Category: Ag News

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 14:32:13 CDT

Warmer temperatures with little rain chances have increased drought numbers throughout the state. State Climatologist Gary McManus says there’s not much rain relief in sight, and the forecast calls for highs in the upper 90’s throughout the next 10 days. Mostly warmer and drier weather is in store.

In Oklahoma This week 3,660,659 are affected by drought, 77 counties currently have USDA Disaster designations. Greer, Harmon, Jackson, and Parts of Kiowa county are in the exceptional drought category, along with Coal, Hughes, and parts of Pontotoc county.

This week 3.06 percent of the state is in the Exceptional Drought category compared to Last weeks 2.19, while last year at this time we had zero drought reported in the state. 48.81% are in Extreme Drought compared to last weeks 47.43%, and 0% one year ago. 85.43% of the state is experiencing Severe Drought, last week that number was 84.86%. Moderate drought consumes 96.53% of the state, while 99.97% is abnormally dry. Moderate drought, and Abnormally Dry conditions remained the same.

To view the Oklahoma Drought map, click here:

This U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) week saw areas of isolated heavy rainfall in Southern California and the Desert Southwest in association with remnant moisture from Tropical Cyclone Kay late last week. Over the weekend and early this week, the residual moisture from the system moved further onshore impacting areas including Southern California, southern Sierra Nevada, Desert Southwest, and portions of the Great Basin. Overall, the heaviest accumulations were observed in very isolated higher-elevation areas of the Peninsular Ranges and Transverse Ranges of Southern California with accumulations ranging from 3 to 5-inches in addition to reports of wind gusts between 70-100 mph. Unfortunately, the overall impact of the precipitation on the long-term drought in California was negligible. In the High Plains, above-normal temperatures (2 to 6 deg F) and generally dry conditions during the past week continued to exacerbate drought conditions across areas of the central and northern Plains, with a growing number of drought impacts within the agricultural sector being reported to the National Drought Mitigation Center. In Texas, areas of isolated heavy rainfall accumulations (3 to 5+ inches) this week continued to ease drought-related conditions in the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. In the Midwest, widespread heavy rainfall accumulations ranging from 2 to 6+ inches impacted northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin over the weekend—erasing some of the short-term precipitation deficits. Elsewhere in the region, a combination of short and longer-term precipitation deficits in Iowa led to degradation on the map, with rainfall deficits during the past 90-day period ranging from 4 to 8+ inches in southern Iowa. In the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, widespread shower activity this week helped to improve drought-related conditions in the southern portion of the Northeast region as well as alleviate short-term (past 30-60 days) precipitation deficits in areas of the Coastal Plain and Piedmont of North Carolina. In the Southeast, most of the region remained drought-free with exception of coastal areas of east-central and southern Florida, where rainfall deficits for the past 90-day period ranged from 4 to 12+ inches, causing some concerns regarding hydrologic drought (some low groundwater and surface water levels) with the end of the wet season approaching. Looking back at the 2022 summer months, the contiguous U.S. experienced its 3rd warmest June-August period on record since 1895 in terms of average temperatures (+2.52 deg F anomaly). Average minimum temperatures nationwide for August (+3.20 deg F) and the July-August (+3.12 deg F) periods were the warmest on record, according to NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). Precipitation in the contiguous U.S. during August and the July-August 2022 period ranked at 19th and 28th wettest, respectively, placing it in the top 1/3rd wettest.

In the Southern plains improvements were made across isolated areas of Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. Degradations were made on the map in areas of Oklahoma, where rainfall deficits during the past 90-day period ranged from -3 to -7+ inches. According to the Oklahoma Mesonet, the last 90-days were the 7th driest statewide with a -4.79-inch departure from normal (50% of normal). During the past week, rainfall accumulations across the region were generally light (

