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USDA's Farm Service Agency is really pushing the message of "Get in Now and Don't Expect a Deadline" when it comes to farmers making known to Uncle Sam their final choice of either ARC- Ag Risk Coverage- or PLC- Price Loss Coverage as the type of federal farm safety net they will live under for a five year crop period- that actually begins with the 2014 crop growing season that is in the books- extending out to 2018.

I got a call, an email and a direct message on Facebook right after lunch yesterday asking if I would like to visit with the FSA Administrator-Val Dolcini- there was no specific reason given- but clearly as we talked with Mr. Dolcini- it was all about getting into the FSA office and making these choices.

There are actually two sets of choices that have a March 31st deadline.  The first is the updating of yields and of reallocating base acres- the original deadline for that was February 27th- but on the 27th- Dolcini told us the Secretary decided they could give land owners a little more time to make sure they got it right.  He claims over three fourths of the folks that are eligible to make updates have either done so or reaffirmed they are sticking with what they have got.   

As to the second decision that also has a March 31st deadline- Dolcini was more vague about how many farmers have actually made the choice between ARC and PLC as their safety net program for 2014-2018.

The head of the FSA declined to speculate on an extension to the ARC-PLC decision, saying that when it comes to an extension- "I feel relatively confident that it won't happen."


One tactic that farmers might want to consider if they want to delay that final choice for a bit longer- even if there is no extension, a producer could wait until the last moment and then get onto the local office's Register of folks who need to come in after the actual deadline to complete your part of the process. Dolcini says he foresees those "after the deadline" appointments stretching into most of April and into early May- giving wheat farmers, for example, a little more time to gauge the 2015 wheat crop as we near harvest this coming June. 

Dolcini briefly addressed a question I asked about the Livestock Disaster Program- but he wasn't really interested in talking about that- for him, it was all about farm bill decisions.  

You can hear our complete conversation with the Administrator by clicking or tapping here.   

Right to Farm Proposal Advances at State Capitol 

The Oklahoma House of Representatives has advanced the so called "Right to Farm" Ballot Initiative by a 90 to 6 margin. The proposal now heads to the Senate and if approved by both the House and the Senate would send to a vote of the people a measure that would put into the state constitution the right of the citizens of Oklahoma to farm and ranch using agricultural technology and livestock production and ranching practices- and it would prohibit the Legislature from passing any law that would "abridge" that right.


After the vote- the Oklahoma Farm Bureau thanked the Oklahoma House of Representatives for passing HJR 1012.


"Agriculture is of vital importance to our state and our nation, not just as a major economic driver, but also as a matter of national security," said John Collison, OKFB's vice president of public policy and communications. "We thank the house for taking the first step in passing this joint resolution, which would ultimately allow Oklahomans to ensure a future for an industry that is vital to our state."


Collison added that the group thanks Rep. Scott Biggs for authoring the resolution, and urges the senate to take up and pass HJR 1092.


To read the actual language that would be voted on by the people, click or tap here.  

OYE Eyes 100 Years as a Milestone- and as the Starting Place for Delivering Even More Impact to Oklahoma Youth

The Oklahoma Youth Expo is celebrating its 100th Anniversary. OYE Executive Director Tyler Norvell said the show started in 1915 as the American Southwest Livestock Show, which was mainly for adults. At the time there was a livestock show in Wichita, Kansas and in Fort Worth, Texas. He said the Oklahoma City Chamber leaders decided Oklahoma City needed a show that exhibitors could show at on their way to Texas. This was one way the city could show their support to the state's agricultural industry and it would be an economic boost to Oklahoma City. Norvell said to this day the Oklahoma City Chamber continues to support the event.


"They knew what they were doing back then, because today we'll have 50-thousand people plus, have a $25-million dollar economic impact on Oklahoma City," Norvell said. "There's not many events that come to Oklahoma City that have that impact, I really can't think of another one besides us, that's that big." 



In the fall of 2002, the Oklahoma Youth Expo nonprofit organization was formed. The first show OYE put on was in the spring of 2003. Norvell said in becoming a nonprofit organization that has given the show a lot of flexibility and opportunities in terms of fundraising. He said they are proud of the emphasis the show puts on the youth as well as the sponsors that support the show.


"That's why without sponsors and of course without volunteers, you don't have a stock show," Norvell said. 

Tyler will also be joining me for our weekly In the Field report on KWTV News9 in the Oklahoma City market on Saturday morning at 6:40 AM.

Our thanks to ITC Great Plains for their support of our coverage of the 2015 OYE- click here for their website to learn more about the fact that they are the Energy Superhighway when it comes to High Voltage Transmission lines.

I caught up with Norvell to talk about how this event continues to grow.  Click or tap here to listen to our conversation about both the heritage of the OYE- as well as what's how there for it's future.

