EPA Ranks Oklahoma Near the Top in Water Pollution Reduction 

A recent comparison of EPA priority nonpoint source pollutant reduction numbers from across the nation shows that Oklahoma ranks as the number two state in the nation for when it comes to reducing harmful nutrients from our streams and rivers. This is the fifth year in a row that Oklahoma has ranked in the top ten among states in reported non-point source nutrient reductions according to Kim Farber, President of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD).

"This continued improvement in water quality is a testimony to the success of the dedicated, voluntary work done by farmers, ranchers and other landowners in partnership with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, local conservation districts, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Water Act 319 programs and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to address this critical issue," Farber said. "This success shows what can happen when we work together, respect individuals' private property rights and when the State and Federal Governments give landowners the financial and technical assistance they need to make changes. Locally-led, voluntary conservation works."

Shannon Phillips, director of water quality with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, said the huge gains in water quality in Oklahoma have come at an incredibly low cost to taxpayers.

"We've proven that these voluntary conservation programs to address water quality can be very effective. With less than 1.5 percent of the funding of the national program, we've reduced 30 percent of the national load reduction of phosphorous and 14 percent of the national load reduction of nitrogen... The secret is we have a great conservation partnership here in Oklahoma. Since the Dust Bowl, producers have been comfortable going to their local conservation districts and local NRCS offices recognizing those people as leaders in helping them address the conservation needs that they have." 

You can read more of this story or listen to my interview with Shannon Phillips by clicking here.  

Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Benefit from Non-Point-Source Pollution Cleanup 

With yesterday's announcement that Oklahoma ranks number two in the nation in the clean-up of non-point-source water pollution, Ed Fite of the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board said it is an accomplishment the state can be rightly proud of.

"When you look at the Clean Water Act, it tells Oklahoma-and the other states, for that matter-that we shall clean up point-source issues. Yet, for Oklahoma to accomplish what we've done over the last five years with reducing phosphorous and nitrogen to the tune that we have, that is a non-point-source issue that we've been dealing with. That's a voluntary issue. It's not one that is mandated that we have to do. It's a state objective that we've adopted. We're doing some really good work in this state through the conservation commission."

Oklahoma's efforts to reduce agricultural nutrient runoff has been an ongoing project for decades now. It is a battle Fite has been involved with since tackling the issue of removing chicken litter from the Illinois River basin under Governor Frank Keating. It is projects like this that began to turn Oklahoma's numbers around, making it an example for other states to follow. 

Click here to listen to my conversation with Ed Fite or to read more of this story.

 

Only a few showers fell in Oklahoma in the past week, mainly in the southeast. The Southeast district received 0.82 inches of rain, however, five of the nine districts received no measurable rainfall at all. According to the latest Crop Progress and Condition report, significant moisture is needed across the whole state

 Small grains continue to be rated mostly fair to poor. Winter wheat jointing reached 29 percent by Sunday, 11 points behind the previous year and 19 points behind the five year average. Forty-two percent of the wheat crop was in poor to very poor shape, 41 percent was in good condition and only 16 percent was rated good.  Canola conditions were rated 64 percent fair to poor.  Click here to read the full Oklahoma report.

Dry conditions prevailed across Kansas with soil moisture supplies continuing their downward trend with less than half of the state reporting adequate supplies. Windy conditions were again noted with soils blowing in portions of the western half of the state.

The winter wheat condition was rated five percent very poor, 16 percent poor, 46 percent fair, 31 percent good, and two percent excellent. Winter wheat jointed was at three percent, compared to five percent last year and 11 percent for the five-year average.  The full report for Kansas is available by clicking here.

Cooler temperatures and dust storms blew across the Texas Panhandle last week. Winter wheat in the Southern Low Plains and the Edwards Plateau continued to show signs of stress brought on by dry, windy conditions. In the Coastal Bend winter wheat was entering the boot stage.  Fifty-five percent of the state's crop was listed as poor to very poor, 34 percent was fair, ten percent was good and only one percent was listed as excellent.  Click here to read the full Texas report.

Monsanto Makes Last Call for 'Farm Mom of the Year' Nominations

Monsanto Company is announcing the last call for nominations in its search for the next America's Farmers Mom of the Year. Those who would like to nominate an amazing farm mom - one who works every aspect of the farm, keeps everyone on task, and even advocates for the industry she loves -- will have through Monday, March 31, 2014, to submit their entry.

