Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Crop Scouts See a Two Percent Smaller Oklahoma Wheat Crop in 2021- Predicting a 110 Million Bushel Harvest
- Oklahoma Cattle Producers Talk Cows During Beef Day at The Captiol
- OGFA Lobbyist Lori Peterson Explains Latest on Ag Sales Tax Exemption Debate
- Senate Ag Cmte Advances Dan Herald to serve on the Oklahoma Conservation Commission
- NCBA's Colin Woodall Says Increasing Plant Capacity Could Help Increase Cattle Prices
- USDA Announces Listening Session on Impacts of COVID-19 on New Farmers
- NASDA invites USDA to tackle regional, State and local Climate challenges in Partnership with State Departments of Agriculture
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Crop Scouts See a Two Percent Smaller Oklahoma Wheat Crop in 2021- Predicting a 110 Million Bushel Harvest |
Drought and freeze damage has cut into the potential of the 2021 Oklahoma Hard Red Winter Wheat Crop- so say the crop reporters who provided area snapshots of the crop that is now four to six weeks away from grain harvest. When you total up the nine regional areas that were reported on Tuesday at the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association annual meeting in Edmond, it has been estimated that Oklahoma may harvest 2.985 million acres- achieve a yield of 37.1 bushels an acre and put 110.741 million bushels of wheat into the bin this harvest season.
That compares to 113.4 million bushels actually harvested in 2020 with a record yield of 42 bushels per acre.
Gary Strickland with OSU Extension reported that even with about one fourth of the planted acres in the southwest area being grazed or bailed here in 2021- that he anticipates over 23 million bushels will be harvested in about a month- with an average yield of 38.9 bushels per acre in those southwest counties. Scouts reporting on the eastern northcentral counties believe that their region will also top out around 23 million bushels- and that Garfield and Grant Counties will claim their traditional spots as the top wheat producing counties in Oklahoma once again this year.
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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.
They would like to thank all of you who participated in their 2021 Oklahoma City Farm Show.
The Tulsa Farm Show is Oklahoma’s premier agricultural and ranching event which returns to the River Spirit Expo (Expo Square) December, 9-10-11, 2021.
Now is the ideal time to contact the Midwest Farm Show Office at 507-437-7969 and book space at the 2021 Tulsa Farm Show. To learn more about the Tulsa Farm Show, click here.
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Oklahoma Cattle Producers Talk Cows During Beef Day at The Capitol |
During Beef Day at the Capitol activities Tuesday Mike Weeks, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association President joined his fellow cattle producers to explain the industry to lawmakers.
We really enjoy coming here and meeting with legislators and their staff, Weeks said.
We want to show these legislators who we are and what we do, Weeks said.
Animal agriculture has come under fire in other states and as we move forward, advocacy for the beef industry falls on the industry and I think the legislators appreciate that, he said.
Cattle producers offered legislators a beef meal along with information about the beef industry.
Telling the beef story is an important aspect of the event.
We care about the land and animals, Weeks said.
The Oklahoma rancher said consumers are expressing more interest in where their meat comes from today.
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OGFA Lobbyist Lori Peterson Explains Latest on Ag Sales Tax Exemption Debate |
The sales tax exemption for agricultural producers has long been protected by the ag industry so when the Oklahoma Tax Commission attempted to make changes this year it grabbed the industry’s attention, said Lori Peterson, Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association Government Affairs and general counsel.
We saw the Oklahoma Tax Commission make some changes to their website and in doing so they let the county assessors know there would be some new requirements, Peterson said.
However, Oklahoma law states the county assessor determines agricultural producers who are eligible to receive a sales tax permit, Peterson said.
Legislation is pending to clarify the way traditional agricultural producers renew their permit and Peterson said there should not be any changes for them.
Peterson said producers who do not file a Schedule F and are not on record with the FSA office, may see some additional forms.
Once finalized the changes will go into effect July 1.
Other issues the OGFA is following include obtaining and renewing a Commercial Driver’s License and the state budget process.
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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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Senate Ag Cmte Advances Dan Herald to serve on the Oklahoma Conservation Commission |
Today, the Oklahoma Senate Agriculture and Wildlife Committee approved the appointment of Dan Herald of Hooker, Okla., in Texas County, to serve as a member of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission for a 5-year term ending June 30, 2026. It will now go to the Senate Floor for confirmation by the full Senate.
Herald will begin serving as the Area I Commissioner at the July Commission meeting.
“The Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC) is excited that Governor (J. Kevin) Stitt’s nomination of Dan Herald moved through the Senate Agriculture Committee,” said Trey Lam, Executive Director of the OCC. “Dan’s experience serving the people of Oklahoma through many leadership positions in different agriculture organizations will make him a valuable addition to the Conservation Commission. Not only does Dan have a great deal of knowledge on agriculture issues, but his service on the Texas County Conservation District Board and his involvement in conservation programs and community outreach makes him an excellent fit to serve on the Conservation Commission. I look forward to working with Dan to conserve, protect and restore Oklahoma’s soil and water.”
The conservation districts in Oklahoma are grouped into five areas in the state. Each area is represented by a Conservation Commission board member. Herald will represent Area I. The conservation districts in that area include: Alfalfa County; Beaver County; Blaine County; Central North Canadian River; Cimarron County; Dewey County; East Canadian County; Ellis County; Garfield County; Grant County; Harper County; Kingfisher County; Major County; Texas County; Woods County and Woodward County.
