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The top animals that were shown at the 2013 Junior Livestock Show at the Tulsa State Fair were showcased on Friday morning at the Premium Sale of the cream of the crop of the show. As is tradition, the Grand Champion Steer led off the 2013 sale, and the winning bid came from a partnership of players, including one gentleman who due to bad health could not be at the sale on Friday. Longtime banker L C Neel was mentioned as one of the buyers of the Grand Champion Steer that went for $35,000 (same price as a year ago). Other buyers of the top steer were the Tulsa State Fair Ringmasters and Murphy Brothers Exposition- who have the rights to the amusement rides at the fair and have been a regular supporter of the Premium Sale for many years. 

The owner of the Steer is Baylor Bonham of Newcastle 4-H- we talked with this seventh grader about his big payday- and you can hear our visit with Baylor and get the rundown on the prices paid the buyers who paid those prices by clicking here for our top ag story on our website.  

Long Time Tulsa & OYE Volunteer Roy Lee Lindsey --Why He Does It

It takes a tremendous investment of time and expertise to bring to bring off a top-notch livestock show.  Two men who consistently made that investment in hog shows at the Tulsa State Fair in the fall and the Oklahoma Youth Expo in the spring are Roy Lee Lindsey and Jerry Fitch.

I spoke with them both at the Tulsa State Fair and Lindsey says the investment he's made in the market barrow shows pays off year after year in helping bright young people who love to work with hogs.

"If you can start today with these kids who are already raising show pigs, that are already around them every day, these kids already have a passion for hogs.  You don't rise to the top with the kids here at the Tulsa State Fair without having a passion for doing it."

He said that passion translates into producing hogs that would show favorably at any show across the U.S. and even the world.  He said he wants to do everything he can to encourage kids with this ability to consistently produce such high quality hogs to take their passion and expertise to the next level by working in the pork industry.   (You can listen to more of my interview with Roy Lee Lindsey by clicking here.)

We'll have our conversation with OSU's Jerry Fitch tomorrow morning in our Tuesday email- and find out what drives Dr. Fitch to do what he does on behalf of the youth of Oklahoma. 

Potential Industry for Eastern Red Cedar to be Discussed

The Aromatic Cedar Association (ACA) has a vision. During a meeting in 2008, the group stated by 2013 "Manufacturing cedar products has become one of the top 10 industries in Oklahoma."

"As we look around today we can see a number of existing industries or operations potentially coming to the state that would utilize the red cedar," said Craig McKinley, ACA board president and retired Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension forestry specialist. "We currently have very successful mulch operations and there are several entities looking at pellet production, methanol/ethanol production, charcoal facilities, etc. However, red cedar is far from being a top 10 industry."

In an attempt to boost the industry and educate landowners on the opportunities and options available, the ACA is hosting its annual Cedar Summit at the Enid Convention Hall, 301 S. Independence Rd, Oct. 12.

Click here for more details.  

Farm Issues Taking Back Seat During Government Shutdown, Congressman King Says

With the federal government shutdown now in its fourth day, it is practically overshadowing every other issue awaiting action on Capitol Hill. Veteran farm broadcaster Ken Root interviewed Congressman Steve King about legislation of particular interest to farmers and ranchers that has been eclipsed during the current budget impasse. (Root is originally from Oklahoma. You can hear the full interview by clicking here.)

King said he doesn't believe the farm bill is currently being used as a bargaining chip in budget negotiations.

"With all the drama going on here, I don't get the sense the farm bill is being held as a bargaining chip. Right now there's just so much clutter, to be able to sit down and negotiate on the farm bill, it would be pretty hard to pay attention. Yes, we should be able to multi-task on this and John Boehner, as yet as far as I know, has not named the conferees on the farm bill. When that happens, we'll go to work anyway whether we're distracted or not."

King said that as legislators now begin looking at increasing the debt ceiling in addition to the stalled continuing resolution, he doesn't think it is wise for Speaker Boehner to say he will use Democrat votes to increase the debt ceiling.

 

Five Basic Principles Increase Soil Health for Forage Production

Pasture and Range Consultant Chad Ellis writes in the latest Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Newsletter:

Are you a cattle manager, a grass manager or a soil manager? Many cattlemen view livestock as their base crop through the sale of beef. Others view grass as their base crop. While management of breeding, vaccinations and marketing is important, all livestock need forage to produce pounds of beef. This forage is, in turn, heavily dependent on the health of the soil. Consequently, the management of soil health, specifically the biological components, is of vital importance to producers as it is the dynamic resource that supports plant life.

As managers, we often focus on managing the aboveground production in our pastures while paying little attention to what happens belowground. Microbial action in the soil builds natural fertility that increases plant production. Sound grazing management is the art of capturing sunlight and water while recycling the aboveground parts of the plant through livestock. The animal eats a portion of the plant which is then deposited as urine and manure. The remainder of the plant is trampled into the ground to begin decomposition into the soil. This feeds the soil microbes that in return feed the plant. The manure, plant organic matter and carbon dioxide captured from the air by the plant combine to build a carbon bank in the soil that holds water and nutrients for plant use.

Building soil health can be accomplished by employing five principles.  You can read about them by clicking here.

Monsanto Acquires Weather Data Company The Climate Corporation

Monsanto announced this week it has acquired The Climate Corporation for $930 million. Climate Corp, as the company formerly known as Weatherbill is now often called, offers insurance against weather-related catastrophes direct to farmers and others online.

The company uses data to measure temperature, rainfall and other factors, the information and expertise was highlighted by Monsanto's chairman and CEO Hugh Grant in a statement on the purchase.

"The Climate Corporation is focused on unlocking new value for the farm through data science," he said, noting that, "everyone benefits when farms are able to produce more with fewer resources." 

You can read more of this story on our website by clicking here.