At the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association’s 2023 winter policy session, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster, Ron Hays, had the chance to catch up with the Executive Vice President of the OCA, Michael Kelsey.
First off, Kelsey talked about issues that are on the minds of producers here in Oklahoma that he will be able to communicate at the upcoming National Cattlemen’s Beef Association convention in February.
“The first one that came up was an issue called ‘prompt payment,’” Kelsey said. “What it has to deal with is, this is working with our livestock marketing friends- our sale barn friends, if you will, regarding prompt payment for cattle.”
Because of the way the law is written, Kelsey said checks can either be picked up immediately, or they can be mailed.
“This proposal allows for some ACH, some wire transfer, some of those types of things,” Kelsey said. “In order to do that, we have to extend the day period to prompt payment, so this resolution calls for some flexibility. You can still get your check the same day if you want it.”
A few more of the topics touched on during the session, Kelsey said, included regulatory issues, judicious use of antimicrobials, and McGirt v. Oklahoma. At the upcoming NCBA convention, Kelsey said, they will be working on a national level regarding Indian country issues.
As the 2023 legislative session in Oklahoma is only a few weeks away, Kelsey talked about discussions during the policy meeting on the state level.
“I am really tickled that the entire membership that is here endorsed the veterinary medicine proposal to establish the veterinary medical authority,” Kelsey said. “That is going to help our OSU veterinary medical college.”
During the meeting, Kelsey said there was a lot of discussion on schools and school financing.
“We wound up not taking a position on school vouchers,” Kelsey said. “We are going to watch the issue, obviously, and try to be a part of the discussions, but right now, we don’t have any policy on that. The membership decided it was a pretty contentious issue even in our own membership in terms of opinions and so forth.”
Regarding State Question 820, the recreational marijuana vote coming up March 7, Kelsey said the OCA has strong policy opposing this.
“We hope to have a very healthy ground game to get rural Oklahoma out to vote ‘no’ on State Question 820,” Kelsey said.
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