Oklahoma Peanut Expo Set for March 26

Peanut producers from across the state will gather Thursday, March 26 for the 2015 Oklahoma Peanut Expo at Quartz Mountain Resort near Lone Wolf. The annual event, a collaborative effort of the Oklahoma Peanut Commission (OPC), Oklahoma State University, USDA/ARS and peanut sheller interests in the southwest, has become the state's premier industry meeting drawing participants from across the southern U.S. peanut belt.


"The Expo topics are targeted to address current issues important to our farmers," said Joe D White, Commission chairman and peanut producer from Frederick. "As producers, we must be aware of the various factors that may influence our success, whether it be markets, farm policy or production decisions. There is no better way to become informed than by attending the Oklahoma Peanut Expo."


This year's conference will acknowledge the "Golden Anniversary" of the Oklahoma Peanut Commission and the final Expo for retiring Executive Director Mike Kubicek. The OPC earlier announced former OSU Extension Specialist Dr. Ron Sholar as Kubicek's replacement.


For the second year in a row, a new peanut variety will be unveiled during the meeting by USDA/ARS breeder Dr. Kelly Chamberlin.  Click here to read more about this year's Peanut Expo.   

Pork Act Delegates Elect Candidate Slate, Approve Advisements

The pork industry held its annual business meeting, the National Pork Industry Forum, March 5-7 in San Antonio. At the meeting, Pork Act Delegates ranked nine candidates for the National Pork Board and submitted the list to the U.S. secretary of agriculture. The candidates, ranked in order, are:


-- David Newman, North Dakota

-- Patrick FitzSimmons, Minnesota

-- Carl Link, Ohio (second term incumbent)

-- Bill Tentinger, Iowa

-- Gary Asay, Illinois

-- Kristine Scheller-Stewart, Missouri

-- Thomas Goodwin, Idaho

-- Michael Gruber, Texas

-- Ed Keller, New York


The U.S. secretary of agriculture will select six members from the slate elected by the delegates to fill the roles of outgoing board members effective July 2015. Five of the nominees will serve a three-year term, and the sixth will complete a two-year term due to a recent departure. There are 15 pork producers on the board, each limited in serving no more than two terms.

In other business, delegates approved two non-binding directives for the National Pork Board.  Click here to read more about motions to address identification and transportation.   

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.

Angus Foundation Funds Studies to Evaluate Ground Beef Market and Price Signals

Beef's getting better, to judge by the uptrend in quality grades and resurgent consumer demand. However, an increasing share of that demand has been for ground beef - and an average pound of that versatile staple now sells for more than $4.


Last year, a Rabobank AgriFinance white paper entitled "Ground Beef Nation" (GBN) questioned the industry's priorities now that Americans consume 11 billion hamburgers each year. It called for greater efficiency and retooling to fit a changed market for one-third to half of young cattle, and warned business as usual could lead to weakened market share for beef over time.


Everybody began to discuss the implications as the Choice beef cutout quote touched $2.50 per pound. They had seen the rise of giant burgers 10 years ago in step with low-carb dieting. They saw another move forward when ground beef was the go-to promotion in the 2008-09 recession, and last year as many steaks were priced two or three times higher than the grinds.

The Angus Foundation set out to learn more, commissioning its own white paper.  The resulting paper, "Changes in the Ground Beef Market and What it Means for Cattle Producers," was authored by Nevil Speer while a professor at Western Kentucky University; Tom Brink, the founder and president of Top Dollar Angus; and Mark McCully, vice president of production for the Certified Angus Beef ® brand.  To read more about this white page, click here.   

This N That- Superior Sale Today, Hall- Coyote Hills Bull Sale Tomorrow and Canola Under Assault by Army Cutworms- Scout and Spray!

The every other week sale of Superior Livestock kicks off at 8:00 AM central time this morning- 21,000 head to be offered today on DISH Network Channel 232 and via Superior Click to Bid. 

Details are available here or by calling Superior at 1-800-422-2117.

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Some great Limousin and Lim-Flex Bulls will be sold on Saturday- starting at 1:00 PM at the Hall- Coyote Hills Ranch Spring Bull Sale.  The sale will be held at the ranch at Chattanooga, Oklahoma.  

Click here for more details- you can take a look at the catalog as well as videos of the bulls to sell that is now on their website.

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In wee hours this morning, we got an email from Heath Sanders with the Great Plains Canola Association regarding Army cutworms being found in canola in Oklahoma.  Here's what Heath told us in that email:

"Labeled insecticides: Prevathon, bifenthren (Tundra, Brigade, Capture),  lambda cyhalothrin (Warrior or generics),  Mustang Max.

"I have attached two pictures that illustrate the plant being cut off or leaves and stripped from the plant,. These plants should grow back if an insecticide is applied soon. Producers can tank mix canola herbicides with the insecticides. 

"Please scout and evaluate all canola fields ,even if an insecticide was applied last fall."

Here's one of the pics that Heath sent us for you to see-