Oklahoma Wheat Farmers Race the Pig Weeds to Finish the 2014 Harvest Season 

The 2014 wheat harvest is in its final stages across Oklahoma- and wheat farmers have struggled with historically low yields and a wet June which has crushed quality expectations of the half crop that has been harvested. Oklahoma State University Wheat Extension Specialist Dr. Jeff Edwards says before the rains started in mid-May into June, many farmers had a decent quality wheat crop- albeit a short crop on the number of bushels. 

"When harvest first started rolling we were cranking out test weights anywhere from 60 to upwards of 64 pounds per bushel, which is great," Edwards said. "Those numbers backed off slightly, but most of the test weight numbers have been in the upper 50's."

"Especially with the heat and drought we've had that was a pleasant surprise, just wish we had more bushels," he said. 

Some of the best yielding wheat in the state was in north central Oklahoma, but recent rains made harvest difficult.   Edwards says that prevented harvest on a lot of acres due to having a thin crop and there are a lot of summer weeds like Pig Weed that are coming through the canopy, which is presenting problems with harvest. 

At best, Oklahoma is looking at producing about half of a normal crop. 

You can read the rest of this story and listen to my interview with Jeff Edwards by clicking here. 

Cattle and Hog Producers Wait on Decision on COOL- and What Follows 

A WTO compliance panel has issued a confidential "interim" decision to parties in the case that Canada and Mexico brought against U.S. Country-of-Origin Labeling rules. A finding that the labels constitute an unfair trade practice could lead to punitive tariffs on a multitude of American farm goods and other products exported to the two NAFTA partners. The contention of the US Government is that the labels tell U.S. consumers which countries their meat products come from and are legal under WTO rules.

The chair of the WTO panel has previously said a final report could be expected toward the end of July. The interim report gives the three parties one last chance to comment before the decision is made public. 

USDA issued a final version of its new COOL rules in May 2013, just making a deadline set by the WTO for addressing the international body's earlier finding that the rules unfairly discriminated against livestock raised in Canada and Mexico. Instead of doing away with the labeling requirement, USDA responded by issuing new rules that demand even more information be put on labels, including the locations where each production step occurred.

I discussed these latest developments on COOL with the lead lobbyist of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Colin Woodall. Woodall and the NCBA believe it is likely that the WTO will rule against the US in this latest challenge brought by two of our key trading partners, Mexico and Canada.  Woodall joins me on the latest Beef Buzz.  Click here to listen in or to read more of this story. 

Rep. Sanders: Pressure Needed to Undo Blow to Rural Fire Departments

State Rep. Mike Sanders is joining the efforts of the Oklahoma Congressional delegation, Gov. Mary Fallin and other officials to reverse a decision to end a Department of Defense (DoD) program that provides vehicles and equipment to rural fire departments.

"It is absolutely unacceptable for rural communities to be struck such a blow from the federal government in order to reduce greenhouse emissions," said Sanders, R-Kingfisher. "Our rural firefighters are the first responders to most major wildfires and accidents. They are stretched thin as it is and cannot afford to face further difficulties."

An old agreement between the DoD and the Environmental Protection Agency is finally being executed, meaning excess DoD vehicles that are critical to rural fire departments' ability to fight wildland fires will no longer be available. 

You can read the rest of this story by clicking here.

By The Way- in talking to various folks before the holiday on this issue- several groups are ramping up to bring more attention to this issue- and we heard from Senator Jim Inhofe's staff that he is up to speed on this- and will be demanding answers from EPA's Gina McCarthy and Defense Secretary Hagel in the days ahead.

USMEF-Korea Takes Proactive Approach on Animal Welfare, Sustainability

Animal welfare and sustainability are not yet popular topics of conversation in Asian markets, such as South Korea, but it is only a matter of time before the trends that take root in Europe and the United States will find their way around the globe.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) office in Korea recently took a proactive approach to these sensitive subject matters by hosting a workshop for 230 Korean red meat importers, distributors, retail and food service operators to give them insights into the care that the U.S. beef and pork industries take both in raising livestock and in caring for the land that supports the production of American red meat.

The progress that American agriculture has achieved in the areas of efficient resource utilization was highlighted by Travis Arp, USMEF's manager of technical services, who also addressed the industry's ability to produce more high-quality red meat with the same or fewer animals in a humane environment. The educational program was provided with funding support from the USDA Market Access Program (MAP), the Beef Checkoff Program and the Pork Checkoff. 

Click Here to learn about how positive environmental impacts that both the U.S. pork and beef industries have made, resulting in significant reductions in water use, land use, greenhouse emissions and energy consumption.

RFA Pleased with EPA Approval of Corn Fiber as Cellulosic Feedstock

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a final rule approving additional Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) pathways.

Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), commented, "We are very pleased that EPA has finalized its determination that the cellulosic fiber found in the corn kernel qualifies as crop residue. This clarification effectively approves corn fiber as a qualifying feedstock for cellulosic biofuel production."

The final rule comes one day after Quad County Corn Processors began production of the first gallons of cellulosic ethanol from corn fiber in Galva, Iowa.

You'll find the rest of this story on our website.  Please click here to go there. 

Beef Checkoff Celebrates Beef -- and Independence

Beef producers and importers who invest in the Beef Checkoff Program have a lot to be thankful for as we approach the Fourth of July holiday - one of the strongest beef-buying weekends of the year - with a thriving market and robust prices that reflect strong consumer preference for beef.

Producer support for the beef checkoff is 78 percent - its highest in 21 years, according to the latest producer attitude survey. The checkoff program includes things like promotion and education to and for consumers, retailers and restaurant owners; extensive beef-safety, product-enhancement, human-nutrition and market research to identify and respond to consumers' changing demands for beef and beef products; beef-industry training, from farm to fork, to help everyone in the production chain take responsibility for their roles in maintaining a desirable product; and foreign-marketing efforts in about 80 countries across the globe - all with a $1-per-head investment.

Here are some of the results that beef producers and importers have helped bring to fruition through their beef checkoff:

-- Consumer demand for beef has remained strong throughout the latest recession and despite one of the tightest beef supplies in history. Consumer demand for beef advanced 2 percent in 2013, according to ag economist Glynn Tonsor of Kansas State University.

-- Consumers remain steadfast in their willingness to pay more for beef, even as beef prices set new highs. In June 2014, they said they would pay $7.52 per pound for steak, up 18.4 percent from May 2014, according to the Oklahoma State University's monthly Food Demand Survey. 

Click here for more.

Oklahoma Women in Agriculture and Small Business Conference set for Aug. 7-8

Oklahoma's Statewide Women in Agriculture and Small Business Conference will take place Aug. 7-8 at the Moore-Norman Technology Center.


"The focus of the two-day conference is to assist women and producers to successfully manage risk for their agricultural enterprises or small businesses," said Damona Doye, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension farm management specialist.

Early registration saves you $10 and must be done by August first. 

Click here for more details about the 2014 event and for information about how you can register.