Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Thursday, September 15, 2022 |
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Biden Administration Triples Funding in Climate-Smart Ag Projects to the Tune of $3.5 Billion
- National Sorghum Producers to Lead $65 Million Climate-Smart Commodities Project
- Consumers Keep Buying Beef, but Many Looking for Ways to Keep Cost Per Meal Affordable
- House Ag Ranking Member Thompson Reacts to USDA's Unilateral Climate Investment
- Lankford, Colleagues Push Back on Dems Vilifying Production Agriculture
- Caddo Peanut and Cotton Field Day Today at 5 p.m.
- Stockyards Steak Out with Oklahoma Best Beef Competition Coming Up
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Biden Administration Triples Funding in Climate Smart Ag Projects to the Tune of $3.5 Billion |
The Biden Administration is pouring billions into their effort to reshape US agriculture into what they think it should look like. Massive amounts of money will be going to a variety of groups to pay for projects like tree planting, encouraging camelina production, pushing carbon neutral status for beef production, low carbon impact corn, industrial hemp and the list goes on and on. The groups that are the lead partners are some that you are familiar with- the National Association of Conservation Districts, National Sorghum Producers ,Tyson Foods, National Pork Board and the US Cotton Trust Protocol. But lots of lesser known names too- especially when you see who the "major" partners are.
Among the groups involved in projects from an Oklahoma viewpoint- Oklahoma Farmers Union, the Oklahoma Black Historical Project and OSU are mentioned in the Industrial Hemp Project...Oklahoma Sorghum Producers and OSU are mentioned in the sorghum project and in one of the beef projects looking for lower GHGs- Integrity Beef established by the Noble Research Institute is listed as a major partner.
One project that is promoting lowering GHGs in beef production summarizes their plan saying "Low Carbon Beef USDA Pilot Program: A Fully Integrated Lifecycle Approach to Reduce GHG Emissions from Beef Cattle at Commercial Scale--This project will help to implement climate-smart methods in beef production, reducing GHG emissions and generating carbon credit revenue for producers." (They got a measly $10 million for their project)
In the USDA news release on Wednesday- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing up to $2.8 billion in 70 selected projects under the first pool of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity, with projects from the second funding pool to be announced later this year. Ultimately, USDA’s anticipated investment will triple to more than $3 billion in pilots that will create market opportunities for American commodities produced using climate-smart production practices.
Applicants submitted more than 450 project proposals in this first funding pool, and the strength of the projects identified led USDA to increase its investment in this opportunity from the initial $1 billion Vilsack announced earlier this year.
Several ag groups applauded the USDA’s selection of pilot projects through its Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. Click those listed below to hear their reactions:
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Sorghum Producers to Lead $65 Million USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Funded Project |
Quantifying the climate impact of incorporating sorghum and other tools into rotations while serving as a trajectory for the sorghum industry’s continuous environmental improvement throughout this decade and the next is the focus of a five-year, up to $65 million project by National Sorghum Producers.
This is one example of the projects that have been selected by the Biden USDA as fitting their criterial of what they want US agriculture to look like in the years ahead.
“This is a watershed day for the sorghum industry,” NSP CEO Tim Lust said. “Sorghum is and always will be The Resource Conserving Crop™. This award affirms that fact in historic fashion, and we appreciate USDA for the opportunity to realize sorghum’s potential as a climate-smart commodity. For the first time, participating farmers will be fully recognized and fully compensated for the good work they do to improve the impact of agriculture on the environment. We couldn’t be more excited to come alongside them in this important effort.”
Rather than focusing on soil carbon sequestration alone, the NSP project will create a pathway for the impact of all practices to be quantified, tracked and verified with the intent to monetize these practices in ecosystems services markets of all kinds with an initial focus on low carbon fuel markets.
Payments will be made to producers to introduce sorghum along with a suite of additional practices, and a strong measurement and quantification program will accompany these payments in order to highlight the climate impacts of associated practices.
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Consumers Keep Buying Beef, but Many Looking for Ways to Keep Cost Per Meal Affordable |
In this episode of Beef Buzz, I feature Kansas State University Livestock Market Economist, Dr. Glynn Tonsor talking about beef demand. Tonsor works a lot on the demand equation for the beef and pork industry, and he says the latest numbers he has for the month of August show a challenging picture, but consumers are still trying to figure things out to enjoy beef.
Tonsor said August beef demand was down in retail and up in food service.
“We have two beef categories (retail and food service), so ribeye steak and ground beef, a couple of pork, as well as chicken breasts and some other proteins that we track,” Tonsor said. “Across the board with the exception of plant-based patties, they were just flat for the month compared to July.”
In August, Tonsor the number of consumers that said they bought their protein for at-home consumption from merchandisers at places such as Walmart and Target, and the number that bought it from club stores such as Costco and Sam’s Club, both were up.
