From: Ron Hays [ron@oklahomafarmreport.ccsend.com] on behalf of Ron Hays [ron@oklahomafarmreport.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2011 5:42 AM
To: Hays, Ron
Subject: Oklahoma's Farm News Update
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Oklahoma's latest farm and ranch news
Your Update from Ron Hays of RON for Thursday October 20, 2011
A service of Producers Cooperative Oil Mill, Midwest Farm Shows and One Resource Environmental!
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-- American Farmland Trust Releases Assessment of Farm Safety Net Proposals
-- Oklahoma Farm Bureau and American Soybean Association Like Revenue Assurance Approach
-- Kyle Hilbert and Kaylen Baker Both Advance to National Speech Finals at 2011 National FFA Convention
-- USDA Keepseagle Settlement Claims Filing Period Open Through December 27
-- National Conservation Group Calls for Mandatory Conservation Compliance for All Taxpayer Ag Support
-- National Corn Growers Association Asks Farmers to Speak Out Against Petition on Atrazine
-- Cattle on Feed- AND A Little More FFA
-- Let's Check the Markets!

Howdy Neighbors!

Here's your morning farm news headlines from the Director of Farm Programming for the Radio Oklahoma Network, Ron Hays. A new sponsor of the daily email is One Resource Environmental. Farm and ranch operators who have gas or diesel storage on their place may be facing regulations handed down by Uncle Sam several years back- but now to be enforced by the EPA in the near future with heavy fines. These folks can help you determine if you need a plan and then if you do- help you get that plan in place. Click here for their website- FarmSPCC for more details.

We are also excited to have as one of our sponsors for the daily email Producers Cooperative Oil Mill, with 64 years of progress through producer ownership. Call Brandon Winters at 405-232-7555 for more information on the oilseed crops they handle, including sunflowers and canola- and remember they post closing market prices for canola and sunflowers on the PCOM website- go there by clicking here.

And we salute our longest running email sponsor- Midwest Farm Shows, producer of the springtime Southern Plains Farm Show as well as the Tulsa Farm Show coming this December- December 8th through the 10th. Click here for the Midwest Farm Show main website to learn more about their lineup of shows around the country!

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 here for this morning's Farm news from Ron Hays on RON.

If you have received this by someone forwarding it to you, you are welcome to subscribe and get this weekday update sent to you directly by clicking here.


American Farmland Trust Releases Assessment of Farm Safety Net Proposals
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"Amidst the Super Committee's work to create a deficit reduction plan, many organizations have proposed alternatives to the current Title I farm safety net programs," says Jon Scholl, American Farmland Trust (AFT). "The result has been an alphabet soup of 10 proposals. The details of any one program can create confusion even for those most versed in farm policy, so we commissioned a side by side analysis to help inform the farm bill debate."

To help people understand the proposals, AFT has engaged noted Ohio State University agricultural economist Dr. Carl Zulauf to analyze the features of these leading safety net proposals.

"Since the 1930s, the federal government has been involved in farm, food and conservation policy," adds Scholl. "With today's budget conditions, it's important to consider what is the right role for the government to play in helping farmers manage risk, and what characteristics set the standard for good public policy."

Zulauf's assessment found positives including:

Ninety-percent of the proposals would require the farms to experience a loss in order to receive government assistance, making the farm safety net a risk management partnership between farms and the public.

Ninety-percent of the proposals address both an existing hole in today's crop insurance program: multiple-year revenue declines that are not the fault of the farm, and, the current imbalance in the farm safety net, shallow revenue losses. These nine proposals would in effect make the risk management safety net more equitable across crops and regions.

Eight of the programs would end fixed-prices or a revenue-benchmark, removing the incentive to adjust (production) to risk events.

Click here for more from AFT and a link to a copy of the proposals


Oklahoma Farm Bureau and American Soybean Association Like Revenue Assurance Approach
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A resolution calling for a federal farm program that provides a strong safety net for farm income using a combination of crop insurance and a revenue assurance program was among more than 100 resolutions passed by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau state resolutions committee Oct. 18-19, in Oklahoma City. The proposal will be voted on during the annual OFB convention Nov. 11-13, in Oklahoma City.

"We want to protect our producers' ability to grow food and fiber for this country," said OFB President Mike Spradling. "We believe crop insurance should be a top priority and is a key to Oklahoma agriculture's success."

There is concern direct payments may be eliminated since the administration is considering reducing the agriculture department's budget.

The proposed resolution states OFB supports keeping direct and counter-cyclical payments to farmers, but if they are going to be reduced more than 33 percent, the remaining funds should be shifted to a revenue assurance program.

