Legislation approved Thursday afternoon by the Oklahoma House of Representatives will help Oklahomans reduce the number of feral hogs in Oklahoma. The measure would allow the hunting of feral hogs day or night on private land by the landowner or by someone he has given permission to.


State representative Sean Roberts is the bill sponsor in the House for Senate Bill 1142.  


The Samuel Roberts Noble Research Foundation has estimated the feral hog population in Oklahoma to be as high as 1.6 million, with hogs verified in all 77 counties. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture has reported that feral hogs can carry up to 30 different diseases.

After the vote, both the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and the Oklahoma Pork Council praised the legislation.

The President of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Tom Buchanan, offered the following statement in support of Cb 1142. "Oklahoma Farm Bureau today is thankful for the leadership of Rep. Sean Roberts and the Oklahoma House of Representatives in passing SB 1142. By eliminating restrictions on the hunting and removal of feral hogs, the legislation allows Oklahoma to move one step closer toward eradicating the invasive species."

Roy Lee Lindsay with the Oklahoma Pork Council emailed us his reaction- saying "Feral swine are an invasive species that destroy property and pose a significant health risk to Oklahoma's domestic swine herd.

"The Oklahoma Pork Council supports legislation that removes barriers to and promotes the eradication of feral swine. SB1142, as amended, should do just that. "

Details about the bill- and the complete statement by Farm Buerau's Buchanan can be read by clicking here.

Oklahoma drought ratings were reduced in the latest weekly Drought Monitor updated released Thursday morning- but according to State Climatologist Gary McManus, it does not reflect any of the rainfall that rolled across the state after 7:00 AM on Tuesday morning. The graphic below shows a two thirds reduction in drought compared to a week ago. McManus writes in his latest Mesonet Ticker "So we went from 32% of the state in drought to 10%...that seems about right. The only increases were in western Roger Mills and Ellis counties, and also over in east central Oklahoma. Tiny increases, but as you can see from the 1-week change map, most of the area saw 1-2 class improvement.


"However, given that even more rain fell over the last two days, I think we will see more improvements next week (regardless of further rains). Speaking of further rains, we will have several storm systems making their way through the state over the next week to 10 days, bringing a chance of rain AND possibly severe weather."

Click here for more comments from McManus- and several graphics about this coming week's stormy weather- and the latest Drought Monitor for the stated can be seen here:

A fifty cent increase in the July Kansas City contract combined with a steady basis has OSU Grain Marketing Economist Dr. Kim Anderson excited. Although the potential $4.30 to $4.40 harvest price is still relatively low, he says it's all relative.

"When you've been looking at $4 or less, $4.30 or $4.40 looks better," Anderson says.

As we write our email this morning- KC December hard red winter wheat futures for December settled Thursday afternoon at an even $5.00 a bushel- and the overnight trade is backing away from that some- lately at $4.86 1/2, down thirteen and a half cents as of 5:45 AM.

There are several theories responsible for the price bump, including potential freeze damage to Oklahoma and Kansas wheat crops and reduced global wheat production.

"The world may be realizing that Ukraine had 20 percent less planted acres and Russia production may be down 9 percent," Anderson says. "You've got these little pieces of news that are negative supply wise and haven't come to fruition yet that maybe changing the odds of 2016-17 world wheat production."

Click here to read more- and to listen to Dave and Kim talk wheat markets.

You can also see at the above link the complete lineup for this weekend's SUNUP, as seen on OETA.

Two new projects from USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Oklahoma will provide technical and financial assistance to landowners for rangeland and woodland improvement. Both projects are part of NRCS's popular Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Those interested are encouraged to apply with their local USDA service center before the deadline on April 29, 2016.


Participation in the Monarch Butterfly initiative is open to producers and conservation partners throughout Oklahoma and will help make butterfly-friendly improvements to farms and ranches. Projects will focus on pasture health to provide good forage for livestock and food for monarchs.


Meanwhile in Eastern Oklahoma- The Arkansas/Oklahoma Woodland Restoration Project is open to landowners in Latimer, Le Flore, Pushmataha and McCurtain Counties. The project will provide assistance to improve the health and resiliency of forest ecosystems where public and private lands meet. By restoring woodland areas, participants will improve water quality and quantity, improve wildlife habitat, reduce wildfire losses and enhance economic development in chronically impoverished counties.

Details on both of these programs are available by clicking here.

Agency delays in processing visas for workers who tend and harvest America's food crops are fast approaching crisis proportions, all but guaranteeing that crops will rot in the field on many farms this year, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said today.

Communications with state Farm Bureaus across the nation have revealed worker shortages in more than 20 states.

"Many farmer members have called us and state Farm Bureaus asking for help," Duvall said. "They face serious hurdles in getting visas for workers in time to tend and harvest this year's crops. Paperwork delays have created a backlog of 30 days or more in processing H-2A applications at both the Department of Labor and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services."

More details on the concerns being raised by AFBF can be read by clicking here.

Daren Williams, executive director of communications for National Cattlemen's Beef Association, says issues management is a priority for his organization. Working with journalists and presenting factual information via social media can help reassure consumers the beef they are feeding their families is safe and nutritious.

"It seems like we have issues flying at us from all directions," he says. "But it's making sure that our side of the story - because there are a lot of different sides to every story - gets into the conversation."

Click here to read more and to listen to our Beef Buzz with Daren on Issues Management for beef cattle producers.

Williams was in Oklahoma earlier this week, meeting with several groups, and stopped by to see us and record this weekend's In the Field that will be seen Saturday morning(tomorrow!) at 6:40 AM during the morning news block on KWTV, News9 in Oklahoma City.

If you not in the OKC area- we will be posting the video conversation that we have done with Daren on our website and on Twitter as well- that should be floating around in cyberspace by late morning Saturday.

Express Ranches will be holding their Grass Time Sale at noon today, with right at 200 Angus Bulls to sell, along with Registered Angus Fall Bred Heifers, Angus Pairs, Angus Show Heifers and several commercial pairs and Fall Bred Heifers.

Details of the sale later today available on the Express Ranches website- click here to jump there.  This is their front page and you will see links to the Sale Catalog, Videos of the cattle selling and detailed Performance Data of the animals being offered.

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Superior Livestock has headed to the Bayou- at least for today.  Their Gulf Coast Classic begins at 8:00AM central time today- and it's going to be a great sale!!!

Over 57,000 will be offered- and you can learn more about today's sale by jumping over to the Superior website by clicking or tapping here.