Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Synthetic Beef? Colin Woodall To Consumers-Don't Fall for It!
- Ag Groups Welcome EPA Decision on Enlist- Pleased Sound Science Prevailed
- 18th Annual Oklahoma City Farm Show Set to Open April 7th at the OKC Fairgrounds
- OSU Animal Science Alumni Association Hosts Gala Reunion and Online Scholarship Auction April 2
- Oklahoma Wheat Commission welcomes Dr. Meriem Aoun, OK State's new Small Grains Pathologist
- EQIP WaterSMART Initiative Deadline in Five Southern Okla Counties is End of April
- NCBA's Ethan Lane Talks DOJ Investigation & Latest Version of Grassley Fischer Bill
- Horse owners: Mind the Mud and Rich Pastures of Spring
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Synthetic Beef? Colin Woodall To Consumers-Don't Fall for It! |
NCBA CEO Colin Woodall has offered an Op-Ed as a response to recent comments by tech mogul Bill Gates, suggesting that consumers in wealthy nations should switch to “synthetic beef” as an alternative to real beef products. Here's a portion of his comments:
"Tech billionaire Bill Gates continues to tout the consumption of “synthetic beef” in “rich countries” as a solution to climate change. That’s nice for the billionaires of the world, but his recommendation ignores reality. Beef production in the United States is sustainable and becoming increasingly so over time. Today, just 2 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come from beef cattle production. That’s far less than sectors such as energy production or transportation, which produce a combined 54 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
"If Gates were truly interested in altering the path of climate change, one might think he would focus his time and limitless wealth on reducing emissions from the energy or transport sectors, but he is not. Instead, Gates chooses to focus on beef production because, in truth, he is heavily invested in the same fake meat companies he’s promoting. So, it’s not surprising he continues to push an agenda that would replace real beef with protein alternatives in “rich countries.” He has even gone so far as to claim that perhaps a government mandate is the best way to get consumers to eat their dose of fake meat.
"What Gates fails to disclose is that the reality of fake meat is far different from the utopian fantasy he is selling. Even in “rich countries” like the United States, there is a vast disparity between people like Gates, and everyone else. In every community across the nation, there are people facing economic hardship, many of whom don’t get enough to eat and often lack access to affordable sources of protein. Limiting their options or mandating expensive fake meat, as Gates suggests, is typical of his elitist thinking."
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National Livestock was founded in 1932 in Oklahoma City. National’s Marketing Division offers cattle for sale weekly at the Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City. The Finance Division lends money to ranchers across several states for cattle production. The Grazing Division works with producers to place cattle for grazing on wheat or grass pastures.
National also owns and operates other livestock marketing subsidiaries including Southern Oklahoma Livestock Auction in Ada, Oklahoma, OKC West Livestock Market in El Reno, Oklahoma, and the nation’s premier livestock video sale, Superior Livestock Auction. National offers customers many services custom made for today’s producer. To learn more, click here for the website or call the Oklahoma City office at 1-800-310-0220.
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Ag Groups Welcome EPA Decision on Enlist- Pleased Sound Science Prevailed |
Grower groups including the American Soybean Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, and National Cotton Council welcomed and expressed appreciation for an announcement from EPA that will restore use of Enlist herbicides to many U.S. counties. This label amendment, prompted by new data submitted to EPA, lifts county-level bans on use of Enlist and Enlist Duo in 134 counties across multiple states, including those where the American Burying Beetle is alleged to be present.
Brad Doyle, soy farmer from Arkansas and president of the American Soybean Association, welcomed the announcement, stating, “County-level bans had growers in these areas anxious and frustrated when the announcement came out in January – especially in this market where inputs are scarce and costs are sky high. We appreciate EPA hearing our concerns and working to quickly restore access in many counties where science and data support doing so.”
Click on the Blue Button below to read more from these groups as they respond to the About Face of the EPA on Enlist- We will be sharing on our website later this morning more insights on the Enlist decision from Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas and how he sees the EPA decision.
