Anderson Outlines Wheat Producer Options for 2015 

With the 2014 wheat crop in the bin, farmers are contemplating what to with their marketing plan. I caught up with Oklahoma State University Extension Grain Marketing Economist Kim Anderson at the recent Ag Weather Symposium in Norman. You can hear our conversation by clicking here.


Anderson said he is feeling good about current wheat prices, not because of the level, but because that Kansas City September and December contracts have remained up that important $6 dollar level.


"They have given all indications that we created a floor with the massive world stocks, record world production," Anderson said. "I don't think we're going to go very much higher, but right now it looks better for sideways moving to slightly higher prices than it does lower prices."


"So I am semi-optimistic not for a big move, but for some move up, rather than a big move down," he said.


Right now there is increasing foreign and world wheat stocks and record world production. Anderson said even with increasing consumption, world stocks will continue to build. He said there are more than adequate stocks in other major wheat production countries like Ukraine, Russia, Australia, Kazakhstan and Argentina.


In looking at the coming year, farmers may look at their alternatives like putting stocker calves on wheat instead of harvesting the crop. Anderson said that option is looking favorable because with increasing world stocks, he is forecasting wheat prices for June 2015 to be $5.50 - $5.80 a bushel.   


"So you are looking at a below average wheat price, so you're looking at below average wheat income depending on your yields, where the cattle right now look relatively good," Anderson said. "Even though I am a crops guy, the stocker deal may look a little better than going for wheat."  


Click Here to listen to Kim and I or to read more of Anderson's opinion on the different options available with stocker cattle and rotating with canola.

NCGA Pushes Congress to Open Markets for Potential Record Corn Crop 

National Corn Growers Association First Vice President Chip Bowling took advantage of one of the nation's largest farm shows to talk about the important actions that must be taken by the federal government to shore up markets for the record 15.2 billion bushel corn crop anticipated in 2014.


"Farmers like to grow good crops. We remember the years we struggled, as many of us did just back in 2012 with the drought. We also like to sell our crops at a good price so we can leave our farms to future generations in better shape," said Bowling at the Farm Progress Show currently underway in Boone, Iowa. "As thrilled as we are with a record crop, we know it has its challenges, but there are a few simple actions Washington can take that will keep the situation from becoming much worse."


Specifically, Bowling called upon the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to the 2014 Renewable Volume Obligations set by Congress and clearly outlined in the Renewable Fuel Standard, eschewing previously proposed reductions.


"Let's be clear. Reducing the demand of corn for ethanol will significantly impact corn prices - at a time when prices are already too low. We need stability and we need EPA to stick to the statutory amount of corn ethanol in the RFS."   Click here to read more about NCGA's concerns with WOTUS proposal and Congress passing Trade Promotion Authority legislation.

Bayer CropScience Highlights Farming Innovations to Help Leave a Better World

Consumers are looking to farmers to use practices that leave a better world, and Bayer CropScience is responding to support farmers by providing the innovative tools and resources to make it happen.  At the 2014 Farm Progress Show today in Boone, Iowa, the company showcased a road map to maintain healthy, plentiful crops produced in a manner that protects resources and helps drive profit for growers.


Jim Blome, president and CEO, Bayer CropScience LP and head of Crop Protection for Bayer North America, offered details during a meeting with the media at the show.


"Leaving a better world is everyone's responsibility. We're working to lead engagement of growers and the vast array of people who work every day to support sustainable agriculture so that each understands their responsibility," Blome said. "Bayer CropScience works every day in our research facilities and in the field with our customers to develop and practice innovative, sustainable approaches to crop production that will leave a better world." 

Click here to read more about Bayer CropScience's newest innovation or to watch their latest video.

Both Sides Await WTO Country of Origin Labeling Ruling

The World Trade Organization has already issued their ruling regarding Canada and Mexico's compliant against the revised rule of Country of Origin Labeling proposal that was made by the Obama Administration in May 2013. That rule is currently is effect and it includes more regulation than the previous rule. The official ruling has not been made public, but the WTO has made their ruling known to the three governments of Canada, Mexico and the United States.


However this last week the Wall Street Journal sited sources that Canada and Mexico have won and the United States has lost once again. Several populist groups opposing Canada and Mexico who support COOL as rewritten by the US government have decried the Wall Street Journal article saying it is premature and irresponsible journalism.


