From: Ron Hays [ron@oklahomafarmreport.ccsend.com] on behalf of Ron Hays [ronphays@cox.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 7:59 PM
To: ronphays@cox.net; Hays, Ron
Subject: Oklahoma's Farm News Update
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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.

 

 

Let's Check the Markets! 

 

 

Today's First Look:  

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.

 

Okla Cash Grain:  

Daily Oklahoma Cash Grain Prices- as reported by the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture.

 

Canola Prices:  

Current cash price for Canola is $11.64 per bushel-

2012 New Crop contracts for Canola are now available at $11.82 per bushel- delivered to local participating elevators that are working with PCOM.

 

Futures Wrap:  

Our Daily Market Wrapup from the Radio Oklahoma Network with Ed Richards and Tom Leffler- analyzing the Futures Markets from the previous Day.

 

KCBT Recap: 

Previous Day's Wheat Market Recap-Two Pager from the Kansas City Board of Trade looks at all three U.S. Wheat Futures Exchanges with extra info on Hard Red Winter Wheat and the why of that day's market. 

 

Feeder Cattle Recap:  

The National Daily Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary- as prepared by USDA.

 

Slaughter Cattle Recap: 

The National Daily Slaughter Cattle Summary- as prepared by the USDA.

 

TCFA Feedlot Recap:  

Finally, here is the Daily Volume and Price Summary from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.

 

Oklahoma's Latest Farm and Ranch News
 
Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
   Friday, December 30, 2011
Howdy Neighbors! 

Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update. 
 
Wrapping
Featured Story:
Ready or Not- Wrapping Up 2011  

 

 

It's the Eve of New Year's Eve- and our final market trading day of 2011.  This year has been one of the toughest as far back as even our oldest living citizens can remember.  No rain- way too much heat- and the problems just seemed to pile up whether you were a wheat farmer, cotton producer, cattleman or pecan grower.  

 

We will get to the Drought as one of our Big Five Stories of Impact for 2011 in just a second.

 

First, though- let's talk about kicking 2011 to the curb- the ag futures markets will be open with their open outcry session regular hours today- and that will wrap up 2011 trade.  There will be no electronic trade or open outcry session on Monday, January 2, 2012 to give you time to practice writing 2012 in and around watching all the New Year's Day Bowl Games- since NFL games will be front and center on Sunday January first. Of course, the game that matters is Monday night in Arizona as the Oklahoma State Cowboys play in their first BCS Bowl Against the Dirty Birds from Stanford.  

 

We understand that the first Feeder Cattle auction of the new year in our region will be up in Joplin, Missouri on Monday, January 2- other major Monday markets like the Oklahoma National Stockyards and the Tulsa Stockyards will wait an extra week before they begin on Monday, January 9. 

 

On Monday- the Federal and State Governments are closed as are banks and all equity markets- to celebrate the New Year.  Tuesday, January third will see the start of official business happening in the new year as well as market action in the futures and equities.  

 

We will NOT have an Email on Monday- but will kick off the 2012 with a bang on Tuesday, January 3.

 

In the meantime- while we are not doing a Top Ten Farm News Story list- we do want to pay tribute to five stories of note from 2011- and we have links to some of the coverage of these five events that helped shape 2011 agriculture here in the Southern Plains- those five events as headlined with a single word follow. 

 

Sponsor Spotlight

 

We are pleased to have American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company as a regular sponsor of our daily update- click here to go to their AFR website to learn more about their efforts to serve rural America!

 

And we salute our longest running email sponsor- Midwest Farm Shows, producer of the springtime Southern Plains Farm Show as well as the just concluded Tulsa Farm Show held each December. This year's event was a great success- with 300 exhibitors from around the country showing off all that is new in the world of agriculture.  Click here for the Midwest Farm Show main website to learn more about their lineup of shows around the country! 

Drought
Drought!!!  

 

 

This one single word proved to be the ugly truth of 2011.  Drought arrived with a major attitude as early as January first of last year- as conditions were dry in a lot of the state from October 2010 onward.   

Evidence of that was reported in a story earlier this week about Hooker in position to grab the record for the location in the state with lowest amount of rainfall for a calendar year- EVER. Click here to take a look at the graphics of that story.

 

Drought devastated much of the Oklahoma Hard Red Winter Wheat Crop- with many fields zeroed out (or as close to zero as the insurance adjusters were allowed to take it) in the April through June time period this year- southwest Oklahoma was especially bad but the northwest also suffered big time. Harvest in southwestern Oklahoma was a couple of weeks early- and yields were poor- click here to check out one of the early reports released by Plains Grains and our friend Mark Hodges.   

 

There was some rain that fell as we tried harvest wheat in western Oklahoma- but that rainfall barely made a dent in the drought- and then things got REALLY hot.  Hot temps arrived by late June and July in Oklahoma turned out to be the hottest month EVER in the Continental United States- Click here to take a look at the Drought Monitor in early August after that incredible July we all endured. 

