Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Monday, September 19, 2022 |
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- ReConnect Program to Aid Rural Oklahomans in Accessing High-Speed Internet
- Integrity Beef Receives Climate-Smart Ag Grant to Ensure Longevity and Sustainability of the American Ranch
- OKFB YF&R Hosts Record-Breaking State Fair Livestock Judging Contest
- Oklahoma Supreme Court Could Tell Election Board to Include SQ-820 on November Ballot as Early as Today
- Ken Lege talks PhytoGen Cotton Varieties at Schantz Farms Field Day
- The Journey of a Food Recall
- Past USW Chairman Darren Padget Shares Sustainable Practices On His Farm
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ReConnect Program to Aid Rural Oklahomans in Accessing High-Speed Internet |
Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is now accepting applications for ReConnect Program loans and grants to expand access to high-speed internet for millions of people in rural America nationwide. The Department is making more than $1 billion available, thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The program is a critical piece of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to connect every American to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet.
KC Sheperd, Farm Director, visited with Brian Whitacre, professor of agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University, talking about the process of proving rural Oklahomans with high-speed internet as it relates to the ReConnect Program.
“Reconnect is focused on bringing broadband to rural areas,” Whitacre said. “This is a program that got rolled out around 2019 and so this is like the fourth round of funding they are making available.”
Usually, Whitacre said the people or the companies that apply for this program are your basic internet providers, cable companies, wireless internet providers, or rural electric cooperatives.
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Union Mutual was chartered in 1938 to write property and casualty insurance in the state of Oklahoma. Over the years, Union Mutual has maintained the attitude that started the company and continue to be that company that understands Oklahomans’ insurance needs when they contact any member of the UMIC team.
That’s 83 years of protecting rural Oklahomans, providing town and country, poultry house and legacy rural actual cash value policies.
With over 80 years of experience and 300 agents in all 77 Oklahoma Counties to serve you, it’s time to take a good hard look at Union Mutual Insurance Company.
For the agent nearest you, go to unionmutualic.com or give them a call at 405 286-7703.
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Integrity Beef Receives Climate-Smart Ag Grant to Ensure Longevity and Sustainability of the American Ranch |
In this episode of Beef Buzz, I had the chance to visit with Robert Wells from Integrity Beef, an alliance that simplifies cow/calf producer management decisions and increases the marketability of calves through the production of high-quality, uniform, value-stacked, preconditioned cattle.
Dr. Robert Wells has been with Noble Research Institute since 2005 and for the last 12 years, he has served as the Executive Director of Integrity Beef. Integrity Beef was established by Noble Research Institute back in 2000 and has now been a “stand-alone” entity for the last several years. Primarily serving cattle producers in Oklahoma and Texas, Integrity Beef is getting ready to go national.
American Farmland Trust is the lead partner in an eight-state project to amplify the production of climate-smart beef, funded by the USDA Climate Smart Ag grant. Among other major partners selected for the project, is Integrity Beef. In this producer-led collaborative effort to transition the U.S. beef supply chain to carbon neutral, Integrity Beef will play a role in helping ranchers adopt climate-smart grazing practices to substantially reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration.
“We came together, American Farmland Trust and Integrity Beef, at NCBA this last year and sat down and had a discussion,” Wells said. “We found out that there were a lot of synergies there. A lot of the same desires of where we were trying to go in the industry and get our producers to that same endpoint. We decided to work together to develop a request for funding proposal with the USDA, and Integrity Beef is kind of a linchpin in that because we have the marketing kind of already there, established. Because of that, we can help those producers monetize the higher quality value of their cattle.”
Through the Integrity Beef legacy, Wells said sustainability practices can be documented to show that producers are implementing certain measures to move their ranch forward to be more sustainable in nature.
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OKFB YF&R Hosts Record-Breaking State Fair Livestock Judging Contest |
A record 1,694 FFA and 4-H members participated in the 2022 Oklahoma State Fair Livestock Judging Contest at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Sept. 15 in Oklahoma City.