In the High Plains On this week’s map, degradations were made in areas of Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota in response to continued dryness, decreased soil moisture, poor pasture and rangeland conditions, and impacts to dryland crops. In Kansas and Nebraska, the latest 7-day streamflow levels were showing widespread well-below-normal flows, especially in Nebraska. In southern Nebraska, numerous gaging stations on rivers and creeks were observing flows in the 1st to 2nd percentile range, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. For the week, average temperatures were above normal in the Dakotas (1 to 4 deg F) while Nebraska, eastern Wyoming, and Kansas were near normal to slightly below normal. According to NOAA NCEI, the Great Plains Region saw its 5th warmest (+2.7 deg F) and 19th driest June-August on record. Statewide, Nebraska experienced its 3rd driest June-August as well as its 2nd driest August on record.
Out West, numerous large wildland fires are currently burning across areas of California, Oregon, and Idaho causing evacuations, damage to structures, and reduced air quality. On this week’s map, some improvements were made in southeastern California, southern Nevada, and New Mexico in response to rainfall this week associated with residual moisture from Tropical Cyclone Kay as well as the overall impact of this summer’s monsoonal rainfall that has helped improve short-term meteorological drought conditions and vegetation health. Elsewhere in the region, a combination of short and long-term dryness, low streamflow, and declining soil moisture led to intensification of drought in areas of Montana and Idaho. For the week, average temperatures were 2 to 10+ degrees above normal across California, the Great Basin, northern portions of Arizona and New Mexico, and portions of the Pacific Northwest. Conversely, cloud cover associated with the remnants of Kay reduced daytime heating in the southeastern deserts of California and southern portions of Arizona and New Mexico, where average temperatures were 2 to 6 degrees below normal. According to NOAA NCEI, the June-August 2022 period was the 3rd warmest on record for the West Climate Region, which includes California and Nevada. Additionally, in terms of average minimum temperatures, both August (+5.6 deg F) and the July-August (+4.8 deg F) periods were the warmest on record. Looking at precipitation, it was the 8th wettest August on record for the West Climate Region and the driest (-6.95 inches) January-August period on record. For the Southwest Climate Region, it was the 7th wettest June-August period on record and the 7th warmest for the contemporaneous period. In the Northwest Climate Region, August (+6.2 deg F) and the July-August (+5.3 deg F) period were the warmest on record.

To view the Contiguous U.S. Drought Map, Click Here.

Looking ahead, The NWS WPC 7-Day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) calls for moderate-to-heavy precipitation accumulations ranging from 2 to 4+ inches across areas of the Upper Midwest, with the heaviest amounts expected in Upper Peninsula Michigan and northeastern Minnesota. Likewise, 2 to 4+ inch accumulations are expected across areas of Florida. Elsewhere, lesser accumulations ranging from 1 to 2+ inches are forecasted for northern portions of New England as well as areas out West including the Northern Rockies, Wasatch Range, eastern Great Basin, and portions of the Southern and Central Rockies. The CPC 6-10-day Outlooks calls for a moderate-to-high probability of above-normal temperatures for all areas east of the Rockies, while much of the West is expected to be cooler than normal with exception of coastal areas of California. Precipitation is forecasted to be above normal across much of the West. Below-normal precipitation is expected across most of the Eastern Tier.

To view the 6 – 10 Day Precipitation Outlook, Click Here.

To view the 6 – 10 Day Temperature Outlook, Click Here.

To view the Monthly Drought Outlook map, Click Here.

?The U.S. Drought Monitor Map is developed through a partnership between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 13:39:49 CDT

Nonprofit regional dairy council Dairy MAX, which represents more than 900 dairy farmers in eight states, is pleased to announce that Todd Green has been tapped as vice president of industry image and relati…

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 12:58:28 CDT

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is pleased with today’s announcement by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack of the association’s selection as a partner in USDA’s $2.8 billi…

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 12:46:20 CDT

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) on Thursday said a tentative agreement between union leaders and rail workers is a positive development for farmers and the agricultural community.

“We…

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 12:45:18 CDT

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) reiterated the need for a limited version of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) greenhouse gas disclosure rule following SEC Ch…

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 12:44:01 CDT

USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program announced it will award Farmers for Soil Health (FSH) a $95 million grant. With this award, FSH will launch a program to advance the adoption o…

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 12:41:02 CDT

Growth Energy, the nation’s largest association of ethanol producers and supporters, welcomed today’s announcement of a tentative labor deal that averts a nationwide interruption of rail service.