Click here for more from Farm Bureau on the safety net for farm income

The American Soybean Association (ASA) also called on the Congressional Agriculture Committees to consider moving to a revenue-based farm program when they make further recommendations to the Joint Select Committee on Budget Reduction by Nov. 1.

"The realities of the current federal budget and debt crises make it imperative to find a viable risk management approach that can replace several existing programs," said ASA President Alan Kemper, a soybean producer from Lafayette, Ind., in a joint letter also signed by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and National Farmers Union (NFU). "A new revenue-based program should be designed to complement rather than overlap or replace the existing crop insurance program, which is a key part of the farm program safety net."

Click here for more from ASA on the request for a revenue-based farm program


Kyle Hilbert and Kaylen Baker Both Advance to National Speech Finals at 2011 National FFA Convention
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Two big wins came to Oklahoma FFA members in the two national speech contests on Wednesday- as both of Oklahoma's representatives advanced to the Final Four that will be held on the Finals Stage Thursday.

Kyle Hilbert of Depew FFA advanced in the National Extemporaneous Speech Contest- winning in the Preliminary round and the national semifinal round. Hilbert spoke on what agriculture might look like without subsidies in the first round on Wednesday morning, then on strategies to feed a population of more than nine billion people by the year 2050.

Kaylen Baker of Yukon FFA also has made it to the Final Four- in this case in the National Prepared Public Speech Contest. Her topic was a look at Miniature breeds of beef cattle. Again, as with Hilbert, Baker advanced by giving her speech and answering questions before two different sets of judges, advancing now to the National Prepared Speech Finals where the top four speakers this year will compete.

This is the second time in as many years that Oklahoma has placed a finalist in both contests- as Ashton Mese and Tara Newton- both of Kingfisher, pulled off that feat in 2010. And as you may remember- they both won in the Final Four as well.

We have more on these 2011 winners- and a link to our Flickr page of pictures from the 2011 convention as well- just click on the LINK below. By the way- we appreciate the support of the Oklahoma FFA Association and the Oklahoma FFA Alumni as we cover this 2011 National Convention.

Click here for our Thursday morning recap from the National FFA Convention in Indy.


USDA Keepseagle Settlement Claims Filing Period Open Through December 27
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Janie Hipp, Senior Adviser to Secretary Vilsack for Tribal Relations reminded Native American farmers and ranchers that the period to file a claim in the Keepseagle class action settlement remains open through December 27, 2011.

"Native American farmers and ranchers who believe they are entitled to funds under the Keepseagle settlement must file a claim on or before December 27 in order to file a claim," said Ms. Hipp. "Tribal leaders should consider advising Tribal members of the requirement to obtain and submit a completed claims package if they wish to participate in the Keepseagle claims process. Claims meetings are still occurring and individuals can also call the toll-free number and get assistance with filing."

Keepseagle v. Vilsack was a lawsuit alleging that USDA discriminated against Native American farmers and ranchers in the way it operated its farm loan program. The lawsuit was settled late last year and the settlement has been approved by the court.

The filing period opened June 29, 2011 and continues for 180 days.

Up to $760 million will be made available in monetary relief, debt relief, and tax relief to successful claimants. There are two tracks for claims: Successful Track A claimants may receive up to $50,000; successful Track B claimants may receive up to $250,000. The standard of proof for Track B claims is a higher standard than what will be applied to Track A claims.

Click here for more information on these Keepseagle class action settlements


National Conservation Group Calls for Mandatory Conservation Compliance for All Taxpayer Ag Support
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Responding to Monday's announcement by Congressional agriculture leaders who recommended $23 billion in ag-related cuts to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction ("Super Committee"), the Izaak Walton League of America urged decision makers to include a "Conservation Compliance" stipulation to protect America's farmland, water and wildlife.

"We thank the chairs and ranking members of our agriculture committees for being leaders in deficit reduction," said Brad Redlin, agricultural program director for the Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA). "However, it is critical that we not lose this opportunity to conserve farmland and keep our water clean and wildlife abundant for future generations by including no-cost Conservation Compliance protections in the budget deficit legislation."

Conservation Compliance provisions, which guard against excessive soil erosion and ensure mitigation when converting wetlands to crop production, were first established in 1985 to accompany all taxpayer provided support to agricultural producers. The 1996 Farm Bill created a lone exemption so that only federal crop insurance subsidy recipients no longer needed to protect land at high risk for erosion or conserve wetland acres.

Redlin's remarks were directed to Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Representatives Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Collin Peterson (D-MN), who sent a letter to the Super Committee proposing $23 billion in cuts, representing agriculture's share of the deficit reduction measures. These lawmakers have pledged to finalize their bi-partisan, bi-cameral recommendations by November 1. The Super Committee will finalize its recommendations to Congress on November 23.

