Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News

Friday, April 28, 2023


Express Ranch's GrassTime Sale Starts

at 12 Noon Today, April 28th

Howdy Neighbors!

Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update. 

 

  • Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow Speaks on 2023 Farm Bill


  • Minimal Changes in This Week Drought Monitor as Changes are Anticipated Next Week


  • Introducing Brant Failes of the Cherokee FFA Chapter, Your 2023 Northwest Area Star in Agricultural Production


  • Moore’s Food Insecurity Bill Becomes Law


  • Week of Rainfall Continues with Drought Reducing Totals Across Much of Oklahoma


  • Jam Packed Calendar Today Into Next Week


  • Kim Anderson says Wheat Prices Took a 77 Cent Drop This Past Week


  • More Stories for Your Weekend Reading

Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow Speaks on 2023 Farm Bill

While in Washington, D.C this past week, Farm Director KC Sheperd had the chance to hear from Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow of Michigan about the 2023 Farm Bill.


“The good news is, we have additional money in conservation that our farmers have been wanting for a long time,” Stabenow said. “So, we don’t need to try to find dollars within the farm bill to do that.”


With those additional dollars, Stabenow said high-demand programs like EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) can be utilized by more farmers.


“In terms of commodities, crop insurance, other areas, it is pretty much flat funding,” Stabenow said. “The challenge for us has been because of the trade challenges, because of Covid, because of a number of things for years, we have put almost 90 billion dollars in ad hoc funding through appropriations into supporting agriculture.”


Stabenow said that even though commodity prices are up, input prices are also up, so strengthening parts of the farm bill, such as crop insurance, is going to be important.


“There is always this debate about nutrition,” Stabenow said. “We have a farmer safety net and a family safety net. We are not breaking those up, nor should we, nor do our major agricultural groups want us to do that as well.”

Click here to read more and listen to Debbie Stabenow discuss with Farm Broadcasters priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill
Sponsor Spotlight



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Minimal Changes in This Week Drought Monitor as Changes are Anticipated Next Week

Editor's Note-Rains this week will most likely be reflected in next week’s drought monitor


According to the latest Oklahoma Drought Map, Exceptional Drought is unchanged from last week’s 20.62 percent.


Extreme drought or worse is virtually unchanged from last week, moving from 43.03 percent to this week’s 43.19 percent.


Severe drought or worse is unchanged from last week, remaining at 49.87 percent.


Moderate drought or worse is unchanged from last week, remaining at 54.07 percent.


Abnormally dry or worse conditions have increased slightly from 63.57 percent to 64.52 percent.


According to the 6-10-day precipitation outlook map, the panhandle and southwestern Oklahoma are leaning above a 33 to 40 percent chance of precipitation through May 6. The remaining parts of the state are sitting at a “near normal” chance of precipitation through May 6.


To view this week's Oklahoma drought numbers, click on the Oklahoma drought map above the story.

Click here to read a national drought summary and see this week's graphs and charts

Introducing Brant Failes of the Cherokee FFA Chapter, Your 2023 Northwest Area Star in Agricultural Production

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 Agricultural Production competitor Brant Failes of the Cherokee FFA chapter representing the Northwest Area.


“I have 120 acres of farm ground that is mainly wheat,” Failes said. “I run stocker cattle across that wheat as well as have a herd of commercial cows.”


Failes said he was lucky to catch some good rain on part of his wheat crop, but the other part of his crop did not receive as much.


“I got my first bottle calf when I was four years old,” Fails said. “I kept that bottle calf as a cow, and that is kind of what kicked off my operation. Since then, I have bought some replacement heifers. The cow side of it is kind of what started my operation.”


Some of the hurdles Failes said he faced this year included the drought and finding good help. Failes said he is thankful for the help of his family for always giving him industry knowledge and advice when he needs it and helping him along the way.


“I plan on going to Northwestern and getting an ag business degree, then coming back and continuing to grow my farming and ranching operation,” Failes said.

Click here to read more and listen to KC Sheperd talk with Brent Failes ahead of the State FFA Convention in Tulsa, Oklahoma
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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


Moore’s Food Insecurity Bill Becomes Law

Legislation allowing restaurants and school cafeterias to donate leftover food without threat of civil liability, except in certain circumstances, has been signed into law.


House Bill 1542, authored by Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, grants civil immunity to restaurants and school cafeterias donating leftover food.


“Unfortunately, the lack of protection from civil action has prevented Oklahoma’s restaurants and school cafeterias from donating perfectly good food to those in need,” Moore said. “It’s my hope that this legislation will help address food shortage issues within the state and open the door to more restaurants and cafeterias interested in donating leftovers.”


The bill provides for civil action in situations where the restaurant or school cafeteria willfully or negligently donate spoiled food.


“We have many seniors, individuals and families who are living with food insecurity, while restaurants and school cafeterias feel they have no choice but to throw away nutritious, good food,” said Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, who authored the bill in the Senate. “This new law is aimed at encouraging those restaurants and schools who would like to help address hunger in our state to do so. I appreciate the support of our fellow members and thank Governor Stitt for signing this bill into law.”


HB1542 was signed into law April 19 and will take effect Nov. 1.


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 our Friday Farm and Ranch News with KC Sheperd
Subscribe To the Daily Email

Sponsor Spotlight



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National also owns and operates other livestock marketing subsidiaries including Southern Oklahoma Livestock Auction in Ada, Oklahoma, OKC West Livestock Market in El Reno, Oklahoma, and the nation’s premier livestock video sale, Superior Livestock Auction. National offers customers many services custom made for today’s producer. To learn more, click here for the website or call the Oklahoma City office at 1-800-310-0220.



