Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Tuesday, February 14, 2023 |
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- A Look Into Israel Flour Milling and Wheat Industry
- Cattle Markets Building Momentum- OSU’s Derrell Peel
- NCBA’s Ethan Lane Outlines Priorities for the Wellbeing of the Nation’s Cattle Producers
- Lucas, Boozman & Braun Reintroduce Legislation to Exclude Agriculture from Burdensome SEC Climate Rules
- NCC Survey Suggests U.S. Producers to Plant 11.4 Million Acres of Cotton in 2023
- NACD Announces Application Period for Urban and Community Conservation Grants
- NCGA to EPA: Higher Renewable Fuel Volumes Good for Economy, Energy Security and Environment
- Lucas Town Hall Meetings Osage County this Thursday in Pawhuska, Oklahoma
- Lucas Town Hall Meetings in Osage County this Thursday in Pawhuska, Oklahoma
- A Few More Bits and Pieces from Israel
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A Look Into Israel Flour Milling and Wheat Industry |
Over the next ten days, I am touring the country of Israel with Class XX of the Oklahoma Ag Leadership Program, looking at all forms of agriculture in the country. After visiting one of the most prominent wheat flour mills in Israel, Hays had the chance to do a quick interview with Omer Thon, director of operations at the Stybel Flour Mill in Ad Halom.
Thon is a fourth-generation family member to work in his family’s business, which was started in the 1930s by his great-grandfather and has been modernized over the years as it has become a major producer of dozens of types of flour.
“We are a family-owned business ever since 1935,” Thon said. “We operate five milling sites and two grain storage sites. We do traditional milling of wheat flour, spelt, rye and also other grains.”
Anything that can be made into flour, Thon said, can be milled at Stybel Flour Mill.
“Afterwards, we use it for bakeries,” Thon said. “We send it off to bakeries, industrial users, household applications and pretty much any request on the flour market.
“We have around ten to 15 percent on a regular year coming in from Israel-grown wheat,” Thon said. “It is a very good wheat; however, it is mixed, so we don’t get a constant quality, and we cannot trade directly with the growers of the wheat. There is a certain organization that collects all the wheat, blends it into certain characteristics, and then lets us use it.”
There are extra hoops that relate back to rabbinic law that a flour mill in Israel deals with- the wheat they buy must be stored over a Passover season before it can be used- and once in every seven years- they cannot use the in country production- they must source from outside the country.
We had to chance to remind Omer of the high quality hard red winter that our region produces- and he sighed- saying that they really like our wheat but high transport and logistics challenges have made US wheat not a part of their mix at this time.
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Oklahoma Farm Bureau works to improve the lives of all Oklahomans by supporting our state’s agriculture community. As Oklahoma’s largest general farm organization led by Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, OKFB takes grassroots values and advocates for agriculture at the state Capitol and in Washington, D.C., to ensure our way of life continues for generations to come. Farm Bureau hosts leadership events, supports our state’s agricultural youth and connects consumers with agriculture in order to build a brighter future for our state. Become an OKFB member today online at okfarmbureau.org/join. Together, we are rural Oklahoma.
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Cattle Markets Building Momentum with OSU’s Derrell Peel |
Cattle market direction is often difficult to determine in January of a new year. Carryover cattle sales for tax purposes may mask the true underlying direction of markets. Additionally, winter weather impacted cattle markets in late 2022 and through January 2023. For the moment, at least, winter weather impacts are decreasing, allowing feeder and fed cattle flows to normalize somewhat. There is, however, plenty of winter left and opportunities for more market disruptions in the coming weeks.
Oklahoma auction prices for feeder cattle jumped sharply last week despite larger auction volumes following weather-reduced volumes the previous two weeks. Fed prices appeared to pick up strength at the end of last week and boxed beef prices increased to the end of the week. Both fed cattle and boxed beef are poised to move higher as supply fundamentals tighten. Cull cow prices have advanced each week so far this year and are expected to continue very strong with decreased cow slaughter ahead.
Although feedlot inventories have declined since October, cattle slaughter remains higher year over year thus far for fed cattle and cull cows and bulls. Feedlots inventories should continue to tighten and cattle slaughter should decline in the coming weeks, although continued drought conditions may slow the rate of decrease if more animals are liquidated. Beef production is expected to decrease year over year going forward as cattle slaughter drops. Steer and heifer carcass weights are currently below year ago levels, in part due to previous winter weather.
