Taking a Look at Results from Pre-Plant Nitrogen Versus In-Season on Wheat Crops

At the OGI Wheat Meeting, Farm Director, KC Sheperd had the opportunity to visit with Oklahoma State University Extension Specialist for Precision Nutrient Management, Brian Arnall. Sheperd and Arnall talk about researching the impact of nitrogen application on pre-planting.

“That data is over the last seven to ten years, and we are combining all my research to look at the value of pre-plant nitrogen versus everything in season,” Arnall said. “That means everything in February, March or April applied nitrogen-wise.”

In the study, which consisted of over 100 trials, Arnall said it was discovered that pre-planting nitrogen was better yielding than planting in season only a handful of times.

“The all-in season was better about 30 percent of the time, meaning that by waiting until February, March or April to apply the nitrogen, I was increasing yield 33 percent of the time over the pre-plant,” Arnall said.

Another big win, Arnall said is that 60 to 70 percent of the time, the in-season was better protein-wise, with increases of over ten percent.

“Never once did pre-plant nitrogen have better protein,” Arnall said. “It is just because we are running out of nitrogen when we plant that early.”



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. 

To learn more, visit www.oklabeef.org. Also, don't forget to like its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/oklabeef for stories on Oklahoma's ranching families and great beef recipes. 

And Check out this video below that helps you learn more about the Beef Checkoff- .



Inside Look at Farm-to-Consumer Beef Production in Israel

During the OALP Class XX trip to Israel, I got the chance to visit with David Ankowe and Yair Ben Perez of the Moshav Eliyad about beef cattle operations in Israel.

The Moshav Eliyad sells beef from the farm and straight to the consumer in-store and online. They have their own butcher shop and restaurant in the Moshav Cooperative.

The Moshav Eliyad is a cooperative farmers’ village invented in Israel in the early part of the 20th century. As opposed to the more communal kibbutz, the members of the moshav preserve a relatively large degree of economic autonomy, but they do share various elements of mutual assistance.

David Ankowe, the Beef Grower Manager of the Moshav Eliyad, said the Moshav Eliyad cattle herd is built primarily around the British and Continental breeds.

They send their cattle to a slaughterhouse in Haifa, once per week, that follows Kosher laws, performs inspections, and has a veterinarian. Kosher laws only allow Jews to eat the front half of the cow, from the 13th thoracic vertebra forward, because the back half has large veins. The secular community will eat the back half. If they try to remove all the large veins, they lose 60% of the meat, but we were told that they can cut away certain tendons, and the Rabbi will then certify the remainder as kosher.

Another Record for OYE Entries as 2023 Show Opens Its Doors Next Week

The stage is set for the 2023 Oklahoma Youth Expo coming up March 6th through the 17th at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds. Kass Newell, Executive Vice President of the Oklahoma Youth Expo says “the entries are up again at the OYE by around 4,000 entries when you total everything together, which is incredible.” She adds “it’s the biggest jump that I have ever seen for OYE.”

She adds “to no surprise, the hogs are up the most of anything again this year for both gilts and barrows.” Over eighteen thousand gilts and barrows have been entered for the 2023 event.

Kass says she is especially excited about the big jump in entries for the Ag Mechanics contest- up 117 entries from 2022 to 269 for this year- and they have rented extra space to accommodate the much larger contest. This is the fourth year for the Ag Mechanics contest at OYE- Superintendent Jerry Renshaw has expected continued growth- and that is the case in a big way this year.

I talked with Kass Newell about the record breaking numbers, the expansion of the Ag Mechanics Show and the Construction that has now begun on the new coliseum on the grounds- you can see the species breakdown on numbers and hear our conversation by clicking on the blue button below.

The following is a write-up from OSU Extension Grain Marketing Specialist, Kim Anderson, on the USDA’s 99th Annual Outlook Forum:

At the USDA 99th Annual Outlook Forum, the 2023/24 marketing year major crop supply and demand estimates were released. Probably the most useful estimates were the average annual prices.

The 2023/24 marketing year average prices were $8.50 for wheat, $5.60 for corn, $12.90 for soybeans and 80 cents for cotton.

During the last 10 years, Oklahoma wheat prices have averaged six percent less than U.S. wheat prices. This implies that Oklahoma’s 2023/24 marketing year average wheat price is projected to average about $8. Wheat may be forward contracted for 2023 harvest delivery in Medford Oklahoma for $7.60. Southern Oklahoma’s 2023 harvest forward contract price is about 40 cents less than the Medford price.

Oklahoma average annual corn prices average four percent less than U.S. average annual prices. This implies that 2023/24 marketing year corn prices will average about

$5.38. Corn may be forward contracted for 2023 harvest delivery in Pond Creek Oklahoma for $5.50. The Oklahoma Panhandle harvest forward contact price is $6.30.

Producers Urged to Complete the Census of Agriculture to Help Influence Ag for Years to Come

KC Sheperd, Farm Director, is visiting with Troy Marshall with USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, talking about the Census of Agriculture.

