Subject: Oklahoma's Farm News Update
From: Ron Hays <ronphays@cox.net>
Date: 4/3/2018 6:19 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!  
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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.
 
 
   
FedCattleExchange.com has 252 head of cattle on their showlist for the Wednesday, April 4th sale of finished cattle - click here to jump to the website.
 

OKC West sold slaughter cows and bulls steady to 2.00 higher Monday compared to the last sale - click or tap here for details.


Easter and a Strong Cold Front Resulted in an Oklahoma National Monday Sale of less than 2,000- Lower Undertone noted- click or tap here to see the complete report.


Joplin Regional Stockyards also reported light receipts- and lower prices for feeder and stocker cattle. Click here for the closing report.



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 Monday, April 2nd.
 
  
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
   Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Howdy Neighbors! 

Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update. 
 


TariffsAg Groups Sound Off in Wake of China's Announcement on Tariffs Targeting Agricultural Commodities

China is moving forward with retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products, including the 25 percent tariff on U.S. pork. China's Ministry of Finance announced Sunday it will suspend duty reductions on select imported goods from the United States. 


In the announcement, China says the Trump administration's steel and aluminum imports to the U.S. violate World Trade Organization rules, and "did not comply with the security exceptions provision." 


China alleges the move by trump caused "serious damage" to China's interests. China is targeting U.S. items, including fruits, along with the 25 percent tariff on U.S. pork. China says the nation is using its action as a method to "safeguard its interest," as allowed by WTO rules. 


Last week, China's Ministry of Finance said the action by the U.S. had "severely damaged" the multilateral trade system. China also made a World Trade Organization filing last week to seek consultations regarding the issue.


President and CEO of the USMEF Dan Halstrom said in a statement made yesterday that he regrets the Chinese government's decision to impose additional  duty on imports and explained that such action would have an immediate impact on U.S. producers and exporters, as well as our customers in China.


"Exports have been a key driver of growth in the U.S. pork industry, and is critical to the continued success and profitability of the U.S. industry. China is a leading destination for U.S. pork and especially for pork variety meat - our second-largest international market by volume and third-largest by value," he said. "We are hopeful that the additional duties can be rescinded quickly, so that U.S. pork can again compete on a level playing field with pork from other exporting countries."


President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association Bob Dinneen also weighed in on the issue, bringing attention to China's decision to impose a 15% tariff on U.S. ethanol imports.


"This one-two protectionist punch will ultimately harm Chinese consumers who are being denied access to the lowest-cost, highest-octane, and cleanest fuel on the planet," Dinneen said. "But it will also hurt farmers in the U.S. who have worked to build value-added markets for their commodities here and abroad."


In addition, Farmers for Free Trade, a coalition formed to promote agricultural trade, says the tax stems from protectionist trade policies by the Trump administration. 


Max Baucus, the organization's Co-Chair, says the new tariff's "are a drag" on farmers struggling to make ends meet with a down farm economy and declining exports. However, Baucus warns, the move by China could be "the calm before the storm," suggesting that retaliation expected on agriculture "could be broader and deeper." 


Baucus says it's time for the U.S. to "deescalate both the trade rhetoric and actions" that have led to farmers being targeted. The retaliations include a 25 percent tariff on U.S. pork. Agricultural economists have cautioned that any tariffs on U.S. agricultural products could disrupt exports to China. U.S. farmers shipped nearly $20 billion of goods to China in 2017.


Click here to read more on this story and watch a short video produced by the Farmers for Free Trade coalition.


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BUZZJust Because Beef Isn't on China's Short List for Tariffs - Yet - Doesn't Mean It Won't Still be Affected

A lot of uncertainty remains in the industry currently, about how agriculture will fare in the near future with the Trump Administration's aggressive trade stance as talk of tariffs with the Chinese and other countries as well continues to progress. Kent Bacus of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association's DC office, told me the President's actions on trade really should not be a surprise to anyone who has followed his comments made stretching all the back to his campaign when he was then just a candidate seeking election.


"This is not something that is a big surprise to a lot of people," Bacus said. "The administration has been very consistent in the fact that they are going to move forward with these trade actions. When you look at the Chinese specifically, obviously we were very excited about getting back into that market. But China has said they are going to look at a wide array of different items of importance and significance economically to their market. So, we don't really know if beef is going to be on that list."


Pork on the other hand, is known to be on the list. Bacus says as talks move forward, NCBA will closely monitor whether or not beef becomes a direct target for retaliatory tariffs by the Chinese. But if it is or not, beef will still be impacted as collateral damage from other ag commodities that incur sanctions. Nonetheless, Bacus insists that the White House should have a chance to work its strategy.


