Rural Coalition Organized to Battle Litigation to Force Endangered Species Status for Lesser Prairie Chicken

A new coalition is ramping up in opposition to a heavy handed approach to protecting the Lesser Prairie Chicken.


The coalition, comprised of the Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Corn Growers Association, Texas Farm Bureau, The American Farm Bureau Federation, New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau and Colorado Farm Bureau, opposes The Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife and WildEarth Guardians' request that the lesser prairie chicken (LPC) be listed as an "endangered" species. The bird is currently listed as "threatened." The LPC range is roughly 20 million acres, affecting 85 counties in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. A spokesman for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau says that they "strongly support their efforts" but did not sign onto this coalition, as the organization is involved in a different lawsuit pertaining to the Lesser Prairie Chicken and decided that they would not risk a possible conflict of the two.


"We are already seeing impacts from the 'threatened' listing," said Jim Sipes, who farms near the primary habitat area. "We have seen wind generator projects leave the area. We have seen oil and gas companies pull out of the region. We have seen seismograph crews stopping seismograph work, and we are seeing effects on farms and ranches through the amount of grazing we are able to do."

Click here to read more on how the threat from an "endangered" designation reaches far beyond the farm gate to rural Main Street and local government.  

Peel Addresses Meeting Beef Demand in 2015

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


Many years of cattle herd liquidation, due to drought and other factors, have left the beef industry with such low cattle inventories that severe reductions in beef production are inevitable. Beef production in 2014 is projected to total roughly 24.4 billion pounds, down 5.2 percent from last year and the smallest annual beef production in the U.S. since 1994. Cattle slaughter through mid-November is down 7.1 percent, including a 3.6 percent decline in steer slaughter and an 8.3 percent decrease in heifer slaughter. Total steer and heifer slaughter in 2014 is projected to be the smallest since 1968. The industry has offset some of the reduction in cattle slaughter by increasing carcass weights, with current steer carcass weights at record levels of 906 pounds, up 28 pounds year over year and heifer carcass weights at 829 pounds (down one pound from the week earlier record level of 830 pounds), and up 23 pounds from last year.    


Concerns about beef demand have preoccupied the beef industry for many months and will continue for months to come as beef production is expected to fall in 2015 and into 2016 pushing retail prices higher. Steer and heifer slaughter is expected to decrease another two percent in 2015 which, depending on carcass weights, would contribute to another 1 to 1.5 percent decrease in total beef production. While beef demand in 2014 has been unexpectedly strong, the challenges will continue for many months. Retail prices have risen significantly in 2014 with All-Fresh beef prices currently 20 percent higher than year ago levels. Current retail prices undoubtedly do not fully reflect the impacts of declining beef supplies, even if production stabilized at current levels. With additional decreases in beef production ahead, the demand challenges will persist.  

The demand challenge is not just one of beef quantity but, perhaps increasingly, one of beef quality. The question of whether beef consumers will pay ever higher prices for a smaller quantity of beef will likely depend critically on beef quality. Click here to read more from Dr. Peel about the demand for beef.  

Beef Systems Specialist Justin Waggoner with Kansas State University believes that the cash flow many cattle producers have in 2014 give them an opportunity to do a "makeover" of their cattle handling and loading facilities. Waggoner says that building or improving existing cattle handling facilities is a substantial investment for any cattle operation. However, this is an investment that can make a number of routine tasks easier, more efficient and safer. In many cases, facility improvements must be made within the confines of an existing location or set of pens. Very rarely, do we get the opportunity to build a new site and "build it right the first time".


Waggoner believes that an important question to ask yourself is "what doesn't work well or at all in your current facilities?". In some cases, a very simple change such as adding an additional gate or turning it around, so it hinges on the other side of the alley can make a tremendous difference. As many producers consider expanding their current operations, or consider entering a different segment of the industry, such as a backgrounding or stocker enterprise, a second question arises, "Will my current facilities meet the needs of the operation in the future?" Planning a working facility that has the ability to expand re- quires additional and careful consideration.


A common misconception is that well designed working facilities have to be complex and consist of circular tubs and arcing alleyways. Producers should be aware that simple facilities can be just as effective as complex facilities. Waggoner was our guest on the Beef Buzz- and he discusses the value to cattlemen and cattle ladies of at least thinking about improving their cattle handling facilities.  Click here to read or to listen to our feature.

