As Corn Harvest Begins, Crop Matures Under Mostly Dry Skies 

The U.S. corn crop marched toward maturity without further drought damage according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported today. With 53 percent of the crop in good or excellent condition, 22 percent of the crop had reached full maturity and 81 percent reached the dent stage by September 15.

"While many growers have noticed the impact of late-season drought on their crops, official reports continue to forecast a crop that, while lagging in progress, is not declining in quality at this point," said National Corn Growers Association President Pam Johnson. "The drought monitors show conditions have reached the severe stage in several key corn-growing areas of the upper Midwest, thus we realize that the impact of weather conditions throughout the season cannot yet be fully assessed."

Corn maturity continues to lag following a late, cool planting season with corn at full maturity currently 19 points behind the five-year average of 41 percent at this time. Likewise, only four percent of the total U.S. corn crop had been harvested by Sept. 15, six points behind the five-year average. While many areas of the country have not yet begun harvesting corn, Texas and North Carolina made significant progress with 61 and 53 percent of corn acreage harvested respectively, nearing the five-year average for those states.

You can read more of this story and find a link to the full USDA Crop Progress report by clicking here. 

Crop Progress Lagging Behind Same Time Last Year in Oklahoma and Kansas

Corn and sorghum harvest was underway in Oklahoma, but behind normal progress. Virtually all corn was in the dent stage and 80 percent of the crop was mature by Sunday. Corn harvest was 28 percent complete, 18 points behind the five-year average.  Seventy-five percent of the corn crop was listed in good to excellent condition.

Seven percent of wheat was planted by the end of the week. Many farmers are waiting for moisture before beginning fall planting.  (Click here for the full Oklahoma Crop Weather report.)

In Kansas, corn dented was 89 percent, behind 98 last year b 95 average. Thirty-three percent of the crop was mature, well behind 84 last year and 61 average. Corn harvested was 8 percent complete, well behind 50 last year, and 24 average. Corn condition rated 14 percent very poor, 19 poor, 28 fair, 31 good, and 8 excellent.  (Click here to read the Kansas Crop Progress and Condition report.)

Hot and dry conditions continued across much of the Texas last week, with most areas receiving less than one quarter inch of rainfall.  Peanuts continued to mature in South Texas. Producers in the Blacklands harvested cotton, soybeans, sorghum, and sunflowers.  (The full Texas report is available by clicking here.)

Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act of 2013 Ready to Roll

The House is expected to consider H.R. 3102, the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act of 2013 later this week. The measure would cut 40-billion dollars from nutrition programs over 10 years.  

The House Rules Committee will consider a rule for the measure on Wednesday afternoon- setting the stage for perhaps a Thursday debate of the measure.  Essentially, this is the House Ag Committee's Nutrition Title- and added to it to double the savings from $20 billion to $40 billion are work requirements for able bodied adults that have to be met to continue to receive SNAP benefits. Click here for the full text of HR 3102. 

According to House Ag Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson, the measure will only make it harder to get a new farm bill passed this Congress. Instead of appointing farm bill conferees, Peterson says the Republican Leadership has chosen to move forward with an unnecessary and divisive nutrition bill. He believes the bill should be defeated.  

But even if it is - Peterson's concern is that the debate will eliminate any remaining goodwill needed to pass the farm bill. Peterson says the House and Senate Agriculture Committees could work together and provide farmers, ranchers and consumers the certainty of a five-year farm bill if the House Majority would get out of their way.   

Click here for the statement released by the ranking member of the House Ag Committee- Collin Peterson.

Feeder Markets Continue Adjusting to Big Corn Crop 

Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, writes in the latest Cow-Calf Newsletter:

Cash corn prices in the Texas Panhandle have decreased $2.00/bushel since July. While there is still some uncertainty about how big the new corn crop will be and just how low corn prices might go, there is no doubt that significantly lower corn prices will have a big impact on feeder price levels and feeder price relationships. Overall feeder cattle price levels have risen sharply with prices for most weights of feeder cattle up about $25/cwt., a bit more for the lightweight calves.

From a stocker perspective, the potential value of gain depends on the overall feeder price level as well as the price spread or rollback between the purchase price of the stockers and the selling price of the feeders. The impact of feeder price level is well illustrated by comparing value of gain now with the feeder lows in May. Using combined auction data for the week of May 24, 2013, the price of 524 pound steers was $150.97/cwt. and the price of 823 pounds steers was $127.21/cwt. This represents a $23.76/cwt rollback between the beginning and ending price and results in a value of gain of $0.85/pound for 299 pounds of gain. Last week, the Oklahoma combined auction price for a 522 pound steer was $173.52/cwt. and the price of an 818 pound steer was $151.76/cwt. This is a $21.76/cwt. price rollback and results in a value of gain of $1.14/pound for 296 pounds of gain. Thus, roughly the same price rollback results in a significantly higher value of gain because of the higher selling price. 

You can read more from Derrell Peel by clicking here.

American Farm Bureau Federation Disappointed In Chesapeake Bay Court Ruling

The American Farm Bureau Federation released the following statement:

"The American Farm Bureau Federation is deeply disappointed with the district court's ruling upholding the Environmental Protection Agency's total maximum daily load for the Chesapeake Bay. We believe the ruling is incorrect and has huge implications for farmers and many others in the Bay area and nationwide.   

"Win or lose in this lawsuit, farmers care deeply about our natural environment and want to do our part to improve water quality. But Congress did not authorize EPA to dictate how farmers, builders, homeowners, and towns would share the responsibility of achieving clean water. That is the states' job. We believe EPA's approach wrongly puts federal agency staff in charge of intensely local land use decisions.   

"AFBF and our allies in this case are reviewing the decision and evaluating next steps."  

Fair-Favorite OCA Ribeye Sandwiches Make Reappearance at Tulsa State Fair

The Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association will be serving ribeye steak sandwiches at the Tulsa State Fair again this year. The infamous Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association ribeye steak sandwich was voted favorite fair food at the 2012 Tulsa State Fair.

"I always look forward to working in the beef tent and hearing customers say that they have been looking forward to a ribeye steak sandwich since last year's fair," said Rowdy Fewell of the Muskogee County Cattlemen's Association.   

In addition to feeding hungry fair goers, the OCA Beef Tent is a great marketing opportunity for beef.

"We reach folks at the fair that we may never reach in any other marketing venues," said Fewell. "Priced at $6, our signature sandwich is a bargain. Besides that, it is a healthy meal packed with zinc, iron and protein."

Click here for more.

Congressman Mullin Supports New Water Infrastructure Legislation

Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-2) today announced his support of new water infrastructure legislation that creates jobs, cuts federal regulations, produces greater efficiency and transparency, and renews investment in Oklahoma's waterways as well as those across the nation.

"Oklahoma plays a significant role in our nation's water transportation system," said Mullin. "With one of the largest in-land ports in the U.S. at the Port of Catoosa, we serve as a key job creator and as an integral part in the success of the system as a whole."

Earlier, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster introduced H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 (WRRDA). As a member of the committee, Congressman Mullin has worked alongside Shuster and fellow members in developing legislation that addresses critical water infrastructure needs by greatly involving the private sector.

You can read the rest of the story by clicking here.