We invite you to listen to us on great radio stations across the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network weekdays- if you missed this morning's Farm News - or you are in an area where you can't hear it- click here for this morning's Farm news from Ron Hays on RON.
Let's Check the Markets!
Today's First Look:
mornings with cash and futures reviewed- includes where the Cash Cattle market stands, the latest Feeder Cattle Markets Etc.
Each afternoon we are posting a recap of that day's markets as analyzed by Justin Lewis of KIS futures- click or tap here for the report posted yesterday afternoon around 3:30 PM.
Okla Cash Grain:
Futures Wrap:
Feeder Cattle Recap:
Slaughter Cattle Recap:
TCFA Feedlot Recap:
Our Oklahoma Farm Report Team!!!!
Ron Hays, Senior Farm Director and Editor
Carson Horn, Associate Farm Director and Editor
Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager
Dave Lanning, Markets and Production
Macey Mueller, Email and Web Writer
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Oklahoma's Latest Farm and Ranch News
Presented by 
Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
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Howdy Neighbors!
Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
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 Featured Story:
U.S. and Brazil Reach Agreement to Reopen Beef Markets - NCBA Sees Serious Animal Health Concerns if Brazilian Beef Comes Here
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reached agreement with Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply to allow access for U.S. beef and beef products to the Brazilian market for the first time since 2003. Brazil's action reflects the United States' negligible risk classification for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and aligns Brazil's regulations to the OIE's scientific international animal health guidelines. Click here to read more about the decision to open the Brazilian market. Now- included in the announcement by USDA about OUR beef going SOUTH- was word that FSIS is moving forward with changing the rules to allow fresh and frozen Brazilian beef to come into the United States- THEIR beef coming NORTH and that has US Cattle Groups howling!
NCBA President Tracy Brunner responded to the announcement, wondering why Vilsack is in such a hurry:
"The Administration's decision to move forward and allow fresh and frozen beef imports from Brazil is of continued concern as the Government Accountability Office is still reviewing the methodology used during the decision-making process. Furthermore, USDA has failed to provide the detailed and documented science-based review of the risk evaluation protocols for determining an animal health status for countries; information requested by the U.S. beef industry and Congress last year in order to alleviate serious animal health concerns. With so much at stake, there is no reason USDA shouldn't be forthcoming with information and willing to wait for the completion of the GAO audit."Most importantly, we need the U.S. Government to take the proper precaution and ensure a robust Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccine bank. The U.S. cattle herd has not been exposed to FMD since 1929, and the current lack of FMD preparedness could devastate our industry if our herd is exposed to the highly communicable disease. We cannot afford to jeopardize our nation's livestock herds, which are the foundation of our global food supply, before all the possible risks to animal health and food safety have been properly addressed and precautions have been established."
A group that has a very limited presence around here is R-Calf and they also quickly responded to the USDA announcement- CEO Bill Bullard calling this a tit for tat deal that is a great for Brazil- and a bad deal for the US- the Brazilians don't need our beef- but they badly want into the lucrative high quality US beef market. "We couldn't be more disappointed in the Secretary's actions, which clearly demonstrate that he is advocating the interests of multinational meatpackers at the expense of independent U.S. farmers and ranchers and consumers," concluded Bullard . Click here to read Bullard's full reaction to the Brazilian deal.
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Sponsor Spotlight
The presenting sponsor of our daily email is the Oklahoma Farm Bureau - a grassroots organization that has for its Mission Statement- Improving the Lives of Rural Oklahomans." Farm Bureau, as the state's largest general farm organization, is active at the State Capitol fighting for the best interests of its members and working with other groups to make certain that the interests of rural Oklahoma are protected. Click here for their website to learn more about the organization and how it can benefit you to be a part of Farm Bureau.
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Corn and Sorghum Harvest Underway in Texas - Crop Conditions Look Good Across the Country
The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture crop progress report rates the National Corn as being in 76% good to excellent- unchanged from a week ago and actually slightly better than a week ago as the excellent category was bumped up one point to 20 percent. National soybean conditions remained even with a week ago at 72% good to excellent. Grain Sorghum improved by one percentage point from a week ago to 66% good to excellent while the US cotton crop slipped 2 points in the good to excellent ratings to 50% good to excellent in this latest report. For the complete USDA Crop Progress report, click here.
