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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update. 
 

-- Jed's Nine Day Shows Two Shots of Fall and Two Shots of Rain

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Wet Conditions Cause Delays in Harvest Though Crop Progress Reports Still Looking Good

The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture crop progress report rates 74 percent of the US Corn Crop as being in good to excellent condition- down 1 from a week ago, 19 percent fair and 7 percent poor to very poor. National soybean conditions remain unchanged from a week ago in the good to excellent ratings- still at 73 percent while soybeans are 20 percent fair and 7 percent poor to very poor. The national grain sorghum condition is up 1 percentage point from a week ago at 66 percent good to excellent, 28 percent fair and 6 percent poor to very poor. National cotton conditions are holding in the good to excellent ratings- steady at 48 percent, 37 percent fair, 12 percent poor and 4 percent very poor. For the complete USDA Crop Progress report, click here.


In the weekly crop progress report from USDA, Oklahoma corn dough reached 90 percent, unchanged from the previous year but down 7 points from normal. Corn dented reached 68 percent, down 15 points from the previous year and down 21 points from normal. Corn mature reached 38 percent, up 11 points from the previous year but down 7 points from normal. Sorghum headed reached 95 percent, up 2 points from the previous year but up 8 points from normal. Sorghum coloring reached 56 percent, down 14 points from the previous year and down 3 points from normal. Sorghum mature reached 27 percent, up 5 points from the previous year and up 5 points from normal. Sorghum harvested reached 9 percent, up 5 points from the previous year but up 3 points from normal. Soybeans blooming reached 83 percent, down 5 points from the previous year and down 8 points from normal. Soybeans setting pods reached 70 percent, down 3 points from the previous year and up 1 point from normal. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 10 percent, up 8 points from the previous year and up 9 points from normal. Cotton setting bolls reached 90 percent, down 6 points from the previous year and unchanged from normal. Cotton bolls opening reached 11 percent, down 2 points from the previous year but down 10 points from normal.

Click here for the full Oklahoma report.   


Corn, sorghum and cotton harvest were delayed but ongoing in areas of Texas this past week. Corn harvest was 57 percent complete, 1 point higher than last week and 1 point higher than normal. Mature corn reached 66 percent, on par with normal. Sorghum harvest was 49 percent complete, just 2 points higher than last week and 11 points below normal. Across the state, sorghum was 76 percent mature, which is 3 points higher than the five-year average. Soybeans were 96 percent setting pods, which is 3 points higher than the 5-year average. Soybeans dropping leaves were at 48 percent, 15 points lower than normal. Cotton harvest was at 7 percent, 2 points lower than normal. Cotton bolls opened were at 28 percent, just 1 point under the 5-year average.

Click here for the full Texas report. 


In the weekly crop progress report from USDA, Kansas corn condition rated 2 percent very poor, 6 poor, 25 fair, 56 good, and 11 excellent. Corn dough was 94 percent, near 96 last year, and near the five-year average of 97. Dented was 80 percent, near 77 last year and 78 average. Mature was 26 percent, near 28 last year, and behind 34 average. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 poor, 26 fair, 55 good, and 14 excellent. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 poor, 26 fair, 55 good, and 14 excellent. Setting pods was 90 percent, near 88 both last year and average. Dropping leaves was 5 percent, near 9 both last year and average. Sorghum condition rated 1 percent very poor, 3 poor, 22 fair, 59 good, and 15 excellent. Sorghum coloring was 69 percent, ahead of 61 last year, and well ahead of 46 average. Mature was 9 percent, near 7 last year, and 6 average.

Click here for the Kansas report.

Huge Crops and Falling Prices Crashes Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer 

After months of increases in producer sentiment toward the U.S. agricultural economy, the August reading of the Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer showed that declining commodity prices are weighing on the minds of producers.

Producer sentiment declined sharply to 95 - a 17-point drop from the July reading. The barometer is based on a monthly survey of 400 U.S. agricultural producers and includes measures of sentiment toward current conditions and future expectations.

The Index of Current Conditions fell from 93 in July to 80 in August, while the Index of Future Expectations dropped to 102 from July's 121.

"This was in sharp contrast to July when farmers' optimism about future prospects pushed the barometer up, despite their concerns about current economic conditions," said Jim Mintert, the barometer's principal investigator and director of Purdue's Center for Commericial Agriculture. "Farmer sentiment in late spring and early summer was buoyed by a spring rally in key commodity prices, but near-ideal growing conditions for corn and soybeans this summer helped push yield prospects up and crop prices down sharply."

Read more from this latest report on this barometer by clicking or tapping here.

Producers May Have Best Chance in Years to Get Head Start Establishing Wheat Pastures for Fall

With no other good alternatives out there right now, there stands to be a lot of potential interest for grazing wheat pastures this year, according to Extension Livestock Market Economist Dr. Derrell Peel. He recently said that with fresh rains across the wheat belt and soil temperatures down in Oklahoma, farmers probably have the best opportunity they've had in several years to plant their wheat early. For producers who want to get a head start in establishing fall wheat pasture, he says now is the time to get it in the ground.