The contest, sponsored by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers committee, kicked off the festivities for the 2022 Oklahoma State Fair.
Students had the opportunity to evaluate several species of livestock, including market and breeding classes of beef, sheep and swine. In addition to the animal evaluation, participants answered questions in two classes.
The top three individuals in the junior 4-H division were Owen Adams, Amber-Pocasset 4-H; Kuper Schneberger, Carnegie 4-H; and Jordyn Smith, Kay County 4-H. The top three teams were Mulhall 4-H, Amber-Pocasset 4-H and Wagoner 4-H.
The top three individuals in the junior FFA division were B. Pearson, El Reno FFA; Tassi Fadely, Stillwater FFA; and Marli Williams, Tecumseh FFA. The top three junior FFA teams were Stillwater FFA, El Reno FFA and Thomas-Fay-Custer FFA.
The top three individuals in the senior 4-H division were Destyn Emerson, Tuttle 4-H; Brody Scroggins, Tuttle 4-H; and Kobi Scroggins, Tuttle 4-H. The top three teams were Tuttle 4-H (Team 1), Tuttle 4-H (Team 2) and Kay County 4-H.
The top three individuals in the senior FFA division were Maysen Garrett, Guthrie FFA; Braeden Hopkins, Keys FFA; and Tommy Glover, Elgin FFA. The top three senior FFA teams were Keys FFA, Elgin FFA and Tuttle FFA.
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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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Oklahoma Supreme Court Could Tell Election Board to Include SQ-820 on November Ballot- as Early as Today |
We reported this past Friday in our email that on Thursday a challenge had been filed regarding the ballot title for State Question 820.
John Stotts, Karma Robinson and Mary Chris Barth are listed as the petitioners who are challenging that the Title of the State Question does not let the voter know what they are really voting for.
Well- the Oklahoma Supreme Court appears to be hurrying along the process and possibly could still force the Oklahoma Election Board to include the Recreational Marijuana question on the ballot at this seemingly late date.
On Friday- the Court said "Respondents (supporters of 820) may respond to Petitioners Application to Assume Original Jurisdiction and objection to the rewritten ballot title of State Question 820 on or before 12 Noon, September 19, 2022. Oral Presentation is not contemplated."
By saying no oral presentation is likely- has the Court already made up its mind? The supporters of SQ-820 would normally have had 10 days to respond but this Friday order reduced that to 2 business days.
Does State Attorney General John O'Connor, representing the state Election Board, have the right to appeal a Court order IF they decide to instruct the Board to include SQ 820 on the ballots that are supposed to be mailed out at the end of this week to overseas Oklahoma voters?
Agricultural groups and the State Chamber of Commerce have earlier argued that short circuiting the process is a bad idea- click here to see our earlier story on their concerns.
We very well could know what the Supreme Court will demand by later today.
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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
Midwest Farm Shows is proud to produce the two best Farm Shows in the State of Oklahoma annually- the Tulsa Farm Show each December and the Oklahoma City Farm Show each April.
The Tulsa Farm Show is Oklahoma’s premier agricultural and ranching event- and returns to the SageNet Center (Expo Square) December, 8-9-10, 2022.
Now is the ideal time to contact the Midwest Farm Show Office at 507-437-7969 and book space at the 2022 Tulsa Farm Show. To learn more about the Tulsa Farm Show, click here.
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Ken Lege talks PhytoGen Cotton Varieties at Schantz Farms Field Day |
Associate Farm Editor, Reagan Calk, visited with PhytoGen Cotton Development Specialist, Ken Lege, during the Schantz Farms Field Day in Hydro, Okla. on September 15. Lege talks about different PhytoGen cotton varieties showcased at Schantz farms during the field day and the traits that make them unique.
“This year was so challenging starting out,” Lege said. “We had hot and dry conditions throughout the season, and I am surprised at how well all cotton is looking right now under pivots. Dry land is a different situation. If you had dry land left, it may not be there very long, as we know with the hot and dry conditions.”
