Featured Story:

In the latest Oklahoma Crop Weather Update, the USDA says the recent rainfalls across the state improved soil conditions saying- "A significant rainfall event Monday brought a good soaking rain, especially in southeast Oklahoma. All Mesonet stations recorded rainfall for the week with an average of 1.61 inches for the state. The Southeast district received an average of 3.91 inches of rain, with a high of 4.86 inches measured at Talihina. Precipitation for the last 30 days was above normal in all districts and 146 percent of normal for the state. However, rainfall was still below normal for all districts for the period since September 1. Recent rains were reflected in improvements to the November 22 Drought Monitor; although 63 percent of the state is still in a severe to exceptional drought, down from 85 percent the week before. The additional moisture helped small grain conditions and improved the availability of wheat grazing this fall."

When it comes to fall-planted crops- "Canola and small grain conditions continued to be rated mostly good to fair. Wheat grazing prospects improved, with additional moisture still required to make it through the winter months. Wheat emerged reached 97 percent  complete.  

The fall harvest began to wind down and was more than three-quarters complete for all row crops. The sorghum harvest was 85 percent complete, slightly behind the five-year average. Soybeans harvested reached 83 percent complete by Sunday, 11 points behind normal. Peanuts combined reached 95 percent complete by Sunday. The  cotton harvest was 77 percent complete by week's end, eight points ahead of the five-year average."

However, the recent rainfall events were too late in the season to benefit hay production, as very little hay was cut last week. Hay supplies for the season were rated below average for 87 percent of the state.

Click here for the complete Crop Weather Update as of Monday, November 28, 2011. 

Sen. Ron Justice Named Vice Chairman of Senate Appropriations Committee 

President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, announced on Monday that he had chosen Sen. Ron Justice, R-Chickasha, as the next Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.   Justice will replace Senator Clark Jolley, who was recently named the committee's Chairman.

"Senator Ron Justice is a perfect fit to serve as the next Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee," Bingman said. "He is an experienced, thoughtful legislator with deep respect among our Senate members."  

We touched base with several ag groups in the state- and all were singing praises over the selection of the former Chairman of the Senate Ag Committee to this post. Roy Lee Lindsey of the Oklahoma Pork Council told us "Senator Justice understands the unique challenges that exist in rural Oklahoma and the important role the appropriations process plays in providing support for all Oklahomans. Senator Justice is always open to finding better ways to do the people's business and he will be an outstanding leader for this vital committee."

Scott Dewald of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association also likes the pick- saying of Senator Justice "Senator Justice is a proven leader with a firm grip on the issues, he is fiscally conservative and he has an incredible understanding of the budget process."

Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling says Senator Justice brings a real understanding of both urban and rural needs to this leadership role. Spradling emails us "Our thanks to Senator Bingman for his vision in recognizing the talents and dedication  of Senator  Justice  to represent the needs of both urban and rural Oklahoman's." 

Justice will begin serving as the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee effective immediately. 

Click here for more from Sen. Ron Justice on this appointment. 

Grass Fever Hits Oklahoma City Cattle Market 

At the start of each week- we have two cattle markets that we report to you on Monday- the Joplin Regional Stockyards and the Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City.  On Tuesday morning- we add in the Tulsa Market Report that comes from their Monday sale.  We have not seen the Tulsa numbers as of yet, but we have detected an outbreak of the contagious disease that some call "Grass Fever" in the Oklahoma City market.  

Joplin had a benign Monday sale with lighter weight cattle steady to a couple of dollars higher.  But the Oklahoma City market shot up eight to twelve dollars for steer and heifer calves-with some prices up $15 per hundredweight.  Four to five hundred pound calves topped out at $198 per hundred- and some thin fleshed 325 pounders were above $2 a pound- $202 to $207 per hundred.

Market reporters Tina Colby and her team witnessed the Grass Fever outbreak- noting that recent rains have allowed wheat pasture prospects to improve here late in the fall season- and that seemed to be the key to the excitement inside the auction barn on Monday.  We have the USDA market report for the Monday run at the Oklahoma National Stockyards- click here to take a look at the Monday sale results.

 

Congressman Lankford Weighs in on Department of Labor Proposal to Restrict Teens Working on the Farm 

The following is an opinion editorial article by Freshman Congressman James Lankford regarding the rule by the Department of Labor that prohibits youth from working on farms not owned by their parents.

