As the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association wrapped up a policy meeting focused on endorsements and regulatory concerns, Executive Vice President Michael Kelsey spoke with Farm Director KC Sheperd about the discussions and decisions driven by member input. Kelsey emphasized that the meeting centered on listening to members, particularly around the association’s endorsement of Attorney General Gentner Drummond for governor and concerns tied to the ongoing poultry lawsuit. “We’re a membership-based organization, and we told our members, we want to hear from you,” Kelsey said, adding that every attendee was given the opportunity to speak.
Kelsey noted that OCA leadership intentionally structured the meeting to allow open discussion within the framework of the organization’s bylaws. He said patience and participation were evident throughout the day. “Everybody was very patient. Everybody had an opportunity to speak, and that’s what’s most important,” he told Sheperd. Kelsey added that several members personally thanked him afterward, telling him it was “an excellent meeting” and that they appreciated being part of the process.
A key focus of the discussion involved hearing multiple perspectives on the poultry lawsuit before reaffirming or reconsidering the endorsement decision. Kelsey pointed out that Attorney General Drummond addressed members in the morning, followed later by former Poultry Federation executive Marvin Childers. “We wanted to try it. We wanted to hear both sides, if you will,” Kelsey said, explaining that the goal was to weigh how the lawsuit could impact cattle producers now and in the future.
According to Kelsey, the most significant pushback from members stemmed from uncertainty surrounding the ruling and settlement, particularly the authority of a special master and how regulations could vary depending on operation type or integrator. “There were so many unknowns,” Kelsey said, noting cattle producers’ strong concerns about private property rights and regulatory inconsistency. “Cattlemen hate that. We want a consistent policy that we can understand and move forward in a fashionable manner.”
Ultimately, Kelsey said member concerns led the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association to rescind its endorsement of Attorney General Gentner Drummond for governor, citing uncertainty surrounding the poultry lawsuit and its potential long-term implications for cattle producers. He added that the group also adopted a new policy ending candidate endorsements going forward, while continuing to support pro-beef candidates through its political action committee. Kelsey said he does not anticipate significant blowback from the decision, noting that Attorney General Drummond acknowledged ahead of time that “it’s going to sting” if the association does rescind endorsement. and added that the association ultimately felt the policy shift gave it more flexibility to represent cattle producers going forward.
Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association published a press release in regards to this decision that reads as follows: The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) today announced that it has formally rescinded and voided its January 2025 political endorsement of Attorney General Gentner Drummond for Governor of the State of Oklahoma.
OCA is a membership-driven organization committed to representing the collective will and best interests of Oklahoma cattle producers. OCA has significant concerns regarding subsequent actions taken by the Office of the Attorney General, including watershed-based regulatory and litigation strategies that directly impact cattle operations across Oklahoma. The Association believes these actions are contrary to the economic interests, operational viability, and private property rights of Oklahoma’s beef producers.
In accordance with action taken by its governing body, OCA will withdraw all public references to the January 2025 endorsement from its official communications and has notified Attorney General Drummond that the endorsement has been rescinded. The association also adopted internal policy that will guide the organization with future political engagements. The new policy states that OCA shall not officially endorse any candidates for any political position or office on the local, state, or national levels.
“The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association exists to advocate for cattle producers and rural landowners across our state,” said Michael Kelsey, Executive Vice President of OCA. “Our policy positions and political engagement must reflect the priorities and direction of our membership. This action reinforces that commitment.”
OCA will continue to engage constructively with elected officials and candidates at all levels of government while advocating for science-based policy, regulatory certainty, and the protection of private property rights critical to Oklahoma agriculture. For more information about OCA policy positions and advocacy efforts, visit www.okcattlemen.org.
