Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Thursday, August 25, 2022 |
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Congressman Frank Lucas Honored for His Continued Efforts to Support Oklahoma's Natural Resources
- OSU's Magruder Wheat Plots- Established in 1892- Still Relevant Today
- Hay Supplies are Short and Likely to Get Worse, Says Cattle Marketer Bob Rodenberger
- Nation's Largest Broiler Association Voices Strong Opposition to Proposed Poultry Contracting Rule
- Tips for Selling Your Beef Direct to Consumer with Rancher and Entrepreneur, Lettie McKinney
- Randy Blach Recognized with 2022 Industry Achievement Award by Certified Angus Beef
- Profit Over Pretty- Regenerative Pastures
- FAD Simulation Exercises Help States Prepare for a Potential Outbreak
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Congressman Frank Lucas Honored for His Continued Efforts to Support Oklahoma's Natural Resources |
At the Upper Elk Creek Dam 23D Rededication Ceremony, Associate Farm Editor, Reagan Calk visited with Congressman Frank Lucas about his part in flood control and conservation in the state of Oklahoma as well as insights on what to expect in the 2023 Farm Bill.
The Sargent Major Creek Dam in Roger Mills County was renamed to the Sargent Major Frank Lucas Dam to commemorate the congressman’s effort and support in protecting Oklahoma’s natural resources.
“It was very kind of my neighbors and the conservation movement to rename the first flood control rehab project dam in my honor,” Lucas said. “I was taken by total surprise. This is something I have worked on for my entire congressional career and this is something that activists both in Roger Mills County and across Oklahoma have worked on for generations.”
Turning the page to the 2023 Farm Bill, Lucas said he wrote the 2014 Farm Bill as Chairman at the time, served on the committee for the 2018 Farm Bill and will be part of the Farm Bill writing process in 2023.
“Today let’s visit about the conservation title because that is the section that funds things like EQIP(Environmental Quality Incentives Program), the cost share programs that enable farmers and ranchers to use practices that preserve the water, to protect the air, and maintain soil in place on their farms,” Lucas said. “Those programs will be reauthorized in the 2023 Farm Bill. I want to continue that cost share where the government pays a little and farmers put in money to do these practices.”
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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 produced with Checkoff dollars to help consumers connect with cattlemen and cattlewomen who produce the beef they love.
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OSU's Magruder Wheat Plots- Established in 1892- Still Relevant Today |
The annual wheat review and 2022 Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association Annual Meeting started at the historic Magruder Plots on Highway 51 as you drive into Stillwater from I-35. Farm and Ranch Director KC Sheperd covered the event and talked about the history and significance of the Magruder Plots with Oklahoma State University Plant and Soil Science Professor and Precision Nutrient Management Extension specialist, Dr. Brian Arnall.
Arnall says Magruder, first established in 1892, is one of the most valuable long-term agronomic plots associated with any Land Grant school in America.
"Magruder is one of the oldest facility trials in North America- and the oldest wheat plot west of the Mississippi River," Arnall said.
The original plot was on campus and was moved to its current location in the 1950s.
Some of the most interesting plots in Magruder are the wheat plots that have been planted to wheat on a continuous basis since 1892 with no fertilizer of any kind used. Arnall says that those plots are still yielding 10 to 15 bushels per acre most years.
There are also plots that have been fertilized with manure only since the early 1900s- and these plots can be considered organic and have provided a lot of insights into using only manure over an extended period of time.
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Hay Supplies are Short and Likely to Get Worse, Says Cattle Marketer Bob Rodenberger |
In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am talking with Bob Rodenberger, a partner with Stockman Oklahoma Livestock Marketing. Rodenberger and Greg Griffith have a commission firm at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and operate the Apache Auction market.
Rodenberger says that right now, the problem across their trade territory is dry conditions which are shutting down options for forage, and especially for hay.
“Some of your producers have got grass and water, but no hay,” Rodenberger said. “Our smaller operators depend on hay all the time and they will be probably overstocked when we’ve got good rainfall, but they always get through with buying extra hay and there is no hay available for them.”
Rodenberger said they haven’t seen too many young cows come to town yet and are mostly seeing older cows that should have been culled a few years ago come in to be sold.
“I have had very few just complete dispersals because of the drought, Rodenberger said. “Most of them are holding onto half their cow crop.”
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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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Nation's Largest Broiler Association Voices Strong Opposition to Proposed Poultry Contracting Rule |
The National Chicken Council (NCC) today voiced strong opposition to the “Transparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments” proposed rule and called for its withdrawal, in comments filed with USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
NCC is deeply concerned that the proposed rule would have a devastating financial impact on the U.S. chicken industry by raising costs and administrative burdens, contributing to increased food prices for consumers, and ultimately destabilizing a successful compensation system for our growers.
