The new Executive Director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission has a deep family history with conservation efforts. As a farmer and rancher, Trey Lam is a second generation Oklahoma conservation district director. He has served about 15 years on his local conservation district board. He has also served as President of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts and was their national board representative where he worked on both state and national conservation issues. As a grandson of the "Dust Bowl" he has heard numerous stories about the worst days of the 1930's and has lived personally through both drought and flooding.


When Mike Thralls announced his retirement from the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, Lam was approached by several individuals to apply for the position. Lam said initially he didn't have any interest in applying because he loved his job as a farmer and rancher. He said he had been complaining about soil and water conservation efforts and thought he needed to step up. In his first few months with the commission, Lam said he has enjoyed the opportunity in seeing conservation issues from a wider perspective.


"As I have taken on this job, I realize how many natural resource challenges there are around the state and there are a lot of different strategies for tackling those and fixing those problems," Lam said.

Conservation efforts got a big boost in funding this week as US Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Wednesday that more than $370 million in funding will be allocated for 115 high-impact projects across all 50 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.  I caught up with Lam to talk about how that announcement will help Oklahoma. Read or have the opportunity to listen to the full conversation by clicking here.

Tomorrow morning- Lam will be my guest on the In the Field TV segment that is seen Saturday mornings on KWTV, News9 at 6:40 AM. 

Cash in Advance Redefined by Obama's Treasury Department- Making Good on Pledge to Ease Trade Restrictions for Cuba 

The Obama Administration has announced new rules regarding trade and travel to the island nation of Cuba- making the words of President Obama come to life when it comes to starting to restore long lost relations with Cuba.

Specifically for agriculture- the Treasury Department has changed what they are saying "cash in advance" is.  During the George W Bush Administration, "cash in advance" was defined as the money having to be deposited in the bank(in a third party country) before the ag goods could leave the US port.  Now, as of today- a cash payment will be due only when goods arrive at a Cuban port. Specific licenses that were needed are no longer required.

According to Reuters, Tyson Foods, who already does some business with Cuba, likes the changes, calling them good for helping expand agricultural trade with Cuba.

Wheat from Oklahoma(shipped from the Gulf) would be one product that could be an early candidate when it comes to new farm export business with Alimport- the government agency that handles virtually food and ag trade into Cuba. 

New trade data shows the U.S. will finish 2014 with strong beef exports for the year. The US Department of Agriculture and US Meat Export Federation has released their November beef export numbers. Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Market Economist Dr. Derrel Peel said November's export levels were lower, imports were up, but overall for the year U.S. beef exports are finishing the year on pace with the year before- and likely will be at a record level when it comes to the value of those exports.


"Both of those are things you would expect given the high price of beef in the U.S. as well as the decreased production we had in 2014," Peel said. 


One of the important markets for U.S. beef is our neighbor to the north- Canada. It's one of our biggest beef export markets, one of largest sources of beef imports and an important source of cattle imports. Peel said there is a very integrated flow of products between the countries.  He also says that's the case with our neighbor south of the Rio Grande- Mexico. Read more about both countries as they relate to our beef trade and have the opportunity to listen to this Beef Buzz by clicking here.  

Texas and Oklahoma producers who raise crops along the Red River border can pick up important tips to promote profitability in their agricultural enterprises by attending the Jan. 27-28 Red River Crops Conference in Childress, Texas.


Gary Strickland, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension agricultural educator for Jackson and Greer counties, said the conference will focus on agricultural production circumstances and concerns specific to southwestern Oklahoma and the Texas Rolling Plains.


"Think of it as one-stop shopping where producers of all experience levels can get the latest science-based information and ask questions of leading experts in applicable agricultural disciplines, as well as interact with area producers who may be in situations similar to their own," he said. 

The conference is sponsored by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.  Click here to read more about topics covered and how to register.  

Commodity prices have continued to plunge downward. On this weekend's edition of SUNUP, Oklahoma State University Crop Marketing Specialist Kim Anderson addresses all of the different factors that are driving prices lower from the exit of the fund money in the market, to the decline in petroleum prices, the deteriorating economies in Europe, Egypt and eastern Asia and global grain stocks that remain relatively large around the world. Anderson said the most talked factor in the market has been the funds getting out of commodities in selling corn, soybeans, wheat, live cattle and feeder cattle. Since mid-December wheat prices have fallen $1.09, corn prices are down 30 cents and soybean prices are down 40 cents over the past couple weeks. Live cattle are down $15 and feeder cattle are down $25. Anderson the funds have been driving the market for the last couple of weeks. 


