Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- OSU Fire Ecology Specialist John Weir Warns of Danger, Offers Guidance
- Cattle Markets Add Christmas Cheer, but Drought is a Grinch
- LMA's Chelsea Good Says Fed Cattle Price Dictates Price Discovery from Top Down
- Beef Up Your Bull-Buying Strategy at Cattlemen's Congress
- Modified Prop 12 Rules Remain Flawed; More Time Needed
- Rural Water Wrap-Up: Infrastructure Funding on the Horizon
- USDA Expands Partnerships for Conservation Through Its CRE Program
- Dover Rancher(and OCA President) Donates Beef to the Ronald McDonald House Dressed as Santa
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OSU Fire Ecology Specialist John Weir Warns of Danger, Offers Guidance |
When the wind comes sweeping down the plains, it can also spread dangerous wildfires. When Oklahoma enters its dry season, usually in November, wildfire danger in the state also increases. Right now, 95% of the state is classified as experiencing abnormally dry conditions or worse, according to the latest drought monitor report.
Yesterday, we met with John Weir, extension fire ecology specialist at Oklahoma State University, to go over what exacerbates wildfire risk and some tips from an expert on wildfire mitigation and prevention.
“The winds are the biggest driving factor of all wildfires,” Weir said. “Dry conditions make things even worse, but if you look at all the large fires, it is all has to do with high-wind days.”
With the wind being the largest contributor to wildfires in Oklahoma, it is not a surprise that March, Oklahoma’s windiest month, is also the month Oklahoma sees the most wildfire activity, according to Weir.
“Like Ben Franklin said, ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’” Weir said. “We need to be thinking about this long before that fire is coming toward your property or livestock.”
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The vision of the Oklahoma Beef Council is to be a positive difference for Oklahoma's farming and ranching families and the greater beef community, and its mission is to enhance beef demand by strengthening consumer trust and exceeding consumer expectations.
And Check out this video below that helps you learn more about the Beef Checkoff- .
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Cattle Markets Add Christmas Cheer, but Drought is a Grinch |
Weekly, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist Derrell Peel offers his expertise in the cattle industry. This is a part of the weekly series known as the "Cow-Calf Corner" published electronically by Derrell Pell. Today, Peel talks about the Oklahoma cattle industry ahead of Christmas.
Christmas is upon us, and cattle markets are adding to the holiday spirit as 2021 comes to a close. Optimism that has built in feeder cattle markets in the second half of the year has been enhanced and consolidated with the fed cattle market breaking out and moving sharply higher in the last two months of the year. Fed cattle prices have increased roughly 12% since late October and are about 29% higher compared to one year ago in December.
Oklahoma calf and stocker prices in mid-December are up 15% from the fall low in early October and are roughly 12% higher than the same time last year. Heavy feeder cattle prices have increased about five% since October and are ending the year about 18% higher year over year. The auction totals for feeder cattle have been up nearly ten% year over year since September with the December totals up over 22% compared to last year. Rising market prices apparently encouraged some producers to hold off until after Thanksgiving to market feeder cattle this year.
Rapidly expanding drought conditions are threatening winter wheat grazing in the southern plains. Dwindling forage supplies may already be causing some wheat pasture removals and could be contributing to the strong December feeder cattle auction volumes.
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LMA's Chelsea Good Says Fed Cattle Price Dictates Price Discovery from Top Down |
True price discovery happens in its purest form at livestock auctions. For most cattle, the last time they sell in their life is when they leave a feedlot to be processed. By that time, the level of competition to purchase cattle is not there, according to Chelsea Good, vice president of government and industry affairs for the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA). Good told us fed cattle pricing matters to the entire industry.
“In livestock auctions … you have multiple people competing for those animals that are sold at auction,” Good said. “Those are typically younger animals. That last transaction is an interaction between a feed yard and a packer. You do not typically see that same level of competition.”
She said that deficit of competition at the fed-cattle level is concerning for the LMA. Over the years, there has been a change to the way fed cattle are priced, through alternative marketing agreements or formula contracts. Although integration of AMAs and formula contracts have been a good thing for the industry, Good said when the cash market is thin, it affects price discovery from the top down.
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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 daily report 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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Beef Up Your Bull-Buying Strategy at Cattlemen's Congress |
Breeding season is an imperative time for cattlemen and women, and the investment in a herd bull can be daunting. Angus University will host an educational session about bull buying strategies at Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Wednesday, Jan. 5 at 9 a.m. This session will provide attendees with answers to their biggest bull buying questions and the ability to select bulls with confidence.
"Buying a bull is an important decision," Mark McCully, Association chief executive officer, said. "We’re fortunate to provide education from some of the industry’s experts to commercial cattlemen ahead of the spring bull buying season."
The one-hour event will consist of three, 20-minute sessions focused on bull buying strategies. Attendees will hear from Angus staff, extension specialists and industry representatives as well as have the opportunity to ask questions during a social session following the presentations at the Angus booth.
Association Regional Manager Jeff Mafi will address "Sorting Through the Sale Book." Understanding EPDs and logos will help commercial cattlemen feel more confident reading through sale offerings. Mafi will also help attendees navigate terms and conditions and private treaty sales.
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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
Oklahoma AgCredit supports rural Oklahoma with reliable and consistent credit, today and tomorrow. We offer loans for land, livestock, equipment, operating costs and country homes (NMLSR #809962) to farmers, ranchers and rural businesses across 60 counties. As a cooperative, we are owned by the members we serve. Through our Patronage Program, we have returned more than $74 million to our members since 1997.
