SHARE:  

Oklahoma's Latest Farm

And Ranch News

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Howdy Neighbors!

Here is Your Daily Oklahoma Farm and Ranch News Update: 

 

  • Rylee Smith of Oologah National Star in Agriscience Finalist in Indy


  • Erin Karney Spaur Discusses Pro Animal Future’s Threat to Animal Agriculture


  • Brian Whitacre Sheds Light on Rural Broadband Expansion


  • Jech’s Interim Study Evaluates Invasion of Woody Species on State-Owned Properties


  • Gage Slagell of Hydro-Eakly FFA National Star Finalist in Ag Placement in Indy


  • Cull Cows – Should They Stay or Should They Go? And When Should They Go?


  • USDA to Begin Issuing $2.14 Billion to Ag Producers through Key Conservation and Safety-Net Programs


  • Cierra Simpson of Frederick Reaches Final Four in Creed Speaking on Wednesday

Rylee Smith of Oologah is One of Four Star Finalists in Agriscience in Indy

While attending the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays caught up with one of the four Oklahoma Star finalists, Rylee Smith, from the Oologah FFA Chapter. She specializes in Agriscience.


The American Star in Agribusiness will be awarded to the FFA member with the top nonproduction agribusiness supervised agricultural experience in the nation. The member must demonstrate outstanding achievement, active FFA participation, and an exemplary scholastic record.


Smith began her projects in eighth grade when she still hadn’t found her place in the school. Her dad served in the military, so her family moved a lot, but she knew she would be in the Oologah school district for longer than usual. At the time, though, she wasn’t sure what that would mean for her. Her ag teacher saw her passion for science and agriculture and led her to agriscience competitions.


She competed at various capacities in various competitions for the next five years of school, then in college at Oklahoma State University, she presented projects at two symposiums and took her research from the university student farm to the American Society of Horticulture Science (ASHS) Conference during the summer after her Freshman year.


Our coverage of Oklahoma FFA engaged at the National FFA Convention is being powered again in 2024 by Oklahoma Farm Bureau. Watch for our stories and interviews from Indianapolis on our Website, Daily Email, our statewide Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and our Social Media Channels. Click here for the OKFB website to learn about how they are making a difference in the lives of Oklahomans. 

Listen to Ron's Interview with Rylee Smith & Read More About It Here

Sponsor Spotlight

Dating back to 1891, Stillwater Milling Company has been supplying ranchers with the highest quality feeds made from the highest quality ingredients. Their full line of A & M Feeds can be delivered direct to your farm, found at their Agri-Center stores in Stillwater, Davis, Claremore and Perry or at more than 125 dealers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Texas. We appreciate Stillwater Milling Company’s long time support of the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and we encourage you to click here to learn more about their products and services.

 

Erin Karney Spaur Discusses Pro Animal Future’s Threat to Animal Agriculture

Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays features comments from Colorado Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President Erin Karney Spaur as she goes in-depth about Pro Animal Future, a group trying to end animal agriculture beginning with banning fur sales and slaughterhouses in the city and county of Denver, Colorado.


Yesterday, her featured comments covered the group’s ballot initiatives that agricultural groups are trying to garner opposition to: Initiated Ordinance 309 to ban slaughterhouses and Initiated Ordinance 308 to ban fur sales. Initiated Ordinance 309 would shut down the only remaining slaughterhouse in Denver which happens to be one of the largest lamb processing plants in the country. Listen to those comments here.


Pro Animal Future is an animal extremist organization that is exceptionally dangerous to animal agricultural producers. “The leaders of Pro Animal Future are radical animal activists,” Karney said. “While on the surface, it looks like they are only trying to ban one slaughterhouse in the city of Denver, when we dug deeper and listened to interviews and podcasts that they have recently been featured in, they make it very clear that it is not just about one slaughterhouse in Denver. They are ultimately trying to test their message to build intelligence on us as an industry, our message, and how the slaughterhouse employees will respond. More importantly, they are learning how to build and refine a campaign to replicate in other cities.”

Listen to Ron's BeefBuzz with Erin Karney Spaur and Read More About It Here

Brian Whitacre Sheds Light on Rural Broadband Expansion

The Oklahoma State University Agricultural Economics Department hosted the Rural Economic Outlook Conference at the ConocoPhillips Alumni Center on the OSU campus last week, and Farm Director KC Sheperd had the opportunity to talk with OSU Extension Specialist for Rural Economic Development Brian Whitacre to get the latest update on broadband development in rural areas.


Whitacre said that there are three main broadband funding efforts in Oklahoma: the Capital Project Fund with more than $380 million, and the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund with $374 million, and Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) with nearly $800 million.


“We estimate that there are around eighty thousand households without broadband service,” Whitacre said. “We are hopeful that last bucket of $800 million from BEAD will get all of those households connected.”


