From: Ron Hays [ron@oklahomafarmreport.ccsend.com] on behalf of Ron Hays [ronphays@cox.net]
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 6:47 AM
To: Hays, Ron
Subject: Oklahoma's Farm News Update


 
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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 Ron Hays on RON.

 

 

Let's Check the Markets! 

 

 

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.

 

Okla Cash Grain:  

Daily Oklahoma Cash Grain Prices- as reported by the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture.

 

Canola Prices:  

Current cash price for Canola is $12.47 per bushel-

2012 New Crop contracts for Canola are now available at $12.64 per bushel- delivered to local participating elevators that are working with PCOM.

 

Futures Wrap:  

Our Daily Market Wrapup from the Radio Oklahoma Network with Ed Richards and Tom Leffler- analyzing the Futures Markets from the previous Day.

 

KCBT Recap: 

Previous Day's Wheat Market Recap-Two Pager from the Kansas City Board of Trade looks at all three U.S. Wheat Futures Exchanges with extra info on Hard Red Winter Wheat and the why of that day's market. 

 

Feeder Cattle Recap:  

The National Daily Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary- as prepared by USDA.

 

Slaughter Cattle Recap: 

The National Daily Slaughter Cattle Summary- as prepared by the USDA.

 

TCFA Feedlot Recap:  

Finally, here is the Daily Volume and Price Summary from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.

 

Oklahoma's Latest Farm and Ranch News
 
Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
   Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Howdy Neighbors! 

Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update. 
 
PorkExportsFeatured Story:
Pork Exports Maintain Hot Pace; Beef Ahead Slightly in January

 

U.S. red meat exports have a tough act to follow after a record-setting year in 2011, but the early indications for 2012 are good. January pork exports jumped 28 percent in volume and 43 percent in value while beef exports were even in volume but rose 14 percent in value, according to statistics released by the USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

"There is a challenge to follow a very successful year like 2011 and sustain the momentum," said Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. "The good news is that there are opportunities to expand the presence of U.S. red meat by exploring new market niches as well as increasing access with several key trading partners."

Several key measurements also showed continued growth: export value per head and percentage of total production exported. For pork, January's export value equated to $59.44 per head of commercial slaughter compared to $43.59 a year ago, and 29.6 percent of total production (including variety meat) was exported in January versus 24.2 percent last year. For just muscle cuts, 25 percent of production was exported this January compared to 20 percent last year.

Beef exports equated to $197.95 per head of fed slaughter in value compared to $170.10 last year. The percentage of production exported - 12.3 percent for beef and variety meats and 9 percent for just muscle cuts- remained the same.

 

There is much more detail in this report which can be found by clicking here. 

 

Sponsor Spotlight

 

 

We are also excited to have as one of our sponsors for the daily email Producers Cooperative Oil Mill, with 64 years of progress through producer ownership. Call Brandon Winters at 405-232-7555 for more information on the oilseed crops they handle, including sunflowers and canola- and remember they post closing market prices for canola and sunflowers on the PCOM website- go there by clicking here.   

 

 

We are proud to have KIS Futures as a regular sponsor of our daily email update. KIS Futures provides Oklahoma Farmers & Ranchers with futures & options hedging services in the livestock and grain markets- Click here for the free market quote page they provide us for our website or call them at 1-800-256-2555- and their iPhone App, which provides all electronic futures quotes is available at the App Store- click here for the KIS Futures App for your iPhone. 

 

 

OYEAngus Heifer Shown by Kolby Sheppard of Perkins Tryon is Supreme Champ at OYE- Our Full OYE Recap from Tuesday 

 

 

There was quite a variety of size and quality in the Supreme Beef Heifer drive on Tuesday afternoon at the 2012 Oklahoma Youth Expo- and the judges, Dave Duello and Jimmy Williams, commented on that fact as they summarized their two day's work in the final coming together each breed champion and reserve female.  Both judges confirmed that they felt that while each of the animals were tops in their breed- four stood out and they considered them the cream of the crop- not sure about the second pair- but the top two were identified by the judges as the Supreme Champion and Reserve Supreme Champion Beef Heifer of the 2012 show.

