Beef Checkoff Offers Menu Insights to Foodservice Purveyor  

This year marks a significant shift in the way that the beef checkoff is working with retail and foodservice operators to build beef demand. The foodservice and retail influencer program (formerly known as Channel Marketing and B2B Marketing), has taken a new approach in how it supports the $682 billion foodservice segment with marketing and selling beef. The program is now focused on building deep, valuable relationships with key operators, suppliers and distributors that significantly impact beef demand and sales. Once identified, the checkoff team offers the partner custom, experiential activities based on individual needs to showcase real-time solutions that can quickly transition into actionable results.
 

In collaboration with the Oklahoma, California and Nevada Beef Councils, the beef checkoff created an in-depth beef education experience in August that Outwest Meat Company's customers couldn't get anywhere else.  The wholesale meat distributor serving the finest restaurants and hotel casinos in the greater Las Vegas area and part of US Foods' Stock Yards, was looking to strengthen its existing customer relationships and build their knowledge of beef. 

Clay Burtrum, a stocker and cow-calf operator from Stillwater, Okla., member of the Beef Promotion Operating Committee and chair of the checkoff's nutrition & health subcommittee, experienced the August event firsthand.


"The event puts checkoff resources, directly in the hands of those who sell beef to consumers, and those who we count on to build long-term demand for our product," said Burtrum. "It was very rewarding to see our checkoff dollars at work to strengthen the relationships within the supply chain, particularly an influential foodservice purveyor that caters to the Las Vegas market." 

Click here to read about beef education event.  

Gov. Fallin Announces Drought Grants Available for Water Efficiency  

Governor Mary Fallin has announced the state of Oklahoma has $1.5 million available in drought grants for cities, counties, water districts and other public entities to help fund projects that highlight responsible use of water.


"Responsible use of water remains the most immediate and effective way to prevent future water shortages for many communities and water systems in Oklahoma," said Fallin. "As the state enters its fourth year of ongoing drought, water efficiency and the reuse of water are becoming increasingly important to protect the water supplies that communities currently use."


To receive funding from the Water for 2060 Drought Grant Program this fiscal year, the applicant and the project must both be eligible. Eligible entities include counties, towns and municipalities, public works authorities and rural water/sewer districts.


Grants are capped at $500,000. The deadline for application is November 26, 2014.  Click here to learn more about the projects to be considered for a grant.  

Kim Anderson Sees Significant Downside to Wheat Prices in the Months Ahead 

On Thursday of this past week- the US Department of Agriculture released September's supply and demand report as well as the month's Crop Production Report focusing on spring planted crops. Oklahoma State University Grain Marketing Economist Dr. Kim Anderson told OSU's SUNUP TV program said there were some surprises in the report- including world wheat production being raised from 26.1 to 26.5 billion bushels. World ending stocks increased from 7.1 to 7.2 billion bushels. US ending stock also increased to 698 million bushels. Anderson said that's all negative information that could push the wheat market below the $6 level.


In fact, Anderson suggests that wheat prices might slide as low as $4.50 basis the nearby Kansas City wheat futures contract in the months ahead, based on the global wheat supply picture.


Prior to the USDA reports, corn prices were already weak. Anderson said with the higher ending stocks and yield projections than what the trade expected the price could go down, but he doesn't think it will be significant.  Of the three commodities (wheat, corn and soybeans), Anderson said he thinks soybeans will take a bigger hit than corn or wheat.  Click here to read more or to listen to Dr. Anderson's thoughts about fall price trends.    

USFRA Names Faces of Farming & Ranching Finalists

The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA®) has announced the finalists of its next class of Faces of Farming and Ranching, a nationwide search to help put real faces on agriculture. The following farmers and ranchers were named finalists:

Erin Brenneman, Iowa

Darrell Glaser, Texas

Jay Hill, N.M.

Brian Jones, Texas

Carrie Mess, Wis.

Jessica Potter, Colo.

Thomas Titus, Ill.

