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, E-mail and Web Writer
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Oklahoma's Latest Farm and Ranch News
Presented by 
Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Thursday, September 22, 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. Senator Pat Roberts, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, yesterday held a hearing on the work of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the economic concerns voiced by farm country. The hearing, titled "The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Current State of the Farm Economy," featured testimony from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. For witness info, testimony, and to watch the hearing, click here. "Eleven days ago, I and Chairman Conaway attended the Kansas State Fair, a great opportunity to hear first-hand what folks had on their minds," said Chairman Roberts in his opening statement. "Plain and simple, farmers and ranchers are worried. The downturn in the agricultural economy is taking a toll on their pocketbooks and the health of many family operations." "During these tough economic times farmers, ranchers, and agri-businesses compete at the thinnest of profit margins. Unfortunately, this Administration appears to be moving forward with regulations across all sectors that will knowingly cut these margins, hurting both producers and consumers." "The regulatory framework we have today is vast, confusing and often counterproductive. We must find new ways to inject commonsense into the rule-making process across the entire federal government," said Chairman Roberts in his closing remarks. "The next Farm Bill must provide risk management tools that are straightforward, market orientated, and defendable." Click here to read Chairman Pat Roberts' full opening remarks. |
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Sponsor Spotlight
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We are the state's largest agricultural lending cooperative, serving 60 Oklahoma Counties. To learn more about Oklahoma AgCredit, click here for our website or call 866-245-3633.
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Wheat Growers Appreciate Senate's Attention to Declining Farm Economy
The National Association of Wheat Growers submitted testimony during yesterday's Senate hearing that discussed the dire economic conditions in wheat country. With Congress in session for only a limited time this month, NAWG was pleased to see that the Senate Ag Committee elevating the discussion of the state of the farm economy, particularly given the current low prices.
"Strong support for our nation's farmers is critical when the agriculture economy declines to the level we're experiencing today," said NAWG President Gordon Stoner. "Now, more than ever, it is important that we have a strong farm safety net and risk management tools in place to support the growers who feed the world."
NAWG's testimony urged Congress to continue their support and protect Title 1 crop insurance programs in the next Farm Bill. NAWG insisted Congress should also oppose destructive efforts by non-agriculture think tanks that undermine the current structure of the crop insurance program and push policies that would hurt farmers. NAWG states that with the farm economy declining, it is imperative that growers are given the support they need to carry on feeding America and the world. Click here to read the full written testimony submitted by NAWG. |
Wrongdoing Uncovered at the Oklahoma Beef Council
A former employee that worked for the Oklahoma Beef Council for over a decade is being investigated for apparent embezzlement. The Beef Council and their Executive Director, Heather Buckmaster, issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon that they became aware of possible wrongdoing a few weeks back- terminated the employee- and launched an internal investigation that involved a third party accounting firm to go over the financials for the Council. They discovered possible criminal activity by this person- and have now turned this over to law enforcement.
Here's the statement in full released by OBC on Wednesday:
"We recently became aware of employee wrongdoing at the Oklahoma Beef Council. We immediately terminated the employee and launched an internal investigation and engaged a third-party accounting firm to conduct a forensic analysis and assessment of our financial records. When our investigation revealed possible criminal activity by our employee, our legal counsel contacted the proper authorities and we are turning over information as they request.
"The Oklahoma Beef Council Board of Directors has moved swiftly to address the situation with the guidance of legal and accounting professionals. We are determined to take all appropriate steps in line with our fiduciary, ethical and legal responsibilities.
"The Board of Directors holds our duty to our fellow cattlemen and women at the highest level. Since this is a legal matter, we cannot comment any further at this time, but please know we will communicate additional information to the appropriate stakeholders as soon as we are able to do so."
Shortly after the OBC statement- the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association released a statement saying they fully support the Board of Directors of the OBC- and believe that the leadership of the Council has acted correctly in investigating and now turning the matter over to the "proper authorities" to ensure that justice is delivered for Oklahoma cattlemen and women.
Here's their statement:
"The Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association stands in full support of the Oklahoma Beef Council as they work through a situation involving possible criminal activity by an employee. We have full faith and confidence in the Oklahoma Beef Council leadership and believe they took the appropriate steps in conducting an internal investigation and turning the results of the investigation over to the proper authorities. This is now a criminal matter in the hands of law enforcement officers and we expect a full investigation and proper legal action to be taken to ensure justice is served for Oklahoma cattlemen and women. While we all want to know the details of what happened we must be patient and let the wheels of the legal system turn. We cannot let this distract us from dealing with serious issues threatening the future of the Oklahoma cattle industry, including the passage of State Question 777."
No details on dollar amounts that might be involved have been released yet- and it's unknown when criminal charges might be filed- it appears the investigation is in its early stages- and we have been promised more details on the "wrongdoing" to come just as quick as the legal process will allow.
