Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Monday, December 14, 2020
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Agriculture Groups Praise Vilsack on USDA Nomination
- Agriculture Groups Support Nomination of Katherine Tai as US Trade Representative.
- Superior Livestock's Bellringer Auction Location Change
- Gap, Inc. Clothing Retailer Joins U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol in Support of Sustainable Production
- Merck Animal Health Has New Technology to Optimize Value For Beef Cow Producers
- Dr. Glenn Selk On Why Producers Should Plan now for Colostrum needs this Spring
- Biofuels Expected to be a Big Part of The Clean Energy Conversation
- USDA Rolls Out Update on Packers and Stockyards Act- Is Anybody Impressed?
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More Agriculture Groups Praise Vilsack on USDA Nomination |
National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) President Tim Palmer and President-elect Michael Crowder offered their congratulations to Secretary Tom Vilsack after President-elect Joe Biden announced that he will nominate Vilsack to serve as Secretary of Agriculture in the Biden Administration.
“On behalf of America’s 3,000 conservation districts and the more than 17,000 district officials who serve on their governing boards, we congratulate Secretary Vilsack on this nomination,” Palmer and Crowder said.
The American Soybean Association said, “We are thrilled to hear that such a qualified candidate with a solid track record supporting policy and regulatory decisions important to soybean growers is on deck to lead USDA in 2021,” incoming ASA President Kevin Scott said. “Vilsack, who is from a large soybean-producing state, brings significant experience, having led USDA effectively in the past, and will hit the ground running upon his return.
The National Cotton Council Chairman Kent Fountain, a Georgia cotton producer, and ginner, said, “The U.S. cotton industry believes that Tom Vilsack has the credentials necessary to help restore the economic health of our nation’s rural sector that has suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also are optimistic he will work to ensure that Sunbelt farmers’ needs are fairly considered in USDA policy decisions.”
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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. (held in June 2020 earlier this year- due to COVID 19)
After a lot of deliberation, Midwest has decided to also reschedule the Tulsa Farm Show from December to February 25, 26 and 27, 2021.
Now is the ideal time to contact the Midwest Farm Show Office at 507-437-7969 and book space at the upcoming Tulsa Farm Show. To learn more about the Tulsa Farm Show, click here.
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Agriculture Groups Support Nomination of Katherine Tai as US Trade Representative. |
President-elect Joe Biden is expected to nominate Katherine Tai to be U.S. Trade Representative.
“We’re pleased President-elect Biden will reportedly nominate Katherine Tai to be the next U.S. Trade Representative. America’s farmers and ranchers rely on a fair marketplace to compete globally and it’s more important than ever for them to have an ally fighting on their behalf. Ms. Tai has deep trade experience and a solid understanding of the need to enforce existing trade agreements while working with our trade partners to expand market access for America’s farmers as they lead the world in growing healthy, affordable food.”
The National Cotton Council said, "The NCC is also optimistic about working with Katherine Tai, an attorney with the House Ways and Means Committee who incoming President Biden has nominated to be U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) for his administration. Tai is the former chief counsel on China trade enforcement at the Office of USTR during the Obama administration. The cotton and textile industries are acutely focused on the importance of fair and reciprocal trading relationships that offer opportunities for the cotton industry to expand exports of cotton fiber, yarn and fabrics."
“On behalf of America’s dairy producers, the National Milk Producers Federation welcomes the naming of Katherine Tai for the position of U.S. Trade Representative,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF. “With over 15 percent of U.S. milk production being exported each year, new trade agreements and enforcement of current trade agreements are critical for the livelihood of America’s dairy farmers. We hope to see swift action by Congress to confirm Ms. Tai to this critical position and look forward to working closely with her on agriculture and trade policies that benefit America’s dairy farmers.”
“The Consortium for Common Food Names congratulates Ms. Tai on her nomination for the role as the chief trade ambassador for the United States,” said Jaime Castaneda, Executive Director of CCFN. “We are looking forward to working alongside Ms. Tai and the USTR team to ensure the rights of U.S. food producers, retailers, and consumers to market and purchase commonly-named products are not further restricted by predatory EU trade practices.”
