Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Made in Oklahoma--A Tasty Way to Support Local Businesses around the State
- The State: of Voter Turnout in 2020
- Remembering Frederick Drummond
- CFAP 2 Has Been a Big Help For Cow/Calf Prodcuers, Says NCBA's Ethan Lane
- Special Episode of the Southern Plains Podcast-Dry conditions in Oklahoma and Texas
- Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, Texas AgriForestry Small Farmers and Ranchers, and Oklahoma Black Historical Research Project Partner to Continue to Increase Opportunities for Minority Farmers & Ranchers
- Kerbs Supports Health Lab Move to Stillwater
- From the NAFB News Service- Payments to Farmers at All Time High Before Election
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Made in Oklahoma--A Tasty Way to Support Local Businesses around the State
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Made in Oklahoma is the Number one place to find the best products and brands in the state of Oklahoma. Associate Farm Director, KC Sheperd, spoke with Emily Shuping, the Ag Marketing Coordinator for Made in Oklahoma, to discuss all the amazing products made in our great state. Shuping said, we have so many great products made here in Oklahoma, "We've got so many amazing products that are made here in Oklahoma, many of which people have been familiar with for years, but we've also got a lot of brand new companies that have started out during this mess that we call Covid that are doing awesome things, so its an exciting time to be living in Oklahoma."
Shuping said for those folks wanting to find Made in Oklahoma, they've made the process pretty easy by just shopping at your local grocery store and looking for the products there, "The MIO coalition tries to tag the products on the grocery store shelves, to let the consumer know that the product is made here locally." Shuping said you could also go to madeinoklahoma.net and see a list of all the producers and retailers that are growing made in Oklahoma products or featuring made in Oklahoma products.
With the holidays right around the corner, Shuping said this is another way to support local producers and businesses, "Every dollar counts, and the more we can spend those dollars here locally, it really makes an impact for your neighbor, for that food company down the street, you know they are employing Oklahomans. So the more we can keep our dollars here locally and support local business, the better off we all are."
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Oklahoma AgCredit is a member of the Farm Credit System that serves every part of agriculture from the smallest operations to the largest – and everything in between. Whether helping a young farm family begin, supporting our veterans as they return home and take up farming or financing U.S. agricultural exports around the globe, Farm Credit is committed to the success of American agriculture.
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The State: of Voter Turnout in 2020
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Through a series of articles we call The State, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Advocacy and Political Affairs team is providing analysis related to "the state of" various aspects of the 2020 campaign season, including the race for the White House and key elections around the country.
As of October 14, less than three weeks before Election Day, voters have cast over 14.2 million ballots nationwide. This equates to 9.6% of all votes cast in the 2016 election. Ten states have already surpassed 20% of their 2016 turnout, including the critical swing states of Florida (20%), Michigan (22%) and Wisconsin (24%). These numbers represent a mix of Americans voting in-person at an early polling center, as well as returning mail-in ballots. Of mail ballots requested, over 78.4 million are on track to be delivered to voters.
It would be easy to point to the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason that so many people are voting early, but that’s only half of the story. In a Fox News poll from January 26, before the pandemic and before most Americans ever heard of coronavirus, 82% of respondents said that they were extremely or very interested in the election. Flash forward to an October 2020 Fox News poll and that number has grown to 89%, with both Biden and Trump supporters indicating equal enthusiasm at 89% each.
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Remembering Frederick Drummond
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The cattle industry and the state of Oklahoma lost a a really good man this past Sunday when Frederick Ford Drummond passed away at the age of 89.
Frederick was an alum of Oklahoma A&M- earning an Animal Science Degree in Stillwater- was involved in ROTC and served during the cold war in Germany before coming back to the US and earning an MBA from Stanford.
His dad's death brought him home to Oklahoma to take over the family ranch- and he was a banker and involved in the oil business in addition to his first love- cattle ranching.
His sister, who survives Frederick, is Ann Wooley and so he and his brother in law- Walt Wooley- were key leaders in the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association back in the day.
They both served as Presidents of the OCA- and Frederick also served as Osage County Cattlemen's President as well.
Frederick loved the Osage- and wanted to see it preserved for generations to come- as a result he got involved in organizing the Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma- and was key in establishing the Tall Grass Preserve in Osage County.
OCA Executive Vice President Michael Kelsey offered these words in memory of Frederick- "OCA is saddened to learn of the passing of a truly great man and pioneer for Oklahoma and the beef cattle industry. Frederick was a great leader sharing his talent, time, resources and expertise making all of us better individually and organizationally. OCA extends our thoughts and prayers to Frederick’s family."
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Each Weekday- Listen to Cotton Talk!
For our farmers who have either- always have had cotton on their farms- or those who have more recently have added the fiber crop to their operations- we have a new daily report starting to be heard on several of our Radio Stations- It's Called Cotton Talk- and we appreciate the Oklahoma Cotton Council for their support in making this a reality.
Click on the Button below to listen to our most recent report
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CFAP 2 Has Been a Big Help For Cow/Calf Prodcuers, Says NCBA's Ethan Lane
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The second round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments has been a good boost for cow/calf producers, said Ethan Lane, NCBA vice president of government affairs.
Lane recently visited with me about the impact of CFAP 2 on cattle producers.
The first round of CFAP was rolled out in the spring and it was the first sign of direct assistance for cattle producers during the pandemic.
It was especially helpful for those who sold cattle before April 15, the arbitrary cutoff date assigned by the USDA, but for those selling cattle after April 15, the payments were not as helpful.
