In today’s Beef Buzz, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays spoke with Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President Michael Kelsey about OCA’s upcoming fall gatherings and the legislative issues the organization is monitoring this fall.
OCA Fall Gatherings Bring Cattle Producers Together
Kelsey says the fall gatherings are some of his favorite events because they give him a chance to get out of the state Capitol and spend time with cattle producers across Oklahoma. “It’s out in the countryside where men and women are raising their kids and raising cattle and feeding, literally feeding our country and the world.”
The gatherings are designed to be informal, with meetings held at ranches and other local establishments rather than traditional meeting spaces. Kelsey says the goal is to give cattle producers an opportunity to socialize, network and discuss the issues affecting their operations. “We want to be casual. We want to be comfortable. We want folks to feel like they’re coming to a neighbor’s place, if you will, and we just talk and serve a great beef meal.”
Kelsey says the meetings also provide OCA with an opportunity to listen to its members and better understand what producers are facing. “We’re going to talk about issues, and we’re going to listen, and we want to learn, and we want to understand where people are at.”
Encouragement During Challenging Times
Kelsey says one encouraging trend at the fall gatherings has been seeing more young families attending, including parents bringing strollers and car seats. “What do you want to hear in church and a cattlemen’s meeting? It’s a crying baby. That’s what you want to hear.”
At the same time, Kelsey acknowledges the challenges facing cattle producers, particularly with weather and economics. He says the gatherings provide an opportunity for producers to support one another during difficult periods. “Our fall gatherings give us an opportunity to get together, maybe cry on each other’s shoulder a little bit, but also encourage each other.”
Kelsey says the social and mental side of the cattle business is something OCA is increasingly concerned about. “There is a mental side to this business, and I’m really concerned that we’re really stressing our farmers and ranchers on a mental basis right now.”
He says producers are dealing with pressure from weather and economic conditions, making it especially important for cattlemen to have opportunities to come together. “I think it’s very important for us to get together.”
OCA Watching Oklahoma Legislative Interim Studies
Kelsey also discussed the Oklahoma Legislature’s interim studies and some of the topics OCA plans to monitor this fall.
He says the list of interim studies appears lighter than in previous years, which he believes is partly because lawmakers are preparing for an election year.
Among the topics OCA is watching are tax policy, water, agriculture, solar panels and data centers in rural areas. Kelsey also specifically mentioned a screwworm study led by Senator Kern. “There’s one on screwworm by Senator Kern, and there’s some others on solar panels, data centers, some of those types of things in a rural environment.”
Kelsey says some of those studies have not yet been scheduled and are expected to take place later in the fall.
He also says OCA will be watching the changes coming to the Oklahoma Legislature following the election. “We’re going to see a turnover in some of our senators and legislators and so forth, so some of our legislative leaders are kind of waiting to see how that’s going to shape out before they get too far into the policy weeds.”
Kelsey says the OCA will continue monitoring those discussions while using its fall gatherings to hear directly from cattle producers across the state.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR above for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