“Farmers and biofuel producers across the country are very encouraged by news that this agreement will avert a potentially devastating rail shutdown,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We appreciate the work of all parties involved in keeping trains and commodities moving across the country. Nearly 70 percent of U.S. ethanol production is moved by rail – more than 400,000 carloads annually – and no one wants to see American motorists cut off from a vital supply of lower-cost, lower-carbon fuels.”

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 12:39:50 CDT

Ongoing research at Oklahoma State University shows that the process of patch burning has the potential to save cattle producers $20 per cow per year in supplemental feed costs.

Most cattle producers currently practice prescribed burning in which they burn their entire pasture about every three years.

“With patch burning, you’re breaking that pasture up into different sections, and burning a certain section each year in a three-year rotation,” said Hannah Baker, an OSU graduate student in agricultural economics.

Research on patch burning began more than 50 years ago and continues with The Prairie Project, a collaborative effort between research and Extension faculty at OSU, the University of Nebraska, Texas A&M University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service.

“Faculty work together to look at controlling woody plant encroachment through fire, specifically patch burning, and they have found it does help with woody plant encroachment, such as red cedar invasion,” Baker said.

Research through the multidisciplinary project found other benefits, such as higher quality forages in recently burned areas and mitigations for drought because of the stockpiled forages in unburned and ungrazed areas.

“This particular research has required a lot of interdisciplinary work and collaboration between departments, researchers and projects with different objectives,” said Hannah Shear, professor of ag economics and Baker’s supervisor on the project. “Hannah Baker’s role has been to work with these researchers to better understand their data and results, so she could incorporate them into a larger economic analysis.”

Such an analysis required a vast knowledge base on cattle production, feeds and forages, cedar encroachment, stocking and carrying capacity, burning and grazing and more. This was knowledge Baker had to possess before compiling the economic data.

Baker said despite the benefits of patch burning, few producers are adopting it because there is very little economic and cost research available.

“That’s where my research project comes in – to evaluate the initial cost of the implementation of patch burning and the cost of continuing it,” she said. “My current research is taking those qualitative results – the benefits of patch burning – and making them quantitative by putting some monetary value behind it.”

The OSU Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management sent out a survey to cattle producers in the great plains who use prescribed fire to obtain more information about what costs are involved in the process.

“Looking at the results of that survey and initial patch burning research, we discovered patch burning costs a little over $2 more per acre,” Baker said. “While the first year and initial expenses may cost producers a little more, looking at the benefits and how that can save money in the coming years, patch burning can be cost-reducing and a profitable long-term investment if executed properly.”

In the department’s initial research on patch burning, researchers saw crude protein levels as high as 11% with patch burning compared to 4% with prescribed burning and 55% total digestible nutrient levels compared to 50% with prescribed burning.

“Forage is at its highest quality in the new growth stage (typically 150 days after a burn), and that forage quality provides the nutrients cattle need rather than producers having to supply a supplemental feed to make up for nutrient deficiencies,” Baker said.

A four-year study conducted by the department looked at cow-calf pairs on both patch-burned pastures and traditionally burned pastures. The results showed that the body condition scores of the cows and the weaning weights of calves did not differ between the two burning styles, but there was a 40% reduction in supplemental feed requirements for cows on patch-burned pastures.

“The research showed cattle were able to maintain their body condition score on less feed, so ultimately, that means less money spent by the producer,” Baker said. “What I am specifically looking at in my research right now is how patch burning can help reduce supplemental feed costs.”

For her research, Baker developed a partial budget by combining results from previous research with results from the survey taken.

“We found patch burning provided a total savings of $8.35 per acre for producers in the first year when looking at burn costs and supplemental feed costs” she said, adding that those numbers could change over time.

Baker said with the drought, it may not be feasible for cattle producers to start patch burning now, but she and other researchers want producers to consider the benefits of implementing it in future.

OSU Ag Research is Oklahoma’s premier research and technology development agency in agriculture, natural resources and the life sciences.

