2014 US Corn Crop Off to a Better Start Than Last Year

Early reports continue to suggest the US will produce a corn crop of superior quality comparable to the record-production seen in 2013.  The weekly crop progress report issued by the US Department of Agriculture reports 15 percent of the crop is in excellent condition with 60 percent in good, 21 in fair and four in poor to very poor condition.  Emergence is also running of normal with 92 percent of the nation's crop has emerged, two points ahead of the five year average.  


"Now that the crop has emerged and farmers are seeing it progress, the picture of the overall condition is bright," said NCGA President Martin Barbre. "While the crop shows promise today, we are keenly aware of the many challenges which might lie ahead as the summer progresses. While many variables exist, one fact is certain. America's corn farmers are using the best and most sustainable practices and most advanced tools to ensure a successful crop in 2014."


To look at not just the corn progress but a lot more- check out the  complete National Crop Progress report released on Monday afternoon,  just click here   

Latest USDA Crop WeatherShows Improving Soil Moisture      

Measurable rains are improving the outlook in Oklahoma. In the weekly crop weather report from the US Department of Agriculture, topsoil and subsoil moisture has greatly improved. Top soil moisture in very short condition has improved to 17 percent, short at 28 percent, 50 percent in adequate and five percent in surplus. Subsoil moisture has also improved with 33 percent in very short condition, 38 in short, 28 percent in adequate, 1 percent surplus. The wet weather is delaying the harvest of winter wheat and canola. Twenty six percent of the winter wheat crop is harvested and half of the state's canola crop has been harvested, ahead of last year.

 Click here for the full Oklahoma report.

Many areas of Texas also received rainfall last week, which is improving pasture and rangeland conditions. In many areas forage remained in good to excellent condition. Emerging cotton was damaged in areas of the Southern High Plains due to a recent hail storm. Wheat harvest continues across much of the state with harvest 30 percent complete.

For the full Texas report click here

Soil moisture conditions are also improving across Kansas. Wheat harvest is waiting to get started in Kansas. Thirteen percent of the crop is mature and coloring is at 64 percent, which is ahead of last year, but behind average.  

For more you can read the full Kansas report by  clicking here.

New Oklahoma Beef Ambassador Touts Beef's Great Story

Young ag leaders demonstrated their skills as outstanding representatives in the Oklahoma Beef Ambassador Program by taking top honors in statewide competition.


In the Senior division, Kalyn McKibben of Wyandotte and Shelby Downs of Summer, TX , who is a student a Oklahoma State University finished first and second. In the Junior division, Paige Garza of Yukon, Will Shelby, Madill, Sydnee Gerken, Kingfisher, took the top three spots. In the Novice division, Hattie Haynes of Weatherford, Kaden Hartin of Stuart and Victoria Gerken, Kingfisher, bested their competition.


In the media interview portion of the competition, McKibben talked with me about the great story we have to tell consumers about beef.  

Click here to listen to McKibben's interview.

Farm Service Agency County Committee Nomination Period Begins June 15th

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the nomination period for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees begins Sunday, June 15, 2014.

"County committees are a vital link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture," said Vilsack. "I hope that every eligible farmer and rancher will participate in this year's county committee elections. Through the county committees, farmers and ranchers have a voice; their opinions and ideas get to be heard on federal farm programs."

Vilsack added, "We've seen an increase in the number of nominations of women and minority candidates, and I hope that trend continues."

To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area where the person is nominated.   

Click for more details.  

Peel Advises Producers on 2014 Calf Marketing Decisions

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


Calf prices are at record levels and will remain very strong the remainder of 2014 and beyond. Cow-calf producers will enjoy record revenues and, for many, record net returns for the cow-calf enterprise. In drought areas, many producers continue to incur additional feed costs that will reduce net returns, even at record calf prices, and, more importantly, many producers have reduced herd size resulting in fewer calves to sell and leading to reduced ranch returns, even with record per head profitability. With calves bringing record prices, it may be tempting for cow-calf producers to become a bit complacent about calf marketing. Producers may see unprecedented calf revenues with little effort but it is important to take advantage of the opportunities in the current market to maximize net returns.


One consideration is whether to sell calves at weaning or consider retaining stockers for additional weight gain. Selling calves at weaning may be the best option but other opportunities should be evaluated. Remember that cow-calf and stocker producers are not so much in the cattle business as in the forage business and the relevant question is how to market forage to its best value. At current prices, the value of added weight gain for lightweight feeder cattle is well over $1.00/pound. At any point in time, the value of added weight gain will depend on the weight of calves at weaning, corn prices and other market factors. Against this, producers should consider the quantity and quality of feed resources available, other potential uses of those feed resources, and labor and management considerations which will influence the cost of gain for retained stockers. Retaining stockers is not an all or nothing consideration and producers should evaluate the opportunities relative to size and gender. For example, it make sense to sell the heavy end of the calf crop at weaning and retain the lighter calves for additional weight gain or sell the steers and keep the heifers (see below). In 2014, producers may sell weaned calves for more money than ever before but there may be even better returns by retaining some calves for added weight gain.  

Click to read the full article.  

With meat, milk, and egg prices reaching record levels, we're already experiencing the effects of growing population and increasing affluence at the checkout counter. And a new report from Elanco indicates we'll need 50 percent more pork by 2050!


In the next few decades, the global population will reach 9 billion people, and more than 3 billion will enter the middle class. In fact, the fastest period of growth will occur in just the next 6 years. Elanco assembled a team of experts to study this situation, creating the Global Food Forward Analysis, a model which has been validated by Informa Economics and Global AgriTrends. The latest report evaluates future demand for pork, which is the most widely consumed meat in the world.


Unlike milk and eggs, availability of pork per person has doubled since 1961 from 5.4 oz to 10.7 oz per week. By 2050, the analysis shows we will need about 1 more ounce per person per week to meet global demand. While it sounds simple, that means the industry will need to increase production by 61 million tons to total 179 million tons!  

To read the rest of the article click here.  

A Tip of the Hat to One of the Really Good Ones- Dr. Tot 

The state of Oklahoma- the world of Agriculture and especially animal agriculture has lost a good one as word has come that Dr. Robert Totusek passed away on Friday at the age of 87.

For the first thirteen years of my time here in Oklahoma- Dr. Tot was the face of the Animal Science Department at Oklahoma State University as the Department Head.  I arrived in 1977 to help establish the Oklahoma Agrinet- Dr. Tot had just become the head of the Animal Science Department at OSU the year before that- he remained in that role until retirement in 1990.  

Dr. Tot was a legend at OSU before stepping into the Department Head position- having started at Oklahoma A&M in 1952. He was one of the giants in the Land Grant arena when it came to Animal Science- and he had a major hand in making OSU an elite institution in the world of animal science- his work was so foundational- OSU remains one of the best in the country in large measure because of the underpinnings he helped put in place.

Since 1990, we have seen Bob Totusek at many different venues- but especially each spring at the Oklahoma Youth Expo- he loved that show- and he loved the fresh crop of kids that came through the barns at the state fair grounds.   

A lot of us will really miss seeing his smile and exchanging greetings with this gentle man. 

Several folks are working with the family and are planning a Celebration of his life on June 23rd at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City- at 2:30 PM.

Click here for the Obituary- thanks to Dennis White for getting that to us yesterday.