Category: Ag News

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 09:03:26 CDT

Hereford producers stand behind their products by knowing their genetics. The American Hereford Association (AHA) annual feedout programs provides participants with carcass information to keep their operations moving in a positive direction.

“The information that participants gain from the program has really helped them to make better decisions,” says Trey Befort, AHA director of commercial programs. “Whether it’s genetic selection or herd health, the feedout programs have given them a lot of data and information that they can set as a benchmark for their operations. If they need to work on carcass weight, ribeye area, or marbling – any of those carcass traits that we can directly measure – they can get that information.”

            
The programs also generate unique marketing avenues. Feedout participants gain access to the U.S. Premium Beef (USPB) grid, so cattle can qualify as candidates for the Certified Hereford Beef® brand.

“To have access to the U.S. Premium Beef program through National Beef is really a great benefit of the program. It’s an industry-leading marketing program that provides extra value for Hereford-influenced cattle, and participants can gain a lot from being rewarded for quality,” Befort says.

The Association offers opportunities for both adults and juniors. Adults can participate in the Hereford feedout program, and juniors in the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) Fed Steer Shootout. All cattle entered are fed at HRC Feedyards in Scott City, Kansas, and both programs offer valuable insight.

“It really gives an opportunity for our members to gain the education and experience in the cattle feeding industry and learn about a different part of the industry that they might not be familiar with,” Befort says.

Ultimately, the feedout programs help establish the advantage of Hereford genetics in the marketplace and give producers tools to improve their operations. AHA Executive Vice President Jack Ward says these improved genetics are moving the breed forward.

“We see commercial producers today understanding the value of heterosis and the value of adding Hereford genetics to their cow herds, increasing in efficiency, fertility, longevity,” Ward says. “And, of course, you always get a great disposition when you add Hereford genetics.”

For more information about the Association’s feedout programs, visit Hereford.org.

Hereford Feedout Programs Offer Valuable Insight to Producers from American Hereford Association on Vimeo.

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 08:12:59 CDT

NPB is leading one and collaborating on two grants receiving a total of $155 million in USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding announced Sept. 14.

The 3 grants are part of the $2.8 bil…

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 08:09:46 CDT

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers honored U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), U.S. Representative Cindy Axne (D-Iowa), and U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) with their AEM Champion of the Industry Award. The award, presented for the second time in the association’s 125+ year history, recognizes members of Congress from both sides of the aisle for their steadfast support of the equipment manufacturing industry and their efforts to advance bipartisan, commonsense solutions to the country’s toughest challenges.   

“The Association of Equipment Manufacturers is proud to recognize Senators Stabenow and Fischer and Representatives Axne and Fitzpatrick who earned this distinction for consistently working in a bipartisan manner to advance policies that are critical to the long-term success of equipment manufacturing in America,” said Kip Eideberg, AEM senior vice president of government and industry relations. “These four members of Congress have demonstrated an unwavering ability to compromise and collaborate with colleagues across the aisle and they embody the qualities and characteristics of bipartisan cooperation and comradery. We are grateful to Senators Stabenow and Fischer and Representatives Fitzpatrick and Axne for putting the duty of their office above partisan politics.”

The AEM Champion of the Industry, AEM’s most prestigious recognition, is reserved for one Democrat and one Republican from each legislative chamber who have championed legislation important to equipment manufacturers and have demonstrated a commitment to work across the aisle in support of common objectives. Candidates are considered and approved by the AEM Government and Public Affairs Committee.

“This is a really special award because it showcases Michigan and America’s agricultural excellence as well as our world-class manufacturing innovation. I am proud to work alongside so many of AEM’s members and appreciate this recognition of my work,” said Senator Stabenow.

Equipment manufacturers help to power our economy. Their products and modern technologies are integral to the future of agriculture in the United States. I will continue to push for the passage of my bipartisan PAL Act, which would expand farmers’ access to these kinds of high-tech equipment,” said Senator Fischer.

“I am grateful to receive this year’s Association of Equipment Manufacturers Champion of the Industry Award,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Our country’s manufacturers are essential to economic strength across all sectors and to our national security. I will proudly continue to lead my colleagues in Congress in prioritizing the expansion of domestic manufacturing facilities, creation of new jobs, and an increase in the overall domestic output of high-quality manufactured goods and equipment.”

“I am always willing to work across the aisle when it comes to creating common-sense solutions that invest in our infrastructure, support job growth here in America, and bolster domestic manufacturing,” said Congresswoman Axne. “I am honored to be recognized by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and will continue my work in in Congress to ensure their mission to build, power, and feed the world can continue.”

“In these times of polarization and partisan gridlock, it is imperative that our leaders in Washington come together to solve our toughest problems and move our country forward,” said Scott Harris, Case IH global president and 2022 chair of AEM’s Government and Public Affairs Committee. “We are grateful to Senators Stabenow and Fischer and Representatives Fitzpatrick and Axne for their courage and leadership and look forward to continue working with them to advance policies that improve the lives of the 2.8 million men and women of the equipment manufacturing industry.”

Last year, the AEM Champion of the Industry Award was presented for the first time in the association’s history to U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), U.S. Representative Don Bacon (R-Neb.), and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.) for their tireless efforts on behalf of the equipment manufacturing industry throughout the course of their careers in Congress.

