The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) successfully concluded its 2025 Winter Policy Meeting, where OCA members gathered to discuss and adopt policies addressing critical issues impacting the cattle industry. The meeting brought together cattle producers from across the state to ensure the voice of Oklahoma’s ranchers is heard on matters of state and national importance.
“Our policy meetings are essential in shaping the direction of our association’s efforts,” said Michael Kelsey, Executive Vice President of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. “The policies adopted reflect the collective priorities of our members and will guide us as we work to protect and advance the interests of Oklahoma’s cattle industry.”
Following the meeting, Senior Farm and Ranch Director Ron Hays connected Kelsey to discuss the topics covered in the meeting.
Key topics addressed during the meeting included:
- Commissioners of the Land Office: Policies were adopted to address leasing practices and land management strategies overseen by the Commissioners of the Land Office.
- Taxes: Attendees deliberated on measures to safeguard agricultural landowners from undue tax burdens. This includes advocating for fair and appropriate tax strategies including opposing property tax increases and opposing the elimination of the state income tax which will drive up ad valorem taxes unfairly.
- Livestock Trucking Accident Mitigation: Members adopted policy to enhance safety measures and streamline emergency response protocols for livestock transportation incidents. This includes collaborating with state agencies to develop resources and training for first responders.
- Water Rights and Usage: Members discussed strategies to ensure appropriate policies for water resources for agricultural use. The OCA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting groundwater rights for landowners.
- The meeting also featured updates on state legislative initiatives, federal policy developments, and opportunities for members to engage in grassroots advocacy efforts.
“Our members’ active participation ensures that our policies reflect the realities of life on the ranch,” said Kelsey. “Together, we are building a stronger future for Oklahoma’s cattle industry.”
The meeting is intentionally scheduled to proceed the official Oklahoma State Legislative Session in early February so that the concerns of Oklahoma’s cattlemen can be addressed in new policies.
One major topic of discussion was taxes, mainly income and ad valorem taxes. Regarding income taxes, the OCA is opposed to its elimination or even reduction for fears of its reinstatement when the state gets it financial trouble.
“We know it will happen, unfortunately,” Kelsey said. “We know revenue cycles and so forth. The elimination of the income tax is a surefire way to increase, not only ad valorem but also services and fees. If you look at other states that don’t have an income tax, those things are very high.”
Regarding ad valorem taxes, Kelsey articulated a situation in which entities that use ad valorem taxes are subjected to lawsuits, and either settle or become required to pay off the lawsuit, then the ad valorem tax is increased, they are put in a difficult position.
“We want to try to address that, specific to schools, but there are other entities as well,” he said. “We had some good conversations on tax policy which is always very appropriate for us as cattle producers.”
He emphasized the fact that Governor Kevin Stitt has been a strong advocate for animal agriculture. “He has pushed back on quite a few of our ‘friends’ in the animal rights industry, and we really appreciate that; however, we do disagree with him on the income tax. It makes sense from a political standpoint, but we think that Oklahomans can understand and grasp the concept of looking at taxing revenue from a holistic picture. There are all types of appropriate revenue that can be reasonable and help us fund the appropriateness of government.”
He expressed understanding of concerns about the growth of government from revenue as most OCA members have a conservative viewpoint but emphasized that there are core principles regarding funding government.
“The biggest piece of the pie in the state of Oklahoma is schools,” he said. “We spend more money on schools from a state perspective than any other one piece. If we are going to offset that income tax, schools are still going to have to receive funding, so the increase will have to go to ad valorem to see to that. We have to have a clearer plan more than anything else. In our opinion, a broad, diverse revenue base makes more sense than trying to eliminate the income tax.”
Another popular topic in the meeting was the Commission of Land Offices (CLO) or School Land Commission. In November the OCA Board of Directors formed a task force to focus on CLO issues.
“We have reached out to CLO and they have been very generous to respond to us and to work with us on trying to understand the issues and some of the challenges,” Kelsey commented. “We really want to address some of the CLO issues as they relate to the transfer of some of these leases specific to the value of improvements.”
Kelsey explained that the use of land has changed over time so that stewards of the land must consider how the value of improvements affects lease values. He provided the example of a CLO lease building a fence on the land and then for one reason or another, the lease isn’t continued. Kelsey believes that the increased value of the land should be recognized.
“Senator Murdock has a really good bill, in our opinion, out there that addresses some of that in terms of some of those improvements,” he mentioned.
Part of the challenge is that some of the basis for CLO is vested in the Constitution of Oklahoma and some is vested in statute and a little is in Rule.
“It is easier to change Rule than those other two,” Kelsey said. “We talked about the things that would improve CLO and what the changes would require in order to get that done. For example, right now leases are at five years. It would probably be better for the land to have a longer-term lease because it would give the lease owner an opportunity to do some improvements and either write them off or recognize them from a tax perspective. Five-year leases are vested in the Constitution so in order to change that number, we have to change the Constitution.”
The CLO’s purpose is to raise as much money as possible for the benefit of education in the state and the two issues come together when one considers how taxes could be reduced if land improvements were recognized and created more revenue from the leased school land.
“That is an interesting thing to think about regarding how they can still achieve their mission and diversify that funding revenue to keep education whole,” Kelsey said. “It’s a complicated, big issue, but very, very important.”