 

The Drought has likely changed the Oklahoma Cattle Industry for several years- we talked in August with Jim Robb of the Livestock Market Information Center- click here for that report as Robb says that a lot of cattle came off the pastures of Oklahoma and Texas and ended up in the feedlots late summer. We also talked with State Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese- click here-  as we worried together about the loss of priceless genetics as mama cow herds were liquidated.    

 

As we moved through September- some areas started getting rain- mostly in northeast Oklahoma but also on a scattered basis in north central counties as wheat that was dusted in was able to sprout. Click here for a look at the drought monitor as we ended September- from this point on the exceptional drought has shrank to where it's just three percent of the state (and all in the Panhandle as we end 2011.  

 

However, we are not out of the woods on drought as of yet- 78% of Oklahoma remains in Moderate drought or worse as drop the curtain on 2011. Our winter wheat crop looks pretty good- but subsoil moisture is limited- and timely rains will determine the fate of the 2012 crop- and we will be covering it for you- Click here for our Flickr set of pictures of the 2012 wheat crop to this point at several locations in the state.  

 

 

LucasLucas!!!

 

 

Oklahoma Third District Congressman won reelection in November 2010- and with the GOP grabbing control of the House- stepped into the Chairmanship of US House Agriculture Committee.  The Ag Economics Graduate from Oklahoma State University became the first Oklahoma lawmaker to hold that position.  

 

Click here for the statement released by Frank Lucas as his role as Chairman became official.  

 

One of our early conversations with Congressman Lucas after becoming Chairman came after the State of the Union Address by President Obama.  Click here to listen to this January visitwith Chairman Lucas as we began to discuss how Lucas wanted to write the 2012 Farm Bill.   

 

In April, we caught up with Chairman Lucas in El Reno- and after a Town Hall Meeting there- we talked Farm Policy and his ideas on writing the 2012 Farm Bill in 2012- this was well before the idea of a Behind Closed Doors Hurry Up Farm Bill developed in the fall- click here to jump to our story from late April and listen to that conversation with Mr. Lucas.  

 

We have had regular conversations through 2011 with Chairman Lucas- one more from early fall came in September- and we talked farm policy, regulations and more- click to hear that conversation which was one of our Ag Perspectives Podcasts.   

 

SecretSecret!!!  (as in Farm Bill)

 

 

Our conversation with Chairman Frank Lucas (click here) in late October really dialed up the idea of using the so called Super Committee as a vehicle to get a comprehensive 2012 Farm Bill through both the House and Senate and signed into law as a part of the grand scheme that would have had the Group of 12 lawmakers offering a 1.25 trillion dollar deficit reduction plan for an up or down vote in Congress just before Christmas.

 

Those who were outside the room and did not like the idea of having a farm bill handed to them as a done deal blasted the process- calling it the Secret Farm Bill. Ken Cook and the Environmental Working Group were lead cheerleaders in the cries against this concept.  At first, it seemed that there were four lawmakers involved- House Ag Chair Frank Lucas and Ranking member Colin Peterson and Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow and ranking member Pat Roberts.  That group seemed to agree on a budget number- Agriculture promising to cut $23 Billion over a ten year period from farm bill spending- mostly from the Commodity and Conservation Titles. Lucas told us several times that this group seemingly had the blessing of the Super Committee on that number- with no further cuts to Crop Insurance as part of the deal- and that number was to be backed up with Farm Bill details. Agriculture seemed to be the only group that seemed to have Democrats and Republicans working together.  

 

Later in the fall, as the time was running short- it seemed that only Lucas and Stabenow remained in the room.  About the time of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau convention- we had word of several ideas being floated- including maybe some farm bill stuff moving on with the Super Committee plan and the rest to be finished in 2012- click here for details of that along with the OFB position on farm policy.  

 

At the end of the day- the Super Committee was a non starter- Senator Pat Roberts cried "good riddance" and called for regular order to write a farm bill in 2012- click here for that. Chairmen Lucas and Stabenow also weighed in- here's their statement of disappointment.   

 

The first week of December we talked at length with Congressman Lucas about the aborted process- and what he sees ahead in the new year on getting a farm bill done- you can listen to that interview by clicking here. 

 

 

RegulatorsRegulators!!!

 

 

The onslaught of regulations really was seen throughout 2011- as it seemed the Obama Administration wanted to weigh down farmers and ranchers with as many rules as they could possibly think of.   

 

They came from multiple agencies- USDA on the GIPSA Rule that began in 2010 and ended late in 2011- click here for the ending saga of that story- this the USDA announcement on the well watered down final rule.

 

There is an element of uncertainty about what USDA might do in the future on this subject- those concerns were voiced to us by NCBA's Colin Woodall and here's the Beef Buzz show we did to highlight those worries. 

 

EPA was a prime player in this game- as Dust Regulations were talked about much of the year- and as the year unfolded EPA Queen Lisa Jackson promised not to regulate Farm Dust this go round- which meant not now- but maybe in five years or sooner. Click here to see the assurances in mid October from Jackson to Senator Amy Klocubar of Minnesota.   

