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National Academy of Sciences Releases Study Showing Foods from GE-Crops Just as Safe as Foods From Non- GE Crops 

There's no evidence to suggest that foods from genetically engineered (GE) crops are less safe than foods from non-GE crops, according to a new National Academies of Sciences report.   


The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released its report,Genetically Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects, at an in-person presentation today in Washington, D.C., that was also broadcast via webinar. The National Academy also established a website on this subject- and by clicking or tapping here you can go to the website and see Tuesday's webinar. AND- we featured comments from the webinar in this mornings farm news as heard on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network- comments from Dr. Fred Gould, who chaired the 20 member panel that worked two years on the study. Click here to listen to that morning agri news update.


Brian Baenig, Executive Vice President, Food and Agriculture for the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), issued the following statement in response:

"BIO commends the NAS panel for maintaining a transparent and objective approach throughout the course of the study and for its commitment to a science-based process. 

"Through a series of open meetings and webinars, which generated input from both opponents and proponents of the technology, the Committee upheld its promise to embrace open engagement.

"After carefully examining the benefits and potential risks of GE crops and food in the commercial marketplace for the past two decades, we are pleased that the study reiterates what the world's scientific authorities have repeatedly concluded over the years: that agricultural biotechnology has many demonstrated benefits to farmers, consumers, and the environment.

Read more about the results found in the National Academies of Sciences report.

Superior Livestock's New FedCattleExchange.com Created to Increase Cash Trade

Feedyards and beef processors will soon have a new way to negotiate trade. Superior Livestock Auction has created FedCattleExchange.com, an electronic auction format that will facilitate the trade of fed cattle. Danny Jones, president of SLA, says the need for this type of market interaction stems from a lack of cash sales.


"We have seen in the last few months situations arise that have caused there to be a need for this that's recognized from both sides of the aisle," he says. "We really feel that it's wanted as badly from the buyers' standpoint as it is the sellers'."


The online sales will begin at 10 a.m. (CDT) every Wednesday starting May 25.


Jones says that in addition to managing supply, the new online sale will help increase cash-negotiated trade in the five- area average, which is key in determining the formula trade.


"I think the industry is really cooperating together - the packers and the feedyards alike are anxious to see this happen," he says.


More information about how the new platform will work is available at FedCattleExchange.com.


Click here to hear part one of our conversation with Danny about the new FedCattleExchange.com during the latest Beef Buzz. 

Governor Mary Fallin Signs HB 2446 - Declares Water a Compelling State Interest 

In a letter to Governor Fallin signed by a broad coalition of agriculture groups including American Farmers and Ranchers, Oklahoma Agribusiness Retailers Association, Oklahoma Agricultural Cooperative Council, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, Oklahoma Cotton Council, Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association, Oklahoma Pork Council, Oklahoma Seed Trade Association and Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association, the organizations stated:


'On behalf of our respective memberships, we are united in respectfully requesting your signature on HB 2446 -"Declaring the protection of the beneficial uses of certain bodies of water a compelling state interest". We believe that water is Oklahoma's most valuable resource and therefore there should be no question that water issues are and should be matters of compelling state interest. The bill's language codifies that the legislature and the Governor's office has and will have the authority to define water issues in the state of Oklahoma.'

Read more about HB 2446.

Feral Swine Bill Returns to the Governor's Desk for a Second Time

 
For the second time in about a week, SB 1142 has been sent to Governor Mary Fallin. Last week, the measure hit the Governor's desk- and about the time it was walked through the door- someone read the final language- and found that one extra word had been struck from the measure- the word "fish." 

That would have caused all kinds of unintended consequences- so the Legislature made the request almost immediately for the Governor to return the bill- they unstruck that one word- blessed the bill on both sides of the Capitol and the measure was officially transmitted to the Governor for the second time.  Click here to read the final language that went to the second floor office of Governor Fallin.

Will she sign the bill?  It appears to have really strong support in both the House and Senate- and that may help in making the case that it should be signed as both the lawmakers and the Governor spend most of their remaining time this week and next in trying to hammer out a budget deal. 

Speaking of the Budget- and of the Wild Hogs bill- and of State Question 777- Oklahoma Farm Bureau Vice President for Governmental Affairs John Collison weighed in on these issues in the latest YouTube produced by the general farm organization.

