AFR/OFU Revises Horse Slaughter Policy to Include State-Inspected Facilities 

American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) recently adopted new policy regarding horse slaughter in Oklahoma. The issue arose after analysis of House Bill 1999 by Rep. Skye McNiel.

Existing organization policy on horse slaughter in Oklahoma was examined during the organization's 108th annual state convention Feb. 22-23. After discussion, 850 AFR/OFU member-delegates unanimously adopted a modified policy on the controversial issue.

AFR/OFU members had previously adopted policy that supported USDA-inspected facilities, as most prior debate on the issue had been at the federal level. Rep. McNiel's 2013 legislative proposal provides for state-inspected facilities, which present a broader range of potential options for farmers, ranchers and business owners.

Official AFR/OFU policy now states, "We support the appropriate harvesting of equine in properly inspected facilities."

"State-inspected horse slaughter is an all-encompassing solution for the current issue of unwanted horses in Oklahoma," said AFR President Terry Detrick. "This bill benefits our state's rural citizens, business owners and agriculturalists, and provides for the humane harvesting of unwanted horses. We commend Rep. McNiel and our state legislators for supporting economic development in the state of Oklahoma."

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Sorghum Checkoff Invests $3.4 Million to Enhance Sorghum's Genetic Potential 

The Sorghum Checkoff board of directors Feb. 26 approved funding of $3.4 million in significant investments to private and public research to enhance sorghum's genetic potential.

Grain attributes, new hybrid development, branding and better management traits are included among the major areas of focus these funded projects will address. The projects approved at the board's meeting during Commodity Classic last week total $3.4 million over a five-year time frame. These projects represent a unique commitment that will compliment annual efforts made by the Sorghum Checkoff.

"The United Sorghum Checkoff Program remains committed to improving sorghum as a sustainable, profitable and competitive crop," said Sorghum Checkoff Chairman Stewart Weaver, a producer from Edmondson, Ark. "There is great momentum in the sorghum industry, and we look forward to announcing more details about this investment in the coming weeks."

 

Angus Revises Approach to Age-and-Source Verification

The Japanese export market has been topping beef industry headlines in recent months. The country's decision to revise import guidelines to include cattle less than 30 months of age is positive news for U.S. beef demand, but it also brings about changes to age-and-source verification programs.

"There are still benefits associated with verifying information on your calf crop," says Ginette Kurtz, AngusSource quality manager. "In previous years that focus was age; however, our program must shift to reflect current market demands."

To better serve the producers using registered Angus bulls, AngusSource and Gateway will take on a new approach to providing documented age, source and genetic information on Angus-influenced cattle. The Association is transitioning the age-and-source programs with the goal to provide in-house verification standards for cattle to qualify for AngusSource. While still continuing to verify the age, source and genetics with the same confidence the industry has come to trust and value. 

You can read more by clicking here.

 

Southern Plains Moisture and Big Wheat Crop in India Add Up to Lower US Wheat Prices

Wheat prices have dropped significantly in the past week and OSU Grain Marketing Specialist Kim Anderson spoke with SUNUP anchor Lyndall Stout about the factors impacting grain prices.

"I think the big news is the moisture that we've received in the hard red winter wheat area. Obviously, it's improved the crop conditions, the wheat conditions as they come out of dormancy. Also, if you'll look at India, they're starting their harvest in the next couple of weeks. Looking at a near-record crop there. They've already got massive carryovers. They're moving that out on the export market. That's going to compete with our export wheat. And you've got the Soviet Union's prices coming down and they'll possibly move some wheat. So, you've got several things going on right now that's driving the nearby crop prices down."

Anderson says farmers and traders are keeping a keen eye on Oklahoma's weather. The 30-day forecast shows temperatures will be about average. When you look out three or four months, he says, forecasters are calling for temperatures slightly higher than normal. He says hot, dry winds after the wheat has reached the soft dough stage could reduce production.

You can read more or listen to Lyndall Stout's full interview with Kim Anderson by clicking here.

 

DuPont Pioneer Research Investment Yields 132 New Products for 2013 Season

DuPont Pioneer announced final advancements of 132 new Pioneer brand corn products for 2013, including 36 new genetic platforms. These new products are available to growers for their 2013 planting.

"Each of these products exemplifies the 'right product for the right acre' strategy to help growers across the U.S. address their local agronomic challenges and continue to maximize yield in the toughest growing environments," says Bob Heimbaugh, North American director of corn product evaluation.

The expansive Pioneer product lineup includes 57 new additions to the Optimum AcreMax family of products - providing an innovative single-bag integrated refuge. Of these products, 34 new corn choices - including Optimum AcreMax 1, Optimum AcreMax Xtra and Optimum AcreMax XTreme products - feature insect protection from above and below ground insect pests with the integrated refuge for Corn Belt acres. Also available are 23 new Optimum AcreMax products with dual mode-of-action for above ground insect protection with a 95/5 percent integrated blend which satisfies refuge requirements in the Corn Belt.

You can read more of this story on our webpage by clicking here.

 

Proper Nutrition for Heifers Most Important as Breeding Season Approaches

Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist, writes in the latest Cow-Calf Newsletter:

As we get closer to April and the breeding season for replacement heifers that are destined for a spring calving herd, proper nutritional management is more important than ever. In a "normal" year, (with fall rains and winter snows) cattle have been removed from wheat pasture at this time to maintain optimum grain yield. In most cases this winter the heifers have been fed supplement and hay. They will be turned in with the bulls or put on a synchronization program to be bred in April. In some cases this means that the heifers must be moved from one location to another that is closer to working facilities. The trick, of course, is to not let those heifers go on a steep downslide in body condition as we approach the breeding season. Research has shown that if heifers (near the time of reaching puberty) undergo a severe reduction in dietary intake of protein and especially energy, breeding success may be disappointing.

Oklahoma State University researchers have studied the impact of short term energy restriction on ovulation rates of cycling replacement heifers. In this study, restricting nutrient intake for 14 days prevented ovulation in a large percentage of beef heifers without altering visible body condition. Heifers should be managed to avoid short-term nutrient restriction to maintain normal estrous cycles.

Click here to read more from Glenn Selk.

 

Strong Lineup of Speakers Set for First Ever Texoma Cattlemens Conference

In an effort to answer some of the biggest questions that cattle producers are facing today in the southern plains, the Noble Foundation is bringing together a world class group of speakers that will make up their inaugural 2013 Texoma Cattlemen's Conference, Thursday, March 14, at the Ardmore Convention Center. This year's theme is Focus on Efficiency, with topics ranging from the changing climate and regional weather forecasts to managing the beef herd and streamlining ranch operations to enhance efficiencies. The Noble Foundation has invited national and regional experts to this year's conference to speak on these subjects and more.   

The lineup of topics to be covered ranges from weather and the climate, dealing with recovering range and pasture after the drought, cutting edge technology for cattle producers, efficient and effective best management practices for today's producer and an economic perspective for today's beef cattle business.

To learn more about the speaker lineup- and for a link over to the agenda and registration- click here.