Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- A Record Day of Heat Across Oklahoma
- Colorado State University and American Hereford Association Working Together to Ensure Sustainable Food Supply
- MATC Helping to Grow our Local Food Supply One Producer at a Time Through Specialty Crop Grant
- Masonic Charity Foundation Sponsors 4-H Youth Leadership Summit with $25,000 Donation
- OSU Scientists Revolutionizing Legume Genetic Research
- Mark Johnson Talks Benefits of Early Weaning Beef Calves
- Protect Horses by Scouting Alfalfa for Blister Beetles
- Soy Growers Welcome Opportunity to Provide Protein for Critical Food Aid to Address Global Hunger, Child Malnutrition
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A Record Day of Heat Across Oklahoma |
For only the second time in the history of the Oklahoma Mesonet- 115 degrees has been recorded- on August first, 2012- that was the temperature recorded in Kingfisher. Yesterday- that "honor" went to Mangum.
It was not the hottest day ever in Mangum- as July 3rd, 1980 found Mangum sweating it out with a 117 degree day.
Several other locations in southwestern Oklahoma were mighty close- with 114 degree max temperature- those Mesonet locations included Erick, Elk City, Hollis, Hobart, Altus, Camargo and Grandfield.
The COOL spots in the state were at the extreme ends of Oklahoma- Mt Herman and Boise City both recorded a high of 103 degrees. Mt. Herman is in McCurtain County in the southeast and Boise City is smack dab in the middle of Cimarron County at the end of the Panhandle.
ALL Mesonet sites in the state were in triple digits for only the third time since the Mesonet was established.
Looking ahead- triple digits will be common for at least the next nine to ten days and maybe longer- there is a slight chance that some folks in the state will have a chance of rain starting tomorrow and into Thursday- but significant amounts are only a hope.
Keep praying folks- we need God's intervention in a big way.
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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.
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Colorado State University and American Hereford Association Working Together to Ensure Sustainable Food Supply |
In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am featuring comments from the Director of Colorado State University’s Ag Next research collaborative, Kim Stackhouse- Lawson, from a webinar, talking about the research collaborative established by CSU and the American Hereford Association that is aimed toward developing sustainable solutions for agriculture and providing value back to cattle producers.
Using genetic information gathered over the years to showcase the sustainability of the industry and improve cattle, the American Hereford Association plans to achieve traceable improvement in genetics to increase sustainability that will benefit cattle producers and consumers.
The partnership Lawson directs is focused on developing a story using the genetics of the sustainability of beef cattle, but more specifically, cattle with Hereford genetics.
“Sustainability is not a ‘nice to have’ anymore, it is a need to have,” Lawson said. “It is an expectation not only of our consumers but more importantly today, our financial partners.”
One of the goals the partnership plans to achieve, Lawson said, includes increasing feed efficiency by raising cattle that are capable of eating less and gaining more.
Although producers have been here for generations, Lawson said now is the time to prove that we can be here for more generations to come because we care.
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MATC Helping to Grow our Local Food Supply One Producer at A Time Through Specialty Crop Grant |
Farm Director, KC Sheperd, had the chance to visit with the Agriculture Business Coordinator at Mid-America Technology Center, Jona Squires, about MATC’s involvement with a specialty crop grant aimed to help producers grow their local food supply.
“We were really excited because we had to opportunity to reach out and be involved with the specialty crops grant that actually flows federally through the Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry,” Squires said.
Since Covid, Squires said she has seen an increase in consumer demand because of the need for a consistent food supply. Producers are looking into more opportunities to capitalize on selling local, Squires added, and this specialty crop grant will help them do that.
“We kind of realized that we had a lot of great producers, but we had a lot of new people wanting to get into production agriculture and specifically specialty crops,” Squires said. “One of those things that we saw a need for was training and education.”
Squires said 40 producers will be selected to participate in four different training opportunities through an online platform for a time period of two years. The selection process, Squires said, includes an application, business plan, and an interview.
After the individuals are selected to participate in the training, Squires said resources and additional mentoring will be offered through zoom to ensure the producers understand how to utilize their local resources and other mentors in the state that may be producing the same specialty crops.
“We hope that we can kind of work with them individually as well as a group, but also allow anybody from across the state the opportunity to take the training,” Squires said.
The training, Squires said, is constantly updated with more modules, videos, chat rooms and other resources to help individuals to be successful.