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18th Annual Oklahoma City Farm Show Set to Open April 7th at the OKC Fairgrounds |
With the start of April- it means the arrival of the 18th annual Oklahoma City Farm Show at the Bennett Event Center at the OKC Fairgrounds April 7-9, 2022. The Oklahoma City Farm Show is the premier spring agricultural and ranching event for the southern plains area, with hundreds of exhibitors featuring over 1,000 product lines for three big days.
Just ahead of the show- I talked with Show Manager Penny Swank about the 2022 event. She says hundreds of exhibitors have made plans to be there and greet farmers and ranchers from across the region. She also tells Hays that there are a hand full of spaces still available for businesses that want to be a part of this year's Show. "We have a couple left- they can go to our website, OklahomaCityFarmShow.Com and look at the contract on the website or they can call the office at 800-873-1411."
Exhibits include all of the latest in agriculture with a full line of displays, including tractor, sprayer, tillage, harvest equipment, cattle management products, and more. In addition to indoor and outdoor exhibits, daily horse training seminars, cattle chute demonstrations, cattle grading competitions, and prize drawings make the Oklahoma City Farm Show a don’t-miss event.
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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
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OSU Animal Science Alumni Association Hosts Gala Reunion and Online Scholarship Auction April 2 |
Join the OSU Animal Science Alumni Association for the 2022 ASAA Gala Reunion at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center as we recognize Dr. Tom Carr as the 2022 ASAA Totusek Arena Hall of Fame Chairback Recipient, Roby and Mary Shuey with the Totusek Brand of Excellence Award, the 50-Year 1972 Livestock and Meat Judging Teams, current OSU Judging Teams, and Animal and Food Sciences Graduates of Distinction.
Online registration is open until noon on Thursday, March 31, for registration and more details visit www.ASAAgala.givesmart.com. Doors open on Saturday, April 2 at 5 p.m. with the program set to begin at 6:00 p.m.
Make sure to register for the Online Scholarship Auction and view one of the most elite set of items we have ever put together. The online auction is now open and runs through April 2 closing at 8 p.m. CST, select items will close ten minutes after the conclusion of the Gala Reunion.
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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.
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Sponsor Spotlight
The Oklahoma Agriculture Mediation Program knows this is a hard time for farmers and ranchers. We want you to know we are still open, and we are still here for you. The Ag Mediation program is a free service that provides mediation to agriculture producers who may need help with ag-related disputes.
At Oklahoma Ag Mediation, we have been helping people in agriculture resolve conflicts since 1987. We know firsthand about working together to resolve conflicts, so you don’t have to go through the court systems. Let our professional mediators help you. Mediation is allowed for lease issues, farmer/neighbor disputes, family farm transitions, and more. These services are available at no cost for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers in all 77 counties. For more information, you can go to ok.gov/mediation, or give us a call at 800 248 5465.
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Oklahoma Wheat Commission welcomes Dr. Meriem Aoun, OK State's new Small Grains Pathologist |
Dr. Meriem Aoun joined the Wheat Improvement Team at the start of 2022 as OSU’s new wheat pathologist. She received a bachelor’s degree in her native Tunisia, a master’s degree in Greece and a PhD at North Dakota State University before conducting post-doc research at Cornell and Washington State.
As a child growing up in a village in rural Tunisia, Meriem Aoun would stop and study the heads of wheat in the fields surrounding her primary school.
That early fascination led to a career in agricultural science. Since January, she’s been the wheat pathologist at Oklahoma State University and a key member of OSU’s wheat improvement team. “My grandfather was a farmer, and he grew wheat every year,” she recalls. “Still to this day, it would be unthinkable to him not to plant a wheat crop.”
