Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- State Veterinarian Rod Hall Urges Hog Producers- Large and Small- to Be Vigilant in Efforts to Keep African Swine Fever Out of the US
- Dr. Tryon Wickersham Urges Cattle Producers to Tell the Positive Story of Beef to Consumers
- Lilyana Sestak and Rachel Mitchell inducted into Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame
- As producer sentiment holds steady, farmers weigh in on rising input prices and farmland values
- Genetics in the Genomics Era - Improving the Accuracy of Selection
- NCBA Pleased to See Legislation Recognizing the Needs of Ranchers on the Border
- Low Stress Cattle Handling & BQA Certification Coming up August 13 at 11am
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State Veterinarian Rod Hall Urges Hog Producers- Large and Small- to Be Vigilant in Efforts to Keep African Swine Fever Out of the US |
The State Veterinarian for Oklahoma, Dr. Rod Hall, led a webinar hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture on Tuesday afternoon about African Swine Fever and it's arrival in the Caribbean. Dr. Hall explained some of the history of ASF and the importance of biosecurity in all sizes of hog operations across the United States. After the webinar, I talked with Dr Hall about how ASF could impact both large and small hog operations found in Oklahoma, if it was found in the continental United States.
Dr. Hall says that USDA has planned a 72 hour stop movement order all across the US if African Swine Fever is found in the US. That will allow authorities to hopefully put a virtual fence around the outbreak and stop any spread once discovered.
According to a media release from the National Pork Producers Council- "The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced back on July 28th that the Dominican Republic (DR) has confirmed cases of African swine fever (ASF). The cases were confirmed as part of a cooperative surveillance program between the United States and the DR. The United States remains free of ASF – an animal disease affecting only pigs with no human health implications – and imports no pork, animal feed or other pork production-related products from the Dominican Republic.
“The United States has significantly bolstered biosecurity to protect the U.S. swine herd since ASF broke in China nearly three years ago and began spreading to other parts of the world,” said Liz Wagstrom, chief veterinarian with the National Pork Producers Council. “We are thankful for steps taken by the USDA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including strengthened border inspection and the implementation of an active surveillance program designed to quickly detect and eradicate ASF. These measures are particularly important now that ASF has been detected in the Western hemisphere for the first time in approximately 40 years.”
Our story that you can jump to via the button below includes an exclusive conversation that we had after the Webinar with Dr Hall summarizing his concerns about this disease- be sure and take a listen.
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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.
AND- Check out details for our August Area Meetings that start NEXT WEEK- Details Available Here
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Dr. Tryon Wickersham Urges Cattle Producers to Tell the Positive Story of Beef to Consumers |
Tryon Wickersham says the valuable role of cattle of being able to eat forages that we can't consume- and turn it into a high quality, delicious meat protein is called "upcycling." He told Radaio Oklahoma Ag Network Associate Farm Director KC Sheperd that cattle play a valuable role in society- "in terms of taking inedible feedstuffs like grasses, and byproducts like distillers grains and cotton byproducts and converting them to products that humans want to consume like hamburgers, steaks, roasts" which contribute to human health and well being.
Wickersham, an Associate Professor in the Animal Sciences Department at Texas A&M University adds that cattle "really fulfill this unique niche that pigs and chickens can't in terms of our food supply."
Wickersham addressed Upcycling and Sustainability at the recent Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association Convention and talked afterwards with Sheperd about not just upcycling but also the reason that cattle producers need to tell the positive story of beef in human nutrition because letting others tell the story opens the door to trouble. "I think other people who tell our story often have an agenda, which could be detrimental to beef producers."
He adds that sustainability is the right thing to do- but it's also good for the economic bottom line of cattle operations. Producers who want to learn how to improve the efficiency of their cattle operations are often also making their cattle more sustainable.
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Sestak and Mitchell inducted into Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame |
Lincoln County 4-H’er Lilyana Sestak was taking part in 4-H events long before she was old enough to be an official member, but that’s what happens when your dad is the local Oklahoma State University Extension 4-H educator.
Once she officially became a Cloverbud, she knew her possibilities were limitless but within reach - and she hasn’t slowed down since then. One of those many possibilities became a reality when she was inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame during the 100th State 4-H Roundup that took place July 28-30 on the OSU campus in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
“When I got the call that I’d won, it was just surreal,” said Sestak, who is a member of the Prague 4-H Club. “I broke out in tears. I just feel so honored to be recognized like this.”
It was much the same for Rachel Mitchell, who was also inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame at the 100th Oklahoma 4-H Roundup held on campus at Oklahoma State University.
An active 4-H’er for nine years, Mitchell said her 4-H career began in fourth grade as a little girl who just wanted to fit in - looking up to the big kids in her club. Today, her role has changed and she’s the one teaching others about the positive impact 4-H can have on youth.
When she joined the Frederick 4-H Club, she said there weren’t a lot of club members. One of her main projects has been to increase the membership in Tillman County. She said one way she’s helped do that is just by being more visible.