For more information on our services or to find a location near you, visit our website here.
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Modified Prop 12 Rules Remain Flawed; More Time Needed |
In comments submitted to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) said, despite modification to proposed rules for Proposition 12 (Prop 12 or the law), the proposed rules remain flawed and more time is needed for compliance.
“Until CDFA publishes final rules, no one can adequately prepare to comply with a law with criminal sanctions and that authorizes civil litigation,” Mark Dopp, general counsel and chief operating officer at NAMI, said. “Rather than apply ‘band aids’ to address some challenges, NAMI suggests CDFA go further and afford everyone in the supply chain, from hog producers all the way to foodservice and retail entities, the 28-month preparation time the law, and the voters, contemplated before enforcing any aspect of Prop 12 or its regulations.”
Although CDFA modified the proposed rules and are to be applauded because they account for complexities in the supply chain or they bring the proposal more in line with the law, unfortunately, many parts of the May 2021 proposed rules remain intact and flawed. NAMI identified these flaws in its July comments and during the August public hearing.
Prop 12 directed CDFA to promulgate regulations implementing the law by September 1, 2019. The rules are yet to be finalized even though some provisions take effect January 1, 2022.
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Rural Water Wrap-Up: Infrastructure Funding on the Horizon |
Oklahomans in rural areas and small towns are searching for funding to support water and wastewater infrastructure. According to Kevin Wagner, director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Center, more than $80 billion is needed to ensure the state has adequate drinking water and wastewater systems now and in the future.
“Almost half of the 800 water supply systems in Oklahoma collectively serve less than 5% of the state’s population,” Wagner said. “Because of their small ratepayer base, these systems struggle to meet today’s drinking water standards.”
In addition to OSU resources, state and federal funding supports water infrastructure modernization and development. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 signed into law in March authorized $1.87 billion for Oklahoma to build a stronger, more innovative and diverse economy.
Many Oklahoma communities and counties have already received their direct ARPA allotments and are finalizing plans to utilize them. On a state level, Gov. Kevin Stitt has established a joint legislative committee to ensure funds are allocated in a responsible and transparent manner while in accordance with federal guidelines.
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USDA Expands Partnerships for Conservation Through Its CRE Program |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is leveraging its authorities under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to bring in new types of partners and ultimately expand opportunities in voluntary conservation for the Nation’s agricultural producers and private landowners. In direct response to feedback from state agencies, Tribes, non-profits and other groups, USDA has updated CREP’s rule regarding matching fund requirements, and invested in additional staff to work directly with partners for streamlined, partner-driven conservation efforts.
CREP is part of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and enables USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), through Farm Service Agency (FSA), and partners to co-invest in partner-led projects. CREP also plays an important role in USDA’s broader climate change strategy, bringing together producers, landowners and partners for climate-smart land management.
“CREP is one of the most flexible tools we have for locally-driven, partner-led efforts to reward producers and drive important environmental and climate outcomes, said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “We look forward to working with new, diverse partners who can shape CRP to address priorities most important to them and to local communities, from water quality and conservation to wildlife habitat and climate outcomes. The CREP changes in this rule will remove barriers and provide partners with increased flexibility to participate in this powerful program.”
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Dover Rancher Donates Beef to the Ronald McDonald House Dressed as Santa |
Just before Christmas, OCA President Byron Yeoman dressed as Santa Clause and delivered a freezer full of beef to the Ronald McDonald House Charity in Tulsa, Okla. Yeoman had been planning the donation for a while, but since it took place so close to Christmas, he thought it might be fun to dress as Santa on delivery day. You guessed it, Santa drove up in a pick-up truck with a Cowboy hat and a load of home-raised, nutritious beef.
The Ronald McDonald House Charity in Tulsa allows families with sick children to stay together and near the medical care they need. Helping a sick child fight their illness takes a big enough emotional toll on a family. Adding a financial strain can make it almost too much to bear. The Houses offer all of the comforts of home.
“The Ronald McDonald House provides help to families going through some really difficult times,” Yeoman said. “My wife and I are grateful for the opportunity to donate beef that will feed those families while they stay at the Ronald McDonald House.”
Because cattlemen care, OCA is helping coordinate beef donations to the OKC and Tulsa Ronald McDonald Houses. Each Ronald McDonald House uses 2-3 beefs per year. Let us know if you would like to help feed families going through a tough time by emailing chanson@okcattlemen.org or calling the OCA office at 405-235-4391.
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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 seesawed yesterday. Choice Beef was down 63 cents and Select Beef was up $2.39 on Monday, 12/20/2021.
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.
These markets have wrapped up their sales for 2021- they all return the first full week of January, 2022.
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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
Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager
Chelsea Stanfield, Farm News and Email Editor
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Rural Oklahoma is full of some of the greatest success stories throughout the entire state and is a big reason why Oklahoma is on track to become a top 10 state.
The Road to Rural Prosperity dives into these stories, 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.
Our Latest RRP is an end of year conversation between Oklahoma Third District Congressman Frank Lucas and Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Senior Farm/Ranch Director Ron Hays.
They talk about the recently passed extension of the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Measure as well as the Cattle Contract Library Act of 2021, the continued wait on the US Department of Justice investigation into the major meat packers, Congressman Lucas' work on the Science Committee, his continued intentions to return to the House Ag Committee in time to be a part of writing the next Farm Bill and a comparison of Congress when he first arrived in Washington in the mid 1990s and today.
Search for Road to Rural Prosperity and subscribe on your favorite Podcast platform.
To hear this podcast, you can click here or tap below:
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Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, 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, Union Mutual Insurance, 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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