US Cattle on Feed Up 1 Percent, Better than Expected Placements "Friendly News" 

The latest cattle on feed report shows herd expansion is underway in the U.S. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Friday, the number of cattle on feed in the U.S. totaled 10.64 million head as of May first. That's up one percent over a year ago. Tom Leffler of Leffler Commodities said the biggest surprise in the report was the placements figure.


"Overall, this report showed a little friendliness with the lower than expected placements, that kind of helps offset a little bit of what we saw last month when we had higher than expected placements," Leffler said.


Placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.55 million, five percent below 2014. Net placements were 1.48 million head. That was lower than trade expectations. Leffler said this is second smallest monthly placement number of the past ten years and the third lowest placement April number of the past thirteen years.


Radio Oklahoma Network's Leslie Smith caught up with Leffler Friday. Click or tap here to read more or to listen to the interview with Leffler.

Think Tank Pressures McDonald's to Educate Consumers about GMOs

Press Release from the National Center for Public Policy Research


At the annual shareholder meeting of McDonald's in Oak Brook, Illinois, the National Center for Public Policy Research Thursday presented a shareholder resolution urging the worldwide burger chain to increase its efforts to educate consumers about the safety and benefits linked to the use of genetically modified organisms in its products. The company's management, however, disavowed any responsibility in educating the public about its products.


"The reluctance of McDonald's to defend GM foods highlights a major reason why the public is so ill-informed about this issue," said National Center Free Enterprise Project Director Justin Danhof, Esq. "Relying on the government to educate consumers is a sure-fire way to ensure the public remains ignorant. The government's responsibility for food inspection and safety is fine, but when it comes to educating the public, its track record is abysmal."
 

Our proposal asks the company to defend its products and promote the safety and benefit of Genetically Modified Organisms. Companies whose products may contain GMOs, such as McDonald's, are harmed by the public's ignorance on the issue.  Click here to read more about the National Center for Public Policy Research shareholder resolution.

USDA Reminds Farmers to Certify Conservation Compliance by June 1 Deadline

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers to file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form (AD-1026) with their local USDA Service Center by June 1, 2015. The 2014 Farm Bill requires producers to have the form on file in order to remain eligible, or to become eligible for crop insurance premium support.


Many farmers already have a certification form on file since it's required for participation in most USDA programs including marketing assistance loans, farm storage facility loans and disaster assistance. However, farmers who only participate in the federal crop insurance program must now file a certification form to receive crop insurance premium support. These producers might include specialty crop farmers who may not participate in other USDA programs.


"USDA is making every effort possible to get the word out about this new Farm Bill provision," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "We've deployed a variety of informational documents and online resources including fact sheets, frequently asked questions and brochures to help farmers understand what they need to do. We've also conducted informational meetings and training sessions for nearly 6,000 stakeholders across the country. We want to make sure that those who are required to act do so by the June 1 deadline. We want all eligible producers to be able to maintain their ability to protect their operations with affordable crop insurance."


USDA has conducted extensive outreach over the past year, especially to producers who only participate in the federal crop insurance program and may be subject to conservation compliance for the first time.  Click here to read more.  

Protect the Harvest Tackles Animal Rights Activists Over 'Right to Farm' in Oklahoma

Protect the Harvest has become a growing force in standing up against activist groups that are against agriculture. During the 2015 Oklahoma Legislative session, Protect the Harvest got behind the "Right to Farm" initiative. With strong passage in both the House and Senate, Protect the Harvest Executive Director Brian Klippenstein commended the efforts of Oklahoma Farm Bureau and members of the state legislature and the authors of the legislation, Representative Scott Biggs and State Senator Jason Smalley for their efforts.


"The vote totals were overwhelmingly one sided in our favor, so it's great to have an advisory role this process," Klippenstein said.


During the legislative session, the animal rights group the Humane Society of the United States came out against the "Right to Farm" initiative through lobbying, along with an email and television campaign. Protect the Harvest responded against their tactic in standing up for Oklahoma agricultural producers.


"You have tell the competing side of the story and they are not used to that," Klippenstein said. "They are used to coming in, bullying their way, silencing their opponents and carrying the day. But when the full story is told, we find that we prevail."


I recently caught up with Brian Klippenstein.  Click or tap here to read or to listen to today's Beef Buzz. 

Dr. Royer Recommends Farmers Watch for Army Worms in Wheat

Oklahoma State University Extension Entomologist Dr. Tom Royer has written a blog about armyworms in wheat.


We have a late-maturing wheat crop that finally received some needed rain.   I received a report of armyworms infesting wheat in the Vernon, Texas area. Armyworm infestations typically occur in late April through the first two weeks of May, but the cooler spring we are experiencing this year may have delayed their development.


Armyworm infestations occur more frequently around waterways, areas of lush growth, or areas with lodged plants. These areas should be checked first to determine the size of the infestation.


Early signs of an infestation include leaves with ragged margins that have been chewed. You may find "frass" i.e. the excrement from armyworm caterpillars, around the base of wheat stems. They also tend to clip heads from developing wheat plants. The head clipping I have noticed over the years us usually restricted to secondary tillers with very small, green heads that would not likely contribute much to yield. 

Dr. Royer recommends farmers and agronomists scout for armyworms at five or more locations by looking for "curled up worms".  Click here to read more about threshold levels and treatment options.