 

That opened the door for Freshman Congresswoman Kristi Noem of South Dakota- who pushed and pushed and finally got House passage of her bill forbidding EPA for a year to regulate fugitive Rural Dust.  Click here for the details of the early December vote in the House on Fugitive Dust- and a repudiation of EPA on the issue. 

 

Of course in November, the Department of Labor decided that young people under 16 should not be working on the farm or ranch or with livestock- and the ag community has responded with outrage. Click here for the story of the DOL wanting teens to not learn about work ethic and how to successfully produce food and fiber for the world. The Public Comment period ended December one on this zany proposal- and 2012 will bring word on whether the Labor Department will back away or push onward on this quest.    

 

RileyRiley!!!

 

Our last story of note for 2011 is not a huge mountain mover like "Drought" was over the last twelve months- but rather, it's a tip of the hat to a remarkable young man from Woodward, who was persistent and did not take no for an answer.  In October 2009, Riley Pagett went to Indianapolis seeking a national office of the FFA organization.  He was not selected.  

 

He came back home to Oklahoma and OSU- and took inventory of who he was- and what he wanted and how badly he wanted it. In the summer of 2010- he won the right to take another swing at the Blue and Gold Pinata that held the six officer positions for 2010-2011 of the half million member youth organization. Riley went back to Indy in October 2010- seeking one of those six jackets.  He went back, comfortable with who he was and what was in his future.  I like to call it- being comfortable in your skin.  

 

On that final Saturday of October in 2010- Riley achieved his goal- and then some.  He was not just on team- his was the LAST name called as the National President of the FFA. He lived that dream throughout most of 2011- click here for a visit we had with him in May 2011 at the Oklahoma FFA Convention- it culminated in October of 2011 as he led the 50,000 members and guests at the 2011 National Convention.  We were there- here's our conversation with Riley as everything was poised to kick off in Indy.   

 

We also have Riley's Farewell Address on the convention stage in Conseco FieldHouse- click here to read our wrapup story with him and to listen to his final comments in a Blue and Gold jacket- proudly representing Woodward and Oklahoma FFA.      

 

BlockA Final Word on 2011- By Former Ag Secretary John Block 

 

 

For this final email of the year- we have for you some words from the USDA Secretary during the Ronald Reagan years in Washington- Illinois farmer John Block.  Secretary Block provides us a weekly commentary that we post on our website Friday mornings- today we have it posted early to allow us to link it to today's email- so click here and enjoy his review of the year that is just about gone.  

PartingParting Shots for the Old Year
 
I wanted to remind you of a couple of items- Saturday morning, we invite you to tune in on News9 KWTV around 6:40 AM for this week's In the Field.  We are talking about the BOLD research done on behalf of the beef industry- that shows inclusion of four to five ounces of lean beef in your daily diet can help reduce the bad cholesterol count in your body.  Oklahoma Beef Council Dietician Consultant Karen Meyers- we will have a story on Karen's thoughts about the BOLD study on our website over the weekend and will feature it in next Tuesday's email.

We will also have a conversation with Tyler Norvell who is leaving Oklahoma Farm Bureau and joining the Oklahoma Youth Expo in the new year- our conversation with Tyler will be a featured part of our first email of the new year as well.

As we wind down 2011- let me say I am grateful for your support of the things we do in this email, on our website, on TV and on our many radio stations as we report the latest agricultural news- and along the way- try to tell the farm and ranch story to those who are not inside the circle of production agriculture and agribusiness. My prayer for each of you is that 2012 will be a great year- and that we will see all of US agriculture prosper in the new year. Happy New Year!
 
LROYour Next Legendary Restaurant Deal- Grapevine Cafe in Altus!
 

 The Legendary Restaurant of Oklahoma team is very pleased to spotlight a real gem of a lunch time spot in Altus, Oklahoma- the Grapevine Cafe.

The Grapevine Cafe is a local favorite in this southwest Oklahoma community.  Formerly known as the Main Street Grill, it has captured and retained customers' hearts for years. With its beautiful painted murals throughout the restaurant, it gives a calming ambience. The Grapevine Cafe offers daily specials and unique entrees--The desserts are fabulous!

We mentioned that this is a lunch time spot- their hours are Monday through Friday from 11 AM til 2 PM. The Grapevine Cafe is located at 219 N. Main Street in Altus. Their phone number is 580-480-1997.

We talked this week with Jamie Anthony, the owner of the Grapevine Cafe- and this delightful lady provides an inside look at the history of this local favorite- and left us hungry after a rundown of the many specials that can be had through the week.

And remember- starting December 30 at 8:30 AM- you can have Grapevine Cafe at 50% off. That's $50 worth of great food at Grapevine Cafe for only $25. . . A truly legendary deal!

Click here for details about today's Legendary Deal that can be bought for the Grapevine Cafe in Altus- starting at 8:30 AM.  AND- you can hear our visit with Jamie Anthony- owner of the Grapevine Cafe by clicking here.


 

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

 

 

God Bless! You can reach us at the following:

phone: 405-473-6144

 


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