From: Ron Hays [ron@oklahomafarmreport.ccsend.com] on behalf of Ron Hays [ron@oklahomafarmreport.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 5:57 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 Wednesday May 18, 2011
A service of Johnston Enterprises, P & K Equipment/ P & K Wind Energy and American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company!
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-- NRCS Chief Dave White- Bring on the Budget Challenges- His Agency Can Handle Them
-- NCBA Demands USDA Provide Chance to Respond to Economic Analysis on the GIPSA Rule Now Being Conducted
-- Ethanol Proponents Tout Study Showing No Link Between Biofuel Production and Change in Land Use
-- Tee Minus Two Weeks and Counting on Farm Program Signup
-- Governor Fallin and the School Land Commission Announce Record Distribution to Education
-- Cattle on Feed Report Due Out This Friday From USDA
-- Karl Jett Named as Newest Commissioner on the Oklahoma Conservation Commission
-- 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. One of the great success stories of the Johnston brand is Wrangler Bermudagrass- the most widely planted true cold-tolerant seeded forage bermudagrass in the United States. For more on Johnston Enterprises- click here for their website that features their grain, ports and seed business!

And we are proud to have P & K Equipment/ P & K Wind Energy 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.

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 Ron Hays on RON.

If you have received this email by someone forwarding it to you, you are welcome to subscribe and get this weekday update sent to you directly by clicking here.


NRCS Chief Dave White- Bring on the Budget Challenges- His Agency Can Handle Them
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The Chief of the Natural Resource Conservation Service says he doesn't mind the tightening federal budget, as he believes that it gives him opportunity to refocus on the highest priorities in the conservation arena that need to be worked on. Dave White was in Oklahoma City as he spoke to the National Watershed Conference. He says there are programs that have duplication and need to be streamlined. And he tells us in an exclusive interview that he would like to take current resources and dedicate more people out into the field.

White talked with us about the challenge of working with another federal agency in dealing with the the Lesser Prairie Chicken- but think the deal struck with the US Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the Sage Grouse may be the model to pursue for the Lesser Prairie Chicken in the five states where it is still found- including Oklahoma. He told us the NRCS intention is to hold a meeting soon with that same agency and get an agreement where a farmer/rancher has a conservation plan that is in place will be protected if the little Chicken ends up on an endangered species list. As Dave White says, they will be allowed to continue to ranch.

You can hear our full conversation with the head of the key agency in the US government when it comes to the conservation of our natural resources. Click on the LINK below for our story with Dave White of the NRCS.

Click here for a chance to listen to our visit with Dave White of the Natural Resource and Conservation Service of the USDA


NCBA Demands USDA Provide Chance to Respond to Economic Analysis on the GIPSA Rule Now Being Conducted
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Colin Woodall, NCBA vice president of government affairs, is very concerned about the lack of any opportunity to have a final whack at the so called "GIPSA Rule" that is currently being evaluated by the US Department of Agriculture. On today's Beef Buzz, he explains the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration's (GIPSA) proposed rule on livestock marketing is apparently on a fast track to become finalized without anyone outside of the Department having any furhter say.

Woodall believes that the so-called GIPSA rule will be released before the end of the year and says it's vitally important for cattlemen to continue voicing opposition to this rule that NCBA believes will punish innovation and stymie profitability and consumer choice.

NCBA's biggest concern at this time is the continued refusal by US Secretary Tom Vilsack to allow any further comments to be made on the rule once the economic analysis that is being conducted by the agency is complete by Chief Economist Joe Glauber. Vilsack has said more than once that there have been plenty of comments and that there will be no more opportunity to weigh in once the analysis is done. It is also unknown if Vilsack will make the study public or not.

Click here to read more- and to hear comments with Colin Woodall of the NCBA on getting one more chance to weigh in on GIPSA


Ethanol Proponents Tout Study Showing No Link Between Biofuel Production and Change in Land Use
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Based on what they describe as a "'bottom-up', data-driven, statistical approach," researchers at Michigan State University have concluded that biofuel production in the United States through 2007 "probably has not induced any indirect land use change." The research, conducted by MSU scientists Seungdo Kim and Bruce Dale, is discussed in a paper that will be published in the next issue of the journal Biomass and Bioenergy . The paper was made available online May 13 for a fee.

"Biofuel production in the United States up through the end of 2007 in all probability has not induced indirect land use change," the authors wrote. "There are two feasible dependent conclusions that might be drawn from this interpretation: 1) crop intensification may have absorbed the effects of expanding US biofuel production or 2) the effects of US biofuel production expansion may be simply negligible, and not resolvable within the accuracy of the data."

Supporters of ethanol are delighted with the outcome of this study. One of the groups that expressed their pleasure in the form of a news release was the National Corn Growers Association. "It's time for flat-earth ethanol opponents to back off on land use change," said NCGA President Bart Schott. "Unless they can present clear and compelling data, they need to realize that technology and science are not on their side. We're growing much more corn per acre, and this - along with shifting demands - eliminates the need to significantly increase acreage to meet all needs."

Click here for more on this study- and we have a link within our webstory where you can access the full study.