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Superior Livestock's Bellringer Auction Location Change |
2020 has been a year of adapting and changes for many and moving forward into 2021 Superior Livestock is continued to being just as resilient in order to best serve their Representatives, consignors, and buyers. In September the Board of Directors of the National Western Livestock Show announced that they had made the decision to postpone the 115th National Western Stock Show by one year and to resume the event in January 2022.
That announcement left cattle breeds and other beef industry supporters looking for an alternate venue. A group of cattle industry leaders in Oklahoma emerged and the inaugural Cattlemen’s Congress event was announced, January 2-17, 2021 at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds. Since that announcement was made public many of the various breed associations followed suit and are planning on holding their shows in Oklahoma City as well.
It was back in 1987 when Superior Livestock held their first video sale at the National Western Stock Show, selling all of the 21,000 head that were offered. Honoring the tradition that brought Superior to Denver all those years ago, Superior Livestock has made the decision to move their historic Bellringer Auction to Oklahoma City to be in conjunction with the Cattlemen’s Congress. Although the trip to Denver will be missed, Superior is very thankful for the technology, which allows them to continue to operate and offer true price discovery for their valued consignors by exposing their cattle to the same nationwide buyer base they are accustomed to. It does not matter where the auction originates from, they have the technology to bring true price discovery to their consignors from any location. The Embassy Suites in Oklahoma City on January 13th and 14th will be the host for the thirty-fourth annual Bellringer Auction. January 12th will be Superior Livestock’s Representatives’ Training and 2020 Awards Dinner. The consignment deadline for the 2021 Bellringer Auction is December 28th.
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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 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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Gap, Inc. Clothing Retailer Joins U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol in Support of Sustainable Production |
Clothing retailers are increasingly concerned about using sustainable materials and a new program called the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is focused on meeting their demands.
Gary Adams, president and CEO of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol was recently interview by Radio Oklahoma Agriculture Network Associate Farm Director and Editor KC Sheperd.
This is a new sustainability initiative with the U.S. cotton industry, he said.
We know there are a lot of positives going on with our farmers and how they raise their crops, Adams said.
One of the primary objectives in launching the trust protocol is to introduce retailers to the program and how it can benefit them, Adams said.
Gap, Inc., a globally recognized clothing retailer, has just signed up with the Trust Protocol.
We’re excited to have such an iconic brand as the Gap, Adams said.
According to a press release from the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, Gap Inc.’s target of sourcing 100 percent of its cotton from more sustainable sources by 2025 is set across its collection of purpose-led lifestyle brands including Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta.
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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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Merck Animal Health Has New Technology to Optimize Value For Beef Cow Producers |
Livestock producers will soon have access to new technology optimizing the value of each of their animals. Dr. Jason Nickell, Merck Animal Health, explained how a new operating unit called Merck Animal Health Intelligence will boost producers’ bottom line.
The new operating units are an effort that has taken place over the last two to four years to bring more value to the producers, Nickell said.
This gives them more information to make better and more informed decisions, Nickell said.
As we get into 2021 beef producers will learn more about this, but it allows the producer to have 24/7 access to their animals, he said.
The technology package uses artificial Intelligence, he said, which provides another set of eyes that goes beyond what the human provides.
We will be focusing on production systems that use artificial insemination or embryo transfers, he said.
For those producers who struggle with estrus detection, we can find those animals that are in heat and alert producers, Nickell said.
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Dr. Glenn Selk On Why Producers Should Plan now for Colostrum needs this Spring |
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 explains talks about how you should Plan now for Colostrum needs this spring.
It is not too soon to begin to prepare for the spring calving season. Locating, obtaining, and storing several doses of colostrum or colostrum replacer will come in handy before the first heifers start to go into labor. Calves born after a difficult birth are at a high risk of failing to receive adequate colostrum by natural suckling because of greatly decreased colostrum intake. Calves that are born to a prolonged stage II of parturition (delivery through the pelvic canal) very often suffer from severe respiratory acidosis. Acidotic calves are less efficient at absorbing colostral immunoglobulins even if artificially fed colostrum. The only disease protection baby calves will receive is via the passive transfer of antibodies (immunoglobulins) from the colostrum that they ingest. Therefore effort should be made to provide weak newborn calves with the best source of colostrum available via bottle suckling or tube feeding.
