Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Having a Transition Plan in Place for Your Operation Early is Critical, says OSU's Shannon Ferrell
- NCBA Emphasizes Importance of Risk Management for Producers in 2023 Farm Bill
- Courtenay DeHoff Empowers Cattlewomen at OCA Convention
- OKFB Foundation for Ag opens Grant Applications
- NCBA Reaffirms Animal Disease Vaccine Bank, EQIP and Cattle Price Protection as Farm Bill Priorities in 2023
- OSU Scientists Studying Wild Turkey Population Decline
- Oklahoma Cattlemen's Foundation Awarded More Than $30,000 in Scholarships to Youth
- OSU's Alex Rocatelli Talks Maintaining a Good Alfalfa Crop in Dry Conditions
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Having a Transition Plan in Place for Your Operation Early is Critical, says OSU's Shannon Ferrell |
Associate Farm Editor, Reagan Calk, met up with OSU’s Dr. Shannon Ferrell at the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Convention last week and talked about why it is important to have a transition plan in place for your farm or ranch.
“If we talk to farmers and ranchers, almost invariably, what they are going to tell us is what is most important to them is they want to keep their family together and they want to keep their family farming,” Ferrell said. “Ideally, they probably want to keep their farm together as well.”
If you don’t have a plan, Ferrell said there are too many forces working together to pull things apart.
“I think, really, if your objective is to keep that farm operation together, and hopefully keep your family together as well, you have really got to be proactive about that because there are just too many ways for that to go wrong if you don’t.,” Ferrell said.
Ferrell said that getting families to talk about implementing a transition plan while everyone is still healthy and happy is one of the biggest challenges.
“One of the biggest challenges is to help people understand that if you are proactive and have that conversation while everyone is mentally well and they are physically well, versus when somebody is in an emergency room or a hospital or something like that,” Ferrell said.
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The vision of the Oklahoma Beef Council is to be a positive difference for Oklahoma's farming and ranching families and the greater beef community, and its mission is to enhance beef demand by strengthening consumer trust and exceeding consumer expectations.
And Check out this video below that helps you learn more about the Beef Checkoff-
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NCBA Emphasizes Importance of Risk Management for Producers in 2023 Farm Bill |
In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am featuring comments from the Vice President of Government Affairs at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Ethan Lane, talking about risk management and farm policy.
Some of the policies NCBA is working on right now include the 2023 Farm Bill priorities and risk management.
“Whenever we go into a farm bill like this, the first step is kind of what we are seeing now, which is that look back into what is working and what isn’t,” Lane said. “What can be improved upon since the last farm bill and how circumstances have changed out in the country and what we need to be aware of that maybe wasn’t necessarily on the table or up for discussion five or six years earlier when the last farm bill process started.”
This time around, Lane said the farm bill is being worked in a different environment.
“There is a general sense and I think not one that anybody is really willing to argue with, that we are going to be dealing with a flat funding environment at best or probably a reduced funding environment more likely, and that is going to mean some real sort of hard looks and sharpened pencils at which programs are really delivering for producers, which programs need to be shored up, which programs just aren’t getting done what we need then to get done, and what programs maybe have changed since the last time we had this conversation,” Lane said.
For NCBA’s producers, in particular, Lane said they are focusing on things like LRP (Livestock Risk Protection), which was not a factor the last time the farm bill was worked on. Today, Lane added, LRP is a far more impactful risk management tool for cattle producers around the country.
Lane said the LRP program allows smaller producers and smaller operations to be ensured for price loss and that is something producers do not want to give up in the negotiations of the next farm bill.
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Courtenay DeHoff Empowers Cattlewomen at OCA Convention |
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Intern, Cheyenne Leach met with Courtenay DeHoff, also known as ‘Fancy Lady Cowgirl,’ on Friday afternoon at the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association convention. DeHoff spoke to a panel of cattlewomen over her experiences throughout the agricultural industry, as well as the mainstream television host.
“Own who you are,” DeHoff said. “You don’t have to fit into any certain stereotype or mold of what a woman in agriculture should look like, live like or dress like.”
Throughout her session, DeHoff spoke of the importance her hat has made in her career, as well as her personal life. And when asked what advice she would give to fellow women in agriculture facing similar obstacles as she has, she replied, “If you want to wear a cowboy hat, wear a cowboy hat. If you want to dress in high heels and dress fancy, do it. You can still absolutely be a woman in agriculture and still be very valuable to the industry.”
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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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NCBA Reaffirms Animal Disease Vaccine Bank, EQIP and Cattle Price Protection as Farm Bill Priorities in 2023 |
On Wednesday, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced its priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill based on producer input at the association’s Summer Business Meeting in Reno, Nevada.
“Our annual meetings are the cornerstone of NCBA’s grassroots policy process,” said NCBA President Don Schiefelbein, a Minnesota cattleman. “Individual producers set the course for NCBA’s advocacy work in Washington, D.C., and we have heard from many producers who value the animal health, voluntary conservation and disaster recovery programs in the last Farm Bill and look forward to improving those programs in the next Farm Bill.”
NCBA’s Farm Bill priorities include:
• Protecting animal health through programs that guard against the spread of foreign animal diseases such as the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank, which currently houses the Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccine. NCBA previously advocated for this vaccine bank in the last Farm Bill and producers recognize the danger that a foreign animal disease poses to the industry and the protection this bank provides.
• Strengthening risk management programs that provide producers with added protection against weather events and price decline.
• Promoting voluntary conservation programs that provide support for producers to implement conservation practices free from government mandates.
• Supporting disaster recovery programs that help producers return to normal operations following adverse weather, attacks by predators, or extreme conditions like drought and wildfire.
