Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Monday, December 13, 2021
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Mile Wide Tornado Causes Massive Damage to Kentucky Agriculture- Listen to Ky Ag Secretary Dr. Ryan Quarles
- Back from D.C., Secretary Blayne Arthur Stayed Busy Selling Oklahoma Agriculture
- U.S. Beef Exports Hits Annual Record-Value Levels in October
- Oklahoma Pork Council Brings Lifetime Donation to Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to $175,000
- Cattlemen's Congress to Feature National Beef Quality Assurance Certification
- Oklahoma Pork Council Brings Lifetime Donation to Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to $175,000
- Labor Shortages Challenging Cotton Industry and Marketing Efforts
- New Southern Plains Perspective Blog Post Explores How Current Dryness is Linked to Climate Change
- New Report Looks at Spending Under Conservation Stewardship Program
- OKFB to host inaugural Generation Bridge Conference
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Mile Wide Tornado Causes Massive Damage to Kentucky Agriculture- Listen to Ky Ag Secretary Dr. Ryan Quarles
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Oklahoma and the southern Plains have been there before- with tornados and massive wildfires. But the multi state tornado outbreak from this past weekend is on a whole other level. Various estimates have death totals approaching a hundred people killed in Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee and Kentucky. Western Kentucky clearly has taken the brunt of this massive storm- and it has occurred in an area that has a lot of the agricultural production of that state.
Farm Broadcast Colleague Jeff Nalley talked on Sunday afternoon with Dr. Ryan Quarles, State Commissioner of Agriculture for the Commonwealth of Kentucky and his description of the damage that has been seen(and they are just scratching the surface) can be heard by clicking here
Dr. Quarles told Nalley that while the images of Mayfield in far southwest Kentucky show a town of 10,000 people leveled by the storm- there actually is major damage all the way from Louisville westward over 200 miles to Fulton County- which has its western border the Mississippi River. As of Sunday afternoon- the Commissioner says that he understands that at least 15 chicken barns were destroyed with efforts to depopulate and dispose of those birds and at least one major dairy is "putting down" many of their cows and trying to save those that they can. Dr. Quarles says that farmers are busy helping with rescue of neighbors but also turning their attention to accounting for their livestock and caring for them.
Please take the time to listen to Jeff and Ryan as they talk about the rural impacts of this storm- and we will make sure you know about the opportunities that will be coming to help the rural citizens of Kentucky and the other states in the next few days.
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Back from D.C., Secretary Blayne Arthur Stayed Busy Selling Oklahoma Agriculture |
Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur just got back from her trip to Washington D.C. The trip was an opportunity to visit with USDA officials, agricultural organizations and a few embassies. She said JanLee Rowlett, deputy commissioner for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, accompanied her.
“I had several meetings with the foreign agriculture service,” Arthur said. “A big part of what we are trying to do is get more of our Oklahoma products into international markets. Those discussions were very good.”
Additionally, Arthur met with Food Safety Inspection Service staff members about the meat processing sector. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how delicate the U.S. meat supply chain is. In response, ODAFF, under Arthur’s leadership, has made moved to increase the state’s processing capacity.
“Some good opportunities, which will be beneficial for Oklahoma, are coming out of those discussions,” Arthur said. “Specifically, our discussions with FSIS (focused) on collaborating. If we do not have the (federal) inspection capacity, then making that jump from state-inspected to federally-inspected does not make sense for our plants.”
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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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U.S. Beef Exports Hits Annual Record-Value Levels in October |
Beef exports continue to be very strong. On Friday, we spoke with Dan Halstrom, president and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, about the newly released October U.S. meat export numbers.
“The momentum from the previous months continues, especially on the beef side,” Halstrom said. “We are up about 7% year-on-year for October and still on a pace of about 17 or 18% growth on beef.”
He said the latest figures show that beef demand is on a trajectory to break more records in 2021.
“I sound like a broken record because I talked about this last month, but it is broad-based growth across a series of markets,” Halstrom said. “China is the one we all talk about, but you got Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Central America - the broad-based nature of it is really encouraging.”
One of the most eye-popping statistics out of the report is that U.S. beef has hit record value levels for U.S. beef for the entire year with two more months to go.
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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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Cattlemen's Congress to Feature National Beef Quality Assurance Certification |
As cattlemen and cattlewomen gather in Oklahoma City for Cattlemen’s Congress, Jan. 1-16, 2022, to showcase and market their elite cattle genetics, cattle producers also have the opportunity to participate in a unique seminar featuring national beef industry and breed leaders while achieving their Beef Quality Assurance certification.
The educational event is scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022 at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds in the Super Barn Sales Arena, and all producers are invited to attend. The BQA certification seminar will include a panel of speakers featuring national breed leadership discussing the importance of quality and marketing for beef producers. The panel discussion will be facilitated by Josh White, executive director of producer education and sustainability at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and will include the following:
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Shane Bedwell - COO and Director of Breed Improvement: American Hereford Association
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Kara Lee - Assistant Director, Producer Engagement: Certified Angus Beef
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Clint Rusk - Executive Vice President: American-International Charolais Association
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Megan Slater - Executive Director: American Gelbvieh Association
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Heather Buckmaster - Executive Director: Oklahoma Beef Council
According to Heather Buckmaster, executive director for the Oklahoma Beef Council, “This is an outstanding opportunity for cattle producers to gain new industry insights, earn their Beef Quality Assurance certification and see some of the best cattle in the nation.”
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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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Oklahoma Pork Council Brings Lifetime Donation to Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to $175,000 |
The Oklahoma Pork Council announced its annual donation to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Pork for Packs in the amount of $12,300, bringing the organization’s lifetime program contribution to $175,000.
