Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- CARES Act Money for Meat Processing Improvements Going to Forty Oklahoma Companies
- Farmer Attitudes Improve in Latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer
- EPA Supports Technology to Benefit America’s Farmers, Improve Sustainability
- USDA Implements Immediate Measures to Help Rural Residents, Businesses and Communities Affected by COVID-19
- Beef Quality Increase Has Led To Higher Profits For Beef Producers Says CattleFax CEO Randy Blach
- Cotton & Coffee Zoom Series Starts this Month
- Glenn Selk on Helping the Newborn Calf Breathe
- Milk Industry Exec Believes Food Chain Adapting to Coronavirus
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CARES Act Money for Meat Processing Improvements Going to Forty Oklahoma Companies
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The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry was appropriated $10 million in federal funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, known as the CARES Act, to expand meat processing capacity and address supply chain disruptions as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The Agriculture Enhancement and Diversification Board received 196 applicants vying for $10 million in CARES Act grant funding. Of those 196, 40 locations received funding to improve and expand existing facilities and build new processing plants cross the state.
“We had a tremendous response and were able to distribute funds to 40 different locations across our state,” said Sec. Blayne Arthur. “I do recognize that $10 million in grants will not resolve all of our challenges in the meat processing sector, however, I am confident this has created a solid foundation for increasing capacity in our state.”
Among the names of the forty companies that will receive grant money- Schwabs of Oklahoma City- Ralph's of Perkins, Market 54 of Weatherford and M&M Custom Butchering of Miami.
The full list of the forty can be found on our website- at the link in the button below.
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Farmer Attitudes Improve in Latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer
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There was a big improvement in farmer sentiment in August, according to the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The index rose to a reading of 144, up 26 points from July. The Ag Economy Barometer is based on survey responses from 400 U.S. agricultural producers and was conducted between August 17-21, 2020.
Both of the barometers sub-indices also recorded substantial increases. The Index of Current Conditions improved to a reading of 124, up 13 points from July, while the Index of Future Expectations improved to a reading of 154, up 33 points.
Increases in the barometer and its two sub-indices marked the most positive readings since February 2020 when record highs were established and before the pandemic began. The improvement in sentiment was also underpinned by expectations for excellent crop yields, as reported in the USDA's August Crop Production report, and rallies in key agriculture commodity prices that took place this month.
"This month marked a considerable increase in farmer sentiment," said James Mintert, the barometer's principal investigator and director of Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture. "With a positive crop production outlook, rebounding commodity prices, and news of additional export sales to China, producers were much more optimistic about the future for the U.S. agricultural economy."
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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.
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EPA Supports Technology to Benefit America’s Farmers, Improve Sustainability
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In another effort to remove barriers to innovation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a rule that will streamline the regulation of certain plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs) that pose no risks of concern to humans or the environment. This action – which will be available for public comment for 60 days – delivers on a key directive under President Trump’s Executive Order on Modernizing the Regulatory Framework for Agricultural Biotechnology Products.
“This new rule will provide critical new tools for America’s farmers as they work to increase agricultural productivity, improve the nutritional value and quality of crops, fight pests and diseases, and boost food safety,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Embracing this technology through a transparent, consistent and science-based process is long overdue, and will secure benefits to American agriculture well into the future.”
Specifically, EPA is proposing a exemptions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) for certain PIPs created through biotechnology. The Agency has preliminarily determined that these substances meeting the exemption criteria have no risks of concern to humans or the environment.
Here's what stakeholders and elected officials are saying:
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue: “Agricultural biotechnology has been and will continue to be an essential tool in helping America’s farmers and ranchers feed, fuel, and clothe the world. From producers to consumers, all Americans deserve a government that delivers science-based, common-sense regulations that foster innovation, conserve resources, and protect public health—especially when it comes to the food supply. President Trump is committed to harmonizing our regulatory framework for agricultural biotechnology in order to equip our farmers with the tools they need to produce the world’s safest, most abundant, and most affordable food supply.”
House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Mike Conaway (TX-11): “I commend President Trump for delivering another major victory for American agriculture. This administration has made regulatory reform and modernization a high priority, and EPA’s proposal will provide farmers, ranchers, consumers, and the research community with the certainty and predictability they need to continue innovating.”
Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research Subcommittee Ranking Member Neal Dunn (FL-02): “EPA’s action provides a regulatory pathway for increased innovation in plant breeding, including tools that will give citrus growers the ability to combat citrus greening, which has devastated the industries in Florida, Texas, and California. I appreciate Administrator Wheeler and Secretary Perdue for working together on this pro-innovation proposal.”
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Each Weekday- Listen to Cotton Talk!
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 new daily report starting to be heard on several of our Radio Stations- It's Called Cotton Talk- and we appreciate the Oklahoma Cotton Council for their support in making this a reality.
Click on the Button below to listen to our most recent report
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USDA Implements Immediate Measures to Help Rural Residents, Businesses and Communities Affected by COVID-19
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USDA Rural Development has taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Rural Development will keep our customers, partners and stakeholders continuously updated as more actions are taken to better serve rural America.
Visit www.rd.usda.gov/coronavirus for information on Rural Development loan payment assistance, application deadline extensions and more.
COVID-19 RESOURCES On April 13, 2020, USDA unveiled a one-stop-shop of federal programs that can be used by rural communities, organizations and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide (PDF, 349 KB) is a first-of-its-kind resource for rural leaders looking for federal funding and partnership opportunities to help address this pandemic
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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
Established in 1905 as Oklahoma Farmers Union, AFR/OFU has been a champion for rural Oklahoma for more than 100 years. Today, the AFR/OFU Cooperative provides educational, legislative and cooperative programs across the state and AFR Insurance provides auto, home, farm and life insurance to both rural and urban Oklahomans.
