Scott Neufeld Talks Farm Bill Ideas At American Farm Bureau Meeting in Hawaii 

On Tuesday, the American Farm Bureau delegates from across the United States will gather at the 93rd annual convention of that organization in Hawaii- and attempt to hammer out their position on a wide variety of issues- including their stance on what should make up the Commodity Title in the next farm bill to be written by members of Congress this year.


While AFBF delegates have been meeting for months to discuss and develop farm bill proposals, there has been a great deal of diversity among the delegates about the best path forward. Some southern state leaders demanded continuation of direct payments, which send about $5 billion into farmer's pockets each year-regardless of whether they plant a crop. Others argued that direct payments are no longer sustainable in today's fiscal environment and that a new form of safety net should be developed.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau established a Farm Bill Task Force at the 2010 state convention- and Scott Neufeld from Major County has been the Chair of this group. Neufeld talked with farm broadcast colleague Jeff Nalley over the weekend as the AFBF annual convention kicked off- and you can listen to Jeff and Scott discuss the process within Oklahoma- and Neufeld's message to other delegates he will be offering on behalf of Oklahoma Farm Bureau members.

Click here for our Ag Perspectives Podcast that features Scott Neufeld from Fairview, Oklahoma as he talks farm policy concepts from Honolulu and the American Farm Bureau convention.

Drought Fears Remain for Oklahoma Cattle Producers

November and December moisture means that some areas of the Southern Plains are in better shape than this time last year, at least as far as soil moisture. Nevertheless, Dr. Derrell Peel with Oklahoma State University says the region is still in drought and it is still very much a question of what the region will look like when the growing season begins in the spring.

Producers who sold many or all of their cattle in 2011 are waiting to see if the drought abates in 2012 and should be developing a rebuilding strategy that can be activated in the spring if conditions improve. Significant reduction in drought conditions will likely lead to rapid and strong demand for breeding animals and extremely high prices are likely. Producers need to plan for both forage recovery and cattle market conditions in terms of exactly how and how fast to rebuild cow herds. There will likely not be enough bred cows or cow-calf pairs to meet demand in the region and a slower strategy utilizing stockers to sell or stocker heifers as replacements may be attractive to some producers.

Click here for the rest of Dr. Peel's analysis of our beef cattle industry as we begin 2012.  

Beef Choice-Select Spreads Narrow in the Latest Week

The difference between choice and select wholesale beef prices narrowed this past week, as choice rib prices fell as select rib values were stable. Meanwhile, cash cattle prices ready for slaughter were steady to mostly a dollar cheaper on the week- with the Texas-Oklahoma feedlots seeing prices mostly around $121 per hundredweight.

Ed Czerwin of the USDA Market News Office in Amarillo offers his insights for the week ending January 6, 2012.

Click here for Ed's audio reviewof the beef marketplace.

A High Volatility, 'Fierce' Acreage War Ahead for Growers

Solid risk management "has never been more important" for producers of the nation's major commodities, given a range of volatility factors, North Carolina State University Extension specialist Nicholas Piggott told producers at the American Farm Bureau Federation's 93rd Annual Meeting.

During AFBF's session on the outlook for corn, soybeans, wheat and cotton, the Australian-born ag economist said that he anticipates "another fierce acreage-bidding war" this season. "This is fantastic for you farmers out there," Piggott argued, citing producer reaction to strong market signals.

However, "acreage is not limited," and tight corn stocks and continued high prices should translate to a significant boost in nationwide corn acreage, likely at the expense of cotton, and possibly soybean, production. Piggott noted 2011 was a "great year" for corn, cotton, and wheat but only a "moderate year" for soybeans, and this season's U.S. bean market outcome may depend largely on South American weather and its impact on foreign supply.

Click here for more of the analyis offered by Piggott at this year's AFBF meeting.   

Deadline This Friday- Conservation Stewardship Program Applications Due by January 13

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service reminds you that the ranking period cut-off date for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is this Friday- January 13, 2012. Producers interested in CSP should submit applications to their local NRCS office by the deadline so that their applications can be considered during the first ranking period of 2012.  

"CSP is one of our most popular conservation programs, and we expect to receive many applications," NRCS Chief Dave White said. "I encourage all farmers and ranchers who are interested in applying to contact their local NRCS office as soon as possible so they can meet the deadline."

You can submit your application for CSP anytime- but if you don't get your application in for this program by Friday- that application won't considered until next year.  Only applications in by January 13 will be looked at in the 2012 ranking process.  

Click here for the CSP website for more details- and you can contact your local NRCS office if you have questions about your eligibility for this green payment program. 

Coming Attractions- International Livestock Congress- Oklahoma Wheat Commission and No Till on the Plains 

The International Livestock Congress is happening today in Denver- we mentioned that in yesterday's email and our story on Judd Capper who is their leadoff speaker.  We neglected to mention that there is an Oklahoma cattleman who will also be up on stage at the event- Richard Gebhart of Tulsa will be describing "Sustainability" in the context of being a beef cattle producer.  

The Oklahoma Wheat Commission will have their regular monthly board meeting this coming Thursday- this month meeting in Enid. Click here for the location and agenda of the meeting- which starts at 2 PM on Thursday.

This Friday is the early registration deadline of the 16th Annual Winter Conference of No Till on the Plains- you save fifty bucks by signing up for the event early. Click here for our No Till calendar item which provides details about the conference and how to register.