Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Wednesday, August 17, 2022 |
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- What About Some Real Rain Across Oklahoma?? Ask Gary!
- Everyone Has a Role in Beef Sustainability, says Debbie Lyons-Blythe
- President Biden Signs Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
- Paul Beck Talks Early Weaning Calves Strategy and Benefits
- Steve Swaffar Outlines Most Critical Soil Health Improvement Principles
- State Rep Humphrey to Offer Legislation to Support State's Ranchers
- The Enemy Within Our Industry- An op-ed from NCBA
- USDA Announces New Opportunities to Improve Nutrient Management
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What About Some Real Rain Across Oklahoma?? Ask Gary! |
Extremely hot temps and almost no rain across the state over the past 66 days in parts of the state have been damaging to crops and livestock across the state. Good news in the forecast, State Climatologist Gary McManus says rain chances are on the way. One problem, McManus says, "Is the possible upcoming dangers of excessive rainfalls directly after drought, when the ground is baked hard, and water tends to just run off into flash flood situations. "
McManus says a front approaching the state now and has entered the Panhandle isn't going to do much except cool us down, maybe bring some showers and storms to the northern half of the state today and the southern half of the state tomorrow.
However, he says the three or four successive fronts being forecast for the next couple of weeks appear to drive a nail into the coffin of our summer heat wave and possibly do deadly damage to our runaway flash drought. McManus says not only are we looking at widespread rain and relief this weekend into early next week, but this mild and wet spell should extend well into next week and possibly beyond.
Hot Summer temps are not quite over yet, but McManus says a cool down is on the way, "And then even the possibility of successive cold fronts every few days that knock the summer heat back a peg or three."
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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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Everyone Has a Role in Beef Sustainability, says Debbie Lyons-Blythe |
In this episode of Beef Buzz, I got the chance to visit with Kansas rancher and chairlady of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, Debbie Lyons-Blythe, talking about individual’s roles in beef sustainability regardless of their place in the beef value chain.
“I think sustainability has been a conversation going on for a very long time,” Lyons-Blythe said. “It began as a very top-down from corporations pushing down regulations and expectations to cattle ranchers and I realized in some of the conversations that I have been a part of, that conversation wasn’t going to stop whether we were a part of it or not. I realized early on that if we were a part of it, maybe we can direct some of the information.”
In the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, Lyons-Blythe said, producers make up more than half of the members and are involved in the entire decision-making process.
“I encourage everybody asking questions and trying to see for themselves to come to a meeting so they can see what we are up to,” Lyons-Blythe said. “The U.S. Roundtable gets to make their own decisions. We defined what sustainability is, we decided how we are going to measure it, and we also decided that we are going to measure it all along the value chain.”
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President Biden Signs Bill Providing New Support for On-Farm Conservation and Biofuels as Climate Solutions |
President Joe Biden yesterday signed a bill into law that addresses issues ranging from health care to the environment and includes new funding to encourage agricultural conservation programs and advance biofuels.
The law allocates $19.9 billion in funding for U.S. Department of Agriculture’s conservation programs and $1 billion for additional conservation technical assistance. These allocations include:
• $8.45 billion for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
• $6.75 billion for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program
• $3.25 billion for the Conservation Stewardship Program
• $1.4 billion for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
To advance biofuels, the legislation includes:
• $500 million for infrastructure for greater market deployment of higher blends of biofuels
• New tax credits based on carbon reduction to incentivize clean fuels such as biofuels like ethanol and new sustainable aviation fuel
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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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Paul Beck Talks Early Weaning Calves Strategy and Benefits |
Weekly, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Nutrition Specialist Paul Beck offers his expertise on the beef cattle industry. This is a part of the weekly series known as the "Cow-Calf Corner" published electronically by Beck. Today, he talks about weaning calves early due to low forage inventory.
Pasture conditions are deteriorating and hay inventory is short, if you’re out of grass and about to start feeding hay it’s time to take drastic action to maintain your cowherd and prevent further injury to pastures. Many areas in the West and Southern Great Plains have seen high culling rates with cows going to town in droves. Once all the old, open, or non-productive cows are culled the next step for many producers is to wean calves early.