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OSU's Josh Payne Urges Poultry Producers to Be Ready In Case Bird Flu Flies into Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University Extension Poultry Specialist Dr. Josh Payne warns that avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is an issue Oklahoma poultry producers need to have on their radar. He talked with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network's Kalee Horn about the challenges associated with avian influenza. With poultry being a large agricultural sector in the state, Payne says Oklahoma's commercial poultry producers as well as backyard flock owners need to be knowledgeable of this issue as well as the warning signs. Avian influenza is a strain of influenza carried by migratory water fowl including ducks and geese. According to Dr. Payne, it is actually just as common as human influenza. "If it's transmitted to domestic poultry, such as chickens or turkeys, it can result in a wide-spread disease and death," Payne said, referring to an incident in 2015 that positioned bird flu on the national stage, when it became the largest animal disease outbreak in US history. "It affected 50 million birds and cost about a billion dollars to keep it contained. "We saw 6.5% of the U.S. commercial turkey inventory and about 10% of the U.S. commercial egg-layers destroyed during this outbreak." According to Payne, symptoms could include lack of energy, loss of appetite and decreased production. If you notice birds starting to get sick, he urges producers to contact their local veterinarian, county extension agent, or the state veterinarian's office. Click here to read more and to listen in on Kalee's full conversation with Dr. Payne. |
Agriculture Community United in Message to Congress: "Pass TPP Now!"
The American Farm Bureau Federation, the Coalition of Services Industries, the Information Technology Industry Council and the National Association of Manufacturers yesterday called on the president and congressional leadership to work together to approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement by year-end.
The National Corn Growers Association also made their stance known, delivering in total 6,325 letters to Members of Congress, written by corn farmers from around the country in support of a quick and speedy passage of TPP.
AFBF and its associates delivered their own letter, signed by the presidents of the four groups, laid out the important benefits expected to accrue from the deal - an accord that will give American farms, ranches and companies access to nearly 500 million consumers in the Asia-Pacific region.
"As the most productive industries in the world, our enterprises need access to new consumers and markets to sustain, let alone grow, production and good-paying jobs," the groups wrote. "Yet, U.S. industries face increasing competition as our global competitors are benefitting from trade deals that exclude and disadvantage the United States. ...The status quo is not acceptable for industries that need new markets to sustain and grow our workforces in the United States."
Click here to read more on the group's support for TPP. "Trade is good for America, especially our farm economy," said Chip Bowling, president of NCGA. "On behalf of all corn farmers across America, we urge Congress to act now. Pass TPP and give America's farmers and ranchers a chance to compete for the world's business." Click here to read more comments by Bowling and NCGA. |
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Sponsor Spotlight
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To learn more about each of the varieties OGI represents, click here for their website. You will find a "Seed Source" with a list of where seed for each variety can be purchased for the 2017 wheat planting season.
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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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High Hazard Flood Control Dams in Oklahoma Total 260 After 21 Added to the State List
The total number of high hazard flood control dams in Oklahoma now stands at 260 out of 2,107 total structures. Based on hazard classification reviews conducted in 2015, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Engineering Section in Oklahoma has added 21 dams to the list of high hazard structures and removed 10.
"The hazard potential of a dam has nothing to do with the condition of the dam," said Chris Stoner, NRCS State Conservation Engineer in Oklahoma. "It is only a reflection of downstream conditions and the potential for damage or loss of life in the unlikely event of a failure of the dam."
Operation and maintenance of flood control dams is critical to protecting homes and businesses, farms and ranches downstream. This is especially true in instances where a high hazard dam has not yet been upgraded to meet high hazard design standards.
Click here to read more on the recent additions to Oklahoma's list of High Hazard Flood Control Dams.
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Rodale Institute Launches New Organic Farmers Association, Gives Producers a Voice
Rodale Institute, the world's leading organic agriculture research organization, has launched a new membership organization for organic farmers. The new Organic Farmers Association will exist to provide a voice for organic farmers on policy issues, help organic farmers network and share information, and serve as a resource center for organic farmers to succeed.
"A lot of people say they speak for farmers," said Jeff Moyer, Executive Director, Rodale Institute. "But there are no national organizations that exist specifically for organic farmers, by organic farmers. A lot of organic farmers are still isolated in their communities. We'd like to unite the nearly 20,000 organic farms around the country to provide that voice, provide a network, and provide the resources that farmers need to be successful."
Click here to read more about the institute's new venture in representation for organic farmers.
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Farm Bureau Hosting Informational Social Event Tonight in Norman
Oklahoma Farm Bureau is set to host "Get on Tap with 777" TONIGHT, September 22 at 5:30 p.m. at McNellie's Abner Ale House in Norman.
At the event, participants will have the opportunity to learn more about State Question 777, or the Right to Farm ballot initiative. Guests will enjoy free drinks and appetizers. More details about this event are available here.
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