 

 

Kolby Sheppard of Perkins-Tryon 4-H had the top Angus heifer- and she was slapped by Deullo as the Supreme Champion- Williams walked over and congratulated Cole Moore of the Madill FFA Chapter for showing the Reserve Supreme Champion- which was the Chianina Breed Champ.  We will have all of the Beef Heifer Breed Champions and Reserves up a little later this morning on our Blue Green Gazette pages- click here to jump there- and we have the pictures of all of the breed champs and reserves on our Flickr page this morning- click here for the Flickr page where we have almost 500 photos we have snapped since Sunday of the entire OYR to date.  

 

 

Also on Tuesday- we covered the Commercial gilt show, where 875 gilts were paraded in front of the judges- Champion Commercial gilt- best of those 875 was shown and owned by Lexi Beier of the Perry 4-H.  Reserve Commercial gilt was shown by Paden Day of the Mulhall Orlando 4-H.  Click here for the complete rundown of the purebred and commercial gilt class winners- and a great interview with the Commercial Gilt judge- Kevin Wendt from Ohio. (Pictures from both the Purebred and Commercial Gilt shows are also on Flickr.)

 

 

SaltToleranceSalt Tolerance in New Wheat Variety Increases Durum Yields 25 Percent

 

Crop scientists in Australia have bred salt tolerance into a new variety of durum wheat, increasing yields by 25 percent in salty soils.

The scientists from the University of Adelaide used non-GM crop breeding techniques to introduce the gene into commercial durum wheat. The results, researchers say, has been nothing short of spectacular.

"This work is significant as salinity already affects over 20% of the world's agricultural soils, and salinity poses an increasing threat to food production due to climate change," Dr. Rana Munns says.

The results were published March 11 in the journal Nature Biotechnology. 

You can read much more about this new variety of salt-tolerant wheat by clicking here.

 

TradeImplicationsTrade Implications of Changes in the Mexican Cattle and Beef Industry

 

The drought that is affecting the Southern Plains extends into central Mexico. Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist Derrell Peel says dry conditions are significantly impacting their cattle industry and may support growth in beef imports. Here is his analysis:

Drought conditions in northern Mexico remain very severe and the region has shared little of the moisture that has been received this winter in some parts of Texas and Oklahoma. Though no comprehensive data is available, indications from producers in northern Mexico indicate that significant herd liquidation is taking place across the region. There is little doubt that the 1.42 million head of Mexican cattle imports in 2011, the largest annual import total since 1995, was significantly enhanced by the drought.   This level of imports is not sustainable and will be offset by sharply reduced imports in the future. However, without better data, is uncertain how much additional liquidation might occur in 2012 if the drought persists and thus what level of imports might be possible this year. I suspect that imports may drop some from 2011 levels but weekly data so far this year indicates that Mexican cattle imports are currently up 27 percent year to date from last year. Certainly strong U.S. cattle prices will attract Mexican feeder cattle if there are cattle available for export.

 

You can read more of Derrell Peel's analysis of what the continuing drought in Mexico means for U.S. ranchers by clicking here. 

 

CropLifeAmericaCropLife America President Discusses Modern Agriculture in Light of 'Silent Spring'

 

CropLife America (CLA) president and CEO Jay Vroom spoke about the history of advancements in the crop protection industry with attendees of the University of Utah's Wallace Stegner Center's 17th Annual Symposium, "Silent Spring at 50: The Legacy of Rachel Carson," in Salt Lake City, Utah. Vroom's presentation discussed the influence of Carson's seminal book, and its impact on the regulatory framework, environmental awareness, and development of crop protection products. Vroom emphasized that whether it's through improved chemical formulas, more precise applications or integrated pest management programs, the crop protection industry continues to advance and help growers safely and responsibly produce food, fiber and renewable fuel.

"Silent Spring launched the modern environmental movement, and it is important to reflect on the impacts made on U.S. agricultural policy and the regulation of crop protection products," said Vroom. "By looking back at the societal changes ignited by Ms. Carson's writing, we can also look forward to future research and development opportunities and the creation of better modern agricultural tools. CropLife America is excited to engage in an open dialogue about this important book, discuss the improvements the crop protection industry has made in its wake, the advancements still happening every day, and how modern agriculture better interfaces with today's environmental concerns."