"If pork has a restriction, it would be naïve to think that beef would not be impacted as well. Anytime you have disruption in our ability to send products to consumers, whether it's beef or any other ag commodities, that has an impact on everyone else," he remarked. "The administration has a plan on how they're going to move forward with this and we're going to give them the opportunity to do that - and hopefully improve market access overall for US agriculture."


Listen to Bacus and I discuss the threat of China's tariff retaliation for US agriculture and other trade matters, on yesterday's Beef Buzz - click here.
CropWxUSDA's First National Crop Progress Report Rates US Winter Wheat at 32 Percent Good to Excellent


In this week's Crop Progress report released on Monday, April 2, 2018 the USDA rates the US wheat crop's condition at 30 percent poor to very poor, 38 fair and 32 good to excellent. To view this complete report, click or tap here.


In Oklahoma, winter wheat's condition is rated 46 percent poor to very poor, 45 fair and 9 good to excellent. Winter wheat jointing reached 46 percent, down 8 points from normal. Canola's condition is rated this week at 50 percent poor to very poor, 42 fair and 8 good to excellent. Canola blooming reached 16 percent, down 2 points from normal. Corn planted reached 4 percent this week. Conditions of pasture and range were rated at 34 percent poor to very poor, 50 fair and 16 good to excellent. To view this complete report, click or tap here.


In Kansas, winter wheat condition rated 13 percent very poor, 34 poor, 43 fair, 10 good, and 0 excellent. Corn planting was underway in southern counties and was 1 percent complete statewide, near 3 last year and 2 for the five-year average. To view this complete report, click or tap here.


In Texas, winter wheat in the High Plains is still in need of moisture, but conditions continue to improve. Winter wheat this week rates 15 percent good to excellent, 26 fair and 59 poor to very poor. Wheat headed this week reached 11 percent, up from 5 the week prior, 30 last year and 12 the average. Corn planted in Texas is at 55 percent this week, up 12 points from last week and 13 the average, but near last year at 54. Emerged is at 26 this week, up from 19 last week and 17 the average. Cotton planted is at 11 this week, ahead of the year before by 5 points and the average by 6. To view this complete report, click or tap here.


Compared to a week ago - the Oklahoma Poor to Very Poor number is 8 points better than the 54% poor to very poor- while the Kansas crop increased by 2 points (49% last week- 47% this week) and the Texas crop improved by 4 percentage points (63% last week- 59% this week).

WebinarOSU Wheat Team Delivers Latest Information on Status of Oklahoma's Wheat Crop in New Webinar

Yesterday, OSU's Department of Plant & Soil Sciences broadcast its first in a series of Oklahoma Wheat Update webinars. Members of the OSU Extension Wheat Team including Small Grains Specialist Dr. Dave Marburger, began the program as it will each time during this series, with an initial update of the current condition of Oklahoma's wheat crop.


According to Dr. Marburger, the current crop condition ratings provided by the USDA, indicate the crop is doing rather poorly on the whole, but with a large range of progress across the state nonetheless. He reports that in southwest Oklahoma, some stands are getting their flagleaves already while in other area fields are just now beginning to green up and see stem elongation. Marburger says localized drought and dry conditions has certainly stunted many fields, as have extended cooler temperatures and a lack of moisture at critical growth stages. In addition, excessive grazing has also added stress to the crop which seems to have slowed developmentally. Marburger says later planted wheat harbors the best chance at a successful crop - though fields planted too late, may lack the necessary plant growth to achieve full potential. If timely rain does come, he suggests some farmers may be able to salvage a decent crop.



For more advice and insight into the current condition of Oklahoma's wheat crop including Marburger's thoughts on what impact freezing temperatures will have on plants and why USDA's outlook is so pessimistic, click or tap here.


Catch the next webinar Monday morning at 8:30 AM. Click here for instructions on how to tune in.



Sponsor Spotlight

 
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Explore how the OERB restores land and/or register a well site for clean up: www.OERB.com/restoration 

SigWomanBetty Evans of Braman, Okla. Recognized as a Significant Woman in Oklahoma's Agriculture Industry


Braman's Betty Evans is the latest to join the ranks of other inspirational women in our state, as the Oklahoma Department of Ag's newest inductee as a Significant Woman in Agriculture.
 

