From: Ron Hays [ron@oklahomafarmreport.ccsend.com] on behalf of Ron Hays [ron@oklahomafarmreport.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 7:05 AM
To: ron@oklahomafarmreport.com
Subject: Oklahoma's Farm News Update
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Oklahoma's latest farm and ranch news
Your Update from Ron Hays of RON for Wednesday March 10, 2010
A service of Johnston Enterprises, P & K Equipment/ P & K Wind Energy and American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company!
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-- The Battle Over Biotech Alfalfa Hits SCOTUS
-- VIlsack's Animal ID Solution- Let the States Do It
-- FAPRI Report On Profitability Issued
-- Oklahoma Dairy Farmers Offer Start Up Grants for Grab N Go Breakfast in Schools
-- Seaboard's Pork Segment Loses Less Money in 2009 Versus 2008.
-- Wanted- Problem Horses for Next Month at Southern Plains Farm Show
-- Power Plus Bull Sale is Set for This Friday, March 12 in Hobart
-- Let's Check the Markets!

Howdy Neighbors!

Here's your morning farm news headlines from the Director of Farm Programming for the Radio Oklahoma Network, Ron Hays. We are pleased to have American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company as a regular sponsor of our daily update- click here to go to their AFR web site to learn more about their efforts to serve rural America!

It is also great to have as an annual sponsor on our daily email Johnston Enterprises- proud to be serving agriculture across Oklahoma and around the world since 1893. For more on Johnston Enterprises- click here for their website!

And we are proud to have P & K Equipment/ P & K Wind Energy as one of our regular sponsors of our daily email update. P & K is the premiere John Deere dealer in Oklahoma, with nine locations to serve you, and the P & K team are excited about their new Wind Power program, as they offer Endurance Wind Power wind turbines. Click here for more from the P&K website.

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The Battle Over Biotech Alfalfa Hits SCOTUS
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That stands for the Supreme Court of the United States- and the highest court in the land will be looking at genetically modified crops for the first time in this case this spring. A coalition of agricultural organizations filed on March 8 a joint friend-of-the-court brief to the Supreme Court in support of the petitioners in “Monsanto Co. v. Geertson Seed Farms.” The brief was submitted by the American Farm Bureau Federation, Biotechnology Industry Organization, American Seed Trade Association, American Soybean Association, National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Cotton Council and National Potato Council. The groups urge that the lower courts' decision to approve an injunction without adequately hearing the key evidence must be reversed “to protect the farmers who choose to grow genetically-engineered crops, as well as the public benefits that agricultural biotechnology brings to producers and consumers around the world.”

In the lower court case, environmental groups and individual organic alfalfa farmers sued the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), claiming that USDA's decision to grant deregulated status to glyphosate-tolerant (or “Roundup Ready”) alfalfa violated the National Environmental Policy Act. The courts in the Ninth Circuit determined that USDA should have done an environmental impact statement (EIS) before it decided to deregulate, and the court ultimately enjoined almost all planting and sale of Roundup Ready alfalfa pending the issuance of the EIS.

In 2005, USDA'S Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) concluded that there is no significant impact on the human environment due to granting non-regulated status to Roundup Ready® alfalfa. Following the lower court's ruling, APHIS completed a 1,400-page document as its draft EIS, and again has recommended that Roundup Ready® alfalfa be deregulated and that farmers be allowed to grow it.
This is an important case because it will be the first time the high court has weighed in on the risks of genetically engineered crops. Of the more than 10,000 cases appealed to the Supreme Court each year, only about 1 percent is accepted for review on the merits and oral arguments. This matter is scheduled for oral argument on April 27. A decision is expected from the Court by June.

Click on the link below for more on this story- including links that will offer viewpoints from both the Monsanto perspective as well as the Gertson Seed anti biotech position.

Click here for more on RR Alfalfa Paying a Visit to the US Supreme Court.


