With Corn Planting Nearing Completion, Early Condition Appears Good 

Corn farmers are nearing the end of corn planting, according to a report released Monday by the US Department of Agriculture.  Farmers are tracking slightly ahead of the five year average with ninetyfive percent of the nation's corn crop planted. Progress is nearing completion in most cornbelt states.  Planting is behind the five year average in Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Emergence is also keeping pace with the five-year average.  USDA released its first forecast for the condition of the 2014 U.S. corn crop.  According to this report, the 2014 corn crop is in better condition than the record crop of 2013 was at this point in the year with 76 percent of planted acres in good or excellent condition. At this point last year, only 63 percent of acres fared as well.   

"While some grew concerned only a few weeks ago as weather kept many farmers from their fields, hard work and determination have set us back on course" said NCGA President Martin Barbre. "We are pleased to see the high level of crop quality this first assessment indicates, but simultaneously we are all too aware of the many challenges which might lie ahead as the summer progresses. No matter what we may face, know that farmers will use the best practices and most innovative tools to ensure a successful crop in 2014."  

States which saw the most severe planting delays the week prior made significant progress to push overall corn acres planted to 95 percent complete this week.At this point, overall planting progress sits one point ahead of the five-year average.  

Earlier than average emergence in a many states offset delays in late-planting states with emergence sitting even with the five-year average of 80 percent as of June 1. Colorado, Indiana,  Missouri, South Dakota and Texas exceeded the five-year average for emerged acres by ten or more points with Colorado a full 15 points ahead.    

The first report of the 2014 corn crop condition indicated quality superior to that seen in the 2013 crop at this point. With 76 percent of the crop in good or excellent condition and no reports of corn in very poor condition, this first glimpse suggests a crop of quality superior to that of the record-production seen the year prior.

For the complete National Crop Progress report released on Monday afternoon,  click here.

Latest USDA Crop Weather Report for Southern Plains 

Click here for the full Oklahoma report.

Kansas also received scattered rain showers over the last week, which will provide much need moisture for the emergence of recently planted corn and soybeans.  Winter wheat conditions rated 28 percent very poor, 34 poor, 27 fair, 10 good, and 1 excellent. You can read the full Kansas report by clicking here.

Parts of Texas received seven inches or more of rainfall this past week.  Winter wheat harvest was underway in areas of the Northern High Plains. Wet conditions in the Blacklands delayed small grain harvest. Harvest of winter wheat continued in North East Texas, aided by warm weather. Wheat harvest was underway in areas of the Southern Low Plains. For the full Texas report click here.

Wheat Harvest Gaining Speed as Combines Roll In Southern and Central Oklahoma

The 2014 wheat harvest is starting to pick up across the state of Oklahoma, with the USDA reporting that six percent of the crop has been harvested as of June first- versus a five year average by this date of 20% completed. Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Assistant Farm Director Leslie Smith talked with Mike Schulte of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission about harvest conditions as he was preparing to release the Wheat Commission's June second wheat harvest report- you can read the full harvest report as well as hear Mike's comments by clicking here.  

The best news coming from both the published wheat harvest report and from Schulte's comments with Leslie Smith is the fact that test weights seem to be better than anticipated. Yields are right in line with USDA predictions so far to this point. Although the wheat is not ready to harvest in Northern regions of the state, heavy rains did land in many parts of Northern Oklahoma over the past 24 hours. In Cherokee, Oklahoma some areas received over 3 inches of moisture while other parts received over 1 inch of moisture. While many do not want to turn the rain away producers are hopeful they can get good weather the next few days so harvest will move forward.


One of the locations that the OWC report focuses on is Frederick. "Harvest has started rolling in this region over the past weekend. Production is somewhat better than anticipated on the wheat that is being harvested. Test weights have been ranging from 58 to 62 lbs. with a favorable average around the 59 to 60 lb. range. Yields are being reported from 11 to 18 bushels per acre. Proteins reported to be averaging around 12 to 14 percent."

The complete report can be read by clicking here. 