Tee Minus Two Weeks and Counting on Farm Program Signup
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Francie Tolle, executive director of the Oklahoma Farm Service Agency (FSA), would like to remind Oklahoma producers that June 1, 2011 is the enrollment deadline for the 2011 Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program or the traditional Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP).

"It is critical for producers to complete the enrollment process as soon as possible," said Tolle. "Producers must contact their local FSA office to set up appointments before the June 1, 2011 deadline."

All signatures of producers receiving a share in DCP/ACRE payments are required by the June 1 deadline.

"More than $152 million in direct payments were issued in fiscal year 2010 to Oklahoma producers," stated Tolle. "These payments are an important part of the farm safety net because they help protect the farmers who provide America and the world with a reliable stream of food and commodities by buffering them from the effects of revenue declines."

For more information about the DCP/ACRE programs please visit your local FSA office- or click here for the state FSA website.


Governor Fallin and the School Land Commission Announce Record Distribution to Education
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OKLAHOMA CITY - Governor Mary Fallin and Secretary of the Commissioners of the Land Office Harry Birdwell today announced a record-setting year for the money provided by the CLO to K-12 schools, colleges and universities.

The agency is expecting to distribute a total of $124 million to schools over the course of fiscal year 2011, the largest annual distribution to schools in state history and over $10 million more than was distributed in FY 2010. As of now, the CLO has distributed $112 million to education, including $84.9 million to common education, and is expected to distribute another $12 million total by the end of the fiscal year in June.

In addition, CLO officials report that all indications point to another record disbursement year in fiscal year 2012 if state oil and gas drilling activities continue at a strong pace. CLO distributions continue to climb, with education distributions reaching $82.6 million in FY 2009, $114.3 million in FY2010 and a projected total of at least $124 million in FY 2011.

"With the recession leaving Oklahoma with a $500 million budget shortfall, every dollar is important," Fallin said. "We're extremely pleased to be able to direct a record-setting amount of money from the CLO towards education, especially during these tough times. These dollars come without any mandates and will provide our schools and universities with another flexible source of funding to help deal with the budget cuts they are currently facing."

Click here to read the rest of the story about the distribution to education from the School Land Commission.


Cattle on Feed Report Due Out This Friday From USDA
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The next regular Cattle on Feed Report will be released on Friday afternoon, May 20, 2011 at 2 PM central time. Some of the folks we check in with before the report on a regular basis, the Allendale team, believe placements will be higher than a year ago for yet another month.

According to Allendale's Rich Nelson, April Placements are expected to be 4.5% larger than last year. The record fat cattle prices in the first half of the month encouraged active placements. It also may have brought a few heifers that were planned for the cow herd. Lastly, dry conditions in the Plains are not adequate to support summer pasture weight gains. Cattle placed in April will be marketed from September through November." You might also remember that the weekly analysis offered earlier this week by OSU's Derrell Peel says that we have had big numbers of Mexican feeder cattle coming into the US- and that those numbers will be reflected in the April numbers.

Allendale adds that "Allendale anticipates a Marketing total 2.7% smaller than April of 2010. We do not look for lower marketings to last. Slaughter levels will begin to balloon this summer due to large winter placements."

It all adds up that the group thinks that the total Cattle on Feed as of May 1 will be 5.1% larger than last year.
We will have details of the actual numbers from the report on Friday afternoon on our website- and hope to have our regular checking in on the report with Tom Leffler of Leffler Commodities.


Karl Jett Named as Newest Commissioner on the Oklahoma Conservation Commission
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Governor Mary Fallin today announced the appointment of Karl Jett as Area 1 commissioner of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. It is expected that Jett's confirmation will be handled today in the Oklahoma Senate.

"As a fourth-generation farmer and rancher, Karl Jett will bring leadership and experience to the Oklahoma Conservation Commission," Fallin said. "He is committed to preserving and protecting Oklahoma's natural resources for our citizens' enjoyment and the enjoyment of future generations."

Jett has operated KC Farms in Laverne since 1972. He currently serves as the district chairman of the Beaver County Conservation District and on the board of directors at First Security Bank in Beaver. He has previously served on the boards of: Beaver County Fair Board Association; Beaver County Junior Livestock Association; Laverne Farmers Cooperative; and Farmers Grain of Follett, TX.

Jett graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in agriculture economics. He will be taking the seat that has been held by Matt Gard.

Area 1 is composed of the following conservation districts: Alfalfa County; Beaver County; Blaine County; Central North Canadian River; Cimarron County; Cimarron Valley; Dewey County; East Canadian County; East Woods County; Ellis County; Garfield County; Grant County; Harper County; Kingfisher County; Major County; Texas County; Woods County; and Woodward County.

To learn more about the mission of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, click here for their website.


Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, PCOM, P & K Equipment/ P & K Wind Energy, Johnston Enterprises, American Farmers & Ranchers , KIS Futures and Oklahoma Mineral Buyers.Com 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 $10.95 per bushel- as of the close of business yesterday, while the 2011 New Crop contracts for Canola are now available are $10.95 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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