Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News

Thursday, April 20, 2023

Howdy Neighbors!

Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update. 

 

  • NCBA’s Tanner Beymer Pushing for Congress to Find the Time to Reauthorize LMR


  • Congressman Frank Lucas Calls Out EPA’s Michael Regan on Disregarding Science Offered by USDA


  • Introducing Josh Hering of the Perkins-Tryon FFA Chapter, Your 2023 Central Area Star in Agribusiness



  • Volunteers critical to OSU Extension mission



  • Northwest Oklahoma Pork Producer Highlights Oklahoma Pork’s Economic Impact


  • NCBA Files Comments on USDA Traceability Rule


  • USDA Announces Funding Availability to Expand Meat and Poultry Processing Options

NCBA’s Tanner Beymer Pushing for Congress to Find the Time to Reauthorize LMR

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am featuring comments from Farm Director KC Sheperd’s visit with the Senior Director of Government Affairs at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Tanner Beymer talking about Livestock Mandatory Reporting and more.


“Unfortunately, we are in much of the same place we have been for the last three years, which is, ‘hurry up and wait and see,’” Beymer said.

“Livestock Mandatory Reporting is obviously a very critical market transparency tool for cattle producers. It is supposed to be authorized by Congress every five years. It last expired in September of 2020.”


Almost three years later, Beymer said Congress has not provided a clean authorization.


“This is a farm bill year,” Beymer said. “That means that a lot of focus is going to be on the ag committee and the kind of bills it turns out, so we may see some renewed optimism and a renewed push to try and get that legislation over the finish line.”


Ultimately Beymer said NCBA’s main message to Capitol Hill is that whatever it takes, the LMR program must not expire. Seeing some progress on this issue, Beymer said, will rely on Congress finding the time.

Click here to read more and listen to Tanner Beymer talk about Livestock Mandatory Reporting
Sponsor Spotlight



Union Mutual was chartered in 1938 to write property and casualty insurance in the state of Oklahoma. Over the years, Union Mutual has maintained the attitude that started the company and continue to be that company that understands Oklahomans’ insurance needs when they contact any member of the UMIC team.

 

That’s 83 years of protecting rural Oklahomans, providing town and country, poultry house and legacy rural actual cash value policies.

 

With over 80 years of experience and 300 agents in all 77 Oklahoma Counties to serve you, it’s time to take a good hard look at Union Mutual Insurance Company.

 

For the agent nearest you, go to unionmutualic.com or give them a call at 405 286-7703. 



Congressman Frank Lucas Calls Out EPA’s Michael Regan on Disregarding Science Offered by USDA

On Wednesday, Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) joined his colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee for a hearing with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan.


Lucas questioned EPA Administrator Regan about the EPA’s disregard of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientific evidence regarding chlorpyrifos use and other mitigation measures used on America’s farms and ranches. Lucas, Chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee also stressed the importance of EPA Administrator appearing before congressional committees with primary oversight and jurisdiction of the EPA.


On EPA ignoring USDA scientific expertise

 

“From my perch as Chair of the House Science Committee I have seen issues arise when Agency scientists at USDA and EPA are at odds. A prime example is the EPA’s action regarding chlorpyrifos uses. When USDA’s Office of Pest Management Policy (OPMP) provided your agency with evidence that certain uses could be retained to meet safety standards, but EPA chose to ignore that evidence.  

 

“In your written testimony you talk about your ‘strong desire to work closely with the farming and ranching community to identify practical science-based policies that protect the environment and ensure a vibrant and productive agricultural system.’

Click here to read more and listen to Congressman Lucas dialogue with EPA Administrator Michael Regan in a House Ag Committee Hearing

Introducing Josh Hering of the Perkins-Tryon FFA Chapter, Your 2023 Central Area Star in Agribusiness

During the month of April, the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and Oklahoma Farm Report are spotlighting the 17 Area Stars of Oklahoma FFA that are among the highest achievers in the organization.


