NCBA's Ethan Lane- 2018 Farm Bill One Year Extension Worth Celebrating

After House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed for and got a House legislative victory in funding the government into the new year- the US Senate followed suit on Wednesday and overwhelmingly voted for the Johnson plan, which included a one year extension of the expired 2018 farm law.

The Vice President of Government Policy for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Ethan Lane, told me that this is a win for agriculture- “it’s an important step in the right direction- it gives everyone that breathing room we have been talking about to get clear some of the political follies we are seeing on Capitol Hill right now- it’s really difficult to move a trillion dollar farm and nutrition package in this environment and this will give them a little more space to get their work done- a little more space for the Committees to negotiate and a better window to get a finished product.”

Lane says that many of the members who voted no on the CR are also very much anti agriculture and don’t appear to be fans of farmers and ranchers- but they are not the majority in the House and that was seen back before the August recess when a vote was held on a proposal to withhold federal dollars on checkoff programs- only 49 members voted for that failed amendment to the Agriculture and FDA spending bill.

In addition- this legislation provides certainty for market information flowing for cattle producers. Lane says the can has been kicked down the road into 2024 with this bill as it relates to Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting- that is a part of the funding for USDA that was extended to mid January. He is hopeful that agricultural interests will find the opportunity to address a full reauthorization of LMR in the future- but the appropriations route keeps it operating to the benefit of livestock producers here in the US.

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Farmers and Ranchers Have the Chance to Earn Extra Income from Carbon Credits

Farm Director, KC Sheperd, had the chance to visit with the Chief Sustainability Officer at the National Pork Board, Jamie Burr. Sheperd talks with Burr about how ag producers can earn money from selling carbon credits.

Burr describes carbon credits as another commodity that a producer can develop and be compensated for or a practice that reduces or sequesters carbon.

One example, Burr said, would be changing from conventional tillage to reduced tillage that cuts down on the amount of carbon that escapes the soil. The carbon saved, Burr said, can generate a carbon credit.

“The largest opportunity is that there are a lot of CPGs (Consumer Packaged Goods) that have set some climate goals, and in a lot of cases, to obtain those climate goals, they are going to have to purchase a carbon credit,” Burr said.

When the time is right for a producer, Burr said, they have the opportunity to sell carbon as a commodity to help a CPG meet a climate goal in the future.

Consumers Have Not Let Up on Demand for Quality Certified Angus Beef

At the latest American Angus Convention in Orlando, Florida, I had the chance to catch up with Oklahoma Angus Breeder, John Pfeiffer.

Pfeiffer has previously served as the leadership chair of the Certified Angus Beef program and also served as the President of the American Angus Association. During the time period when Pfeiffer served on leadership with Certified Angus Beef, CAB hit its first billion-pound mark.

Pfeiffer said this year marks the third-highest year in terms of pounds of CAB sold at close to 1.3 billion.

Because of consumer’s desire to buy the best quality beef and pay extra for it, Pfeiffer said CAB has continued to gain popularity over the years.

“One of the interesting things is that we have had a big demand for Certified Angus Beef Prime,” Pfeiffer said. “Our biggest problem is being able to produce enough of that. Even though we have been able to produce a lot of Certified Angus Beef, we are going to have to do more genetic work and more breeding to be able to get more pounds of that Certified Angus Beef Prime because we have people who are asking for it and saying, ‘We want more.’”

OSU Livestock Judging Team Wins NAILE- Capping Historic Season

The Oklahoma State University Livestock Judging team continues to break records by winning its 23rd national championship this week.

OSU was named high team overall at the 2023 North American International Livestock Exposition on Nov. 14. The team posted an overall reasons score of 1889 points, the all-time highest score ever recorded at the North American International Livestock Judging Competition in Louisville, Kentucky.

Individual Overall Results

• Caden Church – 3rd
• Eric Schafer – 5th
• Jentry Squires – 6th
• Ty Drach – 8th
• Pace Mittelstaedt – 11th

The OSU livestock judging program won first place at 10 contests this season, including the Cattlemen’s Congress, the National Western Stock Show, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the American Royal. OSU has earned the collegiate livestock judging national title six of the past seven years.

