Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Thursday, July 29, 2021
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Ag Secretary Blayne Arthur Sees Two Big Hurdles for Oklahoma Beef Producers
- Jerry Bohn of NCBA Believes Cash Cattle Trade Improving in the Southern Plains and Kansas
- Lower Yields Expected For 2021 Hay Crop
- NSP Applauds House Agriculture Committee Approval of 2020 WHIP+ Authorization Act
- Angus Members Achieve 1 Million Genotypes
- House Agriculture Hearing Echoes NCBA Push for More Hook Space
- There Was Also a Senate Hearing on the Beef Supply Chain Wednesday, Too
- Wheat Crops in North Dakota Impacted by Drought
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Ag Secretary Blayne Arthur Sees Two Big Hurdles for Oklahoma Beef Producers |
Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur has had her boots on the ground, speaking with Oklahoma beef producers around the state. Arthur told Radio Oklahoma’s own, KC Sheperd, there are two main hurdles beef industry professionals are facing.
“One of those is medical marijuana,” Arthur said. “The other - which there is still a lot to talk about - are the markets, packing and the availability of processing.”
Arthur says there is “good momentum” with moving toward solutions for both issues.
The second issue is packing and processing. When it comes to beef markets, Aurthur says the State is anticipating 19 new beef-processing facilities to be serving communities before the end of the year.
“It’s very exciting!” Arthur said. “We acknowledge that head processed per day doesn’t make a huge difference, but for those producers in those communities, it certainly does.”
In addition to those new facilities, a mobile beef-processing unit has been traveling around the state, giving kids a first-hand look into what a workday looks like for a beef-processing plant worker.
“When we hear about these meat-processing facilities coming online, the number-one issue they have is labor,” Arthur said. “Having that skill means they have that job opportunity.”
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Oklahoma AgCredit is a member of the Farm Credit System that serves every part of agriculture from the smallest operations to the largest – and everything in between. Whether helping a young farm family begin, supporting our veterans as they return home and take up farming or financing U.S. agricultural exports around the globe, Farm Credit is committed to the success of American agriculture.
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Jerry Bohn of NCBA Believes Cash Cattle Trade Improving in the Southern Plains and Kansas |
When he is not busy serving as the president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Jerry Bohn spends time serving as the NCBA’s Regional Trigger sub-group Chair that is working on the voluntary framework to achieve robust price discovery in the fed cattle market.
The work has been non-stop since last summer, Bohn said.
Members of the sub-group ask producers to sell cattle on a negotiated basis for at least 75 percent of the robust trade as identified by research done by Steven Coons of Colorado State, Bohn said.
They are also asking packers to participate at the same level and that they commit to buying a specified number of cattle each week on a negotiated basis, he added.
Bohn said success has been seen in the second quarter, and negotiated trade did increase substantially in the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, and Kansas.
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Lower Yields Expected For 2021 Hay Crop |
Cool and wet conditions pushed back much of the state’s hay season this summer, but with clear skies and hot temperatures in the forecast, producers are making hay while the sun shines.
Alfalfa, rye, Bermuda and other native prairie grasses are cut for winter livestock forage in Oklahoma, but some of those varieties, such as Bermuda, are 30-45 days behind normal harvest rates for this time of year. Brian Pugh, the northeast region agronomy specialist for Oklahoma State University Extension, said producers who hay Bermuda in his area are expected to be down one cutting by the end of the season.
“When you compare what we’re seeing to previous years, we have extremely cool temperatures at 2-inch soil depth,” he said. “With a lot of rainfall and cloud cover, we’re not getting solar radiation down to the ground.
“Many producers just now are getting their first cutting hauled off the field. We should be on the second cutting by now, but we’re not seeing much of that,” he added.
The 2021 hay production outlook was concerning following a harsh winter that depleted many hay reserves. However, Pugh said late summer’s LaNina weather pattern should make up for a slow start.
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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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NSP Applauds House Ag Committee Approval of 2020 WHIP+ Act |
This morning, the House Committee on Agriculture advanced H.R. 267, or the 2020 WHIP+ Authorization Act, which would authorize the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) for 2020 and 2021 losses. This legislation, which extends the model that complements crop insurance, broadens the scope of WHIP+ to include losses from extreme cold and drought, such as the polar vortex seen in Texas earlier this year, as well as other disastrous weather events seen in the past two years.
“We are extremely grateful to see the House Agriculture Committee working in a bipartisan effort to provide essential support to not only sorghum producers, but all of America’s farmers and ranchers who have been detrimentally affected by natural disasters,” National Sorghum Producers Chairman Kody Carson, a sorghum farmer from Olton, Texas, said. "The extension of WHIP+ into 2020 and 2021 improves upon the existing program and will offer much needed assistance during a particularly challenging, high cost and high stakes time for agriculture."
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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
The vision of the Oklahoma Beef Council is to be a positive difference for Oklahoma's farming and ranching families and the greater beef community and its mission is to enhance beef demand by strengthening consumer trust and exceeding consumer expectations.
AND- check out one of our videos below that answers questions about how the Beef Checkoff works.
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Angus Members Achieve 1 Million Genotypes |
Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI), a subsidiary of the American Angus Association®, has reached their 1 millionth mark in Angus genotypes. This was a monumental accomplishment for the Angus breed, says Kelli Retallick-Riley, president of AGI.
