Subject: Oklahoma's Farm News Update
From: Ron Hays <ronphays@cox.net>
Date: 3/22/2018 5:25 AM
To: ron@ronhays.com



 
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We invite you to listen to us on great radio stations across the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network weekdays- if you missed this morning's Farm News - or you are in an area where you can't hear it- click here for this morning's Farm news from Carson Horn on RON.
 

 
 
Let's Check the Markets!  
Marketlinks


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.

 
   
Finished cattle prices 
improved Wednesday compared to the last sale on 
FedCattleExchange.com - 166 cattle were offered, with all 166 selling at a weighted average price of $125.63. Click here to see their complete market results.
 

  
OKC West sold feeder steers 4.00-6.00 lower and feeder heifers sold 6.00 to fully 8.00 lower in Wednesday trade -  click or tap here for details.


Today's First Look:
mornings with cash and futures reviewed- includes where the Cash Cattle market stands, the latest Feeder Cattle Markets Etc.
 
 
Each afternoon we are posting a recap of that day's markets as analyzed by Justin Lewis of KIS futuresclick or tap here for the report posted yesterday afternoon around 3:30 PM.
 
 
Okla Cash Grain:  
Daily Oklahoma Cash Grain Prices- as reported by the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture on Wednesday, March 21st.
 
  
Futures Wrap:  
Our Daily Market Wrapup from the Radio Oklahoma Network - analyzing the Futures Markets from the previous Day.
 
Feeder Cattle Recap:  
The National Daily Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary- as prepared by USDA.
 
Slaughter Cattle Recap: 
The National Daily Slaughter Cattle Summary- as prepared by the USDA.
 
TCFA Feedlot Recap:  
Finally, here is the Daily Volume and Price Summary from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
 


 
Our Oklahoma Farm Report Team!!!!
 
Ron Hays, Senior Farm Director and Editor

Carson Horn, Associate Farm Director and Editor
 
Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager
 
Dave Lanning, Markets and Production
 
Oklahoma's Latest Farm and Ranch News

Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
   Thursday, March 22, 2018

Howdy Neighbors! 

Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update. 
 

OmnibusMerry Christmas!!! Omnibus Deals with CERCLA, ELDs and Section 199A- and More

It's BIG- REALLY BIG!!!  We are talking about the Omnibus Spending Deal that the Republican Leadership has put together- it completes the FY2018 budget work- and has all kinds of stuff in it-

Border Wall Funding

Resources to Battle the Opiod Crisis

Tax Reform Repair- including a big one for Ag

Specifically for Ag- three of the biggest problems we have been talking about for awhile are a part of the Omnibus- CERCLA, ELDs and Section 199A.

Ag groups are almost giddy over getting these three issues dealt with- BANG- just like that.

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association quickly released a two thumbs up statement- offering an overview of these three issues:

CERCLA Reporting: A provision would relieve livestock producers of the emissions reporting requirements under CERCLA, protecting 200,000 farms and ranches around the country. NCBA has been urging affiliates and members to support stand-alone legislation in the House and Senate that would also exempt agricultural producers from CERCLA reporting requirements. Passage of the omnibus spending bill would achieve the same goal. 


Electronic Logging Devices: The bill includes a provision that would grant livestock haulers an exemption from ELDs until September 30, 2018. A further delay will provide the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) more time to educate our livestock haulers on the ELDs while industry works on solutions to the current Hours of Service rules that do not currently work for those truckers driving livestock across this great nation. EPA most recently asked for and received a second ninety day waiver that currently extends to May of this year.


Section 199A Fix: The 199A fix included in the bill will equalize tax treatment of commodity sales to cooperatives and non-cooperatives, while also providing flow-through deduction from co-ops to their members similar to the old Section 199 deduction for domestic production activities. 

Regarding the 199A Fix- Chuck Connor with the National Council of Farmer Coops is very very happy:

"I would like to commend congressional leadership for inclusion of provisions to address the marketplace impacts of Section 199A of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in the omnibus government funding package unveiled today. 


"These provisions will accomplish the goal that NCFC and our member co-ops set out at the beginning of the tax reform debate last fall-preventing a tax increase on farmers and their co-ops by keeping the Domestic Production Activities Deduction, or DPAD. DPAD will largely be recreated in this bill, which also preserves the competitive position of co-ops in the marketplace. In fact, by combining the individual-level business deductions that farmers can claim and the recreated DPAD pass-through from their co-ops, farmers selling to cooperatives have the opportunity to see more of a tax deduction than farmers selling to non-cooperatives"

Click or tap here to read more of Connor's statement.