The Census of Agriculture, taken only once every five years, looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income, and expenditures. For America’s farmers and ranchers, the Census of Agriculture is their voice, their future, and their opportunity.

The census has been sent out, Marshall said, and the first due date was on February 6. Reminders are being sent out through the mail now, he added, for those individuals who have not responded to the questionnaire.

This year, Marshall said many individuals have been completing the survey online instead of sending it back in the mail. Marshall said he has received feedback that the questionnaire is easier online because you can select the information that applies to you and skip the rest.

The online version also sums up all of the totals and helps with completion, Marshall said, by pointing out something that may be off.



For those who have questions about the questionnaire, Marshall said there is a number provided on the census for customer service.

Replacement Heifer Dynamics with OSU’s Derrell Peel

Dr. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, offers his economic analysis of the beef cattle industry as part of the weekly series known as the “Cow Calf Corner” published electronically by Dr. Peel and Mark Johnson. Today, Dr. Peel talks about beef replacement heifer numbers.

Drought-accelerated herd liquidation the past two years has made the beef cow herd the smallest in 61 years. With continuing drought conditions, it is uncertain when, but it is certain that there will strong interest in rebuilding the herd whenever conditions permit. Leaving aside the question of more drought, what is possible in 2023 given current availability of replacement heifers?

The number of beef replacement heifers on January 1, 2023 was 5.16 million head, down 5.8 percent year over year. This follows a 5.5 percent year over year decrease in 2022. Beef replacement heifers represented 17.9 percent of the beef cow herd on January 1, the lowest proportion of beef replacement heifers since 2012. Beef replacement heifers average 18.4 percent of the beef cow herd, and during the last herd expansion, beef replacements reached a cyclical peak level of 21.0 percent of the beef cow herd. The reported inventory of beef replacement heifers consists of bred heifers and heifer calves in development for breeding.

For the past 23 years, USDA-NASS has provided a total number of the beef replacement heifers that will calve in the current year. These bred heifers typically make up about 61 percent of the total beef replacements. The number of bred heifers on January 1, 2023 was 3.17 million head, 61.4 percent of the total beef replacement heifers. The number of bred heifers on January 1 was down 5.1 percent year over year and was the lowest beef bred heifer total since 2011. This follows a 4.8 percent year over decrease in bred heifers in 2021.   

NCBA Calls Again for Immediate Halt to Brazilian Beef Imports

Last week, Brazil reported another atypical case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) to the World Animal Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). That report indicated 35 days elapsed between when the case was first identified on January 18, 2023, and the date it was confirmed on February 22, 2023. This represents an unacceptable delay that is in clear violation of WOAH reporting requirements. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association contends that it is clear that Brazil is incapable of prompt testing and the reporting requirements that all nations must follow when engaging in international beef trade.

Because of a repeated pattern of delayed reporting, NCBA is calling on Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to take immediate action to indefinitely suspend beef imports from Brazil until it has made systemic reforms and takes necessary steps to restore confidence in the nation’s ability to participate in the global beef supply.

“We have seen Brazil repeatedly fail to meet the 24 hour requirement for reporting of animal diseases listed by WOAH. In order to protect the safety and security of the U.S. herd, and American cattle producers, we demand USDA take immediate steps to block further beef imports from Brazil,” said NCBA president and South Dakota cattleman Todd Wilkinson. “Furthermore, we expect USDA to keep the border closed to Brazil until they can demonstrate that they are willing and able to play by the trade rules that govern all other nations. If they can’t play by the rules, they don’t deserve access. Secretary Vilsack needs to act now, rather than kicking the can down the road.”

Board of Directors Selected for the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation

An elite group of Oklahoma agriculturalists have been selected to represent and advise the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation as the first Board of Directors and Executive Committee. The board will direct the Foundation on general policies, have the power to accept contributions for announced and specific purposes, enter into any necessary contracts or agreements on behalf of the Foundation, act as trustee for the Foundation’s policies, plans and all its undertakings, and employ staff to assist in the implementation of the goals and overall success of the Foundation.

The Board of Directors consist of John Redman; Durant, Chancey Hanson; Waynoka, Sarah Armitage; Claremore, Brady Sidwell; Enid, Alex Morcom; Marlow, Mark Holder; Altus, Board Chair, Kelli Payne; Mustang, Executive Committee Members, Tyler Norvell; Tuttle, Ford Drummond; Pawhuska, OCA President Byron Yeoman; Dover, and Executive Treasurer Michael Kelsey; Tecumseh.

“I am looking forward to communicating the significance of the Foundation both as a legacy and as a resource for future generations,” said Kelli Payne, Board Chairman. “The board is excited to kick off a capital campaign, provide additional scholarships for our youth, and provide more education anywhere we can.”

“The Board of Directors selected are a not only an impressive and accomplished group of individuals, but they also understand the importance of the Foundation,” said Mariah Reimer OCF Executive Director. “They will push the Foundation to a new level of success to be a strong long-term partner for OCA and the entire cattle industry. I am thrilled to get to work with them and make a lasting impact on the state,” Reimer said.