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It's the world's largest junior livestock show- but  in reality- that's just the jumping off place for the 2012 Oklahoma Youth Expo.  OYE begins officially today, with the first judging of livestock to begin Sunday morning with the Doe Kid Show.  Wether Goats and breeding animals show Sunday through Tuesday, with a break Wednesday for a reset and a chance to celebrate the young people involved by holding the State Legislature Show.  Then, Thursday the focus swings to the market animals with the eventual selection of the Grand Champion animals in the three traditional species- steers, wether lambs and barrows on Sunday evening, March 18.  March 19 will bring the capstone experience for the young people who get selected for the Premium Sale of top animals- as that Monday is when those top animals are auctioned off at 4 PM.   

Along the way, there will be lots of Showmanship contests, Scholarship Awards and other highlights. When the dust settles- $1.5 million in cash and scholarships will be awarded to 4-H and FFA members from all 77 Oklahoma counties.  

One of those highlights is next Tuesday, when the Diamond Hats sponsor their annual "This One's For the Girls" event.  Miss Oklahoma 2011- Betty Thompson- will be speaking that afternoon as well as our News9 colleagues Robin Marsh and Lauren Nelson.  It happens from 1 to 4 on Tuesday.  

Click here for our calendar item for this weekend that includes our conversation from a couple of weeks ago with the new Executive Director of the show- Tyler Norvell.  And you can follow us and lots of other folks as the show unfolds on Twitter- the search hashtag to check out is #OYE2012.  On Monday in our email- we will recap the winners of the Doe Kid show and have our Flickr page of pictures started that you can check out.

By the way- if you need a room as you come to town for the OYE- you might want to check out the Hyatt Place on south Meridian.  They are centrally located to get back and forth to the fairgrounds- offer free wi-fi and a free hot breakfast and they will treat you right.  Call them at 405- 682-3900 and ask for the RON rate!   

Important Crop Insurance Deadlines Looming on the Horizon Dust 

Important deadlines are rapidly approaching for crop insurance in Oklahoma. Scott Bulling, crop insurance coordinator for Oklahoma Farm Bureau, says producers need to take action soon to make sure they are protected.

March 15th is the deadline for producers to sign up for federal crop insurance for spring crops. That would include corn, soybeans, milo, cotton and peanuts. Bulling said it's important for producers of these crops to contact an agent immediately.

Bulling said producers have a couple of options this year for types of insurance. Most producers are aware of multi-peril policies. These do not guarantee against revenue loss, but do protect against natural disasters-drought, flood, freeze, hail, the usual sorts of things.

Another option that has grown in popularity, Bulling said, is the revenue policy. It is currently available for all crops except peanuts.   

Net Export Value of U.S. Beef Trade Posts Record High in 2011

The combined dollar value of all U.S. cattle, beef and beef product exports posted a record high in 2011, according to the Livestock Information Marketing Center.

Jim Robb, the executive director of the LMIC says when we look at beef exports it's easy to forget the contribution made to increased cattle prices by hides, variety meats, tallow and greases. He said the value from those projects was record-setting in 2011. The export value of those products added over $2 billion or 20 percent in 2011. Robb said that is the major reason why we've seen record high cattle prices.

The net value of exports of all beef products minus the value of all beef product imports had been rather flat, Robb said, but, "it's been positive for each of the last two or three years following the BSE years which were very negative in the export context.

"And the year-to-year increase in net export value was over $1.8 billion. That's new money, essentially, into the beef industry from these export markets. That 1.8 billion is a very large amount if we do that calculation on a per-head basis. This is really the major supportive factor, if we look at all the factors in the beef industry in 2011, that caused cattle prices to be where they were."

Listen to more of today's Beef Buzz with Jim Robb by clicking here. 

Rainfall Timely and Helpful for Wheat, Canola and Spring Pasture

Rainfall totals for this latest round of rain shows much of the state- outside of Texas and Cimarron Counties in the Panhandle- got at least some rainfall, with an additional chance of precipitation in the forecast for this weekend.

the heaviest amounts of rain have come in southeastern Oklahoma- but the second band of rain stretched from Hollis and Altus north to the Kansas state line in north central Oklahoma.


Winter Wheat, winter canola and spring pasture all benefited from these timely rains.

Click here for a graphic from the Oklahoma Mesonet that allows you to see the rainfall totals that have come in over the last 36 hours or so from this latest system.

Public Notice by the Oklahoma Pork Council and the National Pork Board 

The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2013 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) Delegate Body will take place at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 16, 2012 in conjunction with the Oklahoma Pork Congress and Annual Meeting which will be held at the Reed Conference Center, 5750 Will Rogers Road, Midwest City, Okla. All Oklahoma pork producers are invited to attend.

Any producer age 18 or older who is a resident of Oklahoma and has paid all assessments due may be considered as a delegate candidate and/or participate in the election. All eligible producers are encouraged to bring with them a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the checkoff deducted.

If you are interested in being a candidate, please prepare a short (1/2 page) biography telling about yourself and send it to the Oklahoma Pork Council, ATTN: Election Committee, One North Hudson, Suite 900, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 to arrive by March 9, 2012. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor.

For more information, contact the Oklahoma Pork Council. Telephone: 888-SAY-PORK (729-7675) or 405-232-3781.
 

Oklahoma Specialty Crop Grants Available

Grants are available to promote the production of specialty crops like fruits, vegetables and tree nuts. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is accepting applications, due April 20, for $384,000 in grants that will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops according to Agriculture Marketing Coordinator Jason Harvey.

"There's a lot to be gained by expanding Oklahoma's specialty crop industry," Harvey said. "The grants allow agricultural organizations and individuals to do research on growing techniques or developing new varieties and then share the information with others."

Specialty crops include many fruit, nut, vegetable, herb and cut flower crops. The focus of the grants is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by increasing nutrition knowledge, improving production efficiency, reducing distribution costs, enhancing food safety and developing new seed varieties. Eligible projects should impact the entire specialty crop industry and/or the public. Single organizations, institutions and individuals are encouraged to participate as project partners.

Click here to read more about specialty crop grants and to connect to a link for grant applications.

Papa Dio's Joins Legendary Restaurants of Oklahoma

Papa Dio's joins the fine family of Legendary Restaurants of Oklahoma City this week. It's Oklahoma City's oldest family-owned Italian restaurant, owned and operated by real Italians.

Owner and chef Bill Bonadio has put together two distinctly different dining experiences all under the same roof at Hefner and May Avenue. The casual, family side dining room offers relaxed dining for those times you might want to grab a quick bowl of pasta or drop in with the kids after a soccer game.

The Wine Bar side offers fine dining with white table cloths, reidel win glasses, and a wine list that's been awarded the Wine Spectators Award of Excellence several years in a row.   A custom, horseshoe-shaped bar and a back bar made from wood that once adorned an 18th century Louisiana home add to the elegant dining experience.

Both dining rooms offer the same 160-plus menu items ranging from imported pasta, chicken, veal, shrimp, fresh fish daily, and a full page of Chef's Specials. Chef Bonadio has a Tuscan Fusion menu and don't forget his original Fried Pizza.

For more about Papa Dio's including an interview with its owner and chef, Bill Bonadio, click here.

You can purchase two $25 gift certificates to Papa Dio's for only $25 by clicking here.