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
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Oklahoma's Latest Farm and Ranch News
Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Monday, February 27, 2017
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Howdy Neighbors!
Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
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Featured Story:
Integrity Beef Sustainability Pilot Project Unveiled Nationally- Two Year Project to Verify Sustainable Practices Along Beef Chain
Last Friday, several groups including McDonald's USA, Tyson Foods, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Beef Marketing Group and Golden State Foods announced plans for a two-year pilot research project that will seek methods to improve sustainability across the entire beef value chain, test metrics established by the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and explore scalable solutions that could be applicable to beef production across the country.
The Noble Foundation, the largest, independent agricultural research organization in the United States, will coordinate and provide project management services for the overall project.
AS emcee of the 2017 Texoma Cattlemen's Conference, I moderated a panel of some of the key players involved with the announcement- and I have a audio overview of the project that you can listen to by jumping to our Monday morning Top Ag Story on our website- available here.
Each of the five organizations involved in the project represent a different step in the beef production chain. Ranchers who are a part of the Noble Foundation's Integrity Beef Alliance will raise the cattle for the project. The Integrity Beef program emphasizes progressive management methods, ranch stewardship and humane care of all livestock.
We have our complete conversation with Dr. Billy Cook of the Noble Foundation available on our website- click or tap here to hear our visit with him about Noble's journey in the quest for sustainable beef production and why they care about the success of this effort.
Over the next couple of days- we will have additional conversations with some of the people that are a part of the Pilot Project posted on our website.
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Sponsor Spotlight
It's great to have the Livestock Exchange at the Oklahoma National Stockyards as a sponsor for our daily email. The eight Commission firms at the Stockyards make up the exchange- and they are committed to work hard to get you top dollar when you consign your cattle with them. They will present your cattle to the buyers gathered each Monday or Tuesday at one of the largest stocker and feeder cattle auctions in the world.
Click here for a complete list of the Commission firms that make up the Livestock Exchange at the Oklahoma National Stockyards- still the best place to sell your cattle- and at the heart of Stockyards City, where you can go around the corner enjoy a great steak and shop for the very best in western wear.
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National Pork Board CEO Bill Even Insists US Pork Industry Growing at a Dramatic Pace
This past Friday, the Oklahoma Pork Council hosted producers from all over the state who came together in Norman for the Oklahoma Pork Congress. Kicking things off at the start of the Congress was Bill Even, CEO of the National Pork Board, who set the tone for the day, updating attendees on the state of the US pork industry. According to him, the pork industry is on the rise. Our own Carson Horn, associate farm director for Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, was there to speak with Even about where all this momentum in the pork business is coming from.
Horn reports that according to Even, the Caucasian demographic is only projected to increase over the next several decades by about 1 percent. On the other hand, the Hispanic population is expected to grow by nearly 160 percent.
"That's really good news for the pork producers and the pork industry because the Hispanic culture is a culture that enjoys pork, enjoys eating it as part of their family culture," Even said. "Our opportunity to engage with this very young demographic really bodes well for domestic pork consumption."
In fact, since taking the helm at NPB, Even has lead the charge in ramping up promotion efforts focused on the Hispanic community, tripling NPB's investment. He believes this is a wise decision for a quickly developing industry.
"Number one takeaway is that the pork industry in the US is growing and growing at a pretty dramatic pace," Even pointed out. "That doesn't mean there aren't going to be growing pains, but you're much better off to be part of a growing industry then one that's on the decline."
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Superior Livestock Auction Hosts Regular Sale on Location in Oklahoma City
Superior Livestock Auction hosted its weekly online sale, last Wednesday as usual. However, this time, the sale was broadcast on location in Oklahoma City. I was there on scene and had the chance to speak with the auction site's president, Danny Jones.
"Superior had tried sales here in the past and we've come back two years ago and then last year and this year and the sale is growing in numbers and popularity," Jones said. "We're excited to see what happens today."
Jones says the response to Superior's approach to selling cattle has been very successful and believes their model is the most user-friendly system available.
"The approach is to take advantage of the natural advantages this type of marketing has - get the cattle direct from one owner to another in the most efficient way possible," Jones said. "We certainly believe in the system and it's a great family of people, buyers and sellers and reps. We enjoy what we do."
Cattle producers offered 33,600 head of calves, yearlings and breeding stock from 23 states for this auction. As market trends continue to be vulnerable, Superior is proud to once again offer a consistent and valued market for their consignor and buyers as prices remained steady with good demand.