“We have been talking a lot about the response to inflation, but I think this in an indication that folks are shifting to where they buy their protein and probably buying a bigger volume when they buy,” Tonsor said. “They may have a more expensive trip, but I think they are finding ways to get the price per pound lower by buying something bigger and then taking it home and cutting it up or doing a bigger roast and getting multiple meals or whatever the case may be.”
The move away from some of the full-priced grocery stores for at least some proteins seems to be happening more and more as consumers are looking into buying in bulk from the wholesale clubs.
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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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Thompson Reacts to USDA's Unilateral Climate Investment |
Today, Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15), Republican Leader of the House Committee on Agriculture, issued the statement below following an announcement from Secretary Tom Vilsack that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded billions to "Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities" projects via the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC):
"The Biden Administration is unilaterally spending billions of dollars without Congressional input. While I am sure there are worthy projects, USDA is abusing the authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation to stand up a 'pilot program' while ignoring the significant issues facing farmers and ranchers. It’s as though Secretary Vilsack is intent on having Congress once again limit his ability to use the CCC."
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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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Lankford, Colleagues Push Back on Dems Vilifying Production Agriculture |
Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and John Boozman (R-AR) today sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan regarding Democrats’ climate-change attacks on feedlot and dairy operations.
The Senators write in their letter, “CAFOs play a vital role in our nation’s ability to be food independent and have continually improved their efficiency to produce more with less, inherently making them more sustainable. Through technological innovations, unique opportunities have been created for them to utilize animal waste for energy and electricity production through anaerobic digestion… If the alleged adverse environmental impacts of these operations is the true concern, why would we limit their ability to enhance their management practices? In a time where input prices are strangling agriculture operations and energy costs are deteriorating families’ financial standing, why would we attempt to limit opportunities that could help solve both of these problems?”
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Caddo Peanut and Cotton Field Day Today at 5 p.m. |
The Caddo Research Station in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, is hosting a peanut and cotton field day today.
Oklahoma State University and U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers will share crop information on their latest peanut and cotton research projects and discuss solutions to the challenges producers face.
“Like other field days, OSU researchers are trying to relay what they’ve found to growers with unbiased opinions,” said Bobby Weidenmaier, station assistant superintendent. “We deliver research-based facts to producers, so they can make the best decisions for their crops.”
The event will offer the following presentations:
Weed management in peanuts and cotton — Todd Baughman, OSU Extension weed management specialist
Cotton harvest aids — Seth Byrd, OSU Extension cotton specialist
Peanut variety development — Kelly Chamberlin, USDA peanut geneticist
Disease evaluations of peanut cultivars and advanced breeding lines — Rebecca Bennett, USDA plant pathologist
Soil fertility project update — Brian Arnall, OSU Extension precision nutrient management specialist
Cover crop impacts on greenhouse gas emissions — Jason Warren, OSU Extension water and soil conservation specialist
Arnall will update participants on OSU’s soil fertility project, which tests the amount of nitrogen that commercially available biological products add to soil. Researchers are currently testing eight products on cotton.
“We have products that are supposed to create nitrogen or break down organic matter to release nitrogen or create a symbiotic relationship with the plants to improve uptake,” Arnall said. “The goal of the research is to quantify how much nitrogen that these products can add to the system.”
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Stockyards Steak Out with Oklahoma Best Beef Competition Coming Up |
Showcase Your Ranch's Own Prime Cuts of Local Quality Steaks, Which Will Be Showcased To The Public During Stockyards Stampede!
We are excited to announce the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Foundation will be hosting the first annual Oklahoma's Best Beef Competition during the 3rd Annual Stockyards Steak Out hosted by Oklahoma National Stockyards. Which will take place on October 15th at the Oklahoma National Stockyards. Tasting/Competition will begin at 6 p.m.
All Ranches are open to apply, ONLY 15 will be selected to compete and be paired with Oklahoma 'Celebs!' (Possible 'Celebs' the Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of Agriculture, or Oklahoma Legislatures.
Apply to compete for the title of Oklahoma's Best Beef by grilling it out with your ranch's own prime cuts of local quality steak, which will be showcased to the public during Stockyards Stampede. Entries are due September 16th.
All Proceeds Will Go To Oklahoma Cattlemen's Foundation and Cattlemen's Leadership Academy.
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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 $3.19 and Select Beef was down $3.47 on Wednesday 09/14/2022.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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OKC West in El Reno had 7,887 head of cattle this week on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Compared to last week: Feeder cattle and calves 6.00-8.00 lower. Demand light for fresh calves off the cow, moderate for long weaned cattle. Bulk of the trade continues to be light weight un-weaned bawling calves. Much of the Southwest part of the state is in full swing of sowing wheat. Higher than average temperatures are in the forecast into next week.
Click below for the complete closing report.
You can also click on the video box below to see the entire sale from Wednesday.
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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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