Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News

Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Howdy Neighbors!
Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update. 
 
  • Oklahoma Secretary of Ag Blayne Arthur is Excited About Increasing Meat Processing Capacity Through Grants Available Through CARES Act

  • Best of Wheat Bread Baking Contest Cancelled at County and State Level for 2020  

  • Boxed Beef, Beef Checkoff, CAB, Among The Key Paradigm Shifts That Have Advanced The Beef Industry Says Rancher Bill Rishel

  • Much Needed Rains Fall Across the State, Leaving only Texas and Beaver Counties in Burn Ban  

  • State Veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall Warns Oklahoma Livestock Owners To be On The Alert For Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV)  

  • Bayer Takes Steps to Make Carbon Sequestration a Farmer’s Newest Crop Opportunity  

  • Rep. Horn Introduces Bipartisan Childhood Nutrition Bill 

  • BASF, Corteva, Seek Rehearing of Dicamba Decision
Oklahoma Secretary of Ag Blayne Arthur is Excited About Increasing Meat Processing Capacity Through Grants Available Through CARES Act
Through Grants Available Through CARES ActThrough the state’s CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry received $10 million in grants for the Food Supply Stability Plan for Oklahoma meat processors.

“Agriculture processing never stopped during this pandemic,” said Secretary of Agriculture, Blayne Arthur. “This grant money is an exceptional opportunity for our Oklahoma meat processing industry to add processing capacity. Changes within existing facilities, as well as adding more plants and expanding existing plants, would greatly help mitigate the effects we have seen on the food supply chain during this pandemic.”

After a announcement on ZOOM that included comments from Governor Kevin Stitt, Senate Ag Committee Chair Casey Murdock, House Ag Committee Chair Dell Kerbs and Secretary Arthur, Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays talked with the Secretary about the grant money and how it can help meat processing grow in the state. Their conversation can be heard by clicking on the LISTEN BAR at the bottom of this story.
Sponsor Spotlight
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AFR/OFU serves as a watchdog for our state’s family farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Join us at www.afrcoop.org or www.afrmic.com.

Best of Wheat Bread Baking Contest Cancelled at County and State Level for 2020
With the State Fair of Oklahoma cancelled for 2020- most of the competitive events associated with agriculture are also off the table for 2020. And that now officially includes the Statewide "Best of Wheat" Baking Contest that traditionally is a part of the final weekend at the State Fair.

I spoke with Executive Director Mike Schulte about the decision to cancel- including the decision to not have the contest around the same time offsite from State Fair Park.


In a letter sent earlier in July by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission to OSU County Extension offices and to other supporters of the annual contest- the decision was explained: "Times are changing very quickly with activities that include larger groups of people in attendance
Boxed Beef, Beef Checkoff, CAB, Among The Key Paradigm Shifts That Have Advanced The Beef Industry Says Rancher Bill Rishel
Paradigm shifts have made huge changes possible for the beef industry over the past 100 years and Bill Rishel, legendary angus breeder from North Platte, Neb., a speaker at the recent Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) virtual symposium, reviewed past paradigm shifts to predict the future.

On today’s Beef Buzz, we continue to hear more reflection on how Rishel thinks the future will evolve for the beef industry based on these paradigm shifts.

Rishel said it is necessary to look back to recognize paradigm shifts when new ideas become accepted over traditional ways.

The Nebraska cattleman said one of the more dramatic paradigm shifts occurred in 1971 when the packing industry transformed the way it was fabricating beef products using boxed beef.
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Much Needed Rains Fall Across the State, Leaving only Texas and Beaver Counties in Burn Ban
Looking at The latest Fire Situation Report for July 21 shows some good news. Right now The State only shows burn bans for Texas and Beaver Counties.

Showers and storms extending from southwest Oklahoma into northwestern counties continues to slide to the northeast adding to rainfall totals from yesterday occurring over much of the area where drought indices were greatest. Recent rainfall has prompted improvement in herbaceous fuel moisture in the Panhandle and northwest while some improvement is expected in western and parts of southwest Oklahoma following today’s rains. With rain chances persisting today, increased sky cover and afternoon relative humidity values above or around 30% across Oklahoma, fire danger will be moderated. New fires are not expected to present undue resistance to control and initial attack operations, where it occurs, will likely be successful.

Near-Term Outlook: Herbaceous fuel moisture improvement and the lack of elevated/critical fire weather hold promise of moderated fire danger through the week. Near normal (too slightly below) temperatures, the lack of exceedingly low relative humidity and the absence of strong winds will hamper drying of fuels in the near-term. Rain chances hang around through Thursday, although no areal wetting is expected. Burn Bans: Texas & Beaver Counties.
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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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. (rescheduled for June in 2020)
 
They would like to thank all of you who participated in their 2020 Oklahoma City Farm Show. 
 
Up next will be the  Tulsa Farm Show  in December 2020- the dates are  December 10th, 11th, and 12th .  
 
Now is the ideal time to contact the  Midwest Farm Show Office at 507-437-7969  and book space at the 2020 Tulsa Farm Show.  To learn more about the Tulsa Farm Show,  click here.


State Veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall Warns Oklahoma Livestock Owners To be On The Alert For Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV)
State Veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall wants livestock owners to be on the on the lookout for Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) in their animals as the disease continues to spread in Oklahoma. Dr. Hall and I talked about the virus and how to prevent it’s spread.

