Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Friday, January 22, 2021
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- U.S. Beef And Pork Exports Are Increasing as Countries Begin Rebound From Pandemic
- MOU Between USDA and FDA on Gene Editing is Good Business Says NCBA's Ethan Lane
- Latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map Shows a Mostly Quiet And Dry Period The Past Week
- Oklahoma Agriculture Groups Support the Pandemic Center, Public Health Lab in Stillwater
- Oklahoma Lawmakers Unhappy with Biden Decision on Revocation of Keystone XL pipeline
- Inhofe Disappointed in Biden Executive Action to Rejoin Paris Climate Agreement
- Ag in the Classroom--New Resources and Apply for an AITC Pork Council Grant
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U.S. Beef And Pork Exports Are Increasing as Countries Begin Rebound From Pandemic
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U.S. beef and pork exports are booming according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
Dan Halstrom, president and CEO of USMEF, was recently interviewed by Radio Oklahoma Agriculture Network Associate Farm Director and Editor KC Sheperd.
November was a really good month as we were up 6 percent compared to a year ago, Halstrom said.
This is encouraging to see a rebound and the one that stands out is Mexico, he said.
Mexico was several months behind the U.S. on the Covid lockdown so it’s encouraging to see the first signs of a rebound, Halstrom said.
The good news continued with pork exports which are about the same as a year ago and set a new annual record, Halstrom said, as we’re going to see growth of 14 to 15 percent.
A lot of the pork increase is due to China in the first half of 2020 but Halstrom said Mexico has also contributed to the higher numbers.
The pork rebound is really strong in Mexico and Japan, Halstrom said.
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MOU Between USDA and FDA on Gene Editing is Good Business Says NCBA's Ethan Lane
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On his way out the door, the now former USDA Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the USDA and the FDA on animal agriculture gene editing.
The MOU was something Ethan Lane, NCBA vice president of government affairs, and others in the cattle industry had been working on for several years.
After the MOU was issued, Lane was interviewed by Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays.
The MOU is part of a long conversation going back a number of years about the division of regulatory authority between the USDA and FDA on biotechnology and gene editing in cattle, Lane said.
We’re pleased to see this progress, he said.
This is good business as the FDA and USDA figures out how to share authority in some of these new emerging technologies, Lane said.
It’s a necessary part of a complex federal system, Lane said.
We’re hopeful things like this are left out of a quick judgement binge (common to new administrations) and allowed to mature as part of a long-term conversation, Lane said.
The FDA had considered gene editing as a drug and this has been a barrier to moving forward.
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Latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map Shows a Mostly Quiet And Dry Period The Past Week
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Contrasting significantly with the past several weeks, much of the nation experienced a relatively dry week according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map.
Almost the entire High Plains region, except for eastern North Dakota, had a quiet period.
The same story was repeated for the south, leading to further deterioration in drought conditions in southern and western Texas.
The Pacific Northwest region was about the only area receiving much precipitation the past 7 days.
Currently, more than one-third of the U.S. is drought-free.
To view the U.S. Drought map, click here.
For Oklahoma, extreme drought (D3) continues absent from Cimarron County in the northwest Oklahoma Panhandle. The D3 designation was removed from that area last week.
There is still a lingering patch of D3 hanging on in Hollis County in the southwest corner.
Statewide, approximately 67.61 percent of the state is drought free this week, about a one percent change from last week, which should be expected given the dry nature of the past few days.
Three months ago, the drought free coverage in Oklahoma was 36.91 percent.
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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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Oklahoma Agriculture Groups Support the Pandemic Center, Public Health Lab in Stillwater
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The Oklahoma State Department of Health, Gov. Kevin Stitt, federal, state and private industry leadership, cut the ribbon on the Oklahoma Pandemic Center for Innovation and Excellence (OPCIE). OPCIE will be the state’s frontline of defense against future biosecurity-threatening diseases. The facility will be located in Stillwater, leveraging Oklahoma’s rural and urban assets to benefit public health. The new center will help unite Oklahoma’s leading animal and human health experts from Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine and the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, as well as numerous other public and private entities, to enhance and improve the state’s pandemic and public health preparedness. The new lab will include a human diagnostic/public health laboratory, a genetic biorepository, and a multi-disciplinary basic science lab for human, animal, plant and food-related bioterrorism research.
A coalition of Oklahoma’s agricultural leaders united in their support for the creation and relocation of the Oklahoma Pandemic Center for Innovation and Excellence (OPCIE).
Among those offering comments- Rodd Moesel, President, Oklahoma Farm Bureau “By combining our state’s best resources in agriculture, animal and human medicine, food safety, and public health testing and preparedness, the Oklahoma Pandemic Center of Innovation and Excellence will ensure every sector of the Oklahoma economy – including agriculture – is prepared to protect against and respond to future public health emergencies,” said Rodd Moesel, OKFB president. “With many viral pandemics originating in animals, the center’s location in Stillwater will help integrate leading animal science research into our state’s efforts to innovatively prevent and combat future disease outbreaks across our nation and our world.”
Scott Blubaugh, President - American Farmers & Ranchers“Covid-19 threatened the health of our state and our nation, and also served as a warning about the vulnerability of our food system,” said AFR/OFU Cooperative President Scott Blubaugh. “The last few months have shown that quick, accurate testing for both human and animal disease is a vital part of our nation’s security. OPCIE is a necessary and welcomed investment in the future of our state and national food supply chain.
More comments are available in our story- linked in the button below.
