Cattlemen's Congress Continues- Click Here for Schedule
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt Welcomes Cattlemen From Across the US to Cattlemen's Congress
Rep. Tom Cole: Fiber Broadband Installation at Fort Sill a Tremendous Opportunity for Service Members, Their Families
Lyons-Blythe Says Cattle Producers Must Take Part in Sustainability Conversation
Yesterday at Cattlemen's Congress
Sorghum Exports Close 2021 with Marketing-Year High Commitments and Shipments
National Pork Board CEO Shares Organization's 2022 Priorities
20th Annual Denim and Diamonds Angus Sale- Today at 5 pm
Statement by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on USMCA Dairy Panel Ruling
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt stopped by the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds on Tuesday afternoon to welcome purebred cattle breeders from across the United States who are showing at the second annual Cattlemen's Congress now underway. I talked with Governor Stitt after he had a chance to interact with some of the participants at what has quickly become the largest purebred cattle show in the country.
The Governor told me he is pleased that cattle industry leaders in Oklahoma worked with state and city officials to quickly organize and establish a show a year ago after the National Western was cancelled in 2021 because of COVID-19 concerns and even happier that this event is becoming a new tradition for the start of the year- "It's looking fantastic. It is just amazing what opportunity that brought our state for hopefully the next hundred years here in Oklahoma...At Cattlemen's Congress, I've heard there are 9,200 entries(here in 2022) versus the National Western in Denver with only 2,000 so I think we can continue to build this show with that momentum."
The state of Oklahoma provided seed money a year ago to help establish the first Cattlemen's Congress and Governor Stitt points out that "I remember last year it was 17 days of hotel stays and restaurant sales when we needed it" which provided a multi million dollar shot in the arm to the Oklahoma economy this past January- with that being repeated here in 2022. And Governor Stitt says it's very gratifying to hear "thank yous" from cattle producers who came in year one to showcase the top breeding animals raised on their ranches- "I heard from so many people that showed last year- they said, Governor, having this show saved our ranch, saved our season because we were able to display our animals and people were able to come to our farms and our sales and to see our stock."
Hear Governor Stitt and Ron talk about the second Cattlemen's Congress at the OKC Fairgrounds
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Yesterday, Hilliary Communications announced
the company was approved to build fiber infrastructure at Fort Sill and will invest $5 million to deliver high-speed internet services to roughly 1,900 homes on the base. A number of Oklahoman leaders attended the press briefing, including Rep. Tom Cole, who called the announcement a tremendous opportunity for service members and their families.
KC Sheperd, Ag Director of Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, caught up with Cole shortly afterward. He said the project is long overdue for the folks who lay their lives on the line for the U.S. every day. Many U.S. military bases are in remote locations and quite often do not enjoy the same infrastructure most Americans take for granted, according to Cole.
"(The project) is also a model," Cole said. "This is something I think that can be replicated around the country."
Listen to the conversation with Rep. Cole
U.S. beef cattle production has been a longtime scapegoat for global climate change. Environmental and animal rights extremist groups latched onto the idea that animal agriculture - especially cattle production, is a primary producer of harmful greenhouse gasses. Today, the world is beginning to know what cattle producers have known for decades: cattle production is not the climate-killer radical groups have made it out to be.
Though new data from last year's IPCC report show cattle production is less harmful than previously thought and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association pledged to be climate neutral by 2040, a deep mistrust between climate activists and ranchers remains.
Kansas cattlewoman and chairman-elect for the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, Debbie Lyons-Blythe, said she was hesitant herself to join the Roundtable. She said she believes representing the cattle industry at the Roundtable is the right thing to do but appreciates cattle producers who do not support engagement from the industry with this group.
"To some of the naysayers that are upset with me for being involved with the Roundtable, I will tell them they are not 100% wrong," Lyons-Blythe said. "There are a lot of organizations and groups that are very much against farming and ranching, who are throwing around the word 'sustainability.' That does not mean (sustainability) is not coming."
