Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
|
|
Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- House Speaker Cites Marijuana Grow House Regulation and Rural Broadband Plan as Key Accomplishments in 2022
- Wheat Harvest Restarts Over Memorial Holiday Weekend
- Congressman Frank Lucas Waits on DOJ Decision on Possible Criminal Wrongdoing by Big Four Packers
- Women in Ag Conference to Take Place in OKC
- ARA's Daren Coppock Says They will Continue to be a Voice for Ag
- OCA Ranch Rodeo Announces the 2022 Participating Ranch Teams
- Successful Calving Begins Now with Sound Spring Breeding
|
House Speaker Cites Marijuana Grow House Regulation and Rural Broadband Plan as Key 2022 Accomplishments |
The House of Representatives adjourned Sine Die on Friday following a successful session in which Republicans enacted historic, pro-growth investments for the future of Oklahoma.
"This year's investments in Oklahoma's future expand our economy and protect our budget like never before,” said House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. "Over the past two years, the largest House Republican majority ever secured a future of tremendous prosperity, innovation and freedom in Oklahoma. Republicans proudly met the expectations Oklahomans gave us."
The Legislature sent 434 measures to the governor this session, including bills to stop illegal marijuana growth, deliver broadband statewide, protect life, uphold traditional values and enhance public safety.
The Legislature also enacted a balanced budget featuring historic state savings account deposits, law enforcement pay raises, and, for the first time, elimination of the waiting list for services for Oklahomans with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
"With a foundation laid by generational investments and the most comprehensive conservative policy agenda ever, Oklahoma's best is yet to come," McCall said. "Thanks to all members of the House and Senate for partnering in these shared, historic accomplishments.”
|
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.
|
Wheat Harvest Restarts Over Memorial Holiday Weekend |
After two days of rain spread across much of Oklahoma last week stopped the early start of the 2022 wheat harvest in southwestern Oklahoma- wheat farmers there got back into their fields on Sunday and Monday of the Memorial Day Holiday weekend.
We heard from several wheat producers from that area- and the themes were similar- yields from 10 to just over 20 bushels per acre- decent test weights around 60 to 61 and concern about identifying adequate good quality seed wheat for next year's crop.
One producer said the wheat he has been cutting this weekend is making just 10 to 15 bpa- and that "All wheat double cropped after cotton or Milo last fall has been disastered."
Another farmer that we heard from- Jimmy Kinder from Walters- tells us "We started this weekend, and yields so far are 10-20 bu./acre Test weight (60+) and moistures are good. High winds and temperatures have allowed the ground to dry and let us run late and start early. We will need another week to get it all cut."
Further north- we were told by Mike Schulte of the Wheat Commission that farmers were test cutting in Canadian and Kingfisher counties- moisture was high at 18% but lots of combines may well be running today as high temps and wind continue to dry this crop out.
And- at least one farm near Newcastle saw moisture down to a point where the combines were rolling late Sunday and Monday- they are reporting yields in the 50s with test weights at 63 pounds per bushel. (pictured above as seen on the Oklahoma Wheat Commission Facebook page)
The race is on- combines rolling- trying to get across as many acres as possible ahead of the next rain storm.
|
Congressman Frank Lucas Waits on DOJ Decision on Possible Criminal Wrongdoing by Big Four Packers |
I caught up with Congressman Frank Lucas and talked about the Biden-Harris Administration's plan to strengthen the American food supply chain, level the playing field for growers, and more.
Lucas says there is some good in the Administration"'s plan, but there are some things that may cause some worry as well.
“They have talked about additional monies for the construction of smaller and intermediate packing facilities, and they've talked about more dollars into community colleges and other educational institutions to help prepare a better workforce, or a workforce better able to deal with the issues that are going on in the industry,” Lucas said.
A recent element the Administration has discussed involving contract issues, Lucas said, has resulted in discussion over poultry contracts including producer's relationships with poultry companies, price, and how these contracts impact the poultry house owners.
“We will see just in the coming days and weeks what kind of details the USDA is talking about,” Lucas said. “Clearly, this is an important part of the food chain and I hope whatever they are trying to do, they are helping the situation, not making it worse. That is just going to take a little more analysis to be sure.”
Switching gears from the executive branch to the legislative branch, the House Agriculture Committee, approved a bill to establish a special prosecutor for issues related to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, specifically for packers and stockyards violations.
Lucas said there is a companion bill filed in the senate, but he does not expect it to make it to the president"s desk this year.
“Not so much because congress is not willing to address issues, but because until the DOJ and USDA stuff is all completed, the Department of Justice has existing authority in their investigation to literally file not just civil charges, but criminal charges against the packer industry and their senior management,” Lucas said.
|
|
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
|
|
Women in Ag Conference to Take Place in OKC |
Empowering women and providing educational tools to help them succeed in their agricultural endeavors is the goal of the upcoming Women in Agriculture and Small Business conference slated for Aug. 4-5 in Oklahoma City.
“Women in the agricultural field usually don’t have a lot of local counterparts,” said Sonya McDaniel, Oklahoma State University Extension educator and director of the Pottawatomie County OSU Extension office. “This conference will bring together women who walk the same walk they do.”
Four educational tracks have been developed, including agricultural production, alternative enterprises, beginning farmer and business and finance. The tracks will feature a total of 24 informative breakout sessions on everything from record keeping, farm to food production and farmers markets to building healthier soil, preventing plant diseases and estate planning.
Feedback from previous events indicated the participants found it beneficial to have time to network with others.
“There will be something for everyone, from beginning farmers/ranchers to established operators,” Bir said. “We’ll talk about traditional topics and enterprises, such as cattle, as well as diverse enterprises and new ways of interacting with customers.”