NAWGNational Wheat Improvement Committee Concludes DC Fly-In, Advocating Federal Research Funding

More than 20 researchers, food processors and farmers from across the country, making up the 2018 National Wheat Improvement Committee, visited Capitol Hill this week advocating the importance of obtaining federal funding for wheat industry research. During their meetings, NWIC members made specific Ag Appropriations requests for FY18-19 totaling nearly $920 million drawing from such resources as the NIFA Hatch Act, Smith-Lever Formula Grants and Agriculture and Food Research Initiative among others.
 

Chandler Goule, CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers stated in a release that "Growers are dealing more and more with extreme weather conditions, disease, and pest challenges, which can only be addressed through public and private research efforts." He continued, "In order to maintain an adequate food supply and keep the United States as the source of premier quality wheat on the world market, we must have robust and stable federal, state, and private investment in wheat research." 


In addition to a $2.44 million increase for the Small Grains Genomic Initiative as well, NWIC members advocated the allocation of $1 million to address the issue of financial losses and potential losses of export markets due to weather-induced poor end-use quality. 


"NAWG will continue to work with Congress during the 2018 Farm Bill reauthorization to ensure a strong and well-funded research title is included in the legislation," Goule concluded.
 

Click here to read the original release from NAWG detailing the industry's specific requests for federal resources. 



Sponsor Spotlight
 
 
It's great to have one of the premiere businesses in the cattle business partner with us in helping bring you our daily Farm and Ranch News Email- National Livestock Credit Corporation.  National Livestock has been around since 1932- and they have worked with livestock producers to help them secure credit and to buy or sell cattle through the National Livestock Commission Company.  They also own and operate the Southern Oklahoma Livestock Market in Ada, Superior Livestock, which continues to operate independently and have a major stake in OKC West in El Reno. To learn more about how these folks can help you succeed in the cattle business,  click here for their website or call the Oklahoma City office at 1-800-310-0220. 

BUZZDomestic Retail Sales Up, Export Markets Look Promising - Good News on All Fronts for Beef Sector

 According to Jim Robb of the Livestock Market Information Center, restaurant and grocery store sales are the main driver at the final segment of the beef chain in terms of demand. He says that during the Recession, restaurants led the way in steady upward trending beef sales. But in recent months, he explained to me that restaurant sales have started to moderate and level off. Meantime, grocery store sales have taken the lead showing four and three percent increases in January and February, respectively so far this year.


"Those are pretty solid numbers," Robb said. "That's a growth rate that when combined with the restaurant sales - we end up with about a three percent growth rate in total sales. There's a lot of competition in the grocery store segment. To have these overall sales continuing to point higher is good news in the broad sense of beef demand."


Added to that domestic uptick, Robb says one of our most lucrative export markets, Japan, is showing signs that it may be willing to work with the US beef industry despite its recent involvement with its TPP partner nations - which is now being referred to as the Comprehensive Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP. Japan's instituted snapback tariffs, designed to protect its market from large amounts of foreign imports, were triggered last year for US frozen beef. Historically, Japan reevaluates their tariffs on an annual basis, but surprisingly, authorities there have opted to do that now on a quarterly basis. Good news, says Robb, for the US beef industry which he asserts is at a disadvantage compared to its competitors that are included in the CPTPP agreement.


"This is a positive trend and rather good news for the US beef sector," he said. "We're at a little bit of a disadvantage to the new trade arrangements that the Japanese have made with New Zealand, Australia and Canada, etc. But, this shows a willingness to work with us."


It's worth noting that the Japanese do intend to indeed reduce the snapback tariff as of April 1st.


Listen to Jim Robb and I discuss the promising outlook for beef demand at home and abroad, on yesterday's show - click here.

CropLifeCropLife America Positions Crop Protection, Biotech Industry as Driver of Change that's Lifting Profits


During a recent panel discussion at the 9th International Integrated Pest Management Symposium in Baltimore, CropLife America President and CEO Jay Vroom called the audience's attention to a new survey his organization recently conducted.
 
 
The survey was designed to investigate how CLA members approach modern Integrated Pest Management systems. He pointed out that innovation in this sector is rapidly evolving and resulting innovations are changing the agricultural landscape in this respect - and promoting higher profit earnings. He compared the pace of innovation with that of public policy and acceptance.
 
 
"My core message is that the crop protection industry has always been grounded in science-based approaches to help farmers with the identification and reduction of risk from pests. IPM is a key bridge to public policy and public acceptance, which is unfortunately slower than the speed of technology." He continued, "The role of farmers, the industry, NGO's and academia is to collectively advocate for the technology platform investments that produce outstanding returns in farm productivity and profitability. All that leads to improved environmental outcomes and the assurance that consumers are protected."
 

A release from CLA emphasized the organization's continued commitment in its task to lead outreach efforts and engagement with all IPM stakeholders to ensure the best possible agriculture techniques are practiced. Learn more about how CLA is working to accomplish this, by clicking here.


