Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- OSU Veterinarian Rosslyn Biggs Says Catttle Producers Should Make Biosecurity Plan a Priority
- Mixed News on Farm Bankruptcies Amid Pandemic
- Trump Administration Invests $7 Million to Modernize Water and Wastewater Infrastructure in Rural Communities in Oklahoma
- TCFA's Ross Wilson Says More Robust Price Discovery Does Not Guarantee Higher Prices
- Strengthening Organic Enforcement Proposed Rule: Public Comment Period Opens
- Dairy MAX and Trucking Companies Partner to Deliver More Than 200,000 Gallons of Milk to Local Food Banks Since May 2020
- This Weeks Ag in the Classroom, Adopt a Cow!
- AND FINALLY- the Yellow Brick Road in Kansas Runs From the Big First to the US Senate
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OSU Veterinarian Rosslyn Biggs Says Catttle Producers Should Make Biosecurity Plan a Priority |
Having a biosecurity plan in place should be a priority for cattle producers says Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, OSU beef cattle extension specialist and College of Veterinary Medicine director. Dr. Biggs made a presentation on the Secure Beef supply plan at the recent Oklahoma Cattleman’s Assoc. conference. Radio Oklahoma Agriculture Network Associate Farm Director and Editor KC Sheperd talked with Dr. Biggs following the presentation.
The Secure Beef plan focuses on foot and mouth disease.
In Oklahoma we have Dr. Hall, state veterinarian and his team working on a biosecurity plan based on the current national plan, Biggs said.
I think as producers we need to start thinking about our own biosecurity plans, put those in writing and practice them, Biggs said.
Biggs said we haven’t had foot and mouth disease since 1929 but if we were to have an outbreak today it would be devastating.
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Midwest Farm Shows is proud to produce the two best Farm Shows in the State of Oklahoma annually- the Tulsa Farm Show each December and the Oklahoma City Farm Show each April. (rescheduled for June in 2020)
They would like to thank all of you who participated in their 2020 Oklahoma City Farm Show.
Up next will be the Tulsa Farm Show in December 2020- the dates are December 10th, 11th, and 12th.
Now is the ideal time to contact the Midwest Farm Show Office at 507-437-7969 and book space at the 2020 Tulsa Farm Show. To learn more about the Tulsa Farm Show, click here.
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Mixed News on Farm Bankruptcies Amid Pandemic |
Farm bankruptcies increased 8% over a 12-month period, with 580 filings from June 2019 to June 2020. A six-month comparison, however, shows the number of new Chapter 12 filings slowing. Several contributing factors are likely at play as farmers struggle to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Midwest, Northwest and Southeast were hardest hit, representing 80% of the filings across the U.S. Wisconsin led the nation with 69 filings, followed by 38 in Nebraska. Georgia and Minnesota each had 36 filings.
A closer examination of the numbers shows that while year-over-year filings increased for the month of June, filings slowed during the first six months of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019. The latest AFBF Market Intel, written jointly with the Association of Chapter 12 Trustees, shows from January to June 2020, there were 284 new Chapter 12 bankruptcy cases, 10 fewer than the same time in 2019. The reduction in filings coincides with aid distributed in the CARES Act that compensates farmers and ranchers for losses incurred from January through mid-April of this year. According to the Association of Chapter 12 Trustees, approximately 60% of farm bankruptcies are successfully completed – the highest successful percentage of all the reorganization chapters.
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Trump Administration Invests $7 Million to Modernize Water and Wastewater Infrastructure in Rural Communities in Oklahoma |
The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $462 million to modernize critical drinking water and wastewater infrastructure across rural America.
“Delivery of safe, reliable and affordable water is a basic need for the health and safety of our rural citizens. The opportunity to build new infrastructure or to improve existing infrastructure is important to the rural communities of Oklahoma,” State Director for USDA Rural Development Oklahoma, Dr. Lee Denney, said. “We are pleased that these investments are being made in Oklahoma.”
Background:
USDA is funding 161 projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. These investments will benefit 467,000 residents. The following are projects being funded in Oklahoma under today’s announcement.
• Rural Water Sewer & Solid Waste Management District No. 1, Beckham County will receive $911,000 in loan and grant funds for two projects. One project is to replace an 8-inch water line and the second project is to replace a 16-inch water line. Due to drought conditions in 2017 and subsequent heavy rains and flooding in 2019, these lines were destroyed. The district provides water to residential, commercial, and wholesale users.
