Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Thursday, November 18, 2021
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Frank Lucas on the Newly Proposed Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act
- NCBA's Myriah Johnson Says Cattle Industry Proves Itself as Sustainability Leaders
- In America's Heartland, You Cannot Beat Nebraska Cattle Prices Says Derrell Peel
- Senate Leaders Praise Passage of New Senate District Maps
- According to AFBF Build Back Better Act Would Hurt Rural America
- Noble Begins Redesigning Education, Consultation Programs Offering Greater Value to Farmers, Ranchers
- Meet the Fields Family, OKFB's District Nine Farm and Ranch Family Honorees
- Ag Lenders Expect Borrowers to be Profitable This Year
- In Our Market Links- Check out the Red Hot Calf Trade at OKC West in El Reno This Week
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Frank Lucas on the Newly Proposed Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act
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Despite warnings from economic specialists to congress to not artificially dictate how cattle should be sold in U.S. markets, another bill hopes to return fairness to the cattle marketplace dominated by four major meat packers. Recently, U.S. Senators proposed a bipartisan compromise cattle market proposal, known as the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act. The bill would amend the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921. Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas told us that he is reluctant about the bill.
“I almost want to describe it as the great compromise between the northerners,” Lucas said. “Your lead people are a senator from Iowa, a senator from Nebraska, joined in with a senator in Montana and a senator from Oregon. I have seen what appear to be section-by-section breakdowns. The basic gist of the language is to do something they do in Iowa.”
While the bill, and others like it, may not be the golden ticket for the cattle industry Lucas said there is no denying the enormous amount of pressure cattle producers are under due to poor price discovery at a time when beef sales are breaking records.
No matter how much Congress would like to help cattle producers, there is not much that can be done while the Department of Justice continues its investigations into anticompetitive behavior by the meat-packing industry.
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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 and clicking here to learn how you can join up! Together, we are rural Oklahoma.
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NCBA's Myriah Johnson Says Cattle Industry Proves Itself as Sustainability Leaders
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The cattle industry’s sustainability story has been a decade in the making, starting with the kick of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Sustainability Research program. Myriah Johnson, senior director of beef sustainability research for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, said in the beginning, the program focused on environmental sustainability. Today, the focus has widened to include economic and social sustainability.
New research has found methane, the main atmospheric pollutant produced from raising cattle, is less impactful on global climate change, long-term, than previously thought. The new findings offer relief and opportunity to an approximately 8,000-year-old industry facing modern-day challenges.
Johnson said there are multiple research studies taking place right now by the NCBA. One study is looking at how grazing cattle on public lands can protect communities and infrastructure from wildfire, according to Johnson.
The last decade of work by the NCBA and cattle producers toward environmental responsibility and sustainability is beginning to pay off with climate-conscious consumers, according to Johnson.
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In America's Heartland, You Cannot Beat Nebraska Cattle Prices Says Derrell Peel
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Data is gathered for research in many ways, from surveys, social media and through good, old-fashioned observation. For the past few weeks, Derrell Peel, a livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University, has been traveling around the U.S. looking at feeder cattle markets. Today, he shares his findings.
Peel said it is normal to visit sale barns this time of year to collect data relative to the Oklahoma Quality Beef Network, documenting the value of preconditioned and value-added programs. This year, the project has expanded a bit, he added.
“We have expanded that this year as part of a broader project,” Peel said. “I have collected data at auctions in Kansas, Nebraska and up in South Dakota as well.”
An interesting recurrence Peel’s trip has reminded him of is the fact that on average, the highest feeder cattle prices in the country, in any given week, are typically found in Nebraska.
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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 daily report 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 Leaders Praise Passage of New Senate District Maps
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Senate leaders praised the bipartisan and near-unanimous passage of new Senate district maps. Senate Bill 1x passed on a 46-1 vote Wednesday and now moves to the Oklahoma House of Representatives for consideration.
By law, the Legislature must redraw legislative district boundaries to reflect changes in population every 10 years following the decennial Census.
“Our open and transparent process, coupled with public input, yielded good maps that passed out of the Senate with overwhelming, bipartisan support. I appreciate Senator Lonnie Paxton, the members of the Senate redistricting committee, and the redistricting staff for their diligent work. Equally as important was the unprecedented level of engagement from Oklahomans, which lead to better maps,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City.
The Senate on Wednesday also approved other redistricting measures including Senate Bill 2x, Senate Bill 4x, and Senate Bill 5x. Those measures also head to the House for consideration.
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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
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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According to AFBF Build Back Better Act Would Hurt Rural America
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The American Farm Bureau Federation sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday stating its opposition to the Build Back Better Act, also known as the reconciliation package. President Zippy Duvall commented on the Build Back Better Act.
“After watching months of contentious, partisan debate surrounding the Build Back Better Act, AFBF stands in opposition to the legislation.
