United States Cattle on Feed Down 3 Percent 

The latest USDA Cattle on Feed report contained few surprises as the numbers were very close to what the industry was expecting. Overall, the report showed the number of cattle on feed down three percent.

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.4 million head on July 1, 2013. The inventory was 3 percent below July 1, 2012. The inventory included 6.53 million steers and steer calves, down 3 percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 63 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 3.78 million head, down 4 percent from 2012.

Placements in feedlots during June totaled 1.59 million, 5 percent below 2012. Net placements were 1.52 million head. During June, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 315,000, 600-699 pounds were 232,000, 700-799 pounds were 415,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 625,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during June totaled 1.90 million, 4 percent below 2012. Marketings for the month of June are the lowest since the series began in 1996.

Click here for a link to the full report or to listen to an analysis with Tom Leffler of Leffler Commodities.
 

International Leadership Alumni Conference Offers Expanded Insights, Skill Enhancement, Motivation 

Expanded insights, skill-enhancement and personal fulfillment relative to sharing the importance of agriculture is the focus of the 2013 International Leadership Alumni Conference set for Aug. 14-17 in Oklahoma City.

"We're excited to have ILAC in Oklahoma this year; traditionally, the conference has been for alumni of agricultural and rural leadership programs, but this year we're inviting anyone who is interested in the speakers and tours that we have planned," said Hope Pjesky, Agricultural Leadership of Oklahoma president and a farmer-rancher from Goltry, Okla.

Pjesky spoke with me about the upcoming conference.  She said ILAC is designed to provide an informative, thought-provoking and motivating experience.

"I would especially like it to be a grand reunion for those of us who have gone through the Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program over the years," she said.

"OALP is such a useful program, with so many great people involved." 

You can listen to my interview with Hope Pjesky or read more of this story by clicking here. 

Congress Must Reform Nutrition Programs, Cole Says

Congressman Tom Cole issued the following editorial:

There have been several issues at the forefront in Congress this summer, and unfortunately, few have been resolved. We're continuing to prioritize and work on a number of issues, including the necessary passage of a farm bill, which is very important to our state and nation at large.   

Congress passed the first farm bill as the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933. This legislation sought to reform a variety of issues in the agriculture community, protect farmers and ensure access to healthy food for all. Ever since passage of that bill, programs have been reviewed and reformed and funds reauthorized every five years. Policies have continued to address a variety of agriculture programs beyond just America's farms, including crop support, conservation, food assistance and forestry.


Since passage of the first farm bill 80 years ago, the legislation has certainly evolved and not necessarily for the better. Currently, farm bill spending is unbalanced with nearly 80 percent of taxpayer dollars going to fund nutrition programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). The remaining funds still go to help America's farmers, ranchers and consumers through other initiatives like commodity programs, agricultural research, trade and rural development. 

Click here to read more.

Plasticulture Grant Funds Available; Applications Due August 5th

A program directed toward small, limited resource producers wanting to expand specialty crop production is offering grants and up to one acre of plasticulture installation. Applications to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF) must be postmarked by August 5, 2013.

Plasticulture implements the use of plastic in gardens and can help with weed control, water erosion, nutrient leaching and compaction. The use of raised beds covered in plastic can increase plant and product quality and bring greater yields. Each bed includes a drip irrigation line under the plastic covering to supply water and fertilizer.

Limited resource producers are defined as having direct or indirect gross farm sales of not more than $100,000 in each of the previous two years and receiving little or no assistance from the government.

The program emphasizes marketing and requires a three year commitment as funds are provided in increments of a maximum of $500 each year. Micah Anderson, ODAFF Plasticulture Coordinator, said applicants will be evaluated based on experience, marketing plans and application date.

You can read more of this story by clicking here.  

Timely Rainfall May Have Saved Comanche and Tillman County Cotton Crop

The following article is by Vic Schoonover from Producers Cooperative Oil Mill:

Rainfall up to three inches in southern Comanche and eastern Tillman Counties could help cotton farmers keep their dry land crop growing the rest of the summer.

At least obtaining a like amount of rainfall in August will make the difference between a crop and another failure, according to Marvin Wyatt, who farms south of Lawton.

He and his brothers, Matt and Fred, planted nearly 2,300 acres of cotton this spring, he said. "Before the rain we received at the beginning of the week, the cotton was beginning to look a little sick," he said. "Some of our fields are wet today. Around three inches fell in some places.

"While it wasn't a lot, this moisture was really welcome. If we can get some more rain like this next month before the bolls start maturing, we should have a chance to make some cotton for the first time in three years."

Click here for more.

 

OKC West Livestock Market Will Conduct First Sale Since May Tornado

On May 31, 2013, OKC West Livestock Market, Inc., El Reno, Okla., sustained severe damage from an EF-5 tornado direct hit. After substantial re-building efforts, the market is back in business with a sale scheduled for Wednesday, July 24 at 8:00 a.m.

"The destruction at the market was massive, and it is remarkable that they are able to be back in business so soon," said Terry Chapman, Livestock Marketing Association Regional Executive Officer.

Bill Barnhart, OKC West Livestock Market General Manager, estimates that there will be 7,000-8,000 head of cattle on sale day. The sale will take place in the arena, with temporary offices in operation until an office building is complete. 

This N That- Nutrition Task Force, Rainfall in Green Country and In the Field with Michael Kelsey

A working group has been established in the House to help write a nutrition bill that could win enough Republican votes for passage. While there are rumors the group includes more than 20 members - The Hagstrom Report released a list of 16 members - including House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. According to a Cantor aide - the leader is involved in a variety of outreach efforts with members to chart a path forward on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The Hagstrom Report lists House Ag Chair Frank Lucas and committee members Bob Goodlatte, Steve King and Kristi Noem as members of this nutrition bill working group.  

For my two cents worth- it appears this complicates things and makes it harder to quickly move through the Ag Committee and get to the floor.  Stay tuned- the Farm Bill Follies continue!

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Rainfall totals from this past weekend were most impressive in northeastern Oklahoma, with several Mesonet stations reporting in excess of three inches of rain since last Friday morning.   

We have posted a map that shows those totals- and it also shows at least light amounts of rain even in the Oklahoma Panhandle, as well as almost three inches of rain in Hugo- in southeastern Oklahoma.  

Click here to take a look at the latest rainfall map.

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Over this past weekend, our TV guest for our In the Field segment as seen on KWTV News9 in Oklahoma City was Michael Kelsey of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association.   

We have posted the video of our visit with Michael on both our website as well as on our APP- click here for the web version and click here to learn more about our RON App, which can be downloaded to either your Apple or Android smartphone!