The stars come from the five areas in four categories- Star in Ag Placement, Star in Agriscience, Star in Agribusiness, and Star in Agricultural Production.



One Star Finalist featured in the coming days from each of the categories will be named the State Star Award Winner during the 97th Oklahoma State FFA Convention coming up on May 2nd and 3rd in Tulsa, Okla.


This week, our coverage of the 2023 Oklahoma FFA Star Award Finalists continues with Agribusiness competitor Josh Hering of the Perkins-Tryon FFA chapter representing the Central Area.


After raising beef and swine, Hering said he decided he wanted to give processing a try, so he started his business in 2021.


Hering said he processes the cattle and pigs he raises himself. Some of the biggest challenges, Hering said, include time and money.


After high school graduation, Hering said he plans to attend Oklahoma State University and major in meat science.

Click here to read more and listen to KC Sheperd talk with Josh Hering ahead of the 2023 Oklahoma FFA Convention in Tulsa
Support Our Sponsors!
Tulsa Farm Show
KIS logo
Advertise With Us!

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


Volunteers critical to OSU Extension mission

Volunteers are a vital part of any organization to accomplish the group’s goals. Oklahoma State University Extension is no exception.


Thanks to knowledgeable experts in areas including youth development, community service, agriculture, healthy living and more, these specialists share that information with Oklahoma citizens. But, to kick it up a notch, thousands of volunteers associated with various OSU Extension programs also take that information and share it with even more state residents.


This week is National Volunteer Week, so it’s a good time to recognize these groups and highlight some ways they positively impact all Oklahomans.


Oklahoma Master Gardeners and 4-H Youth Development, two OSU Extension programs, along with Oklahoma Home and Community Education, an organization that partners with OSU Extension, all have volunteers who are doing amazing things around the state.

Why do people volunteer? Jayme McTague, a 4-H volunteer leader in Pontotoc County, said her involvement in 4-H inspired her to become an adult volunteer.

Read More Here

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.
Listen to Ron Hays with our Thursday April 20th Farm and Ranch News- featuring Dr. Roger Cryan of the American Farm Bureau with an AFBF Farm Bill Wish List
Subscribe To the Daily Email

Sponsor Spotlight



Midwest Farm Shows is proud to produce the two best Farm Shows in the State of Oklahoma annually- the Tulsa Farm Show each December and the Oklahoma City Farm Show each April.


The Tulsa Farm Show is Oklahoma’s premier agricultural and ranching event- and returns to the SageNet Center (Expo Square) December, 7-8-9, 2023. 


Now is the ideal time to contact the Midwest Farm Show Office at 507-437-7969 and book space at the 2023 Tulsa Farm Show.  To learn more about the Tulsa Farm Show, click here

 

Northwest Oklahoma Pork Producer Highlights Oklahoma Pork’s Economic Impact

During Ag Day at the Capitol, Farm Director KC Sheperd got the chance to visit with Cathy Vaughan, a pork producer from Northwest Oklahoma about the pork industry. Vaughan represented the Oklahoma Pork Council during the event, and talked to Sheperd about the critical role the pork industry plays in Oklahoma.


“Oklahoma has a really good, strong, and thriving pork industry,” Vaughan said. “We have 34,000 different jobs in the state of Oklahoma. You break that down, and that is one in 50 Oklahomans that are working in the pork industry.”


Vaughan talked about how pork producers in the state have been impacted by the drought.


“Water availability is huge for all of us right now, whether you are growing crops or you are trying to make sure you have enough water for your animals,” Vaughan said. “Out in Northwest Oklahoma, we are feeling it just as much, if not more than everybody.”


As water availability is a struggle for pork producers, Vaughan said she is grateful for the work that is being done at the Capitol to help producers circumvent some of those additional costs

Click here to read more and listen to Cathy Vaughan about the Oklahoma Pork Industry.