“This isn’t about transparency,” said NCC President Mike Brown. “This is just the first salvo in the administration’s attempts to resurrect failed policies that would dismantle a successful industry structure that has benefited growers, chicken companies and ultimately consumers all around the world. The last thing USDA should be doing is pushing increased regulations, red tape and costs onto businesses at a time of record inflation and input costs, threatening food security and potentially raising grocery bills even further for Americans.”
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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 AgCredit supports rural Oklahoma with reliable and consistent credit, today and tomorrow. We offer loans for land, livestock, equipment, operating costs and country homes (NMLSR #809962) to farmers, ranchers and rural businesses across 60 counties. As a cooperative, we are owned by the members we serve. Through our Patronage Program, we have returned more than $74 million to our members since 1997.
For more information on our services or to find a location near you, visit our website here.
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Tips for Selling Your Beef Direct to Consumer with Rancher and Entrepreneur, Lettie McKinney |
Associate Farm Editor, Reagan Calk, had the chance to visit with fourth-generation rancher, farmer and entrepreneur, Lettie McKinney, talking about selling and marketing her beef directly to consumers.
McKinney graduated with an animal science degree at Oklahoma State University and attended Texas Christian University after. During her time in school, McKinney said she was able to see the disconnect between consumers and knowing where the beef they purchase comes from.
“I always wanted to offer some sort of direct-to-consumer beef product so I could help educate people about where their food is coming from and how they can access their food from their local rancher or local farmer,” McKinney said.
On her family’s ranch, McKinney took the initiative to take the first steps in marketing and selling their own beef directly to the consumer. McKinney said when marketing your own beef, everyone’s market is different, so it is important to know your target audience.
“I always tell people to look at who you are because, really, that is your ideal client is exactly who you are,” McKinney said.
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Randy Blach Recognized with 2022 Industry Achievement Award by Certified Angus Beef |
In 1980, Randy Blach put his Colorado State University animal science degree to work at CattleFax as a market analyst. It was a way to help bring value back to the family ranch near Yuma, Colo., where he would soon return.
"I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to spend a couple of years learning," he says. But CattleFax became a channel for his career passion – which has now served the beef industry for more than 40 years. "Honestly, I just fell in love with my work and the rest is history."
Always focused on the data and how it can deliver solutions, the decades of work earned Blach a second-nature understanding of the market and all that affects it. Intuition, experience and a growing database gave him the tools to show producers what the market demands. Their bottom line consistently guides his company and personal mission to help beef producers remain profitable, doing what they do best.
That kind of servant leadership earned Blach the 2022 Certified Angus Beef (CAB) Industry Achievement Award.
A product of his environment, mentors and board members guided him along the way.
Blach was an analyst for 21 years until the original CattleFax CEO (and 2014 Industry Achievement Award honoree) Topper Thorpe retired in 2001.
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Profit Over Pretty- Regenerative Pastures |
On one side of the lightly traveled state highway — behind the pipe fence — is a manicured pasture. Cattle continually graze the weed-free Bermudagrass. Just over the hill stands a barn filled with hay that was recently baled and put up.
However, across the road, things look different. The cattle and goats that were seen grazing last week are no longer there. Forbs are present. Hay goes uncut.
While the fields may look overgrown, even “weedy,” this place is not only well-managed, but boasts a healthier ecosystem and stronger bottom line than other cow-calf operations.
And that’s the thing about ranches that focus on applying soil health principles — they may not look as pretty, but you can’t judge a book by its cover.
Since Noble Research Institute made the switch to regeneratively managing ranches in southern Oklahoma in 2020, the staff have heard many of the same comments other regenerative ranchers hear.
Neither Hugh Aljoe, director of producer relations, nor Jim Johnson, senior ag consultant, mind the chatter. It gives them a chance to explain just what they’re getting out of those pastures that some may call ugly.
“We’re doing things differently than we have in the past, so things are going to look different,” Aljoe says.
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FAD Simulation Exercises Help States Prepare for a Potential Outbreak |
Four state pork associations are participating in foreign animal disease (FAD) simulation exercises this year to help local producers and responders prepare in case an outbreak happens. The exercises are conducted by NPB and funded by Pork Checkoff dollars.
These state-based field exercises provide first-line responders with hands-on opportunities to find gaps in their plans, equipment and supplies. Kansas and Montana have completed the exercises, and Nebraska and Tennessee will host exercises in October.
Keeping African swine fever out of the U.S. and preparing for any FAD outbreak is a top priority for NPB as identified by producer leaders.
Preparing for an FAD takes planning at all levels. NPB has a checklist for producers of steps to prepare farm-level plans.
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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 mixed- Choice Beef was up 3 cents and Select Beef was down $1.18 on Wednesday 08/24/2022.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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OKC West in El Reno had 6,581 head Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.
Compared to last week: Feeder steers sold steady to weak. Feeder heifers traded 3.00-5.00 lower. Demand moderate for feeders. Steer and heifer calves sold mostly 4.00-8.00 lower with instances up to 10.00 lower. Demand light as most of the offering was made up of new crop un weaned calves.
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
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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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