Oklahoma Farm Bureau Names 2013 Champion Award Recipients 

Fifteen of the state's top agricultural advocates - including Gov. Mary Fallin - will receive the Oklahoma Farm Bureau 2013 Champion Award during the OKFB Leadership Conference, Feb. 17-18, at the Skirvin Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Board of Directors is recognizing the state leaders and legislators for going above and beyond to protect and improve agriculture and rural Oklahoma during the 2013 legislative session.   

"As the state's largest agricultural organization, we are committed to preserving the livelihood and legacy of our fellow farmers and ranchers," OKFB President Tom Buchanan said. "It is an honor to distinguish these state leaders who share our vision and who continue to help make positive strides for Oklahoma agriculture."

In addition to Fallin, the following legislators will be recognized for their outstanding efforts: Sen. Mike Schulz, Altus; Sen. John Sparks, Norman; Sen. Eddie Fields, Wynona; Sen. Bryce Marlatt, Woodward; Sen. Kim David, Porter; Sen. Larry Boggs, Wilburton; Sen. Kyle Loveless, Oklahoma City; Speaker T.W. Shannon, Lawton; Rep. Mike Jackson, Enid; Rep. Dale DeWitt, Braman; Rep. Don Armes, Faxon; Rep. Jerry Shoemake, Morris; Rep. Steve Martin, Bartlesville; and Rep. Skye McNiel, Bristow.

Nominations for the awards were received from county Farm Bureau boards and the OKFB Board of Directors.  

Fewer Cattle on Feed; Strong Feeder Prices End 2013

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

With most auctions closed the next two weeks, last week's combined Oklahoma auction summary was the final report for the year. Calf prices finished the year with the strong tone that has prevailed all fall. Steers under 500 pounds were priced at $212/cwt and higher, up 31 percent from lows in June and about 19 percent higher than one year ago. Seven-weight feeder steers were in the low $160/cwt. last week, up 23 percent from May lows and 11 percent higher than this time last year. Feeder cattle prices are expected to average 11-13 percent higher in 2014 compared to 2013. Feeder cattle supplies will continue to tighten in 2014 if forage conditions favor accelerated heifer retention and herd expansion.

The December Cattle on Feed (COF) report indicated that November placements were 96.9 percent of year earlier levels; smaller than the average pre-report estimate but within the wide range of estimates. Marketings were 95.5 percent of last year, with one less business day in the month compared to last year. The December 1 on-feed total was 94.5 percent of last year at 10.725 million head, the smallest December feedlot inventory since 1996. 

You can read more of Derrell Peel's analysis by clicking here.

DuPont Congratulates David Hula for Breaking Corn Yield World Record with Pioneer® Brand Hybrid 

DuPont congratulates David Hula of Charles City, Va., for breaking the corn yield world record with Pioneer® brand hybrid P2088YHR in the 2013 National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Corn Yield Contest announced today. Winning the No-Till/Strip-Till Irrigated category, David Hula produced an entry of 454.98 bushels per acre, the highest mark ever recorded by the NCGA in its annual contest.

In all, eight growers in six states planting six different Pioneer® brand hybrids placed in the six national categories in the NCGA contest for 2013. Only growers planting Pioneer hybrids achieved the 400-bushel level in the 2013 NCGA corn yield contest.  

Among state winners, growers planting Pioneer® hybrids placed in 61% of the entries.

"DuPont Pioneer extends its sincere congratulations to David Hula for this outstanding achievement," said Paul E. Schickler, president of DuPont Pioneer. "We believe this shows not only the impressive yield potential that Pioneer genetics bring to our customers, but it also demonstrates what growers can achieve by planting the right product on the right acre."

You can read more of this story by clicking here.

Cow-Calf Webinar Provides 2014 Outlook

Due to the overwhelmingly positive response from cattle producers and beef industry leaders to the first Trends+ Cow-Calf Webinar in September, CattleFax analysts will be hosting its next webinar at 5:30 p.m. MT, Wednesday, January 22, 2014.