"Last year we received nominations from 48 different states - all featuring wonderful stories of active and empowered women who make a positive impact on their families, farms and communities," says Jessica Simmons, Corporate Marketing Director for Monsanto. "We know there are still so many great stories out there to share and more women to recognize, so we want to hear from you."

Anyone can nominate their favorite farm mom for a chance to win up to $10,000 -- whether it's their own mom, sister, aunt, daughter, friend or community member.

You can learn more about the nomination process by clicking here. 

Connecticut Stands Up For Family Hog Farmers' Rights

The National Pork Producers Council yesterday thanked the Senate Environment Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly for standing with local Connecticut farmers by defeating a measure banning the use of gestation stalls, a safe and humane form of housing pregnant sows.

Proponents Friday attempted to add language outlawing gestation stalls - stripped earlier - to a bill establishing an animal care standards board. The attempt failed on a 15-9 vote after the committee heard from farmers from across the state that the ban would make criminals of farmers using humane farming practices.

The vast majority of the country's hog farmers use gestation stalls to house pregnant sows because they allow for individualized care and eliminate aggression from other sows. The housing method is approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians as appropriate for providing for the well-being of sows.

You can read the rest of this story by clicking here.

Feedlot Placements Change Timing of Fed Cattle, Derrell Peel Says

Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist writes in the latest Cow-Calf newsletter:

Stronger-than-expected fed cattle prices so far this year have encouraged feedlots to market cattle aggressively and to place more cattle on feed. In the most recent USDA Cattle on Feed report February placements were up 15 percent from last year's low February placement total. This placement total was up one percent from the previous five-year average February placements. Feedlots have placed more cattle four of the past five months, resulting in nearly 600,000 more head of cattle placed compared to the same period one year ago. Relatively large placements in January and February have pushed the March 1 feedlot inventory to an unusual March seasonal peak. The normal March increase in feedlot marketings and likely smaller year over year March placements are almost sure to result in a lower April 1 feedlot inventory. In 14 of the last 17 years, the seasonal peak in feedlot inventories has occurred in December, once in January and twice in February but never in the history of the current cattle on feed data has the seasonal peak occurred in March.   

This late peak in feedlot inventories could suggest either a late peak in marketings or some bunching of cattle into the seasonal peak of marketings and slaughter. It depends on the placement weight distribution along with weather and market factors that may change the timing. In the past, peak marketings have occurred in June nine of the past 18 years; four times in May and five times in July. 

You can read the rest of Derrell Peel's latest analysis by clicking here.

 

This N That- Awards Handed Out at Conservation Day, It's NATIONAL Ag Day, Tomorrow is STATE Ag Day and THANKS a Bunch! 

Several traditional awards were handed out during the Conservation Day celebration at the State Capitol on Monday- among those honors were:

Outstanding Landowner/Cooperator- Morgan Brothers Farm, Craig County Conservation District

Outstanding Conservation District Director- Hal Clark, Cimarron County Conservation District

Outstanding Conservation District: Nowata County Conservation District

Conservationist of the Year- Jimmy Emmons, Dewey County Conservation District  

The first three awards were given by the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts- the fourth award I mention here handed out by NRCS of Oklahoma.

One other award that was handed out means a lot to me- I will explain in a moment

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Nationally, March 25th is Ag Day- and they are partying hard in our nation's Capitol.  And if you like movies- it is a good week to be in Washington to catch a pair of national premieres- one is this morning with the movie "The Great American Wheat Harvest" being premiered.  On Wednesday- a special VIP showing of the movie "Farmland" is happening.  Check out the trailer of Farmland below that will be out for general release in a few more weeks- both of these movies have special Oklahoma showings next month.  I guess it takes a few weeks to deliver a copy of the films via Pony Express out here to the heartland.  

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Here in Oklahoma- Ag Day is planned for tomorrow- and while there has been no news released for us to share with you about the festivities- we did get an agenda for the day if you are planning to come to the State Capitol to celebrate.  Among the plans for the day:

10-11AM- Ag in the Classroom award recognition at the 1st floor rotunda

10AM-2PM-Made In Oklahoma Exposition on the 4th Floor in the Rotunda area  

Farmland- The Movie