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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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NCBA's Colin Woodall Says Increasing Plant Capacity Could Help Increase Cattle Prices |
Increasing slaughter capacity by 4-5,000 head per day could lead to better prices for cattle producers said Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
Woodall recently talked with me and said, "We’re looking at this from several different angles."
One is the 75 percent plan adopted by NCBA members to drive more cash trade and price discovery.
We’re also working on legislation to incentivize increased packing capacity, Woodall said.
This would be at both the state and federal levels, he noted.
Converting state inspected facilities to federally inspected and expand reach across state lines and e-commerce for state inspected plants, he said.
All of those will help increase investment and give more opportunities to grow, Woodall said.
On a related note, along with increasing capacity, NCBA is working to educate the current administration and the public on the healthy role cattle play in the environment.
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Ag Economy Barometer remains strong; producers concerned about possible changes in estate Tax Policy |
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer was virtually unchanged in April, up one point from March to a reading of 178. Producers are becoming more optimistic about the future. The Index of Future Expectations continued its upward trend from last month, up 5 points to a reading of 169. However, their views on current conditions slipped. The Index of Current Conditions dropped 7 points in April, to a reading of 195. The Ag Economy Barometer is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers' responses to a telephone survey. This month's survey was conducted from April 19-23, 2021.
"The strength in commodity prices continues to drive improving expectations for strong financial performance, even as many are seeing rising input costs," said James Mintert, the barometer's principal investigator and director of Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture.
The Farm Financial Performance Index hit a record high in April, up 13 points from March to a reading of 138, 83 points higher than one year ago. This month 50% of producers indicated that they expect better financial performance in 2021 compared to 2020, up from 39% who felt that way in March. Despite expectations for their farms' strong financial performance, farmers were less inclined to think now is a good time for large investments in buildings and equipment than they were in March. However, in a follow up question, when asked more specifically about their farm machinery investment plans, more producers in April said they planned to increase their farm machinery purchases than in March. Said Mintert, "the divergence between the two responses could be reflective of the run-up in building costs and difficulty in scheduling construction projects across the U.S."
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USDA Announces Listening Session on Impacts of COVID-19 on New Farmers |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a virtual listening session for beginning farmers and ranchers to learn how COVID-19 impacted their farming operations and to get their feedback on USDA assistance. The listening session will take place on May 6, 2021, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Eastern time.
“We invite beginning farmers and ranchers to share their experiences in navigating USDA’s resources for assistance after the pandemic,” said Gloria Montaño Greene, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation.
“We need to understand what worked well and where we can improve, while deepening our understanding of how farmers were affected by the pandemic and how they are modifying their operations,” said Mae Wu, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.
Montaño Greene and Wu will be joined by Zach Ducheneaux, USDA’s Farm Service Agency Administrator, and Sarah Campbell, USDA’s National Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator.
This feedback will inform USDA preparations for outreach strategies, programmatic needs, technical assistance and accessible program delivery for beginning farmers and ranchers through Pandemic Assistance for Producers.
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NASDA invites USDA to tackle regional, State and local Climate challenges in Partnership with State Departments of Agriculture |
As advocates for agriculture’s prosperity, NASDA members have always sought ways to invest in our environment and protect the natural resources we depend on to grow our food. After a year of grueling natural disasters in 2019 and a hard look at the state of our climate, NASDA members acknowledged – we must do more. In early 2020, NASDA joined as a founding member of the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance to pioneer a revolutionary approach to empowering U.S. agricultural producers to further invest in our environment.
Last week, along with FACA, NASDA shared its recommendations for agriculture to serve as a central component to our nation’s response to climate change and how state departments of agriculture specifically can provide solutions. NASDA and FACA agree, state departments of agriculture serve as ideal partners for leading policy development for the industry. If we are to see the dividends of invoking industry-shaping change, policies must be advised by trusted, non-partisan individuals with experience in farming, a deep understanding of environmental science and the ability to work with all levels of government.
In NASDA’s comments to USDA, NASDA CEO Dr. Barb Glenn explained, state departments of agriculture are “uniquely positioned” to partner with USDA on new programs and initiatives, as NASDA members already serve as co-regulators with federal agencies on conservation, environmental protection, and the promotion of economic sustainability of agricultural producers.
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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 higher- Choice Beef was up $1.92 and Select Beef was up 12 cents on Tuesday May 4th.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Oklahoma National Stockyards reported a final actual number of cattle sold on Monday May 3rd at 5,751...
Compared to last week: Feeder steers 2.00 - 3.00 lower. Feeder heifers steady to 3.00 lower. Steer calves steady to 4.00 higher. Heifer calves steady to 4.00 lower. Calves compared to last weeks light test. Demand moderate to good.
Click below for the complete closing 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 is the 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 affecting rural America.
The Road to Rural Prosperity is here to tell stories about rural America, for rural America.
As the 2021 Legislative Session heads into the Home stretch for 2021- Host Ron Hays talks with OCA Executive Director Michael Kelsey about bills that have been passed and the Governor has signed, several bills that are still in play and how the budget bills are starting to come into focus. Ron and Michael also talk about the mood of cattle producers and their concerns- locally and nationally.
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, 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, Union Mutual Insurance, 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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