Yearling steers remained steady while yearling heifers were steady to $3 higher from Superior Livestock Auction's last offering. Weaned steer calves saw a substantial increase of $4-7 higher from their last auction. Calves on cows remained in demand and steady.
Click here to listen to my full interview with Jones taped prior to the sale, and while you're at it, check out the results from that sale, by clicking here.
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Don't Let Parasites Suck All the Profits Out of Your Beef Cattle Herd - Get Rid of Them at the Source
It may not be a new topic of discussion, but it is an important one - dealing with external parasites in our beef cattle herds. I spoke recently with Dr. Justin Talley, a livestock entomologist at Oklahoma State University, who says producers ought to start thinking about how they will manage pests this year as peak population months in spring and early summer approach."When we have a lot of flies feeding on those animals, it impacts the performance of that animal," Talley said. "The thing we have to think about is how are we going to not necessarily get rid of them - but how are we going to control them to the level where it doesn't impact beef performance."Parasites have a dramatic economic impact, draining almost $1.5 billion from the beef industry each year, according to Dr. Talley. And while the truth is, you'll never be able to completely rid your operation of flies, the key to managing loss, he says, is to at least keep fly populations down. This has become increasingly more difficult to do with widespread resistance to insecticides. However, Talley suggests striking at the source of the problem."The things we have to think about is where are those stable flies coming from - and it's usually when we're feeding our hay," Talley said. "If you're feeding hay and not cleaning it up, that's probably where your stable flies are coming from."Logistically, though, your best bet to controlling fly populations is probably with insecticide. Talley suggests working with your animal health provider to figure out the best solution to fit your needs.Listen to all of Dr. Talley's tips on managing external parasites in your beef cattle herd, on last Friday's Beef Buzz - click here.
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Sponsor Spotlight
We are pleased to have American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company as a regular sponsor of our daily update. On both the state and national levels, full-time staff members serve as a "watchdog" for family agriculture producers, mutual insurance company members and life company members.
Click here to go to their AFR website to learn more about their efforts to serve rural America!
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Pat Roberts on Sonny Perdue
During that Senate Ag Committee farm bill field hearing last week, Kansas Republican Senator Pat Roberts said: "Sonny Perdue is just waiting." The Senate Agriculture Committee chairman says his committee has not received the required paperwork from the White House yet to schedule a confirmation hearing for Perdue.
Insiders with the Department of Agriculture have hinted that a confirmation hearing and vote is likely in early-to-mid March. Perdue was the final Cabinet selection for President Donald Trump, with Trump announcing the selection the day before being sworn into office.
Roberts appears eager to perform and wrap-up the confirmation process for Perdue so the committee can focus on other confirmation hearings of lesser USDA post and farm bill discussions.
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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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Lincoln to Local Features LeeAnna McNally on Taxes and Water
In case you missed it at the end of this past week- Oklahoma Farm Bureau's LeeAnna McNally is questioned at the state Capitol about the latest on ad valorem tax increases, Gov. Mary Fallin's tax plan and water as a potential new revenue source. Here's that video with Hannah Nemecek and LeeAnna McNally:
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OSU Extension First Hollow Stem Update Reinforces Imperative Removal of Cattle from Wheat Fields
First hollow stem (FHS) is the optimal time to remove cattle from wheat pasture. This occurs when there is 1.5 cm (5/8" or the diameter of dime) of stem below the developing grain head. While there is little effect to wheat crops grazed prior to this growth stage, any grazing allowed beyond this point could result in significant reduction of crop yields.
Lately, State Small Grains Specialist David Marburger, has been encouraging producers to check for FHS in their own fields. Marburger has kept track of his test plots across the state, looking for initial indications of FHS. In recent observations of his plots in Stillwater and Chickasha, last conducted Friday, February 24th, Marburger reports there is already several wheat varieties that have achieved this stage of growth. He suggests producers examine their own fields as soon as possible and remove cattle accordingly.
Click here to read Marburger's complete updates on his test plots in Stillwater and Chickasha for yourself, by clicking here.
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Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, American Farmers & Ranchers, Livestock Exchange at the Oklahoma National Stockyards, Alltech, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Stillwater Milling Company, Alltech, 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 also invite you to check out our website at the link below to check out an archive of these daily emails, audio reports and top farm news story links from around the globe.
Click here to check out WWW.OklahomaFarmReport.Com
God Bless! You can reach us at the following:
phone: 405-473-6144
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