Congressman Frank Lucas Recovering from Ranch Injury

Word came over the weekend from the office of Congressman Frank Lucas that he suffered an injury on the ranch that he and his wife Lynda own and operate in Roger Mills County.

Here's the statement and what is known:

“Friday morning, Congressman Lucas was injured while working at his ranch in Roger Mills County. He was admitted to the University of Oklahoma Medical Center in Oklahoma City for non-life threatening injuries. Frank and his family are in good spirits and are sincerely grateful to the tremendous team of doctors, nurses, and others taking care of him.” 

The statement adds that Congressman Lucas will be back on the ranch and in the district soon and expects to make a speedy recovery.

And from our crew here at the Oklahoma Farm Report- we offer up prayers for a full and speedy recovery.

Dr. Amanda Silva Highlights 2023 Winter Wheat Crop and Talks Next Year

At the 2023 Women in Agriculture Conference, Farm Director KC Sheperd caught up with Oklahoma State University small grains extension specialist, Dr. Amanda Silva, and talked about the 2023 wheat crop and the upcoming planting season.

Silva said this year has been one of the most challenging years for winter wheat overall in the state of Oklahoma. There were issues with planting to drought almost the entire season, Silva said, and then when it came time to harvest, there was too much moisture.

“That was the longest harvest we have had in a long time in the program,” Silva said.

Considering the conditions, Silva said the wheat ended up doing pretty well. For the fields that were able to survive the harsh environment, Silva said, the yields were good.

“This year, it seems like we saw a change in pattern,” Silva said. “Usually, in our north-central area, it does a lot better than our southern-southwest area. I think this year we kind of had a switch, and that was just because of moisture.”



Union Mutual of Oklahoma Turns 85 Years Old



Back in July of 1938 when Union Mutual of Oklahoma was founded, FDR was in the White House, EW Marland was in the Governor’s Mansion, and the Soldiers of Gettysburg were gathering for a reunion on the old battlefield. Union Mutual was born out of necessity in Oklahoma and serves as one of the oldest rural insurance carriers serving only the people of Oklahoma. Union Mutual was created 85 years ago for one purpose, that was and is to serve and protect rural Oklahomans and their property. That mission has bever wavered.

Union Mutual Insurance of Oklahoma 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, “Protection for Oklahomans by Oklahomans.” In poor economic times, in times when national insurance companies either stopped writing or completely left the state, Union Mutual has been there for Oklahomans. Today, Union Mutual writes insurance in all 77 counties of Oklahoma through almost 300 agency locations. These agents provide fast and reliable quotes for most lines of insurance.

Union Mutual of Oklahoma CEO Monica Collison had this to say on the company turning 85 years old. “I am humbled to lead such and extraordinary company and team with the history and legacy of Union Mutual. Union Mutual has stood with rural Oklahoma for 85 solid years and I look forward to helping it for the next 85 years.”

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



TCFA’s Ben Weinheimer Shows Support for Electronic ID to Strengthen Traceability

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am talking with the president and CEO of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Ben Weinheimer, about electronic ID and traceability.

TCFA represents feedlots in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

Our coverage from the 2023 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in San Diego is being powered by Farm Data Services of Stillwater.

“Our longstanding support for efforts to move the cattle herd to an electronic identification system is important for TCFA members,” Weinheimer said. “This move by USDA to have that proposed rule out here recently to transition the adult cattle identification traceability program from one that uses physical tags to electronic tags is an effort we support.”

There are costs associated with this switch from physical tags to electronic tags, Weinheimer said, as these electronic tags will also require reading devices.

“I think our expectation here is that we let this adult cattle ID program transition to electronic ID and then work from the learnings of that program to see how we can lift that over to the entire herd so that we have a really robust traceability system utilizing electronic ID for both adult cattle and feeder cattle,” Weinheimer said.

Bill Even Talks Top Priorities for US Pork Producers at Oklahoma Pork Congress

At the Oklahoma Pork Congress in Oklahoma City, Farm Director, KC Sheperd had the chance to talk with the CEO of the National Pork Board, Bill Even, about sustainability in the pork industry and more.

The Pork Checkoff is currently focusing on three main areas on behalf of pork producers, Even said, including nutrition, sustainability, and ethics.

“The only sustainability producers want to talk about is economic sustainability, and that is number one,” Even said. “If you are not in business and you are not saving money, you are never sustainable over the long run.”

