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!
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:
Futures Wrap:
Feeder Cattle Recap:
Slaughter Cattle Recap:
TCFA Feedlot Recap:
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
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Oklahoma's Latest Farm and Ranch News
Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Friday, June 8, 2018
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Howdy Neighbors!
Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
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 Featured Story:
Strong April for U.S. Red Meat Exports, Including New Volume Record for Pork According to USMEF
April exports of U.S. pork, beef and lamb were sharply higher than a year ago in both volume and value, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Pork exports set a new volume record, fueled by tremendous demand in Mexico, while beef exports posted the best-ever results for the month of April.
Beef export volume was 111,213 mt in April, up 11 percent year-over-year. Export value was $676.7 million, up 23 percent and the fourth-highest on record. Through the first four months of 2018, exports were up 10 percent in volume to 429,286 mt. Export value was $2.59 billion, 20 percent above last year's record pace.
"The enthusiasm for U.S. beef in these markets may be at the highest level I've ever seen," said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. "In nearly every segment of the retail and restaurant sectors, U.S. beef is attracting new customers with a wider range of cuts and menu items. It's an exciting trend that's not just limited to Japan and Korea, with U.S. beef's popularity also strengthening in other Asian markets and in the Western Hemisphere."
April pork export volume was 230,049 metric tons (mt), up 13 percent from a year ago and topping the previous high set in November 2016. April export value was $584.1 million, also up 13 percent. For January through April, pork export volume was 4 percent ahead of last year's record pace at 866,346 mt, while value increased 9 percent to $2.29 billion. (For pork muscle cuts, excluding variety meat, April was also a record volume month at 184,487 mt, up 18 percent from a year ago. Muscle cut export value was $480.6 million, up 14 percent.)
"The outstanding April performance for pork exports to Mexico really underscores the importance of this market to the U.S. industry and how it has been such a reliable trading partner for hams, picnics and other pork cuts," Halstrom said. "USMEF will continue to emphasize the quality and consistency of U.S. pork to red meat customers in Mexico and make every effort to help U.S. suppliers retain their business. But make no mistake about it, the U.S. industry is going to have to fend off competitors who suddenly have a significant tariff rate advantage and see a clear opening into the Mexican market."
To review more highlights of this report or its complete version on our website, click or tap here.
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Sponsor Spotlight
It's great to have one of the premiere businesses in the cattle business partner with us in helping bring you our daily Farm and Ranch News Email- National Livestock Credit Corporation. National Livestock has been around since 1932- and they have worked with livestock producers to help them secure credit and to buy or sell cattle through the National Livestock Commission Company. They also own and operate the Southern Oklahoma Livestock Market in Ada, Superior Livestock, which continues to operate independently and have a major stake in OKC West in El Reno. To learn more about how these folks can help you succeed in the cattle business, click here for their website or call the Oklahoma City office at 1-800-310-0220.
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Late Week Rains Signal Further Improvement Than What is Reported in Current Drought Monitor
Although some improvement was made from the previous report, this week's Drought Monitor is not quite as extensive as what many had hoped for. But, like last week's report, this one again is dated on arrival with torrential rainfall storming through parts of the state Thursday morning.
State Climatologist Gary McManus says that moisture in addition to more rain in the forecast for western Oklahoma - further improvement will likely be seen in next week's report. In the meantime, dry conditions in eastern Oklahoma seem to be intensifying.
Currently, the exceptional drought rating in Oklahoma dropped from 9.8 percent to 6.6 percent; extreme drought falling two points down to 27 percent; severe conditions remained at 40 percent; moderate drought conditions increased by just one point to 46 percent and the most dramatic change was seen in the area under abnormally dry conditions increasing six points from last week now rated at 68 percent.
For a closer look at this week's Drought Monitor, or to review McManus' Mesonet Ticker report for this week, click here.
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Accurate Label Act Introduced to House and Senate Receives Ag Community's Support
Lawmakers introduced the Accurate Labels Act in the Senate Thursday, a bill that supporters say would provide American consumers nationwide with clear, accurate and meaningful nutrition information.
Introduced by Republican Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas, and in the House of Representatives by Republican Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Democrat Kurt Shrader of Oregon, the bill would also prevent the issuance of inaccurate labels that mislead consumers and drive up prices.
Supporters say the bill would establish science-based criteria for all additional state and local labeling requirements, allow state-mandated product information to be provided through smartphone-enabled "smart labels," and ensuring that covered product information is risk-based.
