Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Terry Peach- The Man Who Brought Oklahoma Ag Groups Together
- Oklahoma Facing Worst Drought Conditions in Recent Years
- Drought Conditions are Taxing Oklahoma's 2022 Winter Wheat Crop
- OSU's Kim Anderson Talks About the High Value of the US Dollar
- WOTUS Revision Could Include Big-Ticket Climate Change Policy from Biden Administration
- US House Agriculture Committee Reviews the State of the Rural Economy
- Jack Bobo to Ponder if Animal Agriculture can Save the Planet at 2022 Stakeholders Summit
- FINALLY- Oklahoma Has an Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency- Steve Kouplen
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Terry Peach- The Man Who Brought Oklahoma Ag Groups Together
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Our friend and long time ag ;leader and statesman Terry Peach passed away yesterday- and Oklahoma Agriculture has lost a gentleman who served the farmers and ranchers of this state multiple ways.
Peach served as the Oklahoma executive director of the Farm Service Agency, an agency within the United States Department of Agriculture, for 1993 to 2000- appointed by the Clinton administration..
A couple of years later- Oklahoma elected Democrat Brad Henry and he selected Peach to be his Secretary of Agriculture. in 2003 and he served in that role until 2011.
Peach arrived on the job and quickly figured out that the ag groups within Oklahoma were no where close to being on the same page- so he invited reps from all the groups to come and meet at the Department of Ag on a Monday with him. No one wanted to not be there and everyone showed up- and that Monday gathering or what some observers called a meeting of the barnyard- building solid relationships and trust and allowed those in the meeting to speak out frankly about the issues impacting them at the state capitol.
I asked early on if I could attend- and Peach chuckled and told me no- but you are always welcome to visit with those who are in the meeting once they walk out.
Tributes have already shown up on my doorstep- Steve Thompson- VP of Public Policy for Oklahoma Farm Bureau says "when Governor Henry nominated Terry, Oklahoma agriculture was completely and utterly fractured at the Capitol. I saw it up close and from all sides. Sec. Peach unified agriculture in Oklahoma. We are all stronger today because of it. He was not perfect, none of us are. Today heaven gained one of the toughest cowboys I’ve ever known."
One of the veterans when it comes to representing farmers and ranchers at the Capitol is James McSpadden- he says "There are very few people that our collective organizations owe more to than Sec. Peach. His leadership galvanized our groups in a fashion that still ripples through the halls of the Capitol today."
Current Secretary of Ag Blayne Arthur also provided the Oklahoma Farm Report her thoughts on Terry Peach's lifetime of service' “I was incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of former Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach. Terry was a dear friend and mentor of mine and gave me so many opportunities early in my career. Terry was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the agriculture industry and spent his tenure at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry making decisions that were good for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers. Terry served Oklahoma agriculture in several capacities and was well respected across the state. Oklahoma has lost a true gentleman and champion for agriculture. I extend my deepest sympathies to his family.“
In recent years- Peach has served on the state Board of Directors of AFR. Memorial arrangements are pending.
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Oklahoma Facing Worst Drought Conditions in Recent Years
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With data ranging between Jan. 12 to 18, drought conditions have degraded after taking a brief pause. Since Christmas, extreme drought conditions quickly swept through the state. For the first time since the summer of 2018, exceptional drought conditions have been recorded in Oklahoma. The exceptional conditions have developed in the Panhandle, in Texas and Cimarron Counties and account for 2% of drought conditions in the state. The Panhandle has faced abnormally dry conditions or worse since June 2021. According to the Mesonet, the Panhandle has not received less than 3 inches of rain in the last four months.
Right now, 95% of the state is experiencing abnormally dry conditions or worse. Moderate drought conditions have decreased as overall drought conditions deteriorate, accounting for just 14% of the state. Severe drought conditions account for 27% of abnormally dry conditions or worse. Extreme drought conditions have increased from 41% to 44% and dominated the western half of Oklahoma.
