Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Monday, March 15, 2021
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- Weekend Yields Winners in the Breeding Animal Shows at the Oklahoma Youth Expo
- Oklahoma Beef Council Collaborates to Create "Beef in the Early Years" Videos
- Current Congress Unlikely to Repeal Death Tax Says NCBA's Danielle Beck
- Oklahoma Prairie Beef Solution on a Mission to Add value to cull cows; Learn more on March 23
- USDA Offers Conservation Stewardship Program Participants Renewal Options for Contracts Set to Close
- House Advances Broadband Expansion Bills
- Spring Agronomy Outlook: A Time to Plant, a Time to Prosper
- ASA, Coalition Comments for EPA's Chlorpyrifos Interim Decision
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Weekend Yields Winners in the Breeding Animal Shows at the Oklahoma Youth Expo
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It was a busy weekend at State Fair Park- parking was a challenge as folks came in from all over the state to support their favorite young people at the State High School Basketball Championships as well as the Oklahoma Youth Expo- Basketball was done Saturday night- OYE claimed the the Big House and Heifers were king in the arena starting Sunday afternoon.
We'll salute some of those winners in the next day or so- but in the other venues in Barn Three and the Super Barn Arena- lots of winners were named- including Kenna Gay of Canadian County, (Pictured above) who won both the Weather Dam Doe Supreme Championship as well as the Breeding Doe Supreme Title.
The ORB Overall Champion Title was claimed by Kyson Thiel of Newkirk FFA, winning with his Gelbvieh Champion Heifer.
Supreme Champion Commercial Ewe was shown by Jera Brown of Smithfield FFA while the Supreme Champion Purebred Ewe was the Champion Dorset, shown by Maklain Stinnett of Lindsay FFA.
Read more about some of the high achievers at the OYE by clicking on the button below.
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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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Oklahoma Beef Council Collaborates to Create "Beef in the Early Years" Videos
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The Oklahoma Beef Council (OBC) and the Washington State Beef Commission (WSBC) have launched a series of “whiteboard” explainer videos as part of a new national educational marketing campaign that helps educate parents on the importance of feeding babies beef as an early complimentary food. The campaign, directed by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, is called “Beef in the Early Years," and is just the latest example of how the Beef Checkoff is leading the way when it comes to emerging science that shows introducing solid foods like beef to infants and toddlers helps them pack every bite with protein, iron, zinc, and choline, which are important for healthy growth and development.
The videos highlight how scientific organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, and now, for the first time ever, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are making recommendations to include nutrient-rich foods, like beef, starting around six months of age. Whiteboard videos are an engaging way to explain science-based topics in an easily understandable format. For an early peak of the new videos, click on the play button in the video box below.
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Current Congress Unlikely to Repeal Death Tax Says NCBA's Danielle Beck
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Abolishing the estate tax will be difficult with the current Democrat-controlled Congress said Danielle Beck, senior director of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
Beck said farmers and ranchers want a permanent elimination of the so called “death tax.”
Any individual whose property or estate is over $10 million for individuasl and $20 million for couples, could be faced with a 40 percent tax rate, she said.
We have long advocated for full permanent repeal of the death tax, she said.
Bipartisan legislation has been introduced with 26 Senators and 123 Representatives have signed on to support the bill but that is not enough to get it passed.
President Biden, who is looking for more ways to increase revenue, has indicated rolling back the exemption levels to pre 2012 which would mean about a $3.5 million exemption for individuals with a 45 percent tax rate, Beck said.
Democrats are getting an early start on tax hikes with a trio of little noticed tax increases focused on big corporations in the latest Covid relief bill, she noted.
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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 Prairie Beef Solution on a Mission to Add value to cull cows; Learn more on March 23
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Cattlemen are encouraged to attend an informational webinar hosted by the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) on Tuesday, March 23 at 7 p.m. The webinar will provide information about the newly formed entity, Oklahoma Prairie Beef Solutions.
“Oklahoma Prairie Beef Solutions (OPBS) was created for the Oklahoma cattle producer by Oklahoma cattle producers,” said Sydnee Gerken, OPBS Director of Operations. “In a time where prices and marketing are tough, we came together to find a solution. With an idea in mind of adding value to the cull cow market, Oklahoma Prairie Beef Solutions, LLC entity of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association was born.”
The purpose of OPBS is to reward a premium to cattlemen and women who choose to sell their cull cows into this program. The upcoming webinar will provide information regarding the specifications to participate and the enrollment process for cattlemen. Webinar panelists will include Sydnee Gerken, OPBS Director of Operations; Weston Givens, OPBS Board Member; and Michael Kelsey, Executive Vice President of the OCA. The webinar is free; however, registration is required. Register at okcattlemen.org/webinars.
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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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USDA Offers Conservation Stewardship Program Participants Renewal Options for Contracts Set to Close
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that it is accepting Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) renewal applications through March 31 for over 11,000 contracts set to end this year. CSP is USDA’s largest working lands conservation program with more than 90 million acres enrolled.
