Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Thursday, January 7, 2021
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Sorting It All Out- With Fear and Trembling- I Climb Onto My Soapbox
- National Poll Shows COVID-19 Taking Heavy Toll on Farmers’ Mental Health
- Cattle Prices to Improve in 2021 Says Katelyn McCullock, Livestock Marketing Information Center
- Dr. Glenn Selk On Passive immunity Status and long-term Health and Performance of Calves
- Survey projects Slight Decline for 2021 U.S. Cotton Acres
- Mike Rowe, Rorke Denver & Beth Ford on the Lineup for AFBF's Virtual Convention, Kicking Off Jan 10th
- NCBA Rolls Out New Event for 2021
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Sorting It All Out- With Fear and Trembling- I Climb Onto My Soapbox
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The last 24 hours or so have taken forever to happen- and the divide in our country was very much on display- both in Georgia, in the National Mall and inside the Capitol as Congress succeeded in certifying the election of Joe Biden to be the next President of the United States.
First a word on Georgia- Democrats have pulled what amounts to an upset and won both of those seats- making the Senate effectively a fifty fifty tie. That means the incoming Vice President, soon to be former Senator Kamala Harris will preside over the Senate and as a Democrat, will break the tie to make her party the majority.
For Agriculture- that means a return to Debbie Stabenow of Michigan as the Chairman of the Senate Ag Committee. She was the Chairman when Congressman Frank Lucas was Chair of the House Ag Committee and they worked together to hammer out the 2014 Farm Law.
Regarding the protests in our nation's capitol- the size of the crowd was unlike anything I can recall- and I still do not understand why there was any way the crowds that were gathered- a small portion of them with chaos as their intention- were able to gain access to the second most protected building in that town. I have been to Washington many times since 9/11 and that incursion is amazing to me.
Saying that- violence is wrong and I agree with Vice President Mike Pence- those who broke the law need to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Finally- the point of contention that the election was stolen from President Trump- it's clearly time that we get our act together as a country in the mechanics of any national election- I am proud of the way that Oklahoma is transparent in the counting of votes- up front- as soon as the polls are closed- you know how many votes were cast by absentee ballot and how many were cast by early voting- and then the day of election vote comes in. Makes sense to me- the idea that in the dead of night- thousands of votes can be thrown into the mix- apparently without oversight- seems wrong. It's time we use a blockchain type approach of making sure that each voter gets his or her vote and no more- and that only citizens living in that geographic area get to cast a vote.
With that said- early this morning- here's the news flash- "U.S. Congress certifies 2020 presidential election, with President-elect Joe Biden receiving 306 electoral votes and Pres. Trump receiving 232 electoral votes."
I understand that President Trump has issued a statement saying that an orderly transfer of power will happen January 20th.
I pray for our leaders- and for our country. If you believe in prayer- I hope you do too.
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The Oklahoma Cotton Council is proud to serve the cotton producers and those who are a part of the cotton industry in Oklahoma- promoting and protecting their interests. In Recent Years- cotton acreage has grown in Oklahoma- and today we are the third largest Cotton State in the US- based on Acres Planted.
The Oklahoma Cotton Council works for the cotton farmer in the areas of research, advocacy and education. Follow the Oklahoma Cotton Council on Facebook .
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National Poll Shows COVID-19 Taking Heavy Toll on Farmers’ Mental Health
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A strong majority of farmers/farmworkers say the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their mental health, and more than half say they are personally experiencing more mental health challenges than they were a year ago, according to a new American Farm Bureau poll
The survey of rural adults and farmers/farmworkers explores how the pandemic has affected their mental health personally and in their communities, as well as how attitudes and experiences around mental health have changed in rural and farm communities since AFBF conducted its first rural mental health survey in 2019.
“My takeaway from this survey is that the need for support is real and we must not allow lack of access or a ‘too tough to need help’ mentality to stand in the way,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We are stepping-up our efforts through our Farm State of Mind campaign, encouraging conversations about stress and mental health and providing free training and resources for farm and ranch families and rural communities. The pandemic added a mountain of stress to an already difficult year for farmers and they need to know that sometimes it’s OK not to be OK, that people care, and that there’s help and hope.”
