From: Ron Hays [ron@oklahomafarmreport.ccsend.com] on behalf of Ron Hays [ron@oklahomafarmreport.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 6:57 AM
To: Hays, Ron
Subject: Oklahoma's Farm News Update
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Oklahoma's latest farm and ranch news
Your Update from Ron Hays of RON for Tuesday September 28, 2010
A service of Johnston Enterprises, P & K Equipment/ P & K Wind Energy and American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company!
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-- It's the Turn of the House- Letter to Lisa Jackson Tells Her to Stop Thinking About Zero Tolerance on Dust
-- Mandatory Price Reporting Reauthorization Signed
-- Mark Dopp of the AMI Says Cattle Producers Who Support GIPSA Rules Simply Don't Think Other Cattle Producers Deserve a Premium for Their Cattle
-- Harvest and Planting Go Full Speed Ahead- We Check the Oklahoma Crop Weather Update
-- Dupont Exec Says Food Security is Big Factor in Security and Stability Around the World
-- High Powered Strategic Thinking Education Program for Agriculture Embraced by OSU
-- Updates on a Couple of Monday Stories
-- Let's Check the Markets!

Howdy Neighbors!

Here's your morning farm news headlines from the Director of Farm Programming for the Radio Oklahoma Network, Ron Hays. We are pleased to have American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company as a regular sponsor of our daily update- click here to go to their AFR web site to learn more about their efforts to serve rural America!

It is also great to have as an annual sponsor on our daily email Johnston Enterprises- proud to be serving agriculture across Oklahoma and around the world since 1893. Johnston is welcoming all fall crops this harvest. They have space to store your grain and look forward to serving you. For more on Johnston Enterprises- click here for their brand new website!

And we are proud to have P & K Equipment/ P & K Wind Energy as as one of our regular sponsors of our daily email update. P & K is the premiere John Deere dealer in Oklahoma, with ten locations to serve you, and the P & K team are excited about their new Wind Power program, as they offer Endurance Wind Power wind turbines. Click here for more from the P&K website.

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It's the Turn of the House- Letter to Lisa Jackson Tells Her to Stop Thinking About Zero Tolerance on Dust
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On Monday, Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) along with his House Agriculture Committee colleague Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging it to refrain from imposing burdensome farm dust regulations on America's farmers and ranchers. Rep. Lummis spearheaded the effort and the letter was sent with the support of 74 other U.S. Representatives.

Ranking Member Frank Lucas says of the potential rules- "Dust is a daily factor of farm life and it's been around since before the first plow was ever created. To try to regulate it out of existence as the Obama administration is trying to do lacks any kind of good sense there is. This would be laughable if it weren't so serious, if it didn't put the livelihoods of our farmers and ranchers in economic jeopardy. The threat that the EPA will impose what amounts to a zero-tolerance on farm dust is a great concern and I urge the EPA to reconsider this policy path."

Among those signing the letter was Oklahoma Congresswoman Mary Fallin, who is the Republican candidate in the Oklahoma Governor's race. Nationally, several prominent Democrats signed as well- including several that are facing uphill battles for reelection. The number three Democrat on the House Ag Committee signed the letter (Mike McIntyre) as well as Stephanie Sandlin Herseth of South Dakota.

We have the full letter at our LINK below- and you can review who signed onto this letter in the House as a reminder to the EPA that members of Congress are watching their regulatory efforts that could impact rural America.

Beyond Dust- Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), and Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA), co-chairs of the Rural America Solutions Group, will host a forum to discuss Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations and initiatives- that will happen tomorrow in our nation's Capitol. Among the issues they plan on covering- carbon dioxide restrictions, the Clean Water Act, farm dust regulations, hydraulic fracturing and more. If you are in the DC area- it will happen at the US House Visitor's Center- if not, click here for a live video feed.

Click here for details of the letter calling on EPA to stop efforts to regulate Dust


Mandatory Price Reporting Reauthorization Signed
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Mandatory Price Reporting Reauthorization legislation has been signed into law by President Obama. The bill extends reporting requirements of livestock daily markets for five years and adds pork and dairy requirements. Senate Ag Committee Chairman Blanche Lincoln says the legislation will ensure that family farmers and ranchers will receive fair market value for their livestock.

In addition to current law, the bill calls for reporting on Mandatory Reporting of Wholesale Pork meat cuts. This new provision is designed to improve transparency to the pork industry and further protect producers. National Pork Producers Council President Sam Carney, a pork producer from Adair, Iowa, says - the addition of export and wholesale cuts reporting will further help swine producers make business and production decisions.

