Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Nathan Dahm Jumps to Open Senate Seat Race to Replace Senator Inhofe
- Texas Has Their Primary- and Indications Are Solid that the GOP Stays in Control
- OSU's Brian Whitacre Says HB 3363 Will Help With Broadband Connectivity
- New NCBA President Don Schiefelbein Hopes to Bring Cattlemen Together Despite Polarizing Issues
- Annual Research Symposium Coming up March 8 at FAPC
- When the Budget is Tight, the Message to Consumers- Beef is Still a Great Option
- House Ag Committee Holds Farm Bill Hearing on Title One Programs- Wheat, Corn and Soybeans Weigh In
- Farmer Sentiment Rises During Commodity Price Rally; Concern Over Production Costs Remains in Latest Ag Barometer
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Nathan Dahm Jumps to Open Senate Seat Race to Replace Senator Inhofe |
Oklahoma Senator Nathan Dahm is moving his candidacy for U.S. Senate away from being a challenger to a sitting Republican U.S. Senator to an open Senate seat thanks to U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe’s impending retirement.
The 39 year old Dahm was first elected to his seat in the State Senate in 2012, Dahm is ranked the most conservative state senator in Oklahoma by the American Conservative Union.
Dahm represents District 33 in Tulsa County- including Broken Arrow.
Dahm was originally planning to challenge incumbent James Lankford- but hopes to become the clear conservative choice in the sweepstakes to replace Senator Inhofe.
Dahm is the third candidate in the race to announce at this point. Former Inhofe Chief of Staff Luke Holland announced his candidacy at the same time Inhofe announced his plan to retire as of January 3, 2023- and Holland also received Inhofe's endorsement at that point.
Over this past weekend- Oklahoma Second District Congressman Markwayne Mullin announced his intention to run for the remaining four years of Senator Inhofe's sixth term.
There are still several more candidates that could enter the race- the actual filing period for this and other races is not until mid April.
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For the agent nearest you, go to unionmutualic.com or give them a call at 405 286-7703.
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Texas Has Their Primary- and Indications Are Solid that the GOP Stays in Control |
Texas had their primary elections yesterday- and Governor Greg Abbott has clinched nomination, and despite several years of anger from the right, it wasn’t much of a fight. Abbott has about 70 percent of the vote.
Abbott will face Beto O'Rourk in November- who won the Democratic nomination easily.
According to Texas Monthly- "Ken Paxton(Attorney General) is heading to a runoff against George P. Bush, and democratic socialists running for U.S. House have a good night."
Keep in mind that the GOP has solid control of the Congressional delegation and will likely keep Texas red come November.
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OSU's Brian Whitacre Says House Bill 3363 Will Help With Broadband Connectivity |
If there's one thing the Covid 19 Pandemic has taught us, broadband access is no longer a matter of convenience and entertainment but the overall quality of life.
Last week House Republicans announced House Bill 3363, legislation to bring high-speed internet to 95% of Oklahomans in five years. "A dedicated office is needed to maximize their benefit for all Oklahomans," said House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. "House Republicans support broadband expansion because it is critical infrastructure that creates jobs and is as essential as phones or roads to modern life."
Brian Whitacre, extension specialist for Rural Economic Development at Oklahoma State University, spoke with KC Sheperd, associate director for Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, about the latest internet situation in Oklahoma. He's very excited about the possibility of a dedicated office for broadband expansion, "This is going to set up a state broadband office for Oklahoma. We don't have one right now."
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New NCBA President Don Schiefelbein Hopes to Bring Cattlemen Together Despite Polarizing Issues |
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Don Schiefelbein stepped into his new role as the lead Cowboy this past month as the industry continues to grabble with some major issues, including whether cash trade should be mandated at the feedlot level. NCBA and American Farm Bureau members both have established policy early here in 2022 that they do not support the mandates.
Don Schiefelbein said he understands both sides of the conversation around mandating cash trade and "gets" why some producers are frustrated when they see the price discrepancy between live cattle and beef.
“Everybody can pinpoint the problem – there are a lot of dollars in the beef industry and we are not getting our fair share,” Don Schiefelbein said. “But how you (change) it so that it improves the situation is the million-dollar question.”
The debate seems to always come down to how much government do you want, according to Don Schiefelbein. Many industry experts and producers agree that cash trade mandates would ultimately curb individuals’ economic independence, he added.
Schiefelbein said it is unsettling when the beef cattle industry fights within itself. Although the industry is diverse, he emphasized the importance of working together to find a path forward.
“To me, that is where we need to get back to,” Don Schiefelbein said.
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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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Annual Research Symposium Coming up March 8 at FAPC |
Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center is set to host the annual Research Symposium on March 8 from 7:45 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. in room 201 at FAPC.
“This event allows researchers to network with others in the food and agricultural field,” said Peter Muriana, FAPC food microbiologist and symposium chair. “Students from OSU have the opportunity to make presentations of their work, while potentially fostering future collaborations among colleagues.”
Throughout the event, undergraduate and graduate students will present oral and poster presentations. The symposium is sponsored by the Institute of Food Technologists-Oklahoma section, the Oklahoma Association for Food Protection and Sensory Spectrum Inc., a globally recognized management consulting firm.
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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.
Up next will be the Oklahoma City’s premier spring agricultural and ranching event which 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 2022 Oklahoma City Farm Show. To learn more about the Oklahoma City Farm Show, click here.
