Oklahoma's Latest Farm

And Ranch News

Thursday, August 31, 2023

Howdy Neighbors!

Here is Your Daily Oklahoma Farm and Ranch News Update: 

 

  • Oklahoma Makes Big Strides Toward Improving Broadband Across the State


  • State-of-the-Art National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility Takes the Stage in Manhattan, Kansas


  • Humane Society Campaign to Stop EATS Act Adds 30 Senators to Its Roster of Lawmakers in Opposition


  • Why Become a Master Cattleman?


  • Unified Vision Drives Beef Checkoff Success


  • Dry Conditions Enhance Fire Danger Across the State


  • CAB Insider: Short Supplies, Higher Beef Prices

Oklahoma Makes Big Strides Toward Improving Broadband Across the State

Farm Director, KC Sheperd, is visiting with Oklahoma State University’s Brian Whitacre, about an update on broadband in Oklahoma. Whitacre is on the state’s Broadband Expansion Council, which provides recommendations to the newly formed Oklahoma Broadband Office.  


Whitacre said the state recently received some additional broadband funding through the USDA ReConnect Program.


“That went to a couple of cooperatives, really all across the state, but I think the bigger news is that there is a big chunk of money coming late this year into early 2024, and our State Oklahoma Broadband Office just released a map of what they are calling the unserved and underserved locations- the places that really need that broadband infrastructure,” Whitacre said.


Almost 400 million dollars should be released by the end of this year through the Oklahoma broadband office, Whitacre said, and another 800 million is expected to be available in 2024.


“We really are hopeful that all these places without good broadband are going to get them in the coming three to five years,” Whitacre said. “If you look at the actual data on this, it shows that we have about 1.6 million buildings, either residential or business buildings across Oklahoma, and of those, the data shows there are about 150,000 that have no official broadband provider at all, and another 150,000 where the maximum speed is something like 30 megabits per second or 50 megabits per second which is officially ‘broadband,’ but not as good as the 100 megabits per second that we are targeting.”

Click here to read more and listen to KC Sheperd talk with Brian Whitacre about improving broadband in Oklahoma
Sponsor Spotlight



Oklahoma Farm Bureau works to improve the lives of all Oklahomans by supporting our state’s agriculture community. As Oklahoma’s largest general farm organization led by Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, OKFB takes grassroots values and advocates for agriculture at the state Capitol and in Washington, D.C., to ensure our way of life continues for generations to come. Farm Bureau hosts leadership events, supports our state’s agricultural youth and connects consumers with agriculture in order to build a brighter future for our state. Become an OKFB member today online at okfarmbureau.org/join. Together, we are rural Oklahoma.



State-of-the-Art National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility Takes the Stage in Manhattan, Kansas

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am talking with the Chief Veterinarian of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Dr. Kathy Simmons, about the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility.


Located in Manhattan, Kansas, the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility is a state-of-the-art animal disease laboratory to be operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help protect the nation’s agriculture, farmers, and citizens against the threat and potential impact of serious animal diseases.


NBAF will replace the 68-year-old Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC), where USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) currently conduct foreign animal disease research, training and diagnostics. ARS and APHIS will transfer their research and diagnostic missions from PIADC to NBAF and will operate the facility jointly.


“This facility has a BSL-3 level lab, and then the most threatening pathogen lab, the BSL-4 level lab within the nucleus of the building,” Simmons said. “We were able to tour NBAF and it looks like a wonderful facility. It seems to be very well staffed, and I think the transition is going to be made here this fall of all of the scientists and the pathogens to come over from Plum Island.”


The Department of Homeland Security has already given USDA APHIS (Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service) and ARS (Agricultural Retail Service) the keys to the facility, Simmons said, and USDA is now working to facilitate the start of the work to be done.