We currently have four confirmed case in Washington, Osage, Craig and Ottawa Counties, Hall said.( AND LATE UPDATE- Tulsa County has been added to the VSV List)

He added they are waiting results on 7 more samples and suspects several of those will be positive.

This is the first time in my 13 years at ODAFF that we’ve had more than one case in a year, Dr. Hall said.

He said it could have migrated from southeast Kansas, but the origins may actually extend to Colorado.

There is so much we don’t know about this virus, as it is so strange it pops up from year to year in various places, Hall said.
Bayer Takes Steps to Make Carbon Sequestration a Farmer’s Newest Crop Opportunity
Bayer to reward growers to generate carbon credits by adopting climate-smart practices and creating a new revenue stream on-farm

The initiative makes Bayer the first company to develop a transparent, science-based and collaborative approach to a carbon market in agriculture

Agriculture may now have another solution to positively impact climate change thanks to a new initiative launched by Bayer. Beginning this month, Bayer will start rewarding farmers in Brazil and the U.S. for generating carbon credits by adopting climate-smart practices – such as no-till farming and the use of cover crops – designed to help agriculture reduce its carbon footprint and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Bayer’s industry-leading Carbon Initiative is the result of years of work validating a science-based approach and methodology to make this happen. It recognizes the pivotal role growers and their land can play in helping to create lasting, positive environmental impacts and is the latest in the company’s sustainability commitments specifically aimed at reducing field GHG emission by 30% in 2030.
Rep. Horn Introduces Bipartisan Childhood Nutrition Bill
On Tuesday, Congresswoman Kendra Horn (D-OK) and Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE) introduced the bipartisan Food and Nutrition Education in Schools Act, a bill supporting hands-on health and nutritional education for children. Research shows that children and adults who suffer from diet-related diseases score lower on tests, miss more days of school, and advance less in their careers. The Food and Nutrition Education in Schools Act would create a pilot program to improve student health and nutrition and to fund school gardens and other evidence-based nutritional programs for kids.

“Improving childhood nutrition is one of the smartest investments we can make in our youngest generation,” said Congresswoman Kendra Horn. “Nutrition education and hands-on projects like school gardens help kids eat better and stay focused in the classroom. Those are good habits that can have a lifelong impact. Bringing down the cost of health care and strengthening our schools are issues we must tackle together, and today’s bill addresses both. By teaching healthy food habits, we can improve learning and health outcomes for Oklahoma’s children.”

“We have a responsibility to the next generation to educate and prepare them for their future and in return, the future of our country,” said Congressman Don Bacon. “Nutrition education is fundamental as are hands-on-projects. Lack of proper nutrition can lead to many health obstacles which can ultimately lead to community delay. This bill addresses childhood nutrition in schools, provides valuable hands on learning, and encourages industry partnerships. Teaching practical healthy eating habits can improve educational performance and overall outcomes for children across Nebraska and the country.
BASF, Corteva, Seek Rehearing of Dicamba Decision
BASF and Corteva both filed motions in recent days to request a rehearing on a court decision that vacated registrations for dicamba herbicides. U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit last month vacated the registrations for three dicamba herbicides, including BASF’s Enginia, Corteva’s FeXapan and Bayer’s Xtend.

Specifically, BASF’s petition requests a review of the decision by a panel of 11 judges from the Ninth Circuit instead of the three-judge panel that issued the previous decision. This request for "en banc" review, according to BASF, “is necessary to correct errors by the panel in issuing a decision inconsistent with basic due process and administrative law principles.”

BASF says the panel's decision undermined the EPA's authority to make science- and data-based regulatory decisions to determine which herbicide products are safe and effective to meet the challenges farmers face. Further, the company says the decision “was unprecedented and devastating to tens of thousands of farmers” who rely on dicamba.
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.
Wholesale Boxed Beef Prices continue to show weakness- Choice Beef was down 86 cents at $200.88 while Select off 29 cents at $191.30- Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
OKC West in El Reno  had a light test for their calf trade on Tuesday- Compared to last Tuesday: Steer and heifer were very lightly tested but where very few comparable sales could be noted trades were 1.00- 2.00 higher. Demand moderate to good.  
Click below  to check the full report.
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..
Okla Cash Grain:  
Daily Oklahom a Cash Grain Prices- as reported by the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture - The report available after the close of the Futures Trade for that day.
Our   Daily Market Wrapup from the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network   - analyzing the Futures Markets for that trading day- as reported by KC Sheperd.
Slaughter Cattle Recap: 
The  National Daily Slaughter Cattle Summary- as prepared by the USDA Market News
TCFA Feedlot Recap:  
Finally, here is the  Daily Volume and Price Summary  from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
Our Oklahoma Farm Report Team!!!!
 
Ron Hays, Senior Farm Director and Editor
 
KC Sheperd, Associate Farm Director and Editor

Dave Lanning, Markets and Production

Sam Knipp , Farm News Editor

Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager
 
Rural Oklahoma is full of some of the greatest success stories throughout the entire state and are a main reason Oklahoma is on track to become a top 10 state.

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Episode 41 features a conversation with Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Rodd Moesel as he and yours truly talk about the continuing challenges of COVID-19 and some of the priorities of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau- today and in the days ahead.


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Reach Out To Us:
Tim West
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Radio Oklahoma Ag Network

2401 Exchange Avenue,
Suite F
Oklahoma City, OK 73108

405.317.6361
Ron Hays
Director of Farm Programming
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network

405.473.6144