Week of Rainfall Continues- Best Statewide Coverage in Months(or longer)

It's been a remarkable week of rain across the southern plains- and both Kansas and Oklahoma have gotten more rain than at any time in recent memory.


In the case of the Oklahoma Panhandle- where it's raining again early this morning- we had not seen significant rainfall for over 200 days.


The map above is the five day rainfall map from the Oklahoma Mesonet- it's clickable so you can go and review rainfall totals since Sunday on your favorite locations.


We have incredible coverage from this week's storms- rainfall amounts above 2 inches from Kenton in Cimarron County to Valliant in McCurtain County. The totals are less impressive from the northeast and southwest corners- but even those locations have gotten over a half inch this week(except for the Miami mesonet site in Ottawa County with .46 inch of rain as of early this morning.


The Drought Monitor story of this week shows virtually no impact yet- but state climatologist Gary McManus says the story will be better in next week's report when all the rain seen in the map above is reflected in the first Drought Monitor issued in May of this year.


And Gary adds in his latest Ticker “A lot of those short-term drought impacts will be alleviated. The biggest of which we should now see a pretty nice statewide green up once the sun comes back, along with a little bit of heat. And that will end our prolonged critical-to-extreme fire danger for a while.”


The rain is not over yet- Rain falls this morning in the Panhandle and the far northwest corner as we write this- and another system will add to our soil moisture later today into tonight and early Saturday before we get several days of drier weather.

Chickasha, Express, FFA and Oklahoma Feed and Grain Events Happening

Lots of farmers and ranchers will be headed for Chickasha this morning for a look at the latest wheat variety trial plots there- but there's a lot more on the program than just that.


This event, which starts at 9 AM is at the South Central Ag Research Station for OSU Ag Research. The Chickasha event will focus on selection and management research for grain and forage production as well as the use and management of perennial forages. OSU specialists like Dr. Brian Arnall, Dr. Amanda Da Silva, Dr. Brett Carver and Dr. Derrell Peel are on the program- which will include lunch courtesy of one of our Email sponsors- Oklahoma AgCredit.


Also happening today is the GrassTime Sale at Express Ranches in Yukon- Over 600 head will sell- they start at 12 Noon- the Sale Book and Videos of the animals and more details are available here- and you can listen to our visit with Jarold Callahan about this year's sale here.


This weekend- Oklahoma State University is hosting the state Interscholastic Contests for the Oklahoma FFA- all leading up to the 2023 State FFA Convention and Career Show in downtown Tulsa May 1-3.


Click here for the 97th Oklahoma FFA Convention highlights for the details of the largest state FFA Conventions in the US. It will include a Wednesday morning General Session Address and Wednesday afternoon Workshop by National FFA Office Karstyn Cantrell of Oklahoma.


ALSO next week- the 125th Annual Meeting of the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association is happening- May 1-2 in downtown Oklahoma City. That will include the annual Oklahoma Wheat Crop Reporting Session on Tuesday morning- which will give us that first estimate of the 2023 Oklahoma HRW crop- which is likely to be one of the smallest in recent memory- given the drought we have been living through.


Check Out Our Calendar of Events Here

Kim Anderson says Wheat Prices Took a 77 Cent Drop This Past Week

This Week on SUNUP is Oklahoma State University Extension grain market economist Kim Anderson. During this week’s edition, Anderson talks about the latest in the grain markets. 


“What a difference a week makes,” Anderson said. “Look at this rain. It is just spectacular.”


Wheat prices have fallen about 77 cents this past week, Anderson said.


“You go up to Medford and look at what you can forward contract harvest delivery today- around $7.55 cents,” Anderson said. “That is 77 cents lower than it was last week when we were taping this show.”


Corn is down 28 cents, Anderson said, now sitting around $5.23.


“Bean prices are down about 50 cents,” Anderson said.


Looking at the crop condition report, Anderson also talked about how wheat crop conditions have declined considerably over the last couple of weeks.

Click here to listen to Kim Anderson talk about the grain markets and see the lineup for SUNUP

More Stories for Your Weekend Reading

Ethan Lane Pushes for More Resources for Cattle Producers in 2023 Farm Bill
Cary Sifferath Gives a Trade Update from the U.S. Grains Council
Lankford Confirms Increased Criminal Activity, Drugs in Oklahoma Are Directly Related to Biden’s Wide Open Southern Border
CAB Insider: Mindful Breeding of Heifers on Hand
How To Be Regenerative on Other Peoples’ Land
Soy to House Ag: Protect Crop Insurance, Improve Title I Farm Safety Net
ICYMI- Oklahoma Broadband Office launches 16-stop “Let’s Get Digital” listening tour
OSU's Paul Beck- Fitting Dairy x Beef Crosses into Beef Production Systems
NCBA Reiterates Importance of Food Safety, Opposes PRIME Act
ODAFF's 2023-24 Agriculture Youth Council Application Deadline Extended- Now May 5th
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 higher- Choice Beef was up $1.83 and Select Beef was up $1.15 on Thursday 04/27/2023.


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

Boxed Beef Report

Weekly Cattle Auction Reports


The buttons below allow you to check out the weekly Cattle Auctions in the region that we post on our website and here in our daily email update.


Oklahoma National Stockyards Market Report from 4/24/2023
Oklahoma National Stockyards Cow and Bull Market from Tuesday 04/25/2023
Tulsa Auction Report from Monday 04/24/2023
Joplin Regional Stockyards Market from Monday 4/24/2023
OKC West in El Reno Market Report from 4/25 and 4/26/2023
Woodward Livestock Market from Thursday April 27, 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 04/27/2023
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 04/27/2023
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
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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
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Radio Oklahoma Ag Network

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