Category: Ag News

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 11:04:08 CDT

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) urged the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to confirm key nominees for Under Secretary for Food Safety and Under Secretar…

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 10:43:19 CDT

Yesterday, Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) joined House Committee on Financial Services Republicans sending a letter to Amalgamated Bank, objecting to the bank’s efforts to force companies to track law…

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 10:40:01 CDT

By: Amanda de Oliveira Silva, Small Grains Extension Specialist

With severe dry conditions and high temperatures in our state, it is good to consider the possible effects of high temperature and drought…

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 10:09:09 CDT

Rep. Logan Phillips, R-Mounds, on Thursday praised the Oklahoma House and Senate Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding for their focus on addressing broadband issues through projects they advanced. The projects advanced during the joint committee’s meeting on Tuesday will now be considered when the Legislature reconvenes it’s special session to appropriate American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars.

“We have not seen this type of investment in Oklahoma since the 1920’s when we initially built out electricity to rural areas,” Phillips said. “This is a once of a lifetime opportunity that will make Oklahoma a centerpiece for the next ‘Industrial Revolution.’ I have been a champion for broadband issues throughout my time in the Legislature, and I’m proud to see all of that hard work paying off as we invest these ARPA funds in broadband infrastructure and create a brighter future for our state.”

Broadband projects approved by the joint committee, both Tuesday and previously, include:

· Broadband Office Projects – $382.1 million to add to the capital funds amount to grant funds out for buildout of broadband infrastructure.
· Broadband Office Administration – $500,000 for administrative costs to support the establishment of the office.
· Broadband Mapping – $2 million to finish out the map that the Department of Commerce has been building over the last several years.
· Career Tech Broadband – $5 million for career techs to add classes that train a broadband workforce.
· OSU-IT – $365,068 for a training program at OSUIT to help with broadband workforce training.

“Improving broadband access, especially in rural areas, is essential for progress in our modern world,” said Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, Co-Chair of the Transportation, Infrastructure & Rural Development Working Group. “From improving our kids’ education to healthcare outcomes and even agriculture, broadband touches every aspect of life. This historic investment will ensure the framework is funded and address any barriers we may face in deploying this project.”

These funds are in addition to $167 million from the Capital Projects Fund that will be going to broadband related expenses. Phillips, who also served as Co-Chair of the Transportation, Infrastructure & Rural Development Working Group said the goal is to provide 95% of all Oklahomans with access to broadband within the next 5 years.

In total, the committee’s approvals, combined with previously approved projects, resulted in recommendation of over 60 projects totaling nearly all of Oklahoma state government’s $1.87 billion share of ARPA funding.

Program areas and specific projects approved by the joint committee will now be placed into appropriations bills for consideration when the Legislature reconvenes the Second Extraordinary Session of the 58th Oklahoma Legislature, which was called for the purpose of evaluating ARPA projects advanced by the joint committee and matters of statewide economic development.

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 09:41:32 CDT

According to state climatologist, Gary McManus, there are new areas of exceptional drought across a significant portion of the area east of Oklahoma City, in addition to new areas across northeast Oklahoma a…

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 09:10:05 CDT

Fund the Future program allows breeders to donate proceeds from a designated sale lot to benefit the Angus Foundation’s mission.

The Angus Foundation recently launched the Fund the Future prog…

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 09:07:37 CDT

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) hosted a group of Agriculture Future of America (AFA) student delegates in the Washington D.C. office as part of AFA’s Policy Institute. NCGA staff provided…

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 08:07:24 CDT

Modernized Endangered Species Act regulations will be reinstated after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that a district court improperly vacated 2019 revisions. The appeals court determined a dis…

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 03:46:10 CDT

OKC West Livestock Auction – El Reno, OK
Wed Sep 21, 2022

AUCTION
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