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The 2013 Hard Red Winter Wheat Crop may be one that is known in some areas of the southern Great Plains as the "Flimsy Wheat Crop." Oklahoma State University Extension Area Agronomist Roger Gribble talked with us at the Canola Field Tour Stop east of Perry on Thursday afternoon- and we discussed the status of the 2013 HRW crop in central, north central and northwest Oklahoma.

Gribble says that when it comes to the 2013 wheat crop in his area- it varies almost from field to field. He contends that the problems associated with the 2013 crop all began with the drought conditions of last fall and winter. The freeze events that have happened since the latter part of March have caused some head damage- but the level of damage is still being assessed- especially with the latest freeze of earlier in the week (April 22-23). However, he says a trend that is developing in a lot of the wheat fields he has checked is the relative weakness of the wheat stem. "We are starting to see in the lower portion of the stem, a discoloration of the node." Specifically, Gribble says the problem is that this discoloration signals that "you'll see a crack in the node." Basically, it also signals a weakness in the stem of the wheat that as the crop matures and if there is a head higher up on that stem- the weight of the head waving in the Oklahoma spring wind will cause the wheat plant to go down- the stem will be so flimsy because of freeze damage- it will not stand up all the way to harvest. 

Meanwhile- we also have some thoughts from Plains Grains, Inc and their Executive Director Mark Hodges- who is especially worried about the wheat crop in southwest Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Panhandle. "In Southwest Oklahoma, the damage was, in many cases, from sterilization and no pollination which is very evident in many fields at this point.


"Meanwhile, in the Panhandle a lot of wheat has been "burnt" to the soil surface from temperatures in the teens (and growing points were 2"-3" above the surface), again pretty obvious damage."

Click here to listen to our conversation with Roger Gribble on Thursday afternoon as well as the chance to read more of the thoughts of Mark Hodges as it relates to the 2013 hard red winter wheat crop.

Federal Reserve's Agricultural Finance Databook: Livestock Loans Raise Farm Lending 

Commercial banks boosted lending to livestock operators in the first quarter, according to the Federal Reserve System's Agricultural Finance Databook.

A February survey of national commercial banks found that bank lending for livestock purchases rose to its highest level in almost a decade. High feeder cattle prices kept loan volumes to cattle feedlots elevated. With expectations of further declines in crop and feed prices during 2013, the potential for improved profits also supported lending activity to other livestock operations.

Real estate loan volumes trended higher as farmland markets remained active. Despite heightened sales activity, farmland prices surged further supported by strong farm incomes. Farmland values were expected to remain at record levels and real estate loan volumes appeared to advance modestly in the first quarter of 2013.

You can read more by clicking here and you'll also find a link to the full databook.  

Latest Drought Monitor Shows Shrinking Drought Footprint in Oklahoma- and the Storm Systems Continue to Roll Across the Southern Plains

Rainfall along the I-44 corridor brought more drought relief to the state last week. The improvements from east central through central Oklahoma leave 28 percent of the state without any sort of drought designation (11 percent with no designation, 17 percent with the "Abnormally Dry, D0" designation).

That still leaves 72 percent of the state within some level of drought intensity. Only 5 percent or so is in the "Exceptional, D4" category, the best that column has looked since July 31, 2012. Nearly 31 percent of the state is within the "Extreme/Exceptional" categories, a level that has not been that low since July 17, 2012.

While some areas are dealing with overflowing lakes and ponds, the Panhandle is still dealing with very dry conditions.

There are chances for rain today as well as the middle of next week. We have the thoughts of Alan Crone from the News on 6 in our story that can be found on our website- click here for more.- we have Alan's take on next week as well as the latest Drought Monitor graphic to digest.

NCC Responds to Article Taking Issue with Antimicrobial Use in Poultry Processing

The National Chicken Council published this response to an article appearing in the Washington Post:

Food-grade antimicrobials are approved for use by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and classified as "Generally Recognized As Safe" by the FDA at the recommended use levels as a very safe and effective way to kill or inhibit the growth of any potential foodborne pathogens, like Salmonella, on raw poultry products. They are used to assure the safety of poultry products, said the National Chicken Council (NCC) in response to claims made today in an article appearing in the Washington Post.

When administered properly at the federally recommended use levels, these antimicrobials are safe for poultry products, for consumers and for those working in the plant. These levels are frequently tested by both USDA and plant personnel to ensure they are at safe levels for the product and for workers in the plant.