Pictured: AEM President Megan Tanel (left) and AEM Senior Vice President Kip Eideberg (right) present Senator Debbie Stabenow (center) with the AEM Champion of the Industry

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 15:10:25 CDT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture are now putting the Daily Cash Grain Report into a PDF format – we are saving that PDF and archiving them for today’s specific report. To see today’s update, click on the PDF report link at the bottom of this story.

In addition to the PDF of the daily report, you can also listen to the Cash Grain Report by calling 405-621-5533. Push 2 for the grain report.

Click here:

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 14:40:34 CDT

Click here to listen to audio

Listen to today’s report with Justin Lewis, by clicking or tapping on the LISTEN bar

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 13:53:46 CDT

Today, Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, Republican Leader of the House Committee on Agriculture, joined several of his colleagues in sending a letter to Michael Regan, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Michael Connor, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, raising concerns about regulatory actions taken by the EPA and the United States Army Corps of Engineers which would expand the breadth of their regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act to regulate “waters of the United States” (WOTUS).

In the letter, the Members write, “One of the most serious instances where a presidential administration has sought to usurp the authority granted to it by Congress is in the attempts to revise the definition of WOTUS under the Clean Water Act. For decades, rural communities, farmers, businesses, and industries who rely on clean water have dealt with legal and regulatory uncertainty, compounded with confusing and overreaching Federal regulations over what is considered a WOTUS and subject to Federal regulations and permitting. West Virginia v. EPA suggests that there is ‘reason to hesitate’ with regard to this claim of authority given the two criteria outlined by Chief Justice Roberts: the history and breadth of the authority asserted and the economic and political significance of that assertion.”

The Members continue, “As Ranking Members of several House Committees, including those overseeing your Agencies, we intend to exercise our robust investigative and legislative authority to not only forcefully reassert our Article I responsibilities, but to ensure the Biden Administration does not continue to exceed Congressional authorizations.”

To read the full letter, click here.

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 13:35:43 CDT

Specialists from Oklahoma State University Extension, the Noble Research Institute, the Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association and those involved in the Oklahoma native pecan industry will share their knowledge of pecan management at the Native Pecan Harvest Field Day slated from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 13 at the Flying G Ranch Pecan Orchard, 8102 E. 550 Rd. in Claremore.

“This event is open to anyone interested in learning about native pecan harvest or production,” said Becky Carroll, OSU Extension associate specialist for fruit and pecans. “This is a good opportunity for networking with other pecan growers and learning more about the pecan industry.”

This field day is free and open to the public, but pre-registration by Oct. 11 is encouraged to help plan for the dinner served in the pecan grove. The meal is sponsored by Oklahoma AgCredit. Topics on the agenda include:

• Orchard history
• Different types of harvest equipment
• Harvest demonstration
• Drying methods and how to check moisture
• Pecan leasing
• Prolonged drought stress on native trees
• Disease pressure in 2022
• Insect update
• Oklahoma Food Freedom Act

Carroll said this event will also cover the effects of drought on this year’s harvest as well as the long-term effects on native trees.

The pecan industry is an annual contributor to Oklahoma’s economy. From 1994 to 2012, Oklahoma harvested an average of 17 million pounds of pecans each year with an average of 13.9 million pounds per year since 2012. Wholesale, that’s about $21 million annually over the last 10 years. Carroll said this does not include retail operations and value-added products.

“Bring the family, your lawn chairs and plan to spend the afternoon and evening with us in the pecan orchard,” she said.

For additional information, contact Carroll at 405-744-6139 or becky.carroll@okstate.edu.

OSU Extension uses research-based information to help all Oklahomans solve local issues and concerns, promote leadership and manage resources wisely throughout the state’s 77 counties. Most information is available at little to no cost.

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 12:54:27 CDT

There is a new blog post out at the Southern Plains Perspective, by Clay Pope. Read below!

Climate smart ag programs are rolling like an avalanche comin’ down a mountain….

First, in Au…

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 12:50:24 CDT

With the generous support of a member and the organization’s board of directors, the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) has launched a matching funds campaign to support the NIAA Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders program. An initial donation of $10,000 has been received with a goal of raising at least $20,000 via matching contributions. Funds raised will develop and empower animal agriculture leaders to positively affect the future of animal agriculture in the U.S. and around the world.

“We began this program to bring together proven leaders from all segments of the value chain,” shares Dr. Eric Moore, NIAA chairman of the board of directors and director of technical services – North America, Norbrook, Inc.

NIAA’s Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders is a multi-disciplinary leadership program. The program was initiated after NIAA’s board of directors envisioned a program to build on animal agriculture leaders’ experiences in species and organization-specific professional development programming. NIAA executive director, J.J. Jones, highlights that, “The program is designed to expand the leadership and professional development continuum for our sector of today’s food system.”

Leaders selected for the program grow and develop through in-person and virtual experiential learnings and an engaging, dynamic curriculum developed specifically for this program. The program provides participants – leaders from the entire value chain – the advanced skills necessary to lead animal agriculture into the future. Cornerstone components of the program expand leaders’ proficiencies in critical thinking, leadership development, connecting and relating skills, and achieving operational excellence within their organization and animal agriculture.

To learn more about the NIAA Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders program and to contribute, visit www.AnimalAgriculture.org/leadership-program.

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 11:52:10 CDT

Drill down into how to help your soils use and hold onto precious precipitation.

According to Noble Research Institute’s Wyatt DeSpain, soil health directly affects how your ranch captures and use…