Both the American Farm Bureau and the National Farmers Union applauded the signing of the measure. National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson says - given current economic instability, reauthorization of mandatory price reporting is vital to U.S. farmers and ranchers to provide market tools essential to the livestock sector.
American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman says - the Mandatory Price Reporting law provides necessary transparency in livestock pricing information critical to producers' marketing opportunities.
The Dairy industry also offered thumbs up- as the bill instructs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish within one year an electronic price reporting system for dairy products which will make it easier for milk producers to obtain current milk prices. National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Jerry Kozak says - USDA will have to do what it takes to establish dairy price reporting. Connie Tipton of the International Dairy Foods Association expects the Mandatory Price reporting law will lead to important improvements in the efficiency and transparency of the dairy industry.

Click here for the full news release from Senator Lincoln's office on the Mandatory Price Reporting Bill being reupped for five years.


Mark Dopp of the AMI Says Cattle Producers Who Support GIPSA Rules Simply Don't Think Other Cattle Producers Deserve a Premium for Their Cattle
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That's a long headline- but the General Counsel of the American Meat Institute gives us a slightly different perspective of the battle between the groups that want the GIPSA Marketing Rules implemented last week- and those who want them stopped cold in their tracks.

We talked with Mark Dopp after his participation in a lively session at the USDA-DOJ Workshop on Competition in Livestock that was held in Ft. Collins. Dopp says that while those who want the GIPSA rules have vented about packers and processors- he believes that they really don't like their competitors- in other words- other livestock producers- to be able to get more for their livestock than they can get, even if those other producers have done a better job of genetic selection and/or production practices- and have gotten their animals to where they are worth more.

Click on the LINK below for our Beef Buzz with Dopp about this line of thinking- and remember that all of our Beef Buzz shows are available on our website, www.OklahomaFarmReport.Com by going to any page, looking for and clicking on the Beef Buzz button on the left side of that page. The Beef Buzz is a regular radio feature heard on great radio stations across the state of Oklahoma and our region on the Radio Oklahoma Network.

Click here for our Beef Buzz with Mark Dopp on the GIPSA Marketing Rule Battle that has shaped up between producer groups.


Harvest and Planting Go Full Speed Ahead- We Check the Oklahoma Crop Weather Update
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The latest Oklahoma Crop Weather Update indicates that "Producers across the State continued with field activities as warm and windy weather was experienced last week. Rainfall was received during the week, however, precipitation was scattered. All nine districts received rainfall but less than an inch was received for each district. The East Central district received the most rainfall with 0.72 inches. As result of the little rainfall received, many fields are still in need of moisture. Average temperatures were cooler last week ranging from the mid-to-low seventies. Fifty-seven percent of topsoil moisture conditions were rated in the surplus to adequate range while forty-four percent of subsoil moisture conditions were also rated in the surplus to adequate range."

Oklahoma wheat farmers made remarkable progress in planting the 2011 Hard Red Winter Wheat Crop- putting almost one fifth of the total crop in the ground in a single week- that would be close to a million acres planted this past week alone. As of Monday- we now have 31% of the expected acres in Oklahoma planted to wheat- up from 13% reported a week ago. That's actually one point ahead of a year ago but still five points behind the five year average. Our neighbors north and south also made progress in getting their wheat seeded as well- Texas is up to 39% planted statewide(hard and soft wheat) while Kansas now has 21% of their crop in the ground- even with a year ago and eight points behind the average.

Back to Oklahoma- "Most row crops continue to be rated mostly in the good to fair range. Virtually all corn had matured by Sunday, 11 points ahead of the five-year average. Seventy-six percent of corn was harvested by week's end, 18 points ahead of the average. Sorghum coloring reached 90 percent complete, and 55 percent of sorghum had matured by Sunday, 17 points ahead of normal. Sorghum harvest was 24 percent complete by week's end, eight points ahead of normal. Thirty-six percent of the soybean crop had matured by Sunday, on track with the five-year average, and nine percent of the crop had been harvested. Sixty-three percent of peanut plants had matured by week's end, seven points ahead of normal. Cotton bolls opening reached 88 percent complete by week's end, 27 points ahead of normal."

Click here to jump to the complete Oklahoma Crop Weather Update as released by USDA on Monday afternoon.


Dupont Exec Says Food Security is Big Factor in Security and Stability Around the World
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Increasing agricultural productivity and food availability are essential factors in meeting the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals by 2015, said DuPont executive vice president James C. Borel in remarks delivered to attendees of the UN Summit on the Millennium Development Goals held last week in New York. "Agriculture is the primary driver to abate hunger and reduce poverty," said Borel. "Throughout history, agricultural prosperity has led to successful economies, and food security has a direct impact on national and political security."

