On Tuesday, the Senate failed to pass S. 1140, the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, a bill that would have halted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineer's Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. On Wednesday, the Senate passed S.J. Res. 22, a joint resolution of disapproval of WOTUS. 


Why one and not the other? Well, the Tuesday vote required a 60 vote approval to invoke cloture and move the measure forward- only four Democrats joined with the GOP majority to vote aye on a measure that would have instructed the EPA and Army Corps to restart the Clean Water Rule and include state governments and other stakeholders in developing new rules.  The Wednesday vote is a  joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act. This resolution would order the EPA and Corps to withdraw the WOTUS rule and would prevent the agencies from further similar rulemaking. The House will need to consider the measure in order to for it to go to the White House.

All of this really is just a way to force the President to veto the measure and then get all members of Congress to go on the record in a vote to override the Veto- which will almost certainly fail. There are simply not enough Democrats willing to embarrass their President on this issue with a veto override.


After the votes- Chip Bowling, president of the National Corn Growers Association and a farmer from Newburg, Maryland, issued the following statement:


"Thank you to the bipartisan group of Senators who have recognized that the Waters of the U.S. rule did not work," Bowling said.  "America's farmers and ranchers care deeply about clean water, and we are committed to protecting it for future generations. But this rule is not based on science or law, does not clarify farmers' responsibilities under the Clean Water Act and will not improve water quality."  Click here to read more from NCGA.

Also weighing in- the National Cattlemen's Beef Association- "America's cattlemen and women are drowning in federal regulation that adds burdens, costs and uncertainty to our businesses," said NCBA President Philip Ellis.  "The WOTUS regulation is the greatest overreach yet. If allowed to take effect, it would give EPA jurisdiction over millions of acres of state and private property. Without action by Congress and the President to withdraw this rule; producers, stakeholders and states will be forced to continue litigation, adding millions of dollars in expenses and years in delay."


Speaking of NCBA- our Thursday morning farm news features comments from Colin Woodall of their Washington office as we talk about these votes- click here to take a listen.

In the future- when old timers start talking about the "Good Old Days" for the beef cattle industry, they may be referring to 2014. Kansas State University Extension Livestock Market Economist Dr. Glynn Tonsor said 2014 was incredibly good- especially for cow-calf producers. The most recent evidence comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Twice a year, the Economic Research Service (ERS) releases a report on the value and cost of beef production. The latest report came out on October first. Tonsor said nationally the value of beef production over operating costs were up over 260 percent in 2014 versus 2013.


"They were $108 returns over cash costs effectively in 2013 and they were up to $391 in 2014," Tonsor said. "...That's giving you some context of the magnitude of just how good 2014 was relative to '13."


Even with the pullback of the cattle markets in September, Tonsor looks for herd expansion to continue. Because of the profitability levels of 2014, he said a lot of cow-calf producers were reinvesting their money back into the industry.


USDA also publishes regional numbers on beef production profitability. The "Prairie Gateway" includes Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Tonsor said profitability for this region was stronger than the overall U.S. numbers.


"So the value of production over operating costs was $437 per cow in 2014 and that's up from $155 in 2013," Tonsor said.


Click here to listen to our Beef Buzz with Dr. Glynn Tonsor of K-State.

  

A new study commissioned by the State Chamber Research Foundation finds that the wind farms currently built or under contract in Oklahoma will provide a billion dollars in property taxes to counties and local schools over their life. The wind power generated will also save ratepayers of the state's two largest utilities an estimated $2-billion in fuel costs. The report, titled Wind Energy Industry Impacts in Oklahoma, is researched and written by Dr. Shannon L. Ferrell and Joshua Conaway with Oklahoma State University's Department of Agricultural Economics.


"This report clearly shows that the Oklahoma's investment in wind energy production is paying off," said State Chamber President & CEO Fred Morgan. "A billion dollars in local tax revenue for counties and school districts with wind farms is crucial for these rural areas."


That sentiment is echoed by Minco Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Sims who has a number of wind farms in his district.


"Wind Energy has had huge benefits for Minco Public Schools," said Sims. "The added valuation to our school district has benefited our school and community greatly. We will open a brand new state of the art high school in 2015-1016, our community has a new water tower and our technology budget has been improved significantly. Without wind energy, we would not have seen the improvements we have been able to make so quickly."


The private sector also benefits because after the initial investment, wind power requires no additional capital input to generate electricity.  Click here to read more about this study.

Strong beef demand and limited supplies has been a good challenge for the beef industry. Certified Angus Beef brand's vice president of production Mark McCully works on the packing and processing level backwards into the cattle supply chain. McCully oversees the brand's supply development, packing and industry information efforts. He also works to develop allied industry partnerships and further education and research pertaining to quality beef production. He works with food service and retail outlets domestically and internationally. As economies have grown, so has the demand for high quality beef, like CAB.


"As we grow supply, we can grow demand," McCully said. "That's kind of what we've had here over the last few years. We've had cattlemen raising more cattle to meet a higher quality end target. As we've got that product now in the pipeline, it allows us to go out and market that product, bring on new distributors, bring on new retailers, grow into countries, which then creates more demand and more of an economic signal to produce more."


U.S. cattle supplies have been greatly strained by the ongoing drought in the Southern Plains. That has been met by growth in the use of Angus genetics and improvement in meat quality grade. Even though the overall fed cattle supply declined, McCully said they have maintained the number of certified carcasses. This past year, CAB had 3.5 million Angus-influenced carcasses qualify for the program. That was on track with previous years.


I caught up with McCully at the Angus Means Business Convention in Overland Park, Kansas. Click or tap here to hear the full interview.  McCully talks about dealing with heavier carcasses this year and the future vision for CAB.

 

 

Our thanks to Dr. Blake Bloomberg- the Livestock Judging coach at OSU for keeping us updated on the 2015-16 season for these Cowboys.

 

When you have done 71 of anything- you must be doing something right- and later today, the American Farmers & Ranchers kick off their 71st Annual Statewide Speech Contest for 4-H and FFA members.

Students in grades 4-12 compete in their respective category at District contests held around the state. First and second place winners in each of the categories advance to the State Speech Contest held in Stillwater on the campus of Oklahoma State University.

The first district contest is this afternoon in Enid.

We have details of all five districts and the state contest on our calendar at OklahomaFarmReport.Com- and you can read about the overall contest- and get the locations and rules on the AFR website by clicking here.

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The next Superior Video Livestock Auction is set for tomorrow- Friday morning- at 8:00 AM central time- to be seen on both DISH Network Channel 232 as well as on this  SuperiorClickToBid link.

26,000 head will be sold this Friday- details on the offering and more can be had by clicking here or you can call for information as well- the number is 1-800-422-2117.

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The Apache Auction Special Female Replacement Sale is set for Saturday, November 7th at 11:00 am.

Approximately 700 head of quality fall and spring calving cows and heifers have been consigned- including:

280 AI'd heifers, 120 pasture bred from one ranch. All bred to Low Birth Weight GAR bloodlines.

300 head of fall and spring calving cows and heifers from local reputable consignors.

For more information call:
Bob Rodenberger 405-641-8998
Greg Griffeth 918-306-1359
Apache Auction 888-926-9696