Sign-Up and Re-Enrollment Deadline Extended For CRP General Sign-Up 43

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Bruce Nelson announced that the sign-up deadline for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has been extended to April 13, 2012.

"Due to strong interest in CRP, the decision was made to extend CRP sign-up 43 for an additional week. I encourage all eligible farmers and ranchers to take advantage of this opportunity to participate in CRP," said Nelson. "Whether new enrollees or re-enrolling existing CRP contracts, producers who sign up for CRP help to conserve land and improve our soil, water, air and wildlife habitat resources."

After the CRP general sign-up ends on April 13, FSA will evaluate offers based on cost and the Environmental Benefits Index (EBI). The EBI takes into consideration variables such as wildlife habitat, water quality protection, soil erosion reduction, air quality protection and other enduring benefits. Accepted offers will become effective Oct. 1, 2012.

CRP is a voluntary program available to agricultural producers to help them use environmentally sensitive land for conservation benefits. Producers enrolled in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion and develop wildlife habitat. In return, USDA provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. Contract duration is between 10 and 15 years. Producers with expiring contracts and producers with environmentally sensitive land are encouraged to evaluate their options under CRP.

Currently, about 30 million acres are enrolled in CRP.
 

Kevin Good of Cattlefax Still Optimistic Cattle Prices Will Trend Higher After Third Quarter 

Cattle markets in the first quarter of the year have offered some surprises and Kevin Good of Cattlefax spoke with us at the recent Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers annual meeting. Good says there are several things to take into consideration when looking at the markets coming out of last year and into the first quarter.

"We sure thought that prices would be higher as we came into this year. That was definitely the trend. It exceeded our expectations as far as the magnitude of the push in the market. We've got to remember any more the markets are very directional. They're either going up or they're going down.

"We got a sharp rise in the first half of the year. There's some concerns, though, as you look at the price levels we pushed to.   Fed cattle got to 130 before they hit a brick wall and now they're trending lower, you know, from spring to summer. I think we've got to recognize that as the top side of a range here for awhile. We tried to push beef and got it up to two bucks on the cutout and it ran into a brick wall. So we've got to be concerned about that as far as the barrier on the top side."

Despite the declines, Good thinks the fourth quarter may see some increase in price after some inventory clears.  You can read more of his analysis or hear the full interview by clicking here. 

Court Orders FDA To Continue Process Begun 35 Years Ago Banning Antibiotics in Livestock Feed

The following editorial was written by Daryll E. Ray who holds the Blasingame Chair of Excellence in Agricultural Policy, Institute of Agriculture, University of Tennessee, and is the Director of UT's Agricultural Policy Analysis Center (APAC):

On January 6, 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) "published an order prohibiting the extralabel use of cephalosporin antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals," an action we wrote about in our January 20, 27, and February 3, 2012 columns. We do not know about others, but we certainly were not expecting any additional action on the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals in the near future.

But we were wrong; only this time the action was the result of a lawsuit and not an action by the FDA. Not only that, the action resulted not from a trial but rather a summary judgment by US Magistrate Judge, Theodore Katz of the United States District Court, Southern District of New York. As Judge Katz writes, in the case of Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., et al. (NRDC) v United States Food and Drug Administration, et al. "the parties do not dispute the essential facts"

Click here to read more about this developing story that could have a significant impact on livestock producers.

Tom Brink, David Trowbridge Say Genetics and Management Make Ideal Calves

How do you define the ideal cow? David Trowbridge of Gregory Feedlots and Tom Brink of J&F Oklahoma Holdings take a stab at that definition.

"You need cattle that have high performance and you need cattle that have high carcass quality because the most profitable cattle are going to be the ones that have maximum performance and have maximum carcass quality," Trowbridge says.

How does a cattleman know he is producing those? The keys are in genetics and management says Brink.

"We like an animal that is 50 to 75 percent Angus maybe 25 to 50 percent continental and maybe up to 25 percent something else. If it's a southern-based animal and you need a little ear and some heat adaptability, then having some Brahman influence. We like to keep that Brahman down to an eighth or less in the feeder steer."

Catch the full video with Tom and David by clicking here.

'Made In Oklahoma' Day on OSU Campus Celebrates April as Made In Oklahoma Month

Oklahoma State University's Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center is partnering with University Dining Services and the Made in Oklahoma Coalition to celebrate April as Made in Oklahoma month.

"We want to rally the community to support Made in Oklahoma products, especially during the month of April," said Sharra Martin, MIO Coalition market development coordinator.

In celebration, University Dining Services is hosting the third annual Made in Oklahoma Day at OSU on April 10 in the Student Union Atrium from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

"Various Made in Oklahoma companies will give out complimentary samples of their products," said Andrea Graves, FAPC business and marketing specialist. "The vendors will provide samples of products including meat, desserts, beverages and condiments."

The MIO Coalition represents more than 30 Oklahoma food manufacturers statewide.

Click here to read more about the MIO day in Stillwater.

Longtime OSU Swine Specialist Dr. Bill Luce Dies, Remembered By Pork Council Director

Dr. Bill Luce, long-time extension swine specialist at Oklahoma State University, passed away April 3rd in Stillwater.   Services for Dr. Luce are Friday, April 6, at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Stillwater (400 W 7th St.).

Roy Lee Lindsey, Jr., executive director of okPORK, offered the following statement on the passing of Dr. Luce:

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Bill Luce. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Nancy and their children.

Oklahoma's pork industry owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Bill for his 30 years of service as an extension swine specialist and then seven more as part of the team at the Oklahoma Pork Council. He worked with the largest producers in the state as well as the smallest producers and he was happiest when he was out working with producers. Bill helped start our Environmental Steward Awards program and under his leadership, Oklahoma had seven nationally recognized Environmental Stewards between 1998 and 2005.

Read more of Roy Lee Lindsey's rememberance of Dr. Luce by clicking here.

Stand Up and Say Amen- Our Afternoon in Davis, Oklahoma

It was quite a show of respect and love for the Drake family that was displayed by community of Davis as well as the agricultural community of Oklahoma and Texas on Wednesday as a Memorial service for Kay Drake was held at the Public School auditorium.   

Kay was the longtime wife of Bob Drake, the last President of the National Cattlemen's Association before the merger of the NCA and the Beef Industry Council of the National Livestock and Meat Board.  He has also served on the Cattlemen's Beef Board, on the Board of Oklahoma Farm Bureau(and as their Vice President), on the Oklahoma Water Resources Board as well as being an integral part of the Conservation Grazinglands Initiative. Standing behind him in all of these efforts was Kay.   

Their minister spoke of Kay and her involvement in their congregation and in the community- but it was the words of her granddaughter, daughter and finally- Bob Drake, her husband, that made this service so memorable.  

One description of Kay made reference to her political leanings as she was called a yellow dog Democrat.  I suspect that she might find it amusing that a pair of Republican Congressmen came to pay their respects at her memorial service yesterday.

Bob told several stories on his high school sweetheart- pointing out more than once she brought him back to earth as he involved himself in duties that as he described it "were designed to save the world." And he concluded his remarks with a thought that I wanted to leave you with today- Bob said that you will never know when God and His Son will look down on this earth  and point to someone and say "I need you" and call them home to heaven- and away from those who love them.  He said that he wanted everyone in that room to agree to go home- grab the hand of that important person or persons in your life and tell them you love them and that they are important.  He asked for an Amen and got it- and then he added- if you really mean it- I want you to stand up and say that Amen like you mean it.  Those gathered did just that- and I for one walked out of that celebration- uplifted- because of the life of this extraordinary woman and her family that loved her.