Click on the play button in the video box here to hear his take on these subjects:

OSU's Dr. Tom Royer Talks Aphids of All Kinds and How They're Impacting Oklahoma's Crops

The same cool spring that is allowing the area's wheat to fill is also providing the perfect environment for some unusual aphids. Dr. Tom Royer, professor and coordinator of the Integrated Pest Management program at OSU, says he's heard of several bird cherry-oat aphid and English grain aphid infestations around the state.


He says that while the bird cherry-oat aphid doesn't physically and visually injure the crop like other bugs, it does rob yield and it can definitely sneak up on farmers as it did this year.


"We didn't have the natural enemies keeping it lower than it typically is from year to year," he says.


Royer says insect problems were less prevalent in canola this year, with the exception of a few reports of turnip aphids showing up later in the growing season. 


"The messages that I got from canola growers this year was that it was one of the slowest, quietest insect years we've seen in years," he says. "Again the weather is just perfect for the canola. I think the canola crop - I know it's smaller this year in acres - but it sure looks beautiful." 


Sugar cane aphids continue to be a big concern for grain sorghum producers. Royer says since showing up across the state in 2013, the sugar cane aphid has affected nearly every acre of grain sorghum in Oklahoma. He says that while the aphid is here to stay, some varieties could offer more protection for farmers.


"We're going to be dealing with it from year to year," he says. "The biggest issue is that we have to get an understanding of what varieties have resistance. 


"One of the issues last year was that one of the varieties planted was also one of the most susceptible to this aphid."


Royer says the EPA recently issued a Section 18 permit for an aphid material called Transform.


I spoke with Dr. Royer during the Lahoma Wheat Field Day last Friday. Click here to listen to our full conversation.

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TSCRA Submits Comments on USDA-APHIS Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Rule Proposal

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) submitted comments Monday expressing concerns with the United States Department of Agriculture - Animal Plant Health Inspection Service's (USDA-APHIS) rule proposal regarding the agency's updated provisions on Brucellosis and Bovine Tuberculosis.


"The health and well-being of cattle across the country are critical to the entire beef industry," said TSCRA president Richard Thorpe. "It is for this reason that TSCRA opposes efforts by USDA-APHIS to finalize this rule for adoption until concerns regarding the effectiveness and practical application of this rule have been adequately addressed.


"For instance, TSCRA opposes the transition from an effective eradication program, which has worked for over a century, to a new control program for the diseases. We do not believe this shift to a control program meets the important goal of eradicating these diseases in the U.S. 


"Additionally, TSCRA is concerned the current structure of the rule proposal would shift the administrative burden to the states without providing adequate resources needed to eradicate Brucellosis and Tuberculosis. It is important for USDA-APHIS to commit to utilizing the current cooperative funding agreement concept as well as continuing to provide direct field support. 


"These are only a couple of the concerns TSCRA is asking USDA-APHIS to address before the final rule is adopted. TSCRA will continue to monitor and be actively engaged in this rule proposal to make certain ranchers receive the resources necessary to protect their cattle from Brucellosis and Tuberculosis," Thorpe concluded.


For a link to view TSCRA's comments opposing the USDA-APHIS rule proposal, click here.

This N That- Beef Day at the Capitol, US Lamb to Taiwan and Grassley on GMO Labeling Impasse

 

At the Oklahoma State Capitol- today is Beef Day, with several organizations setting up booths around the Rotunda to help showcase the importance of the beef industry to the Oklahoma economy. 

The Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association will be on hand- grilling up all beef hot dogs for one and all- some of the OCA board this past week at their quarterly meeting asked why hot dogs- and it was said many of the staffers had expressed the appreciation of having a "one handed" meal to grab and go during a busy day as we approach the end of the 2016 legislative session.

We'll be out there and will provide coverage via Twitter so be watching our updates from our handle Ron_on_RON.

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For the first time since 2003, U.S. lamb and lamb products have regained access to Taiwan. the US Meat Export Federation is cheering the efforts of the USTR in getting this done for  US Lamb producers.

U.S. lamb lost access to several key markets, including Taiwan, following the first U.S. case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in December 2003. The market closures were due to concerns related to scrapie, a disease similar to BSE. Asian markets that remain closed to U.S. lamb include Japan and South Korea.

Read more about this opening by clicking here.

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Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa says there is at least a small light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to a GMO Labeling Bill moving in the US Senate. Asked if he was still pessimistic about Senate passage of a biotech labeling bill by July 1, Senator Chuck Grassley told reporters Tuesday that "I'm not saying there are reasons to be optimistic, but you can obviously be more optimistic when you know people are talking and trying to negotiate than when they aren't."

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