She has been a farm girl from the time she was born. Her parents had a farm "3 east and 5 south" of Caldwell, Kansas. When she was very young, her parents purchased another farm just a few miles south of the Kansas line in Braman, Okla. Though they continued to farm both farms, Braman became the home community she would keep for many years to come. 


Until recently retiring, Evans has always worked hard in the field. Though her definition of retired seems a little different than most. She can still be seen in a ball cap and jeans moving machinery from field to field, hauling truckloads of grain to the elevator during harvest, and out feeding their herd of Black Angus Cattle. 


Even though the farm was a large responsibility, Evans always made time to be involved with the community. Evans served as City Clerk for 20 years before becoming the current City Treasurer. In those roles, she has helped Braman obtain grants for waterlines, a water tower, streets, a swimming pool, and a park. 



Evans is a member of the First United Methodist Church where she is a member of the women's church group. She is also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and even manages to make time for some fun card games with what she and her friends call the "Variety Fun Club."


Click here to read more of Evans' story and what makes her a Significant Woman in Agriculture.

StarMeet Hannah Williams of the Elmore City/Purnell FFA Chapter, the Central Area Star in Ag Placement

Starting this week, we're kicking off our coverage of the 2018 Oklahoma FFA Area Star Finalists. We begin with the Central Area Star in Agriculture Placement, Hannah Williams of the Elmore City/Purnell FFA Chapter. She will join the other Star Finalists who we will be featuring over the next few weeks, at the upcoming Oklahoma State FFA Convention to compete for the State Star Award in their respective categories. Williams began her project in 2014 as a floral assistant at Blue Daisy Flowers & Gifts located in Elmore City, Oklahoma.


"Since 2014, I've learned how to process flowers, how to tend to plants and try to grow the Blue Daisy into more of an up-to-date flower shop," Williams said. "I brought the Blue Daisy into social media - Twitter, Instagram, Facebook... It's been my job to really push the Blue Daisy into the 21st Century."


Not only has Williams helped the Blue Daisy improve the way it reaches out and markets to its customers, she has also modernized the way the business functions, implementing an electronic payment and inventory system. In addition, she has travelled the state to assist with weddings, floral events and has even presented at workshops educating children and adults, including ag teachers, on basic floral arrangement - which teachers have taken back to their classrooms to instruct their own students.


You can read more about Williams and listen to our entire conversation, by clicking over to the Blue/Green Gazette on our website. Special thanks to our friends at AFR and AFR Insurance for sponsoring our coverage this year. The American Farmers & Ranchers are proud to support the youth of Oklahoma!


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 to subscribe to his daily update of top Energy News.

 

PeelWinter Stocker Production and Marketing Significantly Altered by Drought's Persistent Pressures

Dr. Derrell Peel reviewed the latest progress of the current drought conditions plaguing cattle producers in the High Plains and the effect it is having, in his article this week in the Cow/Calf Corner newsletter. According to him, drought has significantly altered winter stocker cattle production and marketing this year.
 
"In the last six weeks from mid-February to the end of March, combined auction totals in the state were down 16.7 percent year over year. This is the typical time period for marketing stockers from dual-purpose winter wheat grazing, the so-called 'Wheat Pasture Run.' In contrast, the three weeks prior to that time period, from late January to mid-February, saw a 21.9 percent year over year increase in auction volume," he writes. "The early marketing of winter grazing cattle has affected the timing of feedlot placements and has implications for seasonal feedlot marketings in the coming months. Large feedlot placements in recent months may be tempered by less than typical placements in March, April and May."

Read Dr. Peel's full article for more insight into the impact that drought has had on our beef and cattle markets in recent weeks, by clicking here.


ColdBRRRRRRR Freeze Warning Envelopes Most of Oklahoma

For late tonight- and tomorrow morning- everybody in the state of Oklahoma should anticipate being below the 32 degree mark- here's the text from the National Weather Service:

TIMING...Windy conditions Tuesday morning through early Tuesday evening. Freezing temperatures Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. 

WINDS...Northerly winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph. 

TEMPERATURES...Wednesday morning lows 20 to 27 degrees across northern Oklahoma, and 27 to 32 degrees across much of southern Oklahoma and portions of north Texas.

Graphically- here is what that looks like:




Wheat fully jointed may have some issues- the latest crop weather update that we had details on in an earlier story did show that we are behind normal on the development of the crop- so that may be a saving grace.

Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, American Farmers & RanchersLivestock Exchange at the Oklahoma National StockyardsOklahoma Farm Bureau, Stillwater Milling Company, National Livestock Credit CorporationOERB, 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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