Governor Mary Fallin Signs HB 1999- Ending the Prohibition on Horse Meat Processing for Export in Oklahoma

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin withstood the pressure brought to bear by the Humane Society of the US- and sided with agricultural and rural interests as she signed HB 1999 on Friday afternoon.  After she signed the measure- the following statement was released from her office:

"In Oklahoma - as in other states - abuse is tragically common among horses that are reaching the end of their natural lives. Many horses are abandoned or left to starve to death. Others are shipped out of the country, many to Mexico, where they are processed in potentially inhumane conditions that are not regulated by the U.S. government.

"Unfortunately, the 2006 federal ban on horse processing plants has made this situation worse. After the implementation of that ban, the Government Accountability Office reported a 60 percent increase in abused, neglected and starved horses. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has also noted that over 166,000 horses were sent to Canada and Mexico for processing just in 2012. These animals traveled long distances, in potentially inhumane circumstances, only to meet their end in foreign processing plants that do not face the same level of regulation or scrutiny that American plants would.

"Those of us who care about the wellbeing of horses - and we all should - cannot be satisfied with a status quo that encourages abuse and neglect, or that rewards the potentially inhumane slaughter of animals in foreign countries.

"For that reason, I have today signed HB 1999, which would allow the humane, regulated processing of horses. This bill strictly prohibits selling horse meat for human consumption in Oklahoma."

The law takes effect November first. Click here to read the rest of her statement- and for links back to earlier stories we have had on the horse slaughter issue.

USDA Hogs and Pigs Report Shows Slight Growth in Inventories

Catching up from last Thursday- just ahead of the three day market weekend- the latest USDA Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report shows total inventory climbed by about one percent over last year.

The inventory of all hogs and pigs on March 1, 2013 was 65.9 million head. This was up 1 percent from March 1, 2012, but down 1 percent from December 1, 2012.

Speaking during a pork industry conference call following the USDA report's release, Jim Robb, director of the Livestock Marketing Information Center in Denver, said the report indicates a turning point with the supply side starting to expand.

"We would view this report overall as slightly bearish... Importantly, the weight category of 120 pounds to 179 pounds was significantly larger than our estimates and the pre-report estimates. That really means that rather near term we have some larger hog supplies than we expected pre-report."

Click here to read more or to hear Jim Robb's comments.

'See It? Stop It!' Initiative Promotes Animal Well-Being 

Reaffirming its strong commitment to animal care and well-being, the National Pork Producers Council this week joined with the National Pork Board, the dairy industry and the Center for Food Integrity - a not-for-profit corporation that builds consumer trust and confidence in today's food system - to launch an initiative to encourage the immediate reporting of animal abuse, neglect, mishandling or harm.

The "See It? Stop It!" initiative provides tools for farms to affirm that proper animal care is the responsibility of all employees and that animal abuse is not acceptable or tolerated. Farm workers will be encouraged to report abuse.

"Animal well-being always has been the top priority of pork producers," said NPPC President Randy Spronk, a producer from Edgerton, Minn. "The 'See It? Stop It!' initiative confirms that commitment and is a way to let animal caretakers know that it's their moral responsibility to speak up to stop any animal abuse." 

Click here to read more.
 

ASA Details Impact of Continuing Resolution on Soybean Farmers

In response to the signing into law of the Continuing Resolution (CR) by President Barack Obama March 27, the American Soybean Association (ASA) examined the ramifications for soybean farmers contained in the measure, which funds the federal government through the end of the 2013 fiscal year on September 30.

"This was a large piece of legislation with many different aspects affecting many different industries. While it's only a temporary extension for the next six months, it was necessary for us to step back and look at exactly which programs soybean farmers use most will be impacted," said ASA President Danny Murphy, a soybean farmer from Canton, Miss.

While the sequestration is separate from the CR, Congress allowed sequestration to stand, resulting in an across-the-board reduction in funding for most federal programs by 5.2 percent This follows the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011, which placed caps on each of the annual appropriations bills through 2021, including the Agricultural Appropriations bill. Additionally, the CR includes an additional 2.5 percent cut in discretionary spending that USDA will have to carry out before the end of FY13.

You can read more of this story by clicking here. 