"It has taken just a little over a decade for Angus breeders to reach this impressive milestone," said Retallick-Riley. "This is a testament to the pioneer mindset Angus breeders have always hung their hats on. The early adoption of genomic technology has led Angus to this point and will lend to future tools designed specifically for users of registered Angus genetics."
AGI began including genomics in the genetic evaluation in 2010 with the idea of using this technology to enhance accuracy, evaluate for traits at earlier ages and predict difficult-to-measure traits for Angus breeders. In addition to its large genotype database, the American Angus Association is home to the largest beef cattle breed phenotype database in the world. With that knowledge, the pace of adoption of genomic technology has increased.
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House Agriculture Hearing Echoes NCBA Push for More Hook Space |
The U.S. House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture held a hearing on Wednesday morning to examine urgent challenges within the beef supply chain. After hearing testimony from agriculture economists, land-grant university faculty, and cattle industry stakeholders, many members of Congress echoed the National Cattlemen's Beef Association's (NCBA) longstanding call to expand processing capacity.
Members also noted the need for greater transparency in cattle markets to create conditions that support both a reliable, affordable supply of U.S. beef and the continued financial viability of American cattle farmers and ranchers.
"The roadblocks that are depressing profits for our cattle producers and endangering the steady supply of affordable beef have really captured the attention of lawmakers," said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. "The continued momentum we are seeing on expanding processing capacity, both on Capitol Hill and at USDA, is a positive sign. We are grateful to Chairman Costa and Ranking Member Johnson for prioritizing this issue. We look forward to continuing to work with members of the House Agriculture Committee to advance solutions like the Butcher Block Act that would alleviate some of the chokepoints that are hurting our producers."
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There Was Also a Senate Hearing on the Beef Supply Chain Wednesday, Too |
It was not just the House that spotlighted the beef industry this week- the Senate Judiciary Committee also got in on the action.
Wednesday's Senate Judiciary hearing, called "Beefing up Competition: Examining America's Food Supply Chain," follows a hearing last month in front of the Senate Ag Committee. At that time, leaders got input from cattle producers and industry groups about the supply chain, and concerns about lack of transparency, but no one from the meat packing sector took part.
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Jon Schaben, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, owner of Dunlap Livestock Auction
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Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union
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Shane Miller, president of fresh meats at Tyson Foods Group
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Tim Schellpeper, president of USA fed beef at JBS USA
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David Smith, president and CEO of the Associated Wholesalers Grocers
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George Slover, Consumer Reports senior policy council.
Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa is the ranking member of the Committee- he has long railed against the shrinking amount of cash trade in the market and it's his "50-14" proposal that has been front and center in the conversation about mandating cash cattle trade which would basically make the rest of the country reflect what is often seen in the corn belt- especially Grassley's home state of Iowa.
"Are independent producers who negotiate, offered the same opportunities to market their cattle as larger corporate feedlots do through formula contracts? And would you be opposed to having the base price premiums and any discounts shared with the public," Grassley asked during the hearing.
"We are active in the cash market every single day at JBS," said Tim Schellpeper, of JBS USA. "In fact in the state of Iowa, we have several buyers that are headquartered there. Again, active participants, are they offered the same price? Yes, they are on a cash basis, on a day in day out basis."
Check out the video below of the Senate Hearing which stretched on for several hours- and was very much an infomercial for Senator Grassley's point of view on the cattle market.
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Wheat Crops in North Dakota Impacted by Drought |
Most of the country has been significantly impacted by the drought, and spring wheat growers are seriously affected. To gain a better understanding of the drought’s effect, National Association of Wheat Grower’s CEO, Chandler Goule, and National Wheat Foundation project manager, Anne Osborne, are attending the Wheat Quality Council’s 2021 Hard Spring and Durum Wheat Tour.
By gaining this firsthand experience, Goule will be able to better represent the NAWG state members and create a more unified voice for the industry as NAWG advocates for wheat farmers in Washington, D.C. Crop insurance, disaster assistance, and additional funding for breeding programs for more resilient crops are among the many programs NAWG continues to promote on Capitol Hill and with the Administration.
“We are looking forward to learning more from wheat producers on the ground this week and understand the ways NAWG can better advocate for the common good of the industry,” said CEO, Chandler Goule. “We always want to listen and understand how policies or current situations are impacting wheat growers, and being able to attend these tours provides that instrumental opportunity.”
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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 $3.43 and Select Beef was up $2.18 on Wednesday July 28th.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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OKC West in El Reno had 5,827 head this week in their Tuesday and Wednesday Yearling and Calf sales.
Feeder steers sold 1.00-300 higher. Feeder heifers traded 3.00-5.00 higher. Demand good. Steer and heifer calves under 500 lbs sold 6.00-8.00 higher, heavier weights traded 2.00-5.00 higher.
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
Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager
Emile Mittelstaedt, Farm News Intern and Email Editor
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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.
KC Sheperd talks with Oklahoma's 17th Lt. Governor, Matt Pinnell. Pinnell is also serving as the first Oklahoma Secretary of Tourism & Branding. Pinnell says lots of exciting things have Oklahoma on an upward trajectory- and he shares several highlights in today's conversation. Today's Road to Rural Prosperity Podcast is powered by Banc First, Loyal to Oklahoma and to you.
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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