Gary McManus Says Recent Storm System has now Become 'Legendary' 

The upper-level storm system that visited Oklahoma with ample rains from the east has now become legendary, says Associate State Climatologist Gary McManus. He says meteorologists are saying they've never seen such a storm develop and move from the east in summer, at least a storm of non-tropical origin. 

Not all parts of the state shared in the bountiful rains. Vinita received no rain. Less than half an inch fell in the Panhandle, northeastern and southeastern Oklahoma. When the places where it did rain are combined with the places where it didn't rain, it adds up to only the 38th wettest July on record with a statewide average of 1.67 inches. That's only 0.8 inches above normal, McManus says.

Given that fact, McManus says this week's drought map contains a few surprises. There is still a "drought hole" across central and eastern Oklahoma. The amount of the state at least in D1-Moderate drought went up from 51 percent to 59 percent. McManus said that surprising turn of events is due to the fact it rained most where they needed it the least.

The drought eased slightly in southwestern Oklahoma where they dropped from D4-Exceptional drought to D3-Extreme drought. That's the first time since August 7, 2012 that D4 has disappeared in the southwest.

You can see the maps Gary McManus is referring to and listen to our full conversation by clicking here.

The Senate confirmed Gina McCarthy to be the new administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.  Representatives of two ethanol producers' groups congratulated McCarthy on her appointment.

"The RFA and our member companies offer our sincere congratulations to Administrator McCarthy on her confirmation," said Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association.  "In meeting after meeting over the years, we have always found Gina McCarthy to be approachable and open to dialogue. There is no question that she is a thoughtful, solution-oriented professional who will handle the tough job ahead of her with grace."  (You can read more of Bob Dinneen's statement by clicking here.)

Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, was also pleased with McCarthy's confirmation.  "Ms. McCarthy is extremely qualified and is known for her willingness to always examine issues with a fair and open-minded approach-I know that she will continue to serve as a leader and advocate for advancing the Renewable Fuel Standard and other important domestic energy policies."  (Click here for more from Tom Buis.)

New OCA Executive Director Previews Upcoming Convention and Trade Show

The 61st Annual Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association Convention and Trade show is rapidly approaching. It will be held July 25-27 at the Reed Center in Midwest City.

This three day, family event offers a large trade show, informative speakers, committee meetings for developing policy, leadership development for junior cattlemen and a banquet recognizing outstanding members and their accomplishments. 

This will be the first OCA convention for the organization's new executive director, Michael Kelsey. Kelsey came on board July 1st. He said he looks forward to the convention as a time to get better acquainted with members of the OCA and to hit the ground running. Kelsey spoke with me recently about the convention.  (He will also join me on this week's "In the Field" on News 9 about 6:40 a.m. Saturday.)

Kelsey said the upcoming convention and trade is a wonderful opportunity for anyone connected to the Oklahoma cattle industry.

"If you have an interest in the cattle industry in Oklahoma, this is the premier event. From an education standpoint, from an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, large or small, cow-calf, stocker-feeder, it doesn't matter. All of the junior cattlewomen and cattlemen, this is the premier event. And that's what we're going to continue to bill this as and build on whether it's Cattlemen's College, trade show opportunities, the policy-making committees, etc., we're going to bill this as the event and that's what we're pushing for. And we're hoping that cattlemen, cattlewomen and junior cattlemen will come out for it."

You can read more or listen to our full interview by clicking here.

USDA Researchers Working to Solve Swine Diseases

USDA researchers are working to solve a swine disease that has a major negative effect on the pork industry.

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome costs U.S. pork producers money and pigs every year.

Dr. Joan Lunney, a research scientist with the USDA says, "Overall, in the United States PRRS costs us 642 million a year and if you take into account veterinary costs, it's one billion a year in the U.S. alone. For young pigs being sick means respiratory problems and loss of growth, so it's a major issue in terms of production. In the adult sow, if she gets PRRS when she's pregnant, she can lose her litter, and/or her litter becomes sick and some pigs die in utero or are very unthrifty when they're born."