Sponsor Spotlight

 
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.

SoyOklahoma Soy Farmers Fear Negative Economic Impact of a Potential Trade War and Dangers of Retaliation

As America's leading agricultural export with an export value of over $21 billion last year including crops produced in Oklahoma, the soybean industry depends a great deal on trade. An editorial by the Oklahoma Soybean Association reveals farmers' worry that we could be faced with the reality of losing our most vital trading partner, China. The article establishes soy growers' argument in which they contend losing China to competing countries is simply not an option for American farmers suffering from a downturned agricultural economy.


Many growers fear soybeans are a prime target for retaliatory tariffs by China, in response to recent tariffs imposed by President Trump on imported steel and aluminum. 


"We have heard in the past that China cannot retaliate on U.S. soybeans because they have nowhere else to purchase from, and that is simply false," the article states. "Looking to bolster soy exports to China, Brazil exported almost 51 million tons of soybeans to China, compared to the U.S.'s exported 33 million tons in 2017. Additionally, Brazil is expanding its production area and upgrading its infrastructure to meet increasing Chinese demand."


The article calls for both the steel industry and the agriculture industry, not tear one down in lieu of the other. Instead it insists the new tariffs must be abolished in order to relieve the pressure on rural America. Click here to read the complete letter from the OSA.

AFRAmerican Farmers & Ranchers Awards $5,000 in Scholarships to 12 Oklahoma Students During OYE

Prior to the Grand Champion Drive at the Oklahoma Youth Expo last week, American Farmers & Ranchers awarded $5,000 worth of scholarships to 12 deserving students involved in agriculture education, selected from an original applicant pool of 109 contestants. The contest was open to 11th and 12th grade 4-H and FFA members exhibiting breeding or market animals at OYE.


Chase McCoy, Oklahoma County 4-H earned 1st place in the contest; Danielle Dodd, Moore FFA was named 2nd; and 3rd place went to Morgan Nipp, Wilson FFA.


Contestants completed a 100 question multiple choice test and then were required to show their animal in an AFR showmanship contest. During the showmanship portion, contestants were asked questions pertaining to the species they were exhibiting and judged on their showmanship abilities.


Test and showmanship scores were combined to determine the top 12 contestants. The top 12 individuals then competed in the final round of the contest consisting of a personal interview with a panel of agricultural industry leaders as judges.


Read more about this contest and review a complete list of winners, by clicking over to the Blue/Green Gazette on our website.


Special thanks to the folks at ITC Great Plains, Your Energy Superhighway- which sponsored our coverage of OYE this year. Learn more about this high voltage, transmission only utility and their commitment to the communities they serve which is the cornerstone of their business-click here for their website. 
Want to Have the Latest Energy News Delivered to Your Inbox Daily?
 

Award winning broadcast journalist Jerry Bohnen has spent years learning and understanding how to cover the energy business here in the southern plains- Click here to subscribe to his daily update of top Energy News.

 

BAYERBayer and National 4-H Council Partner to Boost Students' Education and Interest in Agri-Science

 
A new study released this week and found that more than 80 percent of high school science teachers surveyed think agricultural science is important, but only 22 percent say it makes up at least some of their lesson plans, with fewer than half of the teachers feeling qualified to teach agri-science.


The survey, sponsored by Bayer and the National 4-H Council, also found that 86 percent of parents agree it's important for the country's future success to encourage pursuit of careers in the agricultural industries, and 68 percent said the industry provides exciting career opportunities. However, nearly 70 percent of respondents do not believe their children will pursue a career in agri-science, even though data from the United States Department of Agriculture shows tens of thousands of jobs each year in agriculture go unfilled by qualified candidates. 


By launching Science Matters in August 2017, Bayer and National 4-H Council have committed to equip at least 25,000 students in urban, suburban and rural areas alike with the tools and support they need to deepen their understanding of science.
 

The multifaceted program provides students with hands-on curricula; provides scholarships for hundreds of young people and leaders to attend the 4-H National Youth Summit on Agri-Science; and engages 4-H clubs across the US through community grants and local volunteerism.

 
Learn more about this program and how it is helping to steer more young minds to agri-science in an era when young professionals are desperately needed in the agricultural field, by clicking or tapping here.

Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K EquipmentAmerican Farmers & RanchersLivestock Exchange at the Oklahoma National Stockyards, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Stillwater Milling Company, National Livestock Credit Corporation, Oklahoma AgCredit,  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 also appreciate our Market Links Sponsor - OKC West Livestock! 
 
 
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.   
 

 
God Bless! You can reach us at the following:  
 
phone: 405-473-6144
 

 



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