Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Monday, February 1, 2021
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- OKFB to host Leadership Week Feb.1-5- Including An Analysis of the State of the State
- Congressman Frank Lucas Determined to Resolve Cattle Market Manipulation Issue
- Uneven Recovery in U.S. Foodservice Sector Implies the Same for Animal Protein
- Animal Ag Alliance Launches New Program to Prepare Better Industry Spokespersons
- CFAP Provides Lifeline to Farmers and Ranchers
- New Southern Plains Podcast with Dr. Steve Mauget on Soil health, Climate Impact on Crops and Livestock Weather Stress
- Pecan Growers Zoom Sessions Return Feb. 12
- Public Access in the Capitol Limited as 2021 Oklahoma Legislative Session Begins
- Governor Kevin Stitt Releases List of Accomplishments Ahead of State of the State
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OKFB to host Leadership Week Feb.1-5- Starting with An Analysis of the State of the State |
In conjunction with the first week of the state legislative session, Oklahoma Farm Bureau will host its Leadership Week event Feb. 1-5 to engage members across the state in the legislative process.
Held in place of the organization’s usual in-person Leadership Conference, the weeklong online event will feature discussions with state leaders on leading agriculture and rural issues.
Monday, Feb. 1: OKFB’s recap of Gov. Stitt’s State of the State
Tuesday, Feb. 2: Oklahoma legislative preview featuring Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat and Speaker of the House Charles McCall
Wednesday, Feb. 3: Ad valorem tax discussion featuring Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt and Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum
Thursday, Feb. 4: Federal ag policy update featuring Congressman Frank Lucas
Friday, Feb. 5: Advocating with Farm Bureau featuring OKFB President Rodd Moesel
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The Oklahoma Farm Bureau - a grassroots organization that has for its Mission Statement- “Improving the Lives of Rural Oklahomans." Farm Bureau, as the state's largest general farm organization, is active at the State Capitol fighting for the best interests of its members and working with other groups to make certain that the interests of rural Oklahoma are protected. Click here for their website to learn more about the organization and how it can benefit you to be a part of Farm Bureau.
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Congressman Frank Lucas Determined to Resolve Cattle Market Manipulation Issue |
When U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) studies the current livestock marketing system he is looking at it from several angles as a Congressman, rancher and consumer.
On today’s Beef Buzz, he explains what he believes is happening and how he plans to fix it.
He said there is a lack of market competition because there are only a few packers controlling a large supply of the cattle.
During a speech to Farm Bureau last year Lucas said he came across a quote from President Teddy Roosevelt who said when 51 percent of the packing was done by four entities that was too much concentration.
That was over 120 years ago yet it still seems a relevant issue today.
Maybe we need to address what is the upper limit of what one entity should control, he said.
Congress has the authority to limit how much of an industry any one entity can control, Lucas said.
I don’t care how good your steers are if there is nobody to buy the steers or haul them to market, then it is for nothing, Lucas said.
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Uneven Recovery in U.S. Foodservice Sector Implies the Same for Animal Protein |
As COVID-19 spread across the country last year, it spurred the “great grocery grab of 2020” - a shift to at-home food consumption not seen since the early 1980s. The abrupt change also forced the most significant shift in meat supplies the industry has experienced, diverting massive volumes of meat and other food originally intended for restaurants into retail distribution channels and grocery stores.
U.S. animal protein supplies have returned to normal and foodservice sales have improved since the onset of the pandemic but may not return to pre-pandemic levels until the second half of 2022, according to ’a new report from CoBanks Knowledge Exchange
“Trends in consumer demand for at-home and away-from-home consumption are central to the profitability and viability of the U.S. animal protein supply chain,” said Will Sawyer lead animal protein economist with CoBank. “As the U.S. foodservice sector climbs out of the hole left by 2020, the animal protein sector will not only need to realign itself with the survivors of the last year, but also remain flexible.”
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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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Animal Ag Alliance Launches New Program to Prepare Better Industry Spokespersons |
Animal Ag Allies is a new program focused on helping producers to be better industry spokespersons, said Emily Solis, communications specialist with Animal Ag Alliance
Solis was recently interviewed by Radio Oklahoma Agriculture Network Associate Farm Director and Editor KC Sheperd.
We are really excited about our Animal Ag Allies program, Solis said
The purpose of this program is to empower farmers, ranchers, veterinarians to be outspoken advocates for animal agriculture online and within their communities, she said.
The program provides networking opportunities, training, communication skills and everything you will need to be a well-rounded spokesperson for animal agriculture, she said.
It consists of five modules that include an overview of animal agriculture, how to reach outside the ag choir, addressing contentious issues and participants will be added to a network of others who have completed this program.
This program includes information about all phases of agriculture, Solis 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
Dating back to 1891, Stillwater Milling Company has been supplying ranchers with the highest quality feeds made from the highest quality ingredients. Their full line of A & M Feeds can be delivered direct to your farm, found at their Agri-Center stores in Stillwater, Davis, Claremore and Perry or at more than 125 dealers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Texas. We appreciate Stillwater Milling Company’s long time support of the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and we encourage you to click here to learn more about their products and services.
