SOUTHERN PLAINS WINTER WHEAT:

In Oklahoma, Winter wheat planted reached 27 percent, unchanged from the previous year but down 11 points from the five-year average. Winter wheat emerged reached 10 percent, up 1 point from the previous year but down 1 point from normal.

In Kansas, Winter wheat planted was 37 percent, ahead of 28 percent last year, but near 38 percent for the five-year average. Emerged was 14 percent, ahead of 6 percent last year, but near 15 percent average.

In Texas, Winter wheat planted reached 45 percent, down 2 percentage points from the previous year and up 3 points from the five-year average. Winter wheat emerged reached 13 percent, down 5 points from the previous year and even with the average.

OKLAHOMA:

Cotton bolls opening reached 78 percent, down 4 points from the previous year but up 7 points from normal. Cotton conditions rated 9 percent good to excellent, 28 percent fair and 63 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 14 percent good to excellent, 25 percent fair and 61 percent poor to very poor. 

Pasture and range conditions rated 29 percent good to excellent, 36 percent fair, and 35 percent poor to very poor. Last week’s conditions rated 27 percent good to excellent, 35 percent fair and 38 percent poor to very poor. 

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.

The Tulsa Farm Show is Oklahoma’s premier agricultural and ranching event- and returns to the SageNet Center (Expo Square) December, 7-8-9, 2023. 

Now is the ideal time to contact the Midwest Farm Show Office at 507-437-7969 and book space at the 2023 Tulsa Farm Show.  To learn more about the Tulsa Farm Show, click here. 



Beef Checkoff Reminds Dietary Guidelines Committee About the Foundational Benefits of Beef

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am visiting with the Executive Director of Nutrition Research at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Dr. Shalene McNeill, about beef industry priorities in the next Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Currently, the U.S. is under the dietary guidelines that came out in 2020 and will expire in 2025. The next set of Dietary Guidelines are now being formulated by the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, that is aiming to issue updated Guidelines for 2025 -2030 by the end of 2024.

The Beef Checkoff, McNeill said, was one of 83 organizations and individuals that had the chance to give thoughts during public commentary.

“We really wanted to focus on the critical role that beef plays and its nutrients play at each life stage, “McNeill said. “Beef has a special package of nutrients- iron, zinc, and B vitamins. As we talk about, these are not only needed in infancy, but they are also needed during adolescence, during adulthood, pregnancy, and aging.”

As Americans age over time, McNeill said gaps have begun to emerge that beef can help fill.

Legislature Called to the Capitol by the Governor to Consider Cutting Taxes- We Ask Steve Thompson Why This Session

Much like 2022 when Governor Kevin Stitt called the legislature into a special session over the concept of cutting taxes- the Governor has called another special session that happens today- October 3rd- and has similarities to 2022- but does offer some different twists.

I talked with Steve Thompson of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau on the eve of the Special Session- and Thompson says it’s unlikely that any definitive action will come out of the special session- but lawmakers will have to consider what is ahead for Oklahoma if the Federal Courts decide tribal members don’t have to pay state income tax- and that conversation could be a major topic in the next general session in early 2024. He believes that the result of a similar call by the Governor in 2022 about a personal state income tax cut may be what may happen again in 2023- not much. He adds that the general farm organization is concerned about higher property taxes if the Governor is successful in lowering or even eliminating personal income taxes.

The Governor’s special session call is for three purposes:

1. To create a statutory trigger which automatically eliminates any tax assessed by the state or its political subdivisions if that same tax is found by a state or federal court to be inapplicable to any individual by virtue of their race, heritage, or political classification;
2. To deliver Oklahomans a personal state income tax cut — one that puts the state on a pathway to zero personal state income taxes;
3. To increase transparency in the legislative budget making process.

Click here for the State Senate website and the meeting page to see the expected 10 AM Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing.

Click here for the State House webpage where you can access their special session at 11 AM this morning.

Oklahoma CattleWomen President-Elect Amarie Bartel Looks to Be a Gate-Getter, Not a Gatekeeper

Associate Farm Editor, Reagan Calk, had the chance to visit with the current president-elect of the Oklahoma CattleWomen, Amarie Bartel, about her passion for the group and her plans if elected as president.

“I have been involved with Oklahoma CattleWomen for about three years,” Bartel said. “I started as the secretary, then was the vice president of beef promotion, and now I am serving as president-elect. It has been a fabulous opportunity to stay involved with the cattle industry no matter what phase of life I am in, and I think that is one of my favorite things.”

One of the questions Bartel has been considering through her time as president-elect, she said, is “Who are we as cattlewomen?”