Listen to the conversation with Lyons-Blythe
For our farmers who have either- always have had cotton on their farms- or those who have more recently have added the fiber crop to their operations- we have a daily report heard on several of our Radio Stations- It's Called Cotton Talk.
Click here for our Latest Cotton Talk- Hosted by KC Sheperd
There is Much Happening at Cattlemen's Congress Today
There is much to do at CATTLEMEN'S CONGRESS today:
In ring one of the Jim Norrick Arena, the Junior Hereford Breeding Heifer Show is set to begin at 8 a.m.
In ring two of the Jim Norrick Arena, the National Limousin Open Show is set to begin at 8 am.
Later on- The Super ROV Angus Bull Show is set to begin at 1 pm in Ring 2
In the Performance Arena, the National Gelbvieh Heifer & Bull Pen Show is set to begin at 8 am.
There's also another educational event that you can take advantage of- Angus University will be happening in the Super Barn Sales Arena at 9 AM- featuring some great information on how to sort thru all the information available on bulls and females that you may be considering for your cattle herd- details on this session is available here.
Don't miss all the action!
Learn more about Cattlemen's Congress, OKC's world-class purebred cattle event
Midwest Farm Shows is proud to produce the two best Farm Shows in the State of Oklahoma annually- the Tulsa Farm Show each December and the Oklahoma City Farm Show each April.
They would like to thank all of you who participated in their 2021 Tulsa City Farm Show.
Up next will be the Oklahoma City's premier spring agricultural and ranching event with returns to the State Fair Park April 7-8-9, 2022.
Now is the ideal time to contact the Midwest Farm Show Office at 507-437-7969 and book space at the 2022 Oklahoma City Farm Show. To learn more about the Oklahoma City Farm Show, click here.
U.S. Department of Agriculture data issued Dec.16, 2021, showed U.S. sorghum new export sales commitments the previous week were a marketing-year high of 16.6 million bushels with the vast majority of the sales attributed to China.
The sales reported the week of Dec. 16 were up 27% from the previous week and up 57% from the prior four-week average. In addition to a marketing-year high in sorghum sales, 12.4 million bushels were shipped primarily to China, another marketing-year high, up considerably from the previous week and up 81% from the prior four-week average.
"Export demand for U.S. sorghum, particularly from China, remains very strong as indicated by this recent export sales report," National Sorghum Producers CEO Tim Lust said.
Purchases of U.S. sorghum as of the December 16 export report were just over 200 million bushels, or 63 percent of what was estimated in the December 2021 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report with eight months remaining in the marketing year.
Read more from NSP CEO Tim Lust
In 2022, the National Pork Board will focus on five goals, which are all based on strengthening collaboration with partners across the industry.
1. Support a Coordinated National Strategy for FAD Prevention and Preparedness
This year, the Pork Checkoff will focus on providing the necessary research and resources to support this coordination. The key will be the adoption of AgView, which is a free, pig contact-tracing platform developed for producers using Pork Checkoff funds.
2. Expand on Real Pork Trust and Image Brand
Last year, we had success showing ground pork as a great alternative to other items in the meat case. We also had great success reaching consumers across the country through our Rural Dictionary Mythbusting campaign. This year, we're going to expand on that success into e-commerce and drive home our mythbusting efforts.
3. Establish U.S. Pork as a Global Leader in Sustainable Ag
This month, we'll release a national pork industry sustainability report introducing 12 goals and metrics by which the goals will be measured, all grounded in the 6 We Care® ethical principles. All pork producers are encouraged to get involved in on-farm sustainability reports. This will enable NPB to help tell your story.
Read the two more priorities from Bill Even's letter
20th Annual Denim and Diamonds Angus Sale
The 20th Annual Denim and Diamonds Angus Sale is set to begin today at 5 p.m. at the Super Barn Sale Arena
at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds in Conjunction with Cattlemen's Congress.