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TCFA's Ross Wilson Says More Robust Price Discovery Does Not Guarantee Higher Prices |
Continuing our discussion of the fallout from last week’s live cattle committee meeting at the NCBA summer conference, Ross Wilson, president and CEO of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA) says they can’t guarantee higher prices.
More robust price discovery, either voluntarily or by mandatory means, does not guarantee high prices, Wilson said.
As you well know we’re talking about supply and demand, that’s what determines prices, Wilson said.
The TCFA leader said there is some confusion in the country and that played out in the committee meeting discussion.
We can get there voluntarily but if we don’t NCBA will ask Congress for a regulatory solution, he said.
Wilson noted there are many ways to achieve more transparent price discovery.
We at one time had seven alternatives on the table, he said.
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We invite you to listen to us on great radio stations across the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network weekdays-
if you missed this morning's Farm News - or you are in an area where you can't hear it- click below for this morning's Farm news from Ron Hays and KC Sheperd on RON.
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Sponsor Spotlight
Established in 1905 as Oklahoma Farmers Union, AFR/OFU has been a champion for rural Oklahoma for more than 100 years. Today, the AFR/OFU Cooperative provides educational, legislative and cooperative programs across the state and AFR Insurance provides auto, home, farm and life insurance to both rural and urban Oklahomans.
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Strengthening Organic Enforcement Proposed Rule: Public Comment Period Opens |
The USDA National Organic Program’s (NOP) Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) proposed rule will publish in the Federal Register on August 5, 2020.
This proposed rule significantly updates the USDA organic regulations to strengthen oversight and enforcement throughout the organic supply chain. It proposes changes that implement provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill and addresses recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board and the USDA Office of Inspector General.
Deadline for public comment--October 5, 2020 at 11:59pm Eastern.
Public review and comment is encouraged.
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Dairy MAX and Trucking Companies Partner to Deliver More Than 200,000 Gallons of Milk to Local Food Banks Since May 2020 |
Nonprofit regional dairy council Dairy MAX today announced that more than 200,000 gallons of milk have been distributed to regional food banks in an multi-state area since May 2020 as part of dairy farmer’s collective COVID-19 relief efforts.Dairy MAX represents more than 900 dairy farm families across eight states.
The organization made the decision to quickly assist with milk distribution at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, mobilizing to assist regionally. Specifically, dairy farmers hoped to help feed Americans in need, providing nutrition, fighting hunger and caring for neighbors. More than 37 million Americans are fed through the Feeding America network of food banks and pantries each year. However, due to COVID-19, 17 million more Americans are relying on this same network. (Source: Feeding America)
Americans may not realize that milk is one of the most requested items at food banks,yet is also the least donated by individuals. Recently the USDA began the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to purchase and distribute agricultural products to those in need through local food banks. Through this program, the USDA purchased $317 million dollars in dairy products and assigned an additional $175 million to developing a combination box of fresh produce, dairy or meat products.
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This Weeks Ag in the Classroom, Adopt a Cow! |
Summertime is here and the kiddos are out of school with many parents are at home with their kiddos, wondering, "What do we do now?" Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom has come up with some excellent daily activities you can do with your kids and family.
Today we are talking to all those incredible teachers out there! This website/program featured in today's post is one we recently learned about from one of our awesome AITC teachers. Do any of you teach about Dairy Cattle and milk in your classrooms? If you do, you don't want to miss this one! Discover Dairy has the 'Adopt a Cow' program...don't worry - they are not sending a cow to live in your classroom!!
Throughout the 'Adopt a Cow' program, you’ll find out what her name is, when her birthday is, where she lives and how the farmer takes care of her. We’ll also send photos of the cow, activity sheets for the students, a PowerPoint full of information, photos and a suggested lesson. They encourage classes to fully engage in this program and even write letters to their calf and host farm family, not only to practice their writing skills but also to show their love for their calf. They keep you posted on her progress while you and your students enjoy the cuteness of your adorable calf.
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AND FINALLY- the Yellow Brick Road in Kansas Runs From the Big First to the US Senate |
Who's going to replace Pat? Senator Pat Roberts, that is. The Senior member of the Kansas Congressional delegation is retiring this year.
Senator Roberts, known for his dry wit ("Chances of that happening are slim and none- And Slim just left town.") has served as both the Chairman of the House Ag Committee (and helped write the Freedom to Farm Law in 1996) and now the Chairman of the Senate Ag Committee- leading the way in the development of the 2018 Farm Law. He is the first person to ever serve as Chair of both Committees.
