Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Monday, May 24, 2021
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Inhofe Leads Letter to Sec. Haaland Urging Against Listing the Lesser Prairie-Chicken
- Governor Stitt and Secretary Arthur Write the US Attorney General- Urging DOJ to Continue Investigation of US Meat Packers
- Clay Burtrum, Chairman of The Federation of State Beef Councils, Explains How Producers Work Together to Increase Beef Demand 67
- OCA Call to Action -- Concerning Ag Sale Tax Exemption
- Former U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan Says Proposed Rail Merger Will Improve Shipments of Ag Commodities
- OSU Researchers look at Meat Plants Post-Pandemic
- In Historic Move, USDA to Begin Loan Payments to Socially Disadvantaged Borrowers under American Rescue Plan Act Section 1005
- Weekly Harvest Report for May 21, 2021 Shows Harvest Slow in Texas and Continues across the States
- ICYMI- Task Force Established in Okla on Medical Marijuana Impacts
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Inhofe Leads Letter to Sec. Haaland Urging Against Listing the Lesser Prairie Chicken |
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) led a letter to Interior Sec Haaland urging against listing the Lesser Prairie Chicken under the Endangered Species Act. Inhofe was joined by U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Cornyn (R-Texas).
The Senators wrote: “We write regarding the Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) impending action later this month regarding the Endangered Species Act (ESA) "12-month finding" assessment of the lesser prairie-chicken (LPC), a species found in each of our respective states, including your home state of New Mexico. We understand that by May 26, 2021, the Service will issue a decision as to whether a formal ESA listing for the LPC is warranted.”
They continued: “We strongly believe it would be imprudent and harmful to ongoing and unprecedented conservation efforts in our states for the Service to issue what would amount to a premature ESA listing proposal for the LPC.”
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Governor Stitt and Secretary Arthur Write the US Attorney General- Urging DOJ to Continue Investigation of US Meat Packers
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Governor Kevin Stitt and Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur sent a letter Friday to the US Attorney General Merrick Garland- asking that he support investigation by the Department of Justice into the meat packing industry in the US and the meat supply chain.
Governor Stitt and Secretary Arthur tell AG Garland that cattle producers in Oklahoma and other states are very concerned that the major meat packers in the US are manipulating the market- saying "this investigation is necessary to determine what, if any manipulation, collusion or other illegal activity may be occurring and ensure market transparency."
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Dating back to 1891, Stillwater Milling Company has been supplying ranchers with the highest quality feeds made from the highest quality ingredients. Their full line of A & M Feeds can be delivered direct to your farm, found at their Agri-Center stores in Stillwater, Davis, Claremore and Perry or at more than 125 dealers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Texas. We appreciate Stillwater Milling Company’s long time support of the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and we encourage you to click here to learn more about their products and services.
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Clay Burtrum, Chairman of The Federation of State Beef Councils, Explains How Producers Work Together to Increase Beef Demand |
Beef demand is strong today, much of it due to the efforts of volunteer cattle producers working together through qualified state beef councils to promote beef.
On today’s Beef Buzz we have a tutorial from Clay Burtrum, Stillwater, Okla., rancher and chairman of the Federation of State Beef Councils, on how the efforts are coordinated locally and nationally.
Qualified state beef councils collect the $1 per head beef checkoff and provide 50 cents of that $1 to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board for national efforts. The remaining 50 cents is used for their own efforts to promote and increase demand for beef.
The qualified beef councils are joined together in a federation.
The federation’s vision is to build beef demand by inspiring unifying and support an effective state and national checkoff partnership, Burtrum said.
We believe in partnering with the 44 qualified state beef councils in what we do, he said.
Burturm said they have three major statements guiding their efforts.
We believe in the success of a strong state and national partnership to increase consumer demand for beef and higher consumer confidence, he said.
We believe in the producer control of the checkoff dollars, he said.
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OCA Call to Action -- Concerning Ag Sale Tax Exemption |
Ahead of the weekend- the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association issued a Call to Action to their membership regarding SB 422- asking them to "call your State Representative and respectfully request they co-author SB 422 and vote yes."
It's expected that the measure will be voted on in the Oklahoma House today.
OCA offered to their members these reasons to support the measure:
SB 422 gives flexibility to farmers and ranchers who are applying for a renewal or new agriculture sales tax exemption permit by providing several options to show proof of eligibility.
SB 422 provides for a consistent process in all 77 counties and thereby removes confusion and duplication in the qualifying process.
By providing clear guidelines, SB 422 also helps assure that only those individuals engaged in agriculture farming and ranching may qualify.
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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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Former U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan Says Proposed Rail Merger Will Improve Shipments of Ag Commodities |
A proposed merger involving several major U.S. and Canadian rail lines could greatly impact agricultural shipments.
The merger initially involved Kansas City Southern and Canadian Pacific Railway but recently Canadian National Railway entered the mix.
Former U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), representing Canadian Pacific, talked with me last Wednesday about the merger proposal.
I have long been an opponent of rail mergers, Dorgan said, noting they don’t make a lot of sense.
However, Dorgan granted a rare exception to the proposed merger with Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern.
The reason I think it is a rare exception is because it will open new markets, promote more competition and create a single line opportunity to both coasts and down into Texas and Mexico, he said.
The original talks estimated the merger at $25 billion.
Dorgan said he expects the merger to pass the scrutiny of regulators.
I think it is likely to because I think it will provide more competition and opportunities for shippers to serve new markets, Dorgan said.
He argued that is not true for Canadian National which has 300 shipping facilities where they serve along with Kansas City Southern and that would destroy competition.