Fewer Cattle Mean Feedlot Operators Must Tighten Their Belts Further, Ross Wilson Says

The latest Cattle on Feed Report reflected the new reality of fewer cattle in the pipeline. There were 14 percent fewer cattle placed in feedlots this past February compared to one year ago. Ross Wilson with the Texas Cattle Feeders Association says the smaller numbers mean problems for feedlots in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.

"That's one of the reason we saw Cargill close one of their major beef packing plants in Plainview, Texas. They have one remaining in Friona, Texas, and the, of course, the plants north of there. We are hopeful that brought some balance. Without question, it made the existing plants more efficient because it moved those cattle into some other plants. But that's short term.

"Long term we continue to have some excess capacity. Some would say, within the beef packing industry, that that may or may not have to be addressed, hopefully not in the southern High Plains. And we have a corresponding excess capacity in the feeding industry."

Ross Wilson joins me for the latest Beef Buzz.  Click here to read more or to listen to our conversation.

RFA-Commissioned Study: RIN Credits Not a Factor in Higher Gas Prices; Ethanol Reducing Pump Prices

Contrary to the recent wave of hyperbole coming from the oil industry, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and its associated "RIN credits" have not been a factor in this spring's higher retail gasoline prices, according to new analysis conducted by Informa Economics, Inc. In fact, the study found ethanol costs significantly less than gasoline at the wholesale level and is reducing pump prices for consumers across the country.

"A fact-based review of developments in the gasoline, ethanol and RIN markets indicates that the Renewable Fuel Standard in general and RINs in particular have not been a demonstrable factor in the rise in retail gasoline prices that has occurred in early 2013," the report concluded.

Responding to the independent study's findings, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Bob Dinneen said, "Not surprisingly, opponents of the RFS have absurdly suggested RINs are a reason for this spring's higher gas prices. This report puts that silly notion to rest and clearly confirms that RINs are not having any noticeable impact on gasoline prices. In fact, as the Informa analysis plainly shows, increased ethanol use leads to lower-not higher-prices at the pump for American consumers. The facts and data speak for themselves. Drivers could realize even greater savings at the pump if refiners and blenders would break down their self-inflected blend wall and give up their stubborn resistance to offering E15 and E85."

Read more by clicking here. 

Program Provides Export Market Information for Corn Hybrids

Farmers looking for information about the approval status of U.S.-grown corn hybrids in certain export markets now have access to the most current data through the National Corn Growers Association's Know Before Your Grow program. Recently updated, Know Before Your Grow, featured on the association's website, provides a comprehensive look at this vital information in an easily accessible format.

"It's important for farmers and others to know where they can find good markets for their corn," said NCGA Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team Chair Jim Zimmerman. "Each year, we update our database so growers can stay informed and plan ahead. It's also a valuable tool for others who want or need to track which markets are accepting a certain corn hybrid."

Know Before You Grow stems from NCGA's firm commitment to the principle that U.S.-grown biotech hybrids not intended for some export markets should not be placed into export channels. Because not all hybrids are approved for all export market uses, corn growers who are selling into sensitive markets like wet millers should select hybrids with the full knowledge of whether they are conventional, fully approved for export to major markets or not yet fully approved for those markets. 

You can read more of this article by clicking here.

 

This N That- Conservation Day at the Capitol, Mark Hodges Talks Wheat Crop Freeze Damage and Woodward Beef Cattle Meeting

Today is Conservation Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol- there will be exhibits set up around the Rotunda during the day today- and an awards ceremony celebrating a variety of conservation achivements that is planned for 9 AM this morning in the House Chambers- we have more details on our webstie- click here to check it out.

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This past Saturday- our In the Field guest for our segment on the Saturday morning news block on KWTV News9 was Mark Hodges of Plains Grains, Inc. Mark talked with us about potential freeze damge from a week ago for the 2013 wheat crop- and our prospects for this year's crop in contrast to the 2012 harvest season.  Click here to watch it- Mark offered some great insights into where we are as we hit the month of April- no fooling!

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Dana Bay at the Woodward County Extension office dropped us a last minute note on an extension Beef Cattle meeting planned in Woodward for anyone in northwest Oklahoma- set for Tuesday afternoon starting at 1 PM.  Gary McManus, Derrell Peel and Britt Hicks are on the program- so it will be worth your time if you are in the vicinity. Click here for more details as found on our calendar page.