His fierce dedication to one of the world’s most important food sources is something he holds in common with many Oklahoma farmers. The disease threats they encounter are similar too. Within the wheat breeding program, it’s the plant pathologist’s job to screen wheat lines for resistance to a wide range of diseases, sometimes well known, other times just beginning to emerge on the world stage. Incorporating genetic resistance reduces the need for chemical inputs, which benefits growers, flour millers and food processors, but also consumers, by keeping food abundant, affordable and safe.
Aoun was hired to replace Bob Hunger, who formally retired last June after nearly four decades in the position. The two scientists have different backgrounds and skills but share the same commitment to developing productive, high quality wheat lines for the Southern Plains.
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EQIP WaterSMART Initiative Deadline in Five Southern Okla Counties is End of April |
Individuals in the Blue River Watershed (BRW) located in Murray, Pontotoc, Johnston, Atoka, and Bryan counties whose land use includes rangeland, pasture and private non-industrial forestland are eligible to apply for the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) WaterSMART Initiative (WSI).
The purpose of WSI is to assist producers and landowners in implementing voluntary conservation that is complementary to the water conservation assistance provided through the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow (WaterSMART) program. WaterSMART supports water conservation planning and improvement projects by States, tribes, local governments, irrigation water companies, and other organizations.
The deadline for applying in the current fiscal year is April 29, 2022.
Oklahoma’s WaterSMART EQIP program will be used to target critical areas within the watershed to improve water quality and quantity through practices targeting soil health, reducing sediment and nutrient runoff, stabilizing riparian areas, and controlling invasive species. This will enhance water conservation and drought resiliency and result in increased water availability (groundwater and surface water) and promote healthy plants and soils. Water quality will be improved with changes in management that target riparian areas.
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NCBA's Ethan Lane Talks DOJ Investigation and Latest Version of Grassley Fischer Bill |
The cattle industry is still waiting on the Department of Justice and a word on where their investigation into the four major beef packers and wrong doing by them when it comes to possible price fixing or collusion that has harmed the ranchers in the cattle pipeline that end up supplying cattle to their processing plants. Some in the cattle industry believe that the major beef packers are to blame for smaller cattle operations going out of business because they artificially depressed cattle markets.
Ethan Lane, Vice President for Government Affairs for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, says his group is frustrated by no word from DOJ. He tells me this week "We asked for an investigation in the spring of 2020- so did everyone else in the cattle industry- you know we have heard very little since other then we know they have been investigating and they have been talking to producers- talking to market participants but you know the DOJ doesn't speak in press releases like a lot of us do- they don't come out and say- we haven't found anything yet and we will keep you posted- if they say something, it's usually through an indictment which they have not done in this case yet."
Lane believes that cattle producers around the country need and deserve to know what they have found during this investigation- good, bad or otherwise- and he adds that it will be hard to move forward with possible solutions in the business until something is known.
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Horse owners: Mind the Mud and Rich Pastures of Spring |
Spring rains are a welcome sight to behold this year, but the mud left behind after a heavy shower can transform a horse lot into a sloppy mess.
OSU Associate Professor and Extension Specialist for Horses Kris Hiney says it’s best to make a mud plan for the high-traffic areas around gates and feeders before rain arrives.
“Basic mud control prevention includes routine manure removal and smart site selection,” and she adds “You don’t want all that organic matter running downhill.”
Hiney believes crushed limestone can help improve footing in high-traffic areas. Also, installing a drainage system of geotech fabric and rock is an effective method of mud control but requires greater expense.
In addition to their animals, horse owners are responsible for protecting their pastures, too. Grass should be at least 4 to 6 inches tall before horses are turned out on it to help plant roots become well established and survive grazing.
“Running horses can easily tear up grass in muddy conditions, especially in areas of the state with fragile soil,” Hiney said. “In reseeded pastures, animals should be kept off for a least one year to establish growth.”
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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.
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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.
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Wholesale Boxed Beef Prices were substantially higher on Wednesday, March 30th- Choice Beef was up $2.04 while Select Beef jumped up $2.62.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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OKC West in El Reno had had a two day total of 6,772 head of cattle this week for 3/29 and 3/30.
