Rabobank Report: PEDv will Cause Significant 2-Year Shortfall in North American Hog Market 

Rabobank has published a new report on the impact of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDv) on the North American herd, forecasting significant impacts on production and slaughter through 2015, and identifying the opportunity for U.S. poultry to step into the market gap.

In the report, published by the bank's Food & Agribusiness Research (FAR) and Advisory team, Rabobank says that PEDv thus far has impacted about 60 percent of the U.S. breeding herd, 28 percent of the Mexican herd, and is beginning to develop in Canada. If PEDv spreads in Canada and Mexico at the pace seen in the U.S., Rabobank says that North American hog slaughter could decline by nearly 18.5 million hogs over 2014 and 2015, or 12.5 percent relative to 2013 levels. Overall U.S. pork production is anticipated to decline 6 to 7 percent in 2014, the most in more than 30 years.

"In the U.S., we see the outbreak of PEDv causing a significant shortfall in the availability of market hogs in 2014 - to the tune of 12.5 million hogs or 11 percent of annual slaughter," explained Rabobank Analyst William Sawyer. "Given the ever-rising number of PEDv cases reported, coupled with a six-month average lifecycle, the months of August through October are likely to be the tightest for processors, where slaughter could decline by 15 - 25 percent against 2013 levels. If the virus continues at its current rate, the shortfall to U.S. slaughter in 2014 could be as much as 15 million hogs."

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

On what would have been his 100th birthday, Norman Borlaug, the father of the Green Revolution, was honored Tuesday with the dedication of a statue in the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall.

"On National Agriculture Day, it is only fitting that we celebrate the installation of a memorial to Dr. Norman Borlaug, the scientist most closely identified with dramatically improving agricultural productivity through development of high-yield, disease-resistant crops. All of agriculture is standing a little taller today, seeing a statue of Dr. Borlaug being placed in the U.S. Capitol," said American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman.  (You can read more comments from Stallman by clicking here.)

Borlaug, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, led a global agricultural evolution through his research and advocacy for modern farming practices. Known as the Father of the Green Revolution, Borlaug's research is credited with saving more than a billion people from starvation.

Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), said "Through scientific innovation, compassion for the poor, and expert knowledge of agricultural practices, Borlaug introduced groundbreaking technologies that will forever change the practices of farmers and the prospects for hungry people around the globe."  (You can read more of Greenwood's statement by clicking here.)

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas said, "I hope when visitors see his statue in the U.S. Capitol, they will be reminded of how far we have come in agricultural production and how important it is that we continue agricultural research and innovation for the security of our food supply."  (Click here for more from Frank Lucas.)

ON a related note- the Borlaug Summit on Wheat for Food Security meeting is underway this week in Mexico- and leading scientists and others are looking at how to take the model of Norman Borlaug's work in wheat breeding and move it to a whole new level of productivity for large and small farmers around the world.  Click here for the website of this meeting- there is an option on there where you can watch and/or listen to the proceedings if you are so inclined.

EPA, Army Corps of Engineers Propose Expanding Waters Covered by Clean Water Act; Inhofe, NCBA Blast Proposal

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) yesterday jointly released a proposed rule to clarify waters protected under the Clean Water Act. In a statement, the agencies promised to launch a robust outreach effort over the next 90 days, holding discussions around the country and gathering input needed to shape a final rule.

According to the statement, the proposed rule clarifies protection for streams and wetlands. It claimed it does not protect any new types of waters that have not historically been covered under the Clean Water Act and is consistent with the Supreme Court's more narrow reading of Clean Water Act jurisdiction.  (Click here for the statement from the EPA.)

Senator Jim Inhofe, (R-Okla.) blasted that assertion as false.  

"Today's proposed rule by the EPA and Corps of Engineers is a massive expansion of power over the nation's water resources. The Clean Water Act is written to include only navigable waters, but with this new rule, the agencies are giving themselves the authority to regulate everything from the nation's largest rivers to small irrigation ditches found on family farms in Oklahoma."  (You can read Inhofe's statement by clicking here.)

NCBA President Bob McCan said, if adopted, the new rule would devastate the cattle industry.

"This is a step too far, even by an agency and an administration notorious for over-regulation.  This proposal by EPA and the Corps would require cattlemen like me to obtain costly and burdensome permits to take care of everyday chores like moving cattle across a wet pasture or cleaning out a dugout. These permits will stifle economic growth and inhibit future prosperity without a corresponding environmental benefit. This proposed regulation and the burdensome federal permitting scheme will only hinder producers' ability to undertake necessary tasks and, in turn, result in an exodus of ranchers from the field."  (Click here for more comments from Bob McCan.)

Genomics Offer One of the Keys to Producing More Beef and Better Beef

The tools are in place for the Beef Cattle Industry to help feed the expanding world population in the years to come. So says the COO and Director of Breed Improvement for the American Hereford Association, Jack Ward. Ward told me at the recent Oklahoma Youth Expo that animal agriculture will have to play a big role in providing high quality protein in the diets of the global population that is expected to double by 2050 or soon thereafter.

