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We invite you to listen to us on great radio stations across the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network weekdays- if you missed this morning's Farm News - or you are in an area where you can't hear it- click here for this morning's Farm news from Carson Horn on RON.
Let's Check the Markets!
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.
FedCattleExchange.com has 3,220 head of cattle on their showlist for the Wednesday, April 18th sale of finished cattle - click here to jump to the website.
Steady to Higher Money for Feeder and Stockers at the Oklahoma National Stockyards on Monday- c lick or tap here for the closing report from Monday
Joplin Stockyards saw mixed trade in their Monday sale- steady to lower on Calves- Steady to higher on yearlings- click here for the USDA market report for Joplin
Today's First Look:
mornings with cash and futures reviewed- includes where the Cash Cattle market stands, the latest Feeder Cattle Markets Etc.
Each afternoon we are posting a recap of that day's markets as analyzed by Justin Lewis of KIS futures- click or tap here for the report posted yesterday afternoon around 3:30 PM.
Okla Cash Grain:
Futures Wrap:
Feeder Cattle Recap:
Slaughter Cattle Recap:
TCFA Feedlot Recap:
Our Oklahoma Farm Report Team!!!!
Ron Hays, Senior Farm Director and Editor
Carson Horn, Associate Farm Director and Editor Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager Dave Lanning, Markets and Production
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Oklahoma's Latest Farm and Ranch News
Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Check the Breaking News Story at the bottom of the List on China and US Grain Sorghum
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Howdy Neighbors!
Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
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 Featured Story:Red Flag Warnings Issued as Oklahoma Forestry Services Continue Containment Efforts of NW Fires
The latest report on the ongoing wildfire situation in northwest Oklahoma was released yesterday afternoon. A summary report details how fire danger across the western half of the state is being considered very high to extreme in areas where humidity levels are being measured in the single digits, winds are shifting and relatively high temperatures continue to climb. A Red Flag Warning was issued Monday for Cimarron, Texas, and Beaver Counties.
Moderate humidity recovery and light winds across western Oklahoma overnight allowed some progress on the on-going large fires.
Fire danger today, Tuesday, is expected to mirror fire weather conditions experienced last Thursday. Temperatures are expected to climb into the 90°s with relative humidity values in the single digits west of US 81. Sustained southwest winds up to 30 mph and gusts 40-50 mph have been forecast.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect today from 11 a.m. to midnight for a large portion of western Oklahoma. The affected area and the extreme conditions will exist near and west of a line from Alfalfa County to Cotton County. New fires will likely exhibit explosive rapid rates of spread. Ongoing fires will require extensive patrol and mop up to prevent escape.
Efforts are still underway to contain the two largest fires tagged as 34 Complex Fire and the Rhea Fire. The 34 Complex Fire is approximately 45% contained, as of the time of this report, covering 67,778 acres.. The Rhea Fire was only about 3% contained yesterday covering 246,000 acres.
For more details and a look at yesterday's full Fire Situation report, click here.
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Hay Needed Urgently by Ranchers in Western Oklahoma Wildfire Area - Coordinate Donations with OCA
According to Dana Bay, Woodward County OSU Extension Educator, hay is the main priority farmers and ranchers affected by the recent wildfires in northwest Oklahoma need right now. "Ranchers that were able to save their cattle but lost their grass and hay of their own are in desperate need of hay to sustain those animals," she said.
Bay is coordinating with those who would like to donate hay to help in the cause. Additionally, a relief fund has been established by the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Foundation (OCF) to help the Cattlemen impacted by these fires.
Dana Bay is working to coordinate hay for both Woodward and Dewey Counties- the counties hit hardest by the current fires. Her number is 405-590-0106.
One hundred percent of donations to this fund will be distributed to ranchers who have been affected by the fires. Funds will be dispersed 90 days after the fire is out. Applications to apply for fire relief funds can be found here.
For instructions on how to donate to the OCF relief fund or contact details to reach Bay to coordinate a hay delivery, click or tap here.