The Oklahoma Broadband Office has a map on its website for people to check if they are in a zone without broadband access. If a person finds that they don’t have broadband options, they can reach out to providers in their area and let them know that these grant dollars are available to help them extend their service.

Listen to KC's Interview with Brian Whitacre and Read More About It Here
Sign Up for Our Daily Email- Free Because of Our Sponsors!

Support Our Sponsors!

KIS logo
Advertise With Us!

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



Jech’s Interim Study Evaluates Invasion of Woody Species on State-Owned Properties

Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, held an interim study in the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee on Monday to evaluate the management of invasive woody species on state-owned properties. The study also explored opportunities for collaboration among state agencies, private landowners, fire departments, municipalities, and other stakeholders to further management and eradication efforts.


“As the largest property owner in Oklahoma, the state must be responsible stewards of our lands, which includes assisting with the management and removal of invasive woody species,” Jech said. “Eastern red cedars and other woody species exacerbate the spread of wildfires, deplete water resources, worsen drought conditions, and damage wildlife habitats and grazing lands. Furthermore, these species affect the state’s economy by lowering property values and contributing to increased costs associated with fighting and recovering from wildfires.”


Jech added that the study follows the implementation of the Terry Peach North Canadian Watershed Restoration Act, a pilot program to manage and eradicate woody species in the North Canadian Watershed. The act, approved by the Legislature in 2023, included a $3.3 million investment to initiate the cost-share program. Jech said that while data is not yet available from the program, the efforts thus far have been successful, and areas around the North Canadian Watershed have seen their water sources replenished.

Read More About Senatator Darcy Jech's Interim Study Here

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 Farm and Ranch News with KC Sheperd
Subscribe To the Daily Email

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.


The Tulsa Farm Show is Oklahoma’s premier agricultural and ranching event- and returns to the SageNet Center (Expo Square) December, 12-13-14, 2024. 


Now is the ideal time to contact the Midwest Farm Show Office at 507-437-7969 and book space at the 2024 Tulsa Farm Show.  To learn more about the Tulsa Farm Show, click here

Gage Slagell of Hydro-Eakly FFA National Star Finalist in Ag Placement

The state of Oklahoma is blessed to have four Star Finalists at the national level being recognized at the 2024 9th National FFA Convention this week. One of the four is Gage Slagell of Hydro- Eakly, Star Finalist in Ag Placement. You can listen to Gage and Ron Hays talk about his career on his grandfather’s farm that has already brought him success at the state and national level- including being named as the 2023 Oklahoma State Star in Ag Placement.


Slagell’s supervised agricultural experience has beenworking for Triple S Farms in Hydro, Oklahoma. Triple S Farms focuses on producing watermelons, sweet potatoes, potatoes, cantaloupe, wheat, soybeans and peanuts. They produce roughly 360 acres of watermelons and 40 acres of cantaloupe. 


Triple S Farms is owned by Slagell’s grandfather and his great-uncle. Slagell said he is grateful for the help he has received with his project, especially from his dad and grandpa.


“They are constantly pushing me to do better,” Slagell said.  


Oklahoma will be very much in the spotlight Friday night on the convention stage in Lucas Oil Stadium- Slagell, Rylee Smith(profiled above), Allyson Arthur of Chickasha and Larahmy Blakley of Oologah all will be honored as Final Four champions in their respective categories- we are rooting that Oklahoma will bring home multiple American Star honors before Friday night is done.

Click Here To Listen to Gage Slagell - and read more about his FFA Career

Cull Cows – Should They Stay or Should They Go? And When Should They Go?

On today’s Cow-Calf Corner, Kellie Curry Raper, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economics writes about making decisions concerning cull cows.


In Financial Opportunities of Cull Cow Marketing (Cow-Calf Corner – 9/23/24), Mark Johnson discussed the cull cow market, the importance of cull cow revenue to cow-calf operations, and the potential of adding value based on seasonal patterns in cull cow prices. As Dr. Johnson discussed, cull cow prices tend to bottom in the fall and peak in the spring, presenting a range of opportunities. Let’s take a deeper dive into the culling decision along with post-culling management and marketing with a focus on spring-calving herds.


Cow-calf producers with spring calving herds typically wean calves in late summer or early fall and subsequently make decisions about culling cows from the herd. The culling decision is based on many factors related to fertility, productivity, management ease, and health.

Read More from Kellie Curry Raper Here

USDA to Begin Issuing $2.14 Billion to Ag Producers through Key Conservation & Safety-Net Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that it will begin issuing more than $2.14 billion in payments to eligible agricultural producers, and landowners—providing much needed support through key conservation and safety-net programs. Producers should soon receive payments from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) for their participation in these programs aimed to conserve natural resources and keep family farms economically viable. 