A small pocket of eastern Oklahoma continues to fight off abnormally dry conditions or worse.
The 6-to-10-day precipitation outlook map shows most of Oklahoma is likely to receive normal precipitation levels for this time of year. The Panhandle could receive higher-than-normal precipitation levels for this time of year. The 6-to-10-day temperature outlook map shows lower-than-normal temperatures are likely.
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Drought Conditions are Taxing Oklahoma's 2022 Winter Wheat Crop
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Wheat is one of Oklahoma’s most valuable commodities. Not only did it bring in $478,400,000 to the state in 2020, but it also provides winter forage for the state’s roughly two million beef cattle. The drought gripping the state right now is crippling winter wheat pasture. Gary Strickland, county extension director at Oklahoma State University, painted a bleak picture for the Oklahoma Farm Report’s KC Sheperd.
“It has all been a real challenge for this year’s crop,” Strickland said. “To begin with, our input costs have been a major challenge, then you compound that with drought conditions we are facing.”
Oklahoma’s 2022 winter wheat crop conditions are poor, according to Strickland.
“We are not getting very much wheat growth out there - we have wheat fields that are still in that Feekes growth stage of anywhere from one to no more than four,” Strickland said. “We are in January where we would like to see about five or six inches of forage out there.”
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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!
Click on the Button below to listen to our most recent report
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OSU's Kim Anderson Talks About the High Value of the US Dollar
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This week on SUNUP, Oklahoma State University Grain Marketing Specialist Kim Anderson talks about the latest in the grain markets. Right now, wheat exports have been down which is driving prices down. At the same time, corn and soybean prices are affected by what is going on in South America.
“The markets have been talking about the high value of the U.S. dollar,” Anderson said. “Since June, the value of the dollar was around 92 points, peaked at 96 in December and since has dropped off.”
Anderson said it is ironic that wheat prices peaked at $8.50 the day before Thanksgiving and again on Christmas.
“Wheat prices went from $5.50, up into the $7.50 range,” Anderson said. “We have a downtrend going on right now.”
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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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WOTUS Revision Could Include Big-Ticket Climate Change Policy from Biden Administration
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The Environmental Protection Agency’s federal advisory committee recently turned in a definition revision recommendation for redefining “Waters of the United States.” Scott Yager, the chief environmental counsel for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, said the advisory committee did a great job of putting together very specific and informative policy recommendations for EPA Administrator Michael Regan. Now, the definition revision recommendations are open for public comments until Feb. 7.
“The Biden-Harris administration laid out a two-step process, much like the Trump Administration did,” Yager said. “Today, we are in the middle of step one. Basically, they are reverting back to the ’86 regulations which are what some folks call the pre-2015 regulations.”
“Everybody in the barnyard has banded together to make that (extension) request,” Yager said. “If they do not grant that extension, that means the (public) comment period closes Feb. 7 and they will finalize the rule sometime after that. Then they will (begin) step two of the (WOTUS) rulemaking.”
Yager said he is not sure what step two of the new rulemaking will look like but speculates it will include some big-ticket items from the Biden-Harris administration's campaign platform.
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US House Agriculture Committee Reviews the State of the Rural Economy
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Yesterday, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to review the State of the Rural Economy with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
“Mr. Chairman, thank you very, very much. I appreciate the opportunity to be here today. And also, to Representative Thompson, thank you for the opportunity to appear before the Committee. Thank you to the members for this opportunity.
“I suppose I could focus on the fact that our farm income is as good as it's been in the last eight years and that we've had record exports, but I'd really like to focus on one phrase of my testimony on page four. I think it explains the heart of the challenge that farmers and rural America face and have faced for considerable period of time. I want to focus on the phrase ‘an extractive economy.’ Extraction economy. I make this reference on page four of my testimony in order to set the stage for discussion, hopefully over the long haul, as you begin your process of the Farm Bill reauthorization.