Click here to listen to Dr. Kathy Simmons talk about NBAF

Humane Society Campaign to Stop EATS Act Adds 30 Senators to Its Roster of Lawmakers in Opposition

The efforts to include language that would negate California's Prop 12 as a part of the 2023 Farm Bill are meeting lots of headwinds. The HSUS led campaign to derail the EATS act that has been introduced by Kansas Senator Roger Marshall (and friends) now has 30 Senators and 172 House members saying they will vote against any Farm Bill that includes the EATS act if it reaches the floor of their respective body.


According to a news release from the Human Society Legislation Fund(The lobbying arm of HSUS)- "“It’s not one state that’s trying to foist its standards on the rest of the country,” said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “It’s the pork industry’s trade association that’s trying to force every state to accept the terms of any other state that chooses not to ensure standards for agricultural products related to humane treatment, food safety, environmental protection or child labor within its borders.


On the Senate side- it's Senator (and Vegan)Cory Booker of New Jersey who is leading the charge against EATS.


By the way- no one from the Oklahoma Congressional delegation has signed onto either of the letters. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is one of 16 State Attorney Generals who has urged Congress to pass EATS.


House Ag Committee Chairman GT Thompson has expressed a desire to have language in the Farm Bill that would address Prop 12- but we have yet to see any details of the Chairman's Mark (his Farm Bill proposal) so it's unknown how committed he is to the concept that has been discussed by some in farm country.


Click here for the News Release from the Humane society to read more of the organized opposition by HSUS to EATS
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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


Why Become a Master Cattleman?

On today’s Cow-Calf Corner, Kellie Curry Raper, OSU Livestock Marketing Specialist and David Lalman, OSU Beef Cattle Extension Specialist, talk about the Master Cattlemen program.


Maybe you’ve seen the gate signs on a neighbor’s fence or barn. Maybe you’ve seen a promotional flyer at the county fair or posted on social media. Maybe you’ve heard someone refer to something they learned in their Master Cattleman class. And maybe you are asking “what is Master Cattleman and why should I consider it?”


Oklahoma State University’s Master Cattleman program is in its 20th year and, to date, has over 1500 graduates. Master Cattleman is a producer education program conducted through OSU Extension at the county level. The course focuses on research-based learning made practical for “on the ranch” implementation. Producers interact with experts across multiple topic areas, and – just as importantly – the group setting also allows them to learn from each other.


The Oklahoma Beef Cattle Manual is used as the textbook for the course and is provided as part of the course materials at enrollment. Note that the Manual is also available in Spanish. Cattlemen work through a minimum of 28 hours (i.e., chapters) in a mix of in-person lecture, discussion, and hands-on learning. 

Click here to read more about the Master Cattlemen program

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 Thursday morning farm and ranch news with KC Sheperd
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Sponsor Spotlight



Oklahoma AgCredit supports rural Oklahoma with reliable and consistent credit, today and tomorrow. We offer loans for land, livestock, equipment, operating costs and country homes (NMLSR #809962) to farmers, ranchers and rural businesses across 60 counties. As a cooperative, we are owned by the members we serve. Through our Patronage Program, we have returned more than $74 million to our members since 1997.


For more information on our services or to find a location near you, visit our website here.

 

Unified Vision Drives Beef Checkoff Success

Since 1963, the Federation of State Beef Councils has been committed to building beef demand by inspiring, unifying and supporting an effective and coordinated state and national Checkoff partnership. By working together with one unified vision and plan, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, and state beef councils continue to set a positive course for beef’s future. 

Here are a few examples of recent program successes:


Nutrition Research

Research continues to serve as the foundation for all Beef Checkoff-funded initiatives. Nutrition research provides proof that beef has a role in a healthy, sustainable diet. Current projects focus on human clinical trials investigating healthy diets, across the lifespan, where beef is the primary source of dietary protein, and focuses on the impact of cardiometabolic health, strength, and performance, and the benefits of beef in the diets of children and adolescents.


