ukraine is Affecting Crop Prices
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This week on SUNUP, Oklahoma State University Grain Marketing Specialist Kim Anderson talks about how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is impacting crop prices.
“No one knows what the long-term impact is going to be,” Anderson said. “Initially, we saw higher prices. Ukraine is a major exporter of wheat and corn, Russia is a major exporter of wheat and if something happens to that production area or the export area, the impact will be significantly higher prices because it will take product off the market.”
If things settle down and shipments continue, Anderson said prices will likely remain high. The conflict that could cause prices to drop is the situation between China and Taiwan. Ultimately, he said produces selling wheat do not need to worry about these situations.
“My rule of thumb is in volatile situations to just stand aside,” Anderson said. “However, in the case of producers, they have to utilize their land, labor, capital management. I think they need to take into consideration the drought situation, look at wheat crop conditions - do they want to turn that wheat under and go with a summer crop.”
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Kelli Retallick with Angus Genetics Inc. Says Genomic and Phenomic Research Has Come a Long Way
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50 years may not seem like a very long time, but when you look back on the technological advancements of the last 50 years, it takes on a whole new meaning. 50 years has given us multiple generations of cattle and in those 50 years, Angus seedstock producers have done a lot of selective breeding. In addition to that is a lot of research. For the last 50 years, the American Angus Association has been recording what makes great Angus cattle.
“We had our first estimated breeding values come out starting in 1974,” Kelli Retallick, the director and president of Angus Genetics Inc., said. “Now, we have 21 EPDs and seven different indexes … and we celebrated our one-millionth genotyped animal this year. It is the largest genomic beef database in the world.”
Despite all that, she said people keep asking for more.
In the beginning, the mission was to capture traits like birth weight, weaning weight and yearling weight. Today, Retallick’s team is targeting harder-to-capture traits.
“We have a new suite of EPDs that we call our management EPDs,” Retallick said. “Those are EPDs that are going to target those foundational traits like foot structure, claw set and foot angle.”
Some other new EPDs focus on docility traits and how cattle perform in different environments.
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USDA Commits $215 Million to Enhance the American Food Supply Chain
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U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is making available up to $215 million in grants and other support to expand meat and poultry processing options, strengthen the food supply chain, and create jobs and economic opportunities in rural areas. Today’s funding opportunity, announced on the one-year anniversary of President Biden’s Executive Order 14017 “America’s Supply Chains”, is one of many actions that USDA is taking to expand processing capacity and increase competition in meat and poultry processing to make agricultural markets more accessible, fair, competitive, and resilient for American farmers and ranchers.
“For too long, ranchers and processors have seen the value and the opportunities they work so hard to create move away from the rural communities where they live and operate,” Vilsack said. “Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA is committed to making investments to support economic systems where the wealth created in rural areas stays in rural areas. The funding we’re announcing today ultimately will help us give farmers and ranchers a fair shake and strengthen supply chains while developing options to deliver food produced closer to home for families.”
USDA Rural Development will make $150 million available in grants to fund startup and expansion activities in the meat and poultry processing sector. USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will provide another $40 million for workforce development and training, and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will provide $25 million to offer technical assistance to grant applicants and others seeking resources related to meat and poultry processing. These new opportunities are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic commitment to fight monopolization and promote competition across the economy. They are also aligned with USDA’s vision of a food system that supports health and ensures producers receive a fair share of the food dollar while advancing equity and combating the climate crisis.
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The NCBA and AFBF Commend News Out of the USDA
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NCBA Director of Government Affairs and Market Regulatory Policy Tanner Beymer said, "Investing in packing capacity is critically important for the cattle industry. The expansion of regional processing facilities will bolster resiliency within the beef supply chain and help return marketing leverage to cattle producers."
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said, "AFBF appreciates USDA’s efforts to increase competition in America’s beef and poultry processing systems. Families continue to find rising prices at the grocery store, but farmers don’t see the price they’re paid for chicken and beef rise at the same rate.
We asked Secretary Vilsack and USDA to provide more resources to level the playing field. Investments in new processing options and job creation are positive steps toward creating fair markets while strengthening America’s supply chain.”
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Thanks Chelsea- You Will Be Missed!
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Today will wrap up our brief time in working with Chelsea Stanfield on our Oklahoma Farm Report team.
Chelsea joined us this past summer after graduating from Oklahoma State with an Ag Communications degree. She jumped into her role with us with a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and talent- particularly her talent for writing and has made an excellent hand.
Alas- she is moving on to another opportunity in Oklahoma- and that leaves our team one short.
If you know agriculture- have a talent for writing and want to work with the best farm and ranch news reporting team in Oklahoma- give us a call or drop us an email. Contact Ron or KC- our info is below.
And- check out the Blue Box below- it has the details of about what we are hoping our next team member will bring to the table.
AND- if you know of someone other than yourself who might be that perfect candidate- encourage them to apply or let us know their name- we will be glad to give them a call!
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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 go down. Choice Beef was down $1.64 and Select Beef was down $4.41 on Thursday, 02/24/2022.
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.
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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/Ranch Broadcaster and Editor
KC Sheperd, 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 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 features the Director of the National Ag Law Center Harrison Pittman. The Center is located at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Ron and Harrison discuss what Ag Law is- and dove into a whole list of issues that have real world impacts on farmers and ranchers- Prop 12 in California, the Supreme Court's consideration of WOTUS, ESA and the impact on Ag Chemicals, Right to Repair and more.
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, 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
Rural Oklahoma Networks
405-317-6361
***************
Mike Henderson
Director of Sales
405-615-4922
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KC Sheperd
Farm Director
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
405-443-5717
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Ron Hays
Senior Farm/Ranch Broadcaster
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
405.473.6144
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