“In fiscal year 2020, NRCS helped enhance 9.3 million acres of land enrolled in CSP,” said Terry Cosby, acting Chief for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). “CSP continues to prove its worth by helping farmers and ranchers advance their business operations through conservation enhancements on their land that sustain the natural resources that improve productivity and their bottom lines.”
Participants with existing CSP contracts that close on December 31, 2021, can benefit from recent program changes by renewing their contracts for an additional five years if they agree to adopt additional conservation practices on their land. Applications to renew expiring contracts are due by March 31.
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House Advances Broadband Expansion Bills
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The House of Representatives advanced a slate of broadband expansion legislation this week laying the groundwork for comprehensive improvements to the state’s lagging internet infrastructure over the next decade.
As a package, the bills offer state incentives and grants to broadband providers, establish ways to maximize existing and future infrastructure, update broadband terms in state law, and add important stakeholders to the council developing long-term broadband plans.
“These bills are a strong foundation to get faster, cheaper internet to all Oklahomans - especially in rural areas with no internet at all,” said House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. “It won’t be easy or happen overnight, but the House is committed to doing its part to deliver broadband to all Oklahomans.”
Expanding rural broadband is a multibillion dollar, multi-decade endeavor nearly every state is undertaking. Billions of federal dollars are being made available to internet providers to build out infrastructure. State and local policies and incentives also play a large role.
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Spring Agronomy Outlook: A Time to Plant, a Time to Prosper
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Farm supply cooperatives and distributors are positioned to benefit from an active and profitable spring agronomy season driven by high commodity prices, strong input demand and an expected increase in planted acres of soybean, corn and wheat.
After two strong agronomy seasons in 2020, ag retailers and wholesalers begin the 2021 planting season with favorable industry fundamentals and an opportunity to expand profit margins, according to a ’new report from CoBanks Knowledge Exchange
“Barring additional weather shocks, spring 2021 is setting up to be a very strong agronomy season for crop input distributors,” said Kenneth Scott Zuckerberg lead grain and farm supply economist with CoBank. “Improving profits for cooperative agronomy departments should help cushion the negative carry caused by an inversion in futures prices.”
Since last August, prices have increased more than 60% for corn and soybeans and nearly 20% for wheat, in response to tight ending stocks and continued strong demand from both export markets and domestic processors. The cyclical turn in grain prices, combined with robust government support payments, drove a surprise recovery in farmer income, leaving growers in a sound financial position heading into spring.
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ASA, Coalition Comments for EPA's Chlorpyrifos Interim Decision
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On March 6, ASA filed comments and led coalition efforts to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s docket for the proposed interim decision (PID) for the registration review of chlorpyrifos.
Unfortunately, chlorpyrifos has become highly politicized due to a human epidemiological study conducted between 1998-2003 that links chlorpyrifos exposures to negative neurodevelopmental effects. This has led some to call for banning use of the chemistry. The coalition and ASA comments highlight many flaws with using this one study to establish health risks - a concern also expressed by EPA’s Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Science Advisory Panel (SAP). ASA and other signers strongly encourage EPA to continue to investigate the science on this matter:
To restrict or cancel the use of a chemistry-based on conflicting, tenuous evidence and hypothetical risks is not the science, risk-based process required by FIFRA. The comments also highlight how multiple other studies have found no link between chlorpyrifos exposure and neurological effects.
Chlorpyrifos, which is registered in 50 crops, is an important tool for U.S. growers and represents hundreds of millions of dollars in benefits to growers through preserved yields and reduced operational costs.
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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 again on Friday March 12th
Choice Beef was off 80 cents while Select Beef was up 20 cents. .
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Oklahoma National Stockyards had around 7.500 head on hand Sunday evening- and the word we got from Kelli Payne was to expect 9,000+ head for today's sale- which will be starting at 6:30 AM.
For comparison- Click below for the complete closing report.from last Monday, March 8th.
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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.
Host Ron Hays talks with Oklahoma Third District Congressman Frank Lucas about two recent pieces of legislation that he voted against- HR 1, the Democrat's Voting Rights Bill that would strip power away from the states on how to register and verify voters- and also the Budget Reconciliation Bill that the Biden Administration is calling the American Rescue Plan. Hays and Lucas also talked about confirmation of Tom Vilsack to be USDA Secretary- Lucas saying he is "relieved" that Vilsack was President Biden's choice to be Secretary.
Rep. Lucas also talked about the CFAP money that is being held up by the Biden USDA- saying that Congress offered explicit instructions on funds to be spent to compensate cattle producers who sold cattle at a loss April 15 thru May last year as COVID devastated the market.
The Congressman also talked about the groundwork ahead of a 2023 Farm Bill and what he is working on in the Science Committee to help research back on track after a year of dealing with the Pandemic.
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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