Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Gov. Stitt Announces $6 Million in CARES Act Funds Approved for Food Banks
- Budget and Corona Virus Aid Legislation Includes Additional Funds For Livestock Producers
- Oklahoma Youth Excel at Livestock Handling Competition
- EPA Approves IMIFLEX Herbicide for Use in igrowth® Sorghum
- Dr. Derrell Peel with an Update on Cattle Herd Dynamics
- USDA Releases Report about the Importance of Highways to U.S. Agriculture
- Register Now for OCA Winter Policy Meeting Coming up January 26th
- WRDA Approved as a Part of Omnibus Budget Deal- Senator Inhofe Cheers
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Gov. Stitt Announces $6 Million in CARES Act Funds Approved for Food Banks |
Governor Kevin Stitt announced today $6 million has been approved in replenishment funding from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund to support food banks statewide.
These funds will reach each corner of the state by delivery through the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. The funding will allow the two food banks to replenish their food supply after an unprecedented year that left many Oklahomans struggling to feed their families.
“Oklahoma’s food banks have been such a valuable partner in our state’s comprehensive response to COVID-19,” said Gov. Stitt. "I’m proud to be able to deliver these funds to help replenish their supplies and ensure they have what they need to continue their important mission of feeding Oklahomans who need assistance.”
Since COVID-19 was first confirmed in Oklahoma, there has been a drastic increase in need from food-insecure families across the state. The two food banks combined have distributed 7.3 million pounds more in 2020 than during the same time frame last year. Additionally, food banks have seen a 25 to 30 percent increase in the number of Oklahomans seeking assistance.
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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. (held in June 2020 earlier this year- due to COVID 19)
After a lot of deliberation, Midwest decided to reschedule the Tulsa Farm Show from December to February 25, 26 and 27, 2021.
Now is the ideal time to contact the Midwest Farm Show Office at 507-437-7969 and book space at the upcoming Tulsa Farm Show. To learn more about the Tulsa Farm Show, click here.
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Budget and Corona Virus Aid Legislation Includes Additional Funds For Livestock Producers |
The $900 billion coronavirus assistance package just passed by Congress and signed by President Trump includes some much-needed assistance for cattle producers, said Ethan Lane, NCBA vice president of government affairs.
Lane, said the legislation also funds the government for the next nine months and aids livestock producers left short from earlier CFAP bills.
Because of the way Congress does business these days, the big omnibus bill ends up being a wrap up of how we spent the whole year, Lane said.
It’s nice to see the work we’ve done throughout the year reflected in this final package, he said.
It’s going to push additional resources to those producers left out of other CFAP packages, he said.
There is also additional language that establishes the federal livestock dealer trust that we’ve worked on for some time, Lane said.
One of the sections passed has an Oklahoma connection as the RAMP UP Act, authored by U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) received funding.
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Oklahoma Youth Excel at Livestock Handling Competition |
Thirty youth from across Oklahoma competed in the 2020 American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Livestock Handling Scholarship Contest held at Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City Dec. 11. Sponsored by American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU), the annual competition showcases the skills of young 4-H and FFA members in practical, real-life cattle handling scenarios, such as weighing for accurate dosage, vaccinating and tagging calves in a hydraulic chute. Contestants are judged on skill, accuracy and efficiency as they process the animals.
This is an event that normally happens at the Tulsa Farm Show each December- but with that show postponed to February, AFR/OFU decided to hold the event in December as it is normally scheduled.
“While stress-free processing has always been a goal of good cattlemen, proper and efficient handling has become even more important in the modern age of livestock production,” said AFR/OFU Cooperative President Scott Blubaugh. “With an increased need to diversify herds, producers can now expect cattle of all ages and backgrounds to be sent through the chute. It’s vital that young producers understand the needs of each animal.”
The annual contest begins with a written exam that measures students’ knowledge of livestock handling practices. At the state level, the competition emphasizes the application of classroom study to actual agricultural production scenarios. In order to excel, students must take knowledge out of the classroom and apply it in a real world situation.
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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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EPA Approves IMIFLEX Herbicide for Use in igrowth® Sorghum |
UPL announces that the Environmental Protection Agency has granted approval for IMIFLEX™ Herbicide, the companion herbicide for igrowth®, the first non-GMO, commercially available herbicide-resistant technology for grain sorghum from Alta Seeds. For the first time, sorghum growers have the ability to control weed pressures during the growing season, giving growers the ability to realize the full potential of their sorghum crop.
IMIFLEX is the only imidazolinone herbicide certified for pre-or post-emergence applications with the igrowth system. This Group 2 herbicide provides broad-spectrum, residual control of yield-robbing grass and broadleaf weeds, including lambsquarter, pigweed, morningglory, Texas Panicum, crabgrass and foxtail.
“Sorghum growers can experience major yield loss when invasive weed species such as pigweed or lambsquarters move into their fields. IMIFLEX provides in-season control of weeds that gives growers an easier field and harvest experience year after year,” says Ryan Bryant-Schlobohm, UPL Technical Services Manager in Amarillo, Texas.
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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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Dr. Derrell Peel with an Update on Cattle Herd Dynamics |
Mondays, Dr. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, offers his economic analysis of the beef cattle industry. This analysis is a part of the weekly series known as the "Cow Calf Corner" published electronically by Dr. Peel and Dr. Glenn Selk. Today, Dr. Peel gives an update on herd dynamics.
