AFR President Looks Forward to Farm Bill Passage and 2014 Legislative Agenda

As 2013 draws to a close, it's time to take stock of the year gone by and look ahead to the future. Terry Detrick, president of American Farmers and Ranchers, sat down in our booth at the 2013 Tulsa Farm Show this past Friday and we talked about a variety of issues- starting with the 2013 Farm Bill. 

Members of the House and Senate conference committee are still trying to work out their differences and news out of Washington is that work will spill over into the new year(which means I guess we are now talking about the 2014 Farm Bill!) Detrick praised the continuing efforts of House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas for his tenacity and continuing efforts to get the bill finished.

"He had public perception against him. He had the budget against him. And he had leadership in the House that had never been supportive much of farm bills and so he has really just worked it out for them. He has really just done a yeoman's job in getting bipartisan support among his committee... So, as we go forward, hopefully we'll get a farm bill in a month or so."

Detrick said a farm bill extension passed last week will allow lawmakers to continue their work on the new bill without reverting to the 1949 law. He said his group and others are intent on keeping the 1949 law permanent because the threat of reversion to it seems to be the only thing keeping Congress moving forward with new farm legislation.

Closer to home, Detrick said crop yields surprised a lot of people this year, but with high input costs especially in corn producing states, a lot of farmers will not break even as market prices continue to slide. He said that, ultimately, will have an effect on producers in Oklahoma.

Click here to listen to my full interview with Terry or to read more of this story. 

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Applications Deadline Extended to February 21 

Gary O'Neill, USDA-NRCS State Conservationist for Oklahoma, announced this morning that the application deadline for the EQIP Program has been extended to February 21, 2014. The previously announced deadline was December 20. O'Neill said "In view of the busy holiday season, this extended period to file applications will allow producers more time while providing NRCS staff additional opportunities to work with producers. We want to make sure that all interested producers have ample time to file their applications." He reminded producers that "The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program that is available to owners of land in agricultural or forest production or persons who are engaged in livestock, agricultural, or forest production on eligible land and that have a natural resource concern to be addressed."

The EQIP provides financial assistance for eligible producers to help plan and implement conservation practices that address existing natural resource concerns and for opportunities to improve soil, water, plant, animal, air and related resources on agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland. Another purpose of EQIP is to help producers meet Federal, State, Tribal and local environmental regulations.

You can read the rest of this story and find a link to more details from the NRCS by clicking here.  

Cattle Producers Prepare for 2014

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

Cattle markets are heading into the final holiday period of 2013 at record or near record price levels across the board. Cattle slaughter and beef production are falling as the market transitions into a much tighter supply situation in 2014. Cattle and beef prices are expected to push to even higher record levels in 2014. Tight feeder cattle supply will be the major market driver in the coming year with the smallest calf crop since the 1940s squeezed ever tighter with fewer feeder cattle imports and the prospect of increased heifer retention. This cattle and beef market forecast depends on continued moderation of drought conditions. While overall drought conditions in the country are the best since 2010, there remain widespread areas of marginal to exceptional drought that could quickly regress into more severe drought. It is important to monitor conditions through the winter and especially into the spring to determine market expectations and management plans for the year.

For most producers, 2014 plans should begin with a forage production and management plan. In many cases, forages are in a state of reduced productivity due to drought conditions and must be managed for recovery. This will determine the overall carrying capacity of the ranch as well as the needed rest and recovery periods for forage. Obviously, the potential for continued or redeveloping drought must also be considered, especially early in the year.   

You can read the rest of this article on our website by clicking here. 

Donations to 4-H Foundation Requested to Honor Retiring Program Leader's Dedicated Service

Oklahoma's 4-H program will lose a dedicated individual when Dr. Charles Cox retires December 31st, but his friends and associates hope to keep his dedication to the youth of Oklahoma burning bright long into the future.

Jim Rutledge, executive director of the 4-H Foundation, and Tomas Manske, director of development, are inviting those touched by Cox's years of humble service to consider a charitable gift to the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation in Cox's name. Cox was especially dedicated to the shooting sports and Citizenship Washington Focus programs. Gifts to support these programs will be matched dollar for dollar by the 4-H Foundation.

Cox started his career as a 4-H agent in Woods County in 1979. He then worked in Logan County and was named curriculum specialist with the state office in 1988. He spent the next 25 years serving in a number of capacities and became the State 4-H Program Leader and Assistant Director for Extension in 2006.

You can read more about Cox, his career and how to donate to the 4-H Foundation by clicking here.  

The Renewable Fuels Association commended Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) for his commitment to next generation biofuels and his introduction of H.R. 3758, the "Second Generation Biofuels Extension Act of 2013." This legislation would extend the Second Generation Biofuel Producer Credit and the Special Allowance for Second Generation Biofuel Plant Property.

Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, praised Peters' support of second generation biofuels.

"Rep. Peters understands the need for Americans to have access to a renewable, low-cost alternative to gasoline and should be commended for taking a stand and fighting for the future of next generation biofuels. Ethanol has decreased gas prices an average of $1.00/gallon in 2012/2013, created and sustained over 383,000 jobs, increased consumer choice at the pump, and created a more energy independent America. Rep. Peters clearly understands the need to continue this successful program. Investors need certainty and extending the tax credits for second generation biofuels will boost investment and innovation in cellulosic and advanced biofuels."
 

Scrapping the Ethanol Mandate Suits Michael Kelsey Just Fine

Last week, Senators Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Dianne Feinstein of California rolled out their legislative proposal that could eliminate the Federal government mandate for corn ethanol within the Renewable Fuel Standard. What they have proposed is really not new at all within the ethanol debate- in fact- it lines up almost perfectly with what the livestock industry has been calling for since corn skyrocketed a couple of years ago to over eight dollars a bushel.


In the camp of wanting to see an end of the ethanol mandate is the Executive Vice President of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, Michael Kelsey. In an interview with Kelsey, he says letting the market decide on how a bushel of corn will be used in this country is something that the cattle industry has been interested in for years. He tells us that this is not just a cattle thing- but truly a point that unites the livestock industry across several species.

Kelsey's comments are featured in today's Beef Buzz, being heard on great radio stations across our region on the Radio Oklahoma Network.

Click here to read more and to hear his comments in a conversation that we had with hm this past week.

$44,000 Raised for All American Beef Battalion- Selling One Steer!  

Yesterday just before the noon hour- the regular Monday sale of the Oklahoma National Stockyards was put on pause for a few minutes- and a single steer was brought into the sale ring and was sold.  Then, he was resold- and resold and resold and resold and- well, you get the idea.  After being sold thirty times, that single steer was the catalyst of some $44,000 being raised for the All American Beef Battalion.