Phosphorous Levels Declining in Illinois River 

A recent study from researchers at the University of Arkansas highlights water quality improvements within the Illinois River watershed. Water quality concerns related to elevated phosphorus (P) concentrations in northeastern Oklahoma watersheds (Eucha Spavinaw and Illinois River watersheds) have been the focus of regional and national attention and have resulted in increased regulation and litigation.

Researchers recently examined in-stream P concentration data spanning from 1997 to 2009 within the Illinois River water-shed. Results showed that flow-adjusted P concentrations have been decreasing since 2003 in the Illinois River at Arkansas Highway 59, at Watts, Oklahoma and further downstream at Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

These decreases are tied to the reductions in waste water treatment effluent P, which occurred in 2002. However, changes in agricultural management practices are also likely responsible for P reductions and include: exporting the majority of poultry litter outside nutrient sensitive watersheds, implementation of best management practices, strict regulations related to land application of manure and mandatory manure management education for poultry producers and manure applicators.

Overall, it does look promising that P concentrations were decreasing in the Illinois River watershed and may continue to decline due to reductions in effluent P concentrations and continued improvements in agricultural land management.

Click here to read more of this story by Dr. Josh Payne from Oklahoma State University.

 

Drought, Crop Conditions Worsen Across Oklahoma 

Several bouts of snow in February were welcomed by grain producers, but the precipitation did little to alleviate drought conditions across Oklahoma. Roger Mills County is particularly in need of moisture if producers there are to be able to harvest a crop this year.

According to the latest drought monitor, the majority of the state is now experiencing abnormally dry to severe drought conditions. The Panhandle and far southwest districts of the state are listed in extreme to exceptional drought. (the new Drought Monitor will be out at 7:30 AM central this morning)

All nine districts were still well below normal in precipitation for the period since September 1. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions were rated 87 percent and 83 percent short to very short, respectively.

The conditions of small grains and canola continued to decline over the month with some canola being lost to winter kill. Canola is being called 46% poor to very poor as we begin March while the wheat crop in Oklahoma is now pegged at 31% poor to very poor. 

Click here to read more of this story where you can review the full crop condition ratings- as well as the ratings for pasture.  

 

AFBF Supports Recommendations on Biotechnology and 21st Century Ag

Statement by Bob Stallman, PresidentAmerican Farm Bureau Federation on biotechnology and coexistence:

"The American Farm Bureau Federation supports the Agriculture Department's decision to move forward with an important recommendation about biotechnology and coexistence. That recommendation, from the final report of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology & 21st Century Agriculture (AC21), is to foster communication and collaboration to strengthen coexistence among farmers. We are disappointed by the implication from activist groups opposed to modern farming practices that there is widespread disagreement when it comes to coexistence and agricultural biotechnology. Frankly, that assertion does not hold up to scrutiny.

"AFBF has been an active participant in the constructive dialogue undertaken through the AC21 process. The fact of the matter is that for decades now, a hallmark of U.S. agriculture has been the ability of farmers to pursue innovation, utilize diverse cropping systems and respond to consumer demand for high-value, identity-preserved and specialty crops. Contrary to the claims by some who have a stake in muddying the waters with overblown charges, the diversity and vitality of our industry would not be possible if not for the past success of coexistence, or as we practice it, just being a good neighbor."

You can read more of Bob Stallman's statement by clicking here.  

AND- Back at the end of August 2012- we talked with Keith Kisling from Burlington, Oklahoma who was appointed to the AC21 Commission by Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack.  He was appointed to offer a grain producer's point of view- and represented the wheat industry as the group gathered information and formulated their recommendations.  You can go back and read our story from August 31, 2012- which includes the audio from our interview with Keith- just click here to jump back in time.

Google Earth Simplifies Creation of Custom Maps

Corey Moffet, assistant professor of agriculture at the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, writes in the latest Ag News and Views newsletter:

Most Americans today are just as likely to have a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver on them as they are a flashlight, camera, calculator, entertainment center and even basic computing tools. That is, if they are carrying their smartphone. For millions of users, the smartphone has changed the way we do many things, including travel. Are you visiting an unfamiliar town? No problem. With an address and our smartphone, we are ready to tackle just about any navigational challenge. Type in the address, click route and we are on our way.

What about communicating more complicated spatial information than points or addresses? How about lines or areas? Maybe you want to share a path where you want a fence to be constructed with a fencing contractor. Maybe you want to show hunters the boundary of their hunting lease or someone wants to share a soils map with you.  

This is where Google Earth really helps. Google Earth is an application available for download at no cost on desktop. The mobile versions are best suited for viewing geographic features, whereas the desktop version is well suited to view, create and edit spatial features.

Click here for more from Corey Moffet.

55 Groups Ask Congress to Help Stop USDA from Relaxing FMD Protections

In a letter sent today,55 organizations asked a bipartisan group of five U.S. Senators for help in stopping the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) from going forward with plans to relax the nation's protections against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

On Dec. 23, 2013, APHIS proposed to relax U.S. disease protections to allow the importation of fresh beef from Brazil, a country where, according to the group's letter, FMD is still considered endemic.

"We are concerned that APHIS is disregarding its responsibilities under the Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA)," the groups told the Senators.

The groups referred to APHIS' proposal to allow fresh Brazilian beef into the United States as "a radical and seemingly unjustified departure" from the disease protection measures that APHIS told Congress were necessary to prevent the introduction of FMD in a 2003 report.

You'll find the rest of this story and a link to the letter on our website by clicking here.  

Researchers Seek Producers' Opinions on Conservation 'Certainty' Plans

Researchers at Oklahoma State University, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, are conducting a survey to determine if agricultural producers in Oklahoma are interested in participating in a potential agricultural "certainty program". In a certainty program agricultural producers would voluntarily enroll into a program where they receive a conservation plan written by the U.S.D.A. Natural Resource Conservation Service or a similar entity. After the producer implements the recommended conservation practices, they can elect to sign an agreement with state and federal partners in which he or she agrees to maintain the implemented conservation practices for a specified amount of time. In exchange, the producer receives assurance, or "certainty" that they will not have to implement any additional practices for the length of the contract if additional state and/or federal regulations are implemented. In other words, such a program would protect agricultural producers from potential future regulations.

If you are an agricultural producer in Oklahoma, researchers are seeking your input.  Click here to read more and to find a link to the survey.

This N That- Superior Set for their Regular Feeder Cattle and Calf Sale- and a Jeff Edwards First Hollow Stem Update

Tomorrow morning- Superior Video Livestock Auction cranks up their every other Friday regular auction at 8 AM central time- both on Rural TV which is available on DISH Network as well as on the internet on their website Superior Click to Bid.Com.  They have 35,000 cattle that will be offered this week- including 8,700 yearling steers, 6,200 yearling heifers and over 13,000 weaned calves.  

For details about this week's sale- click here for the Superior website or call them at 1-800-422-2117.

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Our friend Dr. Jeff Edwards has posted on his blog a First Hollow Stem update- and reports that we are somewhat behind normal when it comes to the appearance of first hollow stem this year. Here's part of his update:

"First hollow stem is the optimal time to remove cattle from wheat pasture . We measure first hollow in our September-sown wheat forage plots at Stillwater each year, and normally have approximately 50% of varieties at or past first hollow stem by March 1st. I have posted first hollow stem measurements from these plots in a table at the end of this blog. No varieties are currently at first hollow stem at Stillwater, but I anticipate the small amount of moisture gained from recent snow and warming temperatures will spur onset of first hollow stem over the next week or so. We will take another set of measurements on March 10."

Click here for his complete posting dated yesterday.