The board of directors for Kansas City Southern (KCS) unanimously that CN’s offer to acquire KCS was “superior.”
But Friday’s announcement seals the deal. As a result, KCS has terminated its merger agreement with CP and has entered into a merger agreement with CN.
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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
Oklahoma Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization working to improve the lives of all Oklahomans by supporting our state’s agriculture community. As Oklahoma’s largest general farm organization, OKFB advocates for farmers and ranchers at the state Capitol and in Washington, D.C., to ensure our way of life continues for generations to come.
With leadership events, supporting our state’s agricultural youth and connecting consumers with agriculture, Farm Bureau promotes and sustains Oklahoma agriculture in numerous ways. Join with OKFB today by becoming a member at okfarmbureau.org/join. Together, we are rural Oklahoma®.
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OSU Researchers look at Meat Plants Post-Pandemic |
When consumers noticed a reduction in meat products in grocery stores at the beginning of the pandemic, some took matters into their own hands, working with producers directly to arrange for meat processing.
An ongoing decline in small meat plants had already led to processing wait times of about nine months pre-COVID 19. In slaughterhouses across Oklahoma, many customers are being told now they’ll get their livestock processed in more than a year, said Rodney Holcomb, agribusiness economist for Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center
In a recently released study, Holcomb and Courtney Bir, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Oklahoma State University Extension specialist, took a closer look at how COVID-19 forced meat processing plant shutdowns, increasing concerns in the current processing system. They evaluated the financial support and potential for an increase in small-scale processing.
Now that the grocery supply chain has proven its stability, the question is whether consumers will maintain their interest in smaller processing plant.
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In Historic Move, USDA to Begin Loan Payments to Socially Disadvantaged Borrowers under American Rescue Plan Act Section 1005 |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) today published the first notice of funding availability (NOFA) (PDF, 242 KB) announcing loan payments for eligible borrowers with qualifying direct farm loans under the American Rescue Plan Act Section 1005. The official NOFA will be published in the Federal Register early next week and USDA expects payments to begin in early June and continue on a rolling basis. A subsequent notice addressing guaranteed loan balances and direct loans that no longer have collateral and have been previously referred to the Department of Treasury for debt collection for offset, will be published within 120 days.
“The American Rescue Plan has made it possible for USDA to deliver historic debt relief to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers beginning in June,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA is recommitting itself to gaining the trust and confidence of America’s farmers and ranchers using a new set of tools provided in the American Rescue Plan to increase opportunity, advance equity and address systemic discrimination in USDA programs.”
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Weekly Harvest Report for May 21, 2021 Shows Harvest Slow in Texas and Continues across the States |
Weekly Harvest Report for May 21st from US Wheat Associates:
Welcome to the second Harvest Report for the 2021/22 U.S. wheat crop. Hard red winter (HRW) harvest continued slowly in Texas, while 10% of Louisiana’s SRW harvest is complete. Samples of HRW and SRW will begin arriving in the coming weeks; initial grade and crop quality data should be available early to mid-June
HARD RED WINTER
• Crop progress: Cooler temperatures and rain held back significant HRW harvest progress this week. USDA’s survey puts
the Texas harvest at 10% as of May 16. Across the country, an estimated 53% of the crop is headed and development is
running behind average.
• Crop Conditions: USDA estimates 48% of the HRW wheat crop is in good to excellent condition. The Wheat Quality
Council’s Hard Winter Wheat Tour estimated Kansas yield potential at 58.1 bu/acre … a big crop if realized.
• Weather: Temperatures across much of the growing region will stay cool, but rain chances in the dry northern areas are
low.
• Disease/Pest Pressures: The Wheat Quality Council tour this week noted stripe rust and some wheat streak mosaic in
Kansas fields. Disease pressure remains low in the growing region’s drier areas.
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ICYMI Ag Group task force to Tackle Issues from State's Medical Marijuana industry |
Five Oklahoma agriculture groups have formed a task force to develop solutions to the issues facing farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses from the exponential growth of the medical marijuana industry across Oklahoma.
The Medical Marijuana Impacts on Oklahoma Production Agriculture Task Force - comprised of American Farmers & Ranchers, Oklahoma Agribusiness Retailers Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, Oklahoma Agricultural Cooperative Council and Oklahoma Farm Bureau - was created to focus on crafting state and federal solutions to the increasing impacts of medical marijuana on production agriculture across Oklahoma.
The task force will review the variety of challenges confronting Oklahoma agriculture and work together to provide policy recommendations to state and federal leaders.
The statewide organizations plan to engage the task force with key stakeholders including other state agriculture organizations, public and private utility providers, members of the Oklahoma Legislature and congressional delegation, and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
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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 99 cents and Select Beef was up 70 cents on Friday 1May 21st.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Oklahoma National Stockyards has 6450 head of cattle on Sunday evening at the market and General Manager Kelli Payne tells us that she expects 7,500 head to start the sale this morning- the sale will start at 8:00AM.
Compared to lthe May 10th Sale: Feeder steers and heifers steady. Steer calves 2.00 - 4.00 lower. Heifer calves steady. Quality average to attractive. 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.
At the 2021 Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association annual meeting on May 4th, we recorded the lunch time conversation between OGFA CEO and President Jeff Hickman and Oklahoma State University President Designate Dr. Kayse Shrum, who will officially become the 19th President of OSU on July first. Learn more about who Dr. Shrum is- personally and professionally- and what her early priorities will be when she takes the reins as President on July first.
Today's Road to Rural Prosperity Podcast is sponsored in part by the Oklahoma Rural Water Association and the Oklahoma Farm Bureau.
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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