Obama, Romney Outline Positions on Farm Issues 

President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney recently spelled out their positions on agriculture issues for the American Farm Bureau Federation. In a questionnaire, both candidates went into detail about their positions on energy, environmental regulations, farm labor and more.

Every four years, the American Farm Bureau Federation asks the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees to address the issues that concern farmers and ranchers most. This election, energy issues and farm policy are the driving forces in the candidate's responses.

On farm policy, Obama said he understands the need for a strong farm safety net. "That's why I increased the availability of crop insurance and emergency disaster assistance to help over 590,000 farmers and ranchers keep their farms in business after natural disasters and crop loss," he said. "My administration expanded farm credit to help more than 100,000 farmers struggling during the financial crisis...and as farmers continue to go through hard times because of this drought, we are expanding access to low-interest loans, encouraging insurance companies to extend payment deadlines and opening new lands for livestock farmers to graze their herds."

Romney said he supports passage of a strong farm bill "that provides the appropriate risk management tools that will work for farmers and ranchers throughout the country." He also pointed out that his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), voted for drought relief-a bill which the Senate never took up.

When asked why farmers should vote for them, Obama said he is committed to strengthening rural America through growing products that the world wants to buy and restoring middle class values of hard work and play. He further said, "I am the only candidate that is committed to strengthening the farm safety net, strengthening rural economic growth and supporting rural investments in clean energy."

Romney said if he were elected, he would give farmers relief from hefty environmental regulations, as well as "a commonsense energy policy that develops our resources right here at home; a renewed focus on opening new markets; and a pro-growth tax policy that encourages investment and recognizes that death should not be a taxable event."

Click here to read more of this story and to find a link to the full questionnaire and the answers provided by the candidates. 

National Humane Society Targets Pork Board With New Lawsuit 

The Humane Society of the United States filed a lawsuit in federal district court, charging that the National Pork Board struck an unlawful backroom deal with a D.C. lobbying organization for the purchase of the iconic "Pork: The Other White Meat" slogan. The HSUS suit claims the deal allows $60 million in pork producers' money collected for marketing and promotion purposes to be diverted into industry lobbying efforts aimed at harming animal welfare and small farmers. (Click here to read more on the lawsuit from the HSUS).

National Pork Board Chief Executive Officer Chris Novak said the lawsuit against the board and the U.S. secretary of agriculture challenges the legitimate purchase of a valuable business asset. 

"I find it unusual that HSUS is filing suit now over a decision that was made and approved more than six years ago," Novak said.  (You can read more of the National Pork Board's response by clicking here.) 

With the approval of the secretary of agriculture, the board purchased the trademark in 2006 from the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), which created the trademark prior to the formation of the National Pork Board in 1986. The National Pork Board subsequently assumed all marketing responsibilities for pork. 

Joe Maxwell, director of rural development and outreach at the HSUS and a Missouri pig farmer said, "through this lawsuit we can work to stop our money from being unlawfully funneled straight to its lobbyists who work against us."  

Neil Dierks, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council, the group that sold the slogan to the Pork Board six years ago- calls the lawsuit the "latest bullying tactic" of the HSUS- click here to read his full statement in reaction to news of the lawsuit.  

About 20 Percent of Oklahoma Wheat and Canola Sown

The USDA reports one fifth of the Oklahoma wheat and canola crops have been planted. Although little rain fell last week, moisture from the previous week gave producers an opportunity to plant. Some farmers dusted in wheat while others are waiting for more moisture. Click here for the full Oklahoma Crop Progress and Condition report.

Rainfall Chances To Tease Oklahoma Farmers and Ranchers Much of This Week- Hoping for Miriam to Offer a Dent in the Drought

Several weak disturbances will be rolling across our region- which provides a chance of precipitation across northwestern Oklahoma- as well as along the northern tier of Oklahoma counties. Some rainfall amounts are possible- an inch or less- in central and southwestern Oklahoma as well. The graphic above is a look at possible rainfall patterns today through Saturday.


The wildcard right now is a lady by the name of Miriam. Meteorologist Alan Crone with the News on 6 in Tulsa offers this description of what he is seeing at this point. Alan says "We continue to watch the data regarding the weekend and the possibility of remnant moisture from Hurricane Mariam moving into the area.   


"This pacific basin hurricane is positioned about 400 miles off the Baja this morning and will move northwest for the next day before turning northeast during the next 3 days. Some model data is suggesting that moisture from this system may become absorbed into the southern stream and move across the central and southern plains sometime Friday into the weekend."

Alan sees the best chance for rain from Miriam in our area in southern Oklahoma and northern Texas- but that is all subject to change.  We do have more from Alan and a great graphic of projected rainfall through Saturday that you will want to check out- click here and do so.  

Fewer Calves and Fewer Imports Mean an Ever Tighter Feeder Supply

In the latest Cow-Calf newsletter from the OSU Extension Service, Derrell S. Peel, extension livestock marketing specialist, says the drought will be wreaking havoc on feeder cattle supplies for some time to come.

The latest Cattle on Feed report indicated that the September 1 feedlot inventory was 99 percent of the same time last year. This represents only the second time in the last 28 months that feedlot inventories have dropped below year earlier levels on a month to month basis. The only other time was the brief May 1 drop below 100 percent of year earlier levels. This leads to two important questions: how have feedlots been able to hold inventories at such high levels?; and will feedlots be able to maintain feedlot inventories in the coming months?

The September 1 feedlot inventory was 10.637 million head, down less than one percent from last year but still 4.5 percent above the same period in 2010. In fact, except for the slight decrease from last year, this September 1 inventory is the largest since 2006. This is remarkable given that the total calf crop has decreased every year since 2006. (The last annual increase in the calf crop was in 1995.) The 2012 calf crop is projected at 34.5 million head, down 6.8 percent from 2006 and down 2.3 percent from last year.    

Increased imports of feeder cattle from Mexico and Canada partially offset decreased U.S. calf production. The increase in feeder cattle imports from 2010 through the year to date in 2012 equals roughly 40 percent of the decrease in calf crop over the period. So far in 2012, imports of feeder cattle are up about 287,344 head, a 35 percent increase and nearly all due to increased imports from Mexico. At the current pace, Mexico could contribute an additional 220,000 head by the end of the year. However, Mexican cattle imports are expected to slow in the coming months." 

You can read more by clicking here. 

NAWG Calls Congressional Inaction on 2012 Farm Bill 'Surreal and Deeply Unsettling'

In a statement from the National Association of Wheat Growers, President Erik Younggren, a wheat and sugar beet farmer from Hallock, Minn., blasted Congress for failing to pass the 2012 Farm Bill.

"Congress has now left Washington with no new farm bill passed and no clear path for how one will get passed in the near future.

"As a farmer who grew up on the land I still farm, and as the leader of a national organization made up of men and women whose families are dedicated to their farm businesses, this development is both surreal and deeply unsettling.

"Members of Congress are now fanning out across our nation to ask for our support in their efforts to get their jobs back. Regardless of party or position, we strongly encourage farmers to ask their legislators for an explanation of why they have failed to pass this fundamental legislation despite ample time and the worst drought conditions in our lifetimes."

Click here to read Younggren's full statement.

There's Still Time to Catch Today's Peanut Tour and Thursday's Curt Pate Seminar

It's not too late to get on board Oklahoma State University's Peanut Field Tour launching at two locations today. Click here to read more about the tour which begins at 9 a.m. at the Beckham County Activity Center in Sayre and click here for more information about the tour that begins at 4 p.m. at the Caddo Research station in Ft. Cobb. Both venues will feature hull blasting for producers who bring samples to determine maturity and digging dates.