Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News

Tuesday, March 7, 2023



Special Election for SQ 820 Today 7 AM -7 PM

Howdy Neighbors!

Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update. 

 

  • Oklahoma Decides SQ 820 Today- I'll Share With You My Vote


  • Oklahoma Winter Wheat Crop Conditions Improve Substantially Compared to One Year Ago


  • 108th Annual Oklahoma Youth Expo Kicks off with Outstanding Numbers and Scholarships


  • ESG Gaining Notoriety Quickly as Sustainability Conversations Become More Frequent


  • Mexico Must Adhere to USMCA Trade Agreement


  • AFR’s Scott Blubaugh Reacts to USDA’s New Proposal of Product of USA Label Requirements


  • USCA and NCBA React to USDA's Product of USA Proposal


  • Cattle and Beef Market Indicators All Green


  • Biden-Harris Administration Announces Investments to Create Fairer Markets, Lower Prices in Oklahoma

Oklahoma Decides SQ 820 Today- I'll Share With You My Vote

The day for the special election for the vote yea or nay for recreational marijuana has arrived. Voters across Oklahoma will decide on State Question 820- and everyone is expecting the level of turn out will decide whether Oklahoma becomes a bigger player in the marijuana world or voters say enough is enough.


Polls will be open from 7 am til 7 pm statewide.


The following thoughts about the State Question are mine- and mine alone.


I am honestly surprised that the question as written was allowed to go to a state vote- it sure seems like the concept of a state question only being about one thing was thrown out the window. This complex measure that voters are considering has multiple layers to it as the writers are dictating way more than just making recreational marijuana legal. It changes how our courts may rule on marijuana and changes how the courts may deal with the welfare of children in homes that have marijuana users as parents. It is a multifaceted bill that I hope lawmakers will have the moral courage to amend if a yes vote happens today.


I promised you that I would share my vote with you. My wife and I believe there is a lack of truthfulness of those pushing for a yes vote and how much worse the condition of our state will be if marijuana becomes any more prevalent than it already is- and our votes(early this past Thursday) was no.


Our major state ag organizations have called for a NO vote- and I agree with them. Study the issue more if need be but before the polls close this evening- I trust you will exercise your right to vote.

Oklahoma Winter Wheat Crop Conditions Improve Substantially Compared to One Year Ago

According to the Oklahoma Crop Progress and Condition report released on March 6, 2023, winter wheat was rated 39 percent good to excellent (one percent rated excellent), 21 percent fair and 40 percent poor to very poor. This time last year, winter wheat was rated 15 percent good to excellent, 28 percent fair and 57 percent poor to very poor. Winter wheat grazed reached 63 percent, down 3 points from the previous year, but up 9 points from normal.


On the negative side of things- Pasture and range conditions rated 7 percent good to excellent (one percent was rated excellent), 34 percent fair and 59 percent poor to very poor. This time last year, pasture and range conditions rated 31 percent good to excellent, 23 percent fair and 37 percent poor to very poor.


Likewise- the Kansas Wheat Crop is looking less favorable compared to the 2022 crop at this point last year- the 2023 crop is rated at 17% good to excellent- it was 24% good to excellent last March.

Click here to read a crop progress summary for Kansas and Texas and access reports
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OYE Kicks off with Record Numbers- Dozens of Scholarships and a Premium Auction to Exceed $1.3 Million

I got to visit with the President of the Oklahoma Youth Expo and Onward Foundation, Tyler Norvell, about the 108th year at OYE as it kicks off this week.


“This year, we awarded over 350,000 dollars in scholarships, so what is great about that, the young people can only use the money here in Oklahoma,” Norvell said. “So, we keep our most precious resource here in our state, and then I fully expect the premium sale to hit that 1.3 to 1.4, maybe 1.5 million dollars, just depending on how things finish up and what young people get into the sale.”


It is the fourth year for the ag mechanics show at OYE, Norvell said and there will be 240 entrees this year. To put it into perspective, Norvell said the first year of the ag mechanics show, there were 50 entrees.


“It just continues to grow,” Norvell said. “It is cool to see the young men and women that are part of that, that may not have livestock, but they are able to show their skills and their potential careers and jobs that they can do. Our sponsors continue to grow there.”


Sponsorship of the Oklahoma Youth Expo is tremendous this year, Norvell said, and he is excited about some new sponsors this year as well. Many sponsors enjoy being part of the event, Norvell said, to make impressions on the youth of the show who will make great future hires.


“There will be plenty job opportunities for these young people and probably jobs offered Wednesday at the (ag mechanics) show, because of the issues with our workforce,” Norvell said.


Our coverage of the 2023 OYE is sponsored by Hilliary Communications, who deliver the latest cutting-edge communications services supporting tens of thousands of customers across 22 counties throughout Oklahoma, Texas and Iowa. The company offers internet, voice and HilliaryTV.

