Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Wednesday, August 3, 2022
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Jennifer Nealson Looks to Increase Effectiveness of Beef Checkoff Dollars
- Clay Pope Says Profits Can Increase While Practicing Conservation and Management
- Angus Genetic Experts Present to a World Stage
- Marcum Inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame
- OSU's Mark Johnson Provides Beef Cow Culling Criteria
- National Pork Board Collaborates with Canadian Officials on FAD Preparedness
- Drought and Inputs Putting Strain on Cattle Producers
- AFR Youth Summit Wraps up with over 300 Care Boxes packed for Our Men & Women Serving Overseas
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Jennifer Nealson Looks to Increase Effectiveness of Beef Checkoff Dollars |
In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am back with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Senior Vice President of Global Marketing & Research, Jennifer Nealson, talking about her desire to work with the states and get the optimum performance out of Beef Checkoff dollars benefitting both producers and consumers.
Nealson is responsible for how each dollar at Beef Checkoff is invested that is invested with the NCBA. A priority of hers, she says, is making sure those dollars are invested in the most effective way possible.
“What we are doing and have always done, but are doing even more, is looking at the impact that we can have as a national contractor and a national marketing arm of the Beef Checkoff along with states being those organizations that are local and combining our power so that we can have more impact with each of those checkoff dollars.”
Over the last 6 months or so, Nealson said they have been working hard from a leadership standpoint between the state councils and NCBA on the checkoff side to come together and establish a three-year strategy to focus on driving beef demand.
“This model of NCBA as a national marketing arm with these states is just like field organizations that are really helping to extend and they understand their local markets and what their needs are in this whole way in which we can work together and understand each other more and we can understand the product more which will allow us to not only manage our stakeholders but to get to those consumers in a way that maybe we haven’t been able to do in the last couple of years,” Nealson said.
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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.
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Clay Pope Says Profits Can Increase While Practicing Conservation and Management |
Associate Farm Editor, Reagan Calk, got the chance to visit with the author of the Southern Plains Perspective blog and podcast host, Clay Pope. Pope talks about the valuable resources the Southern Plains Perspective blog and podcast have to offer for producers to help them with the conservation and management of their operations, while also improving their bottom lines.
“I have been involved in conservation and natural resource work for a long time and starting in 2014, I started working with the USDA’s Southern Plains Climate Hub,” Pope said.
The podcast and the blog, Pope said, are a way of outreach for some of the issues and challenges on the natural resource side relating to the changing climate. The Southern Plains Perspective, he added, is a tool to access information on material developed on the research side of ARS (Agricultural Research Service) and tools on the NRCS side.
Implementing good management practices and taking care of our natural resources, Pope said, can also be done while lowering input costs and improving efficiency. A great part of his job, Pope added, is having the ability to provide an avenue for farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma to access valuable information and tools they can use in to operate.
Pope said his next blog post will feature material from his daughter’s winning speech at the 4-H Roundup Natural Resource Speech contest in Stillwater this past week. Her speech was about climate-smart agriculture and how it can help producers improve their bottom lines while also helping them deal with challenges such as weather conditions and more.
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Angus Genetic Experts Present to a World Stage |
The importance of Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI®) stretches far beyond running blood samples for Angus breeders. AGI strives to continuously research and develop worldwide, industry-leading technology in efforts to increase the efficiency and profitability of the Angus breed.
Association staff took their research beyond borders at the World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production (WCGALP) in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, July 3-8. Three American Angus Association staff members, five current or former interns and several external collaborators represented AGI at WCGALP, one of the largest global livestock genetics events.
"Angus had a strong presence at this year’s WCGALP," said Kelli Retallick-Riley, AGI President. "It’s crucial that we continue to be involved in these global conversations to keep Angus at the forefront of 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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Marcum Inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame |
Pittsburg County 4-H’er Reed Marcum said being inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame is putting the stamp on a “really good 4-H career.”
The best part – as an upcoming senior at McAlester High School, he has another year in the youth development program to accomplish even more.
Marcum was recognized as an inductee into the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame, the state’s highest 4-H award, at the Honors Night Assembly during the 101st State 4-H Roundup at Oklahoma State University. He received a $5,000 scholarship sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma.
“This is such a huge honor. I may be the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame winner who hasn’t won County Hall of Fame first,” Marcum said with a laugh. “I’ve had a great 4-H career so far, and I still have time to do more.”
Doing more is a lofty goal, considering what he has already achieved.
His 4-H career with the Frink-Chambers 4-H Club began on the slower side. When he enrolled in 4-H, he was not very active, but that didn’t last long. The Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development program is known for teaching youth to give back to their communities, and Marcum has done that many times over. His service projects started small with paper sacks filled with soap, ramen noodles, granola bars, shampoo, deodorant and candy that he distributed at a homeless shelter in McAlester.
“Since that time, I’ve created numerous 4-H service projects. I’ve become known in Pittsburg County as the 4-H service project video guy. I post videos about my projects on social media to help promote them and keep everyone updated,” he said. “My biggest thing I do in 4-H is service. I just enjoy helping others.”
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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
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.
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OSU's Mark Johnson Provides Beef Cow Culling Criteria |
Mark Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist, offers herd health advice as part of the weekly series known as the "Cow Calf Corner" published electronically by Dr. Peel, Mark Johnson, and Paul Beck. Today, Johnson is talking about criteria for culling beef cows.
