Agricultural News
Kim Anderson Urges Growers to Invest in Wheat Quality, to Produce the Most Marketable Product
Thu, 07 Dec 2017 17:05:31 CST
This week on SUNUP - Oklahoma State University Extension Grain Market Economist Dr. Kim Anderson joined host Dave Deeken to discuss his strategy for overcoming unrelenting depressed prices in the wheat market. Anderson, on the defensive this week, insists he is not against wheat but rather the current market situation farmers have found themselves in.
Simply put, Anderson says "if you have wheat - you are losing money." The issue Anderson claims to have with domestic wheat production right now, is the quality.
Looking at past crops, Anderson says two themes take shape - lower production and lower prices. A few years ago, producers were investing in inputs that impacted their yield and the quality. Uncooperative weather though resulted in a bad year and farmers lost money. Since then, he says farmers have been shy to invest in their crop's quality.
"You and I both know, the success of our crop will be determined by quantity and quality," he said to Deeken. "We have to be competitive. And, we can be."
Anderson says it isn't just the US suffering from weak markets, it is other countries as well. All farmers he says are reacting to the current market situation worldwide. Some, though, are just reacting differently than others. Those farmers in countries that hold a competitive advantage right now, like Russia for example, can at the moment afford to continue investing in inputs to improve the quality of their crops. That, he says, is the upward battle we must face.
But, the caveat is that inputs are only half of the equation. The other? Luck, he says. More specifically cooperative weather and well-timed rains. Combine these with good management principles and Anderson says farmers will achieve a marketable crop and command a higher price.
He advises farmers that as March and April rolls around, be sure to have the necessary nutrients in the ground as needed. Put down your nitrogen applications and keep up your soil's fertility. But now is the time to start planning that. He says start by putting pencil to paper and pay attention to your margins.
"Ask yourself - if I put a dollar in," he says, "am I going to get a dollar out?"
You can watch their visit tomorrow or Sunday on SUNUP - or you can hear Kim's comments right now by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below.
Beyond Dr. Anderson's weekly chat - the SUNUP crew has a very full lineup for your viewing this weekend:
This week on SUNUP, we start with a reminder about the drier conditions and rising danger of fire.
- In Cow-Calf Corner, Glenn Selk says cattle producers should start arranging for colostrum ahead of the spring calving season.
- Then, Extension veterinarian, Dr. Barry Whitworth, has an update on the Veterinary Feed Directive, one year after implementation.
- Derrell Peel says 2017 has been a surprise when it comes to livestock markets.
- Then, in the Mesonet weather report, Gary McManus explains why drought has grown in Oklahoma.
- Finally, in Naturally Speaking, Dwayne Elmore explains why shinnery oak is important to wildlife habitat.
Join us for SUNUP:
Saturday at 7:30 a.m.
Sunday at 6 a.m. on OETA-TV
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