Subject: Oklahoma's Farm News Update
From: Ron Hays <ronphays@cox.net>
Date: 5/18/2018 6:47 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 Ron Hays on RON.
 

  
 
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:
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 futures-  click 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 Thursday, May 17th.
 
  
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
    Friday,  May 18, 2018

Howdy Neighbors! 

Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update. 
 
FarmBillTodayFeatured Story:
US House Ready to Finish 2018 Farm Bill Debate Today

By early Friday afternoon- we will either have a House passed 2018 Farm Bill- or House Ag Committee Chairman Mike Conaway will be picking up the pieces and looking at how to find a majority to get his farm bill priorities across the floor of the House intact. 

There was a clue as to how the final vote on H.R. 2 may play out today. An amendment that was offered by Alaska Congressman Don Young would exempt all National Forests in Alaska from the US Forest Service Roadless Rule. One lone Democrat stood and challenged the measure during debate- it was called passed by a voice vote- but a recorded vote was asked for and when it came to that vote- for several minutes- the GOP leadership had to leave the vote open as the proposal faced defeat- the vote was 204 in favor and 210 opposed.

Representative Young paced back and forth on the floor- looking for votes- the Republican leadership looked for votes as well- a Democratic Congressman changed their vote (Making 2 Democrats saying aye) and finally the vote stood at 207 for and 208 opposed. For the longest time- there was no movement- then you saw the Speaker for the vote stand- and a final lawmaker flipped and they instantly called the vote 208 to 207 in favor of the amendment. 


If the vote is close- Leadership seems intent on getting this measure to pass- complete with the reforms on SNAP and the pressure will be on to get to a favorable vote count. 

From our website and more- here are some stories we point you to-

Our Top Ag Story this morning includes our audio overview of one of the Key Votes from yesterday- the defeat the McClintock Amendment that would have phased out the Federal Farm Safety Net- PLC, ARC and Crop Insurance by the year 2030. That was one of two important votes that turned back the group within Congress that wants to end government support for agriculture. 

We have posted early our Beef Buzz for Friday- featuring comments from Kendall Frazier of the NCBA- they, American Farm Bureau, National Pork Producers and others have called for the defeat of the Brat-Blumenauer Amendment that would strangle the checkoff programs producers use to promote their products. Click here to read more and to listen to our report.

In his comments- Frazier calls out the HSUS for being in the shadows on this Amendment- saying it is part of their strategy to end Animal Agriculture in this country as we know it. We also point to one of the key groups that loves the amendment- the Organization for Competitive Markets.

A report we posted during the day on Thursday was one about the disappointment expressed by the R Street Institute on how the Rules Committee blocked several amendments that they wanted on the table to trim subsidies including support for Crop Insurance. 

Finally- from late last night- Click here for the Politico account on the standoff between GOP Leadership and the Freedom Caucus- reaffirming the idea that a vote on the Farm Bill will happen in a matter of hours. 



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NAWGNCBANAWG and NCBA Among Other Groups Offer Congress Advice on Key Measures


In anticipation of the House debate on the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2) otherwise known as the Farm Bill, the National Association of Wheat Growers sent a letter to House members stating its positions on relevant amendments that will be voted on.


"NAWG continues to push back against any amendments that would undermine the current structure of the crop insurance program as well as other amendments that would hurt farmers," said Jimmie Musick, Sentinel, Oklahoma farmer and NAWG President. "Proposing significant restrictions on crop insurance ignores the needs of rural America and will increase the cost of program for all farmers."


In the letter, NAWG calls attention to a few amendments and notably opposes Congressman Tom McClintock's (R-CA) Amendment #93 which would phase out the farm safety net, including federal crop insurance, the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) program, the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program, and sugar policy. Additionally, NAWG voiced opposition towards Congresswoman Virginia Foxx's (R-NC) Amendment #32 which cuts the sugar program, ultimately outsourcing U.S. sugar jobs to subsidized foreign industries. 


More than 40 other influential commodity trade associations including the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, followed NAWG's lead, sending their own letter to Congressional leaders. In its own statement, NCBA called attention to the organization's opposition to an amendment offered by U.S. Reps. Dave Brat (7th Dist. - Va.) and Earl Blumenauer (3rd Dist. - Ore.) which would negatively impact agricultural producers in all 50 states who raise, buy, and sell commodities by shackling commodity research and promotion programs commonly known as "checkoffs." Although the measure is intended to improve the transparency and accountability of commodity checkoff programs, NCBA states that it will instead, take control away from producers and will gut the programs that build demand for agricultural products.


"Our members see the checkoff programs as an investment in their families' future which they and their fellow producers have voluntarily adopted. At a time of low farm incomes, we cannot afford to lose these important programs," the letter states.
DroughtLatest Drought Monitor Shows Early Signs Drought Might be Letting Up a Bit in Northwest Oklahoma






Our State Climatologist 
Gary McManus says some improvement has been made in areas hit worst by drought in northwest Oklahoma.


Across far western Oklahoma, Exceptional (D4) drought was reduced from 23% of the state to 17%. The amount of drought, though, actually increased a tad from 46 to 47%.


Rain deficits are still high across the state though and much more moisture is needed. The possibility of that changing in the future though is starting to look a bit brighter, according to McManus citing recent weather forecasts.


To view a larger image of this week's Drought Monitor Map or to read the latest Mesonet Ticker report from McManus,
click here.

KimKim Anderson Says High Protein Wheat will Market First but Lower Quality Wheat Eventually will Too
 

This week on SUNUP - Dr. Kim Anderson joins host Dave Deeken again with his weekly analysis of the wheat market. This time Anderson reports from Enid where this week he met with grain graders and elevator managers. In talking to them, Anderson says Oklahoma's wheat seems to be kind of spotty.