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More Help for Those Hurt by Wildfires from Farm Credit and FSA
We have have stories on our website that come from Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma and also the Farm Service Agency-
Here's part of the statement given to us by Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma-
"Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma is providing support through our Fire Loss Fund to local producers and fire departments who are in need. We have already donated to 5 local fire departments today and will continue to give funds out as needed. We will also be giving money and gas cards to truckers who are hauling hay to the area. Our application for this money is minimal and we can get money in people's hands immediately. These funds are donated from several Farm Credit Associations, CoBank, and various individuals.
"In addition to the donation account, Farm Credit has a 1 year Fire Relief Loan for up to $25,000 with a minimal interest rate and no collateral requirements. With proof of significant fire damage, minimal financial information, and a satisfactory credit score we can process the loan quickly and have money into the producers hands in less than 48 hours."
Click or tap here to read more- and for a link to their website for more info.
As for the FSA- they have multiple resources that can be of help for those that have had fire on their farm or ranch- "Recent wildfires have caused devastating losses for many farmers and ranchers in our state, especially those in the path of the devastating Northwest Oklahoma Fire," said Biggs. "Natural disasters such as wildfires are unavoidable, but USDA has strong safety-net programs to help producers get back on their feet."
Click here for our story- we have multiple links you can click on in this story to get you more information on the various assistance programs that are available from FSA and other USDA agencies.
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Incremental Declines in Condition of Wheat Crops Across the Plains Noted After Weekend Cold Snap
In this week's Crop Progress report released on Monday, April 16, 2018 the USDA rates the US wheat crop's condition dropping 2 points from the last report to 37 percent poor to very poor, 32 fair and 31 percent good to excellent, up 1 point from the week before. Wheat headed this week rates approximately 9 percent complete nationally, up from 3 percent last week and trailing last year's rate of 18 and 10 the average. To view this complete report, click or tap here.
In Oklahoma, winter wheat's condition is rated 65 percent poor to very poor, 27 fair and 8 good to excellent. Winter wheat jointing reached 75 percent, down 16 points from the previous year and down 12 points from normal. Winter wheat headed reached 15 percent, down 20 points from the previous year and down 1 point from normal. To view this complete report, click or tap here.
In Kansas, winter wheat condition rated 14 percent very poor, 32 poor, 42 fair, 11 good, and 1 excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 22 percent, well behind 62 last year and 51 for the five-year average. To view this complete report, click or tap here.
In Texas, winter wheat condition rated this week at 13 percent good to excellent, 24 fair, and 63 percent poor to very poor. Wheat headed this week is 40 percent complete, up from 17 the week prior but behind last year at this time by 9 points and up by 8 points compared to the average. To view this complete report, click or tap here.
Compared to a week ago- the Oklahoma Poor to Very Poor number is 8 points worse than the 57% poor to very poor- while the Kansas crop worsened by 2 points at 46% this week compared to last, and the Texas crop declined by 2 percentage points (61% last week- 63% this week).
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Cold Snap Had Limited Damage to Wheat Across Region, Developmental Problems More Concerning
In this week's wheat update webinar hosted by Oklahoma State University's Plant & Soil Sciences Department, the OSU Extension Wheat team was joined with counterparts from other land grant systems including Texas A&M and Kansas State University. Particular focus was given this week to the damage caused by a recent cold snap from the week before, which extension was giving time to see to what extent the damage would manifest.
OSU Small Grains Specialist Dr. Dave Marburger took the lead reporting on what was seen here in Oklahoma. According to him, Oklahomans actually came out of the first cold snap relatively unscathed compared to what most were expecting going into it. Aside from a few cases of leaf-tip burning, most stands he's since visited seem to be holding up fairly well, heads all mostly in good condition. However, this past weekend brought yet another bout of freezing temperatures. Marburger says it will be another week or more before the extent of the damage from that cold snap is known.
Regarding disease and insect pressure this year, extension professionals from each of the three states reported very low activity of both suggesting that the dry conditions have kept things in check. OSU's Dr. Bob Hunger reported his findings since last week.
