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Click here for the complete Oklahoma Crop Weather Update as of Monday, November 14, 2011  

Nationally- harvest of both corn and cotton is well ahead of the five year average- while soybean harvest is also ahead of normal but by a smaller percentage versus the five year average. The US corn crop is now 93% harvested- versus the five year average of 82%- cotton harvest now stands at 79% complete versus the five year average of 64% by this point in November- soybean harvest is 96% complete versus the five year average of 94%.   

Here in the southern plains- planting of the hard red winter wheat crop has pretty well caught up with the five year average- and while emergence of the Oklahoma wheat crop is right there with the five year average- Texas wheat fields still have some catching up to do- emergence of the Texas wheat crop is 56% versus the five year average of 74%. You can click here for the national Crop Progress summary from NASS at USDA- as issued on Monday afternoon.   

U.S. Beef Markets Continue to Grow Globally

Expanding global beef markets continue to add strength to U.S. cattle and beef markets, according to Dr. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist.  The latest trade data released by USDA that monthly exports were up 27 percent in the month of September. 

This level exactly matches the year over year increase in cumulative exports for the year to date.  Through the first three quarters of 2011, beef exports have represented 10.7 percent of total U.S. beef production.  This percent is likely to grow slightly for the entire year as continued strong exports in the fourth quarter will be matched against declining beef production.

Perhaps as important as the beef export total, is the broad-based nature of the growth in those markets.  In percentage terms, the fastest growing market in 2011 has been Russia, up 83 percent for the year to date.  However, at that level Russia still only represents 5.6 percent of total beef exports this year. 

The major Asian markets of Japan (up 36 percent for the year) and South Korea (up 48 percent) are currently the third and fourth largest markets and either or both could overtake Mexico as the largest export market by the end of the year.  Canada has already exceeded Mexico as the number one market for the year to date.  Together Japan and South Korea represent 30.8 percent of total exports, slightly lower than the North American share of 35.7 percent for Mexico and Canada combined.   

Click here for more from Dr. Derrell Peel on the global beef market. 

Terry Swanson with National Sorghum Producers says Demand for Sorghum is There 

The drought across the U.S. affected a multitude of crops and sorghum was one of those affected. Terry Swanson, who is the Chairman of the Board for the National Sorghum Producers, says that it damaged a majority of the region where sorghum is grown in the U.S. We talked with Swanson at the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual convention in Kansas City.

Click on the LINK below to listen to our full conversation on the 2011 sorghum production, prospects for the future years and the role of sorghum as a water conserving crop.

Swanson, who farms in southeast Colorado near Walsh, says most importantly the 2011 crop year really underscored the importance of crop insurance for producers. Producers need these safety nets like crop insurance in order to be able to sustain themselves until the production turns around. He adds that the need for this crop insurance is across the board, whether it is soybeans, wheat, corn, cotton or any other crop.

Click here for more from Terry Swanson and to listen to our discussion. 

CEO of National Sorghum Producers says Agriculture Still Warrants Public Support

Tim Lust, the CEO of the National Sorghum Producers out of Lubbock, Texas, provided this opinion editiorial article (originally published in the Wichita, Ks paper this past weekend) on the need for public and government support in the agricultural industry.

"There's no doubt about it: Agriculture is a bright spot in an otherwise dreary economy. While the rest of the nation struggles to stay in the black, agriculture's net income grew by more than 17 percent last year.

Because agriculture is doing well right now, critics of farm policy argue that it no longer deserves government support. But one must really understand the risks inherent to the very necessary business of growing food, fiber and fuel before tossing agriculture policy to the wolves. As with everything, there are two sides to the story."

Click here for the rest of Tim Lust's opinion editorial article.

Senator Tom Coburn Releases Report on Billions in Giveaways for Millionaires

U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) released a new report "Subsidies of the Rich and Famous" illustrating how, under the current tax code, the federal government is giving billions of dollars to individuals with an Annual Gross Income (AGI) of at least $1 million, subsidizing their lavish lifestyles with the taxes of the less fortunate.

"All Americans are facing tough times, with many working two jobs just to make ends meet and more families turning to the government for financial assistance. From tax write-offs for gambling losses, vacation homes, and luxury yachts to subsidies for their ranches and estates, the government is subsidizing the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Multi-millionaires are even receiving government checks for not working.   

"This welfare for the well-off - costing billions of dollars a year - is being paid for with the taxes of the less fortunate, many who are working two jobs just to make ends meet, and IOUs to be paid off by future generations. We should never demonize those who are successful. Nor should we pamper them with unnecessary welfare to create an appearance everyone is benefiting from federal programs," Dr. Coburn said. 

Click here for more from Senator Coburn and this latest report.

Don't Graze Pastures Too Early

The recent rainfall that has occurred across much of Oklahoma and the southern Great Plains, will dramatically improve our winter pastures and early spring forage production. However, the recovery of many summer pastures is still unknown. Many forage-livestock producers are hopeful that the coming year will be significantly better than the last.

The obvious question is "how long will it take these drought-damaged pastures to recover"? Unfortunately there is not an easy answer. The reason is that there are lingering drought effects that will not disappear immediately once normal precipitation returns. Since long-term drought recovery is not common, there is no good rule-of-thumb to follow. It could take anywhere from a few years to several years for many pastures to fully recover due to the severity of the drought. This is especially true if drought conditions continue.

Past grazing and management practices will determine the extent of damage that has occurred from the drought. The dry period that began during the summer of 2010 extended into the fall months and continued through winter, spring, and the summer of 2011. Most pastures have been used heavily for two consecutive summers.

Click here for more from OSU's Daren Redfearn on pasture grazing.

Miss Oklahoma to Tell Students to Eat Healthy and Be Active at Fuel Up to Play 60 Assemblies

Many Oklahoma Schools are taking the lead for student health by participating in a nationwide wellness initiative. Community-focused and fun, Fuel Up to Play 60 is activating schools and communities to support school wellness initiatives, good nutrition and physical activity, which help educate students and curb obesity.

In partnership with the National Dairy Council, Dairy MAX, and the National Football League (NFL), these schools are recruiting friends, parents, teachers and business and community leaders to join them in pledging to adopt healthier behaviors, such as choosing foods encouraged by the United States Department of Agriculture, which has also joined the initiative, and committing to 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

Three schools are hosting a Fuel Up to Play 60 kick-off assembly featuring Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson on Friday, November 18.

8:25 a.m. - Cashion Elementary, Cashion (101 N. Euclid)

10:00 a.m. - Cotteral Elementary, Guthrie (2001 W. Noble Avenue)

2:10 p.m. - Truman Primary, Norman (601 Meadow Ridge Road) 

Click here for more on these assemblies and more from Miss Oklahoma.