USDA Market News Says Compared to last week: Feeder steers sold 1.00-4.00 higher. Feeder heifers traded 3.00-5.00 higher. Demand moderate to good for feeder cattle. Steer and heifer calves sold 8.00-12.00 higher with exception of grazing cattle over 600 lbs up to as much as 15.00 higher. Demand very good for all classes. Quality average to mostly attractive. Recent rains and warm temperature have graze out buyers optimistic.
OKC West Manager Bill Barnhart writes on the market's Facebook page last night- " All classes sold higher again this week at the auction. Stockers were up 8.00-12.00 Tuesday, feeder cattle sold 2.00-6.00 higher today. Where is all the optimism coming from? The fat cattle market is flat at 138 again this week. Many believed we would be at higher levels by now when finished cattle numbers were at their tightest. The USDA cattle on feed report released Friday showed a record inventory on feed, up 1% from last year’s big number. Placements were reported to be up 9% for the month of February over last year’s weather hampered number. Feed costs will be high and there will be plenty of fat cattle to digest in the coming weeks. No doubt cattle have been pulled forward because of the lack of grazing and drought in the southern plains and the north. The nations cow herd is shrinking and the market will reflect that one of these days. Once these big placements are gone there might be a real opportunity for a sustained higher market."
Click below for the complete closing report.
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Each afternoon we are posting a recap of that day's markets as analyzed by Justin Lewis of KIS futures - click below for the latest update on the Livestock and Grain Futures Trade..
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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.
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Our Oklahoma Farm Report Team!!!!
Ron Hays, Senior Farm/Ranch Broadcaster and Editor
KC Sheperd, Farm Director and Editor
Dave Lanning, Markets and Production
Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager
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Rural Oklahoma is full of some of the greatest success stories throughout the entire state and is a big reason why Oklahoma is on track to become a top 10 state.
The Road to Rural Prosperity dives into these stories, bringing you stories covering rural life, agriculture, energy, healthcare, tourism, and politics affecting rural America.
The Road to Rural Prosperity is here to tell stories about rural America, for rural America.
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Our Latest RRP features Don Schieber, the 2022 winner of the Outstanding Achievement in Agriculture Award, which is the highest award given by the Governor of Oklahoma to honor distinguished Oklahoma agriculture producers. This prestigious award honors leaders in the agriculture industry who exemplify personal values, performance, and achievement.
Governor Kevin Stitt presented Schieber his award during the Oklahoma celebration of Ag Day on March 24th- after riding with the honoree in a mule drawn wagon up Lincoln Blvd to the front steps of the Oklahoma State Capitol.
Schieber is the 25th award winner and becomes the newest inductee into the Oklahoma Ag Hall of Fame. Ron and Don talk about his career in production agriculture- his work on behalf of wheat farmers with the Oklahoma Wheat Commission and US Wheat Associates that included traveling to 26 countries taking the Oklahoma wheat production story to buyers of wheat around the world. Don is a major supporter of the wheat breeding work of Dr. Brett Carver- having provided ground on his farm in Kay County for an OSU wheat Variety Field Plot for 17 years.
Search for Road to Rural Prosperity and subscribe on your favorite Podcast platform.
To hear this podcast, you can click here or tap below:
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Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Ag Mediation Program, Great Plains Kubota, Stillwater Milling Company, National Livestock Credit Corporation, Oklahoma Beef Council, Oklahoma AgCredit, Union Mutual Insurance, 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.
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God Bless!
Reach Out To Us:
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Tim West
President/General Manager
Rural Oklahoma Networks
405-317-6361
***************
Mike Henderson
Director of Sales
405-615-4922
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KC Sheperd
Farm Director
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
405-443-5717
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Ron Hays
Senior Farm/Ranch Broadcaster
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
405.473.6144
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