Typically seen as a male-dominated industry, women are coming to the forefront in agriculture, and roles are changing.
“Women have always been involved in agriculture, but now more women own their own operation or have official management roles in a larger family operation,” said Courtney Bir, OSU Extension farm management specialist. “We hope this conference will help these women answer questions and spark new ideas.”
|
|
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.
|
|
|
ARA's Daren Coppock Says They will Continue to be a Voice for Ag |
During the National Association of Farm Broadcasters Washington Watch, KC Sheperd, Farm Director, visited with Daren Coppock, the president and CEO of the Agriculture Retailers Association talking about policy issues and the top regulatory issues the agricultural supply is currently facing.
“We are focused a lot on transportation issues right now and a lot that is around drivers,” Coppock said. “Because our members, and I think the farmers themselves are also having trouble finding people that can operate those big vehicles, and so you get yourself into a situation where everybody is trying to move everything all at the same time to get the fertilizer out the door and the spring crop protection positioned, and you just don’t have enough people and it gets tough.”
In the agriculture industry, producers are having a harder time than ever finding help.
When the administration was discussing the mandatory mask mandate, Coppock remembers ARA members being concerned because they were already having trouble filling 20% of their positions but enforcing a mandatory mask mandate would add an extra 15% to the positions unfilled.
As for the farm bill coming up in 2023, Coppock said most of ARA’s work is in the conservation area.
“We have got grower customers who rely on farm insurance, farm programs and equipment, and all of those things,” Coppock said. “We are generally supportive of all those tools that they need in their toolbox.”
Where ARA directly plays, Coppock said, is being able to offer conservation assistance to growers, and help them write conservation plans, which may eventually turn into helping them monitor greenhouse gas emissions or other sustainability-type reporting.
|
OCA Ranch Rodeo Announces the 2022 Participating Ranch Teams |
The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, in partnership with the Oklahoma Ford Dealers is preparing for the OCA Ranch Rodeo, No. 38 on August 19 and 20 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla.
The OCA Ranch Rodeo consists of twelve ranch teams of ‘real ranch’ cowboys that compete in five different events mirroring many of the activities of daily ranch life.
The 2022 participating ranches include: Spur Ranch, Vinita; Gray G Bar Ranch, Shidler; Buford Ranches, LLC, Hominy; Stuart Ranch, Waurika; Drummond Land & Cattle, Pawhuska; Daube Cattle Co. & 3C Cattle Co., Ardmore, 4V Cattle & Cross V, Bristow; Lazy Rafter Slash Ranch, Lenapah; Whitmire Ranch, Delaware; Quarter Circle 99 Ranch & Rafter D Ranch, Loco; Trentman Ranch, Pawhuska and Stierwalt Ranch & Cattle Co., Shidler, McPhail Land & Cattle, Mountain Park.
The competition is fierce, but the cowboys do not take home much more than bumps and bragging rights. They participate with one goal: to support the Children’s Hospital Foundation (CHF).
“The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association’s Ranch Rodeo has a close relationship with the Children’s Hospital Foundation (CHF) that spans 25 years and entails raising more than $585,500,” said Weston Givens, Ranch Rodeo Committee Chair.
The event has affectionately been called, ‘Cowboys Helping Kids’ because of our long-standing relationship with Children’s Hospital Foundation.
|
Successful Calving Begins Now with Sound Spring Breeding |
Many cattle ranchers are turning bulls in with their cows and heifers this time of year, and Mark Johnson, beef cattle breeding specialist for Oklahoma State University Extension, has some tips for a successful breeding season.
“It’s always a good idea to do breeding soundness evaluations on bulls prior to breeding season,” Johnson said. “BSEs are a general rule of thumb and good management practice.”
Once bulls are determined sound, ranchers should focus on bull-to-female ratios: yearling bulls should be able to cover a cow for about every month of their age. At 2 years old, bulls should be able to breed around 25 females. From age 2 to 6, Johnson said bulls can successfully cover 25 to 35 cows in a breeding season.
“Cattle breeding season should be as short as possible,” Johnson said. “A time frame of 45 days is better than 60, and 60 days is better than 90.”
A short breeding window ensures calves are born within a tight range of time the following year.
As for when to expect the first calves of the season, it depends on the rancher’s preference. Producers should turn in bulls about nine months before cows begin calving.
“Last year, we had a lot of people decide to start calving later than usual after that brutal stretch of cold in February,” Johnson said. “If you want early January calves, bulls should be turned out the beginning of April.”
|
|
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 higher- Choice Beef was up $1.45 and Select Beef was up $2.07 on Friday 05/27/2022.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
|
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. Note- these are the markets from this week ahead of the Memorial Day Holiday
|
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/Ranch Broadcaster and Editor
KC Sheperd, Farm Director and Editor
Dave Lanning, Markets and Production
Reagan Calk, Farm News and Email Editor
Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager
|
|
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 takes us to Enid, Oklahoma. Chisholm Trail Milling is a joint dream of two businessmen from different states and from different parts of the food chain- Oklahoman Brady Sidwell who farms and has been moving his business into value added products brings the expertise of wheat farming and merchandising that wheat while Graison Gill is a nationally known baker and miller from New Orleans, La. They have come together in Enid, Oklahoma to establish a commercial mill that produces niche high quality fresh flour that is Identity Preserved wheat of a single variety that comes from the Oklahoma State Wheat Breeding Program.
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
Rural Oklahoma Networks
405-317-6361
***************
Mike Henderson
Director of Sales
405-615-4922
|
|
KC Sheperd
Farm Director
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
405-443-5717
|
|
Ron Hays
Senior Farm/Ranch Broadcaster
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
405.473.6144
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