The results of the new poll clearly demonstrate that the COVID-19 pandemic is having broad-ranging impacts among rural adults and farmers/farmworkers. Key findings include:
· Two in three farmers/farmworkers (66%) say the pandemic has impacted their mental health.
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Cattle Prices to Improve in 2021 Says Katelyn McCullock, Livestock Marketing Information Center
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Katelyn McCullock, director and senior agricultural economist for the Livestock Marketing Information Center, expects 2021 to better for cattle producers than 2020 but there will still be a few hiccups along the way.
We’re characterizing 2021 as a different type of uncertainty, McCullock said.
Travel and dining are still no where close to normal and that could have an impact on the beef industry, she noted.
One of the measures we look at is weekly restaurant data that shows business is down 60 percent last week, she said.
Until that part of the beef demand complex perks up it may be difficult to match cattle supply with demand from a timing perspective, she said.
On a positive note, retail sales have continued to be very strong, she said.
Also, we’ve managed to avoid plant shutdowns the last half of the year and I would expect those types of disruptions to be behind us, she said.
We think 2021 will still show some lingering effects from the pandemic but we don’t expect any “black swan” events, she said.
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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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Dr. Glenn Selk On Passive immunity Status and long-term Health and Performance of Calves
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Dr. Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist, offers herd health advice as part of the weekly series known as the "Cow Calf Corner" published electronically by Dr. Peel and Dr. Glenn Selk. Today, Dr. Selk talks about passive immunity status and long-term health and performance of calves.
You have heard the warning: “What happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas!!!” Perhaps you have not heard: “What happens in the first 24 hours, impacts the rest of a calf’s life”! Veterinary scientists, while with the USDA experiment station at Clay Center, Nebraska monitored health events and growth performance in a population of range beef calves in order to identify associations of production factors with baby calf passive immune status.
Blood samples were collected at 24 hours after calving from 263 crossbred calves to determine the amount of passive maternal immunity that had been obtained from colostrum. Colostrum is the first milk produced by a cow upon giving birth. The baby calves were classified with “Inadequate” or “Adequate” Passive Immune status based on that blood sample at 24 hours of age. Growth performance and health events in the study population were monitored from birth to weaning, and after weaning throughout the feedlot phase.
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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
National Livestock was founded in 1932 in Oklahoma City. National’s Marketing Division offers cattle for sale weekly at the Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City. The Finance Division lends money to ranchers across several states for cattle production. The Grazing Division works with producers to place cattle for grazing on wheat or grass pastures.
National also owns and operates other livestock marketing subsidiaries including Southern Oklahoma Livestock Auction in Ada, Oklahoma, OKC West Livestock Market in El Reno, Oklahoma, and the nation’s premier livestock video sale, Superior Livestock Auction. National offers customers many services custom made for today’s producer. To learn more, click here for the website or call the Oklahoma City office at 1-800-310-0220.
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Survey projects Slight Decline for 2021 U.S. Cotton Acres
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Jim Steadman writes in the latest issue of Cotton Growers on the Survey Projects slight decling for 2021 on US Cotton Acres. He writes:
"Following a year of marginal prices, difficult planting conditions, hurricanes, drought and the overall social and economic malaise brought about by COVID-19, you couldn’t blame cotton growers for questioning their prospects for 2021. A bump in cotton prices back into the low 70 cent range at the end of the year eased some of the concerns. But equally rising prices for corn, soybeans, wheat and other grain crops are certainly making cropping decisions tough for the coming season.
That said, any predictions for 2021 cotton acreage at this point in time is still anyone’s best guess. But we still wanted to give it our best shot.
As always, the Southwest region will lead the way in overall production acreage, thanks to that large West Texas cotton patch. And although total acres are projected to be down somewhat, growers in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas will combine to plant 7,240,000 acres of cotton, based on the survey. Texas growers indicate plantings of 6,500,000 acres - not quite a 2% decrease from 2020.
