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We invite you to listen to us on great radio stations across the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network weekdays- if you missed this morning's Farm News - or you are in an area where you can't hear it- click or tap here for this morning's Farm news from Ron Hays on RON.
Let's Check the Markets!
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.
Today's First Look:
mornings with cash and futures reviewed- includes where the Cash Cattle market stands, the latest Feeder Cattle Markets Etc.
Each afternoon we are posting a recap of that day's markets as analyzed by Justin Lewis of KIS futures- click or tap here for the report posted yesterday afternoon around 3:30 PM.
Okla Cash Grain:
Futures Wrap:
Feeder Cattle Recap:
Slaughter Cattle Recap:
TCFA Feedlot Recap:
Our Oklahoma Farm Report Team!!!!
Ron Hays, Senior Farm Director and Editor
Carson Horn, Associate Farm Director and Editor Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager Dave Lanning, Markets and Production
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Oklahoma's Latest Farm and Ranch News
Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Monday, April 1, 2019
No Foolin!
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Howdy Neighbors!
Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
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 Featured Story:
At the 2019 Texas & Southwest Cattle Raisers Association in Fort Worth, Texas we sat down with National Cattlemen's Beef Association President Jennifer Houston to discuss some of the top priorities the cattle industry is tackling right now. Among those issues she says the members and staff of the NCBA are watching closely are things like animal ID and disease traceability, the Hours of Service rule and its restrictions on livestock haulers as well as the process to replace the current Waters of the United States rule- AND- of course trade.
The last two in that list have required more immediate attention though, being somewhat time sensitive in nature, especially when it comes to the WOTUS rule revision. Currently, that process has reached the public comment period where people can weigh in on the WOTUS rule and help guide regulators' decisions on how this rule can be improved. Houston says this is very important for the beef industry to be aware of and to actively participate in. WOTUS has been a thorn in the side of beef producers ever since the Obama Administration implemented the confusing and overreaching measure back in 2015, she says and encourages all producers to take the time to submit their own comments and urge policy leaders to make the necessary changes it needs.
NCBA has created a template for producers to use on their website that makes submitting a comment as easy as possible. Click here to jump to that template to submit your own comment now if you'd like.
In addition, trade remains the industry's top priority with current and future economic success tied to our ability to export and compete on the world market. With so many important trade deals still unratified and under ongoing negotiation, Houston says the US beef industry continues to fall behind its major competitors that do have trade deals with some of our largest international customers. Despite the disadvantages, the US has still managed to perform very well - which is indicative that there is a lot of opportunity out there to be had for US beef. Houston, though, is encouraged by the fact that the Trump Administration is at the table and working hard to finalize these deals and says once those deals are made, the industry will enjoy greater certainty and prosperity under the new terms.
She talked at length about these issues and more during our interview, which can be heard in full by clicking or tapping here. |
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Sponsor Spotlight
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They grew and harvested over 5,000 plants in 2018 and will grow and harvest over 50,000 plants here in 2019. Their hemp varieties will yield approximately 15% or more CBD content. They can help you with field testing your mature plants as well as help you sell your harvest at the end of the year. Capacity is filling up fast- don't wait to place your order. Email for more information- info@herbsherbs.com or check the website at www.herbsherbs.com.
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The Oklahoma Legislature wrapped up its second week of cross committee work this last Thursday, as Senate committees review bills that originated in the House and vice versa. Lawmakers have about two weeks left to finish their committee work before the next major deadline on April 11. Following that, all bills must be heard and approved by the full opposite body. Our Associate Farm Director Carson Horn caught up with Roy Lee Lindsey, executive director of the Oklahoma Pork Council, this past week to discuss the recent activities of legislators at the State Capitol as they move toward those upcoming deadlines in the 2019 Legislative Session.
Over the past couple weeks, Lindsey says neither the House or Senate Ag Committees met, which makes today a big day as those groups will have a lot of business to discuss. However, one issue in particular that Lindsey and his team are watching this week though, is H.B. 2373. Until now, Lindsey has kept the bill's progress through the session quiet as it has managed to fly under the radar with relatively no opposition. If successful, H.B. 2373 will create caps on non-economic damages and ag nuisance lawsuits like we've seen in North Carolina against major integrators like Smithfield Foods.
The bill passed through the House of Representatives several weeks ago 88 - 7 and last week out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. This week, H.B. 2373 was heard on the Senate Floor and passed 39 - 7. Lindsey says several procedural matters must be attended to before the bill lands on the Governor's desk, at which point he will have 10 days to sign the bill into law. Lindsey is optimistic Governor Stitt will move forward to approve the bill.
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CoBank Analyst Will Sawyer Sees Great Opportunity in Continued Growth of Meat Export Business
Will Sawyer is lead economist for animal protein at CoBank and contributed to a recently published report entitled, Protein Passport, designed to look at the value of exports for beef, pork and poultry and address the concerns some producers harbor about growing too dependent on the export market.
Sawyer looked specifically at producers' concern that increased dependence on exports could lead to more volatile markets and lower profit margins. In his research, Sawyer says he found that export focused markets often do have a high level of volatility, but found prices significantly increased over time. He used Australia as a prime example of this, which exports 70 percent of its production and has managed to become one of the most competitive protein industries in the world.