The CHS Foundation supports efforts that promote agricultural education and leadership programs, farm safety and rural communities. Recently the CHS Foundation committed $1.5 million dollars to support FFA. CHS Communications and Community Relations spokesperson Jessie Headrick said a large portion of the funds were earmarked for the National Teach Ag program which focuses on the recruitment and retention of ag teachers.


"We know those folks going into teaching to work with students everyday are really the backbone for developing the next generation," Headrick said. "So we're trying to do our part in ensuring that they have what they need to be able to continuing inspiring the next generation of leaders for agriculture whether that be production ag or working in agribusiness in some facet."


Radio Oklahoma Network's Leslie Smith interviewed Headrick at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention earlier this month. Click here to read more about the support CHS has given to the National Teach Ag program as well as rural communities.

Coffeyville Livestock Market Hosting World Livestock Auctioneer Championship Qualifier

Coffeyville Livestock Market, 822 W. 14th Street, Coffeyville, Kan., will host the second of three qualifying events for the 2015 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC). The midwestern regional qualifying event will be December 4 beginning at 10:30 a.m. CST. A total of 23 contestants will compete for a top 10 placing that grants them a spot in the 2015 WLAC at Clifton Livestock Commission Co. in Clifton, Texas. Five of the contestants hail from Oklahoma!


An actual cattle sale will take place, and the reigning World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, Blaine Lotz, will be attending the qualifier as event emcee.


Contestants competing are Justin Abell, Sigourney, Iowa; Jared Anstine, Holden, Mo.; Justin Banzhaf, Cambridge, Neb.; Mitch Barthel, Perham, Minn.; Jake Bettencourt, Hilmar, Calif.; Leon Caselman, Long Lane, Mo.; Dan Clark, Winner, S.D.; Justin Dodson, Welch, Okla.; Mike Godberson, Pawnee, Okla.; Dillon Gross, Bradleyville, Mo.; Roger Hoffman, Shady Point, Okla.; Brennin Jack, Prince Albert, Sask.; Eric Lassiter, Bartlesville, Okla.; Kyle Layman, North Platte, Neb.; Blake McDaniel, Tallassee, Ala.; Justin Mebane, Bakersfield, Calif.; Daniel Mitchell, Cumberland, Ohio; Billy J. Monk, Weatherford, Texas; Bill Nance, Sheldon, Mo.; Brandon Neely, Southside, Ala.; Ethan Schuette, Washington, Kan.; Jeff Showalter, Broadway, Va.; Robb Taylor, Perkins, Okla.


The public may attend the livestock auction and competition free of charge. It will also be streamed live on  www.LMAAuctions.com at 10:30 a.m. (CST).  Click here to read more about the World Livestock Auctioning Championship.  

Brett, Angela and Jeff Confront the "Wheat Doused in Roundup" Story Circulating in the World of Social Media- and They Knock It Out of the Park!

A recent blog post mentioned that a common wheat harvest protocol in the United States is to drench the wheat fields with Roundup® several days before the combine harvesters work through the fields as the practice allows for an earlier, easier and bigger harvest. 

The website "Food for Thought" wanted to check these claims out- and they turned to three members of the Wheat Improvement Team at Oklahoma State University- Dr. Brett Carver, Dr Angela Post and Dr. Jeff Edwards.   

The title of the post featuring the dynamic trio is "Is Wheat Toxic?"  Carver, Post and Edwards answered that initial question and then went on to deal with questions about Roundup as a harvest aid for wheat in the US. Click here for the full article of the Q&A on this issue. 

By the way- here's the answer to the title question- Is Wheat Toxic?:

"Whether in whole form or enriched, wheat is central to a healthy diet for the general population, and should only be avoided by those clinically diagnosed with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity or a wheat allergy. Wheat remains as natural and true to its heritage as any major food-producing plant. Thousands of years of evolution and adoption by human civilizations have made it that way.  

"No other cereal grain claims as much dependency on its ancestors and non-cultivated relatives (what the general population may call 'ancient grains') to fuel the development of new and resilient varieties. What is changing are some of the techniques - yet still involving natural pollination - which enable scientists to more efficiently tap those same genetic resources without losing ground to the growing demands of modern society."

Well Done!