The World Trade Organization closed its 10th Ministerial Conference with an agreement that will set a new direction for agricultural trade negotiations. The five-day conference that concluded over the weekend featured a deal between the WTO participating countries that will reduce tariffs on ag products and achieve disciplines on the use of export credits.

House Ag Committee Chair Mike Conaway of Texas offered appreciation to the efforts of US Trade Rep Michael Froman in working to end export subsidies.

Chairman Conaway says "the agreement reached in Nairobi was never expected to reduce the high foreign tariffs that obstruct much of our agricultural trade nor eliminate escalating foreign domestic farm subsidies. Efforts in regard to these two pillars of free trade have for many years now proved to be intractable as our trading partners have consistently refused U.S. offers to achieve meaningful reductions in these areas.

"I agree with Ambassador Froman's appraisal that progress toward freer trade and a level playing field for American farmers and ranchers must be pursued in contexts outside of the 'failed construct' of the Doha Round, including focused agreements such as the one reached in Nairobi."

Conaway adds that there worries coming out of the Nairobi sessions- most notably some of the trading practices of countries like India and China- but believes that the US negotiators held their own.

Click here to review the complete statement from Chairman Conaway on the WTO ministerial.

Click here for U.S. Representative Michael Froman's reaction to the 10th Ministerial Conference.

Click here for reaction from Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation.

Mondays, Dr. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, offers his economic analysis of the beef cattle industry. This analysis is a part of the weekly series known as the "Cow Calf Corner" published electronically by Dr. Peel and Dr. Glenn Selk. 


Perhaps the Grinch's small heart grew a bit as cattle markets get some good news to end the year. Last Friday's strong limit up futures trading for Live and Feeder cattle is encouraging that perhaps a bottom is in place. However, it remains to be seen what the follow-up trading will be this week. The holiday period is a difficult time to establish a new market trend and is it quite impossible to predict or even interpret market actions during holiday disrupted trading. Nevertheless, an array of good news the past few days revives Christmas hope for cattle markets.


The latest Cattle on Feed report was the most bullish in several months and is a reminder that cattle markets, especially with respect to numbers, is nowhere near as bad as recent market prices would suggest. The December 1 feedlot inventory was fractionally lower compared to one year ago. November feedlot placements were down more than expected at 89 percent of year ago levels. This is the fifth consecutive month of year over year placement declines. Only twice this year have monthly feedlot placements exceeded year earlier levels and, in fact, placements have decreased 18 of the past 21 months going back to March of 2014. November feedlot marketings were 104 percent of year ago levels. The feedlot marketing rate in November, like October, was much improved over recent months, helping to restore feedlot currentness.  Click or tap here to read more about Peel's analysis of slaughter data, repeal of Country-of-Origin Labeling and the outlook for cash and futures trading.

Agriculture has to work to adapt to the changing needs of today's consumers. Dairy farmer Jerry Messer of North Dakota serves on the Midwest Dairy Association and National Dairy Council. As chairman of the National Dairy Council, he oversees the checkoff efforts nationally for the dairy industry.   He said the council aims to understand what consumers want. In reaching millennials and consumers in general, Messer said dairy farmers have to get out there and tell their story through social media.


"So that consumers understand what we're doing on the farms and why we doing it on the farms and communicating that back to them and what it means to them, as far as having a secure wholesome and healthy product," Messer said.


The National Dairy Council wants consumers to get back to drinking more milk. Over the last ten years, the National Dairy Council has conducted research to document the benefits of consuming milk fat. Messer said nationally their studies are starting to be recognized in showing milk fat is a healthy part of the diet. Recently, McDonald's announced they will be serving 100 percent pure butter in every restaurant. That creates a huge boost in demand.


"That means a lot of us as dairy farms," Messer said. "We're talking about 600 million pounds of milk equivalent per year, which is almost the same as what we exported last year for butter."

I also talked with Messer about the nation's dietary guidelines and how the dairy checkoff aims to maximize funding.  Click or tap here to listen to the full interview.

Oklahoma's wheat crop has gone into the winter in better shape than previous years. With adequate moisture, the crop has a better stand and early season growth. In having record moisture in November, Oklahoma State University Precision Nutrient Management specialist Dr. Brian Arnall said having more soil moisture changes nutrient management for the winter wheat crop.


"A lot of our crop is using through that nitrogen that was applied early," Arnall said.


If farmers applied only a starter fertilizer, Arnall said they need to consider making that nitrogen application as soon as the crop begins to dry out. If farmers applied nitrogen prior to planting, he said the crop is probably doing alright, but it will depend on the soil type. In fields with coarse or sandy soils with a lot of bio-mass production, he said those soils that have good drainage will allow for moisture to move nitrates down. Farmers will need to monitor and scout fields regularly. Arnall recommends farmers watch the lower leaves because nitrogen deficiency will show up in the oldest leaves first with yellowing.


Phosphorous levels should be alright, if farmers applied adequate levels. With colder temperatures, Arnall has noticed some fields did not receive adequate phosphorus. He believes there still will be opportunities to apply phosphorus this winter, but time is limited.  I also talked with Arnall about nutrient management in canola.  Click or tap here to listen to the interview.

  

The Christmas season is here, and many will be gathering around the dinner table devouring their favorite holiday meals.


Oklahoma State University's Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center wants to make sure you keep food safety tips in mind when preparing those holiday meals.


"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year about 1 in 6 Americans get sick from foodborne diseases," said Peter Muriana, FAPC food microbiologist. "While the U.S. food supply is one of the safest in the world, food safety during the holidays is a must in order to prevent bacteria from growing and causing illness."


Muriana suggests the following food safety tips to ensure your holiday meal is not only delicious, but also safe.  Click here for the Top 10 food safety tips.

 

The FAA has gone live with their webpages on registering your drone for free for the next 30 days.

According the agency, "Registration is free for the first 30 days with a rebate, then $5 after that.