Let's go back to our conversation with Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Canada Gerry Ritz.We caught up with Minister Ritz at the Cattle Industry Summer Convention in Denver, Colo in late July. At that time Ritz already knew the WTO decision, but did not share the outcome, however clearly he continues to have a high disregard for COOL as revised. Click here to read or to listen to Tuesday's Beef Buzz where Ritz talks about how COOL has impacted Canada.   

Mesonet Helping Oklahomans Navigate Variable Weather

Agriculture has seen a lot of weather extremes that last few years. Speaking at the Oklahoma Ag Weather Symposium last Thursday at the National Weather Center in Norman, Oklahoma State University Mesonet Ag Coordinator Al Sutherland said the variability of weather can be found in the wide range of the statewide wheat yield.

We talked with Al last week at the Oklahoma Ag Weather Symposium in Norman.


"We have gone from way above 100 million bushels to way below 100 million bushels, so we're just bouncing around," Sutherland said. "And one of the things that the Mesonet offers is that we can really get down to individual numbers for individual days, individual stations and then we can look at that on charts or in other ways like maps and begin to make better decisions about where we are going, what the future looks like and how we can do a better job of trying to really ride through some of these changes in weather patterns."


The Oklahoma Mesonet is a unique working relationship between Oklahoma State University, University of Oklahoma and along with private partners. Sutherland said those steering committee members are the ones to look at the budget and look at the strategic direction of the Mesonet.
 

Click or Tap Here to listen to our visit with Sutherland or to read about some of those tools developed by the Oklahoma Mesonet that are helping livestock and crop producers. 

Federal Judge Slaps Down Local Efforts on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai to Control Seed Production Farming Efforts

A year ago, my wife and I spent time on both Maui as well as on Kauai- and on both islands, I had the chance to interact with the biotech seed industry that is a major ag income generator for the state of Hawaii.  On Maui, we visited with the Monsanto folks who emphasize corn hybrid work and combine state of the art biotech techniques with the ability to grow corn year round to speed up their variety selection process tremendously.

On Kauai, we met with folks from BASF and saw their outstanding operation on the southwest side of the island. Kirby Kester gave us the tour and visited with us about their operations on Kauai and the battle at that time over 2491, which was eventually passed- then vetoed by the Major of Kauai.  Later the same measure was resurrected and became Ordinance 960, which has just been declared invalid by a Federal judge.

On Monday of this week, word came that a United States District Court in Hawaii decided in favor of plaintiffs in Syngenta Seeds, Inc., et al. v. Kauai County and ruled that Kauai Ordinance 960 is invalid and preempted by Hawaii state law.  

960 would have required public disclosure of all ag chemicals being used in the seed operations on the island, as well as would have heavily regulated GMOs.  CropLife America (CLA), the national trade association for the crop protection industry, says in a news release that they are pleased with the ruling that says basically the local county law is trumped by state and federal law and regulations.

"The regulatory system for crop protection products is purposefully robust and protective of human health and the environment," said Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CLA. "We thank Judge Kurren for recognizing that federal and state statutes are established to help ensure the responsible use of modern farming technologies, including crop protection products and biotechnology."


Ordinance 960 also attempted to circumnavigate state law regarding the regulation of biotechnology crops. State law vests the HDOA with exclusive rulemaking authority over agricultural research and the regulation of biotechnology. 

Click or tap here for more on this story, which has implications on proposals and regulations that are in place on a couple of the other Hawaiian islands- as well as on the mainland in several locations. 

The Republican runoff for House District 38 held some special interest for Angus breeder John Pfeiffer as his son John, just back from an active tour of duty in the military, won the Tuesday night vote and with no Democratic opposition, wins the State House seat for that district.   

John Pfeiffer, Jr won the race over Harold LeValley by a 2,190 to 1,263 count.  John will be one of the new, young, fresh faces around the Capitol come next February- and he carries to OKC a good understanding of the farming and ranching business.  

We will be looking at other races over the next day or two- but wanted to mention that one this morning especially.

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It's Wednesday- and that means the Big Iron folks will be busy closing out this week's auction items- all 459 of them- starting at 10 AM central time.     

Click Here for the complete rundown of what is being sold on this no reserve online sale this week.

If you'd like more information on buying and selling with Big Iron, call District Manager Mike Wolfe at 580-320-2718 and he can give you the full scoop.  You can also reach Mike via email by clicking here. 

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You can learn more and catch up on the details released by the webinar by going here.