Research shows that calves can be weaned as early as 45-days of age, and these calves grown to similar or heavier weights by normal weaning time. Spring born calves in mid to late August are currently 3 to 5 months of age and likely weight 300 to 400 pounds. Even though they are much lighter than our normal calf weights at weaning, it is still relatively simple to feed these light weight calves grower diets in dry lot to maintain targeted sales weights by normal marketing time. Early weaned calves can be grown in dry lot very efficiently with feed-to-gain expected to be 4.5 to 5 pounds of feed per pound of gain.
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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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Steve Swaffar Outlines Most Critical Soil Health Improvement Principles |
Associate Farm Editor, Reagan Calk, sat down with Steve Swaffar from the Noble Research Institute as he talked about steps to take to build healthy and resilient soil.
“A healthy soil is one that typically has a very dark color to it, it smells earthy, it has lots of biological activity in it and it is porous,” Swaffar said. “There is lots of air space between the soil particles. Those are the characteristics that also make it resilient, make it infiltrate water down through the soil profile through those air spaces between the soil particles, and that’s also what helps it be resilient to drought because it is not holding more water.”
Resilience comes from healthy soils, Swaffar said, and healthy soils build resilient soils, so it is a circular system.
“There are five soil health principles,” Swaffar said. “They are cover your soil, minimize disturbance, keep a living plant or a living root growing in the soil as much as possible, integrate livestock and adding diversity in plants and animals to the landscape so that you are having more than just one type of plant or more than just one type of livestock out there.”
The other piece of the five soil health principles is context, Swaffar said, which means understanding how those are going to apply on your own farm or ranch. There is not one recipe for the perfect soil health, Swaffar added, so it is important to understand how your soil is going to react when you implement the principles.
A valuable characteristic of healthy soil is organic matter, Swaffar said, which contains carbon.
“As we add carbon to the system, we build organic matter, and that organic matter is typically that top eight inches of soil,” Swaffar said. “It can be as small as one, but that organic matter is what is putting carbon into the soil.”
For each percentage of organic matter built into the soil, Swaffar said anywhere from 20 and 30 lbs. of nitrogen will be liberated.
“Essentially, the Carbon is giving us free Nitrogen,” Swaffar said. “Free Nitrogen in this day in age is something that everybody wants.”
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State Rep Justin Humphrey to Offer Legislation to Support State's Ranchers |
Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today said he is considering proposing legislation that could be brought forward in the House's current special session to assist Oklahoma farmers and ranchers in the current drought.
"Previously, in times of serious drought, Oklahoma's government has stepped in and assisted ranchers with shipping hay," Humphrey said. "During Oklahoma's last serious drought, state government utilized the National Guard to assist in shipping hay from other states not affected by drought. Legislators could take advantage of our current special session to support our state's ranchers and vote on a measure to help offset the hay cost. Our legislators might be the difference for many ranchers to remain in the beef industry."
Humphrey said ranchers are a vital component of Oklahoma history and the state's current economy.
"Oklahoma ranchers have supplied our state and nation with quality beef since statehood," he said. "When you think of Oklahoma, you think of cowboys and cowgirls, tough, full of Oklahoma grit, and willing to help out our neighbors in times of trouble."
Today, Oklahoma ranchers are in a severe dilemma, Humphrey said. He said reports indicate that most of western Oklahoma is in an extreme drought, with parts of the Panhandle and Southwest Oklahoma in exceptional drought. Significant crop/pasture losses and widespread water shortages or restrictions are the main impacts of this drought. Additionally, the state is experiencing critically low lake levels and increased danger from wildfires.
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The Enemy Within Our Industry- An op-ed from NCBA |
By NCBA President Don Schiefelbein
Six months into my tenure as the President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), I have had the opportunity to travel and visit with fellow cattle producers from coast to coast. A couple of months ago at the Florida Cattlemen’s Convention, I had the opportunity to meet fellow cattle producer Kevin Escobar. Kevin mentioned that he had heard me visit with the Florida attendees and that the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) officers and I, an NCBA officer, appeared to share so much in common.
