Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
|
|
Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Monday, August 10, 2020
|
|
|
|
Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- FSA Announces Change in Emergency haying/Grazing Rules on CRP Ground
- Ag Exemption For ELD Rule Expires Sept. 30- NCBA's Allison Rivera Offers an Update
- okPORK Applauds Outgoing Board Members, Cathy Vaughan and Phil Oliphant
- Farmers Need More Time to Access Aid
- Institute at OSU Focuses on Biosecurity
- FSA Announces Change in Emergency haying/Grazing Rules on CRP Ground
- Growth Energy Applauds Renewed House Push for Biofuel Relief
- Oklahoma Agritourism--Sunflower Fields of Oklahoma
- Congressman Frank Lucas Cheers Move by FSA on CRP Changes
|
FSA Announces Change in Emergency haying/Grazing Rules on CRP Ground |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency announced Friday changes for emergency haying and grazing of acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). This includes changes outlined in the 2018 Farm Bill that streamlines the authorization process for farmers and ranchers.
"FSA authorizes emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program acres under certain conditions to provide emergency relief to livestock producers in times of severe drought or similar natural disasters," said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “These program changes will simplify the authorization process with an automatic trigger by severe drought designation, allowing livestock producers to quickly access much-needed forage.”
Previously emergency haying and grazing requests originated with FSA at the county level and required state and national level approval. Now approval will be based on drought severity as determined by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Producers located in a county that is designated as severe drought (D2) or greater on or after the last day of the primary nesting season are eligible for emergency haying and grazing on all eligible acres. Additionally, producers located in counties that were in a severe drought (D2) status any single week during the last eight weeks of the primary nesting season may also be eligible for emergency haying and grazing unless the FSA County Committee determines that forage conditions no longer warrant emergency haying and grazing.
|
Dating back to 1891, Stillwater Milling Company has been supplying ranchers with the highest quality feeds made from the highest quality ingredients. Their full line of A & M Feeds can be delivered direct to your farm, found at their Agri-Center stores in Stillwater, Davis, Claremore and Perry or at more than 125 dealers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Texas. We appreciate Stillwater Milling Company’s long time support of the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and we encourage you to click here to learn more about their products and services.
|
Ag Exemption For ELD Rule Expires Sept. 30- NCBA's Allison Rivera Offers an Update |
Enforcement of the Electronic Logging Devices (ELD’s) rule for trucks has been worrisome for agriculture since its inception during the Obama administration. Fortunately, certain segments of agriculture have been temporarily exempted from the rule but that could soon expire.
Allison Rivera, executive director of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, recently provided an update during an interview with me.
The message we continue to push is we need flexibility in hauling livestock in order to make sure we can put products on the grocery shelves, Rivera said.
She said NCBA continues to push for the ELD delay as Congress works on the budget appropriations process.
Rivera said they have been successful in delaying full implementation of the ELD's for livestock haulers until Sept. 30.
|
okPORK Applauds Outgoing Board Members, Cathy Vaughan and Phil Oliphant |
On August 7, 2020, okPORK honored two outgoing board members at the 61st annual Oklahoma Pork Congress. Cathy Vaughan, safety coordinator for Smithfield Foods in Oklahoma, and Phil Oliphant, a pig farmer from El Reno.
Both Vaughan and Oliphant have served two three-year terms on the okPORK Board.
"Cathy and Phil have done an outstanding job being a voice for pork producers across the state." said Roy Lee Lindsey, okPORK executive director. “We appreciate their time and commitment to the Oklahoma Pork Council.”
Vaughan and Oliphant spend their time working directly with the industry, and act as a voice for pork producers across the state by attending and engaging in Oklahoma pork board meetings. They each also served as President of the okPORK board of directors, Vaughan in 2019-2020 and Oliphant in 2017-2018.
|
|
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
|
|
Farmers Need More Time to Access Aid |
The American Farm Bureau Federation is asking the USDA to extend the application deadline for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). AFBF, along with 27 other agriculture organizations, sent a letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue requesting the deadline be pushed beyond August 28, 2020.
The funding, approved through the CARES Act, is providing much-needed financial support to livestock, dairy, non-specialty and specialty crop producers. The letter states, however, the current deadline “may exclude eligible producers from participating in the program – including producers of commodities that were recently added to the list of eligible commodities and commodities that are likely to become eligible through the NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability) process.”
Along with extending the deadline, the letter strongly encourages the USDA to “increase producer and stakeholder engagement initiatives. While the Department has done a commendable job in reaching out to all affected parties, communication and outreach by FSA staff has likely been significantly impacted by the lack of face-to-face interactions; in addition, many producers eligible for CFAP have had limited or no previous interaction with FSA staff.”
The 499,156 applications received represent only 24% of all farm operations. Several commodities have extremely low participation rates including carrots at 1%, oranges at 2%, tomatoes at 6% and apples at 10%. Those numbers may indicate many farmers are not aware they qualify for CFAP assistance.
|
|
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.
|
Sponsor Spotlight
The Oklahoma Farm Bureau - a grassroots organization that has for its Mission Statement- “Improving the Lives of Rural Oklahomans." Farm Bureau, as the state's largest general farm organization, is active at the State Capitol fighting for the best interests of its members and working with other groups to make certain that the interests of rural Oklahoma are protected. Click here for their website to learn more about the organization and how it can benefit you to be a part of Farm Bureau.