The American Farm Bureau Federation, along with the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, were immediately supportive of the legislation.
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Plains Grains Calls Oklahoma Wheat Harvest Half Done at Fifty One Percent Complete- Kansas Just Starting
The second harvest report of the season was released last night by Plains Grains- and shows Kansas just starting with their 2018 HRW wheat harvest, while Oklahoma has already reached the half way point and Texas now stands at 39%.
Here is the text of the report dated June 8th:
The 2018 HRW wheat harvest raced northward over the past seven days with harvest now underway as far north as southern Kansas. However, progress was significantly slowed Thursday by locally heavy rain events across large areas of northern and central Oklahoma and the southeastern ½ of Kansas. The state of Texas is now projected to be 39% harvested with cutting being reported in the high plains of far northwest Texas. Oklahoma now projected to be 51% harvested while Kansas has now reported cutting (<1%) in several areas of south central and southeast areas of that state.
Yield reports, while still wide ranging 11 bu/ac (0.74 tons/ha) to over 50 bu/ac (3.4 tons/ha) , the overall average remains estimated at under 25 bu/ac (1.7 tons/ha). The biggest unknown about production in the Southern Great Plains continues to be what the final number of harvested acres will be (unknown acres of abandonment).
Click or tap here to read more from the June 8th report from Plains Grains.
And- courtesy of AFR and Sam Knipp- Here's a combine in the fields near Apache from earlier this week- the wheat here was above average for this year anyway- around 35 bushels an acre-
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Wheat Prices Ticking Up, But Rain Could Bring Down Mood of Producers with Wheat Still in the Field
According to OSU's Dr. Kim Anderson, the market regained an earlier loss of about 20 cents and then some from a small rally late in the week. Anderson, who will appear again this weekend with SUNUP host Dave Deeken, says the good news there is that producers saw an increase overall in the basis for wheat. He says that is signaling the market's demand for Oklahoma wheat being cut right now.
This position in the market is being supported by lower expectations for highly anticipated crops in Russia, Ukraine, Australia, Germany and other places - all of which are suffering from dry conditions which could significantly bolster prices for US wheat in the future, according to Anderson.
Likewise, conditions have been dry for most of Oklahoma's growing season, but as of now much of the state is wet from recent rainfall. Anderson says this is bad news for producers still harvesting their wheat, predicting this moisture will cause test weights to drop. However, producers with summer crops in the ground should greatly benefit from the timely precipitation.
You can watch their visit tomorrow or Sunday on SUNUP for more of Anderson's insights into the current status of the wheat markets - or you can hear Kim's comments right now and see what else is on tap for this week's episode, by clicking here. |
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Sponsor Spotlight
Dating back to 1891, Stillwater Milling Company has been supplying ranchers with the highest quality feeds made from the highest quality ingredients. Their full line of A & M Feeds can be delivered direct to your farm, found at their Agri-Center stores in Stillwater, Davis, Claremore and Perry or at more than 125 dealers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Texas. We appreciate Stillwater Milling Company's long time support of the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and we encourage you to click here to learn more about their products and services.
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Strong Demand Still Driving US Beef Market, Though Mexico's Tariff Retaliations Could Put a Pin in It
Next week, Jim Robb of the Livestock Marketing Information Center will speak to beef producers at the Texoma Cattlemen's Conference in Ardmore, Okla. where I'll be moderating discussions that take place during this educational event. Prior to that, I reached out to Robb for a preliminary outlook on the current beef market. Taking into consideration the last few days of May and into early June, Robb says demand continues to look pretty good.
"The drivers in the market are clearly the robust demand. We had the boxed beef cut-outs slightly weak last week," he said. "But, for the holiday shortened week, we had very good movement during the week. So, in other words, we had almost five or six days worth of movement in the holiday shortened week."
Which, Robb says, is good news. And even though wholesale markets were slightly softer in recent days past, he reports that prices are still higher than they were during the first week of May. A sign of "pretty good" strength in the marketplace. With that being the case, Robb says packer margins continue to be very strong which in effect continues to pull cattle through the marketing chain at a very aggressive pace. The one wild card that could throw a wrench in the works now it seems, is the uncertainty of trade access being heavily influenced currently by political rhetoric. Our NAFTA partners have each responded with threats of retaliation to President Trump's decision to move forward on the implementation of steel and aluminum imports. Robb says that while Canada's actions so far have no real impact on beef markets, Mexico's does. As the largest customer of US pork products, which is where Mexico has focused its retaliatory attack, any harm done to the beef industry will most likely be indirect.