For the beef industry, Ward contends the tools are in place, especially the DNA component, the will allow cattle producers to exploit the full capability of their animals in producing beef. Ward points out that the generational turns are slower in cattle versus the pork and poultry sectors so "it becomes even more imperative and more important that we use as many tools as we can to make the right kind of educated decisions to move our genetics in the right direction.

The Hereford Association exec says that adding genomics to EPDs has added speed to the equation. He says it allows breeders to identify high level performing sires younger in their life. The bottom line is that genomic EPDs provide the ability to "select animals much earlier in life with more proof" about their ability to deliver on the specific traits that the cattleman is selecting for.

Jack Ward joins me on the latest Beef Buzz.  Click here to listen in or to read more of this story.  

OACD Director Proud of Oklahoma's Water Quality Progress, Concerned for the Future

Following Monday's announcement at the state capitol highlighting Oklahoma's position as a continued leader in water pollution reduction, Clay Pope, executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, spoke with me about the state's progress in reducing agricultural nutrient runoff and what the OACD is focusing on during the last half of the state legislative session.

"This is the fifth year in a row we've been in the top ten among all states in reduction of nutrients and non-point-source pollution," Pope said. " We were hoping that for the third year in a row we'd be number one, but were number two in the nation."

That's nothing to sneeze at, he said, because Oklahoma was number one in the reduction of phosphorous from its water and it did it with a much smaller appropriation of taxpayer money. He said he believes Virginia moved ahead of Oklahoma for the top spot mainly due to the number of federal dollars being spent currently to clean up Chesapeake Bay.   He credited the voluntary conservation programs in Oklahoma that get tremendous support and participation from landowners with Oklahoma's perennial appearance among the top five states for water pollution reduction.

Click here to listen to my interview with Clay Pope or to read the rest of this story. Among the additional areas we covered with Pope was a look at conservation priorities being considered in the current state legislative session.

OALP Class XVII Now Accepting Applications

For more than 30 years, Oklahomans who are engaged in the agricultural industry have been able to enhance their leadership skills through their participation in the Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program (OALP).

With the recent completion of OALP Class XVI, it is time begin accepting applications for individuals interested in becoming members of OALP Class XVII.

Since its inception in 1982, OALP has grown to 453 alumni. The program continues to grow and offer class members new and exciting opportunities, said Edmond Bonjour, OALP director. The alumni are very supportive when the class visits their area of the state.

"Our overall goal for the OALP is to further develop emerging leaders for Oklahoma agriculture," Bonjour said. "We develop our leaders through a series of seminars and study tours over a 20-month period. We also expose participants to cutting-edge changes that are occurring in the agriculture industry and agri-business."

Click here to read more and to find a link to the OALP application.  Since I am a graduate of the program- and continue to serve as the Chairman of the OALP Advisory Board- I will be happy to answer any questions I can about the program- give me a call or drop me an email by clicking here. 

This N That- OBI Bull Sale, Gray's Polled Herefords at OBI, Big Iron and a Curt Pate Reminder! 

Oklahoma Beef Incorporated's All Breed Performance-Tested Bull Sale kicks off tomorrow at noon at the OBI test station west of Stillwater on State Highway 51.  They will be offering more than 130 performance-tested bulls.  You can download a copy of the sale catalog by clicking here.

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One phone call that we got about the OBI sale yesterday came from our long time friend Charles Gray.  Charles says that he and his family have 10 Hereford Bulls that will be in the sale on Thursday- one of them is the top indexing bull- and he would be happy to tell you more about their Polled Hereford Bull lineup at this year's OBI sale.  Give him a call at 405-341-7445.  They also have a few good looking two year old bulls available via private treaty at the farm north of Edmond.  

Sale day- you can get ahold of Charles' son Fred by calling 405-226-9971.  

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Big Iron is offering 745 items for sale today in its weekly auction of agricultural, construction and transportation equipment.  The first sales close at 10 a.m. and continue closing throughout the day.  Click here to go to the Big Iron website where you will find a full description of each item and multiple pictures.

If you're new to Big Iron and would like assistance with buying or selling an item, you can call District Manager Mike Wolfe for more details.  His number is 580-320-2718, or you can contact him via email at mike.wolfe@bigiron.com.

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Ranchers and farmers have the opportunity to fine tune their cattle handling skills with premier cattle handler teacher Curt Pate this Friday, March 28, 2014, Alfalfa County Fairgrounds, in a free seminar hosted by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service and sponsored by the Oklahoma Beef Council with lunch provided by Boehringer Ingelheim. The session starts at 10 AM and will wrap up by mid afternoon. 

For more than a decade Curt has conducted demonstrations and clinics on stockmanship, colt starting, horsemanship and safety. His personal experience incorporating effective stockmanship principles supports a "for profit" mindset; he fully understands the increased economic benefits of handling stock correctly. Just as important, as livestock production comes under increased scrutiny, is the understanding Curt has of the impact that improved handling practices create for the longevity of the cattle industry.

Bottom line- learning even just a trick or two from Curt will make you money!

For reservations and a meal count, please RSVP to the 

Oklahoma Beef Council, 405-840-3777or  email them by clicking here.