He echoed comments from his peers in Kansas and Texas, saying that when it comes to foliar diseases and viruses this year, it's all pretty much on the low end of things. If anything, the most prevalent issue is with powdery mildew, but that seems to be a nonstarter. Some cases of Stripe Rust have been noted but signs of regression have been identified. Also, a few cases of mites have been reported but given the state of wheat fields where they've been logged, it's not even worth treating for.
One question was posed from the audience enquiring about whether or not this crop's delayed development would translate to a later harvest. Dr. Romulo Lollato of Kansas State University fielded that question.
Lollato says rather than an early harvest, it's more likely farmers will see lower yields with high protein wheat - he says it is all somewhat dependent on how hot it gets during mid-May when crops enter the grainfill stage.
The last wheat update webinar will take place Monday morning April 23rd at 8:30 AM. For instructions on how to participate, click here.
Read more or listen to excerpts of the experts from this week's webinar by clicking here.
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Sponsor Spotlight
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EPA Completes Illinois River Watershed Models that will Help Improve Water Quality in Oklahoma and Arkansas
Nutrient pollution is one of America's most widespread, costly and challenging environmental problems, and is caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus in the air and water. Since 2003, Oklahoma and Arkansas have worked together to help improve water quality in the polluted Illinois River Watershed Basin and Lake Tenkiller. In February 2013, Arkansas and Oklahoma extended and augmented the original Statement of Joint Principles and Action of their collaborative agreement to make additional commitments to further scientific understanding and continue to improve water quality through 2016.
Yesterday, the EPA completed a set of models for the Illinois River and Lake Tenkiller that will be used to evaluate options as the EPA and its partner agencies in this project continue their efforts to reduce phosphorus loadings from sources in northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas and improve overall water quality.
The downstream impacts of high phosphorous levels to Lake Tenkiller may include harmful occurrences of 'algal blooms' and low dissolved oxygen concentrations in the lake. Within a few weeks, the EPA will convene the partnering agencies to share information about both models and discuss next steps.
To learn more about Illinois River Watershed Modeling Program, click here. |
Introducing Your 2018 Southeast Star in Agribusiness, Toby Bowles of the Colbert FFA Chapter
We began this week's coverage of the 2018 Area Stars in Agribusiness with Toby Bowles of the Colbert FFA Chapter. Toby's agribusiness project consists of a two-pronged operation where he manages a business overseeing sheep production and a full-service gas and tire station servicing local farmers and ranchers.
Each year, he says roughly 750 ewes and lambs are ran across his operation with 350 breeding ewes always on-site. Year-round, though, he works at his service station fixing and replacing tires on local farmers' tractors, semis, trucks and cars - keeping them all maintained so, as Toby says, "Everybody is (kept) up and running because down time for our customers is lost money for them and us also."
Toby says FFA has contributed significantly to the success of his business giving him the tools that as a manager, he needs to keep the business in black ink. Specifically, he says FFA has taught him how to maintain complete and accurate records to help him track expenses and profits.
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Want to Have the Latest Energy News Delivered to Your Inbox Daily?
Award winning broadcast journalist Jerry Bohnen has spent years learning and understanding how to cover the energy business here in the southern plains- Click here to subscribe to his daily update of top Energy News.
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Derrell Peel Shares the Latest Industry Data Showing Beef Demand Holding Strong So Far in 2018
For several weeks now, OSU Extension Livestock Economist Derrell Peel has been saying that the US beef industry is set up for larger production and larger beef supplies this year. Concerned about what an oversupply of beef might do to prices, Peel says all eyes right now are on beef demand. So far this year, production is up about 1.5 percent and is projected to climb up to 5 percent by the end of the year.
While production continues to build though, product has kept moving at a steady pace, which Peel sees as a clear sign of strength in the current market. He broke down the latest data to support his position.
"Retail beef prices continue to hold up well relative to pork and poultry pries. March retail pork price was $1.502/lb., up from $1.478/lb. in February and down 0.7 percent from one year ago. Composite broiler retail price in March was $1.867/lb., up slightly from the February level of $1.861/lb. and down 0.6 percent from last year," he wrote in this week's Cow/Calf Corner newsletter. "The ratio of retail beef price to both pork and broiler continues to hold strong despite growing supplies of beef, pork and poultry. Production of beef, pork and broilers are all expected to be record large in 2018 leading to record large total meat supplies of nearly 103 billion pounds, up 3.3 percent year over year. This includes other chicken, turkey, lamb and mutton and veal production.