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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
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Oklahoma Lawmakers unhappy with Biden Announcement to Revoke the Keystone XL Pipeline Permit
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One of the first actions taken by the Biden Administration is to stop the work on the Keystone XL Pipeline- Former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy is the Climate Czar for the new President and McCarthy said the pipeline, which was rejected by the Obama administration and then restored by Trump as one of his first actions, works against the administration's plans to aggressively address climate change and grow union jobs in the clean energy sector.
"Climate change is a crisis, and the Keystone pipeline and its construction was not consistent with addressing the climate crisis to the depth and scope that we are planning to address it," she said. "Whatever limited benefit that Keystone was projected to provide now has to be obviously reconsidered with the economy of today."
To McCarthy and the Biden Administration- they are not arguing that the pipeline is a danger to the surrounding environment anymore- but that it doesn't fit with their plans for fossil fuels.
Oklahoma lawmakers are not impressed:
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) said: “We came so far during the last administration - from prioritizing American energy development to ending the far-left’s war on fossil fuels. The Keystone XL pipeline would create thousands of jobs in Oklahoma and throughout the nation and President Biden’s disappointing choice today to revoke this permit will harm the nation’s tremendous progress toward energy independence. I am sad to see this decision to continue the failed Obama-era legacy of denying tens of thousands of Americans good, well-paying jobs at the expense of satisfying liberal, “Green New Deal” inspired interest groups. It is a sad day for the future of American energy independence, but I will not stop fighting for legislation and other policies that keep energy costs down and further our energy and national security.”
James Lankford issued the following statement “The Keystone XL is the physical embodiment of Democrats’ crusade against traditional energy. President Biden wasted no time turning back years of Americans’ hard work developing, ironing out the route, and building this trans-border pipeline,” said Lankford. “The southern leg of Keystone, which begins in Cushing, Oklahoma, has been complete for more than six years, but the northern leg of the pipeline-under the strictest pipeline safety standards ever implemented-has faced countless delays. Pipelines are the safest way to transport oil. Yesterday’s irrational denial of the Keystone XL permit damages our relationship with Canada and will lead to higher prices at the pump for consumers. While Oklahomans want to see the US continue to pursue an all-of-the-above energy policy, we also understand that currently our cars and trucks run on oil. Limiting access to an oil pipeline kills jobs and limits our energy supply. Kicking people who work in the energy sector on day-one may help progressive politics, but in Oklahoma, we know our jobs and livelihoods are next.”
Congressman Tom Cole said, "“First, the decision to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline will cost our country billions of dollars, thousands of jobs and weaken America’s energy independence. It is also a slap in the face to our Canadian friends, hurting their economy and implicitly questioning the judgment of one of America’s best friends and most reliable allies.
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Inhofe/Lucas/Cole Also Disappointed in Biden Executive Action to Rejoin Paris Climate Agreement
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U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe today expressed his disapproval of President Biden’s executive action to rejoin the harmful Paris Climate Agreement.
“The Paris Climate Agreement was a bad deal when it was signed under then-Vice President Biden and it is a mistake for President Biden to rejoin today. The agreement has not been modified - the United States would be responsible for the majority of reductions and the leading polluters, China and India, largely unaccountable - putting our economic growth at a severe disadvantage."
Congressman Tom Cole said, "Second, the decision to reenter the Paris Climate Agreement without renegotiating its terms will weaken America’s economy and lock in inequitable mandates that favor China at the expense of U.S. jobs and energy independence. President Biden ought to put the Paris Climate Agreement before Congress and ask for congressional changes and approval. That is something neither he nor President Obama ever dared to do. Climate change is real, and it ought to be addressed. But it must be done in a way that is internationally equitable and does not cost millions of U.S. jobs or put America’s hard won energy independence at risk.
Frank Lucas released a statement “As a farmer who has seen the effects of climate change first-hand, I believe we should address global greenhouse gas emissions and support clean American energy. The Paris Agreement is not the way to do that, however. It commits the U.S. to a tremendous financial burden while doing nothing to enforce greenhouse gas reductions by other participants. In fact, despite pledges to the Paris Agreement, emissions from China and India have continued to grow. Even worse, it was found that China significantly underreported its emissions in the lead-up to the agreement taking effect, making it hard to trust its current reports.
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Ag in the Classroom--New Resources and Apply for an AITC Pork Council Grant
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Ag in the Classroom is thrilled to announce our NEW RESOURCES for students! Teach your students about six Oklahoma specialty crops with our new resource! Oklahoma Specialty Crop Activity Sheets.
These resources were created by Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom and funded by a National Specialty Crop Block Grant. Each activity sheet is available in three different formats:
1. Early Childhood
2. Elementary
3. Middle School/High School
These activity sheets are front and back tear sheets and come in sets of 25.
Request yours today!
And Dont forget... Apply for an AITC OK Pork Council Grant Today!
Spring is just around the corner! Do you have a good idea for an AITC project you would like to complete with your students? Would you like $500 to purchase supplies? Consider applying for a Ok Pork Council Grant today!
Deadline for applications is February 15!!
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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 continue to go higher- Choice Beef was up$2.29 and Select Beef was up $3.00 on Thursday January 21st
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-
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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.
Oklahoma State University Junior Amarie Griffeth has a heart for people- and she tells Host KC Sheperd about a need she saw on campus in Stillwater to combat food insecurity. She was a part of a Task force- and out of that students came up with Pete’s Pantry, an anonymous way to help other students on campus needing a helping hand.
Amarie grew up in Cushing, Oklahoma- her dad is in the livestock marketing business, so she has grown up loving being involved in producing food- and she has discovered the joy of providing food to those in need as well. Today's Road Podcast is powered by BancFirst, Loyal to Oklahoma and 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.
We also welcome Entz Auction as our Presenting Sponsor- check out their current listings by clicking here for their website.
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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