Oklahoma Hog Farm the Focus of Video of Abusive Treatment of Sows and Pigs

The Animal Activist group Mercy for Animals has released an undercover video that shows animal abuse at an Oklahoma farm in Okfuskee County. The National Pork Producers Council says the actions violate the high standards of the U.S. pork industry.

The Oklahoma Pork Council is in agreement with the NPPC- issuing the following statement on Wednesday- "The undercover video released today shows horrific actions by farm workers that directly violate the Oklahoma pork industry's ethical principle to protect and promote animal well-being.

"As farmers, the Oklahoma Pork Council (okPORK) condemns all mistreatment of animals. There is no excuse for this behavior.

"okPORK and its producers live by a long-standing set of ethical principles which includes providing compassionate care for our animals. Oklahoma pig farmers are committed to providing for our animals in a manner that protects and promotes their well-being. Our farmers will not defend nor will we accept any mistreatment of animals."

Click here to read more- including the Tyson statement indicating they were firing the contractor and would be moving promptly to remove the hogs on that farm they own- We also have the video embedded in this story- so you can go and see for yourself.   

Jumping on my soapbox for a moment- This video is hard to watch- growing up on a small farm in Kentucky- we had our share of sows that were not always cooperative- but clearly these employees were doing things well beyond the line of what's right and what's wrong.  

No one who has a lick of sense would do what these guys were doing- and I would hope the D.A. goes after the employees involved- and  I would not be surprised if criminal charges might be filed against the owner of farm- Lonnie Herring and perhaps even the owner of the hogs- Tyson Foods. 

Eleventh Hour Farm Bill Commodity Title Ideas Floated by Three Farm Groups 

The National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association and the U.S. Canola Assoication transmitted a letter to Congressional leadership late Tuesday that proposed a compromise on the commodity title of the farm bill, now in conference negotiations on Capitol Hill.


In the letter, NCGA, the ASA and the USCA noted that the three organizations have different views on various issues regarding the commodity title, including which payment acres should be established for price and revenue programs.


In order to avoid another extension of the 2008 farm bill, the organizations proposed using the average of planted acres during the five years previous to the current year as the payment base for both the revenue and the price programs. The average would thus move forward, adding and dropping a year every year, in order to remain as current as possible without including the current year, which would serve as a deterrent to building base. Consideration should be given to how effective revenue protection can be provided at both the farm and county levels under this approach. 

Click here to read more- and we have the letter sent to the Farm Bill Conference Leadership attached to this story as found on our website.

 The next regular cattle on feed report from USDA will be released on Friday afternoon of this week- after the markets close for the weekend.

According to Rich Nelson with Allendale- be sees larger placements as a featured part of the Friday report.

"October Placements are expected to be 4.2% higher than last year. We do not call this a big inflow as October 2012 was a very low number for comparison. It was the lowest October since at least 1996. October placements are marketed from March through August.

"Allendale anticipates a Marketing total 0.4% lower than October of 2012. There was no calendar day adjustment this month.

"Total Cattle on Feed as of November 1 will be 6.6% smaller than last year. This would be a little larger than the October 1 survey which showed 7.7% fewer cattle."

Talking Sorghum Opportunities with the President of the National Sorghum Producers- JB Stewart of the Oklahoma Panhandle

When it comes to sorghum production on the national radar screen, the crop takes a distant back seat to its bigger brothers corn, wheat and soybeans. If sorghum producer J.B. Stewart from Keyes, Oklahoma, has his way, it won't be that way for long-at least in areas where water is scarce like the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles.   Stewart is also the president of the National Sorghum Producers.


He sat down for an interview with us at the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasters meeting in Kansas City, Missouri. He said production in the far western Panhandle has been a little difficult over the past couple of years, but that hasn't dampened enthusiasm for the crop overall. 

Click here to read more- and you can also listen to our conversation in recent days with JB Stewart.

New Faces on the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Board  

We featured the new President of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau on Monday- after the general farm group met this past weekend.  Tom Buchanan of Altus will lead OFB for the next two years.

Serving with Buchanan on the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau are a couple of new faces. 

Roger Mills County FB member Monte Tucker, of Sweetwater, will represent District 2, and Ottawa County FB member James Fuser, of Afton, will represent District 6.  Rodd Moesel, of Oklahoma City, was re-elected to represent District 3, Roland Pederson, of Burlington, was re-elected to serve District 7 and Phyllis Holcomb, of Kellyville, was re-elected to represent District 9. 

Oklahoma Bull Tops the Angus Show at the North American Livestock Exhibition

Angus enthusiasts led 212 entries while competing for top honors at the 2013 North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) Super Point Roll of Victory (ROV) Angus Show and National Angus Show, earlier this week in Louisville, Ky.  

Steve Reimer, Chamberlain, S.D., judged the 159 females, 47 bulls and six cow-calf pairs before selecting the winning animals.

EXAR Blue Chip 1877B claimed grand champion and senior champion bull honors. Express Angus Ranches, Yukon, Okla.; Harris Penner, Mill Creek, Okla.; and Conley Cattle, Sulphur, Okla., own the August 2011 son of Dameron First Class.

Click here for all of the placings at the Angus show in Louisville. 

Big Four Getting Serious on a New Farm Bill Deal- Continue Meeting Today

The House and Senate Ag Committee chairmen and ranking members met last night and have said they will meet again today - and potentially announce a comprehensive framework for the farm bill. Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow says the four leaders are making progress and want to have everything agreed to this week. House Ag Chair Frank Lucas says they will try everything they can today - and see about staying later after the House and Senate are scheduled to leave for Thanksgiving Break.