“We really feel like it will be a great opportunity for Oklahoma producers to ramp up their production and specialty crops,” Squires said.
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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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Masonic Charity Foundation Sponsors 4-H Youth Leadership Summit with $25,000 Donation |
The Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma (MCFOK) contributed $25,000 to the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation to sponsor the Oklahoma 4-H Innovate Youth Leadership Summit.
Hosted by the Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development program, the 4-H summit took place April 8-10 in Sulphur and was designed to teach 4-H youth skillsets in agricultural science, computer science, STEM and education, according to the Oklahoma 4-H Innovate Youth Leadership Summit website.
The event included a track system from which youth chose environmental sciences/wildlife, NASA’s Artemis Mission, photography, Ag in the Classroom or Chemistry in the Kitchen as their focus for the program. Adult partners and Oklahoma State University Extension educators assisted with ensuring student success. Youth were tasked with the challenge of teaching other 4-H youth what they learned at the summit.
The $25,000 donation was used to offset expenses of conducting the summit. MCFOK is a regular benefactor of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation and Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development.
“Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma investments in 4-H science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and state 4-H Roundup are making an indelible difference in the lives of our 4-H youth,” said Milford H. Jenkins, Oklahoma 4-H Foundation executive director. “Oklahoma 4-H will always owe MCFOK a huge debt of gratitude for their financial support.”
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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
Oklahoma Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization working to improve the lives of all Oklahomans by supporting our state’s agriculture community. As Oklahoma’s largest general farm organization, OKFB advocates for farmers and ranchers at the state Capitol and in Washington, D.C., to ensure our way of life continues for generations to come. With leadership events, supporting our state’s agricultural youth and connecting consumers with agriculture, Farm Bureau promotes and sustains Oklahoma agriculture in numerous ways. Join with OKFB today by becoming a member at okfarmbureau.org/join. Together, we are rural Oklahoma.
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OSU Scientists Revolutionizing Legume Genetic Research |
Molecular biologists Kiran Mysore, Bikram Pant and Jiangqi Wen, formerly of The Noble Research Institute, joined the OSU science community in June 2021 and will soon move into their long-term home – a renovated laboratory in Ardmore. These researchers are changing the world of crop production through genetic research with legumes, which include crops like peanuts, green beans and soybeans. The legume used in their research is from a clover family called barrel medic, or Medicago truncatula.
“Their research in plant molecular genetics is aimed toward gaining an increased understanding of how plants sense and respond to environmental challenges,” said Randy Allen, director of IAB. “These scientists have generated hundreds of scientific publications and obtained millions of dollars in funding. I am confident this research success will continue. The long-term goal is to develop new technologies and scientifically based management strategies to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability.”
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Mark Johnson Talks Benefits of Early Weaning Beef Calves |
Mark Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist, offers herd health advice as part of the weekly series known as the "Cow Calf Corner" published electronically by Dr. Peel, Mark Johnson, and Paul Beck. Today, Johnson talks about early weaning.
Long-term drought, May moisture, extreme heat and prevailing southern winds for the past several weeks have resulted in a flash drought. Many Oklahoma cow-calf operations are facing the reality of a depleted forage base right now. One potential solution is early weaning calves. Early weaning calves has the primary benefit of improving cow condition for rebreeding, especially when forage is limited. When the nutritional demands of lactation are removed by early weaning there is significant reduction (15 – 20%) in the dietary energy needed by cows. Early weaning can initiate postpartum estrus, improve pregnancy rates, lower culling rates and result in higher weaning weights and cow productivity in following years. Early weaning is most beneficial in years when pasture production is inadequate to support herd nutritional requirements. From the standpoint of range management, it reduces the risk of overgrazing and accordingly adds to the long-term health of the grazing system.
The average age of beef calves weaned in the United States is a little over 7 months of age. Calves can be weaned as early as 60 days of age. However this requires intensive calf management and is not practical under most ranch conditions. At two months of age calves are still functionally pre-ruminants relying primarily on milk and consuming a small amount of forage. By 3 – 4 months of age the rumen becomes functional and calves are capable of consuming significant amounts of forage.
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Protect Horses by Scouting Alfalfa for Blister Beetles |
Oklahoma producers, especially those in the northeastern part of the state, should watch out for blister beetles in their alfalfa this summer. If a horse eats a blister beetle when snacking on alfalfa hay, the consequences can be deadly.
