The United States Department of Agriculture released its latest Crop Progress Report for the week ending May 19, 2019 on Monday. The report indicates that nationally, some moderate progress was made in both corn and soybean planting which has continued to lag behind its normal planting rate due to persistently wet conditions. Click or tap here to review the complete USDA Crop Progress Report for Monday, May 20, 2019.

In Oklahoma, winter wheat headed reached 95 percent, unchanged from the previous year but down 2 points from normal. Wheat's condition rates this week 88 percent good to excellent, 9 fair and 3 poor to very poor. For Oklahoma's complete Crop Progress report, click or tap here.

In Kansas, winter wheat condition rated 2 percent very poor, 8 poor, 30 fair, 46 good, and 14 excellent. Headed was 61 percent, behind 67 last year, and well behind 83 for the five-year average. For Kansas' complete Crop Progress report, click or tap here.

Finally, across Texas, wheat was progressing in the Plains and changing colors in the Cross Timbers. Wheat harvest was active in South Texas and areas of South Central Texas, but only a few producers had begun combining in the Blacklands. Wheat was drying down in the Edwards Plateau. The winter wheat crop in Texas this week is 95 percent headed, ahead of last year by 4 and the average by 1. As of this report, 8 percent of the Texas crop is harvested, normal but behind last year by 3 points. Wheat's condition rates 22 excellent, 39 good, 31 fair, 6 poor and 2 percent very poor. For Texas' complete Crop Progress report, click or tap here.

Pasture and range conditions in the Southern Plains saw mostly positive increases across the board this week compared to last. Oklahoma's good to excellent rating climbed by 13 points since last week and Texas saw a 3-point increase in its ratings. Kansas had a 1-point decline in its good to excellent rating this week, but also had a 1-point decrease in its poor to very poor rating, creating a neutral gain of 2 points in the fair category. Nationwide, pasture and range conditions are generally better than last year, with a 20-point lead on in its good to excellent rating. Currently, conditions across the US rate 66 good to excellent, 28 fair and 6 percent poor to very poor.

 

The newest wheat varieties developed by the Oklahoma Wheat Improvement Team were showcased at the recent Lahoma Wheat Field Day, hosted by OSU Extension. Oklahoma Wheat Improvement Team Leader and State Wheat Breeder Dr. Brett Carver was on deck during the event, highlighting the new varieties' unique traits and the work being done to add even more varieties to OSU's already extensive portfolio.

The four varieties launched in 2018 you'll remember included Showdown, Green Hammer, Baker's Ann and Skydance. Grouped in terms of similarity into pairs, Carver says the first two, Showdown and Green Hammer, are more broadly adapted varieties while Baker's Ann and Skydance were bred to be targeted and quality-focused while not compromising yield potential.

According to Carver, Green Hammer differs from Showdown, possessing a more enhanced disease resistance package with particular regard to Leaf rust resistance. Likewise, Baker's Ann is different from Skydance, possessing impressive resistance to Stripe rust. Strong in the field, Baker's Ann is also strong in the mill with excellent doughing qualities. In addition, Baker's Ann is recognized for its grazability as an early maturing variety.

As Carver continues to promote these new varieties, he's also keeping one eye on the future. He offered us a glimpse at what is still working its way through the pipeline. To find out what experiments Carver is most excited about, listen to our full conversation or continue reading this article by clicking over to our website.

The Mexican government published an official notice that Mexico has removed its retaliatory duties on U.S. pork. Canada's Department of Finance announced that Canada will immediately eliminate the 10 percent tariff that Canada imposed on prepared beef items from the United States. U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom says restoring duty-free access to the Mexican and Canadian markets is a tremendous breakthrough for the U.S. red meat industry.

"USMEF thanks President Trump and Ambassador Robert Lighthizer for reaching an agreement with Mexico and Canada on steel and aluminum tariffs," Halstrom stated. "We're also grateful for Mexico and Canada's lifting of retaliatory duties on U.S. red meat."

He says this will remove a significant obstacle for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. The USMEF says they're hoping that all three countries will ratify the new North American trade agreement as soon as possible.

The organization, Farmers for Free Trade, released a statement as well, calling for Congressional support USMCA's passage.

"Importantly, eliminating the tariffs removes a roadblock to passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) which modernizes and bolsters NAFTA," the group said. "With these tariffs removed Congress should not delay consideration of USMCA any longer."