To alleviate this situation, Dr. Lunney and her colleagues in Beltsville, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C., have discovered a genetic marker that shows which pigs are resistant to the effects of PRRS.

You can see a video version of this story or read more on our website by clicking here.

Josh Bushong Says Interest in Winter Canola Keeps Expanding

Turnout at the Oklahoma-Kansas Winter Canola Conference in Enid Wednesday pleasantly surprised organizers and presenters. About 350 producers attended the event in Enid.

Josh Bushong, OSU Extension Canola Specialist, made a presentation at the conference and spoke with me about the enthusiasm shown by producers for canola. 

"We have a lot of interest out there. They are really motivated to learn more about canola. There's a lot of interest in this area and it keeps growing every year."

Looking back on how canola did for farmers who planted it this last season, Bushong said the results were mixed, but producers who attended the Enid conference, overall, seemed to be very pleased.

"Just like our winter wheat in the area, it has been very variable across the state. We had some areas that were really hit harder than other areas with the drought. Some guys exceeded their expectations and a lot of guys were happy with what they achieved and was still comparable with what their winter wheat made as far as yields and they still came out on top as far as economics. So, a lot of producers are very pleased."

Click here to read more or to hear my interview with Josh Bushong.

 

Kim Anderson Tells SUNUP Lyndall Stout- Worry About the Basis When It Comes to Near Term Cash Wheat Prices

OSU Grain Marketing Economist Dr. Kim Anderson told SUNUP's Lyndall Stout in an interview that will be seen this weekend on the OSU Ag Communications' produced show that he is watching two of the underlying foundations holding up cash wheat prices in Oklahoma- the Kansas City September Wheat Futures contract and the current basis, which is 35 to 40 cents a bushel above normal levels for this time of year.


Anderson believes the relatively high basis is biggest danger to cash wheat prices in the weeks ahead- he points to the uncertainty in making a corn crop this fall as the likely reason that the basis is rather strong- and that the basis being at current levels is simply telling producers- sell us your wheat. He adds that as we get more certainty about the size of the 2013 corn crop- the basis will fall and that will put pressure on cash wheat prices here in the southern plains as a result.

You can watch Lyndall and Kim on this weekend's edition of SUNUP- or you can listen to them early only here on our website (and on our APP) by clicking here and jumping over to our website. 

While there- you can listen to Kim's analysis and also check out the full lineup of a very busy SUNUP for this weekend that will be seen on OETA. (I'm tired just reading the lineup!). 

Farm Bill Folies- Senator Stabenow Gets Her UC while House Dems Want Food Stamp Hearing

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow asked unanimous consent on the Senate floor Thursday afternoon to move to a conference with the House on the farm bill. The Senate accepted her resolution without exception. Stabenow called the action - which will send the farm bill back to the House and set the stage for a conference and the appointment of conferees - a very important step. Stabenow asked that Senate conferees be appointed with a ratio of seven Democrats to five Republicans. There was no objection.

Despite the twists and turns to this point - Stabenow expressed confidence that Congress will approve a bipartisan farm bill. Stabenow reiterated that the Senate produced a comprehensive, bipartisan, balanced farm bill that addresses the agricultural needs and concerns of the country. She said the bill addresses food security, conservation of our soil and water, bioenergy and rural development. Stabenow specifically thanked Committee Ranking Member Thad Cochran and committee members John Hoeven and Saxby Chambliss for their work in the process. She also commended House Ag Chair Frank Lucas and Ranking Member Collin Peterson for their efforts. Stabenow said she is confident that working together - they can get this done for the American people.

 On a related note - because the nutrition title was removed from the farm bill approved on the House floor - Massachusetts Representative Jim McGovern and 28 other House members have asked House Ag Chair Frank Lucas to hold a thorough hearing on nutrition and the impacts of changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program before a stand-alone nutrition bill is considered by the House. In a letter to Lucas - the Representatives note there has not been one single hearing in the 113th Congress about the programs that make up the Nutrition Title. It goes on to state that despite differing views on the Nutrition Title - and SNAP specifically - it should not be controversial to conduct oversight hearings on those programs.