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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update. 
 

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GMO Labeling Bill in Senate Ag Committee Gathering Support Ahead of Thursday Business Meeting

The Rise of Sugarcane Aphids in Sorghum Presents a Major Headache for Growers

Sugarcane Aphids have captured the attention of farmers, extension specialists and researchers with their rapid emergence and potential for major damage to the US grain sorghum crop. This is a new pest in sorghum that has been spreading across sorghum producing states.

Oklahoma State University Extension Entomologist Tom Royer says over the last two to three years the problem has erupted. Last year the problem exploded in impacting nearly half of the United States. Royer said sugarcane aphids affected 35 plus counties in Oklahoma, basically any county with sorghum. He has never seen a pest come on the scene this quick and be this much of a problem in causing immense damage and yield loss. He said the last time many farmers have seen an outbreak like this was when greenbug moved into sorghum in the 1960's.

Royer and other researchers are scrambling for answers for farmers. OSU is trying to determine which sorghum varieties are resistant and susceptible to sugarcane aphids. Royer said this year OSU will be sampling fields for sugarcane aphid populations in trying to determine the economic impact of the aphid, as well as threshold levels for treatment. Royer said that will help farmers determine at what level it will be worth the expense of treatment to maximize yield potential.

Dr. Royer and I talked this past week about the impact of sugarcane aphids.  Click or tap here to hear more about recommendations from OSU prior to spring planting. 

Jarold Callahan Says Genomic EPDs Will Help Bull Buyers

It's spring bull sale season. One of the larger sales in the region held annually is the big sale at Express Ranches in Yukon, Oklahoma. Express Ranches President Jarold Callahan said this year they will offer over 500 bulls, mostly Angus. The bulls will be sold in person at the ranch, as well as on the internet. Callahan said they are excited for the offering as they continue to invest and reinvest in the best cattle genetics.


Callahan said the bulls that are marketing have the most complete dataset available. The data can be accessed through the Express Ranches website.   There buyers can sort the bulls based on certain criteria. All bulls have been genomically tested, which is the DNA profile for each specially trait. Callahan said even though these are yearling to 20 month old bulls, he said it gives buyers the same confidence in those cattle as if they sired seven to 20 calves depending on the particular trait.


"We do this for our bull customers, so they can buy with a greater degree of confidence that the EPD's are accurate and correct," Callahan said.


EPD's have been around long enough that a lot of producers are comfortable with the data information and making decisions off of them.   With today's EPD's using genomics, Callahan said producers have to realize that are much more accurate and better than ever before. He said both commercial and purebred producers need to concentrate on the EPD's and on the bio-economic indexes, the dollar values, to make their selection. In looking for a bull for heifers, Callahan said producers need to focus on calving ease direct (CED), the birthweight EPD as well as the growth and carcass traits.   


I featured Callahan on today's Beef Buzz. Click here to listen to today's Beef Buzz.

We have also posted our complete interview with Jarold as a Podcast- click here to check it out.

AFR Delegates Set Policy for the Farm Group at 111th Annual Convention

 
During the American Farmers & Ranchers annual convention, Feb. 19-21, voting delegates adopted policies on water, health care, State Question 777, earthquakes and other issues critical to rural Oklahoma.


"Our members spoke with a strong, united voice on these issues," said Terry Detrick, AFR president. "This was true grassroots policy development."


On the issue of water, delegates said "We support legislation defining water quality and water quantity as compelling state interests." In addition, they adopted new language stating "We support continued studies on underground aquifer water storage, recharge and recovery."


The delegates strongly supported State Question 777, Right to Farm. The measure, which will give protection to consumers and production agriculture, is on the general election ballot in November.
"We are working hard to make sure everyone understands the need for voters to pass this issue in November," Detrick said.

There was more in the way of policies as adopted by the AFR delegates- click here to read about those decisions.

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Growth Energy Members Discuss Eliminating Market Barriers to Ethanol

Growth Energy, the largest trade association representing the producers and supporters of the ethanol industry, held the first panel at their seventh annual Executive Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla. The panel was entitled, "Don't Get Stuck in the Gears - Eliminating Market Barriers to Ethanol."


There is no shortage of obstacles hindering the sale of ethanol. The uncertainty surrounding the Renewable Fuel Standard, consistently shifting legal challenges on the state and federal levels and the Reid Vapor Pressure debate are all barriers to the widespread adoption of higher blends of ethanol, such as E15.


Discussion focused on the important actions the policy, legal and regulatory teams must take so the industry can overcome these hurdles. Growth Energy's efforts are clear - to usher in the widespread availability of renewable fuels so that consumers have an unrestricted choice of renewable fuels when they go to fill up at the pump.  Click or tap here to read more about this discussion. 

This N That - Big Iron Wednesday, Rainfall in Southeast and Forecast Shows Winter Arrives Early March

If you were north of I-40 and west of Oklahoma City- you came away disappointed in the rainfall that hit your location yesterday- the southeastern half of the state was where the rain was- several locations had more than two inches of rainfall- Holdenville was the Mesonet location that got more than two inches that was the northernmost point in Oklahoma for that much rainfall.

Far southwest Oklahoma got a half inch to just under one inch of rain, while west central, north central and northwest Oklahoma all were left begging for even tenth of an inch or two.

According to Jed Castles of News9- the next chance for a rain/snow event comes next Tuesday or so- here's his nine day that shows more fire danger DEAD AHEAD.

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