Click here to read more and listen to Ron and Tyler Norvell talk about the 2023 Oklahoma Youth Expo

ESG Gaining Notoriety as Sustainability Conversations Become More Frequent

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am back talking about the conversation on ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) with Colorado State University Feedlot Systems Specialist, Dr. Sara Place.


“ESG stands for Environmental, Social, Governance, and it is really this catch-all for sustainability that a lot of companies are using to report their progress on to investors, to big banks, to hedge funds, and there is this increasing expectation that companies will,” Place said. “So, why it matters for beef is there is companies that are selling beef, that are processing beef, that are reporting on these ESG metrics that have implications back down the supply chain in terms of things like greenhouse gas emissions that are in that framework.”


Place also talked about individuals who have taken an anti-agriculture view, specifically focusing on farm production.


“There are different groups out there, different ESG rating agencies, or folks that will put out white papers and reports to try to inform the investment community- people like pension fund managers, folks like that- that maybe have an unfriendly view to modern intensive animal production,” Place said. “That really comes from a standpoint of saying, ‘well this industry is causing risk, whether it is to water supplies or to the climate.’ So, that is one of those key places where we need to have good information, need to make sure science is driving these discussions, rather than perception in these different risk discussions.”

Click here to read more and listen to Dr. Sara Place talk about ESG
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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
Click here for our Latest Cotton Talk- Hosted by KC Sheperd


Mexico Must Adhere to USMCA Trade Agreement

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the United States Trade Representative taking steps toward a formal trade dispute with Mexico over its ban on bioengineered corn.


“AFBF appreciates that USTR is taking this necessary step to press the Mexican government for fair access to markets for America’s farmers. Mexican President Obrador’s ban on biotech corn is not based on science and is a clear violation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. It not only hurts our farmers, it denies families in Mexico access to safe and affordable food.


“We encourage Secretary Vilsack and USTR Ambassador Tai to continue pressing for a resolution with Mexico that upholds the framework of USMCA.”


Click here for the Monday statement from Secretary Vilsack on the action.


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.
Click here for our Morning Farm and Ranch News with Ron Hays
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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.

AFR’s Scott Blubaugh Reacts to USDA’s New Proposal of Product of USA Label Requirements

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a proposed rule on March 6, 2023 with new regulatory requirements aimed at aligning the voluntary “Product of USA” label claim with consumer understanding of what the claim means. The proposed rule allows the voluntary “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” label claim to be used on meat, poultry and egg products only when they are derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States. 


KC Sheperd, Farm Director, had the chance to visit with the President of American Farmers and Ranchers, Scott Blubaugh about these new requirements and more.


Blubaugh is currently attending the National Farmers Union National Convention in San Francisco, where he had the opportunity to listen to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack talking about the USDA proposing new requirements for the “Product of USA” label claim.


“I was really excited to hear that the Department of Agriculture there, USDA, filed in the federal registry new rules regulating the use of the product of USA label,” Vilsack said. “We have argued for many years now that there is a lot of fraud and deception that has gone on in that program, where they are labeling beef that comes from outside of the United States as a product of the USA label.”


In the past, products packaged in the U.S. could receive the label, Blubaugh said, which is not acceptable for consumers in the U.S. or AFR.

Click here to read more and listen to Scott Blubaugh talk about USDA’s New Proposal of Product of USA Label Requirements and more from the NFU Convention

USCA and NCBA React to USDA's Product of USA Proposal

On Monday, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus released the following statement on the USDA’s new proposed rulemaking regarding the “Product of USA” label:


“There is no question that the current “Product of USA” label for beef is flawed, and it undercuts the ability of U.S. cattle producers to differentiate U.S. beef in the marketplace. For the past few years, NCBA’s grassroots-driven efforts have focused on addressing problems with the existing label, and we will continue working to find a voluntary, trade-compliant solution that promotes product differentiation and delivers profitable solutions and for U.S. cattle producers. Simply adding born, raised, and harvested requirements to an already broken label will fail to deliver additional value to cattle producers and it will undercut true voluntary, market-driven labels that benefit cattle producers. We cannot afford to replace one flawed government label with another flawed government label.”


USCA President Justin Tupper issued the following statement: 


“In our 2019 petition for rulemaking to FSIS, USCA called out the practice of applying ‘Product of the USA’ and ‘Made in the USA’ labeling claims on beef products that the food safety agency itself admitted could have come from other countries. 

 

“USCA is pleased to see that the proposed rule finally closes this loophole by accurately defining what these voluntary origin claims mean, something we have been working to clarify since the repeal of mandatory country-of-origin labeling in 2015. If it says ‘Made in the USA,’ then it should be from cattle that have only known USA soil. Consumers have the right to know where their food comes from, full stop..."