"The bigger story has been in the short-term with respect to Mexico. Mexico is placing very large tariffs on US pork products. So, the beef impacts will be mostly indirect," Robb said. "What's not sold to Mexico, we have to consume here in the United States."
Listen to Robb and Hays discuss the current strength of the US beef markets and what threats might hinder its continued success, on today's Beef Buzz - click here.
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Opioid Abuse More Prevalent Among Female Population in Rural OK Compared to National Statistics
The US Department of Agriculture on Wednesday, hosted the Oklahoma Opioid Roundtable in El Reno to address the rising level of drug-overdose related deaths plaguing rural America. Stephen Goldman with the Oklahoma Primary Care Association was on hand to offer our Associate Farm Director Carson Horn a state specific perspective on the issue.
One aspect about opioid abuse in Oklahoma that differs from other states, says Goldman, is that this issue has a much higher prevalence in women than it does elsewhere. According to Goldman, in Oklahoma the number of overdose deaths involving females is about half. Nationwide, he says female deaths make up about 33 percent of the total. No reason is yet attributed to this fact, but research suggests it could be influenced by the higher rate of female incarceration in Oklahoma, the rate of divorce here and a variety of other social and domestic factors.
With that in mind, Goldman insists any program implemented in Oklahoma should be heavily focused on the female population, relative to a national program. He also cites a federal list of at-risk counties prone to widespread opioid abuse. Oklahoma has two counties identified on that list including Cimarron and Jefferson. Targeting these counties will be essential to any successfully implemented strategy for combating drug abuse in Oklahoma.
Goldman directs those dealing with issues of opioid addiction, to reach out for assistance by calling the 211 helpline with operators standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week ready to ge callers the help they need. Learn more about this nationwide issue with respect to its impact on Oklahoma and what's being done about it, or listen to Goldman explain it himself, by clicking here. |
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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.
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This N That- Day Three of Ag in the Classroom Tour, Senate Ag to Mark Up Farm Bill Next Week and Kris Black Cream of the Crop Sale Set for Tomorrow
Day three of the Ag in the Classroom Summer Tour is now done- the tour is done- but the education about agriculture will carry on- click here to read about the wrapup of the summer tour- and you can also click here for Day Two and click here for Day One from our coverage of teachers getting their kicks and enjoying the diversity of Oklahoma Ag Along Route 66.
Thanks Audrey for your play by play!
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Mark up of the Senate Ag Committee 2018 Farm Bill will happen Wednesday, June 13, with the session set to begin 9:30 AM eastern time that morning.
Chairman Pat Roberts of Kansas and his ranking member Debbie Stabenow of Michigan offered this statement as they announced the business meeting- "We are pleased to announce the Senate Agriculture Committee's timely consideration of the 2018 Farm Bill. It has been more than a year of travelling across the country listening to farmers, ranchers, rural communities, and those in need. Now the time has come to put what we've learned into a bipartisan bill that will provide much-needed certainty for agriculture, families, and rural America."
Click here for the page set up on the Senate Ag Committee's website for the business meeting- details about the Chairman's mark will be available there in the next few days.
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Mark plans to attend the 17th Annual Cream of the Crop female and bull sale tomorrow- Saturday- June 9th- at the Black Hereford Ranch near Crawford, Oklahoma.
This year's Cream of the Crop Sale will feature 345 head of AI bred, fall calving heifers and cows- all of them future club calf producing females and 38 head of stout 19 to 24 month old herd bull prospects that are all ready to go to work.
The online catalog, videos and last minute sale information can all be found on their website- click or tap here to jump over to the Blackherefordranch.com site.
Kris Black and his family have a tremendous operation in the western part of Oklahoma. Black Hereford Ranch is a progressive club calf producing and seedstock generating operation.
Kris is a pioneer in the club calf producing business. The countless champions and winning genetics, that he has produced is one for the history books.
The ranch is located in far western Oklahoma near the Texas border. The headquarters sits just west of Roll, Oklahoma on Highway 33.
By the way- if you prefer to call for last minute info- call 580-309-0711. |
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Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, American Farmers & Ranchers, Livestock Exchange at the Oklahoma National Stockyards, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Stillwater Milling Company, National Livestock Credit Corporation, OERB, 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 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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