Scott Neufeld of Fairview to Offer Oklahoma Perspective at Friday House Ag Committee Field Hearing in Dodge City

We are in Dodge City, Kansas this morning- ready to report on the final of four House Ag Committee Field Hearings planned by Oklahoma Congressman and House Ag Committee Chairman Frank Lucas.  We traveled over  150 miles across the third district that is the home of Congressman Lucas to be here for the two to three hours of testimony planned before three of the House Ag Committee members starting at nine AM. 

There will be two panels of witnesses to describe how the Farm Policy we are now living under has impacted farmers and ranchers since it was signed into law by then President George W Bush and what needs to come next when it comes to those policies- click here for the full list.  You will find on that list Scott Neufeld of Fairview, who has happened to serve since the end of 2010 on the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farm Policy Task Force- serving as Chairman of that group.

We will be "tweeting" updates this morning from Dodge City- click here to jump over to our Twitter stream- Chairman Lucas will immediately take his Committee into additonal hearings at the Subcommittee level in Washington next week- even as the Senate Ag Committee is ready to begin "mark up" of their version of the 2012 Farm Bill. 

We understand that Chairlady Stabenow may approach the crafting of a Committee proposal differently than what Lucas will be required to do- that in order to convince Senate Leader Harry Reid that he simply must grant floor time for a Farm Bill- she needs a very strong bipartisan vote out of her Committee- something approaching 21 to nothing.  That means getting something in the product to compel every member to support it when she calls for a final vote.  IF the Senate is able to get a package across the finish line- that puts pressure on the House to do the same- and then the real decisions can be made at the Conference level- with Chairman Lucas leading the Conference if that occurs.

The next piece of the puzzle is today- and we are here to update things for you.

Terry Detrick, AFR Leaders Talk Farm Bill During Trip to Washington 

Terry Detrick and three Oklahoma members of the board of American Farmers and Ranchers, recently spoke with legislative leaders in Washington, D.C. The 2012 Farm Bill was topic number one for discussion as Detrick and his colleagues met with Oklahoma's Congressional delegation.

Detrick said his group was not afraid to voice its concerns that livestock producers were being overlooked in the process. He said Oklahoma's representatives were very supportive.

"One of the things we have really been concerned about," Detrick said, is that "we do not expect to see a livestock title in the next farm bill. We don't want our livestock producers left out. They talk about crop insurance for our crop producers, but our livestock producers kind of get the short end of the stick on protection for disasters if that's all left out.

"So, one of our big pushes was, and we found a sympathetic ear with the chairman of the House ag committee and our Congressman Frank Lucas. Chairman Lucas is himself a graze out wheat producer and so he understands and agrees with our concerns. But I do know that he is going to take steps to try to continue to have some livestock disaster programs.

Terry Detrick has a lot more to say about his recent trip to Washington.  You can hear the full interview with him and read more by clicking here.

Oklahomans Make Conservation Progress, Cautiously Optimistic About New Farm Bill

Conservation Day was recently observed at the Oklahoma State Capitol, giving those involved with conservation work an opportunity to get together, take stock of how far we've come and how far we have yet to go in conservation efforts.

Clay Pope, executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts said conservation efforts are paying off in the Sooner state. A long list of Oklahoma streams are coming off the EPA's list of impaired waterways and Pope said the news is even better than that.

"We have another 100 to 130 that we believe we are going to be able to show were candidates to go on the list that won't have to because of the work agricultural producers are doing, that those farmers and ranchers and other landowners are doing."

Pope also said he is keeping a close eye on the conservation title in the 2012 farm bill.  He said a solid conservation title is crucial and he's cautiously optimistic with what he's seen so far.

"We're hopeful everybody can come together, and not only come forward with a farm bill that provides us the resources so that we can continue to feed and clothe the world and our nation, but also have those tools in there to make sure we're maintaining those resources to continue that production in the future."

You can hear an interview with Clay Pope and read more about conservation issues by clicking here.

Farm Groups Weigh In on Commodity and Risk Management Programs as Senate Begins Farm Bill Mark-Up

In a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Ranking Member Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), a group of eight prominent agricultural associations voiced its support for the Senate's approach to the 2012 Farm Bill, and raised several issues related to commodity and risk management programs.