Click here for more information on this Conservation Compliance


National Corn Growers Association Asks Farmers to Speak Out Against Petition on Atrazine
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This spring, a group seeking to ban the use and production of atrazine submitted a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency. Consistent with its goal of openness and transparency in the regulatory and scientific processes, the EPA posted this petition on its website for public comment. The National Corn Growers Association asks that farmers and their allies take advantage of this opportunity before the window for submission closes on November 14.

"It is imperative that we speak out in support of the current policies regulating atrazine use," said Dean Taylor, chair of NCGA's Production and Stewardship Action Team. "This herbicide has played a vital role in farming for more than five decades, both increasing corn productivity and allowing for the use of practices that protect our environment."

The information submitted by Save the Frogs in this petition does not justify a change in regulations, Taylor said. Current, reputable research indicates no effects by atrazine on amphibians. Following an agency review in 2007, the EPA itself addressed one of the most common charges leveled by critics, stating "that atrazine does not adversely affect amphibian gonadal development based on a review of laboratory and field studies, including studies submitted by the registrant and studies published in the scientific literature." In its 2010 update, the EPA found that no additional testing was warranted to address this issue at this time.

Independent groups conducting research into possible effects of atrazine on amphibians corroborate the EPA's conclusions. As recently as last year, scientists from respected institutions such as the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, the World Health Authority and Yale University have issued multitudinous reports confirming that the proper use of atrazine has not been shown to have negative health effects on either humans or amphibians despite decades of extensive research.

Click here for more from NCGA on the petition against atrazine


Cattle on Feed- AND A Little More FFA
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USDA will release its estimates of U.S. feedlot placements, marketings and inventories on Friday when it publishes its monthly Cattle On Feed report. DowJones' monthly pre-report survey of cattle analysts indicates that they expect September placements to be lower than last year, September marketings to be slightly higher than one year ago and October 1 inventories to be up a short 4% from October 1, 2010.

Click here for more on those pre report estimates and some thoughts on what this report may tell us- courtesy of the Daily Livestock Report as compiled by Steve Meyer and Len Steiner.

Today at the National FFA Convention- the competition continues with the National Profiency Awards to be judged in over 40 categories- Oklahoma has 15 finalists at this year's convention- and we will know the fate of those young people in these contests on Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, the National Creed Contest kicks off this morning- with Blair Kloeppel of Kingfisher the Oklahoma standard bearer in 2011. We have been asked by the National FFA to be one of the Creed contest judges- so we look forward to hearing the best that other states have to offer in this year's contest. The Final Four in the Creed happens on Friday morning.

Be sure and keep up with what is going on with Oklahoma FFA members here at the National FFA Convention- we update via Twitter all day long- and you can either follow us on Twitter or one of the programs that help you sort "Tweets" or you can see our last few Tweets anytime by watching the lower right hand column of our website- WWW.OklahomaFarmReport.Com. Click here for our Ron_on_RON feed on Twitter itself, which lots you scroll back to older tweets and piece together our thoughts from this year's Blue and Gold gathering.


Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, PCOM, P & K Equipment/ P & K Wind Energy, Johnston Enterprises, American Farmers & Ranchers ,One Resource Environmental- operators of FarmSPCC.Com, 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- FREE!

We also invite you to check out our website at the link below to check out an archive of these daily emails, audio reports and top farm news story links from around the globe.

Click here to check out WWW.OklahomaFarmReport.Com


Let's Check the Markets!
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We've had requests to include Canola prices for your convenience here- and we will be doing so on a regular basis. Current cash price for Canola is $12.00 per bushel, while the 2012 New Crop contracts for Canola are now available are $12.05 per bushel- delivered to local participating elevators that are working with PCOM.

Here are some links we will leave in place on an ongoing basis- Click on the name of the report to go to that link:
Our Daily Market Wrapup from the Radio Oklahoma Network with Ed Richards and Tom Leffler- analyzing the Futures Markets from the previous Day-
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.
Previous Day's Wheat Market Recap- Two Pager From The Kansas City Board of Trade looks at all three US Wheat Futures Exchanges with extra info on Hard Red Winter Wheat and the why of that day's market.
Daily Oklahoma Cash Grain Prices- As Reported by the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture.
The National Daily Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary- as prepared by USDA.
The National Daily Slaughter Cattle Summary- as prepared by USDA.
Finally, Here is the Daily Volume and Price Summary from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.



God Bless! You can reach us at the following:
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phone: 405-473-6144
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