Natural colostrum is still considered the best source of the immunoglobulins for disease protection for the calf. If there is still a dairy in your area, the opportunity may exist to obtain some natural colostrum from newly freshened dairy cows. Avoid obtaining colostrum from dairies that are known to have had an incidence of “Johnes Disease”. Take time to visit with a local large animal veterinarian about avoiding the introduction of “Johnes Disease” into your herd.
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Biofuels Expected to be a Big Part of The Clean Energy Conversation |
Emily Skor hopes biofuels will be a big part of the clean energy conversation in the coming year. Skor is CEO of Growth Energy, the nation’s premier trade association working to advance pro-biofuel policies and expand consumer access to higher blends of ethanol.
Skor was recently interviewed by Radio Oklahoma Agriculture Network Associate Farm Director and Editor KC Sheperd.
As Skor outlined the group's 2021 biofuels policy, set noted the pandemic’s negative impact on the industry.
As we look ahead, we have got to reverse the setbacks experienced during Covid and promote better fuel choices in protecting the environment for the nation, she said.
Skor said there are several issues hindering market access and the creation of rural jobs.
First and foremost, we have got to restore integrity to the renewable fuels’ standard, she said.
There are ethanol plants that have innovation and technology they are just sitting on waiting for EPA approval, Skor said.
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USDA Rolls Out Update on Packers and Stockyards Act- Is Anybody Impressed? |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) issued a final rule on Friday to ensure fair trade and competitive marketing of livestock and poultry.
The rule clarifies the types of conduct prohibited by the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act and sets forth several criteria the Secretary of Agriculture will consider when determining whether conduct by packers, swine contractors or live poultry dealers represents an undue or unreasonable preference or advantage.
Details from USDA available here on the rule that was published in the Federal Register Friday and will be final as of January 11th. (one longtime Kansas journalist asked the rhetorical question of me on Twitter- won't this be countermanded by Executive order on January 20th?- My answer to that- time will tell)
HOWEVER- some of the groups you might expect not to be happy are not happy. National Farmers Union President Rob Larew says the rule fails to protect farmers from discriminatory practices. “In their relationship with meat packers and processors, family farmers have almost no bargaining power, he says. R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard says, “The final rule undermines the purpose of the Packers and Stockyards Act by providing packers with a list of ‘safe-havens’ they can employ anytime they face allegations of violating the undue and unreasonable preference section of the act.” The National Sustainable Ag Coalition says the new rule fails to advance any meaningful reforms.
There is lukewarm praise from North American Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts, who says the rule recognizes the importance of marketing agreements and other tools used by producers and packers and provides some clarity regarding the criteria the Secretary will consider when reviewing those tools. “However, it also introduces some uncertainty into the use of those tools by allowing consideration of other undefined factors,” she says.
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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 continue to go lower- Choice Beef was down 71 cents and Select Beef was off $2.76 this past Friday 12/11/2020.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Oklahoma National Stockyards had 16,925 last Monday.
Compared to the previous week: Feeder steers and heifers closing mostly steady to 2.00 lower. Steer calves steady to 4.00 higher. Heifer calves mostly steady. Demand moderate to good..
Click below for the complete closing report.
By the way- the sale today and tomorrow will be the final auctions of the year at the Oklahoma National Stockyards.
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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.
Host Ron Hays travels the Road to Rural Prosperity with mixed feelings as he talks with Roy Lee Lindsey of OkPork- who has just announced his resignation as Executive Director as the head of the group representing hog farmers in Oklahoma- as he prepares to take a similar position with the North Carolina Pork Council- North Carolina the second largest pork state in the US.
Today's Road to Rural Prosperity is being sponsored in part by the Oklahoma Rural Water Association.
To find out more about our full series of Podcasts on The Road to Rural Prosperity- click or tap here.
To hear this Podcast you can click here or tap below:
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Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, AFR/OFU, 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
405.317.6361
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Ron Hays
Director of Farm Programming
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
405.473.6144
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