“Dryness is going to influence Texas plantings,” points out Dr. John Robinson, professor and Extension specialist/cotton marketing at Texas A&M University. “If you look at the drought monitor and draw a line from the eastern edge of the Panhandle down, everything west of that is in exceptional drought right now. And La Niña is supposed to continue through May, right through planting time. The typical Texas farmer response to that is - even with an insurance price of 74 cents - we just don’t have the alternative crops here. So agronomically speaking, you’re better off planting cotton. And from an insurance standpoint, you’re better off planting cotton.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we had 6 million acres at all,” he adds. “And if we had 7 million acres, I wouldn’t be surprised to see that either - planted with the expectation of 50% abandonment.”
Oklahoma State Extension Cotton Specialist Seth Byrd also expects a drop in acreage in his area.
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Mike Rowe, Rorke Denver & Beth Ford on the Lineup for AFBF's Virtual Convention, Kicking Off Jan 10th
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Preview and prepare for this year's exciting lineup of events! On January 7 you will receive the link to access the Virtual Convention event platform. Use your email address and the Confirmation ID from your registration confirmation email as your password. You will have access to the agenda, ag tours and on-demand workshops right away; then, join us LIVE starting January 10! Check out the full schedule to plan your time at Virtual Convention.
There are 4 General Sessions scheduled for the convention this year. Check the dates, times and activities you can be a part of in the schedule below.
January 10 at 5 p.m. EST - Opening General Session
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall will kick off the Convention by setting 2021 goals & intentions. Also see:
· Founder's Award Recipient
· YF&R Achievement Award Top 10 Announcement
· State Farm Bureau Awards
· Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Final Four Announcement
January 11 at 3 p.m. EST - General Session #2
Check out President Zippy Duvall's fireside chat with Land O' Lakes President & CEO, Beth Ford along with the bestowing of the Distinguished Service Award to Congressman Mike Conaway.
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NCBA Rolls Out New Event for 2021
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Brand new for 2021, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is hosting a two-day virtual event for cattlemen and women across the country to come together for industry news, updates, education and networking.
The 2021 Cattle Industry Convention Winter Reboot, scheduled for Feb. 23-24, is your opportunity to connect with NCBA and serves as a kickoff event for the Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show that will take place Aug. 10-12 in Nashville, Tenn., at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Winter Reboot attendees will receive a sneak peek into plans for the Cattle Industry Convention and the Cattlemen’s College.
“Despite the move of the main event in August, we’re excited to host this event allowing cattlemen and women to engage in industry-leading content in a way that is accessible for everyone,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “NCBA continues to focus on meeting the needs of our members and the industry. This virtual experience will provide vital industry updates and education as we start the New Year.”
Winter Reboot sessions include an NCBA D.C. issues update and expectations with the new administration. Ten educational programs will be offered covering topics such as sustainability, as well as a tech tool introduction. A virtual marketplace will also be featured during the Winter Reboot to allow attendees interaction with leading agribusinesses.
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Cattlemen's Congress Boasts Over Twenty Sales Events- Here are Two Happening This Week
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Some of the best Beef Cattle in the country have already arrived or will be arriving at OKC Fairgrounds for the Inaugural Cattlemen's Congress.
The detailed schedule is available here- but we do have two of the sales planned for this week that we want to draw your attention to- click on the Buttons below for all the details for each of these sales!
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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 lower on Wednesday- Choice Beef was down 63 cents while Select Beef dropped 41 cents.
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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OKC West in El Reno had a total run this week of 8,428.
Compared to the sale on 12/15-16/20: Feeder steers and heifers traded 1.00-4.00 lower, however demand was good with good to active trade. Several large consignments were on offer today. Steer and heifer calves sold 1.00-4.00 higher. Demand moderate to good. Average to attractive. A heavy snow storm and recent rains have wheat fields in muddy conditions.
Click on the button below for details of the trade as compiled by the USDA Market News Service.
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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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