In the weekly crop progress report from USDA, Oklahoma corn silk reached 85 percent, down 3 points from the previous year and down 5 points from normal. Corn dough reached 26 percent, down 1 point from the previous year and down 30 points from normal. Sorghum headed reached 44 percent, down 2 points from the previous year and down 3 points from normal. Sorghum coloring reached 19 percent, up 6 points from the previous year and up 2 points from normal. Soybeans emerged reached 96 percent, unchanged from last year and down 3 points from normal. Soybeans blooming reached 40 percent, up 8 points from the previous year but unchanged from normal. Soybeans setting pods reached 14 percent, up 3 points from the previous year and up 5 points from normal. Cotton squaring reached 77 percent, down 9 points from the previous year but up 5 points from normal. Cotton setting bolls reached 31 percent, down 1 point from the previous year but unchanged from normal.
Corn harvest has started in parts of Texas and is now 16 percent complete, that's 6 points higher than normal. Mature corn reached 45 percent, 5 points lower than normal. Sorghum harvest continued in some parts of the state and is now 33 percent complete, just 2 points higher than last year and 9 points below normal. Across the state, sorghum was 51 percent mature, which is 12 points lower than the five-year average. Soybeans were 75 percent bloomed and 50 percent setting pods, 7 and 8 points, respectively, behind normal. Cotton squaring was at 90 percent, which is right on par with the 5-year average.
In the weekly crop progress report from USDA, Kansas corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 6 poor, 26 fair, 57 good, and 10 excellent. Corn silking was 92 percent, ahead of 87 last year, and near 88 for the five-year average. Corn dough was 33 percent, near 30 last year, but behind 42 average. Soybean condition rated 2 percent very poor, 7 poor, 33 fair, 52 good, and 6 excellent. Soybeans blooming was 69 percent, ahead of 57 last year, and near 65 average. Setting pods was 30 percent, ahead of 25 last year and 22 average. Sorghum condition rated 1 percent very poor, 3 poor, 22 fair, 64 good, and 10 excellent. Sorghum headed was 47 percent, well ahead of 27 last year and 24 average. Coloring was 3 percent, near 1 both last year and average.
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Beef Checkoff Becoming Social Butterfly With New Digital Promotion Campaign
It has been nearly a year since the Beef Checkoff launched its digital promotion campaign and Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB) Chair Anne Anderson says they are starting to see some great results from their efforts."That was a tough decision to make to give up all the others and channel everything into the digital industry," Anderson said.Anderson explained that research has helped the board learn that consumers who engage with the beef industry want a centralized location for gathering information. The Beef Checkoff will be able to accomplish this with a digital platform allowing access to all segments of the industry through one portal. She says the process is already underway to bring such a portal into full operation.Another concept Anderson reported on learning was that today's consumer wants convenience and versatility in their food preparation, which she boiled down to one phrase: "Heat and eat." In addition to this, consumers are also very conscious about their nutrition decisions. As part of the digital campaign, the Checkoff routinely sends out bits of information using social media, based on new nutritional research that the Checkoff recently conducted."That's been the number one message, is nutrition," Anderson said. "Having that information, coupled with recipes... has been unbelievably successful."Anderson says since the campaign was launched a loyal following of social sharers has grown over time using digital media to connect with other consumers, posting pictures and blurbs of their dining or cooking experiences in fun and informative ways.Find out more of what the Cattlemen's Beef Board has been up to by visiting MyBeefCheckoff.com.Listen to Anderson discuss beef's new digital presence during the latest Beef Buzz.
