July Pork Exports Rise; Beef Exports Set 2013 High 

Paced by strong performances from leading markets, both U.S. beef and pork exports continued their upward trend in July, with beef sales setting new highs for the year, while lamb exports slowed slightly for the month but remain up for the year, according to statistics released by the USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Double-digit increases to the top three markets (Japan, Mexico and Canada) helped U.S. beef exports jump 9 percent in volume in July to 118,913 metric tons valued at $622.8 million, a 21 percent increase over last year. For the year, beef exports are up a fraction in volume (661,473 metric tons) and 9 percent in value to $3.45 billion.

Strong performances by Mexico, the China/Hong Kong region and Central/South America boosted pork exports by 8.5 percent in volume in July to 178,794 metric tons valued at $502.6 million, a 7.5 increase over 2012. Through July, pork exports were down 5 percent in volume and value, at 1.23 million metric tons and $3.44 billion. Excluding Russia, which has been closed to U.S. pork and beef since February, exports were down just 1 percent from last year's record pace.

Lamb exports dipped a modest 3.2 percent in July on 15.7 percent lower volumes, but remain up by double digits for the year.

"On the beef side, we are seeing the results of further rationalization of import practices in a number of key Asian markets," said Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. "Expanded access in Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan has helped each of these key markets move closer to their full potential, and we are focusing our resources there to maximize opportunities to serve the growing demand in the region."

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Syria is a Significant Farm Bill Roadblock- So Says the Chairman of the House Ag Committee Frank Lucas

Will Syria become a roadblock to getting work completed on a 2013 Farm Bill? According to the Chairman of the House Ag Committee Frank Lucas, that seems to be the case- at least in the short term. In an exclusive visit that we had with him on Sunday evening, Chairman Lucas says "Clearly Ron, Syria has absorbed all of the political oxygen in the nation's Capitol. I really expected this week that we would be taking up the Nutrition, a free standing item. That now has been pushed back simply because for the rest of this week and I am not sure how many days after that- Syria is a front burner issue."


Lucas says that House Conferees will not be appointed by Leadership until the fate of the Nutrition Bill is known- he was hoping that would be before the end of September- but the uncertainty thrown into the wheels that grind polticial sausage means that may not happen sometime in early October- and that makes the process of getting a Conference done and delivering a final product that House Republicans, Senate Democrats and the White House can all live with when it comes to the Nutrition part of farm policy. Lucas says he is working to remind leadership "I know they are focused on Syria- but we need to get the Farm Bill done!" 

You can listen to our complete conversation with Chairman Lucas- and read more about his concerns by clicking here.

Hunter Westfahl of Okeene FFA Wins Grand Champion Honors at State Wheat Show

Hunter WestFahl, son of Ron and Tracy WestFahl, was recently awarded the overall grand champion award showing his Billings variety in the 2013 Oklahoma 4-H/FFA Junior Wheat Show. WestFahl placed 1st in production and visual and 1st in milling and baking, earning him the title of 1st place among the FFA, FFA champion, and overall grand champion of the 4-H and FFA Junior Wheat Show. WestFahl is from the Okeene FFA chapter. (picutred here is Westfahl being presented with his winnings from the 2013 contest)

Damon Fisher, son of Kevin and Lesley Fisher, recently placed 1st overall in the 4-H division while showing his Duster variety at the 2013 Oklahoma 4-H/FFA Junior Wheat Show.  Fisher placed 6th in production and visual, 1st in milling and baking, combined earning him the title of 1st place among the 4-H, 4-H champion overall and reserve grand champion winner. Fisher is a member of the Lomega 4-H club. WestFahl and Fisher recently accepted their awards at a recognition banquet held at the Oklahoma State University Alumni Center on Thursday evening, September 5th.

You can read more of this story by clicking here. 

Both Sides Anticpate Ruling from Federal Judge on Mandatory COOL Rule

A hearing was held August 27 in the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia to hear arguments on the motion filed by plaintiffs asking the court to temporarily enjoin the U.S. country of origin labeling (COOL) rule published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA), together with National Farmers Union (NFU), the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), as defendant-intervenors, filed an opposition to the preliminary injunction motion and presented arguments opposing the preliminary injunction during the hearing.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, American Meat Institute, American Association of Meat Processors, Canadian Cattlemen's Association, Canadian Pork Council, Mexico's National Confederation of Livestock Groups, National Pork Producers Council, North American Meat Association and Southwest Meat Association.

Officials associated with the Plantiffs have indicated to Steve Ditmer with the Agribusiness Freedom Foundation that they believe the oral arguments went well- and they believe that the decision will come from the federal judge on or before September 17.

Click here to read the rest of this story. 

2013 Hard Red Winter Wheat Harvest Complete; Quality Well Above Average

Mark Hodges of Plains Grains reports that the 2013 HRW harvest is now essentially complete in all production areas. North Dakota at 99 percent complete, is rapidly finishing up.

 With 476 samples of the expected 500 total samples now in the lab overall average grade and non-grade characteristics improved this week. Average overall grade is now 1HRW while the TKW increased to 25.8 grams. Overall wheat protein did drop by 0.1% this week to 13.0%.  

Overall average farinograph development time is 5.1 minutes which is similar to the 2012 average and the 5-year average of 5.3 minutes and 5.0 minutes respectively. Overall average farinograph peak time is 12.1 minutes which is higher than the 2012 average of 11.1 minutes and equal to the 5-year average of 12.1 minutes. Overall average farinograph absorption is 59.8% which is higher than 2012 average of 58.9% and significantly higher than the 5-year average of 57.9%.  j

You can read more from Mark Hodges and find a link to his full test data by clicking here. 

Hot Soils Can Prove Problematic for Wheat Germination, Jeff Edwards Says

Jeff Edwards, Small Grains Extension Specialist, writes in the latest World of Wheat blog:

As is usually the case in Oklahoma, we currently have a wide range of soil moisture conditions. Soils in central Oklahoma are generally dry on top, but there is ample soil moisture below. Soils in western Oklahoma and the Panhandle are dry all the way down. A few drills have started rolling, but most producers are waiting on a "State Fair" rain to get started (for all you non-Okies, it usually rains sometime during the State Fair in early September). While moisture availability is the primary driver of wheat planting, it is not the only consideration for producers. Hot soil conditions can affect wheat germination too, and there are a few questions producers should ask themselves prior to planting into soil temperatures >90F:

Will you have to plant deep to reach moisture?

Is the variety high temperature germination sensitive? 

You can read Jeff's answers to these questions and find links to some helpful OSU fact sheets on the subject by clicking here.

100,000 Head up for Auction In 34th Annual Superior Livestock Labor Day Sale

Superior Livestock Auction's 34th annual Labor Day Auction is coming up Sept. 11-13.  The sail will be broadcast live on Dish Network Channel 231 and on Direct TV Channel 345. 

The sale will offer 100,000 head including 1,500 Holsteins, 17,500 yearling steers, 10,000 yearling heifers, 31,000 weaned calves, 37,000 calves on cows, and 3,000 bred heifers and bred cows.

You can find more information and a catalog on the Superior Livestock Auction page by clicking here.