Rising water and flooding conditions are intensifying across the eastern portion of Oklahoma as the state deals with unprecedented rainfall amounts. State Veterinarian, Dr. Rod Hall, is encouraging all livestock owners to move animals to higher ground to avoid the possibility of stranded livestock.


"We are encouraging livestock owners to relocate animals to be prepared for possible flood waters," said Dr. Rod Hall, Oklahoma State Veterinarian. "We have many producers that have already moved animals but we want to ensure that all livestock owners are taking the appropriate measures to prepare for flood waters."

The amount of water rolling down the rivers and streams in eastern Oklahoma is incredible- in part due to large water releases by the Army Corps of Engineers.  For example, here is what the release looked like yesterday at Lake Fort Gibson.

 

The first two days of Boxed Beef trade between Christmas and New Year's have seen both Choice and Select Cutout Values race higher.

Choice Beef Cutout was up $3.46 on Monday- and another $5.08 up on Tuesday- pushing the Choice Beef Cutout to $206.17. 

Select Beef also had a pair of outstanding days- up $3.73 on Monday and $4.46 on Tuesday, with the Select Beef Cutout at $197.66.

According to the Tuesday commentary- "Boxed Beef values were sharply higher on moderate to fairly good demand and light offerings. Select and Choice rib and loin cuts were steady to firm while chuck and round cuts were higher. Beef trimmings jumped higher on moderate demand and light offerings."

It's not just the boxed beef prices that are surging- cash cattle prices are chasing the Live Cattle Futures higher- the week before Christmas week slaughter steer prices were $118 according to the Texas Cattle Feeders- this past week- the week of Christmas limited sales saw slaughter steers up $6 to $124 per hundred.

And, according to the blog "TheBeefRead" penned by Cassie Fish, cash cattle prices could hit $130 this week or next.  And she believes that we could see cash cattle sales approach where the February Live Cattle futures are fairly soon- around $135 per hundred.

There are several factors that will end up helping determine how much of a rally cattle prices may have early in 2016- ample and cheap pork prices, lousy cattle performance in the feedlots because of winter weather and what packers will do about tighter supplies that may be ahead- cut kill hours or pay up for available supplies of cattle.

One thing seems to be likely- cattle producers will cheer the prices that we are going to see next week in stocker and yearling markets as we kick off 2016- they are going to be a lot better than we saw in the final sales of 2015.

 

 

From earlier this fall, this Beef Buzz is a "Best of" edition featuring the comments of USMEF President Phil Seng. Phil Seng told yours truly that he is appreciative of the extra support that states like Oklahoma have provided the US Meat Export Federation in helping fund special projects to sell more beef overseas. Seng contends that international markets are a good investment with 95 percent of the world's consumers living outside the United States- and obviously the directors of the Oklahoma Beef Council and cattle producers in several other states agree.

"The international market place presents tremendous potential," Seng said. "All of these growing middle classes want to evolve from the cereals to the proteins."

Seng says that the additional dollars earmarked by state beef councils in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Nebraska have helped go the extra mile in building marketing relationships which help sell US beef. You can hear his explanation by clicking here to read more and to listen to this Beef Buzz where Seng tells about how these state beef council dollars are producing results.

The new head of the Plant and Soil Science Department in the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University is a familiar name and face to many in Oklahoma agriculture- former OSU Small Grains Specialist Dr. Jeff Edwards. Dr. Edwards took over PASS leadership earlier in 2015- and now leads one of the key departments for farmers on the Stillwater campus and at key research and extension locations around the state.


On the overview page of the PASS website, Dr. Edwards writes that "at the heart of agriculture is plant and soil science. Crop production, biotechnology, natural resources conservation, and biofuels are just a few of the critical areas of agriculture where we have very strong programs in teaching, research, and extension."


Edwards is very interested in completing the search and hire for the position he vacated as he accepted the Department leadership role- Small Grains Specialist. He tells yours truly that "we've got a couple of candidates coming in after the first of the year to interview for that position- top notch candidates- and I'm really excited about the potential there." He adds that he hopes to have someone in the Small Grains Specialist position by early spring.

We also talked with Dr. Edwards about his vision for PASS- click here to read more and to listen to our conversation with him about the department and his ideas on how to best serve the state of Oklahoma in the days ahead.

  

CLAAS of America is advancing negotiations with its final list of prospective equipment dealers in western Texas and Oklahoma in wake of the recent announcement made by Warren CAT concerning the divestment of their agricultural stores. Warren CAT will continue to provide service and parts support to CLAAS customers through the dealer transition period.


"We wish Warren CAT the very best as they refocus their efforts in other markets outside of agriculture," said Eric Raby, CLAAS of America President and General Manager - Sales. "With this change comes a great opportunity for CLAAS. We look forward to expanding our service in these areas to provide customers with enhanced sales and service options."

Click here to read more about CLAAS plans to set up dealers here in the southern plains.

 

 

 

Oklahoma will get above freezing- but just barely- later on today- and according to the Wednesday morning weather blog written by Alan Crone from the News on 6 in Tulsa- temps will improve daily right on into early next week.

Alan writes "Temperatures today will start in the mid-20s with mostly cloudy conditions and end with highs only in the mid-30s.   Yesterday the clouds remained across the northeastern part of the state for the entire day.   This may happen again today, but we'll mention the chance of a sun break or two around the afternoon.   The clouds should, however, remain present and will keep our temperatures on the cold side today. 

"Partly sunny and cold weather will continue New Year's Eve with lows in the upper teens and lower 20s followed by highs in the upper 30s or lower 40s.    Wind will be relatively light and from the north around 10 mph.   Saturday lows in the mid-20s will be followed by highs in the mid-40s and Sunday afternoon highs in the upper 40s should be expected.   A return of a southerly wind Monday will signal the return of above normal temperatures with lows in the upper 20s and lower 30s and highs in the lower 50s.   The slightly warmer air will remain until the middle of next week. "

The temps that he mentions are for the Tulsa area- but are pretty close to what we see for central and western Oklahoma as well.

You can read Alan's entire blog by clicking here.