VIlsack's Animal ID Solution- Let the States Do It
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US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was asked in a News Conference this past week about the future of animal disease traceback now that the NAIS- the National Animal ID System- has been shelved by the Department of Agriculture. Vilsack told reporters at the Commodity Classic that meetings were starting with state officials about developing details of a state based traceback system, working on how to retrieve information about an animal that has moved through several states if the need for disease traceback demands it.

US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was asked in a News Conference this past week about the future of animal disease traceback now that the NAIS- the National Animal ID System- has been shelved by the Department of Agriculture. Vilsack told reporters at the Commodity Classic that meetings were starting with state officials about developing details of a state based traceback system, working on how to retrieve information about an animal that has moved through several states if the need for disease traceback demands it.

Click on the link below to hear Tom Vilsack's comments on the Beef Buzz about where we are in the process of getting animal disease traceback fully operational.

Click here for the Beef Buzz with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.


FAPRI Report On Profitability Issued
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The livestock sector can lead the agricultural economy to higher net farm income, assuming the farm economy benefits from a recovering general U.S. economy. That analysis tops a 2010 baseline report prepared by the University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute and delivered to the U.S. Congress. The 10-year baseline shows economic possibilities for livestock, crops and biofuels under certain assumptions.

The report projects net farm income increases for the next two years largely because of stronger livestock prices. However, the program's co-director Pat Westhoff says 2010 farm income will recover only a third of the ground lost in 2009. Net farm income fell by more than 30-billion dollars in 2009, as sharp declines in cash receipts were not offset by modest drops in production costs.

The FAPRI baseline shows crop prices remain near the 2009 level in 2010 and 2011. Corn producers can see strong returns per acre until the end of the 10-year baseline. Soybean returns must remain well above pre-2007 levels for soybeans to stay competitive with corn.
On the livestock side, the all-milk price is expected to increase by more than 4-dollars per hundredweight in 2010. Pork producers are expected to approach breakeven profits. And beef demand should strengthen market possibilities.

Click here for the full report as prepared by the think tank folks in Missouri


Oklahoma Dairy Farmers Offer Start Up Grants for Grab N Go Breakfast in Schools
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USDA announced National School Breakfast Week as March 8-12. In their news release, Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services stated “research shows that a nutritious breakfast at home or at school boosts children's ability to learn, fosters better classroom behavior, and reduces visits to the school nurse.”

Oklahoma's dairy farmers, through Dairy MAX, regularly step up to the breakfast plate to help local schools encourage breakfast participation. Through an Expanding Breakfast Grant program, start up funds are available for schools to offer an alternative, or more convenient breakfast solution. “Breakfast is served in most Oklahoma schools,” said Susan Allen, program coordinator for Dairy MAX, “but when breakfast is only served in the cafeteria a limited number of children participate, maybe 30 percent. Children have to arrive at school before school starts to participate. When breakfast is taken out of the cafeteria and served in the classroom, or as a grab ‘n go option after first period, participation can really jump. In the case of breakfast in the classroom, sometimes participation jumps to 80 or 90 percent.”

Susan Allen adds that “within the last year, expanded breakfast programs were implemented with Dairy MAX grant funds in three Oklahoma City Public Schools elementary sites, two Dale Public School sites, Putnam City North High School, and in Frederick Middle School."

Click here for more on these grants that are offered by the Dairy industry.


Seaboard's Pork Segment Loses Less Money in 2009 Versus 2008.
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Seaboard Corporation said it narrowed losses in the company's pork segment to $15 million in 2009 from a loss of $46 million in 2008 primarily on lower feed costs. The Shawnee Mission, Kansas based firm also attributed the cost reductions to the use of the last in, first out method of determining inventory costs and lower costs of third-party hogs. LIFO upped operating results by nearly $18 million in 2009 versus a decrease of $17.2 million in 2008, the company said in its annual report.