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Farmer Shares Success Stories and Strategies of No-Till Operation
Last week, farmers from around the state gathered to learn about no-till farming in Leedey, Oklahoma during the Whirlwind No-Till Expo. Local no-till farmer, Jimmy Emmons was there to host the expo and guided a tour of his soil-centric operation highlighting several innovations implemented on his farm to those in attendance eager to learn his methods."Traditionally around here people would tell you, you couldn't raise milo because it would burn up in this heat and wouldn't pollinate," Emmons said, "but we are proving that it can be done."Emmons is accomplishing this by utilizing a cover crop system to increase water 'infiltration ' into the soil. He explained that this method allows rain water to penetrate deep into the soil and stores itself there to be used by plants as needed, remaining safe from evaporation thanks to the shady cover crops.Another method being experimented with on Emmons' farm is 'pollinator strips .' According to Emmons, pollinator strips consist of multiple species of flowering plants that pollinate at different times, attracting a variety of beneficial insects that prey on pest insects. He cited one instance where certain plants attracted dragonflies that preyed on sugarcane aphids infesting his crop. He claimed the aphids were eradicated by the dragonflies within a few days. Emmons explained that research was being conducted to decipher the exact area that can benefit from a pollinator strip. He believes that strategic placement of strips around the borders of a field could greatly discourage the intrusion of harmful insects.Historically, native prairies accommodated approximately 100 different plant varieties at a time in one area, Emmons said. His experience bringing in more natural methods of cultivating land, allowing multiple species of plants and livestock access to an area creates a symbiotic system that results in healthier soil, which in turn promotes plant growth."That's what we're trying to do is mimic what God created in the natural system here that has multiple species," Emmons said.Listen to Emmons explain more about the additional benefits no-till systems bring to crops and livestock.
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Sponsor Spotlight
We are happy to have the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association as a part of our great lineup of email sponsors. They do a tremendous job of representing cattle producers at the state capitol as well as in our nation's capitol. They seek to educate OCA members on the latest production techniques for maximum profitability and to communicate with the public on issues of importance to the beef industry. Click here for their website to learn more about the OCA.
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Steve Meyer on Kirkpatrick Foundation and Their Food Price Increase Claims Because of Industrial Ag
Following is an analysis and opinion piece that responds to a recent set of graphs and comments about those graphs made by the Kirpatrick Foundation, who asked the question, "Does Industrial Agriculture Keep Food Prices Down?" The Foundation made reference to claims being made by proponents of modern production agriculture who support State Question 777 that those modern production practices have been able to keep food prices down. The graphs shown by the Foundation would suggest those claims are wrong. However, a leading animal protein market analyst, Dr. Steve Meyer of EMI Analytics, has looked at what the Kirkpatrick Foundation is claiming- and he disputes their math. Here is his commentary, courtesy of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association.
"In a recent web posting, The Kirkpatrick Foundation claims that the prices of several popular products produced by Oklahoma's pork and chicken industries have risen sharply since 1992. And they are correct when one considers only the nominal prices of these goods. But figures can lie and liars can figure. Oklahomans deserve to know the entire story that appropriately compares the prices of pork chops (and other product) today to those of the past.
"The most serious error in the foundation's allegation is that it does not allow for the changing value of the dollar. A dollar in 1992 was worth far more relative to the incomes of consumers than was a dollar at the beginning of 2016. Yet the foundation compares 2016 prices and 1992 prices as if the currencies used in the two years were of equal value. And they did so even when putting prices from different time periods on an equal footing is quite easily done by using a measure of inflation to "deflate" current prices." Meyer says that when you use constant 1992 dollars, you get a lot different result than a graph that looks like the price has gone straight up.
"In these "real" terms, the price of pork chops dropped by 23% and the price of chicken legs dropped by 16%. The price of whole chickens in constant 1992 dollars has remained virtually constant through the whole time period. Only the price of bacon has increased in those constant 1992 dollars and the increases in bacon demand due to its inclusion on hamburgers in the 1990s, sandwiches of many varieties in the 2000s and as an ingredient in everything from salads to ice cream to cookies in the 2010s has been widely discussed and well documented. Did the Kirkpatrick Foundation think Oklahoman's were not aware of the fact that the value of the dollar has changed? Or did they just think Oklahoman's were not smart enough to see through their ploy."
Click here to continue reading Dr. Meyer's comments regarding modern production practices and food prices- see his graph and find a link to the original graphs from the Kirkpatrick Foundation.
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Want to Have the Latest Energy News Delivered to Your Inbox Daily?
Award winning broadcast journalist Jerry Bohnen has spent years learning and understanding how to cover the energy business here in the southern plains- Click here to subscribe to his daily update of top Energy News.