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NCBA’s Ethan Lane Outlines Priorities for the Wellbeing of the Nation’s Cattle Producers |
In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am visiting with the vice president of governmental affairs at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Ethan Lane, talking about priorities for the NCBA in the fight for the nation’s beef producers.
“It is farm bill year, so that is definitely going to be the top-of-mind conversation, I think,” Lane said. “It is going to dominate most of the conversations this year, because even if it is not a farm bill issue, in farm bill season, people tend to lump it in.”
Regulatory issues have been a big topic of conversation, Lane said, a couple of those including the new WOTUS (Waters of the United States) rule and Endangered Species Act listings such as the lesser prairie chicken.
“There is a lot of work to be done,” Lane said. “Packers and Stockyards Act rulemakings are still moving through the system. We are still voicing our opposition to those.”
With the Republicans in control of the U.S. House of Representatives, Lane said when Capitol Hill is working properly, ideas should originate in the House.
“A lot of times we have seen that break with tradition in the past few years,” Lane said. “The Senate will pick up something before the House, but historically, that is where those conversations should begin. G.T. Thompson has said he is going to take the lead on the farm bill this year and then kind of come out of the box there.”
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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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Lucas, Boozman & Braun Reintroduce Legislation to Exclude Agriculture from Burdensome SEC Climate Rules |
Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03), the longest-serving Republican on the House Committee and Financial Services and former Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and U.S. Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) reintroduced legislation to protect family farmers and ranchers from burdensome greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting rules proposed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The Protect Farmers from the SEC Act would exempt family farmers and ranchers from being included in the indirect GHG reporting requirements, ensuring they would not be required to track and disclose granular on-farm data regarding individual operations and day-to-day activities in order to stay compliant with the companies that purchase their products.
“America’s family farmers and ranchers face many challenges in the marketplace as they work to produce more commodities while using fewer resources. The SEC’s efforts to use financial regulation to implement a climate agenda would hinder the ability of American farmers and ranchers to compete in global markets and creating onerous compliance requirements for operations with few or no employees,” said Congressman Frank Lucas. “Nevertheless, federal securities laws already require publicly traded companies to disclose material risks to investors, the SEC’s ill-advised climate disclosure rule undermines the materiality standard for environmental policy purposes. I am proud to introduce legislation with Ranking Member Boozman and Senator Braun to ensure the SEC doesn’t take action that leads to burdensome reporting requirements for family farmers and ranchers when their products become a part of a supply chain for a publicly traded company.”
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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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NCC Survey Suggests U.S. Producers to Plant 11.4 Million Acres of Cotton in 2023 |
U.S. cotton producers intend to plant 11.4 million cotton acres this spring, down 17.0 percent from 2022, according to the National Cotton Council’s 42nd Annual Early Season Planting Intentions Survey.
Upland cotton intentions are 11.2 million acres, down 17.3 percent from 2022, while extra-long staple (ELS) intentions of 184,000 acres represent a 0.5 percent increase. The detailed survey results were announced today during the 2023 National Cotton Council Annual Meeting.
Dr. Jody Campiche, the NCC’s vice president, Economics & Policy Analysis, said, “Planted acreage is just one of the factors that will determine supplies of cotton and cottonseed. Ultimately, weather and agronomic conditions are among the factors that play a significant role in determining crop size.”
Growers in the Southwest intend to plant 19.6 percent less cotton. Kansas growers expect to plant 1.7 percent more cotton, while Oklahoma producers expect to reduce cotton acreage by 5.8 percent. Texas acreage is expected to decline by 21.2 percent. Southwest respondents indicated an increase in corn, sorghum and wheat for 2023.
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NACD Announces Application Period for Urban and Community Conservation Grants |
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced the open application period for the 2023 Urban and Community Conservation (UAC) grant initiative. The grants are open to any conservation district or tribe within the U.S. and in the territories and nations that NACD serves.
Since 2016, NACD has led the efforts of this successful grant program in collaboration with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to help urban and rural communities build technical capacity within nontraditional agricultural systems.
Through this partnership, NACD has awarded over $6.5 million to 131 conservation districts and tribes in 37 states and Puerto Rico. As part of an ongoing effort to build capacity in the community oriented agricultural space, NACD started offering UAC planning grants, for up to $10,000, in 2022.
The planning grants will allow organizations who are new to urban or community agriculture to begin early-stage development of a program to provide conservation technical assistance. For example, funds may be used for workshops to conduct needs assessments with local urban farmers, or to spend time developing partnerships for their planned program.