“I talked to my friends about 4-H and we started doing community service projects. We’d get out and work in Frederick and let people see what we were doing and help them learn what 4-H is all about,” she said. “Our membership has really increased over the years.”
Learn more about both of these high achievers by clicking on the Buttons below.
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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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CME Purdue Barometer Shows Unease in Farm Country Regarding Current and Future Conditions |
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer leveled off after two months of sharp declines, down just 3 points to a reading of 134 in July. Both producers' sentiment regarding current and future conditions also dropped. The Index of Current Conditions was down 6 points to a reading of 143, primarily as a result of weakened principal crop prices. The Index of Future Expectations was down 2 points to a reading of 130. 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 between July 19-23, 2021.
"This month's sentiment index marks the lowest barometer reading since July of 2020 and actually marks a return to sentiment readings observed from much of 2017 through 2019, when annual average barometer readings ranged from 131 to 133," said James Mintert, the barometer's principal investigator and director of Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture. "Producers' sentiment regarding their farms' financial condition was more optimistic when prices for corn, soybeans and wheat were surging last fall, winter and early spring. Still, recent sentiment readings suggest farmers remain cautiously optimistic about financial conditions on their farms."
There was a modest improvement in the Farm Financial Performance Index, which asks producers about expectations for their farm's financial performance this year compared to last year. The index improved 3 points from last month to a reading of 99 and remains 43% higher than in July 2020 when the index stood at 69.
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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
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Genetics in the Genomics Era - Improving the Accuracy of Selection |
Mark Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist, offers herd health advice as part of the weekly series known as the "Cow Calf Corner" published electronically by Dr. Peel, Mark Johnson, and Paul Beck. today Johnson is talking about genetics in the genomics era.
This week’s article is intended for registered, seedstock breeders in the purebred sector of cow-calf production. As we approach the time of year that spring calving operations will be weaning, selection decisions will be made regarding how many heifers should be developed as replacements, for marketing or culled. Likewise, which bulls should be developed as potential herd sires to use or sell. These decisions impact marketing success, how we will utilize feed resources and the accuracy of these selection decisions dramatically impacts how much long-term genetic improvement we will make. With this in mind, using available DNA testing technology can cost effectively accelerate reaching our breeding goals.
What can we learn from DNA testing?
By working with your breed association to order the tests, submitting DNA samples and obtaining the lab results, current DNA testing technology can: 1) verify parentage, 2) determine genotypes for simply inherited, qualitative traits, and 3) identify genes having an additive genetic effect on the variation of quantitative, polygenic traits which result in higher accuracy, Genomically Enhanced Expected Progeny Differences (GE-EPDs). This information is typically available within a few weeks of when DNA samples are submitted yielding genetic information that would otherwise take generations of calf crops to obtain.
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NCBA Pleased to See Legislation Recognizing the Needs of Ranchers on the Border |
On Friday, Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan RAPID (Reimbursing Agriculture Producers for Immigration Damages) Act with Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), and Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) to create a reimbursement program for agricultural producers that incur losses caused by illegal border crossings.
The bill would allow producers to receive reimbursement for livestock losses, damage to fences or physical structures, or property losses, all of which currently occur at the border due to those crossing the border illegally. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) thanks Rep. Pfluger and this bipartisan group of members for supporting policies that protect cattle farmers and ranchers who are simply trying to raise not only their livestock, but their families on this land.
“Texas ranchers are facing significant hardships amid a flood of illegal border crossings and must continually fix cut fences and damaged infrastructure,” said Hughes Abell, president of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. “We commend the bipartisan legislation filed today to help these hardworking men and women recoup some of the costs they bear, and urge Congress to quickly pass this much-needed assistance."
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Low Stress Cattle Handling & BQA Certification Coming up August 13 at 11am |
The Oklahoma Cattlemens Association is pleased to be a part of bringing this Low Stress Cattle Handling clinic and BQA certification to Cherokee, OK. On August 13th, 2021 we will host Curt Pate Stockmanship from 11AM to 2PM.
Curt will go over low stress cattle handling as it pertains to our operations and offer tips and tricks for working cattle with ease. In addition to Curt Pate, the Oklahoma Beef Council will be presenting a BQA certification seminar. The Beef Quality Assurance program is an integral part in providing consumers with a safe and reputable product. We encourage all of our customers to become BQA certified.
We are offering a youth portion to this event as well. All 4-H and FFA members are welcome to attend. There will be a youth BQA certification as well as a youth segment with Curt Pate. This is a great opportunity for the future of our industry!
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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 $4.84 and Select Beef was up $4.11 on Tuesday August 3rd.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Oklahoma National Stockyards had a final count of 7,637 head of cattle for their Monday August 2nd sale.
Compared to last week: Feeder steers and heifers steady to 3.00 lower. Steer and Heifer calves 2.00 - 5.00 lower. Demand moderate.
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
Chelsea Stanfield, Farm News 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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