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Beef Quality Increase Has Led To Higher Profits For Beef Producers Says CattleFax CEO Randy Blach
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The trend to produce high quality beef has led to more profitability for producers says Randy Blach, CEO of CattleFax, a global leader in beef industry research, analysis and information.
Blach was a featured speaker at the recent virtual Feeding Quality Forum sponsored by the Certified Angus Beef program.
There has been a remarkable quality shift in the last 15-20 years which has boosted demand, he said.
This is the reality of what’s going on in the industry, Blach said.
We have basically taken an industry that was producing 50 to 55 percent of choice or prime (in 2005) to 82 percent this year, he said.
That takes us from 11.5 billion pounds of choice and prime in 2005-6 to over 18 billion pounds this year.
Three or four years ago there was concern that we would produce too much quality and not generate enough premiums, Blach said.
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Cotton & Coffee Zoom Series Starts this Month
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Cotton and Coffee will be having several Zoom sessions to cover informative topics in the upcoming weeks.
With the cancellation of many industry meetings, The Cotton Board has created a virtual meeting series to keep cotton producers connected with the Cotton Research & Promotion Program.
Each session features a leading cotton industry expert speaker and includes a less than 30-minute presentation with time allotted for discussion and questions at the end of the episode.
Pre-registration required, so please reach out to your Cotton Board Regional Communication Manager, or send an email to cshort@cottonboard.org, to register to attend. The Cotton Board has scheduled Cotton & Coffee Zoom sessions every three weeks through the remainder of 2020.
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Glenn Selk on Helping the Newborn Calf Breathe
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Dr. Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist, offers herd health advice as part of the weekly series known as the "Cow Calf Corner" published electronically by Dr. Peel and Dr. Glenn Selk. Today, Dr. Selk talks about helping the newborn Calves breathe.
The fall calving season is upon us. Fortunately fall calves are usually a few pounds lighter at birth than are genetically similar spring calves. However, despite our best efforts at bull selection and heifer development, cows or heifers occasionally need assistance at calving time. Every baby calf has a certain degree of respiratory acidosis. Acidosis is the result of the deprivation of oxygen and the accumulation of carbon dioxide that results from the passage of the calf through the birth canal. The excess of carbon dioxide results in a build-up of lactic acid (therefore the acidosis.) In order to correct the lack of oxygen and the excess of carbon dioxide and its by-products, the healthy calf will pant vigorously shortly after birth. Some calves, however, may be sluggish and slow to begin this corrective process.
It is imperative that the newborn calf begins to breathe as soon as possible. To stimulate the initiation of the respiratory process, a few ideas may help. First, manually clear the mouth and nasal passages of fluids and mucus. Traditionally, compromised calves were held up by their hind legs to allow fluid to drain from the airways, but now many veterinarians and animal scientists don't recommend this. Most of the fluid that drains from an upside-down calf is stomach fluid, important to health. Holding the calf by its hind legs also puts pressure on the diaphragm from abdominal organs, interfering with normal breathing. It's better to use a suction bulb to clear the airways.
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Milk Industry Exec Believes Food Chain Adapting to Coronavirus
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The coronavirus crisis is far from over, but the food supply chain has adapted effectively, according to the National Milk Producer Federation. NMPF chief counsel Clay Detlefsen says, “We’ve got the food industry on the right track.” However, he concedes, “It won’t be easy to keep us there.”
Early challenges in acquiring enough Personal Protective Equipment and redesigning workplaces to keep workers safe have been largely met, but the continued circulation of the virus itself makes it challenging for businesses to be completely confident disruptions may be avoided. Progress continues in making sure supplies are manufactured in adequate quantities, as well as in understanding how the virus is spread and how to prevent it.
Detlefsen of NMPF is also the private-sector chair of the Food and Agricultural Sector Coordinating Council. The council was set up after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks to share information between government agencies and private businesses during crises that affect the U.S. food-supply chain.
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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 had Choice beef a little higher- up 39 cents while Select Bef was 59 cents lower.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Oklahoma National Stockyards had 9,500 head on Monday- Compared to last week: Feeder steers are trading 4.00-7.00 lower. Feeder heifers 1.00-5.00 lower. Steer calves mostly steady to weak, heifer calves traded 2.00-4.00 lower. Demand moderate to light.
Click below for the complete closing report.
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OKC West in El Reno had 1,500 head for the calf run on Tuesday, September first. Compared to last Tuesday: Steer and heifer calves traded with a lower undertone as demand for un-weaned calves continues to get lighter as Fall weather is arriving.
Click below to check the full 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 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
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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.
The Road to Rural Prosperity will dive into these stories each week bringing you insight into the great things happening in and to rural Oklahoma. We will bring you stories covering rural life, agriculture, energy, healthcare, tourism and politics all affecting rural America.
The Road to Rural Prosperity is here to tell stories about rural America, for rural America.
With just over a month to go- Host Ron Hays talks with Brent Kisling one more time as he provides an update on the effort to put at least 4 million Oklahomans on record in the 2020 US Census. Kisling urges anyone not yet registered to do so before September 30th to be counted. Kisling, the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Census, is coordinating the state's effort to increase the percentage of those who register here in 2020.
Today's Road to Rural Prosperity Podcast is being powered by OPSRC- the Oklahoma Pubic School Resource Center.
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Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, AFR Insurance, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Ag Mediation Program, Great Plains Kubota, Stillwater Milling Company, Oklahoma Cotton Council, National Livestock Credit Corporation, Oklahoma Beef Council, Oklahoma AgCredit, 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
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
2401 Exchange Avenue,
Suite F
Oklahoma City, OK 73108
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Ron Hays
Director of Farm Programming
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
405.473.6144
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