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A lot of folks had high hopes that the "Big Four" ag leaders working on a farm bill deal within the Farm Bill Conference Committee would get a framework of a deal done by the end of this week.   

It didn't happen.

And now- the Chairman of the House Ag Committee and the Chairman of the Farm Bill Conference, Oklahoma Third District Congressman Frank Lucas told Politico that "it will be challenging" to get a bill done in time for a House vote before December 13th- the date that Speaker John Boehner has set as the final day of business planned in the House for 2013.

It's reported that the four key leaders- Lucas, House Ag Committee top Democrat Colin Peterson, Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow and her ranking member Thad Cochran- met for over an hour on Thursday morning- then got back back behind closed doors for about a half an hour before calling it quits.   

Chairman Lucas says that member meetings are done for the week- but that staff will keep talking between the House and Senate.

Apparently- the two sticking points continue to be how to structure a federal farm safety net as well as how deep the cuts will be in the nutrition title of the Conference Report.

David Rogers of Politico has a good article summarizing the woes of Chairman Lucas- click hear to read more.

Jim Robb Previews November Cattle on Feed Report  

Later today, the November 2013 Cattle on Feed report will be released by the USDA- and most market analysts are expecting on feed numbers to be well under November first of 2012. According to DTN, a range of analysts surveyed have predicted an "on feed" number of from five to eight percent under that of last year.

On today's Beef Buzz- we have Jim Robb with the Livestock Market Information Center based in Denver. Robb offers his thoughts on what the report may say- given current cattle conditions across the country.

USDA will release the report at 2:00 pm central this afternoon, November 22, 2013.

Click here to go and hear Jim Robb and get his take on today's report.

Roy Lee Lindsey Named to Task Force to Help Cast Vision for Pork Industry 

The National Pork Board has named a new task force that will examine consumer needs, animal care, sustainable pork production and other current challenges facing the industry to define a future vision of the Pork Checkoff and, on a larger scale, the entire pork industry. Among the appointees to this task force- the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Pork Council- Roy Lee Lindsey, Jr.


Beginning December 2013 the yearlong planning process will review research, market data and opinions of industry leaders to set a strategic vision that will carry the organization from 2015 through 2020. The primary goal is to assess the Pork Checkoff's role in an ever-changing world and set the priorities that can help pork producers better meet customer needs. 

The plan that these folks offer up will replace the document that was developed back in 2008.

To learn more about their plans- and to see a list of folks that Roy Lee will be working with- click here.

White House Rural Council Offers Up Report Calling for New Farm Bill

In June of 2010, the Obama Administration began providing input to Congress regarding the prospective features and policy of contents for a reauthorized farm bill. Over a period of more than three years, the Administration has supported reauthorization efforts aimed to help build a better safety net for farmers and families, and to build a better farm, food, and energy policy for the nation.


However, 43 months later and despite the best efforts of many in Congress, work on re-authorization on the Farm Bill remains incomplete. While some programs have been simply extended, others remain either unfunded, unauthorized, or without enactment of needed reforms.


The Administration has made clear that passing a comprehensive farm bill is a priority, and of importance for every American. The White House today is releasing a new report, which explains what is at stake in this debate.

Click here to read our summary of the report- and we also have a link there to the full report assembled by the Obama Administration.

Wheat Prices Set Right on a Support Level- Kim Anderson Explains All

"What goes up must come down" is a phrase that we have all heard for most of our lives- and that adage has apparently happened in our wheat market over the last few months. In his regular segment on the SUNUP program seen on OETA each weekend, Kim Anderson with OSU discusses how the hard red winter wheat market jumped up by about seventy cents a bushel in late September into early October- and then has tailed off since that time.


Anderson says currently the market is close to support levels at just under seven dollars a bushel- basis the Kansas City March HRW futures. He believes that the support level will hold- but if the market should close under $6.94 in that contract- there is a good chance that the wheat market could retreat about thirty five cents a bushel. He believes a more likely scenario is that the March contract will stay above that support level- and that the market will wallow around and perhaps drift a little higher in the weeks ahead. 

Click here to jump to our report where you can hear Dr. Anderson's remarks that will be seen this weekend on SUNUP.  

In this story- we also have the run rundown on this weekend's SUNUP as hosted by Lyndall Stout- and seen across Oklahoma on OETA>

Baylor Bonham Shows Reserve Grand Champion Steer in Louisville at NAILE 

Six young people from six states sold six Champion and Reserve Champion animals for a total of $96,000.  Home base for the six youngsters who were featured in the sale included New Mexico, Indiana, Arkansas, Minnesota, Nebraska and Oklahoma.


Representing Oklahoma in the NAILE Sale of Champions was Baylor Bonham of the Newcastle 4-H.  Baylor had the reserve Champion Crossbred and the Reserve Grand Champion Steer of the entire show- with his animal bringing $21,000.


Earlier this fall, Baylor showed the Grand Champion Market Steer at the 2013 Tulsa State Fair.  Baylor saw his top steer in Tulsa bring $35,000.   

Click here for more details about the six top animals shown in the junior market show at this year's NAILE in Louisville, Ky. 

WRRDA Conference Kicks Off as Congress Winds Down Ahead of Thanksgiving 

Formal negotiations on water resources development legislation are underway. A conference meeting was held Wednesday to start working out the differences between Senate and House bills that seek to reauthorize water resources development programs. The plan is to finish the legislation by the end of the year. While the measures passed by the House and Senate carry different names - both would allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop, maintain and support the nation's vital port and waterways infrastructure needs and support effective and targeted flood protection and environmental concerns. On Wednesday - conferees offered opening statements to make policy points. Representing Oklahoma in the Conference room is Markwayne Mullin. 

Louisiana's David Vitter - Ranking Member of the Senate Environment Committee - said the bill passed by the Senate could create up to 500-thousand jobs. Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee Doc Hastings expressed concern about the oversight of federal water projects - specifically dams. He said the Senate's bill would give the Corps broad discretion to change project purposes without congressional approval - while the House bill would keep that authority within Congress. According to Hastings - Congress shouldn't forfeit its responsibility to ensure billions of taxpayer dollars that flow to these multi-purpose projects are managed responsibly.