To ensure you get the most pounds of forage in your pasture, Peel says farmers will need to make some early considerations.


"If you're growing forage for winter grazing you're going to plant earlier - there are some agronomic tradeoffs - it's really a different crop, and so dual purpose wheat in that sense is different than grain only," Peel said. "So that affects how we're going to do it for this winter and again it may affect how we set ourselves up to be ready for next spring depending on whether we do in fact want to harvest that grain or go ahead and graze out the wheat."


Listen to Dr. Peel offer his advice to farmers about establishing wheat pastures this fall during the latest Beef Buzz.

$2.1 Million Awarded to State Firefighters Association for Volunteer Firefighter Recruiting Campaign

The Oklahoma State Firefighters Association (OSFA) has been awarded $2.1 million in federal funding to implement a statewide volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention campaign.


"We are excited to accept this grant and assist our local fire departments find, train, and outfit volunteer firefighters all over this great state," said OSFA President Mike Duncan. "As a Captain on a volunteer fire department, I can say this will go a long way toward reinforcing Oklahoma's volunteer fire service and making certain that our communities are better served and protected."


This award is a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant; a FEMA administered, Department of Homeland Security program designed to increase the number of "front-line" first responders in local communities.


The OSFA will use this SAFER Grant to partner with numerous organizations to help identify potential candidates and work with local departments to recruit volunteer firefighters. In addition, the OSFA will coordinate and conduct more than $1,000,000 worth of fire and emergency services training. This grant also provides funding that will help us equip many of Oklahoma's volunteer first responders with life-saving personal protective gear over the next four years.

Click here to read more about efforts to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Ag Groups Host Sporting Clays Shoot to Support the SQ777 Vote YES Campaign

Oklahoma agriculture groups are hosting a sporting clays shoot to help support the vote yes campaign for SQ777, known as, Oklahoma's Right to Farm. The sporting clays shoot will take place on Thursday, Oct. 13 at Silverleaf Shooting Sports located near Guthrie, Okla. 


"The proceeds from the shoot will benefitOklahoma Farmers Care to support the SQ777 Vote Yes Campaign," said Jimmy Kinder, Treasurer of Oklahoma Farmers Care. "Oklahoma Agriculture groups are united in supporting SQ777 because agriculture is the lifeblood of Oklahoma's economy and a deeply held part of Oklahoma's heritage."


Registration for event will begin at 11 a.m., followed by lunch at noon. A mandatory Safety Meeting for all shooters starts at 12:30 p.m. and shooting begins promptly at 1 p.m.


Individuals or teams of four may participate. Entering early is encouraged. On-site entry is available for an additional cost. Awards will be given to the top individual and top team.

Click here for a link to more information on the sporting clays shoot to support SQ777.

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Kansas Ranchers Say Their Holistic Operation Helps Make Them More Relatable to Consumers

The Jaeger family knows that without optimum health in all aspects of their operation, there is no sustainability. They want those outside agriculture to know it, too.


"We think it's important to have transparency in what we're doing and how we're producing to the consumer," Titus Jaeger said, "and we believe that it's imperative to handle our livestock in a low stress environment and to follow the protocols and guidelines that are set out by the beef quality assurance." 


Studies show that two of the Jaegers' operational goals are closely related: producing the best beef and low-stress cattle handling. 


"I think when you want high-quality beef that includes taking really great care of the cattle and really great care of the land that you're on. They all work together," Erika Jaeger said. "The word holistic really defines what we're looking for."


That means looking at the entire business, from genetics and marketing to animal and soil health. They've made improvements with a comprehensive grazing plan the last two years. 


Watch the video featuring the Jaeger family of Ingalls, Kansas.

Oklahoma Stewardship Council Plans Kick Off Rally in Oklahoma City Tonight for Those Opposed to State Question 777

 

One of two groups formed to oppose State Question 777, the Right to Farm State Constitutional Amendment proposal that is on the ballot this November, is planning a series of local meetings across Oklahoma to drum up support for a "NO" vote on the measure. The Oklahoma Stewardship Council, funded in part by the Humane Society of the US, has announced a dozen meetings across the state in September.

The first of their meetings is planned for tonight, Wednesday, September 7th at St. Paul's Cathedral on NW 7th Street in downtown Oklahoma City. According to the group, "State Question 777 is a dangerous amendment that could devastate Oklahoma's family farms, take away your voting rights and harm animals. We're working to stop this harmful measure. But to be successful, Oklahomans like you need to get involved. Please join us at our Kick-Off rally to help defeat this measure."

Click or tap here to read more about the meetings planned by the Stewardship Council- and we have multiple links in our story to help you dive deeper into the battle over State Question 777- on both sides.

Jed's Nine Day Shows Two Shots of Fall and Two Shots of Rain

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