Obama EPA Wants to Stop the Defense Department from Retasking Old Trucks to Volunteer Rural Fire Departments  

Oklahoma Farm Bureau officials say they are very concerned and are in agreement with the state Forestry Services Division of the Department of Ag that this could mean the difference between life and death in battling future wildfires.

Allen Entz, who is the Chief of the Hydro Volunteer Fire Department, emailed me last night- saying that his Volunteer department "currently utilizes, and our citizens benefit from, equipment and trucks through this program that we would not be able to afford otherwise. Tax payers have already paid for this equipment and it has served us in the military, so we should now also benefit from it on the local level!"

Roy Lee Lindsey Talks Summer Grilling with Pork- and About Tighter Supplies as the Industry Grapples with PEDv

Fourth of July holiday is full of time at the lake, hanging out with family and friends and grilling season. Oklahoma Pork Council Executive Director Roy Lee Lindsey visits with Farm Director Ron Hays. Lindsey recommends consumers consider pork.


"Folks are going to be putting meat on the grill, that's what we do especially here in Oklahoma," Lindsey said. "Whether you're talking about grilling pork chops, smoke some ribs for the week and you can grill some pork ribs too."


In planning ahead for that family get together, Lindsey shared that there are a lot of recipes through their website. In doing something different, Lindsey recommends cooking up some pork burgers. Ground pork is available at almost any grocery store and this offers a unique twist to a traditional hamburger. 


The price of pork has gotten more expensive in the past year due to the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus. At the recent World Pork Expo in Iowa, Lindsey say veterinarians have reported that the number of cases are starting to slow down.


"Veterinarians all thought that was going to happen this summer due to summer heat," Lindsey said. "This type of corona virus tends not to like heat, so generally they don't spread very well over the summer and it looks like that's the case."

  
Click Here to read more or to listen to Roy Lee and Ron Hays talk grilling and the impact of PEDv in Oklahoma.

AND- be watching this coming Saturday morning at 6:40 AM as Lindsey is with Ron Hays "In the Field" during the Saturday morning news on News9, KWTV in Oklahoma City. 

According to the latest Rabobank report, Beef Quarterly Q2 2014, the global beef market will regain its positive momentum in Q3, once the current, temporarily high supply has worked through the system. This will likely support further strengthening of prices, as supply of competing animal proteins tighten. The main wildcards for the start of these positive developments are rainfall in Australia, and to a lesser extent, the continued drought in U.S. and Brazil, pushing more cattle through the system. Indonesian import development during the July Ramadan festivities and Chinese imports towards the high season at the end of 2014 will also have unknown impacts. In addition, the relatively high prices might result in consumers trading down to pork and poultry.

"The continuing positive market fundamentals will be encouraging for producers' margins," explained Rabobank Analyst, Albert Vernooij. "However, longer term, the likely lower availability of feeder cattle and high production costs might limit the possible upside. For processors, the current stabilization gives them room to regain margins, but prospects are less positive due to the approaching tight supply in most producing regions."


Click Here to read the regional outlook for the beef market. 

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) today announced Texas beef producers have voted to establish a state-level Beef Checkoff program, which was approved by a wide margin of 66.7 percent of voters. Overall, 33.3 percent of voters opposed the measure. TDA conducted this referendum upon petition by cattle industry organizations under the authorities designated by the Texas Legislature.

"Texas is the largest cattle producing state in the nation, and our beef is among the highest-quality in the world," said Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples. "As Texas ranchers continue to grow and raise the bar to meet consumers' tastes and preferences, it is my hope these funds will be used in a manner to enhance our producers' profitability and sustainability of food production. The Lone Star State is a national leader in agriculture, and I'd like to keep it that way."  

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) President Pete Bonds today made the following statement after the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) announced the results of the Texas Beef Checkoff referendum.


"We are pleased with the results of the Texas Beef Checkoff referendum and believe the program will provide a tremendous step forward for beef producers and consumers," said Bonds. "As ranchers well know, the challenges facing our industry continue to grow, and we must make sure we invest in our future to remain competitive.

Click Here to learn more about the Texas State Beef Checkoff and view the vote results by county.

Fourth of July Holiday Starts at NOON Today for Ag Futures Market- and Other Closures  

The Agricultural Futures are maxing out the amount of time they are shut down for the 2014 Fourth of July holiday.   

Most Ag Futures will close at noon central time today- and will not reopen until Monday morning until 8:30 AM central.

Tips for Summer Grilling Safety 

When it comes to summer fun, one thing many families enjoy is cooking on the grill. Whether it is charcoal or gas, there is something that definitely says summer when grilling.


But along with all of the tasty foods consumers may cook this summer, they also need to keep safety in mind, said Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension housing and consumer specialist.


"Placement of your outdoor grill is essential. Keep it at least 10 feet from your house, and father is even better," Peek said. "This includes all parts of your home such as carports, porches and garages. Grills, either gas or charcoal, also shouldn't be used underneath wooden overhangs because the fire could flare up into the structure above."


When lighting the grill, make sure the lid is always up. Gas can build up inside the grill, and when you light it, a fireball could explode in your face.


Be sure to check for gas leaks. Make a solution of half liquid dish soap and half water and rub it on the hoses and connection, then turn on the gas. Again, make sure the lid of the grill is open. If the soap forms large bubbles, that is a sign the hoses have tiny holes or the connections are not tight enough.


Peek also recommends keeping a spray bottle of water, as well as a fire extinguisher nearby.  Click Here for more grilling tips.

This N That- Plains Grains Harvest Pegs Oklahoma Wheat Harvest 93% Done and Superior's Week in the Rockies Sale Ready to Blast Off Monday

Mark Hodges with Plains Grains has released his weekly Harvest report a day early ahead of the Fourth of July holiday- and reports that 93% of the Oklahoma Wheat Harvest is done, 85% is complete in Texas and Kansas has finally fit 52% in the latest report.

"The HRW wheat harvest now extends well into Colorado (at least in the southeastern one-third) and with approximately 15% of the crop cut in Colorado early yields are ranging from 5 bu/ac to 30 bu/ac (0.3 - 2.0 tons/ha) with overall reported averages at around 20 bu/ac (1.3 tons/ha). Harvest is now entering Nebraska on the southern border, but it is still too early to determine yield or other factors.  

"Rain continues to be a major issue in getting this crop out. Even in areas where harvest has yet to begin (NE Colorado, SW Nebraska and extreme NW Kansas) received extensive precipitation and some hail over the past week. Kansas continues to battle muddy fields (with only 52% of harvest completed) in an effort to get this crop out ahead of heavy weed pressure (broadleaf and grassy weeds), this is also a major issue in the few fields in Oklahoma and Texas that have yet to be cut."

Click here for the complete report and a chance to look at several graphs that Mark has included in his weekly review of the HRW wheat belt.

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The Week in the Rockies sale is set for Steamboat Springs, Colorado- starting this coming Monday and will continue all week long.  207,000 cattle will be offered by the online auction marketplace- and you can click here for the complete rundown of what is being sold each day of the Week in the Rockies event.

You can also call Superior at their offices in Ft Worth for more information- that number is 800-422-2117.