Rainfall Continues- South Central and Southeastern Oklahoma Get the Most  

Rainfall amounts continue to pile up- especially south of Interstate 40 and east of Lawton- and the rain is expected to wind down later on this Wednesday- with the next chance of precipitation expected to be this coming Monday- the National Weather Service indicating that Monday could be an active weather day- with possible severe weather in the mix.


Rainfall totals above an inch in many locations from Bessie east to the Arkansas border provide the chance for run off and the refilling of ponds. This could provide critical drinking water for cattle, along with improved pasture conditions this spring and summer. These two factors could help stabilize the beef cow herds in the areas receiving these beneficial rains- an early building block that needs to be in place before herd rebuilding can occur.  

Click here for the Mesonet three day precipitation totals which gives us a good picture of what the current system has given us in real time (with rain continuing to lightly fall.)

Beef Board Given Clean Bill of Health by USDA Auditors 

After conducting an audit of the Agricultural Marketing Service's oversight of the beef checkoff system, the Office of the Inspector General for the USDA "determined that the relationships between the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board (beef board) and other industry-related organizations, including the beef board's primary contractor, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), complied with legislation. We also determined that the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) needs to strengthen its procedures for providing oversight to the beef research and promotion program."

Weldon Wynn, Cattlemen's Beef Board chairman, hailed the audit's findings and released the following statement:

"We are gratified that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) audit of the Beef Checkoff Program for the years 2008-2010 identified no audit issues and reported full compliance by the Beef Board and its contractors.

"In quoting directly from the report: 'The relationships between the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board and other industry-related organizations including ... the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, complied with the (Act and Order).... Funds were collected, distributed and expended in accordance with the legislation.'

Click here to read more and to find a link to the full audit report.

 

John Hughes to Receive Governor's Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture

The Governor's Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture will be presented during a special ceremony on April 4, 2013, to John F. Hughes of Bartlesville, Okla. Hughes will be the 16th Oklahoman to be inducted into the Agriculture Hall of Fame by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry.

Hughes has been recognized as a leader in Oklahoma agriculture over his lifetime, contributing to his community and the agriculture industry in a variety of ways. Hughes is a native of Osage County, Okla. His father founded the family operation there in 1938. John took over the ranch in 1955 and maintained the cow/calf operation while being an exceptional steward of the land, raising a family and participating in a variety of agriculture organizations at both a state and national level.

John Hughes is revered by his peers as a tremendous cattleman and visionary. He has served as a leader in beef production practices and brush control and has opened his doors to serve as a classroom for future generations. He is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and has guided many students to understand and appreciate the need for sustainable agriculture as well as the obligation to be a leader in their community.

You can read more of this story on OklahomaFarmReport by clicking here.  

 

OSU Ag Economist Jayson Lusk Talks About Opportunities and the 'Food Police'

There has been a lot of talk about pressure within our society and our economy about consumers spending more money on food if they believe they're getting something extra-natural food, organic food, food from animals touted as being more humanely treated.

Dr. Jayson Lusk, an agriculture economist at Oklahoma State University, says that desire on the part of consumers spells opportunities for farmers who wish to satisfy those desires.

"In a lot of ways, it's fantastic. There are a lot of marketing opportunities for people, for example in the pork industry. And I think it's great. That's the market working at its best when you have consumers demanding certain kinds of products, willing to pay more for it, and producers who are willing to make those changes. I think those are fantastic, positive developments."

"The only thing I caution against is for those consumers who can afford to do those things, not to impose their beliefs and preferences on people who can't.   And I think that's the challenge that sometimes comes about." 

He has written about this subject in his book, "The Food Police," due in book stores April 15.

Jayson joins me on our latest Beef Buzz.  Click here to listen or to read more. 

 

Jeff Scott Stresses Residue Management at Canola College Event

Veteran canola producer Jeff Scott, who is a farmer near Pond Creek and president of the Great Plains Canola Association was one of the presenters at the recent Canola College in Enid. The event was sponsored by the GPCA and hosted almost 300 producers. The day's presentations covered a wide range of topics suited to beginning producers all the way up to seasoned veterans.

Scott joins me on the latest edition of Canola TV.  He said they structured the program at Canola College to appeal to and educate the widest variety of farmers possible.

"We're covering the spectrum with our program today. This is the first year that Great Plains Canola has headed up Canola College and, so, that's pretty special for us. We're running the gamut with our programs tailored to the beginning farmer, the guy that's been growing it for two or three years and right on up to veteran grower that's wanting to meet that next level of production."

Scott spoke about advanced agronomic practices that would allow seasoned growers to squeeze an extra ten bushels of canola out of each acre. 

Click here for more and to watch this episode of Canola TV.

 

OSU-Noble Foundation Joint Wheat Research Benefits Producers

Producing plant cultivars is like releasing a new technology. Technology changes with the times and allows us to purchase the latest computer or smartphone. New varieties of plants (called "cultivars") are much the same - always changing.

Stocker cattle producers in the Southern Great Plains grow winter wheat for pasture grazing. However, most available wheat varieties being used in southern Oklahoma today are at least 30 years old. To provide producers with the newest cultivars, the Noble Foundation and Oklahoma State University (OSU) have created a five-year collaboration to expand grazing wheat cultivar research and development.

The ultimate goal of the collaboration is to create a new cultivar for producers to graze in the southern Oklahoma and northern Texas region. Ideally, the cultivar would be dual purpose, producing a high grain yield after grazing.

You can read more of this story by clicking here.

This N That- Big Iron, Answer Plot Day Two and Oklahoma Wheat Commission Monthly Meeting 

The regular weekly auction for Big Iron starts to close out this morning at 10AM central time- the first three items close at that time.

This week- a total of 494 items are being offered- a wide variety of agricultural items are included in that total- go and check them out by clicking here.  AND- the consignments are piling up for the next several weeks- so you may want to browse out a couple of weeks and spot that piece of equipment that you have been needing and decide how much you want to pay as closing time for the item draws near.

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The second of two Answer Plot Educational Events by the Winfield folks is planned for today- again at 9:30 and this time in Kingfisher.  The plot is close to the Fairgrounds- click here for details and phone numbers to call if you have last minute questions.

They had a good crowd indoors for the Apache event yesterday- Dennis Christie with Winfield did a good job with updates on canola and wheat production ideas for both the balance of this growing season and looking ahead to the planting season for the 2014 crop.

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The Oklahoma Wheat Commission has their regular monthly board meeting TODAY- this time starting at 1:30 in the afternoon in board room in the building they are located at in Oklahoma City.

It appears to be a fairly light agenda for the Commissioners this month- click here to review the final agenda for the April meeting.