Last week, during OSU's Wheat Field Day in Lahoma, State Wheat Breeder Dr. Brett Carver unveiled two new wheat varieties, labeled Smith's Gold and Spirit Rider.

"Spirit Rider and Smith's Gold fit a strong wheat breeding tradition at OSU for excellence that extends straight from the field and into the bakery," said Carver, lead researcher for the OSU Wheat Improvement Team, an interdisciplinary team of researchers responsible for developing the new varieties. "Commercial entities already have handed down that opinion, so we can move forward knowing the hard red winter wheat class will be well represented by these two varieties."

Spirit Rider's parentage includes OK Bullet, which was bred by OSU. While carrying some characteristics of its parent, Spirit Rider offers improved straw strength, standability and yield potential. It also has good disease resistance.

A solid dual-purpose variety, Smith's Gold features excellent yield potential with strong greenbug and Hessian fly resistance as well as protection against stripe rust earlier in the spring and after flowering in the adult-plant stages. Its parentage includes Gallagher, a popular variety also developed by OSU.

Both varieties exhibit exceptional baking and milling qualities.

You can read more about both of these varieties, or listen to my interview with Carver, by clicking or tapping here.

You'll notice a bit of wind noise as it was a might breezy as we talked with Dr. Carver in front of the variety trials at the Lahoma Field Station- but worth fighting thru as he offers some great insights into these new varieties and what it takes to turn a number on a variety into a name. 

Thursday of last week was full of major victories, not just for the US beef industry, but all of agriculture. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a reorganization of the USDA to include a new undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, Robert Lighthizer was confirmed by the Senate as the next US Trade Representative and that evening, China's government announced it had set a date to finalize negotiations and reopen their doors to US ag products, including beef.

While many groups like the US Meat Export Federation are welcoming this news, Kent Bacus of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association told me that, yes, the news is exciting but if it is going to be done - let's make sure we get it done right.

"China is important, but it's important that we get it done and we get it done right the first time," Bacus said. "The last thing we want is to have access in name only and not be able to capitalize that and build on the profit margins for producers."

Bacus contends that it is important upfront, to get the best possible deal with the most access whenever we first get out foot in the door. Otherwise it could be very difficult to negotiate up once the deal has been struck.

Listen to Bacus and I discuss China's big news about opening its markets back up to US beef exports, on Friday's Beef Buzz - click here.

In an op-ed piece entitled, Our View: It's Called a Farm Bill for a Reason, the folks at Farm Policy Facts more or less make the case that when it comes to outsiders looking in, trying to involve themselves with the process of farm bill negotiations, they would rather they just step aside and let the farmers do the talking.

The article refers to a story from The Washington Post covering celebrity chefs that have taken action, advocating for what they say the Farm Bill should look like, even going so far as to say it should be referred to, not as a farm bill, but a "food bill."

Essentially, these chefs are sticking their noses into the business of farmers, attempting to push their agendas and influence on legislation that pertains directly to farmers and their operations.

"While these efforts may be well intentioned - the farm bill is, in fact, about ensuring a stable and sustainable supply of food and fiber - they are certainly divorced from the challenges and risks farm families face, as well as the challenge of feeding a growing world population, the vast majority of whom could never afford the delicacies these chefs create," the article reads.

The author brings the point home writing, "We refer to the law dictating agricultural policy in this country as a "farm bill" for a reason. Without farms, there is no food. Without farms, there is no fiber. Without farms, efforts to protect our land, water, and air would be greatly diminished. Without farms, there is no security. And, one that these chefs can understand, without farms, there are no restaurants."

Click here to read the full op-ed from Farm Policy Facts on our website.

As part of a continuing series of stories on Significant Women in Oklahoma Agriculture, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry and Oklahoma State University are recognizing and honoring the impact of countless women across all 77 counties of the state, from all aspects and areas of the agricultural industry. The honorees were nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of 14 industry professionals. This week Tiete Lycklama of Broken Bow is featured this week as a Significant Woman in Oklahoma Agriculture.


Storms have been known to beat down a crop, yet not destroy it.


Tiete Lycklama of Broken Bow, a lifelong partner of agriculture, has faced some heart-wrenching storms through her 65 years of life.


Lycklama, a native of the Netherlands, was only 12 years old only when the first tragedy struck.


Not long after returning home from Sunday evening church service in the nearby village of Lollum, Jan Van Der Meulen turned in for the night. The 40-year-old dairy farmer planned to milk the next morning and bale hay later on in the day.