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When the Budget is Tight, the Message to Consumers- Beef is Still a Great Option |
The price of beef has skyrocketed since 2020, and consumers are looking for ways to trim their grocery budget without sacrificing flavor.
“From the beginning of the pandemic to the fourth quarter of 2021, choice box beef, which is equivalent to a carcass level price, is up 28.5%,” said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist. “Even when you compare prices from the initial pandemic shutdown when meat packing plants closed and there were massive supply chain disruptions, our most expensive cuts of meat, such as the tenderloin and ribeye, were higher in 2021.”
When a fancy ribeye at the butcher counter is too costly, said Joel Jackson, pilot plant manager at the OSU Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center, consumers can still find cuts of beef fit for the dinner table.
Chuckeye steak
“The chuckeye steak, also known as the Delmonico, is located right in front of the ribeye and has decent marbling,” Jackson said. “It’s not an uncommon cut and is a fraction of the cost versus a ribeye from the same animal.”
Flat iron steak
Another option that has gained popularity in the past two decades is the flat iron steak, a cut that originates from the top of the front shoulder blade.
“The beef industry has done a good job of promoting the product, which has added to its value,” Jackson said. “It’s still a less expensive option than what you would pay for a middle meat cut.”
Tri-tip steak (pictured above)
Jackson said the tri-tip craze started over 10 years ago on the west coast and has slowly spread across the U.S. Featured recipes inspire consumers to experiment with the cut and increase its demand.
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House Ag Committee Holds Farm Bill Hearing on Title One Programs- Wheat, Corn and Soybeans Weigh In |
The House Ag Committee held a hearing on Tuesday entitled "A 2022 Review of the Farm Bill: Commodity Group Perspectives on Title 1" Both Chairman David Scott and Ranking member GT Thompson declared this hearing to be the start of an important review process of the current farm law- click on their names to see statements on the Tuesday hearing.
Testifying before the lawmakers included wheat, corn and soybean producers.
National Association of Wheat Growers Vice President and Paterson, WA farmer Nicole Berg, testified in front of the Committee.
She highlighted key improvements made during the 2018 Farm Bill and how those programs work for wheat farmers. During the testimony, Berg noted how ARC and PLC don’t adequately cover the cost of production. Additionally, she acknowledged supply chain issues facing farmers, as well as the cost and availability of inputs that are negatively impacting wheat producers.
Representing corn producers was Chris Edgington, National Corn Growers Association President and an Iowa Corn Producer:
“NCGA has a long history of advocating for market-orientated farm policies, including commodity and crop insurance programs that help growers manage their risks. Our focus continues to be on accessible and defensible tools geared towards revenue, which factors in both yield and price risks that growers may face throughout the growing and market seasons.”
AND- testifying on behalf of the American Soybean Association was their President- Brad Doyle, a soybean farmer from Arkansas.
“If there were ever a time that the farm safety net was designed for, it was the trade war in 2018 and 2019. Factors well outside farmers’ control structurally shifted, collapsing much of the demand for U.S. soybeans,” Doyle said. “If soybeans, the second-largest crop by area in the U.S., did not receive help through Title I during this critical situation, it is hard to imagine a scenario where the Title I safety net could provide meaningful help with the current reference price. It is clear that improvements are needed to make the farm safety net effective for soybean farmers.”
Click here to read more from the ASA and read Doyle's testimony.
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Farmer Sentiment Rises During Commodity Price Rally; Concern Over Production Costs Remains in Latest Ag Barometer |
Farmer sentiment continues to fluctuate month-to-month as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose 6 points to a reading of 125 in February, a mirror image of the previous month. The Index of Current Conditions was down 1 point to a reading of 132, while the Index of Future Expectations improved 10 points to a reading of 122. The Ag Economy Barometer is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers' responses to a telephone survey. Officials putting the survey acknowledge that this month's survey was conducted between February 14-18, 2022, days prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The Farm Financial Performance Index remained unchanged in February at a reading of 83. However, the sharp drop in the index, down 27% from late 2021 to 2022, indicates producers expect financial performance in 2022 to be worse than in 2021. The financial index is generated based upon producers' responses to whether they expect their farm's current financial performance to be better than, worse than or about the same as the previous year.
"These survey responses suggest that concerns about the spike in production costs and supply chain issues continue to mostly outweigh the impact of the commodity price rally that's been underway this winter," said James Mintert, the barometer's principal investigator and director of Purdue University's Center for Commercial 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 lower- Choice Beef dropped 83 cents while Select Beef was $1.89 on Tuesday, March 2nd.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Oklahoma National Stockyards had a final number of 5,458 head of cattle sold on Monday, February 28th.
Compared to last week: Feeder steers and heifers unevenly steady with a light test in most weight classes. Stocker steers and heifers 2.00 - 6.00 higher. Steer and heifer calves unevenly steady. Demand moderate to good.
Click below for the complete closing report.
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OKC West in El Reno had 2,500 calves for their Tuesday, March first sale.
Compared to last week: Steer and heifer calves sold steady to 1.00 higher. Demand good. Much warmer weather is in the forecast for the rest of the week with temperatures in the low 70's.
For today- March 2nd-
Expecting 6,000
2,500 Feeder Heifers
@ 9:00
3,500 Feeder Steers
@ 12:30
Click on the button below for details of the trade as compiled by the USDA Market News Service.
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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
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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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