-------------------------------------------------------
The U.S. Census records data about people in out nation. It takes place every 10 years. Our hospitals, schools, senior centers, and police and fire departments get money based off the Census. More Oklahomans counted means more money for the things that help make our state great.
The Census affects voting as well. State and federal districts are set by the Census count. If everyone in our area isn’t counted, we won’t have as strong of a voice in the state and U.S. capitals for the next 10 years.
The Census takes less than 15 minutes online or by phone. It has 12 simple questions. By law, your data isn’t shared with anyone except the Census Bureau.
|
|
|
Institute at OSU Focuses on Biosecurity |
Scientists and graduate students with Oklahoma State University’s Institute for Biosecurity and Microbial Forensics are helping the COVID-19 response, joining forces with OSU’s Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory to help speed up virus testing for the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
Formerly known as the National Institute of Microbial Forensics in Food and Agricultural Biosecurity, the recently renamed institute focuses on tactical sciences needed to succeed in biosecurity objectives, said Kitty Cardwell, who has served as the director of the institute for four years.
While it might sound like something out of a spy novel, agricultural and environmental biosecurity is a significant concern to producers, law enforcement agencies, government officials and consumers. The current pandemic is an example of yet another facet of the field.
|
Growth Energy Applauds Renewed House Push for Biofuel Relief |
Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor thanked members of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus for their efforts to deliver long-overdue relief to the biofuel sector in the next round of COVID-19 relief legislation.
Led by Reps. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa), and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), 31 members of the caucus sent a letter to House and Senate Leadership calling for negotiators to adopt “language explicitly directing” relief to producers and processors of renewable fuels.
“We’re grateful to our congressional champions who are working overtime to stop the bleeding?and?offer?hope for farm communities,” said Skor. “With continued uncertainty around COVID-19, and states, like California, Texas, and Florida returning to lockdown, the stakes are too high to leave any stone unturned. Leaders in Congress must work quickly to protect rural jobs and give us the certainty we need to rebuild America’s agricultural supply chain.”
|
Oklahoma Agritourism--Sunflower Fields of Oklahoma |
If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend as the summer comes to a close.. Don't forget the Beautiful Sunflowers across our State! Oklahoma offers some amazing Sunflower farms that you can view with your friends and family.
Visit a sunflower field, snap some photos, and take a sunflower home with you. Some sunflower fields are open in the summer and others during the fall! Check out the list below and make sure you check each farm's Facebook page or website for opening hours and days.
Central Oklahoma
Growing Paynes - Mustang
The Farm on Fishmarket - Wanette
|
Congressman Frank Lucas Cheers Move by FSA on CRP Changes |
On Friday afternoon, Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced changes for emergency haying and grazing use of acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). These changes, advocated for by Lucas in the 2018 Farm Bill, streamline the authorization process for Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers.(See the top story for more details of the changes in haying and grazing within the CRP)
“I’m happy to see USDA streamline the emergency haying and grazing authorization process. Today’s changes allow Oklahoma’s farmers and livestock producers to better manage their land and livestock during times of severe drought- something that Oklahoma’s producers have experienced a great deal of throughout the years.
"Expediting this process allows for producers to lessen the potential fire load that can be an incredible hazard during times of prolonged drought. As USDA implements more proposals of the 2018 Farm Bill, I look forward to working with Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers to ensure USDA continues to look out for the best interest of the American farmer.”
|
|
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.
|
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.
|
Wholesale Boxed Beef Prices were stronger on Friday- Choice Beef higher by 81 cents while Select Beef was up 74 cents.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
|
Oklahoma National Stockyards had 7,000 head last Monday. Compared to the previous week: Feeder steers are sold steady to 6.00 higher. Feeder heifers steady to 3.00 higher. Steer calves sold steady on a light test and heifer calves steady to 3.00 lower on a light test.
Ahead of todays trade- Click below for the complete closing report for last Monday.
|
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..
|
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.
|
|
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.
In our latest Road to Rural Prosperity- I am joined on the phone from Washington with Oklahoma's Senior Member of our Congressional Delegation- Senator Jim Inhofe.
We begin the conversation talking about the Supreme Court Case that will likely need that delegation to develop a legislative fix that allows tribal sovereignty to mesh with the power of the state- they also talk about Senator Inhofe's work on several bills aimed at helping Oklahoma Agriculture deal with the Pandemic- the Senator offers an update on the HEALs act negotiations and offers his reasons for wanting to be elected for another six years.
|
|
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.
|
|
God Bless!
Reach Out To Us:
|
|
Tim West
President/General Manager
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
2401 Exchange Avenue,
Suite F
Oklahoma City, OK 73108
|
|
Ron Hays
Director of Farm Programming
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
405.473.6144
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