NACD will continue to offer the planning grants, as well as the traditional implementation grants which are more focused on the provision of technical assistance. The maximum budget for the implementation grants has been raised to $60,000 this fiscal year.
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NCGA to EPA: Higher Renewable Fuel Volumes Good for Economy, Energy Security and Environment |
Higher renewable fuel volumes over the next three years would go a long way in improving energy security, lowering gas prices and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to recent comments the National Corn Growers Association submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Renewable Fuel Standard, or RFS, requires that U.S. transportation fuel contain a minimum volume of renewable fuel each year. NCGA’s comments were in response to EPA’s proposed volume requirements for 2023, 2024 and 2025.
“NCGA supports EPA’s proposal of annual increases in volumes, including an implied conventional biofuel volume of 15.25 billion gallons, and recognition that ethanol plays a critical role in cutting GHG emissions and our energy security,” stated NCGA President Tom Haag in the comments. “With continued pressure on energy security and costs, and the need to accelerate GHG emission reductions, however, biofuels can contribute even more. We ask EPA to continue working with us on complementary policies to advance higher ethanol blends, enabling ethanol to do more to cut emissions and costs.”
NCGA also noted that renewable fuel adds more than 20 billion gallons to the nation’s fuel supply annually, lowering consumer costs, creating rural jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1 billion metric tons since the RFS was enacted.
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Lucas Town Hall Meetings in Osage County this Thursday in Pawhuska, Oklahoma |
Thursday, February 16, 2023:
Osage County Town Hall Meeting
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Pawhuska Community Center
520 Lynn Avenue
Pawhuska, OK 74056
Residents around the locations are invited to attend and share their thoughts on current events in Washington, DC and across Oklahoma.
Lucas will be discussing recent work in Congress, taking questions about issues important to constituents of the Third Congressional District, and seeking input on legislation currently before Congress.
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A Few More Bits and Pieces from Israel |
Besides the really great tour of the Israel Wheat Flour Mill on Monday afternoon(profiled above)- we walked through a traditional Middle East Market (the Hacarmel Market)that featured some wonderful looking fruits and vegetables largely produced in Israel. |
Pastries were also featured by multiple vendors- including these guys with a final preparation touch! |
Finally- one of the adjoining streets to the HaCarmel Market was a mecca for Street Art- including one store dedicated to Street Art you could buy and take home- this one caught my eye! |
Our Tuesday will be interesting as the group will do their Community Service project that is a part of every seminar of the OALP(since Edmond Bonjour took on the reins as Director) and they will be planting trees- then on a research facility dedicated to agriculture and finally time with a alternative meat company that is developing rib eye steaks from a lab dish- we'll definitely let you know how that goes!
From Israel- we wish you Shalom and Happy Valentine's Day!
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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 higher- Choice Beef was up 29 cents and Select Beef was up $1.92 on Monday 02/13/2023.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Oklahoma National Stockyards had 9,750 head on Monday, February 13th.
Compared to last week: Feeder steers steady to 3.00 lower. Feeder heifers mostly steady. Steer calves steady to 5.00 lower than last week's sharply higher market. Heifer calves steady to 3.00 higher, most advance on 5 weights. Demand moderate to good. Quality average to attractive. Much of the state did see some moisture last week with most of the rain in the south and southeast. Temperatures have warmed into the mid sixties and this will help improve winter pastures.
Click below for the complete closing report.
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The Joplin Regional Stockyards had a total run of 9,452 head for February 13, 2023.
Compared to last week feeder steers traded 2.00-6.00 higher. Feeder heifers traded steady to 3.00 higher. Supply was heavy with good demand.
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.
Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays talks regenerative agriculture and ranching with Jimmy Emmons. Jimmy is a long time resident of Leedey, OK. He is the third generation on the family farm in Dewey County. He and his wife Ginger have been farming and ranching together since 1980. They have a diverse 2000 acre cropping operation growing wheat, soybeans, sesame, sunflowers, irrigated dairy alfalfa hay, canola, grain sorghum and several cover crops for seed.
Jimmy has been monitoring soil health with soil testing since 2011 utilizing cover crops to enhance soil health.
Jimmy and Ginger also have a 250 cow/calf herd and take in yearling cattle for custom grazing on the nearly 6000 acres of native range. Ginger is the primary cattle manager in the operation. The Emmons’ utilize an adaptive multi-paddock grazing system on their range and forages grown on crop ground. They use the system to keep the native grasses and soils healthy, maximize biological diversity and optimize animal health.
As Jimmy Says- Long Live the Soil!
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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