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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.
FedCattleExchange.com offered 785 head Wednesday with 0 cattle actually selling. Click here to see their complete market results.
Feeder steers traded steady to 2.00 higher and feeder heifers sold fully steady on Wednesday at OKC West Livestock in El Reno, compared to last week's sale. Click here to jump to yesterday's complete sale report.
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
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Be Nice to Your Sweetie on this Valentine's Day!
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Howdy Neighbors!
Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
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Featured Story: Oklahoma State DASNR Dean Casts Vision for New Ag Hall And Agronomy Farm
Agricultural programs at universities across the nation are operating with under quality research space. Especially so at Oklahoma State University where their national championship caliber Wheat Improvement Team is forced to work out of buildings built more than 50 years ago.
Dr. Tom Coon, vice president, dean and director of OSU's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is calling for change. Specifically, he wants to update the Ag Hall on campus as well as the greenhouses and other facilities found on the Agronomy Farm along Hwy 51. Providing new facilities for the wheat improvement team (and others in the Plant and Soil Science Department) will lead to new areas of excellence for the school and ultimately the whole state.
New Frontier is what Dr. Coon calls these plans. Determined to bring the necessary resources to the table, Dr. Coon wants to build a 21st Century operation on campus and a complete makeover for the Agronomy Farm found on the west side of Stillwater. Estimates for the Agronomy Farm are $28 million, another $126 million to build a new Ag Hall.
There is an opportunity to invest in the New Frontier for anyone who has the means and is passionate about the vision of excellence. Tom is looking to raise $30M in the private sector for laboratory building - which is just phase one. University funds are lined up to match what is raised in this effort. Click or tap here to hear more information on the vision for a new physical plant at OSU by listening to my interview with Dr. Coon.
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Sponsor Spotlight
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.
They would like to thank all of you who participated in their 2018 Tulsa City Farm Show.
Up next will be the Oklahoma City's premier spring agricultural and ranching event with returns to the State Fair Park April 4-5-6, 2019.
Now is the ideal time to contact the Midwest Farm Show Office at 507-437-7969 and book space at the 2019 Oklahoma City Farm Show. To learn more about the Oklahoma City Farm Show, click here.
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Dr. Jessica Watson is the Associate Director for Animal Health Policy for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. She's been tracking the ebb and flow of the industry's discussion on traceability for the last several years. She sat down with us recently to discuss the status of this issue and where the industry stands on it. According to her, now more than ever, it seems the industry is finally willing to address the possibility of implementing a traceability system head on.
In discussions with USDA Undersecretary Ibach, Watson says USDA is actively working toward its goal of equipping the beef industry with a system supportive of electronic identification and sharing of data between federal and state animal health officials, veterinarians and industry.
While there is a lot of excitement circulating, this topic brings up with it some residual angst among producers across cattle country - with legitimate concerns regarding the details of how secure and private the information collected is, how exactly the data is collected, what technologies the industry will conform to, etc. - not to mention the cost of implementing such a system. Watson agrees the details need to be worked out but assures the benefits will become clear once those have been addressed. Especially when the industry begins to realize the marketing potential that having a traceback system in place can facilitate.
"I think having that technology would open a lot of markets," she said, "and allow producers to take advantage of those market value programs."
Listen to our full discussion to learn more about the industry's evolving consensus on animal ID and disease traceability, on yesterday's Beef Buzz - click here.
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Mark Hodges with Oklahoma Genetics asked me recently to take part in an all day conference that was going to focus on growing a high quality wheat crop and then figuring out ways to sell that crop for a premium down the wheat- flour pipeline to consumers who are willing to pay more than a dollar for a loaf of white bread.
The program I moderated was more like a journey as the day unwound- we started with Dr. Brett Carver, the lead for the OSU Wheat Improvement Team and one of the best wheat breeders anywhere. We'll feature a conversation with Dr. Carver tomorrow morning talking about his desire to raise the bar with any variety released by his breeding program- wanting those varieties to have the right agronomics to help the wheat producer grow a high yielding crop- but also make sure the quality traits in those bushels produced are everything an end user desires.
We also made a stop in the Plant and Soil Science Department as we looked at new technologies coming or already in place to help wheat farmers be successful.
From there we jumped forward to consider who is gonna buy that wheat- once it is produced. An overview of how the changing of the guard from Baby Boomers to Millennials has been and will impact consumption of wheat products.
There was a panel of industry marketers of wheat products- Joe Ford of Shawnee Milling said it well when he stated "we must realize we are no longer growing grain- we are growing food." Ford emphasized food safety considerations in our production of wheat and then how it is handled as really important.
As we got to our final speaker Len Heflitch- who talked about the need to transition from the reality of today- wheat is often a losing crop (losing money and acres in the crop mix) to a vision of "making wheat a crop that farmers want to grow."
Heflitch contends that the future may see farmers contracting wheat acres with millers and of bakers who want a specific set of characteristics that will help them produce a wheat based product that consumers will buy.
OGI is betting that the traits that Brett Carver and his team have been developing in their varieties will work in this type of system- and to that end- Dr. Carver has trademarked the term "GoldnGrain" to describe some of the latest OSU varieties that are high yielders but also high in several measurable quality traits. AND that will get us to the idea of a CONVOY.