Carla Wardin, Mich.

Applications were received from dedicated farmers and ranchers from across the nation. Winners will share their stories and experiences about how food is grown and raised in the U.S. on a national stage through media interviews, consumer-facing public appearances and events. This is the second time USFRA has sought farmers and ranchers to speak on behalf of the industry in this capacity.


"These finalists are truly passionate about the work they do every day to grow food for our nation," said Randy Krotz, chief executive officer of USFRA. "These exceptional farmers and ranchers will bring consumers, media and influencers a first-hand perspective of how food gets from the farm or ranch to the dinner table."  

Click here to learn more on how to vote for the next Faces of Farming and Ranching.

Coalition Urges US Ag Secretary to Reform Beef Checkoff

In the wake of this weekend's announcement by the National Farmers Union (NFU) that it was withdrawing from the Beef Checkoff Enhancement Working Group (working group), 36 organizations sent a joint letter last week to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging him to immediately implement their recommendations for eliminating the conflicts of interest from the Beef Checkoff Program.


For over four years, several groups, including R-Calf, have been critical of the Dollar per Head Beef Checkoff- claiming that "the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) ignored the Secretary's direct warning about the need for checkoff integrity, which would include, for example, the independence of the Federation of State Beef Councils (Federation). During that entire time the Secretary waited while industry groups self-selected participants to work harmoniously with the NCBA to develop a plan for reforming the Beef Checkoff Program so it would operate as the law intended and so the interests of all producers and importers are supported, not just the interests of NCBA members."


Among the signers of the letter was the Independent Cattlemen's Association of Murray County, Oklahoma.  Click here to read more about the call by the  36 organizations pushing for changes to the beef checkoff.

Ranchers Retain Ownership to Capture Carcass Premiums

Nebraska ranchers Bob and Wilma Post of Harrisburg recently decided to take a new road with commercial Angus herd. One that involves a little leap of faith.


"We have a cow-calf operation that we are in the process of evolving to be able to keep them clear through and finish them ourselves and market them as finished cattle," he said.


The move was sparked by a desire to capture more value from their herd and gather carcass data to make improvements


"Though they have paid us really good for our calves, obviously there is probably some more money to be made," she said. "We would like to get to make to make that money, plus we just we just want to see the cattle. We have had trouble being able to do that, you don't know where they go, sometimes we're able to drive through a lot, but more times than not we can't see them. We need to see the cattle and see the final results, the carcass data and stuff to know if we are doing things right, if not we want to change some things."


The Posts have confidence in decades of selection and while retained ownership is a new feat for these seasoned producers, they think the progress will payoff.  Click here to read or to watch a video about the Post Ranch.
 

Brayden Foley of Kingfisher Top Individual at State Fair Livestock Judging Contest 

Oklahoma Farm Bureau's Young Farmers and Ranchers hosted the 2014 Oklahoma State Fair Livestock Judging Contest on a rainy Friday- and close to a thousand young people from across Oklahoma competed for top honors at the event. They were led by Brayden Foley of the Kingfisher FFA who was the top Individual in the contest with 421 out of a possible 450 points for the multi species contest. Others at the top of the Senior FFA Division included Cody Branch of Cleveland FFA, Logan Corbett of Colbert FFA, Jason Murray of Kingfisher and Kate Osne of Waynoka FFA. 

The Senior Division 4-H high individual was Deekota Williams of Central High, beating out teammate Connor Kern of Central High who finished in second place. Third Place was claimed by Colton Smith of Kingfisher 4-H, while fourth place was won by another 4-her from Central High, Lane Williams. Fifth place in the Senior 4-H division went to Holden Bell of Marshall.

Click or tap here for the rest of the top individuals in the Junior Divisions- plus a full list of the top teams in all four divisions.  Also, courtesy of our friend Sam Knipp, we have a quick conversation with the top individual, Braden Foley, after he won the State Fair Livestock Judging contest last Friday afternoon.