In his presentation, Vroom highlighted specific changes spurred by the 1962 publication of Silent Spring.

You can see a video of Jay Vroom in an interview with the president of the Environmental Working Group as well as read more of this story here. 

 

TSCRANewest Products and Services Exhibited at TSCRA Trade Show

 

More than 200 exhibitors will showcase the newest products and services to cattle producers across the state at the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) 37th Annual Trade Show during the TSCRA Convention Weekend March 30 - April 1, 2012 in Fort Worth.

Registration is open now and attendees who register on or before Friday, March 16, will receive a $50 per person discount.

As the largest cattle industry exhibition in Texas, the TSCRA Convention is a must-attend for anyone involved in livestock production. Whether you own cattle, horses or simply own land the TSCRA Trade Show has something for everyone.

 

To ready more about the trade show and access the link to their agenda and registration page, click here.

 

 

WatongaTeacherWatonga Teacher Named Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of The Year

 

A 31-year veteran of the classroom has been named Oklahoma's latest Ag in the Classroom State Teacher of the Year. Shirley Lettkeman, a fourth grade and gifted education teacher in Watonga was honored at a school assembly.

Lettkeman has a master's degree in education, is reading specialist certified and has achieved National Board Certification. Though she grew up in Clinton, Lettkeman has taught in Watonga for 31 years.

Lettkeman says, "I always try to make learning a fun and enjoyable experience. I do not want to make the students read for the sake of reading, I want them to fall in love with reading. I want it to be a lifetime experience. The same is with agriculture, community and our love for our country; I want them to fall in love with it too." 

Click here to read more about Oklahoma's newest Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year. 

 

SenateLate Word From the Senate Ag Committee in Washington- Stabenow Delays Important Farm Bill Hearing One Day- Now Set for Tomorrow to start at 8 AM Central 
 

The fourth of four Senate Ag Committee hearings in Washington on the key elements of the 2012 Farm Bill was set to happen this morning- this hearing to focus on the Commodity Title and Crop Insurance.  However, an email from the Committee indicates that a series of Senate votes are expected today- so they have decided to push back the hearing on this vital part of the 2012 Farm Bill puzzle to tomorrow- Thursday March 15.  Start time is 8 AM central- and you can view the full list of those testifying tomorrow as well as get the link to be able to watch the proceedings tomorrow by clicking here.

The usual suspects will be in the chairs facing the Senators- the Presidents of AFBF and NFU- Commodity Group Presidents, Agribusiness and Crop Insurance representatives and Michael Scuse- Acting Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural services who will give the Obama Administration version of farm bill needs to the lawmakers.

To me- the final witness listed is perhaps the most interesting- the President of the "Future Farmers of America," Ryan Best of Portales, New Mexico.  If the lawmakers and their staff are so far out of touch with rural America that they can't get the updated name of the largest specifically ag youth organization correct- you wonder what else they may have gotten wrong to this point.  I know- I am nitpicking- but the young people who wear the Blue and Gold jackets these days have never been in a group with that name- it's always been called the National FFA organization in their high school careers.  Best will offer his thoughts on farm policy from the perspective of how it will affect the ability of his generation to take over the farming and ranching duties in the years to come.  I am sure he will also point out that his group is preparing young people for careers throughout agriculture- not just to return to the farm or ranch. 

Expectations are that after this hearing- we could see the Senate Ag Committee mark up a 2012 Farm Bill proposal in a matter of days- maybe even ahead of the Congressional Easter break that comes around the first of April.  The House Ag Committee is busy doing "field" hearings on farm policy- and the last of those is not until April 20 in Dodge City, Kansas (the closest one to most of us in Oklahoma) so probably not much will be coming from Frank Lucas and his Committee until those hearings are concluded.    

 

Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, PCOM, P & K Equipment/ P & K Wind Energy, Johnston Enterprises, American Farmers & Ranchers, OERB, 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- 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

 

 

God Bless! You can reach us at the following:

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