Though these antimicrobials are approved for use and are used in very low, allowable concentrations, the poultry industry takes very seriously the health and safety of our workforce and there are a number of steps and precautions in place in order to minimize any exposure to them.

You can read the NCC's point-by-point refutation by clicking here.

 

What a Difference a Year Makes: Economist Derrell Peel Watches Beef Demand Carefully

Pastures are getting better in the southern plains. Ponds are starting to refill. Oklahoma State University Livestock Market Economist Dr. Derrell Peel says the contrast with last year couldn't be more stark.

"We were ahead of schedule last year, warmer much sooner than usual. This year we are exactly the opposite. We are much later, slow to green up. We are finally getting some moisture that's relieving at least some of our short-term drought concerns, but now we've got to have some warm weather to really capitalize on that.

"I think that's still affecting producers here in terms of getting on with their spring plans. I don't think we're seeing the demand for stocker cattle that we will see when the weather warms up. Certainly, as you go north of here, we've still got winter conditions in many cases. Recent big snows continuing that have extended feed demands for a lot of producers. In fact, we've seen increased beef cow slaughter the last two or three weeks over last year's levels. We would expect to be down from last year and significantly down from last year if, in fact, we weren't liquidating. And I think we are seeing some short-term liquidation here simply because some of these producers have run out of resources before they ran out of winter."

Derrell is my guest on the latest Beef Buzz.  Click here to listen.

 

FFA Gives Cortney Cowley Confidence to 'Go on and do Great Things'

The theme of the 2013 Oklahoma FFA Convention to be held April 30th through May 1, 2013 is "FFA, Grow Like That!" There are thousands of former FFA members that serve as role models for current and future FFA students- and the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and OklahomaFarmReport.Com is pleased to be working with the Oklahoma FFA Association to spotlight some of the tremendously successful men and women who wore the Blue and Gold Jacket of the FFA during their high school days- and have used that experience as a springboard to success in later life.

The spotlight now shines on Cortney Timmins Cowley. She is a former member of the FFA from the Bing Chapter in southeastern Oklahoma. She served as a state officer in 2004-2005. She was the national FFA agriscience student of the year. She is known as the most-decorated student in OSU history: a Truman Scholar, a Udall Scholar, a Wentz Scholar, and a National Agriscience Award Winner.

Cowley said she owes a great deal to the FFA for her success thus far in her life.

"I think the FFA, especially as a female, gave me this really great confidence and sense of self that I can really go on and do great things."

Click here to read more or to listen to our full conversation.

 

This N That- GMO Labeling Legislation, In the Field and Express Ranch Sale today

Legislation to require the Food and Drug Administration to clearly label all genetically engineered foods has been introduced in the U.S. House and Senate. The Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act was introduced by California Senator Barbara Boxer and Oregon Representative Peter DeFazio. The bill has ten co-sponsors in the Senate and nearly two-dozen co-sponsors in the House. Boxer says Americans have the right to know what is in the food they eat so they can make the best choices for their families. The liberal Democrat contends the legislation has the support of a broad coalition of consumer groups, businesses, farmers, fishermen and parents who all agree consumers deserve more information about the food they buy.

On this subject- I wouild only say that lawmakers love to introduce bills designed to praise from groups they wish to please- this one is about crops we have grown since the 1990s and the boogey man has never shown up and caused an outbreak or even one case of someone getting sick because of a meal with GMO grain in it.  I would suggest you might go back to my interview of a few days ago with Dr. Alison Van Eenennenaam of UC-Davis- she framed the issue very well from an animal agriculture issue at the recent NIAA conference that we covered- click here to jump back to that story.

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Our In the Field guest this Saturday morning on KWTV News9 will be Scott Bulling- we'll be talking Crop Insurance and how important it is for you to be in contact with your crop insurance agent and your adjuster before you hay or graze damaged wheat.  Check in with us Saturday morning around 6:40 AM In the Field with Scott Bulling. 

And By the way- we will have the video with Scott available up on our APP later in the day on Saturday- download the APP for your IPhone or Android to take advantage of special video and audio that shows up on that platform first.

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A final quick reminder- the Grass Time Sale of Express Ranches gets underway at 11:00 AM this morning at the ranch in Yukon.  Click here for more details- a sale catalog, video of the bulls, the sale addendum and how you can watch online (and of course, bid online, too.)