Cattle producers have limited time and opportunity to analyze all of the fundamental data and trends that shape the cattle, beef and grain markets. Modeled after the popular CattleFax monthly cow-calf producer newsletter Trends, the upcoming webinar will provide producers and industry leaders with an outlook on the 2014 markets.

The CattleFax team will share its analysis and perspective on how these factors will influence cattle producers in the upcoming year:

-- U.S. livestock and feedstuff production scenarios and expectations

-- Profit opportunities and risk management strategies

-- Forecasts for the 2014 prices in the calf, feeder cattle, fed cattle and beef markets

For more information on how to join the webinar, please click here.
 

R-CALF Claims USDA Will Break U.S. Cattle Market with Cheaper, Higher-Risk Brazilian Imports

The following news release was distributed by R-CALF USA:

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced its proposal to allow the importation of cattle and fresh beef from 14 states in Brazil, a country that had been plagued with the most contagious disease known to cattle - foot-and-mouth-disease (FMD).

Brazil's cattle herd - at 183 million - is more than twice the size of the U.S. cattle herd and is reported to be growing.

APHIS states that domestic cattle prices are expected to decline under its proposal:

"The fall in beef prices and resulting decline in U.S. production would translate into reduced returns for producers in the livestock and beef processing sectors," APHIS states in its proposed rule.

"APHIS' proposed rule is irresponsible and will wreak havoc on the economy of Rural America that is certain to be harmed both by falling cattle prices and the increased risk of disease introduction," said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard. 

Read the rest of this story on our website by clicking here. 

Gilliland Family Donates Milk Bottle Collection to FAPC

The legacy of a colleague, food science leader and dear friend continues to be remembered at Oklahoma State University's Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center.

The family of the late Stanley E. Gilliland, former FAPC food microbiologist, donated his extensive milk bottle collection to FAPC, and with the help of Braum's, the collection is displayed in the front lobby of the building.

"We really appreciate the Gilliland family donating the antique dairy memorabilia from Stan's collection," said Chuck Willoughby, FAPC business and marketing relations manager. "It not only serves as a reminder of his contributions as a dairy scientist but gives us an appreciation for the history of the dairy industry."

FAPC held a dedication and reception on Dec. 19 to showcase the collection and give thanks to the Gilliland family and Braum's family. Approximately 50 people attended the event to celebrate the addition of the milk bottle collection to FAPC and remember the impact that Gilliland had on the state's food and dairy industries.

Click here for more of this story.

This N That- Freezing Fog, Big Iron and Ray Sidwell 

The National Weather Service has issued a Freezing Fog advisory for a good bit of central and eastern Oklahoma until 11:00 AM on this December 26, 2013.   

According to Alan Crone with the News on 6, "Freezing fog is fog that freezes on contact with elevated surfaces and bridges.  This could produce a few spots of ice this morning on bridges and overpasses.  The fog and low clouds will attempt to mix out by the late morning hours.  South winds will be increasing speeds during the next 24 hours and we'll not have the fog issues Friday or Saturday morning. A freezing fog advisory is currently posted for most of eastern OK until 11am this morning."

We have the graphic of what counties are included in the Advisory- it stretches west of the Oklahoma City metro- click here to take a look.  

**********

It's a day later than normal- but with Christmas falling on a Wednesday- Big Iron moves their final auction of 2013 to this morning- Thursday- December 26th- with first items closing at 10 AM.  660 items are going to be sold to the highest bidder in this no reserve auction process- click here to see the full list of items that includes tractors, farm implements, cattle feeders, Big Round Bales of Hay, Trailers, Trucks and more.  

**********

Word came on Christmas Eve to us from several folks of the unexpected death of Ray Sidwell, who has been the Director of the North Central Research Station in Lahoma- a part of the OSU Ag Research complex.

We expect details on a memorial service for Ray later today, but his death is a significant loss for the ag research community in Oklahoma- and with the role that the North Central Research Station has played in winter wheat and winter canola research- a real loss for everyone involved in the production of those crops across the entire southern Great Plains.  

Our prayers are with the Sidwell Family.