OSU Economists Explain Where We've Come and Where We're Going with 2013 Farm Bill 

Two Oklahoma State University faculty members have written a paper documenting the journey toward what those in agriculture hope will culminate in the final adoption of the 2013 farm bill. Jody L. Campiche and Larry D. Sanders explore where the measure stands currently, what it means and what will happen in the near future. (You can read their entire report by clicking here.)

In brief, on September 30, 2013, the 2008 farm bill expired yet again. A year ago, the 2008 farm bill expired for the first time on September 30, 2012. This time, however, the issue is further clouded by the recent government shutdown, the continuation of current spending levels through January 15th, and punting on the debt crisis until February 7th, and other problems.

This is exacerbated by the fact that 37 programs have not received extended baseline funding and the disaster assistance program was dropped after the 2012 extension.

Though House and Senate agriculture committees have worked to pass new farm legislation, the current political turmoil in Washington has pushed the bill to the back burner.

Recent action, including the creation of conference committees in both the House and Senate have jumped started the process. There is a wide gap between the two bills that must be bridged for there to be any progress toward passage. The Senate version embodies $4 billion in cuts to farm and nutrition programs over ten years; The House version calls for $39 billion in cuts.   This leads some lawmakers to wonder if another extension will be necessary.

Click here to read more of this synopsis.

Beef Cow Production Costs at Record Highs in 2013- Jim Robb of LMIC Explains 

For market analysis purposes, the LMIC has been estimating annual cow-calf returns since the mid 1970's. Jim Robb with the LMIC says those estimates are not based on survey data. Assumptions used represent rather standard production and marketing practices and are not indicative of a particular operation. Producers hit by Mother Nature events like drought or unusual blizzards, like that centered on Western South Dakota recently, probably had much higher production costs than calculated by the LMIC. Finally, LMIC only includes cash production costs plus pasture rent, and not all producer economic costs are used.

Robb was a guest earlier this week on Agriculture Today on the K-State Radio Network and his comments are featured in today's Beef Buzz.

Costs faced by U.S. cow-calf operations have surged in recent years. In the last five years, cash costs plus pasture jumped from about $550.00 per cow to nearly $800.00 in 2013. The LMIC uses 14 major cost categories (from purchased protein feed to interest cost) and every category has increased. In 2012, the summed calculated costs exceeded $700.00 per cow for the first time.
      
Fortunately for the cow-calf sector, cattle prices this fall are higher than a year ago. So, estimated cow-calf returns per cow will be up in 2013 compared to 2012's. The calculated return over cash costs plus pasture rent in 2012 was only about $32.00 per cow, that left little or nothing for the unaccounted economic expenses, or herd expansion, even if a cow-calf producer was located in a non-drought zone. 

Click here to catch the Beef Buzz or to read more of this story. 

Oklahoma Pork Council Joins Fight Against Hunger, Feeds Hungry Oklahomans this Holiday Season

Thanks to the Oklahoma Pork Council (OPC) and Blue and Gold Sausage, 4,000 pounds of sausage, valued at $8,000, will be donated to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.

"Oklahoma's pork producers are proud to partner with the Regional Food Bank again this year to make sure hungry Oklahomans have access to high-quality, nutritious protein," said Roy Lee Lindsey, Oklahoma Pork Council executive director. "The Regional Food Bank plays a central role in directly helping tens of thousands of hungry citizens in our state and Oklahoma's pork producers look forward to helping in that effort each year."

The donation from okPORK and Blue and Gold Sausage is a part Governor Mary Fallin's Fourth Annual Feeding Oklahoma Food Drive. The goal of the drive is to raise 1.4 million meals to help feed hungry families, children and seniors this holiday season. 

Click here to read more. 

Noble Foundation President Calls Chipotle Scarecrow Video a 'Horrifying Misrepresentation'

A marketing video made to solidify an image of Chipotle Mexican Grill's fare as a more healthful alternative to other restaurants' offerings has turned a lot of eyes--and heads--in the marketing world. Since its release September 11, the online video has garnered over seven million views and generated untold miles of column inches in marketing publications and blogs worldwide. The video has received rave reviews, it seems, from everyone except those who know anything about agriculture and food production.    

The following editorial is written by Bill Buckner, president and CEO of the Noble Foundation in Ardmore, Oklahoma. He examines the video through the eyes of agricultural producers:

By now, almost everyone has seen the Chipotle Mexican Grill commercial.

You know, the one with a sad scarecrow in a dystopian future rebelling against mass processed food by opening his own wholesome "Chipotle" style stand, all while Fiona Apple mournfully croons "Pure Imagination" in the background.

This is supposed to be Chipotle's profound statement about today's food production and big agriculture.

It's not.

Click here to read more from Bill Buckner.  It's well worth your time.  

Grain Markets Shrug as Government Shutdown Ends, Anderson Says

The government shutdown is now over. The USDA is now back in business and Oklahoma State University Grain Marketing Specialist Kim Anderson says that there may be less impact on the markets than some analysts thought.

He said there was a 50-cent drop in the soybean market from one day to the next as the shutdown kicked in, but beans had been on a downtrend. The same downward movement also happened in corn, but it wasn't quite so dramatic. Wheat, which had been on an uptrend, continued its forward momentum.

"In other words, what did we see in the commodities and the grains? Not a whole lot before and during the shutdown."

Anderson said that as fresh data has begun to flow back into the system, it seems to be business as usual as the established sideways trends continue.   

You can listen to more of Anderson's commentary by clicking here.

 

Unwanted Pesticide Collection Dates Set for Wilburton, Kingfisher

Oklahoma agricultural producers, commercial and noncommercial applicators, as well as pesticide dealers, can get rid of unwanted pesticides in two different locations in November, thanks to the Oklahoma Unwanted Pesticide Disposal Program.

Collection services will take place Nov. 19 in Wilburton at the City of Wilburton Recycling Center, and Nov. 21 at the Kingfisher County Fairgrounds in Kingfisher. Both collection times will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The program is funded by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, with additional support from the Oklahoma Agribusiness Retailers Association and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, said Ryan Williams, ODAFF Consumer Protection Services.

"The intent of these collection services is to reduce potential health and environmental concerns by removing unwanted pesticides from storage," Williams said.

You'll find more details on our website.  Click here to go there.
 

Can You Spell BEEF?  The OSU Marching Band Can!

On Saturday, at the Oklahoma State University homecoming game, the halftime show of the OSU Marching Band included a rendition of the classic ballet by Aaron Copland- Rodeo- which is known to millions as the music associated with the phrase, "Beef, It's Whats for Dinner."


As the portion of Rodeo was played called the Hoe Down- the band quickly spelled out the word "Beef."


It's the finale of their halftime show and drew a great cheer from beef lovers in the stadium.

We have placed the video on our APP in the Beef section- and we also have the embedded YouTube on our website that you can check out by clicking here.  Enjoy!