"It is hard to imagine anything more in line with the traditional Norman Rockwell image of America than a family farm. Millions of youth have learned responsibility, ingenuity, the "never quit" work ethic and a deep respect for the environment through life lived and worked on farms. In rural Oklahoma, families still help their neighbors harvest crops, move livestock and fix fences. To understand how deep our cultural roots connect to the family farm, remember that summer vacation for our kids is originally linked to them helping out and working on the farms.

Today, the family farm has become the latest target of the Obama Administration. While the official talking points bemoan the transition to corporate-everything, the current administration is actually squeezing out the family farm and forcing agriculture to transition to a corporate-owned and managed agri-business. I support corporate-owned farms and their efforts to grow our economy, but I strongly oppose regulations upon family farms that require them to mirror corporate structure."

Click here for the rest of Congressman Lankford's article and thoughts on the Department of Labor regulation.  

Talking Beef Board Business with CBB Vice Chair Weldon Wynn

Weldon Wynn is an Arkansas cow-calf producer with a smooth baritone voice who is using that voice to speak for fellow cattle producers as an officer on the Cattlemen's Beef Board- the body responsible for collecting and spending the dollar per head beef checkoff.

According to the Beef Board website- Wynn has an impressive resume- "Weldon Wynn owns Wynn Beefmaster Farms and Wynn Rice and Soybean Farm. In addition, he and his wife own and operate Wynn Insurance Agency. He is an active member of his community and industry, including service on the board of directors of the Pine Bluff National Bank of Star City; former emcee and judge of the National Beef Cook-Off; National Beef Ambassador judge; past president and active member of the Arkansas Cattlemen's Association; member of the University of Arkansas Animal Science 2000 Advisory Council; past president, treasurer, and fair manager of the Lincoln County Fair, among many others. On the Beef Board, Weldon has served on the Beef Promotion Operating Committee, the CBB Executive Committee, the Joint Advertising Committee, for which he served as vice chair in 2010, and the Joint Beef Industry Budget Committee."

Wynn is currently serving as the Vice Chairman of the CBB- and we recently sat down and talked with him about his cattle operation in Arkansas- as well as the current atmosphere surrounding the relations between the CBB and its main contractor- the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. Wynn tells us that he believes the working relationship is stronger than ever, which he contends is a good thing for the checkoff and for the cattle industry.

Click here to listen to our Beef Buzz conversation with Weldon Wynn. 

USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service to Conduct Year-End Agricultural Survey

As the 2011 growing season comes to an end the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact producers Nationwide to gather final year-end production numbers. After months of extreme drought, it is vital for Oklahoma farmers to respond to the December Agricultural Survey to ensure the impact of this historic drought is accurately represented.

"The December Agricultural Survey is the largest and most important year-end survey conducted by NASS," explained Wilbert C. Hundl, Jr, Director of the NASS Oklahoma Field Office. "This survey is the basis for the official USDA estimates of production and harvested acres of all major row crops and hay in the United States, as well as the first indication of acreage planted to winter wheat."

"Following a growing season with unprecedented weather-related challenges, data from the December Agricultural Survey will benefit farmers by providing timely and accurate information to help them make critical year-end business decisions and begin planning for next year," added Hundl.

During the first two weeks of December, NASS will contact selected Oklahoma producers by mail, telephone, or in person and ask them to provide information on their 2011 production of row crops and hay as well as winter wheat seedings and on-farm stocks of grains. 

Click here for more information on this USDA agricultural survey.

Corn Growers Appreciate USDA Lowering Crop Insurance Premiums for Corn

The National Corn Growers Association praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement that crop insurance premiums for corn will be rerated for the 2012 crop year. The USDA announcement indicated rates for many corn and soybean farmers will be lowered this next growing season.

"NCGA has been working on this issue for more than eight years," NCGA President Garry Niemeyer, a corn farmer from Auburn, Ill., said. "We are pleased to hear our farmers will no longer be facing the continued widening gap between the loss for corn and the premiums charged to growers for policy coverage. This is a day long coming."

The announcement stated the average premium for corn will be lowered by 7 percent beginning in 2012 and soybeans will be lowered by 9 percent. The rate adjustment is based on findings of an independent study and peer review process. The USDA's Risk Management Agency also announced it will be releasing documents by Wednesday that outline premium rates and other program information for the 2012 crop year. 

Click here for more from the NCGA on crop insurance premiums.