Click here to read more from USCA on the Product of USA Proposal

Cattle and Beef Market Indicators All Green

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 the cattle markets.


For the first time in several years it appears that all segments of cattle and beef markets are on the same page and responding to tightening supply fundamentals. The complex linkages across cattle and beef markets mean that the dynamics of market adjustments are relatively slow under the best of circumstances. Delays due to the pandemic in 2020 stretched into 2021 and drought impacts since late 2020 contributed to a delayed transition of fundamentals from feeder cattle markets, through fed cattle markets into beef markets.


Cattle numbers have declined for several years since the peak beef cow herd in 2019. Declining calf crop numbers (from the 2018 peak) should have led to peak cyclical beef production by 2020. Pandemic delays pushed beef production from 2020 into 2021. Drought liquidation in 2021 and 2022 led to further short-term increases in beef production. Record beef production in 2022 occurred four years after the peak calf crop. Drought the past two years resulted in additional heifer placements and caused early marketing of calves in 2022 that maintained feedlot inventories above year earlier levels until late in the year. Feedlot inventories have declined year over year for five consecutive months and will continue decreasing. Feedlot marketings and beef production were higher year over year in January but that appears to be changing.  

Click here to read more from Derrell Peel on the cattle markets

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Investments to Create Fairer Markets, Lower Prices in Oklahoma

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Oklahoma State Director Kenneth Corn announced today that the Biden-Harris Administration is investing $14 million to finance the startup and expansion of independent meat processors across Oklahoma. These funds will be used to capatilize a revolving loan fund that will provide low-interest rates to multiple beef and and poultry plants across Oklahoma to strengthen their capacity, be more resilient, and ultimately secure the nation’s food supply chain.


The $14 million of investments announced today in Oklahoma support the Biden-Harris Administration’s Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain, which dedicates resources to expand independent processing capacity. As President Biden has highlighted, creating fairer markets and more opportunities for family farmers helps bring down prices at the grocery store.


“President Biden recognizes the need to expand processing capacity by creating a market that is fair for all Oklahomans and develop more revenue streams for our agriculture producers,” Corn said. “Under the President and USDA’s leadership, these investments will allow Oklahoma families to afford putting quality food on the dinner table by reducing inflation at our supermarkets and keep our Oklahoma ranchers and farmers from getting unfairly squeezed by large corporate meat processers by creating more competition in the marketplace for their product.”

Click here to read more about Creating Fairer Markets and,Lower Prices in Oklahoma

Let's Check The Markets!

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.
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.
Hear Today's First Look

Wholesale Boxed Beef Prices were mixed- Choice Beef was up 88 cents and Select Beef was down 39 cents on Monday 03/06/2023.


Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News

Boxed Beef Report

Oklahoma National Stockyards had 10,700 head on Monday, March 6, 2023.


Compared to last week: Feeder steers 2.00-5.00 higher, stocker steers up to 8.00 higher. Feeder heifers steady to 2.00 higher. Steer calves 1.00-5.00 higher, instance to 20.00 higher on 400-500 lbs. Heifer calves mostly steady to 3.00 higher. March wheat run is in full swing and demand is very good. So far supply is not very typical of a March run with numbers of true feeder cattle limited. Cattle futures higher as grain futures traded in the red.


Click below for the complete closing report.

Oklahoma National Stockyards Market Report from 03/06/2023

The Joplin Regional Stockyards had a total run of 8,192 head on Monday March 6th.


Compared to last week feeder steers under 475 lbs. traded steady. Weights over 475 lbs. traded 2.00-9.00 higher with the most increase on 5-6 weight steers. Feeder heifers under 575 lbs. traded 5.00-11.00 higher with heavier weights steady to 3.00 higher. Supply was heavy with very good demand.


Click on the button below for details of the trade as compiled by the USDA Market News Service.

Joplin Regional Stockyards Market from Monday 03/06/2023
OKC West in El Reno Cow and Bull Market for Monday 3/6/23 Cows and Bulls Steady to $1 Higher
Each afternoon we are posting a recap of that day's markets as analyzed by Justin Lewis of KIS futuresclick below for the latest update on the Livestock and Grain Futures Trade..
Click Here to Listen to Justin's Commentary From 03/06/2023
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.
Read  Cash Grains Report from 03/06/2023
Our Daily Market Wrapup from the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network - analyzing the Futures Markets for that trading day- as reported by KC Sheperd.
Click to Listen to Our Weekday Wrap with KC
Slaughter Cattle Recap: 
The National Daily Slaughter Cattle Summary- as prepared by the USDA Market News
Read Report
TCFA Feedlot Recap:  
Finally, here is the Daily Volume and Price Summary from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
Read Report
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
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:
Listen to Episode 84 with Ron Hays talking Soil Health in a time of Drought with Jimmy Emmons
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