The issue around sustainability, Even said, is telling that story to consumers. Producers are stewards of the land, Even said, and they practice sustainability every day, so that message needs to leave the farm for others to hear.

Regarding California’s Proposition 12, Even said the California Department of Food and Agriculture is now tasked with the regulatory enforcement of Proposition 12.

After peaking at historic highs in the second quarter of 2022, prices for major fertilizer products have trended consistently downward over the past year. Supply and demand fundamentals, as well as some resolution of the ongoing impacts and uncertainties associated with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, have been contributing factors. With market expectations pointing towards lower commodity prices for 2024, and higher natural gas prices over the next 6 months, pricing at least a portion of 2024 fertilizer needs may warrant some consideration at this time.

Recent Fertilizer Price Trends

The prices of major fertilizer products in Illinois began increasing in 2021, peaking at various points in the 2nd quarter of 2022. Figure 1 reports average prices for fertilizer products in Illinois from the USDA’s Ag Marketing Service’s bi-weekly production cost report. Anhydrous ammonia topped at $1,635 per ton in June of 2022, and has since declined by nearly 47% to $870 per ton on July 27th, 2023. Urea and liquid nitrogen, at $497 per ton and $536 per ton as of July 27th, have declined just over 50% and nearly 22%, respectively, from their peaks in 2022.



Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) prices have fallen by 20% from over $1,000 per ton in June 2022 to $822 per ton as of July 27th. Potash prices have fallen over 35% to $558 per ton from their peak of $865 per ton in April of 2022.

Secretary Vilsack Chairs APEC Food Security Ministerial

As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) U.S. Host Year, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today chaired the Food Security Ministerial and highlighted the relationship between agri-food systems and climate change, food security, and sustainable productivity growth.

Building on USDA’s 2023 APEC agricultural sub-theme, “Together Achieving Sustainable, Equitable, and Resilient Agri-Food Systems,” Secretary Vilsack led engagement with APEC member economy leaders, delegates, and industry representatives on the importance of building a more resilient and interconnected region that advances broad-based economic prosperity through sustainable, resilient agri-food systems. He also emphasized the important role innovation plays in seeking solutions through climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustainable agricultural productivity growth and global food security.

“The time is now, and together we can achieve sustainable, equitable, and resilient agri-food systems. The APEC shares a commitment to addressing global food needs now so that we can build resilient systems that can absorb future shocks, like pandemics, conflict, severe weather, and climate change,” said Secretary Vilsack. “We must work to collaborate with other nations to share best practices and information as we all learn more about how to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate, and in order to produce more, while minimizing environmental impacts, we must leverage innovation and foster new ways of doing things.”

The right to farm and ranch in Texas is set as Proposition 1 on the Nov. 7 General Election ballot. 

The proposition is supported by Texas Farm Bureau (TFB).

“It’s great to have a proposition number for the right to farm and ranch constitutional amendment. There are 14 propositions on the ballot, so it is very helpful to remind voters which proposition is the right to farm and ranch constitutional amendment,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “The proposition number will be an important part of messaging going forward as we promote this monumental opportunity to protect the future of Texas family farms and ranches.”

On the ballot, Prop 1 will read: 

 “The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management.”

Farm Bureau contends that the constitutional amendment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect farming and ranching and the future of food security in the state. 

Click here to read the complete release from Texas Farm Bureau on the amendment.

We had the chance to talk about the right to farm efforts in Texas when we were in San Diego at the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting with Ben Weinheimer of Texas Cattle Feeders- you can here his comments on this by clicking here.

According to Ballotpedia- here is the full language that would be added to the Texas Constitution if voters approve the measure:

Sec. 36. (a) The people have the right to engage in generally accepted farm, ranch, timber production, horticulture, or wildlife management practices on real property they own or lease.

(b) This section does not affect the authority of the legislature to authorize by general law the regulation of generally accepted farm, ranch, timber production, horticulture, or wildlife management practices by:

(1) a state agency or political subdivision when there is clear and convincing evidence that the law or regulation is necessary to protect the public health and safety from imminent danger;

(2) a state agency to prevent a danger to animal health or crop production; or

(3) a state agency or political subdivision to preserve or conserve the natural resources of this state under Section 59, Article XVI, of this constitution.



(c) This section does not affect the authority of the legislature to authorize by general law the use or acquisition of property for a public use, including the development of the natural resources of this state under Section 59, Article XVI, of this constitution.[6]