“While some elements of the reconciliation package would benefit agriculture, the massive amount of spending and tax increases required to pay for the plan outweigh the gains we would see in rural America. We appreciate House efforts to protect farmers and ranchers by leaving key tax provisions untouched. Thousands of small businesses, however, would still be affected by tax increases, forcing them to pass increased costs to families across the nation.
“The economy is still recovering from the pandemic, supply chains are stressed, and inflation is putting pressure on America’s pocketbooks. Now is not the time to put an additional burden on families struggling to make ends meet. We urge lawmakers to find common ground and work in a bipartisan manner to address the challenges facing our nation.”
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Noble Begins Redesigning Education, Consultation Programs Offering Greater Value to Farmers, Ranchers
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Noble Research Institute will temporarily pause its consulting and educational activities so that it can evaluate, redesign and scale these programs to better serve farmers and ranchers with regenerative land stewardship.
Effective Monday, Nov. 15, the organization will pause all workshops, seminars and educational programs, as well as consultant farm visits. Noble’s educators, consultants, researchers and support staff will then spend the next five months developing the framework to launch initial components of a new program by fall of 2022.
“Farmers and ranchers operate in an ever-changing world with unstable markets, rapidly increasing fertilizer and input costs, decreasing water availability and changing weather patterns, all while trying to be profitable and good stewards of the land,” said Steve Rhines, Noble’s president and CEO. “We needed to do more across our institution to help producers navigate these challenges. In the next few months, we will develop a learning program to effectively bring knowledge and skills to farmers and ranchers nationwide to address their challenges on their farm or ranch.”
Noble’s new learning programs will serve those farmers and ranchers who are motivated to build successful enterprises that ensure long-term viability for current and successive generations.
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Meet the Fields Family, OKFB's District Nine Farm and Ranch Family Honorees
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Born and raised in agriculture, Eddie and Chris Fields of Wynona aspire to make a difference in the world through their role as farmers, ranchers and caretakers of the land.
“One thing I was taught by my grandparents was to make your mark on the world,” Eddie said. “What better way to do that than through agriculture? You are providing food and fiber, you’re taking care of the resources you’ve been blessed with, but you also have an impact on other people.”
The Osage County couple have raised their three daughters, Tailor, Jacie and Tristan, on the family ranch. The Fields family is involved in nearly every aspect of the beef industry, with a commercial cow/calf operation, a stocker yearling operation, a backgrounding yard, a purebred show cattle operation and a direct-to-consumer beef business.
With the goal of providing quality beef products to customers while also sharing about the work of Oklahoma ranchers, the Fields family has sold beef directly to consumers for more than 15 years. The onset of the pandemic provided an opportunity for the family to expand their customer base.
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Ag Lenders Expect Borrowers to be Profitable This Year
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The American Bankers Association and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation released their most recent survey of agricultural lenders. The good news is that the lenders expect 80 percent of their borrowers to show a profit in 2021. Looking ahead to next year, the lenders expect that 70 percent of their borrowers will remain profitable through 2022.
The report says the agricultural economy was “shaken” by the events of 2020. For the first time in the history of the survey that began in 2016, most of the ag lenders expect that overall farm profitability increased in the prior year. Almost 70 percent of the lenders say the profitability largely stemmed from government support, which lenders say made up 38 percent of borrowers’ net income.
Lenders expect some deterioration in conditions next year, with almost 30 percent expecting a decline in farm profitability during 2022. Lenders cited inflationary pressure as the number one concern for 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 were sharply lower on Wednesday, November 17th.
Choice Beef was down $3.66 while Select Beef was off $3.53.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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OKC West in El Reno had 7,922 head of cattle this week on November 16th and 17th.
Compared to last week: Feeder steers traded 2.00-4.00 higher. Feeder heifers sold 3.00-6.00 higher. Demand good to very good. Steer calves under 500 lbs traded fully 10.00 higher, remainder of the steer calves 2.00-3.00 higher. Heifer calves sold sold steady. Demand good to very good.
Bill Barnhart, OKC West Manager, adds in his commentary on Facebook "The market remained very strong as buyers pushed to get cattle purchased before the Thanksgiving break. Calves were higher on Tuesday especially on the lighter weight offerings. Feeder cattle on Wednesday were higher as well. The cash market is now leading the board. 132 was bid and passed today in the Southern Plains on fat cattle. Packers margins are shrinking but are still quite hefty. Cattle feeders need to take advantage while they can. Even with higher corn, profitability looks good into the 1st quarter."
OKC West will be closed next week for Thanksgiving.
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 Jed Green, the founder of the group ORCA- Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action. They discuss the problems that have developed in rural Oklahoma because of the explosive growth of medical marijuana production in the state- and of the need for better regulation of the industry- as well as recognition of the economic benefits Green believes are a part of the arrival of this industry- especially in areas where legal operations are being established.
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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