“An extraction economy is an economy that, essentially, takes things from the land and off the land. Unfortunately, rather than converting them into value and adding them in close to the rural areas where that natural resource is, they are transported long distances, where they are value added in some other location, where opportunities and jobs are created elsewhere. I think it's going to be important for us as we look forward to try to develop what is called a circular economy, in which the wealth is created and stays in rural areas."
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Jack Bobo to Ponder if Animal Agriculture can Save the Planet at 2022 Stakeholders Summit
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Jack Bobo, food futurist, author and CEO of Futurity, is slated to speak at the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2022 Stakeholders Summit. In his keynote presentation, Bobo will explore the forces that will shape the future of food. From growing populations and shifting demographics to consumer demands for healthy and sustainable food products, Bobo will examine the trends and attitudes that drive behavior and what organizations and producers can do to get ahead of them. Bobo joins many other noted experts on the Summit agenda, which is now available along with registration details here.
“The topic of sustainable food systems has been huge over the last few years and especially in 2021 with the culmination of the inaugural United Nations Food Systems Summit,” Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance vice president, strategic engagement, said. “We’re thrilled to have Jack Bobo provide an informative and energizing session that discusses emerging trends in the food space and how to create the future we want - for ourselves, our businesses, and our planet.”
Jack Bobo is CEO of Futurity, a food foresight company that advises companies, foundations and governments on emerging food trends, consumer attitudes and behaviors related to the future of food. He is also the author of “Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices.” Recognized by Scientific American in 2015 as one of the 100 most influential people in biotechnology, Bobo is a global thought leader who has delivered more than 500 speeches in 50 countries. He previously served as the chief communications officer and senior vice president for global policy and government affairs at Intrexon Corporation. Prior to joining Intrexon, Bobo worked at the U.S. Department of State for thirteen years as a senior advisor for global food policy. An attorney with a scientific background, Bobo received from Indiana University a J.D., M.S. in environmental science, B.S. in biology and B.A. in psychology and chemistry.
The Alliance’s annual Summit brings together thought leaders in the agriculture and food communities to discuss hot-button issues and out-of-the-box ideas to connect everyone along the food chain, engage influencers and protect the future of animal agriculture. The 2022 event, themed “Come Together for Animal Ag: Be Informed, Be Ready, Be Here,” is scheduled for May 11-12 in Kansas City, Missouri. Preconference webinars will be held in the weeks leading up to the main event. In-person and virtual attendance options are both available.
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FINALLY- Oklahoma Has an Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency- Steve Kouplen
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We'll give you more details in Monday's email- but the White House has finally added Oklahoma to the list of states where they have settled on an Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency. Former state lawmaker and former President of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Steve Kouplen will be headed to Stillwater to take on those duties.
We'll tell you more on Monday.
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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 $1.38 and Select Beef was up $1.75 on Thursday, 01/20/2022.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Weekly Cattle Auction Reports
The buttons below allow you to check out the weekly Cattle Auctions in the region that we post on our website and here in our daily email update.
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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/Ranch Broadcaster and Editor
KC Sheperd, 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 a big reason why Oklahoma is on track to become a top 10 state.
The Road to Rural Prosperity dives into these stories, 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.
Our Latest RRP is an end of year conversation between Oklahoma Third District Congressman Frank Lucas and Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Senior Farm/Ranch Director Ron Hays.
They talk about the recently passed extension of the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Measure as well as the Cattle Contract Library Act of 2021, the continued wait on the US Department of Justice investigation into the major meat packers, Congressman Lucas' work on the Science Committee, his continued intentions to return to the House Ag Committee in time to be a part of writing the next Farm Bill and a comparison of Congress when he first arrived in Washington in the mid 1990s and today.
Search for Road to Rural Prosperity and subscribe on your favorite Podcast platform.
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, 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
Senior Farm/Ranch Broadcaster
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
OklahomaFarmReport.Com
405.473.6144
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