A large contingent of farmers, ranchers and the ag business community were on hand as Oklahoma Senator James Lankford hosted the top Republican on the Senate Ag Committee, Arkansas Senator John Boozman, for a Farm Bill listening session. Executive Vice President of the Oklahoma Cattlemens Association Michael Kelsey was on hand along with, OKFB’s Rodd Moesel, AFR’s Scott Blubaugh, NAWG President Keeff Felty, Kylee Deniz with the Oklahoma Pork Council, Jeff Moen with Noble Research, Peyton Hale with Western Livestock Auctions(Representing LMA), Kent Martin with the Sorghum Producers, Brent Bolen representing the Poultry industry, Greg Livingston of Farm Credit Western Oklahoma, and several other organizations.
Ag Secretary Blayne Arthur moderated the meeting, and all had the opportunity to share their thoughts and suggestions with the Senators.
After the meeting, Farm Director KC Sheperd had the opportunity to catch up with Senator Boozman to get his thoughts on the newly released Farm Bill Draft from GT. Thompson. Boozman revealed in the meeting that he will be releasing his version of the farm bill and that it would be similar to that of Chairman Thompsons, “Ours will be very similar to GT’s, and I think he’s done a really good job of listening to the farm community and trying to address the problems that we see out there.”
Boozman noted that farmers across the country have similar concerns: input costs, commodity prices and the farm bill. Because of this, Boozman said it is critical that parts of the Farm Bill such as the safety net are prioritized.
Boozman said his first priority is not only getting a farm bill done, but getting the RIGHT farm bill done.
“People say, ‘Senator! We’ve got to get this done,’ and I agree totally.'” Boozman said. “On the other hand, this is a five-year commitment, and once we do this, this is a contract with our farmers for five years. We don’t need to just do something, we need to do the right thing because they are in a situation now where its just difficult in farm country.”
If the GOP is able to take control of the Senate in November, Boozman said his plan will mimic the goals and priorities of GT Thompson.
“It is a big deal, and we are committed to getting it done as quickly as possible,” Boozeman said. “But we do want to make sure that our farmers have the tools they need to go forward. If not, we are better off staying like are for a while.”
The senators met with OMMA after the meeting and were headed to Stillwater afterwards to tour the OSU land grant university.