His days in the House were spent representing the Big First District of Kansas- known as the Big First because it covers so much of the land mass that is the western half of the state of Kansas. He jumped from that House Seat to the Senate in the fall of 1996.
Now his seat will be open and the current occupant of the Big First Congressional seat in Kansas- Dr. Roger Marshall, is running to fill the seat left by Roberts.
Yesterday- Marshall won the GOP primary for that open Senate seat in Kansas, turning aside the controversial Kris Kobach.
Marshall overcame $5 million in spending by a super PAC with Democratic ties that appeared to be boosting Kobach, who lost the state’s 2018 governor’s race and was seen as a more beatable nominee.
Marshall, a two-term congressman, will face state Sen. Barbara Bollier, the winner of the Democratic primary, in the general election.
And remember- the junior Senator from Kansas- Jerry Moran- also was the Congressman from western Kansas before he ran for and was elected as the other Sunflower State Senator.
Dr. Marshall hopes to build on that Big First to US Senate Legacy come November. Kansas is a very red state and he has an excellent chance to make that happen- and if he is elected- he may well be the next Big First Congressman that moves from the House Ag Committee to the Senate Ag Committee in 2021.
BY THE WAY- back last September- Congressman Marshall visited Oklahoma and stopped at the Oklahoma National Stockyards- we talked with him during that stop- click here for that story and listen to our conversation with Dr. Marshall.
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OKC West is our Market Links Sponsor- they sell cattle three days a week- Cows on Mondays, Stockers on Tuesday and Feeders on Wednesday- Call 405-262-8800 to learn more.
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Today's First Look:
Ron on RON Markets as heard on K101
mornings with cash and futures reviewed- includes where the Cash Cattle market stands, the latest Feeder Cattle Markets Etc.
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Wholesale Boxed Beef Prices were mixed- Choice Beef off 42 cents while Select was up a nickel.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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OKC West in El Reno had 1,500 head for the calf run on Tuesday- Compared to last Tuesday: Steer and heifer calves traded 2.00-4.00 higher, instances of thinner fleshed cattle cattle trading sharply higher.
Click below to check the full report.
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Each afternoon we are posting a recap of that day's markets as analyzed by Justin Lewis of KIS futures - click below for the latest update on the Livestock and Grain Futures Trade..
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Okla Cash Grain:
Daily Oklahoma Cash Grain Prices- as reported by the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture- The report available after the close of the Futures Trade for that day.
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Our Oklahoma Farm Report Team!!!!
Ron Hays, Senior Farm Director and Editor
KC Sheperd, Associate Farm Director and Editor
Dave Lanning, Markets and Production
Sam Knipp, Farm News Editor
Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager
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Rural Oklahoma is full of some of the greatest success stories throughout the entire state and are a main reason Oklahoma is on track to become a top 10 state.
The Road to Rural Prosperity will dive into these stories each week bringing you insight into the great things happening in and to rural Oklahoma. We will bring you stories covering rural life, agriculture, energy, healthcare, tourism and politics all affecting rural America.
The Road to Rural Prosperity is here to tell stories about rural America, for rural America.
The latest Episode features Dr. Barry Pollard who has been selected as the winner of the 2020 Governor's Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture, making him the 23rd individual to be inducted into the Oklahoma Ag Hall of Fame. We talked with Dr. Pollard after he had received the award at the 2020 Oklahoma Cattlemen's Convention in Tulsa on July 24th- and talked about his service to Oklahoma Agriculture and Rural Oklahoma- as a Surgeon based in Enid, as an Agri-businessman operating a multi state John Deere Dealership and as a nationally known Angus Breeder.
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Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, AFR Insurance, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Ag Mediation Program, Great Plains Kubota, Stillwater Milling Company, Oklahoma Cotton Council, National Livestock Credit Corporation, Oklahoma Beef Council, Oklahoma AgCredit, the Oklahoma Cattlemens Association, and KIS Futures for their support of our daily Farm News Update.
For your convenience, we have our sponsors' websites linked here- just click on their name to jump to their website- check their sites out and let these folks know you appreciate the support of this daily email, as their sponsorship helps us keep this arriving in your inbox on a regular basis- at NO Charge!
We invite you to check out our website at the link below too that includes an archive of these daily emails, audio reports and top farm news story links from around the globe.
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God Bless!
Reach Out To Us:
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Tim West
President/General Manager
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
2401 Exchange Avenue,
Suite F
Oklahoma City, OK 73108
405.317.6361
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Ron Hays
Director of Farm Programming
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
405.473.6144
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