"Net meat exports are projected to move just over 12 percent of total meat production offshore this year and hold per capita domestic meat consumption to 219.4 pounds, retail weight. This level is 1.3 higher than last year and the highest total meat consumption since 2007 but below the record level of 221.9 pounds in 2004. Strong domestic and international meat demand will be critical to minimize the supply pressure on meat prices in 2018."
Click here to read Peel's full article on our website.
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More Producer Education Becoming a Priority Investment for Checkoff as Focus Turns to Millennials
Originally from Texas, Chuck Coffey has spent most of his life ranching near Springer, Okla. I caught up with Coffey during the recent Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association Convention to discuss his term so far as vice chairman of the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion Board. He says this past year was a challenge as the board searched for a new CEO to replace Polly Ruhland who left to join the United Soybean Board. The board was faced with this decision to make during a time when concerns regarding Checkoff investment started to grow among stakeholders. Coffey says the new leadership in place is well suited for addressing these concerns and leading the Checkoff's operations into the future."We were very pleased with the job Polly had done, but we recently hired Scott Stuart who has come into the Beef Board with us serving as our CEO and he's hit the ground running," Coffey said. "I've been amazed at how quickly he has learned the program because it is not an easy program to absorb."Coffey says it will take Stuart some time to fully grasp all the intricacies behind the Beef Checkoff and the CBB. He knows, because he insists it took him at least two or three years to understand it all himself and says he is still learning things today. His message in saying that is reflective of the feeling among many of the stakeholders today. Coffey explains that as a board, the decision was made to gear a large portion of the Checkoff's investment in digital advertising designed to reach the Millennial generation where the most market potential is today. The problem is that most stakeholders are more mature in age and aren't as exposed to the digital landscape like Millennials are because of their lifestyle habits. Coffey says many stakeholders are curious as to why they don't see beef promotion through traditional media channels like they have become accustomed to in the past. In order to address these concerns, Coffey says the CBB voted to invest more into producer education to teach stakeholders where and how their dollars are being spent and why."I think they are concerned about what their dollars are being used for, because many of these producers in my age group and older aren't seeing what's going on in the Checkoff," he explained. "It's important for us to get out and educate about the Checkoff and promotion so they can see that their own people are out there in the field working to increase the value of beef."Listen to Coffey and I talk about the importance of producer education to the Beef Checkoff program, on yesterday's Beef Buzz - click or tap here. |
BREAKING NEWS- Grain Sorghum Exports to China in Jeopardy After Chinese Slap 178% Duty Effective Immediately
Early this morning- we got word from Bloomberg that the Chinese have moved on the February investigation where they were claiming the US was dumping US Grain Sorghum into their country- click here for our earlier story on these charges- and they have hit the US Grain Sorghum industry HARD.
According to Bloomberg- "Imports will incur a 178.6 percent duty, China's Ministry of Commerce said in a preliminary ruling on Tuesday. That's in compliance with domestic law and World Trade Organization rules, Wang Hejun, chief of the trade remedy and investigation bureau at the ministry, said in a statement."
"The rate is quite high and some buyers may have to cancel shipments," said Li Qiang, chief analyst with Shanghai JC Intelligence Co. A rally in domestic corn prices since late last year has prompted domestic feed mills to increase purchases of the grain from U.S., he said.
"China imported about 4.8 million metric tons of sorghum from the U.S. last year, worth about $957 million, according to customs data."
China is easily the largest foreign buyer of US Grain Sorghum- at least they have been.
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Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, American Farmers & Ranchers, Livestock Exchange at the Oklahoma National Stockyards, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Stillwater Milling Company, National Livestock Credit Corporation, OERB, Oklahoma AgCredit, 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!
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God Bless! You can reach us at the following:
phone: 405-473-6144
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