Borel emphasized that agricultural production must be considered at the local level. While advances in technology are currently delivering significant increases in food production in the developed world, similar advances must be extended to the developing world.
"Today, approximately 85 percent of food never crosses an international border. When we discuss the challenge of increasing agricultural productivity to close the looming food gap, we often overlook the potential mismatch between the location of production and the location of people."
Increasing agricultural productivity at the local level requires a farmer-centered approach, said Borel.

"We must ensure that farmers have access to the things they need to produce a crop -- such as the best seed technologies, land, water, knowledge, inputs and credit. Infrastructure needs to be in place to allow for market access and farmers to sell their products," he said. "Working closely with farmers is critical to understanding their needs and developing products best suited for their local environments."
"The challenge of meeting the Millennium Development Goals will require even more public-private partnerships and other global initiatives," said Borel.

Click here for the full news release from Dupont on Borel's Address to the UN


High Powered Strategic Thinking Education Program for Agriculture Embraced by OSU
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A continuing education program that began at Kansas State University for agricultural producers and others has teamed with Oklahoma State University and the University of Nebraska to further enhance educational opportunities for its participants.
"The Management Analysis and Strategic Thinking Program has established a partnership between K-State, Oklahoma State and the University of Nebraska," said K-State-based MAST coordinator Judy Maberry. "We´ve added collaborating faculty in Dr. Damona Doye - OSU Agricultural Economics, Dr. Rodney Jones - OSU Agricultural Economics and Bradley Lubben - UNL Agricultural Economics."

The program combines new information and decision-making tools with online distance learning to develop management skills in agricultural producers. By learning farm management tools and their applications, participants are better equipped to cast a vision for their businesses and to handle the challenges of doing business in agriculture, Maberry said. Although there is an on-campus session to kick off the MAST program and another at its conclusion, most of the education is accomplished through online learning modules that participants work through from home at times most convenient for them.

Click on the LINK below to learn more about this new partnership that includes OSU- and you can get information how to participate as well at the MAST website that we link from our story.

Click here for more details about MAST.


Updates on a Couple of Monday Stories
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Sometimes on Mondays- Monday will happen. I guess that's was case on a couple of our stories from our Monday email. We have updated both stories on our website to get them corrected- and wanted to point you to them so you will have the latest, accurate information in both cases.

Our story on Crop Insurance included some information from a dated USDA website- and we have deleted that info- the conversation that we had with Scott Bulling was and is right- and time is wasting if you have not yet signed up for crop insurance on the 2011 winter wheat crop. Click here for the corrected story- and a chance to review what you need to do this week- but also what is expected of you later this year and then early next year as it relates to the crop insurance decisions that you make.

Our story on the Hog and Pigs report from USDA reflected some old data from earlier this year when it came to Oklahoma production- it seems that instead of having the latest information in their Hog and Pigs Report at the top of the report- USDA makes it a scavenger hunt to find the correct month embedded in the report- which means that Oklahoma's breeding herd stayed the same size as of September one compared to a year ago- it is the fifth largest sow herd by state in the country- and the other Oklahoma specific numbers we mentioned were off just a bit as well. The correct numbers can be seen by clicking here- and if you review the actual USDA data- be careful you look at the September numbers- once you find them within the report. Thanks to Will Hundl of USDA for setting us straight on that miscue on our part.


Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, PCOM, P & K Equipment/ P & K Wind Energy, Johnston Enterprises, American Farmers & Ranchers, KIS Futures and Big Iron Online Auctions 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- FREE!

We also invite you to check out our website at the link below to check out an archive of these daily emails, audio reports and top farm news story links from around the globe.

Click here to check out WWW.OklahomaFarmReport.Com


Let's Check the Markets!
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We've had requests to include Canola prices for your convenience here- and we will be doing so on a regular basis. Current cash price for Canola is $8.60 per bushel, while the 2011 New Crop contracts for Canola are now available are $9.25 per bushel- delivered to local participating elevators that are working with PCOM.

Here are some links we will leave in place on an ongoing basis- Click on the name of the report to go to that link:
Our Daily Market Wrapup from the Radio Oklahoma Network with Ed Richards and Tom Leffler- analyzing the Futures Markets from the previous Day-
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.
Previous Day's Wheat Market Recap- Two Pager From The Kansas City Board of Trade looks at all three US Wheat Futures Exchanges with extra info on Hard Red Winter Wheat and the why of that day's market.
Daily Oklahoma Cash Grain Prices- As Reported by the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture. <
The National Daily Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary- as prepared by USDA.
The National Daily Slaughter Cattle Summary- as prepared by USDA.
Finally, Here is the Daily Volume and Price Summary from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.



God Bless! You can reach us at the following:
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phone: 405-473-6144
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