NCBA Files Comments on USDA Traceability Rule

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) filed comments on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposed rule “Use of Electronic Identification Eartags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison” to emphasize the importance of electronic animal identification to protect the cattle industry from the threat of a foreign animal disease. USDA’s proposed rule would apply to cattle 18-months or older only when moving interstate.


“An outbreak of a foreign animal disease in the United States, like foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), would be catastrophic to the cattle industry and our way of life,” said NCBA President Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota cattle producer. “Traceability is about risk protection and ensuring we have the tools to quickly identify and respond to an outbreak while strengthening consumer trust in our high-quality beef. Our comments emphasize the importance of protecting the U.S. cattle herd from the threat of a foreign animal disease while also protecting producers’ private data, limiting the cost of tagging devices, and operating at the speed of commerce.” 


Without a national traceability system in place, the impact of a foreign animal disease outbreak would be magnified. For example, an FMD outbreak in the United States would lead to an immediate stop of all livestock movement for at least 72 hours. Most major export markets would close to U.S. beef and the estimated economic impact could be as high as $228 billion.

Click here to read more from NCBA on traceability

USDA Announces Funding Availability to Expand Meat and Poultry Processing Options

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of up to $125 million through two new grant programs that will create more options for meat and poultry farmers by investing in independent, local meat and poultry processing projects that increase competition and enhance the resiliency of the food supply chain.


These new grant programs, the Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program and the Local Meat Capacity Grant Program, are part of the broader $1 billion American Rescue Plan investment by the Biden-Harris Administration to expand processing capacity for small and midsized meat and poultry processors.


“This is the latest step in USDA’s transformational work to fill gaps and help small and underserved producers market their products, support thriving local and regional food systems by investing in processing capacity that’s closer to farms, and alleviate major bottlenecks in food and agricultural supply chains,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Importantly, we’re also taking steps to increase the overall availability of protein from indigenous animals like bison, reindeer and salmon, which have been the backbone of tribal food systems for generations.”

Click here to read about the Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program and the local meat capacity grant program
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 lower- Choice Beef was down $1.14 and Select Beef was down 15 cents on Wednesday 04/19/2023.


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

Boxed Beef Report

OKC West in El Reno had 8,645 head this week in their regular Tuesday and Wednesday Feeder and Stocker sales.


Compared to last week: Feeders steers and heifers sold mostly steady to firm with most advances being seen on heavier weight steers.

Demand good for feeders. Steer and heifer calves sold mostly steady with last week's sharply higher market. Demand moderate to good


Click below for the complete closing report.

OKC West in El Reno Market Report from 04/18 and 4/19/2023
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 04/19/2023
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 04/19/2023
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.

Since the legalization of Medical Marijuana in Oklahoma with State Question 788- criminals have flocked to the state to set up illegal grow houses because of cheap permits, cheap land and lax rules allowing them to get into the business of growing marijuana in Oklahoma- supposedly for the in state Medical Marijuana market.


Ron Hays talks with Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics spokesman Mark Woodward about how these enterprises have invaded Oklahoma- the magnitude of the current problem and how the state is pushing back on thousands of bad people who have set up shop in the state- with the hope to reduce the number of these operations dramatically in the days to come. It's a huge problem all across rural Oklahoma but Woodward believes progress is being made to reign in these illegal marijuana farms.


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 85 with Ron Hays talking Criminals in Oklahoma Growing Marijuana with Mark Woodward of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics
Listen to Ron
Beef Buzz
Blue Green Gazette
Calendar
Auctions
Market Links
Facebook  Twitter  Youtube  

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.
Head to Our Website OklahomaFarmReport.Com
God Bless!
Reach Out To Us:
Tim West
President/General Manager
Rural Oklahoma Networks

405-317-6361

***************

Mike Henderson
Director of Sales

405-615-4922

KC Sheperd
Farm Director
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network

405-443-5717

Email KC
Ron Hays
Senior Farm/Ranch Broadcaster
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network

405.473.6144
Email Ron