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CFAP Provides Lifeline to Farmers and Ranchers |
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on the USDA suspension of CFAP payments this past week.
“The pandemic has taken an unprecedented toll on American agriculture, and the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program has provided a lifeline for farmers and ranchers across the country. Many growers who previously did not qualify for assistance continue to suffer losses and need the help CFAP provides.
“We recognize the new administration’s desire to review important farmer and rancher assistance programs and we urge USDA to take into consideration our comments on how to improve such programs
We appreciate that CFAP applications will continue to be accepted, and we encourage the swift resumption of distribution of resources to the people who are working to keep America’s pantries stocked.”
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New Southern Plains Podcast with Dr. Steve Mauget on Soil health, Climate Impact on Crops and Livestock Weather Stress |
In the latest southern plains podcast they are looking at soil health, climate impact on crops, and more!
Dr. Steve Mauget with the Agricultural Research Service in Lubbock, Texas. Dr. Mauget visits with us about his work looking at soil health, climate impact on crops and Livestock weather stress.
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Pecan growers Zoom sessions return Feb. 12 |
Oklahoma pecan growers have taken advantage of technology to continue learning about growing pecans and orchard management through a series of online classes.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many changes in the way people learn. Oklahoma State University Extension stepped up to the plate to provide valuable, research-based information to state residents, said Becky Carroll, OSU Extension associate specialist, fruit and pecans.
“We started the monthly Pecan Topics Zoom program last year due to the cancelation of the Pecan Management Workshop series and other field days,” Carroll said. “With Extension employees working from home, being able to connect with clients and offer education came with a learning curve - for both presenters and growers - but we prevailed.”
The popular online sessions will continue monthly through November. Oklahoma pecan growers are encouraged to attend virtually, ask questions and forge new relationships in the industry.
“There were more than 400 participants in the Zoom series representing 55 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties. We also reached growers in five other states, as well as six foreign countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, Spain and Turkey,” she said.
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Public Access in the Capitol Limited as 2021 Oklahoma Legislative Session Begins |
Pandemic precaution protocols for the 2021 legislative session were announced Friday.
To protect against the spread of the COVID-19 while preserving legislative functionality and public access, the Senate and House of Representatives will each:
• Continue livestreaming all proceedings online.
• Reduce committee room and legislative chamber gallery capacity to accommodate social distancing while strictly enforcing capacity limits, with committee seating first reserved for committee members and staff followed by the public.
• Establish committee overflow spaces throughout the building where committee proceedings will be broadcast in areas conducive to social distancing.
• Allow forms of remote voting upon approval of additional legislative rules once session begins.
• Continue the mask policy of masks should be worn where social distancing is not possible.
• Provide regular testing of members and staff.
• Prohibit public gatherings in legislative chambers, committee rooms and hallways.
• Limit floor appearances by the public.
• Continue regular and extensive cleaning, keep doors open where possible, increase availability of hand sanitizer, and display additional protocol and precaution signage throughout legislative space.
• Utilize a socially-distanced seating chart for joint sessions.
In addition, the Oklahoma State Department of Health made COVID-19 vaccinations available to all legislators earlier this month as part of its planned second tier of vaccinations. By early in session, a large majority of the Legislature will have been vaccinated in the interest of continuity of government.
The protocols will be regularly evaluated and are subject to change during session.
For the public- there will be only limited access to the Capitol building- but hearings and the sessions of both bodies will be livestreamed.
If you want to contact your state senator- click here for multiple ways to determine who your senator is and how to reach them.
Likewise- click here to get contact info for your state House member.
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Governor Kevin Stitt Releases List of Accomplishments Ahead of State of the State |
Ahead of today's State of the State Address by Governor Kevin Stitt- his office has released the Stitt Administration's List of Accomplishments for 2020.
Click here or on the button below to view the 66 page report.
Starting on page 33- you can see the list of accomplishments that Secretary Blayne Arthur and her team have done in 2020.
And- speaking of the State of the State- one sure way to get the complete speech is to watch online via OETA- their livestream is available here.
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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 $1.96 and Select Beef was up $1.82 on Friday January 29th
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Oklahoma National Stockyards had 10,425 head last Monday- January 25th- According to Western Commission's Facebook Sunday evening post- We have over 9,000 head in this evening at the Stockyards in OKC. Expecting 10,500 head maybe more.
Looking back at last week's Monday trade compared to the week before- Feeder steers steady. Feeder heifers steady to 2.00 higher. Steer and heifer calves steady to 4.00 lower. Demand moderate for all classes. Rains moved in late Sunday leaving good moisture for much of the state. Quality average to attractive however several cattle carrying quite a bit of mud.
Click below for the complete closing 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 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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