Robb: Beef and Pork Exports Surging Despite Higher Prices

When you step back and take big picture look at the beef and pork exports right now, first quarter turn out pretty good says Jim Robb Director of the Livestock Marketing Information Center.

"I think overall for the first quarter of this year, we were pleasantly surprised on total red meat exports," Robb said. "Both beef and pork were up substantially for the first quarter and we have record high beef prices, so that's the good news." 

"On the beef front, we had for the month of March, exports up over five percent from year ago levels, with very strong exports to two key countries, Mexico and South Korea, Robb said. "Some softness some other markets, but those are two markets that we really do watch closely and are two of top four marketplaces."

Click to read more comments from Jim Robb- who joined us for today's Beef Buzz, as heard on great radio stations across the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network.

American Farm Bureau Calls Obama Carbon Reduction Plan Harmful for US Agriculture

The Environmental Protection Agency's latest greenhouse gas proposal will harm the nation's economy, rural communities and America's farm and ranch families if implemented, the American Farm Bureau Federation said Monday.

The EPA's attempt to impose a 30-percent reduction in carbon dioxide on the nation's power plants will lead to higher energy prices. Farmers would face not just higher prices for electricity, but any energy-related input such as fertilizer. Rural electric cooperatives that rely on old coal plants for cheap electricity would be especially hard hit.

"U.S. agriculture will pay more for energy and fertilizer under this plan, but the harm won't stop there," American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said. "Effects will especially hit home in rural America."

Click here for the complete comments released by AFBF on Monday afternoon.

Oklahoma's Attorney General Scott Pruitt has also weighed in on the Obama plan, saying "Through its top-down approach, the EPA is taking away the ability of the states to design and implement plans suitable to each state's unique circumstances" and adds that the Climate Action Plan of the President is a "plan that has no legal basis or the force of law. It will undoubtedly lead to higher electricity rates, job losses and increased manufacturing costs as coal-fired power plants, which provide 40 percent of our baseload power, are taken offline."

Click here for more on Pruitt's reaction to the EPA proposed rule.

Feeder Markets Continue Red Hot, Peel Says

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

Widespread rains over the Memorial weekend may have curtailed holiday activities but were enthusiastically welcomed by cattle producers in the Southern Plains. Much of the worst drought areas in eastern New Mexico, western Texas and western Oklahoma received rainfall that was very timely for forage production. USDA's Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin reports that many locations across the region had 5-day rain totals that equaled 50 to 90 percent of year to date rainfall totals. Rains were heavy enough in some regions to provide runoff and some replenishment of critically low stock water supplies. Some areas missed out, with limited rain totals in northwest Oklahoma, southeast Colorado and southwest Kansas. Response to the rain was immediate with pastures greening up and forage growth starting by late last week. However, subsoil moisture is still critically low and follow-up moisture will be needed soon to sustain crop and forage growth. The recent rains are an encouraging start but there is still a long way to go for recovery in the region. Drought recovery heading into the heat of the summer is a challenging prospect at best. 

For more with Derrell Peel click here.
 

This N That- Kris Black Cream of the Crop Sale Set for This Coming Saturday, OJCA in Chickasha for Their Preview Show 

It's the 13th Annual Kris Black Cream of the Crop Female and Bull Sale coming this Saturday June 7th at the Kris Black ranch in Crawford, Oklahoma- 15 miles north of Cheyenne.

Kris and his family will be selling fall calving bred heifers and donor prospects as well as a special set of prospective herd bulls.

The Kris Black herd is known for their outstanding seedstock production and for top notch club calf production.

Sale time on June 7th will be 12:30- Lunch will be served before that.

For information about the sale, call Kris Black at

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The Oklahoma Junior Cattlemen's Association Preview Show kicks off this Thursday and runs through Saturday morning in Chickasaha.   

The Preview Show involves much more than the actual steer and heifer show.  Activities include the Beef Ambassador Contest, Showmanship Contest, Livestock Judging Contest, Fitting Contest, Quiz Bowl and Cow Camp.

For complete details, click here.