The sale is offering 50 elite Angus lots!
You can attend the sale in person or view and bid online on LiveAuction.TV.
For more information call Matt Sims at 405-641-6081.
See the Denim and Diamonds Angus Sale catalog
"Today, the U.S. Trade Representative announced that the United States has prevailed in the first dispute settlement panel proceeding under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The panel agreed with the United States that Canada is unfairly restricting access to its market for U.S. dairy products by breaching its USMCA commitments regarding allocation of dairy tariff rate quotas (TRQs).
"This ruling is a big step for the U.S. dairy sector towards realizing the full benefits of the USMCA and securing real access to the Canadian market for additional high-quality American dairy products such as milk, cheese and skim milk powder.
"In order for trade deals to be effective and have the trust of the American people, they must be enforced. Today's action reflects the Biden-Harris Administration's deep commitment to enforcing the USMCA and to ensuring that trade rules work for American farmers, ranchers and producers. It also signals to our trading partners that that the United States will stand firm against unjustified trade restrictions and continue fighting on behalf of our farmers and workers to ensure that we have full and fair access to foreign markets."
Wholesale Boxed Beef Prices continue to go higher. Choice Beef was up 79 cents and Select Beef was up 33 cents on Tuesday, 01/04/2022.
Oklahoma National Stockyards had a final number of 8,593 head on Monday- their first day of trade for 2022..
Compared to the last sale 12/13/21: Feeder steers and heifers steady to 3.00 lower. Demand moderate for feeder cattle. Steer calves 3.00-6.00 higher. Heifer calves steady to 4.00 higher. Demand moderate to good for calves. Quality average to attractive, with a couple of loads of very high quality feeders available. A cold snap over the weekend brought light snow and frigid temperatures reducing receipts some. Many areas saw some sort of moisture, however most places remain extremely dry.
Oklahoma National Stockyards Market Report from January 3rd
OKC West in El Reno had their first calf and stocker sale of 2022 on Tuesday- with a total estimate of 3,000 head selling- they will be moving on to Yearlings today- OKC West is expecting 4,000 head to sell- starting at 9 AM this morning.
Compared to the last sale on 12/14/21: Steer and heifer calves that were long weaned with shots sold mostly 4.00-8.00 higher with instances
as much as 10.00-12.00 higher on lighter weights. Demand good to very good. Sub zero wind chills and much colder weather has swept across the trade area hampering livestock movement
OKC West in El Reno Market Calf and Stocker Report from January 4th
Ron Hays, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster and Editor
KC Sheperd, Farm/Ranch Director and Editor
Rural Oklahoma is full of some of the greatest success stories throughout the entire state and is a big reason why Oklahoma is on track to become a top 10 state.
The Road to Rural Prosperity dives into these stories, bringing you insight into the great things happening in and to rural Oklahoma. We will bring you stories covering rural life, agriculture, energy, healthcare, tourism, and politics affecting rural America.
Our Latest RRP is an end of year conversation between Oklahoma Third District Congressman Frank Lucas and Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Senior Farm/Ranch Director Ron Hays.
They talk about the recently passed extension of the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Measure as well as the Cattle Contract Library Act of 2021, the continued wait on the US Department of Justice investigation into the major meat packers, Congressman Lucas' work on the Science Committee, his continued intentions to return to the House Ag Committee in time to be a part of writing the next Farm Bill and a comparison of Congress when he first arrived in Washington in the mid 1990s and today.
Search for Road to Rural Prosperity and subscribe on your favorite Podcast platform.
Listen to Episode 74 with Frank Lucas and Ron Hays
Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Ag Mediation Program, Great Plains Kubota, Stillwater Milling Company, National Livestock Credit Corporation, Oklahoma Beef Council, Oklahoma AgCredit, Union Mutual Insurance, the Oklahoma Cattlemens Association, and KIS Futures for their support of our daily Farm News Update.
Senior Farm/Ranch Broadcaster