SUNUP host Lyndall Stout asked Anderson about the US Department of Agriculture reports that were released Monday and how they have influenced the market. Anderson the U.S. planted acreage report estimated total wheat acres at 40.5 million acres. That was down five percent from last year. Hard red winter acres were down three percent at 29.5 million acres. Anderson said Oklahoma acres were down four percent, while Kansas and Texas acres were down two percent.


"I think those are some significant numbers and should support our prices," Anderson said.


Anderson also addresses the World Agricultural Supply Demand Estimate (WASDE) report and what need to happen for prices to reverse and move higher.  Click here to hear Anderson's full conversation that can be seen on SUNUP on Saturday. Our webstory also has the complete SUNUP lineup for this weekend as well.  

Award winning broadcast journalist Jerry Bohnen has spent years learning and understanding how to cover the energy business here in the southern plains- Click here to subscribe to his daily update of top Energy News.

Bayer CropScience Announces New Cotton and Peanut Insecticide Expected Registration

Bayer CropScience anticipates the registration of their newest insecticide/nematicide for the 2015 cotton and peanut season in the Southeast. Expected to become the new best management practice in southern row crops, Velum® Total insecticide/nematicide will deliver wide spectrum, long-lasting control of nematodes and early season insects for better ROI.


Velum Total is a unique blend of active ingredients that work together to combat nematodes and stop insect damage. Applied in-furrow at planting, university trials show that Velum Total enhances root health and helps establish strong early season growth, decreasing the need for additional foliar sprays to control damaging insect pests. When used in cotton and peanut university trials, Velum Total provided greater yield response than the historical standard Temik®, which is no longer available for sale or use in the United States. Furthermore, Velum Total is safe for use on crops in a tankmix with a variety of other agricultural products.


"Bayer CropScience is excited to offer growers another tool in their tool box as we look to combat insect pressure for southern row crops," said Lee Hall, Bayer CropScience product manager. "Upon registration, Velum Total will offer growers a unique combination of long-lasting insect control and nematode management for a more efficient program that maximizes yield." 

When registered, Velum Total will be available in the Southeast for cotton and peanuts in 2015. A full launch is expected in 2016 throughout the South from Virginia to Texas with expanded crop use labels.  

This N That- Farm Bill Decisions, Drought Numbers and Lake Levels

We have posted on our website a lengthy analysis by a couple of economists at the University of Illinois in regards to considering corn prices over the long haul when it comes to making a decision of going with PLC or ARC for your farm bill choice.

Even if you don't raise corn- you may want to review the article- available here- as it offers a feel of how frustrating it can be in trying to make a long term forecast make the final decision for you.

I thought the conclusions that Scott Irvin and Darrel Good offered showed no quick solutions are out there- and that market shocks- as they call them- could easily make you look really smart or really dumb in your final call on going with PLC or ARC.

**********

Latest Drought numbers show a lot of Oklahoma continues in various levels of drought- Gary McManus in his latest Mesonet Ticker provides the numbers:

6% of the state in D4-Exceptional drought   

17% in D3-Extreme drought   

20% in D2-Severe drought   

17% in D1-Moderate drought   

11% in D0-Abnormally Dry conditions  

30% of the state drought free  

More than 1.4 million people affected by drought in Oklahoma  

Gary says that we could get some above normal rainfall amounts next week- but then runs away from that statement like he had just slapped the back of a very mean bull.  

Click or tap here to read in full his latest Mesonet Ticker which talks not just drought- but also the odds of rainfall and how dry it may be well into spring.  

**********

Finally- this relates to the drought and provides little comfort- but still numbers that we need/want to know.

News9's David Payne posted this graphic last night and we end this morning's email with it- providing the current shortfall for Oklahoma lake levels- worst by far- and it's not even close- is Lake Altus Lugert- at 32 feet BELOW NORMAL.

Wow-