Featured Story:

Wheat is an amazing crop...which is why we grow it in Oklahoma. According to Dr. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, given the slightest opportunity, wheat responds very well under adverse conditions. In late October, the prospects for wheat pasture seemed all but lost with most wheat planted late and dry.

It was noted, however, that with timely rains, a decent wheat crop could still develop. November turned out to offer almost ideal temperatures and a series of rains that were for the most part, exactly when and where needed. As a result, wheat has established, not only a good stand from a grain crop perspective but has grown rapidly and will provide some grazing in December across a wide swath of central Oklahoma.

The results were obvious immediately after Thanksgiving with an $8 to $12/cwt. jump in stocker cattle prices. This market strength is the result of unexpectedly strong demand combined with limited numbers of available lightweight cattle. Last week's federally reported feeder cattle auction total was down 25 percent from the same week last year. The year to date auction total for feeder cattle is equal to year ago levels but since November 1 has been down nearly 9 percent from last year. The drought resulted in marketings of feeder cattle earlier than usual in the fall. 

This latest market jump has pushed up lightweight feeder pries relative to heavy weight feeders, which changes the stocker potential somewhat. There is a higher roll-back in prices up to about 600 pounds (for steers), with a much flatter price line for heavy weight feeders.
 

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

Broiler Production in Decline Now- But That Could Change Early in 2012 

The following Daily Livestock Report is provided by Steve Meyer and Len Steiner regarding the broiler production in the U.S. in 2011 and 2012.

"The supply picture for meat protein remains mixed, with more pork coming to market compared to a year ago but smaller beef and chicken supplies. Combined beef, pork and poultry output (carcass wt. basis) for the week ending December 3 was 1.553 billion pounds, 83 million pounds or 5.1% lower than the same week a year ago. The primary reason for the smaller supplies is the reduction in broiler production.

"As we have noted for sometime, broiler producers have been cutting back, both in terms of the number of birds coming to market and bird weights. The broiler slaughter data is reported with a one week lag (see table by clicking on the link below) and for the latest reported week total slaughter was down almost 13%. Early estimates for the week ending December 3 shows total slaughter could be down as much as 10% from last year."

Click here for the complete Daily Livestock Report on broiler production.

A Tulsa Farm Show Preview- American Farmers and Ranchers Supports Livestock Handling Skills Competition 

Fall is a time in Oklahoma when stocker cattle are sent through the working chute insuring good health as they go through the weaning process. Safety, stress-free processing is of primary concern to cattlemen. To showcase the skills of the best young people in this arena, American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) is proud to continue their support of the Tulsa Farm Show Livestock Handling Skills Competition held Friday, December 9, 2011.

"This is probably one of the most practical competitions which we will sponsor through-out the year," said Terry Detrick, AFR president. "This is applied knowledge and not just what we can learn in a classroom. It teaches animal care and welfare, safety to the individual processing the animal, and effectively and efficiently preparing that animal before reaching the pasture."

This competition emphasizes the application of classroom study to real life agricultural production situations. Ten teams of three students each qualified for the final competition by testing during the Oklahoma State University Field days in July. The top two teams from each FFA district are eligible to participate in the finals. 

Click here for more from AFR on this livestock handling competition. 

U.S. Premium Beef and National Beef Sell Ownership Interest in National Beef Packaging Company

U.S. Premium Beef, LLC (USPB) and National Beef Packing Company, LLC (National Beef) announced that the owners of National Beef have entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with Leucadia National Corporation (Leucadia) under which Leucadia will acquire approximately 79% of the outstanding ownership interests in National Beef. The operations and management structure of National Beef will remain unchanged.

"This transaction will enable us to address the liquidity desires of USPB's diverse producer ownership base while maintaining our highly successful cattle supply system and a sizable investment in beef processing," Steve Hunt, CEO of USPB, said in making the announcement.

"Leucadia is a diversified holding company engaged in a variety of businesses; its broad and deep experience will enhance our partnership. Our goals for the future of National Beef are aligned and we look forward to a long and successful partnership." 

Click here for more from USPB and National Beef on the purchase agreement.  

Oklahoma Farm Service Agency Offers Producers a Free Online News Service

Francie Tolle, executive director for Oklahoma Farm Service Agency (FSA), announced that farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma now have a more efficient, timely option for receiving important FSA program eligibility requirements, deadlines and related information.

"FSA is now offering free online communications through our GovDelivery electronic news service," said Tolle. "News will now be sent via e-mail right to your home or farm office or to your Smartphone - allowing you to receive immediate notification of farm program news that is pertinent to your agricultural operation."

Through FSA's GovDelivery electronic news service, producers can establish subscriber preferences by choosing to receive federal farm program information by topic, by state and/or by county. Producers can select as many subscriber options as they want, which allows producers who farm in multiple counties or across state lines to receive updates from each county in which they operate or have an interest. 

Click here for more from FSA and for a link to begin subscribing to GovDelivery.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau Pleased with Appropriations Bill Enabling  Horse Processing

In a state where horses outnumber people in many rural areas, farmers and ranchers are celebrating the passage of federal legislation that allows for the funding of horse processing inspection.

"This eliminates a major hurdle for the resumption of domestic horse processing," said Mike Spradling, president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau.

The legislation, H.R. 2112, is contained in the fiscal year 2012 agriculture appropriation bill. It does not include any language prohibiting funding for the inspection of horses at processing plants.

"There never was a federal law banning processing, "Spradling said. "The government just prohibited funding USDA inspection."

Click here for more from Mike Spradling on the horse legislation.  

And Finally- A Wee Bit of Beef Bribery

Heather Buckmaster has dropped us a note about a new direction for the OBC when it comes to a newsletter for producers.  She writes to us- "In lieu of the expense associated with printing and mailing a newsletter, the Oklahoma Beef Council is shifting to a monthly e-newsletter.  If you would like to stay up to date on the latest beef checkoff news and information, click here and you can sign up." She even has a bit of incentive- or bribery if you want to call it that- adding "everyone that joins our list from December 5-December 31, 2011 will be entered to win a $50 gift card to Cattlemen's Steakhouse."