Several county Farm Bureaus were recognized for their efforts to further agriculture and rural Oklahoma on Saturday, Nov. 11 during Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 82nd annual meeting in Oklahoma City.

Each year, OKFB recognizes the county Farm Bureaus that have excelled in program areas such as membership, public policy, local affairs, service to members, Women’s Leadership Committee and Young Farmers and Ranchers with a Presidential Star Award.

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Annual Meeting is the organization’s largest gathering of farmers and ranchers every year. At the event, members vote on grassroots policy, elect leaders and award outstanding individuals. OKFB has a presence in all 77 Oklahoma counties and serves as the voice of agriculture and the rural way of life. To learn more, visit okfarmbureau.org.

Getting Help with Mental Health is Something to Celebrate

At the 2023 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Farm Director KC Sheperd talked with Vivayic Leaning Analyst and Functional Leader. Dr. Tobin Redwine. Sheperd and Redwine talked about the importance of mental health in the agriculture community.

“Mental health is a growing challenge, particularly for those in youth and rural and agricultural populations,” Redwine said.

Many agricultural producers in need of mental health counseling do not seek the help they need, and in time many are impacted by these actions aside from the individual.

While it is always good and healthy to communicate with friends and family, Redwine stressed the importance of talking to a mental health professional, as they are equipped to help with things that a friend or family member may not know to discuss.

OKBF has started a program called the Healthy Minds Seminar Series, featuring webinars and in-person sessions talking about strategies and tactics to support good mental health practices.

“It is an important practice not only to just talk to somebody but to equip ourselves with strategies,” Redwine said.

Grain Storage Outlook Improves for U.S. Elevators, but Bushels Remain Elusive

The profit outlook for U.S. grain elevators storing corn and soybeans has improved significantly for the 2023-24 marketing year with buy basis falling and carries returning to futures markets. The world market is currently awash in grains, and global supplies of corn and soybeans are abundant. The improved market conditions follow two consecutive years of inverted futures markets, which limited the ability of many elevators to earn a profit from storing grain.

The current challenge for grain elevators is simply gaining ownership of bushels. Farmers have been reluctant to sell, as corn and soybean prices have fallen sharply from their peaks earlier this year. That has left elevators with lower levels of grain ownership to take advantage of wider carries and basis levels. Basis has fallen to multi-year lows in some regions of the country. 

However, the delay of grain moving to elevators is expected to be short-lived. According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, the challenge of acquiring bushels should begin to ease for elevators early in 2024.

Dairy’s Long-Term Outlook Bright, Doud, NMPF Staff Say

The future of U.S. dairy farming is bright as global growth and American capacity for innovation and production combine to create a powerhouse, the National Milk Producers Federation’s (NMPF) incoming president and CEO and the organization’s economists highlighted in presentations at NMPF’s annual meeting in Orlando, FL. 

“In terms of the world of protein, dairy is a huge part of the future,” said Gregg Doud, who will take over NMPF’s reins on Jan. 1, in remarks at the meeting, held jointly by NMPF, the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board and the United Dairy Industry Association. Doud, a former chief agricultural trade negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, said opportunities are there for U.S. dairy’s taking with robust outreach and appeals to consumers worldwide.  “My message to you today is very simple,” he said. “Let’s go. Let’s get it in gear.” 

Dairy producers in the past year have faced operating margins at their lowest since the federal dairy safety net was adopted in its current structure in 2014 as prices plummeted from record highs. In a panel of NMPF economists following Doud’s remarks, forecasts showed an improving price outlook next year, even as inflation continues to pose challenges for consumers.  

“We see a road to recovery in 2024,” said Will Loux, head of the joint economics unit serving NMPF and the U.S. Dairy Export Council. “Things aren’t all roses, we still have really significant headwinds on the demand side both here at home and abroad, but we look at the world with a lot of optimism still, especially in the long run.”  

Here's our Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Crew in Kansas City for the 80th Annual NAFB Convention

Reagan, Ron, KC and Maci will be talking to dozens of newsmakers today at the 2023 National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention- you'll be hearing the fruits of our labors in the days to come on our airwaves- on our website and in this daily email.