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We talked with Rick Kochenower, an Oklahoma State University Extension Agronomist in the panhandle, on Wednesday at the Oklahoma Ag Expo about the soil conditions and crop conditions in the Panhandle region of the state. With this area missing out on a majority of the recent rainfall across Oklahoma, many crops have been struggling. 

Cimarron County received about an inch and a half out of the last round of rains says Kochenower. He adds that Beaver county got about 78 hundredths and up to two inches in some places, while Texas county received about 30 to 40 hundredths. In fact Kochenower says he planted some dry-land variety wheat before a small shower, which allowed the crop to emerge, but it hasn't moved at all since then. 

With virtually no soil moisture before planting, there wasn't much of a profile below the crop and Kochenower says they need more to start rebuilding this soil profile. In fact, it could take "years" for the moisture profile to be rebuilt in the three Panhandle counties.

As producers begin looking forward to the 2012 crop season, Kochenower believes there will be a lot more cotton and grain sorghum in the Panhandle are next year. Cotton is more attractive because of the price and water usage, while grain sorghum is attractive because of the irrigation amounts required, especially in the lower volume wells. 

Click here to listen to our conversation with Kochenower over the Panhandle region and soil profiles.  

Heavy Rain Just Over The Horizon

Encouraging news on the weather front comes from Gary McManus, Associate State Climatologist with the Oklahoma Climatological Survey- he tells us in this latest Mesonet email that  "a bit farther out is the rain event expected for early next week. The NWS' Hydrometeorological Prediction Center has some encouraging words concerning the possible moisture. Great news except for the severe outbreak, of course, but we need the rain regardless"

"THIS SYSTEM WILL BE WETTER WITH BETTER DYNAMICS ALOFT AND IS ANTICIPATED TO SPREAD HEAVY RAINS TO ITS NORTHEAST FROM OKLAHOMA AND NORTH TEXAS THROUGH THE MIDWEST TOWARDS THE GREAT LAKES... EASING DROUGHT CONDITIONS ACROSS NORTHEAST TEXAS AND PORTIONS OF OKLAHOMA. THIS SYSTEM COULD CAUSE AN OUTBREAK OF STRONG/SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM THE SOUTHERN PLAINS INTO THE MID-MISSISSIPPI VALLEY EARLY TO MID NEXT WEEK. STAY TUNED."

We checked the latest update from this division of the National Weather Service this morning- they are still thinking wetness for Oklahoma (not sure that the Panhandle will get much but we can hope)- Click here to jump to their latest predictions as updated shortly after 4 AM this morning. 

Producers Creating Unique Ration Formulations to Deal with Drought

Our discussion with Ross Wilson, President of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, continues with the issue of forage and the current grain situation for many feedlots and cattle producers in the Southern Great Plains. Wilson says they are taking two different steps to help ensure to face these challenges.

First, they are bringing in a lot of forage or roughage into the southern region through transportation. Wilson says they are even working towards having the railways transport this forage, which would help to cheapen the cost of this process.

Secondly, Wilson adds that many producers are going higher with concentrate rations and feeding lower and lower levels of roughage. 

Click here for part two of our Beef Buzz with Ross Wilson.

Calling House Hearing Biased- Growth Energy Pushes Back with on Value of Ethanol 

Noting the absence of a witness to testify on behalf of America's ethanol supporters, Growth Energy dismissed the "chorus of critics" who used the House Science Subcommittee hearing to protect their own special interests, specifically Big Oil's grip over the American motor fuels market.  

Sorting Cows for More Efficient Winter Supplemental Feeding

Cow calf producers in the Southern Plains are searching for every management strategy that will improve the efficiency of the feeding program for their cow herds. According to Dr. Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist, drought-shortened pastures and reduced and/or expensive hay supplies mean that feed wastage must be eliminated.

Putting just the right amount of forage and supplement in front of the cows according to their needs will be most important this winter.

First calf heifers have historically been the toughest females on the ranch to get rebred. They are being asked to continue to grow, produce milk, repair the reproductive tract, and have enough stored body energy (fat) to return to heat cycles in a short time frame.

Two-year old cows must fill all of these energy demands at a time when their mouth is going through the transition from baby teeth to adult teeth.    

Click here for more from Dr. Glenn Selk on supplemental feeding.

Six OSU Students Receive Matthew 25:40 Scholarships

Six Oklahoma State University students received Matthew 25:40 scholarships. This scholarship provides an additional incentive for students to travel abroad to participate in community improvement projects in developing countries.  

Bell, a graduate student in Plant and Soil Sciences and International Agriculture, said the Matthew 25:40 scholarship assisted him in solidifying his passion for serving others using the experience and education he has been blessed with. 

Click here for more on these winners and scholarships.

Boondoogle Alert- and Calendar Stuff- including a Ratcliff Ranch Reminder

Many agricultural groups are grumbling over the farm bill process that continues behind closed doors as the staffs of House Ag Committee Chairman Frank Lucas and Senate Ag Committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow continue to close in on a farm bill deal. There appears to be a concerted effort to get something done that the rank and file members of the two Committees can review by this evening-  especially with the House to be on recess next week.  

The Boondoggle Alert comes from the Environmental Working Group- no friend of farm policy down through the years- they plan on releasing a report this afternoon called "The Revenue Insurance Boondoggle: A Taxpayer-Paid Windfall For Industry."  EWG says  the report explains how the costs of the federal revenue insurance program have mushroomed as insurance companies and agents reaped billions of dollars in windfall profits.  

One possible supporter of the Super Committee path for the 2012 farm bill is none other than USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack- Agri-Pulse is reporting this morning that the Secretary suggest that this might be the best way to get new farm policy in place. Click here for Stewart Doan's audio update.  

FINALLY- one quick Calendar update- Ratcliff Ranches is gearing up for a GREAT Fall Production Sale and Customer Appreciation sale next Saturday- November 12- at the Ranch near Vinita at high noon. Over 1100 to sale- including Registered Angus and Sim-Angus Bulls with great bloodlines and a variety of females to be offered. Click here for our Auction listing on our website about the Ratcliff Ranches Fall Production Sale.