However, during the night, Jan passed away, suffering a heart attack.


"He was a Godly man. I looked up on him. After Daddy passed away, that changed my childhood," Tiete said, one of five children. "I was one of the oldest, I needed to be my Mom's right hand."


Lycklama's story is a combination of not only contributions to agriculture, but of faith and perseverance.


Continue reading about Lycklama's story as a significant woman in Oklahoma's ag industry, on our website - click here.

During the State FFA Convention held in Oklahoma City, nearly two weeks ago, American Farmers & Ranchers partnered with the Oklahoma Blood Institute, to host a blood drive at the convention. FFA members had the opportunity to participate and potentially save lives by donating blood.

According to AFR, 67 donors gave enough blood to potentially save the lives of 201 people, during the drive.

"I think that is fantastic," said Crystie Shebester, AFR Women's Cooperative State Council chair. "The FFA students are outstanding with a strong sense of community. It does not surprise me they embraced this idea and showed up in good numbers."

Shebester said the council decided earlier this year to launch a year-long initiative to promote blood drives throughout Oklahoma in partnership with the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI). As the nation's 9th largest non-profit blood center, Oklahoma Blood Institute relies solely on 1,200 volunteer blood donors a day to meet the needs of patients at more than 160 hospitals and medical facilities statewide. 

AFR and OBI received the help of FFA members earlier this year during the Oklahoma Youth Expo as well, conducting a successful blood drive there, with more than 30 people that donated enough blood to save 90 lives during that event.

Click here and learn more about AFR's Women's Cooperative State Council and their dedication to serving rural Oklahomans and saving all Oklahomans, through their blood drive initiative.

 
Several more folks weighed in the importance of the word from last Thursday evening that the Trump Administration had extracted a date from China as to when they would allow US Beef back into their country once again. 

US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue was one of those releasing a statement of support on Friday- saying "This is tremendous news for the American beef industry, the agriculture community, and the U.S. economy in general.  We will once again have access to the enormous Chinese market, with a strong and growing middle class, which had been closed to our ranchers for a long, long time. 

"I commend the persistence of President Trump, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, the U.S. Trade Representative's officials, and our own USDA professionals.  I also thank our Chinese counterparts, who worked so hard to get this agreement into place.  When the Chinese people taste our high-quality U.S. beef, there's no doubt in my mind that they'll want more of it."

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Another leader who cheered the news was former Chairman of the House Ag Committee- Frank Lucas, who continues to serve as Third District Congressman for Oklahoma and husband of Lynda Lucas, who loves her shorthorn cattle.

Lucas states "I applaud the Trump administration for proactively securing a trade deal with China. This agreement immediately ends China's 14 year ban on beef imports, a move that will drive demand for U.S. beef and strengthen cattle producers here at home. For states like Oklahoma, which produces more than it can consume in ag and energy products, it's critically important we identify new opportunities to trade our products into the world market. A trade deal with China means improved access to an enormous foreign market, as well as the opportunity to reduce our country's trade deficit. I look forward to working with the administration to support strong trade deals that will move our economy forward."

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Finally- there are the thoughts of Steve Dittmer, who dives deep with an Op-Ed on trade policy Trump Style.

He writes "There are lots of things we can learn from yesterday's announcement that beef would be arriving in China by the front door by July of this year.

"For one, never underestimate the power of the personal, especially if those personages involved have incentives. The U.S. has been beating on China's front door for 13 years, with nothing but long negotiations and well documented roadblocks to show for it. We got approval but no plants were ever approved to ship product.

"Donald Trump becomes president and bellows for all the world to hear -- most notably China -- that he is very unhappy with nearly all trade agreements America is party to. Canada and Mexico express displeasure but call Trump at the eleventh hour when word leaks out he is drafting a withdrawal document. Please, please negotiate, don't terminate is their message.

"Even before that, China's President Xi Jinping has beaten them to the punch. With much of his country's economy at stake, Xi wrangles a personal visit with Trump, relying on his personal charm to convince Trump not to start a trade war. Person to person, the numbers one and two world economies within 90 days of one's inauguration -- not too common.

"In a matter of roughly 30 days, issues that have simmered for years and years suddenly practically melt -- or so it appears. We're not counting our chickens yet, whether they are raised and cooked here or in China. But when the top guys say, "It shall be done," negotiators and diplomats hop to."

To read Steve's full article on how this is playing out- and why it is a great deal for the US Beef industry, click or tap here.