Latest WASDE Report Leaves Markets Unfazed; Kim Anderson Looks at Forward-Contract Prices 

The latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report was released this week and Oklahoma State University Extension Grain Marketing Specialist Kim Anderson says it wasn't an earth-shattering report. He said in his preview to this week's SUNUP program that wheat and soybean ending stocks were lower, but in line with analysts' expectations. Corn stocks came in somewhat lower than had been predicted.

As far as prices for 2014 crops, Anderson said that the basis for what is running about 40 cents below the July contract, so forward contracting wheat now at $7 a bushel is not a bad idea. He said that canola producers might want to consider contracting at $9 to $9.30 per bushel.

"Producers who want to look at a forward contract on that can look at the Winnipeg exchange for the canola contract. Look at July, subtract anywhere from $1.60 to $190 off of that price and you'll be pretty close to what the market is offering."

Anderson said he expects a wheat price at harvest in central Oklahoma of $6.50 "unless it rains. If it rains, it's going to be $6.25. If it doesn't rain, let's go up to $7.00."

You can catch Kim Anderson's audio preview to the SUNUP program and find a full rundown of this weekend's show on our website by clicking here.  

New Poll: For 3rd Year in a Row, Americans Overwhelmingly Support the RFS 

For the third year in a row, Americans, by an overwhelming majority, consistently support the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and other key federal initiatives supporting the expanded use of ethanol. A new national poll conducted by American Viewpoint found 65 percent of adults support the RFS, while just 26 percent are opposed. Support for the RFS has been steadily rising. In 2013, 64 percent polled supported the policy, up from 61 percent in 2012.

RFA's President and CEO Bob Dinneen commented, "It is telling that support for the RFS continues to grow in spite of the relentless attacks on ethanol and the RFS financed by Big Oil's deep pockets. Repeatedly Americans have decisively said they place a premium on energy independence, job creation, and a cleaner environment. For these reasons and more, Americans overwhelmingly support the RFS for its ability to strengthen this great nation. Members of Congress and the Obama Administration should review this data before taking action to reduce or eliminate a program with broad national appeal and tangible energy and environmental benefits."

Click here to read the rest of this story.

 

Senator Al Franken Calls for USDA's Help in Fighting PEDv

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) is asking USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to mobilize government resources to combat the spread of the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv), calling it a crisis for producers, processors and consumers.

On his website, Franken has posted a letter to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, urging USDA to enhance its detection capabilities for the virus and take measures to prevent the virus from spreading further.

The virus has spread to at least 26 states and killed 4 million young pigs since May 2013, the senator noted.
 

Cull Heifer Born Twin to a Bull, Glenn Selk Says

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

Estimates of the percentage of beef cattle births that produce twins vary. One estimate (Gilmore) puts the percentage at about 0.5% or 1 in every 200 births. Approximately one-half of the sets of twins should contain both a bull and a heifer calf.    Make sure to write down these calf numbers of twin births while they are still nursing the cow. Be certain to not retain the heifer born twin to a bull as a replacement female.

Although the male twin in this case is rarely affected by reduced fertility, in over ninety percent of the cases, the female twin is completely infertile. Because of a transfer of hormones or a transfer of cells, the heifer's reproductive tract is severely underdeveloped and sometimes even contains some elements of a bull's reproductive tract. A freemartin is genetically female, but has many characteristics of a male. The ovaries of the freemartin do not develop correctly, and they remain very small. Also, the ovaries of a freemartin do not produce the hormones necessary to induce the behavioral signs of heat. The external vulvar region can range from a very normal looking female to a female that appears to be male. Usually, the vulva is normal except that in some animals an enlarged clitoris and large tufts of vulvar hair exist. 

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

 

Ranchers- Don't Lose Your Social License!

Terry Fleck, the executive director of the Center for Food Integrity, believes that farmers and ranchers need to understand that there are fewer and fewer consumers who have any appreciation for how crops are grown and how animals are raised and meat is produced here in 2014. And that unless we adjust our messaging to consumers, the trust that most folks have that don't live on a farm or ranch may vanish- Fleck calls that the social license to produce food utilizing modern production practices.


We hear from Fleck on this in today's Beef Buzz.


One of the challenges that agriculture faces are those groups who want to shape the food production system to their way of thinking. Examples of that include the uproar over crops that include plants improved with GMO technology or the demands of HSUS to do away with gestation crates for sows. Fleck calls these "market mandates."


Fleck says the U.S. is one of the more regulated food systems in the developed world and the beneficial part about our political system in regards to food is that we have a lot of checks and balances. However, the market mandates that are being set for agriculture skip that entire regulatory process and, according to Fleck, do not allow the time to think things through and work out the advantages and disadvantages of changes in the food system.

Click here for Fleck's solution- you can listen to his comments on today's Beef Buzz, a regular audio feature that is heard on radio stations across the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network- and is showcased on our website, with several years of previous Beef Buzz shows in our archives.

New McGovern-Dole Projects to Benefit 2.7 Million Children Worldwide

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack yesterday announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide $183 million in U.S. agricultural commodities and support to benefit an estimated 2.7 million children in 10 developing countries as part of the McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. Vilsack made the announcement while speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City.

"The McGovern-Dole program doesn't just feed hungry children, it invests in their future potential," said Vilsack. "Supporting healthy families and improving access to education helps to combat the root causes of poverty and fosters sustainable economic growth in developing nations."

Through the McGovern-Dole Program, USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) works with private voluntary organizations and foreign governments worldwide to reduce hunger, and improve literacy and primary education, especially for girls. By providing school meals, teacher training and related support, McGovern-Dole projects help boost school enrollment and academic performance. At the same time, the program focuses on improving children's health and learning capacity before they enter school by offering nutrition programs for pregnant and nursing women, infants and preschoolers.

Click here for the rest of this story.

This N That- OBC Issues Call for BQA State Awards, Canola Field Tours Star Monday and Whistlestop Celebration Tomorrow  

The Oklahoma Beef Council is now accepting nominations for the Oklahoma Beef Quality Assurance Awards. Winners will be awarded in the following categories:

-- Producer of the Year- The beef award recognize producers that best demonstrate animal care and handling principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their respective operations.

-- Marketer of the Year- The BQA Marketer Award is open to livestock markets, cattle buyers and supply-chain programs that promote BQA to their customers and offer them opportunities to get certified.

-- Educator of the Year- The BQA Educator Award is open to individuals or companies that provide high quality and innovative training to individuals that care and handle cattle throughout the industry chain.

Deadline is June 6 but since you need a pair of letters of recommendation for each nomination- it's time to get to work on the application now- click here for more details or call the Oklahoma Beef Council at 405-840-3777.

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This coming Monday- a whole series of Canola Field Tours roll across the canola producing counties of the state- click here for our calendar page- scroll down to April and click on the county cloese to you.  For exact locations of the canola plot(and time of the event)- you will need to contact your local extension agent.

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Don't forget to head to Wellston tomorrow for the 100th birthday party for Oklahoma Cooperative Extension- the Whistlestop event sounds like it will be a blast!  Click here for last minute details.