President Signs WRRDA Bill into Law for Future Generations  

Signing of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 into law today puts America's inland waterways and port infrastructure on a solid and sustainable foundation to contribute to U.S. economic growth, jobs and global competitiveness for generations to come, said the American Farm Bureau Federation



"The American Farm Bureau Federation and our 6 million member families have long championed an efficient and reliable inland waterway system linked to competitive ports," said AFBF President Bob Stallman. "The ports, channels, locks, dams and other infrastructure that support our waterways transportation are vital to America's ability to provide affordable agricultural products at home and abroad," he said.



U.S. waterways transport 60 percent of the nation's export-bound grain, supply American farmers with fertilizer for planting season and provide a competitive advantage against producers of farm goods outside the nation's borders.

To read the rest of the article click here . 

 

"The American Farm Bureau Federation is pleased the EPA has extended the time available to comment on new and highly burdensome clean water rules. This is a victory for farming families and a clear signal that America's farmers know how to stand up and be counted.


"EPA has misled the regulated community about the rule's impacts on land use. If more people knew how regulators want to require permits for common activities on dry land, or penalize landowners for not getting them, they would be outraged.


"This latest rule broadly expands federal jurisdiction and threatens local land-use and zoning authority. Simply put, it is an end-run around Congress and the Supreme Court. I look forward to expanding on our position in testimony tomorrow before the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment.


"The new schedule gives us until October 20 to comment on the Waters of the United States rule, and until July 21 to comment on the accompanying interpretive rule. Rest assured we will use that time to its best advantage. We will ditch this rule."   

Glenn Selk Recommends Monitoring Medicated Mineral Intake 

Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist, writes in the latest Cow/Calf Corner newsletter.

Medicated minerals are available and frequently used to help prevent the blood-born disease, anaplasmosis. A consistent and appropriate intake of the mineral is critical to a successful anaplasmosis prevention program. Cow calf operators will want to monitor mineral consumption closely to be certain that the label-recommended amounts are being consumed by the cattle.


The most popular means of anaplasmosis prevention is the use of mineral mixes that contain chlortetracycline (CTC). When fed at a rate of 0.5 mg/lb. of body weight CTC will reduce the risk of anaplasmosis infections. (November, 2013 Veterinary Entomology vol. 6, issue 4) It is important to note, however, that CTC is added to minerals for several different reasons, and these other uses require different levels of drug in the mineral. Make sure that the product you choose states on the label that it is formulated at a rate for the prevention of anaplasmosis, and gives the specific amount of daily consumption needed to supply that level. The next step is to monitor your herd to make sure that the product is being consumed at the appropriate rate. If not, you may need to look at other products or change your management practices in order to correct consumption deficits. Recovered animals will be carriers of the disease and a source of infection for susceptible individuals. Clear them of the organism with high levels of antibiotics administered parentally, isolate them from susceptible animals, or cull them from the herd. 

To read the rest of the article Click Here.  

Oilseed Commission Establishes Mark C. Boyles Meritorious Service Award

The Oklahoma Oilseed Commission is pleased to announce the establishment of the Mark C. Boyles Oilseed Industry Meritorious Service Award.


This award will be presented annually by the Oklahoma Oilseed Commission to an individual who exemplifies the professionalism and passion for the oilseed industry that characterized Mark's life and service.


Following an outstanding career in the chemical industry, Mark Boyles began his work with canola in 2003 and was a driving force in the development of the southern Great Plains canola industry. He worked tirelessly to understand the culture of the crop so he could share his knowledge and experience with growers and others in the industry. His contributions were instrumental in the success of Oklahoma State University's efforts to introduce winter canola into the state through the Okanola Project.

Click to read more about the Mark C. Boyles Award.  

A new study release from Kansas State University has shown how the temperment of feedlot cattle has a big impact on the health and finished beef product. Through the study, K-State Associate Professor / Extension Specialist Dr. Bob Weaber found that cattle temperament can effect susceptibility to Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) and the carcass quality and merit from those animals.


"This typically found our measurements of behavorior or temperment we heritabile, there is a genetic component to that," Weaber said. "We found in our data, animals that are more tempermental typically have slightly heavier carcass weights, but slightly worse marbling scores, slightly a larger ribeye areas and numerically lower more favorable yield grades."


"Those weren't large corroloations they typically below .2, so from a stand point something we typically we wouldn't worry about very much, but as you look at the cortisol and ionate
data, it was a little stronger relationship," Weaber said.

For the rest of this article or to listen to today's Beef Buzz with Ron Hays Click Here.  

Ag Appropriations Process Should Not Undermine Farm Bill, Co-ops Say

The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) joined with over 30 other farm and agriculture groups in urging House members to reject any amendment to the FY 2015 agriculture appropriations bill that would weaken the farm bill enacted earlier this year.


"There are a great many issues outside of the Farm Bill that are creating anxiety in rural America, crossing the gamut from trade, tax, regulatory issues and access to a stable workforce to market and weather conditions," the groups say in the letter. "Allowing farmers and ranchers an opportunity to adjust to the new Farm Bill without further changes to this very recently enacted measure will help reduce the level of anxiety in farm country and pay economic dividends."  

Click to read more. 

This N That- OCA Shifts Summer Ranch Tour by One Day, Correct OSU Foundation Address for Totusek Memorials  Landowners and I HAVE GOT to Get One of These!

The Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association has rescheduled the annual Summer Ranch Tour for June 24 and 25.  The original dates were June 23 and 24.  The tour hosts and schedule will remain the same, the event will just begin a day later. The decision to reschedule was made after the passing of a great cattleman, Dr. Robert Totusek.  His memorial is scheduled for Monday, June 23, 2:30 p.m. at the Western Heritage Center and National Cowboy Hall of Fame.  Many of our members, officers and staff plan to attend the memorial.  

Click here for more details- including a link to a complete agenda of the 2014 Ranch Tour.

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We received word from the OSU Foundation yesterday that the address for the Foundation was incorrect in the Bob Totusek obituary- if you want to give a Memorial Gift in honor of Dr. Tot, here is the correct address:

Oklahoma State University Foundation

P.O. Box 1749

Harvesting Canola in Noble County Oklahoma, June 2014