"Some areas have really good wheat. The expectation for protein and test weight are relatively good," he said. "Other areas are dry with short crops. They're expecting test weights to come in at 54 to 55 bushels with maybe 14 to 14 percent protein. But without the test weight then they've got problems - but there are some areas in Oklahoma where expectations are high."


Anderson says elevators will be combing the countryside seeking out those good crops and will want to buy them up early and willing to pay a premium for them. 


As far as old stocks go, Anderson says elevators are likely to hold on to them to blend with better quality wheat when it comes in. He says it will either be worked into the system slowly or be moved to feedlots.


While there is still plenty of wheat on the global market, Anderson says farmers that deliver a quality product with good test weight and good protein will still be able to command as much as $5.00 to $5.25.


You can watch their visit tomorrow or Sunday on SUNUP- but you can hear Kim's comments right now and see what else is on the lineup for this week's episode, by clicking here.


Sponsor Spotlight
 
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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.
 
They would like to thank all of you who participated in their 2018 Oklahoma City Farm Show 
 
Up next will be the Tulsa Farm Show in December 2018- the dates are December 6th, 7th and 8th.  Now is the ideal time to contact Ron Bormaster at 507-437-7969 and book space at the 2018 Tulsa Farm Show.  To learn more about the Tulsa Farm Show, click here

BUZZAre Your Cattle Getting Enough Water? Extension Specialist Justin Wagoner Shares His Summer Tips


As we approach the summer season, it is important to understand the water needs of your beef cattle herd and stay on top of the number of gallons your mama cows need on a day-to-day basis. Extension Specialist Justin Wagonerecently put out some guidelines on cow herd watering that outlines some of those things producers need to be thinking about in the hot days ahead.


"There's an old rule of thumb out there that says cows essentially need about one to two gallons of water per 100 pounds of body weight," Wagoner said. "Obviously, that's a very general rule. Voluntary water intake for cows is influenced by several things."


Two of the big influences, Wagoner mentioned, is exactly how big the cow in question is - what is her mature body weight. The other accounts for lactation, or milk production. Milk certainly has a large water component and thus would require a higher intake of water for that cow. At around 40 degrees, a mature dry cow will on average require about 9 gallons each day. Common sense tells us, though, that as temperatures rise, cows' intake requirements rise also. Wagoner says an additional gallon of water is needed for every 10 degree increase in temperature above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. He notes that this is just the base requirement for cattle. It is likely cattle will drink more water to adequately slake their thirst, especially when temperatures rise up above 90 and 100 degrees - the intake requirements can rise significantly.


Several other things can also factor in and cause the daily requirement of water intake to rise for a cow - things such as whether or not the herd has shade enough to escape some of the midday sunshine or if it is exposed all day long. A nice breeze also helps keep cattle cool and help to marginally ease their thirst.


Listen to Wagoner offer us some of his watering tips for beef producers this summer, on yesterday's Beef Buzz - click here.
ToddWhen It Comes to Good Weed Management, OSU's Todd Baughman Says Start Clean to Stay Clean


With more and more acres expected to shift from wheat into cotton in Oklahoma this year, it comes as no surprise to hear from Todd Baughman, OSU extension weed management specialist, that his office has seen an increase in producers interest for more information on some of the best practices when it comes to keeping fields clean and weed-free for their new cotton crop. Our Associate Farm Director Carson Horn caught up with Baughman at the Lahoma Field Day recently, to get some of Baughman's essentials to weed management regarding summer crops like cotton and soybeans.


Two of the most effective tools a producer can have, Baughman says is either Xtend-Flex or Enlist - these new cotton seed technologies are respectively resistant to dicamba and 2-4D. Adding these to your toolbox and coupling them with an all-important residual program and adhering to the very specific application rules that come with these tools, Baughman says even the novice cotton farmer will be successful in their weed management.


Probably the best advice though that Baughman says he always tries to impress on producers - is really quite simple.


"The biggest key for me is: start clean to stay clean," he remarked. "If you start behind, you'll probably never catch up. If you stay ahead, though, I think that will lead into a successful management program as we move throughout the season."
 

Click here to read the original webstory or listen to Carson's full interview with Baughman for more of his expert advice on weed control and what to look for this year.

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.

 

FFANational FFA Organization Awards 84 Oklahoma FFA Members More Than $96,000 in Scholarships


The National FFA Organization and National FFA Foundation awarded 84 Oklahoma FFA members a total $96,500 in scholarships this week, from a larger pot of more than $2.5 million that were distributed to 1,842 recipients, thanks to the generosity of 114 sponsors.


Breaking that amount down, 73 members received a scholarship worth $1,000; 5 members received a scholarship worth $1,500; 3 members received a scholarship worth $2,000; 2 members received a scholarship worth $2,500; and 1 member from the Thomas-Fay-Custer FFA Chapter, Chisolm Kliewer, received a $5,000 scholarship.


More than 8,800 students applied to receive a scholarship, which means approximately one in every five students who applied was awarded a scholarship. The scholarships were available to students pursuing two-year or four-year degrees or vocational programs. The average recipient had a GPA of 3.77 on a 4.0 scale, and the average class rank was 23 out of 261.


This year marks the 34th year for the scholarship program, which began in 1984 with 16 scholarships offered. Since then, more than $50 million has been awarded in scholarship funds through the National FFA Organization. 


Learn more about this scholarship fund program, by visiting the Blue-Green Gazette on our website.
Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K EquipmentAmerican Farmers & Ranchers, Livestock Exchange at the Oklahoma National Stockyards, Oklahoma 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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