CONVOY stands for CONtracting of Varieties for Other than just Yield. Dr. Carver offered a list of varieties (OSU and otherwise) that could fit the bill:
Mark Hodges told the wheat producers and others in the wheat business present that now is the time to start working on these types of partnerships with wheat producers and those who are using the wheat they produce to increase the value of the wheat grown- and make wheat a crop that can handle the ROI comparisions with other crops that farmers consider for their farm in the journey to stay profitable DOWN on the FARM.
Hodges says the industry is working on this concept- stay tuned for where this may head.
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Chuck Coffey, a fifth-generation rancher from Springer, Okla. was recently elected to serve as Chairman of the new slate of officers chosen by industry leaders to lead the Cattlemen's Beef Board's efforts in guiding the national Beef Checkoff Program throughout 2019.
Originally from Harper, Texas, Coffey earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in range science from Texas A & M after which he taught agriculture at Murray State College in Tishomingo, Okla. eventually chairing the department. In 1993, he joined the Noble Foundation as a pasture and range consultant and today, operates a 1,000 head cow/calf operation near Springer, Okla.
"I've been active in the cattle business most of my life," Coffey said. "As I look forward to the year ahead, I truly believe that cattle producers have numerous reasons to be optimistic. As the CBB's new chair, I plan to work closely with our officer team and do everything I can to successfully guide the checkoff as it continues to pursue its primary mission: increasing beef demand worldwide."
Elected to serve alongside Coffey as the CBB's vice chair, is Jared Brackett is a fifth-generation cow/calf producer from Filer, Idaho. The CBB's new secretary/treasurer, Hugh Sanburg, hails from Eckert, Colo., where he is a managing partner, with his brother, of their primarily Horned Hereford cow-calf operation.
For more information about the beef checkoff and its programs or to listen to my complete interview with Coffey recorded just prior to his election at the convention there in New Orleans, click or tap here.
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Sponsor Spotlight
The Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association is the trusted voice of the Oklahoma Cattle Industry. With headquarters in Oklahoma City, the OCA has a regular presence at the State Capitol to protect and defend the interests of cattlemen and cattlewomen.
Their Vision Statement explains the highest priority of the organization- "Leadership that serves, strengthens and advocates for the Oklahoma cattle industry."
To learn more about the OCA and how you can be a part of this forward-looking group of cattle producers, click here for their website. For more information- call 405-235-4391.
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AEM Reports Sharp Climb in US Tractor Sales During January Despite Weak Overall Farm Economy
January 2019 saw increases in U.S. sales of combines and four-wheel-drive tractors as well as total U.S. two-wheel-drive tractor sales compared to January last year, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
The monthly sales report from AEM shows U.S. four-wheel-drive tractor sales gained 38.2 percent in January compared to last year and U.S. January combine sales grew 14.5 percent. Total U.S. sales of two-wheel drive tractors in January gained 4.9 percent compared to January last year.
Curt Blades of AEM says the U.S. sales appear to be following a similar pattern as year-end sales did, with continued overall positive data despite a weak overall farm economy. For Canada, January four-wheel drive tractor sales were up 7.8 percent, and combine sales increased 31.1 percent. However, January two-wheel-drive tractor Canadian sales were down in all size categories.
Blades cautioned, the association is "still concerned about continued market uncertainty and its effect on farmers' business planning," noting the current trade climate and farm income.
Click here to read more about the latest numbers out from AEM.
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Introducing the M7 Generation 2 - Kubota's Second Generation of Its Highest Horsepower Ag Tractor
Kubota's biggest tractor just got better. This week, the Kubota Tractor Corporation unveiled its new M7 Gen 2 tractor, which the company says further defines its position in the livestock equipment market. The new Kubota M7 Gen 2 is built on the successes of Kubota's first-generation M7 ag tractors, introduced in 2014, with added refinements and enhancements designed to meet the specific needs of today's customers. This announcement includes the introduction of three new models: the M7-132, M7-152 and the M7-172, ranging from 100 to 140 in PTO horsepower complete with available standard, deluxe and premium grade options for personal customization.
According to Martin Carrier, Kubota ag equipment product marketing director, the M7 series was designed based directly on customer feedback. Featured upgrades in this product line include a new semi-powershift transmission; an exceptionally clean V6108 Kubota turbocharged diesel engine; and industry leading front loader capabilities.
Carrier promises producers will enjoy this line's improved performance and job function. The new M7 Gen 2 tractor line will become available for purchase and demo through authorized Kubota dealers beginning in April 2019.
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CoBank Report Suggests the Opportunities of Gene Editing Crops will Far Outweigh Its Challenges
Investment in gene-editing tools for agricultural crops is growing due to a faster development timeframe, low cost, and offering more precision compared to GMO technologies. According to a new report from CoBank's Knowledge Exchange Division, they have the potential to live up to the hype.
"Gene editing has the potential to be a game changer for the food system by making notable improvements in nutrition, food safety and security, the environment, and farm profitability," said Crystal Carpenter, senior economist, specialty crops, CoBank.
Commercialization of gene-edited crops is intensifying. Barring widespread consumer rejection, this technology could be a beneficial ally for producers, agriculture supply chains, and related food industries in the years to come.
An estimate from the Genetic Engineering and Society Center at North Carolina State University suggests that 20 new gene-edited crops will become available in the U.S. in the next five years.
Click or tap here to get the full report, plus read more on the benefits of gene editing and how it differs from genetically modified organisms.
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Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Stillwater Milling Company, National Livestock Credit Corporation, Oklahoma Beef Council, Oklahoma AgCredit, Herb's Herb Hemp Farm, 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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