As we continue to deal with drought and extreme heat, pasture conditions across Oklahoma are deteriorating rapidly. Low hay inventories and high feed cost are forcing cow-calf operation to make some hard decisions. Reducing your cow inventory may be the best option to reduce stress on your grazing system and help stretch your feed/forage resources as long as possible. If you find yourself in this situation right now, consider the following culling criterion.
1. Open cows/pregnancy status. From our recent peak inventory in 2018, our national beef cow inventory has decreased by over 6% as of July, 2022. This has been dramatically accelerated by drought in various parts of the U.S. over the past two years. This is the light at the end of the tunnel with respect to the future value of beef calves. Fewer cows in production = fewer calves produced = cycle to higher value for calves. As we cull cows in order to persevere and sustain our cow-calf business operation, I would prioritize holding onto heavy bred cows over short bred cows and cull the opens.
2. Cull old cows/keep your young cows. Cows reach their prime production years at about 4 years of age, and around 10 years of age most cows start to wean smaller calves, are more likely to come up open and have health issues.
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National Pork Board Collaborates with Canadian Officials on FAD Preparedness |
NPB's chief veterinarian shared U.S. pork’s strategies to prevent the spread of foreign animal diseases (FADs) with Canadian officials last month.
A FAD outbreak in North America, such as African swine fever (ASF), could stop the movement of animals and animal products across international borders.
At the Pacific Northwest Economic Region Summit in Alberta, Dr. Dustin Oedekoven said U.S. pork producers are proactively developing and adopting tools to help identify and mitigate the spread of an FAD outbreak quickly.
This collaboration between the U.S. and Canada is a continuing effort that began in 2021 when USDA APHIS and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency developed a protocol to continue bilateral trade in case of an ASF detection in feral swine in either country.
The plan was developed to protect domestic herds in both countries and minimize impacts on the trade of live swine, products and other commodities.
To keep the U.S. and Canada as ASF-free regions, pork producers should continually watch for any signs of the disease in their herd and contact a veterinarian immediately if an outbreak is suspected.
Learn what steps pork producers can take to protect farms and the pork industry from the threat of ASF.
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Drought and Inputs Putting Strain on Cattle Producers |
Cattle producers’ biggest obstacles are higher input costs and drought conditions. This Market Intel dives into the current state of the cattle business and the direct implications for the sector in 2023, based on current prices, recent USDA reports, and this week’s Crop Progress Report.
Drought
Drought conditions, particularly in the West and Southern Plains, are causing problems for farmers and ranchers. Conditions are worsening. Pasture and range land conditions rated poor to very poor were reduced from 49% to 50% in the last week for 48 states. However, pasture and rangeland rated very poor increased to 27%, up 2% from last week. Eight states reported 50% or more pasture and rangeland as poor to very poor. Texas came in with 91% rated as poor or very poor, followed by Arkansas at 72%. Drought is one of the reasons that more heifers are entering the slaughter pipeline.
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AFR Youth Summit Wraps up with over 300 Care Boxes packed for Our Men & Women Serving Overseas |
The 2022 AFR Youth Leadership Summit wrapped up last week. This year the senior Summit attendees worked on their camp service project. They packed 300 care boxes for American men and women serving overseas and worked on their teamwork skills in the process!
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Intern Cheyenne Leach met with Avery Theodore and Cooper Kline, two campers at the AFR Youth Summit, to talk about this summer's service project.
"There's really nothing better I could think of doing with my summer than being here," said Theodore, a 2nd-year camper at the AFR Youth Summit. This year's service project partnered with the Blue Star Mothers Chapter 5 from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. It means giving them a taste of home," said Theodore, "I just think it's very touching to know that we have the chance to make an impact on a soldier's life."
Cheyenne also got to speak with Cooper Kline, a 1st-year camper at the AFR Youth Summit. "We can give back and give them that feeling of home," said Kline. On top of the two hundred boxes packed by the teen session, the senior session boxed an additional three hundred boxes, totaling five hundred boxes for our service men and women.
"I think it's amazing how they can go and bring those household items and make them feel that they are known and that we know about them and that we care about them," said Kline, regarding the Blue Star Mothers Chapter 5 mission.
For as long as campers can remember, AFR has partnered with different organizations for their annual service project. AFR continues to take part in making a difference, not only in our service men and women's lives but in the youth that are involved as well.
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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 $2.14 and Select Beef was down $1.35 on Tuesday 08/02/2022.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Oklahoma National Stockyards had a final count of 9,112 head on Monday, August 1, 2022.
Compared to last week : Feeder steers steady. Feeder heifers steady to 3.00 higher. Steer calves 5.00-7.00 higher. Heifer calves sold with a weak undertone. Demand was excellent. The northern half of the state saw some reprieve from summers dry heat with rains of up to 5 inches in some areas. These rains also cooled much of the states temps bringing them back out of the 100's to the mid 80's. Summer's heat is returning this week with multiple days in the 100's again.
Click below for the complete closing report.
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OKC West in El Reno r had 2,000 head for their calf run on Tuesday- ahead of their regular yearling sale that starts at 9 AM this morning.
Compared to last week: Steer and heifer calves that were weaned were to lightly tested this week, few trades steady to weak. Bulk of the offering was un-weaned new crop calves, large supply was bulls. Demand moderate. Severe drought conditions continue across the sate with triple digit temperatures in the forecast for over a week.
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
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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