"So, for producers we think the value proposition makes sense and future initiative should be seen as opportunities, not threats," he said, adding that the US is well positioned to take advantage of a similar system with a growing demand for US beef in the world marketplace. "So, when we think about going forward, we need to think about growing supply and finding a profitable home for it and in our opinion - that's going to be through trade."
Listen to Sawyer's full remarks on the benefit of growing the US meat export market, on yesterday's Beef Buzz - click here.
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National Corn Growers VP Kevin Ross Testifies in Support of Year-Round E15 Sales at EPA Hearing
The EPA held a hearing last week over a proposed rule that would allow the year-round sale of E15 across the country by removing regulations that bar retailers in many areas from selling E15 blend fuels during the summer months.
During the hearing, National Corn Growers Association First Vice President and Minden, Iowa, farmer Kevin Ross testified that year-round E15 is a no-cost means for farmers to grow demand. Ross claims it also saves drivers between 3 and 10 cents per gallon and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Ross also spoke on the negative impacts EPA's expansive Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) waivers for refiners and urged the EPA to take caution regarding the implementation of proposed RIN market reforms insisting the agency not allow the process to interrupt the E15 sales rule from going through on time.
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Sponsor Spotlight
As Oklahoma's largest John Deere dealer, P&K Equipment is proud to be your local expert source for equipment, parts, and service. As an Oklahoma-based, family-run company, the P&K network consists of 16 locations in Oklahoma, 2 locations in Arkansas, and 9 locations in Iowa. Our Oklahoma and agricultural roots run deep and our history spans over 30 years.
At P&K, we make it our mission to provide you with top-notch solutions and unbeatable customer service at a price you CAN afford. Visit pkequipment.com and you'll have it all at your fingertips: request a quote, schedule service, get a value for your trade, find current promotions, and shop for parts online. Stop by one of our locations today to meet the P&K team. You'll see why around here, John Deere starts with P&K.
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P&K Equipment Honors Local First Responders with "Gear 'Em Up Giveaway"
Last week, P&K Equipment recognized the firefighters of five fire departments across Oklahoma and Arkansas for their hard work and sacrifice, presenting each department with a STIHL equipment package valued at more than $1,300. Each package includes a STIHL MS 261 Chainsaw, a STIHL BR 800 C-E Backpack Blower, four gallons of STIHL MotoMix premixed fuel, and free chain sharpening at any P&K Equipment location.
This recognition was part of P&K's Gear 'Em Up Gratitude Giveaway for First Responders. Scott Eisenhauer, P&K General Manager, remarked that the initiative is P&K's way of thanking local firefighters who will "protect our homes, our businesses, and our ways of life this wildfire season."
The five departments selected from a pool of nominations included the Wayne Volunteer Fire Department, Bethel Acres Volunteer Fire Department, Redbird Volunteer Fire Department, Cherokee Fire Department, all in Oklahoma; and Highfill Volunteer Fire Department in Arkansas.
Find out more about the giveaway and the deserving fire fighters of the Wayne VFD, here.
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Breakfast Carts Reaching 200 Schools Thanks to Support of GENYOUth Organization and Partners
GENYOUth, an organization founded through the dairy checkoff to help create healthier schools, is providing Grab-n-Go breakfast carts to more than 200 schools across the country that will serve more than 5 million pounds of milk annually and provide breakfast to about 70,000 students daily.
All schools that receive the carts participate in Fuel Up to Play 60, a youth wellness program founded by dairy farmers through National Dairy Council and the NFL, in collaboration with USDA. Fuel Up to Play 60 is the flagship program of GENYOUth.
The carts feature a Fuel Up to Play 60 logo and offer a serving of milk, fruit, whole grain and a meat alternative option (which could be smoothies, yogurt parfaits or cheese) with each breakfast. Each cart features a cooler to keep the dairy foods cold. Foods served from the carts are provided as part of USDA's School Breakfast Program and meet the federal nutrition guidelines. Concepts like Grab-n-Go carts are proven as one of the most effective ways to help schools overcome barriers associated with the traditional cafeteria breakfast, including timing, convenience and stigma - and ensure all kids are well-nourished and have access to healthy foods that will fuel their success in the classroom.
Forty-one carts are being unveiled at schools throughout March - National Nutrition Month - with support from state and regional Dairy Council staff. Click here to learn more about this initiative.
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OUCH!!!! Temps Go Under 32 and Stay There Saturday Morning- For a Long Time
The Mesonet Map says it all- we got below 32 degrees and hung out there for an extended amount of time- especially in Northwest Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Panhandle.
This stretches back over the last week- but the hours actually below freezing all happen from a little after midnight on Saturday morning through the day on Saturday.
We asked Mark Hodges of Plains Grains about his take on temps this cold- and he indicates that they were cold enough, long enough to spark concern.
We are at least a week behind normal for most of our 2019 wheat crop- but if any damage did happen- Hodges says it will take 7 to 10 days to show up.
Stay Tuned.
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Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, AFR Insurance, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Stillwater Milling Company, National Livestock Credit Corporation, Oklahoma Beef Council, Oklahoma AgCredit, Herb's Herb Hemp Farm, 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.
God Bless! You can reach us at the following:
phone: 405-473-6144
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