Oklahoma Conservation Officials Take Part In Whitehouse Water Quality Summit 

Oklahoma's successful nonpoint source pollution program was recently part of the discussion at a White House conference on water quality. Clay Pope, executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD) and Shanon Phillips, Director of the Water Quality Division of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, were both invited to discuss what makes Oklahoma's nonpoint source program so successful and to help identify ways that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) could cooperate to protect water using voluntary programs. According to Pope, this was a great opportunity to tell federal officials why voluntary, locally-led, cooperative programs are showing such great success in reducing nutrients and other pollutants from Oklahoma's waters.

"We were honored to have the chance to tell Oklahoma's story on water quality and conservation," Pope said. "When you see the success we have had in Oklahoma in taking streams and stream segments off of the EPA impaired list and when you consider the fact that our state consistently ranks near the top in reducing nonpoint source pollution in our water, we must be doing something right. We feel that Oklahoma is showing that if you work with farmers, ranchers and other landowners through voluntary programs that are run correctly like the model we have that was developed in cooperation with EPA Region 6 and if you work to maximize cooperation with EPA and USDA, you can make a difference in water quality without heavy-handed regulations and do it in a way that is popular with landowners."

You can read the full story by clicking here. 

USMEF Market Education Program Features Stops in Korea, China, Hong Kong

Fifteen representatives of U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) member organizations received an in-depth look at the red meat industry in South Korea, China and Hong Kong as part of the 2012 USMEF Market Education Program. Participants came from the United Soybean Board, the National Pork Board and pork, beef, corn and soybean producer organizations from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska.

In Korea, these pork, beef, corn and soybean producers got a firsthand look at USMEF marketing efforts in the retail, foodservice, processing and distribution sectors. They also had an opportunity to learn more about the benefits of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, which took effect March 15.

Roger Knoblock, a hog producer and cattle feeder from Lester, Iowa, participated on behalf of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. He was pleased with the level of success U.S. pork and beef have achieved in Korea, but recognizes that competition in the market is formidable. According to the Global Trade Atlas, the U.S. is one of 19 countries exporting pork to South Korea so far this year.

There's a lot more to this story and you can read it all by clicking here.

School Breakfast Programs Improve Student Learning, Classroom Behavior

Dayle Hayes, author, educator and registered dietician, was recently in Tulsa to speak with Oklahoma dieticians at their annual meeting. A major portion of Hayes' recent work is focused on the effects of nutrition on learning in the classroom. Working closely with the dairy industry, Hayes travels the country to speak about research which clearly shows a link between good nutrition and positive classroom outcomes. She was in Tulsa this past Friday on behalf of Dairymax.

"The statistics show that about one in four children in Oklahoma is food insecure, meaning that there may be times when there isn't food in the home for them to either have supper or breakfast."

Hayes says that is significant for school-aged children because, "Hungry children cannot learn. So, if children come to school without having eaten they are unable to focus in the classroom, they are not able to concentrate on learning and, in fact, it affects their behaviors."

With the help of the USDA, schools across the country have begun participating in the School Breakfast Program. The USDA says the program is now serving 12 million children every school day.

Dayle Hayes has more to say on the importance of the School Breakfast Program.  You can hear her full interview or read more of the story by clicking here. 

Rains Offer Game Changing Conditions for Cattle Producers

Above-normal temperatures and recent rains are proving a game changer for cattle producers all across the state. Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, says these quickly-changing weather conditions will impact producers- we have comments with Dr. Peel on today's Beef Buzz which you can hear by clicking here.

Peel tells us that recent weather and the calendar ensure that spring will happen in a significant part of the drought region in the Southern Plains. Unusually warm temperatures, additional rain, and the approach of April have changed the prospects for much of eastern Oklahoma and eastern Texas. Soils are saturated in much of the region and green up is occurring rapidly. Cool season forages are virtually assured early forage and hay production. Warm season forages need a little more time but the prospects look favorable at this time.

These changes are reflected in the latest Drought Monitor map, which shows continued improvement in the region. Even more dramatic are the changes in the latest Drought Outlook from the Climate Prediction Center. The Drought Outlook for the next three months shows significant drought easing in much of central and eastern Oklahoma and eastern Texas with some improvement in a band just west of this area. However, my recent travels across the Texas Panhandle and New Mexico confirm that drought conditions remain very severe in these regions farther west.

Producers in the improved area can begin planning for recovery. The first consideration should be to understand the condition of pastures and develop a management plan for forage recovery.

Click here to read more of Derrell Peel's analysis of forage prospects and pasture recovery- as well as his comments on this on our Wednesday Beef Buzz 

William L. Ford Honored by OSU's Division of Ag Sciences and Natural Resources

Oklahoman William L. Ford will be honored as a 2012 DASNR Champion award recipient by Oklahoma State University's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources on March 28.

The DASNR Champion award recognizes and honors those who are not graduates of OSU's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources but who have brought distinction to the division while demonstrating a continuing interest in and commitment for agricultural sciences and natural resources.

Ford, a 1960 graduate of Shawnee High School and president of Shawnee Milling Company since May of 1979, currently serves on the DASNR Dean's Advisory Council, providing insights that help ensure division programs are tackling issues and concerns of importance to Oklahoma.

Robert E. Whitson, DASNR vice president, said Ford was instrumental in the creation of the CASNR Student Success Center that houses a student career resources facility, a multimedia-equipped student board room and accessibility to staff who provide individual student guidance and coordinate programs relevant to the personal, professional and academic development of current students, prospective students and alumni.

You can read more about William Ford's contributions to OSU's DASNR by clicking here. 

Cattle On Feed Preview- and the Latest Rainfall Figures

This Friday after the cattle futures close for the week USDA will release its monthly Cattle on Feed numbers.  Rich Nelson with Allendale has dropped us an email and gives us his preview of the numbers that will be unveiled at 2 PM Central time.

Nelson says "February Placements are expected to be 1.5% higher than last year. The cash cattle rally in February may have drawn a few extra numbers into feedlots. Keep in mind this may further drawdown the feeder cattle supply for the next quarter. USDA estimated feeder cattle supplies outside of feedlots on January 1 at 4% lower than last year. Cattle placed in February will be marketed from July to October.

"Allendale anticipates a Marketing total 1.8% higher than February of 2011.

"Total Cattle on Feed as of March 1 will be 1.8% higher than last year. This is lower than last month's estimate of 2.1% larger supplies."

Meanwhile, the rainfall totals since Sunday evening have been continuing to rise in eastern Oklahoma- with the central and the western parts of the state getting a little more rain overnight with this latest rain event.    

We have a rainfall graphic to share with you as of 5:45 AM this morning- showing several locations in eastern Oklahoma with more than 6 inches of rainfall (and flooding as a result) since Monday.  Meanwhile the rains in central and western Oklahoma have greatly enhanced the prospects for the winter canola and wheat crops- and offered some excellent moisture for the soil profile ahead of spring planting.  Click here for the rainfall graph we have up on our website and see how rainfall totals have piled up in various parts of the state.