"We are so proud to partner with the Oklahoma Pork Council,” Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank, said. “The Pork Council’s generosity over the past 15 years has been crucial to providing thousands of chronically hungry children with Oklahoma-grown protein through the Pork for Packs Program."
Pork for Packs utilizes donated hogs from Oklahoma 4-H and FFA members to create protein sticks for the Food for Kids Backpack Program for elementary students. This innovative program was started by the Regional Food Bank in 2003.
The program provides chronically hungry children with backpacks filled with non-perishable, nutritious, shelf-stable food including the protein sticks to sustain them over weekends and school holidays.
Oklahoma is the fourth hungriest state in the nation. The majority of people served by the Regional Food Bank are chronically hungry children, seniors living on limited incomes and hardworking families struggling to make ends meet.
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Labor Shortages Challenging Cotton Industry and Marketing Efforts |
March 2022 cotton futures price have posted nearly a 12-cent decline since their peak of $1.18/lb. in mid-November. Despite that drop, however, cotton prices remain at near-historic levels with the March contract trading between $1.05 and $1.07 early Friday.
Although a sizable portion of the 2021 crop was committed early through various marketing agreements at prices below where cotton is trading today, there is still a fair amount of open or uncommitted cotton that producers are eager to sell at current market prices and any hiccup in that effort can certainly be upsetting.
Unfortunately, whether we like to admit it or not, today’s COVID-impacted economic landscape continues to stress and challenge the cotton industry in every segment.
Examples of this impact are plentiful with supply chain disruptions and gaps in manufacturing delaying the delivery of parts needed to assemble or repair equipment just when producers, ginners and allied industry segments need them most. Additionally, disrupted shipping operations at ports and through traditional trucking methods continue to hamper the flow of cotton.
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New Southern Plains Perspective Blog Post Explores How Current Dryness is Linked to Climate Change |
In this blog post Clay Pope talks about current drought conditions in the Southern Plains.
We are definitely in need of a drink of water around these parts.
It is dry, dry, dry.
Now that’s not necessarily unusual for this time of the year. December, January and February are typically the driest months in my part of the Southern Plains. Layer on top of that the fact that we are in a La Nina pattern (which means above normal temperature and below normal precipitation around here) and you have the recipe for extended periods of dry weather.
Still, when you’re like me and work on issues surrounding climate change, you have a tendency to start looking around for any information you can find to see if the weather we’re experiencing is being driven by our changing climate or if this is something to expect.
As it turns out, this dry weather is something to expect…
As I said earlier, this is the time of year when we should expect to have dry weather AND we are in the middle of a La Nina pattern. Climate change or not, we shouldn’t be to surprised that we haven’t had much (or any) rain. That said, I did come across an interesting article from the USDA Agriculture Research Service (ARS) concerning how climate change is impacting precipitation patterns, especially in the Western United States.
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New Report Looks at Spending Under Conservation Stewardship Program |
Despite the clear value the Conservation Stewardship Program offers in supporting farmers and ranchers in enhancing conservation of natural resources on their operations, funding has been reduced significantly in the last two farm bills, according to a white paper released Friday by the Center for Rural Affairs.
“Mapping the Money: An Analysis of Spending Under the Conservation Stewardship Program,” authored by Anna Johnson, policy manager for the Center, traces the path of the funding, from Congress to on-the-ground conservation.
“Long-term viability of farms and ranches depends on the sustained health of soil and water resources,” Johnson said. “However, most conservation practices require a front-end investment from farmers and ranchers, which can serve as a barrier for implementation. CSP offers unique benefits to farmers interested in increasing conservation on their land.”
Created as part of the 2008 farm bill, CSP is designed to serve those farmers and ranchers who demonstrate they are currently invested in conservation. Through five-year contracts, CSP ensures conservation is increased across their entire operations-preventing cases in which good conservation happens on some acres while others are neglected.
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OKFB to Host Inaugural Generation Bridge Conference |
Oklahoma Farm Bureau is set to host the first-ever Generation Bridge Winter Conference Jan. 28-29, 2022, in Oklahoma City.
The new conference for Farm Bureau members ages 35-50 will provide a chance for farmers and ranchers across the state to network with fellow agriculturalists, grow their professional and leadership skills and learn more about the industry.
Generation Bridge will serve as a stepping stone after Young Farmers and Ranchers with an opportunity for members to get involved in OKFB beyond the county level as they work to develop connections across the state, expand their knowledge of Farm Bureau and create lasting memories.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from industry leaders, attend breakout sessions and much more. Additionally, a private pesticide applicator continuing education session will be offered to those interested.
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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 Choice Beef was down 1 cent and Select Beef was up 56 cents on Friday 12/10/2021.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Oklahoma National Stockyards had just over 12,000 head on Sunday late afternoon- and Kelli Payne, President of the ONSY expects 13,000 plus while be on hand when the sale begins at 6:30 AM this morning. This will be the final sale of 2021 at the market
This past Monday- December 6th- Compared to last week: Feeder steers steady to 3.00 higher with instances 7.00 higher. Feeder heifers unevenly steady. Steer calves 2.00 - 4.00 higher. Heifer calves 3.00 - 6.00 lower. Demand moderate to good. Quality mostly attractive. Slaughter cattle prices once again moved higher and clearance from feed yards was pretty good. This week's sale somewhat larger as dry conditions and a good market is encouraging some producers to sell early. Today's sale consists of about 4,000 head of calves in the Certified Angus Program. These calves had at least two rounds of shots and weaned 60 days. These calves are marked as value added in the report. Quality mostly attractive.
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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