It is easy to be a gatekeeper in the cattle industry, Bartel said, because of the technical knowledge required and the years of hard work many put into their operations.

“Something I have been challenging myself lately is to be a gate-getter,” Bartel said. “I want to make sure I am opening the gate for other cattlewomen to come in and learn about our industry, so that is what I am excited about. We have the challenge to be a gatekeeper or gate-getter, and I am excited to cultivate a community of gate-getters in the Oklahoma CattleWomen.”

Associate Farm Editor, Reagan Calk, had the chance to visit with Aaron Schantz about the Schantz Farm Field Day coming up on Thursday, October 5, in Hydro, Okla.

The field day will feature multiple crops, Schantz said, including peanuts, cotton, and corn. Attendees will also have a chance to receive 3 ODAFF Applicator CEUs.

Some of the topics discussed will include reducing pesticide applications with improved genetics, peanut disease management, weed management in peanuts, fungicide and herbicide management on late corn, and more.

“This gives you a good opportunity to come out, see the different crops, see what we are doing on-farm with research, and be able to enjoy a good meal, get your CEUs, and fellowship with fellow farmers and producers,” Schantz said.

The CEUs will be built into the information provided during the farm tour, Schantz said, but producers will have the chance to come back after the tour and listen to PowerPoint presentations discussing those topics more in-depth.

NCBA Secures Passage of Key Animal Health Priority

Yesterday, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) hailed the reauthorization of the Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA), a top priority for NCBA that is now law following President Joe Biden’s approval of a continuing resolution to fund the government. Included in the continuing resolution, this “clean” reauthorization of ADUFA keeps the legislation in effect for another five years.

“Keeping our livestock healthy is on every cattle producer’s mind,” said NCBA President Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota cattle producer. “NCBA made the ADUFA reauthorization a top priority at the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention, and I am proud to see our team’s hard work pay off with this latest reauthorization being signed into law. This is just one of many examples of how NCBA works hard to protect our interests in Washington, D.C.”

ADUFA allows the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) to collect fees from animal health companies, which fund the agency’s review and approval process for new animal drugs. ADUFA ensures that the FDA has an efficient system for authorizing new cattle medicines and diagnostic tools that keep livestock healthy and protects our safe, wholesome food supply. NCBA fought hard to ensure that this latest ADUFA reauthorization contained no post-market amendments that would harm the effectiveness of the FDA’s review process, disrupt producers’ access to cattle medicines, or simply keep the legislation from passing Congress before the September 30th deadline.

“Incredible veterinary drug innovations are happening every day, and ADUFA ensures that the FDA has the resources it needs to review these new technologies for safety and efficacy and to bring them to market for cattle producers,” said NCBA Chief Veterinarian Dr. Kathy Simmons. “We are pleased that Congress passed the ADUFA reauthorization and President Biden signed it into law.”

NAWG Statement on Congress Passing a Continuing Resolution

Over the weekend, Congress passed a short-term continuing resolution, which will fund the federal government through November 17, 2023. While the stopgap appropriations bill is necessary to avoid a government shutdown, the lack of a full fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations package continues to slow down the 2023 Farm Bill process. The lapse in Farm Bill authorization on September 30 marks a critical juncture for American agriculture, demanding urgent action from Congress to resolve the full FY 2024 appropriations process so the work can proceed with Farm Bill reauthorization. The impacts associated with a lapse in Farm Bill authorization will be varied across programs as some are tied to the fiscal year, crop year, and others are mandatory programs. The Farm Bill provides certainty and is the bedrock of support for our farmers, delivering essential resources, policies, and stability necessary for a prosperous agricultural sector and a secure food supply.

“The Farm Bill plays a pivotal role in supporting American farmers, rural communities, and sustainable agricultural practices,” said NAWG President and Oregon wheat farmer Brent Cheyne. “While we are glad Congress worked to pass a short-term continuing resolution, our leaders need to set aside their differences, pass a long-term appropriations package, and commence work on a Farm Bill without additional delay. We would like to express our appreciation to the agricultural committees for their diligent efforts and hard work in crafting the Farm BilI. We hope that all of Congress will prioritize passing the Farm Bill to serve the best interests of Americans and the agriculture sector by the end of the year.”

NAWG implores Congress to work collaboratively and swiftly to reach a resolution on FY 2024 appropriation and work to get a Farm Bill signed into law by the end of the year. Farmers deserve the assurance of a functioning Farm Bill that supports their endeavors, fosters innovation, and ensures the continued growth of our agricultural industry.