The way they structured that program in the first CFAP was too tight with low limits, Lane said.
Lane said CFAP 2 does “get us way down the road” for cow/calf producers.
Our damage estimate put together in the spring showed about a $13.6 billion economic impact from the COVID to the cattle industry, he said.
The cow/calf sector was the hardest hit due to the year around nature of the business with an estimated average damage of $111 per head, Lane 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
The vision of the Oklahoma Beef Council is to be a positive difference for Oklahoma's farming and ranching families and the greater beef community and its mission is to enhance beef demand by strengthening consumer trust and exceeding consumer expectations. To learn more, visit www.oklabeef.org. Also, don't forget to like its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/oklabeef for stories on Oklahoma's ranching families and great beef recipes.
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Special Episode of the Southern Plains Podcast-Dry conditions in Oklahoma and Texas
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In the latest episode Southern Plains Podcast, Clay Pope visits again visit with Victor Murphy about the increasing dry conditions in Oklahoma and Texas and what the precipitation picture looks like over the next few weeks.
Click or tap below to hear the latest Podcast.
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Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, Texas AgriForestry Small Farmers and Ranchers, and Oklahoma Black Historical Research Project Partner to Continue to Increase Opportunities for Minority Farmers & Ranchers
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The Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD) and the Oklahoma Black Historical Research Project (OBHRPI) are continuing their partnership to increase participation in USDA programs among veterans, minority farmers and ranchers.
This time, the partnership has been expanded to include Texas AgriForestry Small Farmers and Ranchers (TASFR). The focus of the project continues to be providing information, training, funding opportunities, and technical assistance to minority and veteran producers. The project’s goals include to improve the communication and relationship between veteran and Socially Disadvantaged (SDA) producers and the USDA, to increase the participation of veteran and SDA producers in USDA programs including ownership and operating loans via FSA, conservation programs such as EQIP, to empower veteran and SDA producers to participate on local FSA, conservation district, and local working group boards.
OACD President Larry Wright said about the project, “OACD is successful at making connections and creating partnerships. Our grassroots delivery of conservation practices has proven most effective. We are excited to announce an opportunity we now have to collaborate with some great organizations and individuals in Oklahoma and Texas to reach underserved communities. Working together we will improve delivery of USDA programs and effectively increase conservation of our natural resources while assisting individuals in most need of these services.
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House Ag Committee Chair Kerbs Supports Health Lab Move to Stillwater
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Rep. Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee, who chairs the House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, today voiced his support for the new Public Health Laboratory and the Oklahoma Pandemic Center for Innovation and Excellence (OPCIE) at Oklahoma State University (OSU). Gov. Stitt recently announced plans to move the Public Health Laboratory to Stillwater by the end of the year.
“Public health crises, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, have an immediate and significant impact on food availability. Shortly after the coronavirus outbreak began in March, empty grocery store shelves across the country were glaring evidence of the connection between the health and availability and the workforce and the public’s ability to access food.
COVID-19 severely disrupted the agriculture industry’s workforce by forcing the closure of and slowed production in many packing plants that the livestock and meat industries depend on. Pork production in the United States lost approximately 25% of its processing capacity from late March to mid-April.
The $25 million investment of CARES Act funds in the Public Health Laboratory and Oklahoma Pandemic Center of Innovation and Excellence will help ensure continued accessibility of food throughout the pandemic and in any future public health crises by providing agricultural and food businesses with tools necessary to protect employees and maintain operations.
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From the NAFB News Service- Payments to Farmers at All Time High Before Election
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Direct payments to U.S. farmers are at an all-time high as the nation prepares for a national election next month. Record government subsidies, much needed in the turbulent trade environment and coronavirus pandemic, are projected to make up more than a third of farm income in 2020.
In a report by Reuters, the aid programs could be key to Donald Trump’s chances of success in swing states. The Environmental Working Group called agriculture aid in the latest COVID-19 relief package "old-fashioned vote-buying." Farmers, facing steep losses stemming from Trump's trade policies and COVID-19 related market disruption would argue the funds are needed. However, this fall, commodity prices are slowly improving and providing a better outlook for agriculture.
Meanwhile, the direct payments have the attention of farm groups in Canada. Grain Farmers of Ontario is seeking more funding from the Canadian government. One farm group executive from Canada states, “Government funds have allowed U.S. producers an advantage over farmers in Canada, not just on price but money to invest in their operations.”
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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 on Tuesday- Choice Beef was up 86 cents while Select Beef was off $1.68.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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OKC West in El Reno had 2,500 calves on hand for their Tuesday sale- Compared to last Tuesday: Steer calves sold 1.00-6.00 lower, with steadiness seen on longer weaned calves that had several rounds of shots . Heifers traded 3.00-8.00 lower. Demand mostly light to moderate. Quality plain to average, few attractive. Short or un-weaned calves sold at a much higher decline and with very little demand.
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.
Steve Thompson, Senior Director for Public Policy at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, sat down with Host Ron Hays to discuss the decision by the general farm organization to oppose State Question 805 in the upcoming November General Election. They also talked about the decision by the group to not hold a face to face in person Convention in Norman this year- and how that impacts their policy making process in 2020 and into 2021.
Today's conversation is powered by OPSRC, the Oklahoma Public School Resource Center.
To find out more about our full series of Podcasts on The Road to Rural Prosperity- click or tap here.
To hear this Podcast you can click here or tap below:
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Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, AFR/OFU, 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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