National Beef Quality Audit

The National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA), conducted approximately every five years since 1991, is foundational research that provides an understanding of what quality means to the various industry sectors, and the value of those quality attributes. This research helps the industry make modifications necessary to increase the value of its products. The findings from the 2022 NBQA serve to improve quality, minimize economic loss, and aid in advancements in producer education for the U.S. beef industry. 

Click here to read about more Beef Checkoff Program success

Dry Conditions Enhance Fire Danger Across the State

Statewide Discussion: Overall dry conditions and the persistence of the heat dome through August has resulted in notable stress on both herbaceous and woody fuels and increasing fuels availability. Flash drought development resulting from above normal temperatures and the absence of moisture, most notably across the southern counties, has enhanced fire danger noted by increasing new wildfire occurrence. While initial attack efforts have been largely successful to date, recent fire behavior is exhibiting increased resistance to control efforts and large fire potential is expected to increase in the southern third of Oklahoma where mounting precipitation deficits, lack of soil moisture and enhanced fuels availability have become concerning. Energy Release Component values in this area have eclipsed the 90th percentile where resistance to control and heavier resource commitment is expected as an upper level ridge builds back in over the area later this week ushering in a return to above normal temperatures and expectation of dry conditions.

Click here to read more information from the latest fire situation report

CAB Insider: Short Supplies, Higher Beef Prices

The fed cattle market has stagnated since mid-July, encumbered primarily by exceptionally small slaughter head counts. Last week’s $183/cwt. fed steer price was the smallest since mid-July.


In the meantime packing sector margins are solidly in the black again after dipping below breakeven levels from late July through most of August.  Three weeks ago fed cattle slaughter reached the smallest non-holiday weekly total (471K head) since January. The two following weeks brought on increases of 13,000 head and 10,000 head, respectively.


With slaughter productivity depressed, carcass cutout values responded as expected. The comprehensive boxed beef cutout value increased from the early August low of $297.17/cwt. to last week’s $310.79/cwt., a 4.6% move. The CAB cutout touched a seasonal low the first week of August at $312.49/cwt. before rallying 3.5% through last week to average $323.33/cwt.


Besides the inflationary impact of restricted steer and heifer slaughter, the uptick in prices is within seasonal expectations as well. Just ahead of Labor Day the market typically experiences price increases as spot market fill-in orders from end users pulls prices up from early August lows.

Click here to read the latest CAB Insider report
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 mixed- Choice Beef was up 75 cents and Select Beef was down 15 cents on Wednesday 08/30/2023.


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

Boxed Beef Report

OKC West in El Reno had 9,574 head on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.


USDA Market News Reports- Compared to last week: Feeder steers sold 2.00-4.00 higher. Feeder heifers traded steady to 2.00 higher. Demand moderate to good. Steer and heifer calves that were weaned sold fully steady. Demand moderate.


Meanwhile- Bill Barnhart, Manager of OKC West, writes on Facebook about this week- "Cooler temperatures allowed producers to get cattle moved to market this week. The market was fully steady to stronger in spots. Buyers are being selective for flesh conditions and kind. Calves are starting to show up mostly unweaned and not worked. 2400 sold Tuesday. Some fat trade reported in Nebraska today at 186, dollars better than the southern yards have been getting. No cow sale Monday due to Labor Day but we will have our regular Tuesday and Wednesday sales September 5th and 6th."


Click below for the complete closing report.

OKC West in El Reno Market Report from 8/29 and 8/30/2023
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 08/30/2023
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 08/30/2023
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.

Cattle Industry Leader Bob Drake sits down and talks with Ron Hays about his lifetime of service in the cattle business. Drake has served as the President of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, the last President of the old National Cattlemen's Association and Vice President of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau.


He loves politics and being a change agent for the cattle producer back up at the fork of the creek. Drake had a front row seat as the Beef Checkoff was approved by cattle producers and he believes it's way past time to find a way to get a second dollar at the national level.


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 86 with Ron Hays talking with one of the legends in the Beef Cattle Business- Bob Drake of Davis, Oklahoma
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