Specifically, program participants are expected to receive more than $1.7 billion through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and CRP Transition Incentive Program (CRP TIP) and more than $447 million through the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Prices Loss Coverage (ARC/PLC) programs. Additionally, FSA is announcing an investment of $21 million for projects to better measure the effectiveness of CRP.


“Conservation and safety net program payments are significant investments in preserving and protecting our valuable and vulnerable natural resources and they provide protection for producers impacted by market volatilities,” said Steve Kouplen, FSA State Executive Director in Oklahoma. “These programs support voluntary land stewardship and provide agricultural producers with risk protection and production stability, keeping them in business and feeding the world.”  

Read More About USDA's New Programs Here

Oklahoma Speakers Advancing in National Contests at 97th Convention of the FFA

We have had one Final Four performer from Wednesday- and two more of our speakers representing Oklahoma in the semis waiting to see if they will be in the Final Four of their respective contests today.


Cierra Simpson of Frederick FFA advanced to the Final Four in the National Creed Contest Wednesday night- and that Championship Round was immediately held last night. We will learn who won in Creed this evening at the General Session at Lucas Oil Stadium.


Both Coy Davidson of Elgin and Cooper Kline of North Rock Creek spoke in their semi finals on Wednesday afternoon- and we will learn this morning if they have advanced to the national Final Four or not- Coy in Prepared Public Speaking and Cooper in Extemporaneous Public Speaking.

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 down $2.55 and Select Beef was up $0.97 on 10/23/2024.


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

Boxed Beef Report

OKC West in El Reno had 8,606 head on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.


According to USDA Market News- Compared to last week: Feeder steers steady to 4.00 higher. Feeder heifers mostly steady. Demand very good for feeder cattle despite cattle futures trading in the red today. Several nice loads of feeder cattle available. Steer and heifer calves were unevenly steady. Wide price spreads noted between weaned and unweaned calves. Demand was moderate to good.


Meanwhile- OKC West Manager Bill Barnhart offers these comments on the market's Facebook page Wednesday evening- "Calves are coming to town, 4500 sold Tuesday, and the market has held up very well considering the on going drought and bleak pasture prospects. Big spreads in prices have developed among weaned vs unweaned as producers are fighting the health on newly purchased calves. Hot days, cool nights and dusty lots are a recipe for disaster with new calves. Some of those spreads can be as much as 30.00/cwt. Feeders traded steady to stronger Wednesday despite a sharply lower feeder board. Fats traded higher again last week at 188 as choice boxes have continued to rally ( quoted at 324 this morning), over the last couple weeks. Cattle feeders will price cattle higher this week."


Click below for the complete closing report.

OKC West in El Reno Market Report from 10/22 and 10/23/2024
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 10/23/2024
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 10/23/2024
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


Stevie White, Farm News and Email Editor


Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager

Podcasts From Oklahoma Farm Report and More

Two of our regular reports are also podcasts that you can subscribe to- Our daily Farm and Ranch News with KC Sheperdavailable here on the Apple Podcast Platform


The second is our daily Beef Buzz with Ron Haysavailable here on the Apple Podcast Platform


Periodically- we offer interviews on our Ag Perspectives Podcast series- this podcast is available here.


Ron has also has a series of podcasts from interviews with newsmakers at the Cattlemen's Congress- Click here or you can find them on your favorite Podcast platform- look for them by searching for Cattlemen's Congress Conversations.


We are making plans to jump back into regular installments of what has been called the Road to Rural Prosperity- a new name and fresh content is in the works- for now- click on the blue button below for one of our favorites that is a timeless classic.


The link below is one of our most recent podcasts- Ron spotlighting the Life and Times of Dr. Kim Anderson, who has just retired from OSU.

Listen to Ron Hays talking with Kim Anderson about his 42 years in OSU Extension and the Famous "A Third A Third A Third" Advice he has given.
Listen to Ron
Beef Buzz
Blue Green Gazette
Calendar
Auctions
Market Links
Facebook  Twitter  Youtube  

Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, Oklahoma Farm BureauOklahoma Ag Mediation ProgramGreat Plains KubotaStillwater Milling CompanyNational Livestock Credit CorporationOklahoma Beef CouncilOklahoma Wheat Commission, Oklahoma AgCredit, the Oklahoma Cattlemens Association, Invenergy Oklahoma 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 also appreciate our Market Links Sponsor - OKC West Livestock! 




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.

Head to Our Website OklahomaFarmReport.Com
God Bless!
Reach Out To Us:
Tim West
President/General Manager
Rural Oklahoma Networks

405-317-6361

***************

Mike Henderson
Director of Sales

405-615-4922

KC Sheperd
Farm Director
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network

405-443-5717

Email KC
Ron Hays
Senior Farm/Ranch Broadcaster
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network

405.473.6144
Email Ron