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Better Grazing Management Could Lead to Better Profits - Dr. Derrell Peel Explains How
Each week, 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. This week, Dr. Peel examines how to best manage grazing costs to maintain net profit margins for producers."Cow-calf revenues have decreased dramatically in the past few months and are expected to remain lower for the next couple of years. Producers must focus more attention on cost management to help maintain net returns in this environment. A reasonable question to ask is: don't producers always attempt to minimize costs in order to maximize profits? The answer is generally yes but the fact is that there are ways to manage costs that require more effort and intensive management and may not be routinely employed or may not have been previously used by a producer. "Information from Kansas State University indicates that total pasture plus non-pasture feed costs represent 45-50 percent of total annual cow costs. Non-pasture cost includes both harvested forages and supplemental feeds. Total feed cost is the single largest component of annual cow costs and arguably the best opportunity for cost management. The breakdown between pasture and non-pasture costs is particularly useful because it focuses on the forage, which is the primary production of cow-calf and stocker operations, and the management of that grazing resource compared to the use of harvested forages and supplemental feed to augment the quantity and quality of grazed forages."
Click here to read more about Dr. Peel's grazing management analysis.
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New Youth Advisory Council Members Introduced During AFR Leadership Summit
American Farmers & Ranchers announced its 2016-2017 Youth Advisory Council at the organization's annual Senior Leadership Summit Reception July 29. The reception was held at the conclusion of the annual AFR Leadership Summit.
The Council consists of high school juniors and seniors representing AFR youth from across the state. Members of the 2016-2017 Council are: Emilie James, Altus; Justin Dewbre, Dibble; Lane Brown, Guthrie; Hayes Maher, Mooreland; and Brooklan Light, Garber.
Council members participate in agriculture-based service projects throughout the year and assist in planning many AFR Youth Program activities. They also facilitate AFR events and act as mentors for younger Oklahoma youth.
"AFR is proud to invest in the future of Oklahoma through these young people," said Terry Detrick, AFR president. "Our leadership summit and the AFR Youth Advisory Council demonstrate that investment across Oklahoma."
Click here to read more about the AFR Leadership Summit.
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This N That- Danger Will Robinson, Bye Bye Clint and Maybe Bye Bye Tim
I come from the TV era of "Lost in Space" and there were several lines that I thought were really cool- Mr Smith always with his whine "Oh the pain" and then the robot- saying "Danger Will Robinson!"
Well, under the category of "Danger Will Robinson" we have the Cattle Comfort Index from the Oklahoma Mesonet for tomorrow- and it's downright scary:
If you enlarge it enough to see those numbers in southeastern Oklahoma- we are talking 120 cattle index for Idabel for tomorrow- all the way to the top of the heat danger index for those mama cows that call southeastern Oklahoma home.
The numbers for August 4th do show a slight reduction- but still well into the caution to danger zone.
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Word comes from Nebraska that OSU Animal Science Professor Dr. Clint Kriehbiel has been selected to the be the next head of the Animal Science Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln- as of the first of the year.
Krehbiel has been at Oklahoma State University since 2000, coming through the ranks of assistant, associate, professor and Regents Professor. He is the inaugural holder of the Dennis and Marta White Endowed Chair in Ruminant Nutrition and Health.
You can read more from the UNL news release by clicking here.
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It's primary election day in Kansas- and it's a day of reckoning for incumbent Tim Huelskamp of the Big First District of the western part of that state.
Republican voters in western and central Kansas are deciding whether U.S. Rep. Tim Huelskamp's willingness to buck party leaders reflects a much-needed streak of independence or a character flaw that prevents him from being effective. Huelskamp was removed from the House Ag Committee ahead of the 2014 Farm Bill debate- and was outside looking in during that process.
His contentious race against Roger Marshall, a Great Bend obstetrician, in the 1st District is the state's marquee congressional primary- and one that has seen several major agricultural groups weigh in against the incumbent. Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Livestock Association and even the National Association of Wheat Growers have all endorsed Dr. Marshall- hoping he might be the next Kansas Congressman to sit on the House Ag Committee.
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