Co-signed by the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Sunflower Association, U.S. Canola Association and USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council, the letter commended the committee for adhering to its original proposal of $23 billion in deficit reduction, brought forth to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction last fall. Additionally, the groups applauded the Committee's decision not to restructure the federal crop insurance program or to reduce its funding for deficit reduction purposes.

"Even with the clear and real need to reduce our federal deficit, it remains in the best interest of our nation to help ensure a basic level of risk management for farmers and our food supply," said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. "Farming is a risky business. There is no doubt about that, and crop insurance is a key principle in the goal to provide farmers a dependable safety net."

Click hear to read more of what the agriculture groups had to say about the ongoing work on the 2012 Farm Bill.

Kim Anderson Says Corn Remains King and Expects Wheat Prices to Dip Further

Wheat prices continued on a downward trend this week and OSU's Grain Marketing Specialist Dr. Kim Anderson says he thinks the price will go lower.

"Our wheat prices are going lower. We talked last week about that July contract broke $6.50. Our next target was weak support at $6.37 and that the price target was probably $6.00. Right now it's looking like that will probably be the case early next week if we stay below that $6.37 and I think $6.00 is where we're going to see that July contract going in the next few weeks."

This week on SUNUP, Kim Anderson will talk more with Lyndall Stout about the continued decline in wheat prices and gives marketing advice as harvest approaches.

You can see the full lineup for SUNUP and catch more of Kim Anderson's market analysis by clicking here.

Scott Daily Trains Green and Competition Horses at Southern Plains Farm Show

One of the most popular features at the Southern Plains Farm Show over the last few years has been the horse training sessions with Scott Daily. Daily is originally from Inola, Oklahoma, where he began working with horses in 4-H. He completed a degree in equine management at Northeastern A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma, and has perfected his training techniques over the last 15 years. He and his wife own and operate Daily Horse Training in Arkansas City, Kansas. Daily trains about 200 horses per year and works a lot of the farm shows.

Being as Daily is working in front of an audience, the training sessions he does at the farm shows are more like classes. More than just a performance, Daily said he really wants everyone to take something away from the experience.

"Maybe just show them an easier and better way. They always like to see what I do. Every time something comes in, it's always different. If I can educate somebody, keep them from getting hurt, that's the best thing where they can go and enjoy their animal." 

Daily will be working horses twice each day at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The farm show is at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Admission and parking are free.

You can read more about Scott Daily and listen to an interview by clicking here.

Helping Those Hurt by the Twister in Woodward Last Weekend 

Feedlot Operator Dale Moore of Cattlemen's Choice Feedyards in northwest Oklahoma has thrown together a fund raising effort to aid those impacted by the storms in and around Woodward last Saturday night early Sunday morning.  He has sent out an email that we wanted to share with you:

"My wife, Mary and I have lived in NW OK going on 12 years. Weather its Water issues, electric, snow or even cattle out on someone's road, the folks in NW OK have always helped us.
 
"This is very late notice, but we just came up with the idea. IM sure most of you have already done something to support the victims of the resent WW tornado, But this is what we are doing tomorrow at the WW sale barn.
 
"Cattleman's Choice will donate a butcher beef and Gage Locker will donate the processing. We are going to auction off quarters of hamburger. There are only 4 quarters in a beef, but IM sure we will sell the same quarter several times, until we run of takers. You would have the option of taking the beef or donation it back for re-sale.
What ever beef is left will go to the Red Cross and Catholic Charities group witch is both helping currently. If you would like to place a bid with me or come yourself I will recognize all buyers and there amounts.
 
"Quarter of hamburger will be close to 125# @ $4.00 # that's $500.00 so if two people want to split a bid that works also. Anything is helpful. "

Best way to conteact day to help on this is by calling him- that number is 580-254-4908. He tells us they plan on selling these beef quarters at 11 AM this morning.

Cattle on Feed numbers will be released this afternoon at 2 o'clock central time and, as is often the case, placement numbers will be the focal point of this month's report. Analysts are all over the board on those placement numbers. Click here for Jim Robb's pre-report analysis of how low the numbers will go in our current Beef Buzz.