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OSU Scientists Studying Wild Turkey Population Decline |
Oklahoma State University scientists launched a five-year project this year to study the state’s wild turkey population.
The number of turkeys in Oklahoma has steadily declined over the past 15 years, and there are a variety of factors that could be contributing to the problem, according to Colter Chitwood, assistant professor of wildlife ecology in the OSU Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management.
“This is part of a broader trend in the southeastern part of the U.S. where turkeys are declining across the region, so there is similar research going on in other states as well,” Chitwood said. “States are now grappling with these declines and what this does to hunter success and license allocation, so there is potentially an economic impact to this.”
OSU’s multi-year project will focus on the demographics of turkeys at sites in southeastern and southwestern Oklahoma and genetic variation across the state. Researchers will examine genetics, nest success, nest site characteristics and the specific causes of deaths in poults and hens.
“We anticipate information from this study will assist in determining priority areas for turkey conservation and provide recommendations for specific turkey management,” he said. “An understanding of what causes failure of nests and mortality is needed to guide Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) decision-making to improve turkey populations.”
Data on turkey genetic variation and population dynamics will allow the ODWC to prioritize conservation and restoration efforts on populations that may be vulnerable to genetic bottlenecks and low genetic diversity, Chitwood said.
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Oklahoma Cattlemen's Foundation Awarded More Than $30,000 in Scholarships to Youth During the 70th Annual Oklahoma Cattlemen's Convention and Trade Show |
The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation (OCF) is proud to announce more than $30,000 in scholarships were awarded to students during Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association’s 70th Annual Convention and Trade Show held in Norman July 22 & 23. The scholarships are available to high school seniors, college students and post graduates as well who are continuing there education.
“The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation awarded 15 scholarships to students who are not only impressive academically,” said Mariah Reimer, administrative coordinator for OCF. “But will be a shining example of the caliber of youth in our industry throughout their career at the 70th Annual Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Convention and Trade Show.
The following students were awarded a scholarship Bailee Black, Holdenville; Elizabeth Chambers, Pawhuska; Morgan Nipp, Wilson; Blake Henricks, Okarche; Sarah Southward, Ringling; Wyatt Shaffer, Ringwood; Emma Victery, Ninnekah; Colby Ericson, Haskell; Julia Coats, Konawa; Eliza Truel, Skiatook; Laney Lawson, Newcastle; Lynae Bowman, Germanton, NC; Madison Ory, Indiahoma; Pat Kane, Pawhuska; Taylor Dowell, Canton; Victoria Gerken, Cashion; Brayden Smith, Blair; Grace Miller, Blanchard; Jace James, Blair; Landry Layton, Welch; James Perdue, Logan Arnold, Weatherford, TX; Cindy Valdez Nolasco, town, NC; Jace James, Altus; Whitney Walker, Prairie Grove, AR.
Reimer said, “The OCF is proud to house scholarships contributed by companies, members and other donors to whom we could not pay tribute to such tremendous and deserving students.”
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OSU's Alex Rocatelli Talks Maintaining a Good Alfalfa Crop in Dry Conditions |
With the drought forcing producers to take any hay they can get, alfalfa has become an important forage because of its ability to withstand harsh conditions. Farm Director, KC Sheperd, had the chance to visit with Extension specialist in forage systems at Oklahoma State University, Alex Rocatelli about maintaining a good alfalfa crop in drought conditions.
Some producers might be on the second or third cutting of alfalfa, Rocatelli said, depending on where they are located and how much rain they have received in the last few weeks.
“Alfalfa is well known to be a drought-tolerant plant that can thrive in semi-arid conditions,” Rocatelli said.
Alfalfa is able to produce more with less moisture, Rocatelli said, because it develops deep roots that can grow deeper than 16 feet within the second and third year of growth.
An example Rocatelli mentioned of what can happen if the alfalfa crop is not provided enough moisture, is in Stillwater, Okla. where he said after the crop there was cut a second time, the plant went into dormancy.
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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 was down $1.12 and Select Beef was down $2.07 on Wednesday 07/27/2022.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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OKC West in El Reno had 9,244 head of cattle during their Tuesday and Wednesday sales this week.
USDA Market News describe this week's market: "Feeder steers traded 3.00-7.00 higher. Feeder heifers sold steady to 2.00 higher. Demand good to very good. Several large strings of feeder cattle were on offer. Quality average to attractive. Steer and heifer calves sold 5.00-10.00 higher. Demand very good."
Meanwhile- on Facebook- Manager Bill Barnhart offers this additional commentary: "More hot and dry weather this week for the Tuesday/Wednesday auctions. With rain and some relief from the heat in the forecast the light cattle market picked up most of what was lost last week. Feeder cattle Wednesday sold higher on the better quality cattle. Several nice strings of feeders were offered including some reputation brands. Those sold to excellent demand. The futures continue to move sideways and there has been little fat trade so far this week. Producers are again in a tough position with their cows and calves on the drought stricken pastures. Some will wean early and some will cull deeper on their cows with not much long term relief in sight."
Click below for the complete closing report.
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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
Reagan Calk, Farm News and Email Editor
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.
KC Sheperd visits with Dakota Moss of Livestock Risk Services. When the pandemic hit in 2020 the cattle markets along with the rest of the world suffered. Many farmers and ranchers altered their marketing plans on crops and livestock to try and prevent a loss in the down Covid markets. This led to cattle being held months longer than planned hoping for a better market. Unfortunately for many farmers and ranchers they had no choice but to sell much heavier cattle into a down market. Resulting in a lower $/cwt price and profits lost. Sheperd and Moss discuss some alternative options for producers with the Livestock Risk Protection 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:
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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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