From a seed company perspective, Lege said this year’s conditions provided them with the opportunity to look at the survival of the fittest among different cotton varieties. In a really tough year, Lege said the variety that rises to the top may not be the same one that flourishes in a year with more wet and milder temperatures.
“We still collect that data and compare it to other environments in other geographies where maybe that was the case, and we have a little bit better comfort level as to how to position these varieties in the future,” Lege said.
PhytoGen, Lege said, has a wide range of varieties in terms of maturities and what goes on dryland, irrigated and in between.
We offer the growers in this part of the world a lot of options in terms of knowing varieties, but also trait packages,” Lege said. “What we are known for at PhytoGen- usually the first thing people notice when they haven’t grown PhytoGen before and they grow us is that it comes up and it comes up fast and even.”
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The Journey of a Food Recall |
Before a food product reaches a shelf or freezer section of a grocery store, the manufacturing process transforms raw ingredients into consistent products for consumption. But what if the gourmet ice cream created from a blend of dairy products such as cream and condensed milk resulted in a food recall?
If there is reason to believe a product may cause consumers to become ill, a food producer will take the product off the market by issuing a recall with a company announcement. It is important for consumers to be aware of recalls because recalled foods may cause injury or illness, especially for people with weakened immune systems.
“The recall topic is very complex and there are many types of recalls initiated by different agencies,” said Ravi Jadeja, food safety specialist at the Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center.
What is the difference between a product recall and a product withdrawal?
A product recall is a removal or correction of a marketed product that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers to be in violation of the laws it administers and against which the agency would initiate legal action (seizure) if the company did not recall the product. However, a product withdrawal is a removal or correction, which involves a minor non-food safety issue that would not be subject to legal action by the FDA, or which involves no violation.
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Past USW Chairman Darren Padget Shares Sustainable Practices On His Farm |
In 2021, the U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) team in Beijing asked then-Chairman and Oregon wheat farmer Darren Padget to record a video message to Chinese milling and trading managers participating in a USW-sponsored “Contracting for Wheat Value” seminar.
The USW team wanted to show customers the important things U.S. farmers do every day to produce more and better wheat with less impact on the environment. Chairman Padget took the challenge to heart and spent an entire spring day walking the Chinese team through his operation to tell his farm’s sustainability story.
USW is sharing that story here with a wider audience that is increasing interested in learning more about sustainable food production.
Better Soil
Joined by his son Logan and his father Dale — partners in Padget Ranches — Darren talked in his video presentation about the effort to improve the soil in which they grow high quality soft white wheat.
“From when my father came to farm … things have changed quite drastically,” Darren said. “Taking care of the land and making sure it is sustainable is very important to us as we move forward. We used to till the soil heavily with a moldboard plow … it took a lot of time, a lot of fuel, and a lot of resources. Now, we do ‘direct seeding,’ which means the stubble in the field stays intact, which builds our soil organic matter and is less susceptible to erosion. It has been a big change. We have adopted the technology, and it seems to be the best answer to make sure this farm is here for many generations to come.”
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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 6 cents and Select Beef was down $3.30 on Friday 09/16/2022.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Oklahoma National Stockyards had just under 5,000 head Sunday late afternoon- and ONSY President Kelli Payne says they expect to start with 6,000 head plus this morning- the auction will begin at 6:30 AM this morning.
From the September 12th sale: Compared to 8/29: Feeder steers unevenly steady. Feeder heifers steady to 3.00 lower with a light test. Steer calves unevenly steady. Heifer calves steady to 4.00 lower. Demand moderate to good
Click below for the complete closing report.
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Today, we begin a new feature that will be a part of the Monday Daily Email- market commentary from Bob Rodenberger, a partner with Stockman Oklahoma Livestock Marketing.
Bob will be talking Fridays with our own KC Sheperd with his commentary to be posted on our website-- OKlahomaFarmReport.Com.
We will share a link to it Mondays here in our market section of the daily email.
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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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