Net sales declined $60.7 for the year ended Dec. 31, 2009, compared with 2008, primarily resulting from a decrease in overall sales prices for pork products. Seaboard surmised the decrease in prices stemmed from excess supplies that resulted from the H1N1 outbreak and related bans last spring. The decrease in sales prices was partially offset by higher volumes of pork exports made possible by expansion in daily capacity at Seaboard's Guymon, Oklahoma, processing plant in the first quarter of 2008.

Seaboard said cost decreases more than offset sales price declines, allowing the company to decrease its operating loss by nearly $31 million. And Seaboard sees a return to profitability in 2010. "Management anticipates this segment's results to improve to profitable levels in 2010 as sales prices for pork products begin to increase as long as costs, such as the price of corn used for feed, do not increase significantly."

Click here for more on Seaboard Foods as found on their website.


Wanted- Problem Horses for Next Month at Southern Plains Farm Show
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It's hard to believe- but we are only a few weeks away from the start of the 2010 Southern Plains Farm Show at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. And, once again in 2010, we are working with the show management to help locate folks who want to nominate a horse to be worked with by horse trainer Scott Daily in Oklahoma City April 15 through the 17th.

This year, we are looking for horses that perhaps you have had some trouble in getting to the point you wanted them in terms of handling and riding. You will be asked to get them to Oklahoma City- the show provides pen and the expertise of Scott Daily as he works with your horse during his two seminars planned daily.

Give me a call at 405-841-3675 and leave me a voicemail with your name, phone number, location and a brief description of your horse- and we will get back to you. Or, use the email link at the bottom of today's email and give me the same information. We would love to hear from you- and we look forward to seeing you and your horse at this year's Southern Plains Farm Show.


Power Plus Bull Sale is Set for This Friday, March 12 in Hobart
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The Power Plus Bull Sale is set for next friday, March 12, 2010 in Hobart, Oklahoma. The Duff Cattle Company will be offering 100 Angus and A+Plus Herdsire Prospects. Click on the link below to get to the complete catalog of the bulls that will be sold this Friday.

Progeny by Power+Plus bulls are eligible for the P+ Incentive Program, the best bonus in the business! All calves are marketed through our new venture, Premium Natural Beef, our all natural beef line in restaurants and grocery stores now!

Kirk and Todd Duff write in their catalog "Just like most of you, we have faced many challenges this winter. This has consistently reminded us on a daily basis that as cattle producers, we need to maximize profits by minimizing inputs, yet offer a product that excels in the marketplace. And that is exactly what we are striving to do for our customers by producing beefy, efficient, practical bulls that improve profitability in all sectors. This has been the primary focus of our program since its inception."

Click here for more on the PowerPlus Bull Sale this Friday in Hobart.


Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, PCOM, P & K Equipment/ P & K Wind Energy, Johnston Enterprises, AFR 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!

We also invite you to check out our website at the link below to check out an archive of these daily emails, audio reports and top farm news story links from around the globe.

Click here to check out WWW.OklahomaFarmReport.Com


Let's Check the Markets!
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We've had requests to include Canola prices for your convenience here- and we will be doing so on a regular basis. Current cash price for Canola is $7.55 per bushel, while the 2010 New Crop contracts for Canola are now available are $7.70 per bushel- delivered to local participating elevators that are working with PCOM.

Here are some links we will leave in place on an ongoing basis- Click on the name of the report to go to that link:
Our Daily Market Wrapup from the Radio Oklahoma Network with Ed Richards and Tom Leffler- analyzing the Futures Markets from the previous Day-
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.
Previous Day's Wheat Market Recap- Two Pager From The Kansas City Board of Trade looks at all three US Wheat Futures Exchanges with extra info on Hard Red Winter Wheat and the why of that day's market.
Daily Oklahoma Cash Grain Prices- As Reported by the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture. <
The National Daily Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary- as prepared by USDA.
The National Daily Slaughter Cattle Summary- as prepared by USDA.
Finally, Here is the Daily Volume and Price Summary from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.



God Bless! You can reach us at the following:
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phone: 405-473-6144
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