“The one we really need to worry about is the striped blister beetle,” said Kelly Seuhs, Oklahoma State University Extension alfalfa specialist. “They have the highest concentration of cantharidin, which is a blistering agent produced by the beetle as a defense mechanism.”
If a horse consumes blister beetles in high enough quantities, it may exhibit the following symptoms:
• Sores or blisters on the tongue and in the mouth
• Colic
• Straining
• Increased temperature
• Depression
• Increased heart and respiratory rates
• Dehydration
• Sweating
• Diarrhea
• Bloody feces
• Frequent urination
Seuhs said ruminant livestock, such as cattle and goats, can also be affected by blister beetles but generally not as severely as horses.
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Soy Growers Welcome Opportunity to Provide Protein for Critical Food Aid to Address Global Hunger, Child Malnutrition |
The U.S. Agency for International Development today announced nearly $1.3 billion in additional critical humanitarian and development assistance to Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, including $200 million for the procurement of Ready-to-Use-Therapeutic Food.
RUTFs, an energy-dense medical food paste made of soy, peanuts, powdered milk, vegetable oil, sugar and multivitamins, is one of the most effective tools to help severely malnourished children. The U.S. is one of the world’s largest and most cost-efficient producers of RUTFs, but American farmers have the capacity to produce more.
This past spring, the American Soybean Association urged Congress to provide $200 million in appropriations to procure RUTFs and double the global supply to reach more food insecure children across the globe. ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health program works with companies like the Rhode Island-based Edesia, one of many enterprises that relies on U.S. soy to provide affordable, high-quality protein in its products designed to combat malnutrition, like RUTFs. U.S. soy growers applaud this new investment and welcome the opportunity to expand the industry’s contribution to global food security.
“U.S. soybean growers are proud of the role they play in global food security and today’s announcement from USAID Administrator Samantha Power is a significant investment in addressing global hunger and child malnutrition,” said ASA President Brad Doyle, a soybean grower from Arkansas. “Through the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health, ASA has partnered with companies like Edesia to increase the use of soy in ready-to-use therapeutic foods. Soy growers welcome the opportunity to provide more protein to feed those in need around the world and we thank USAID and the administration for this much-needed investment in RUTFs.”
“USAID’s announcement further reinforces the importance of U.S. soy for global food security,” said Gerry Hayden, ASA/WISHH Program chair and an ASA director from Kentucky. “Through USB’s funding of ASA/WISHH’s leadership for global food security, U.S. soybean growers were able to personally see the role of U.S. soy in Edesia’s RUTFs in December at WISHH’s global food security dialogue. Edesia already expects to procure the equivalent of more than 170,000 bushels of U.S. soy this year. USAID’s announcement may result in an increase to that amount.”
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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 higher- Choice Beef was up $2.02 and Select Beef was up $1.07 on Tuesday 07/19/2022.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Oklahoma National Stockyards had a final number of 12,107 head on Monday July 18, 2022..
Compared to last week: Feeder steers 4.00 - 7.00 lower. Feeder heifers unevenly steady. Steer and heifer calves 3.00 - 5.00 lower. Demand
moderate to good. Quality mostly average. Extreme heat for the next nine days. Dry, 100+ degree temperatures forecasted with no end in
sight.
Click below for the complete closing report.
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OKC West in El Reno had 2,000 calves for their Tuesday run.
Compared to last week: Steer and heifer calves under 500 lbs sold sharply lower with instances of as much as 20.00 lower, over 500 lbs 3.00- 6.00 lower. Extreme triple digit temperatures has buyers very weary of light weight and or un-weaned calves. Temperatures are expected to be in the triple digits the next 9 days.
Click on the button below for details of the trade as compiled by the USDA Market News Service.
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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
Reagan Calk, Farm News and Email Editor
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.
KC Sheperd visits with Dakota Moss of Livestock Risk Services. When the pandemic hit in 2020 the cattle markets along with the rest of the world suffered. Many farmers and ranchers altered their marketing plans on crops and livestock to try and prevent a loss in the down Covid markets. This led to cattle being held months longer than planned hoping for a better market. Unfortunately for many farmers and ranchers they had no choice but to sell much heavier cattle into a down market. Resulting in a lower $/cwt price and profits lost. Sheperd and Moss discuss some alternative options for producers with the Livestock Risk Protection program.
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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