The following week, Kevin asked if I would be willing to jump on a call with three additional USCA officers. We visited for more than an hour and to the surprise of some, we almost unanimously agreed on what the real threats to our industry were. It was on that phone call, that the group challenged me to share my thoughts in this opinion editorial.
Like many of you, I come from a family farming, cattle feeding and ranching operation. Our large all family operation includes my father and mother, their nine sons (I am son number seven), eight daughters in-law, 32 grandchildren and their 15 spouses and 32 great grandchildren. Our massive family group adds up to more than 80 members. Like any family operation, the key to our success is being able to work together for the benefit of us all. From my perspective, the beef community I serve has so many similarities to my large family.
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USDA Announces New Opportunities to Improve Nutrient Management |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) welcomed the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which will deliver $19.5 billion in new conservation funding to support climate-smart agriculture. This historic funding will bolster the new steps that USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today to improve opportunities for nutrient management. NRCS will target funding, increasing program flexibilities, launch a new outreach campaign to promote nutrient management’s economic benefits, in addition to expanding partnerships to develop nutrient management plans. This is part of USDA’s broader effort to address future fertilizer availability and cost challenges for U.S. producers.
"President Biden and Congress have taken an important, historic step towards easing the burden of inflation on the American public and meeting the moment on climate,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Agriculture has long been at the forefront of our fight against climate change. From climate-smart agriculture, to supporting healthy forests and conservation, to tax credits, to biofuels, infrastructure and beyond, the Inflation Reduction Act provides USDA with significant additional resources to continue to lead the charge.”
Through USDA’s conservation programs, America’s farmers and ranchers will have streamlined opportunities to improve their nutrient management planning, which provides conservation benefits while mitigating the impacts of supply chain disruptions and increased input costs.
“The pandemic and Ukraine invasion have led to supply chain disruptions, higher prices of inputs, and goods shortages in countries across the globe,” Vilsack said. “USDA is responding to the needs of U.S. producers and consumers by adding program flexibilities, expanding options and assistance, and investing in nutrient management strategies to help farmers address local resource concerns and global food security while also improving their bottom line.”
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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 higher- Choice Beef was up 98 cents and Select Beef was down 60 cents on Tuesday 08/16/2022.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Oklahoma National Stockyards had a final total of 6.001 head of cattle on Monday, August 15, 2022.
Compared to last week: Feeder steers and heifers lightly tested, as bulk of the sale was calves. Feeder cattle and calves sold 4.00-8.00 higher, instance to 15.00 higher on calves. Demand very good for all classes. Quality average to attractive. Temperatures remain very hot, however chances of rain are back in the forecast and cooler temps on the way. Outlook continues to show bullish indicators. Slaughter cattle sold higher last week and at 140.00 in the South and 144.00-148.00 in the North.
Click below for the complete closing report.
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OKC West in El Reno had a calf run of 2,500 on Tuesday. USDA Market News reports that they are expecting a run of 5,500 yearlings today(Wednesday)
Compared to last week: Steer calves over 450 lbs steady to 5.00 higher; under 450 lbs and where tested, 10.00-20.00 higher. Heifer calves over 500 lbs steady; under 500 lbs 8.00-15.00 higher. Demand very good for steer calves; moderate to good for heifers. Quality mostly average. Weather remains hot and dry, however there are chances of rain and cooler temps in the forecast.
Click on the button below for details of the trade as compiled by the USDA Market News Service.
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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
Reagan Calk, Farm News and Email Editor
Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager
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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 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 visits with Dakota Moss of Livestock Risk Services. When the pandemic hit in 2020 the cattle markets along with the rest of the world suffered. Many farmers and ranchers altered their marketing plans on crops and livestock to try and prevent a loss in the down Covid markets. This led to cattle being held months longer than planned hoping for a better market. Unfortunately for many farmers and ranchers they had no choice but to sell much heavier cattle into a down market. Resulting in a lower $/cwt price and profits lost. Sheperd and Moss discuss some alternative options for producers with the Livestock Risk Protection program.
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
Rural Oklahoma Networks
405-317-6361
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Mike Henderson
Director of Sales
405-615-4922
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KC Sheperd
Farm Director
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
405-443-5717
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Ron Hays
Senior Farm/Ranch Broadcaster
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
405.473.6144
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