Much of 2020 has been preoccupied with daily and weekly slaughter numbers, carcass weights and boxed beef prices, along with monthly cattle on feed dynamics. The intertemporal volatility through the year adds to challenge of assessing what, exactly, is the situation regarding the cattle cycle and longer term herd dynamics. USDA will be providing estimates on January 29, 2021 regarding cattle inventories going into 2021. The data available at this time provides mixed signals about how herd inventories have changed in 2020.
Cowherd changes depend on both heifer retention and cow culling. On January 1, 2020, the number of beef replacement heifers was 18.4 percent of the beef cow inventory. This was down from the peak retention in 2016 of 21.0 percent when herd expansion was in full force. Historically, the replacement heifer percentage drops below 18 percent during herd liquidation. Of course, producer plans can change during the year. The July inventory estimate for beef replacement heifers was unchanged from last year but is a low enough level to potentially suggest some herd liquidation.
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USDA Releases Report about the Importance of Highways to U.S. Agriculture |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a report, The Importance of Highways to U.S. Agriculture, prepared in close partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOT). The report was researched and written by DOT’s Volpe National Transportation Systems Center through a cooperative agreement overseen by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and its Transportation Services Division.
Agricultural producers are the single largest user of freight services, comprising 17% of freight movements across all transportation modes in dollar value and 33% of all ton-miles (U.S. DOT, BTS and U.S. Census Bureau, 2017). In 2017, 2.9 billion tons of agricultural products worth $2.5 trillion moved on the freight network.
“Agricultural freight movement is essential for moving goods from the farm to the consumer’s table. Efficient transportation helps keep food prices low for consumers and enables the U.S. agricultural industry to compete in a global marketplace,” said USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach.
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Register Now for OCA Winter Policy Meeting Coming up January 26th |
The OCA Winter Policy Meeting is coming up on January 26th.
Share your thoughts, exercise your membership voting power and help chart the course for a successful Oklahoma beef industry! Member Engagement is Vital to the Success of Policy Development! Be sure to attend the Annual Winter Policy Meeting
The event will take place at 9 am at Embassy Suites Oklahoma City Northwest, Located at 3233 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City. Registration is $35 and includes lunch.
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ICYMI- Beef Buzz Links Featuring Upcoming Cattlemen's Congress |
WRDA Approved as a Part of Omnibus Budget Deal- Senator Inhofe Cheers |
The fiscal year appropriations bill that President Trump signed includes a reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act. This measure, also called "America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2020" funds the Army Corps of Engineers civil works program that builds and maintains the ports and inland waterways that are vital to the agriculture industry.
Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe sits on the EPW Committee and has always taken great interest in renewing WRDA every other year. "“I am incredibly pleased we have passed the fourth consecutive two-year water resources bill. This critical legislation contains a number of provisions that will benefit people across Oklahoma, including ensuring the Tulsa-West Tulsa Levees project becomes a reality. Not only that, this bill provides certainty in water storage pricing for Enid, prioritizes investment in the MKARNS and ensures Oklahoma will not have to wait almost a year after a disastrous flood for waterborne commerce to recover.”
Inhofe colleague Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa adds, “it’s important that Congress pass a Water Resources Development Act every two years. It helps communities move forward with projects critical for things like flood control, navigation, ports, locks and dams, and more.”
Back in Oklahoma- “Senator Inhofe’s tireless advocacy for America’s waterway transportation system is evident in the Senate EPW’s 2020 WRDA Bill,” said Scott Robinson, Port Director of the Port of Muskogee. “Two of the provisions are particularly welcome to Oklahoma stakeholders. Changes to the federal cost share formula will provide a stronger foundation for infrastructure project development, moving authorized projects, like Three Rivers and the 12’ Channel Deepening Projects to construction at a much faster pace; thereby ensuring the intended benefits to the nation, sooner. Authorizing reimbursement to non-federal stakeholders whose contributions advance the pace of waterway project restoration will ensure resiliency of our waterways transportation system. Had reimbursement been possible in the aftermath of the unprecedented floods that occurred on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System in May of 2019, federal and non-federal dredging activities could have occurred in Oklahoma and Arkansas simultaneously, restoring navigation to Oklahoma shippers sooner. Tens of millions of dollars of additional transportation costs to our waterways industries could have been avoided and hundreds of jobs could have been saved in the process.”
From the agricultural community- Bobby Frederick of the National Grain and Feed Association says, “We view WRDA as an opportunity to enhance U.S. inland waterways and port infrastructure.”
Corn Refiners Association President John Bode says, “WRDA is a signature achievement in maintaining global competitiveness for American agricultural exports, and the millions of American jobs they support.”
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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 Monday 12/28 with Choice Beef up 28 cents while Select Beef dropped $1.28.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Weekly Cattle Auction Reports
The buttons below allow you to check out the weekly Cattle Auctions in the region that we post on our website and here in our daily email update-
PLEASE NOTE- All of these markets have finished selling cattle in 2020- and will resume their auctions the first full week of 2021.
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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 is the 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 affecting rural America.
The Road to Rural Prosperity is here to tell stories about rural America, for rural America.
Congress has passed a 5,393-page Relief/Spending Omnibus Package- and Host Ron Hays Talks with Ethan Lane, Vice President for Government Affairs for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association about Pandemic Relief- more money in CFAP, Grants for RAMP UP, the establishment of the SALE Act and more. Lane also talks about the announcement by USDA to start the process of moving Gene Editing for animals away from FDA over to USDA, a look at the Climate Team for President-Elect Biden, a return to USDA by Tom Vilsack, and a look into 2021 from a DC Perspective.
Today's Podcast is powered by Banc First, Loyal to Oklahoma, and Loyal to You.
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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