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 12:36:42 CDT

CHS Inc., the nation’s leading agribusiness cooperative, intends to return a total of $1 billion in cash patronage and equity redemptions to its owners in calendar year 2023, delivering on its objectives to share profits with owners and contribute to building strength in rural America.
The total amount of cash to be returned to owners is a decision made by the CHS Board of Directors at the close of each fiscal year. The CHS Board has elected to return $500 million in cash patronage based on business done with CHS in fiscal year 2022, which ended on Aug. 31, 2022. Additionally, the CHS Board has elected to return $500 million in cash to its owners through equity redemptions.
This benefit of CHS ownership will be shared by hundreds of member cooperatives and thousands of farmer-owners. The total of $1 billion distributed in cash would be the largest annual distribution to owners in CHS history and would bring the total amount returned to owners over the last 10 years to more than $3.1 billion.
“The opportunity for owners to receive cash patronage and equity is a fundamental difference between the cooperative model and other businesses,” said Dan Schurr, chair of the CHS Board of Directors. “This critical difference means CHS owners share in the financial success of the company and can leverage that success to fuel strength and growth for their own businesses, their families and the communities we share.”
Final financial results for fiscal year 2022 are expected to be announced in November 2022. Additional patronage-related details will be available at that time, including the amount of fiscal year 2022 patronage equity certificates that will be distributed.
CHS Inc. (www.chsinc.com) is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States. Diversified in energy, agronomy, grains and foods, CHS is committed to creating connections to empower agriculture, helping its farmer-owners, customers and other stakeholders grow their businesses through its domestic and global operations. CHS supplies energy, crop nutrients, seed, crop protection products, grain marketing services, production and agricultural services, animal nutrition products, foods and food ingredients, and risk management services. The company operates petroleum refineries and pipelines and manufactures, markets and distributes Cenex® brand refined fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products.

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 09:47:01 CDT

The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) applaud the tentative agreement reached between the railroads and rail union representatives that averts a rail shutdown ahead of Friday’s deadline.

The agreement provides rail employees a 24 percent wage increase during the five-year period between 2020 and 2024, while also paying out an immediate $11,000 upon adoption. The labor unions have agreed that they will not strike while the agreed upon deal goes through the ratification process. NAWG and USW would encourage a swift ratification of the agreement.

“NAWG commends all parties involved in the negotiation process for reaching a tentative agreement that averts a rail shutdown,” said NAWG CEO, Chandler Goule. “The pandemic forced the rail laborers into tough situations as essential workers, and we appreciate their willingness to come to an agreement. We also appreciate the railroads understanding the severity of the situation and taking steps to improve their services. Finally, we thank the Administration for its critical roles in mediating negotiations, encouraging agreement and understanding the critical nature of a well-functioning rail system to the agricultural economy and supply chain.”

“Our country’s reputation as the world’s most reliable wheat supplier depends heavily on functioning rail transportation and that won’t change in the future,” said USW President Vince Peterson. “So we welcome this tentative agreement and hope both sides continue to work together to serve shippers like the U.S. wheat industry.”

A railroad strike would have cost the overall economy over $2 billion per day and would have devastating consequences for the prices farmers receive and consumers pay. Wheat farmers are uniquely reliant on rail due to the large distances between production and consumption. Rail has moved over 1 billion bushels of wheat over the last five years, with one car containing enough wheat to make 250,000 loaves of bread.

About U.S. Wheat Associates

U.S. Wheat Associates’ (USW) mission is to “develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat’s profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers.” USW activities in more than 100 countries are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. USW maintains 15 offices strategically located around the world to help wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value and reliability of all six U.S. wheat classes. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org.

About the National Association of Wheat Growers

NAWG is the primary policy representative in Washington D.C. for wheat growers, working to ensure a better future for America’s growers, the industry, and the general public. NAWG works with a team of 20 state wheat grower organizations to benefit the wheat industry at the national level. NAWG’s staff members are in constant contact with state association representatives, NAWG grower leaders, Members of Congress, Congressional staff members, Administration officials, and the public.