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There are a variety of issues that have been topics of discussion in Congress lately. We sat down with U.S. Senator Jerry Moran from Kansas to talk about a few of these agricultural issues including the 2012 Farm Bill, the potential HSUS and USDA forum, the efforts being made with Agricultural Appropriations bills, and the Dept. of Labor changing rules regarding farms and ranches.

With regard to the Agricultural Appropriations bills, Sen. Moran says that there are three bills and one of these bills is agriculture related that is included in the conference report. While Moran told us Friday that the Appropriations Conference may linger- the weekly schedule of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor shows that the Appropriations package that includes Agriculture could be up for  House floor consideration later this week.

A lot of farm groups are up in arms over the word that the long time exemption for agriculture may be ended by the Department of Labor regarding teenagers 16 or younger. With the Dept. of Labor looking to change how agriculture is treated, Sen. Moran says several lawmakers have asked the department to slow down with these changes and have asked many farmers and ranchers to comment on this issue. Moran says that these proposed rule changes have significant consequences on a way of life, upon involving family members in their own farm, as well as, working for a neighbor. 

Another significant change it could have is on the FFA, 4-H, and Extension programs. Moran says that these programs help to provide safety education and involving young people in agriculture today and that could change. The Dept. of Labor has extended the comment period for another 30 days but Moran says that is probably not significant and the real issue is whether these rules make sense and if they will affect the family farm.

Click here to listen to the rest of our conversation with Senator Jerry Moran.  

Farm Bill Update- Oklahoma Farm Bureau Delegates Set Policy as Talk Emerges of Two Farm Bill Approach in Washington  

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau went on record with recommendations from their Farm Bill Committee established at the 2010 Convention by delegates- their farm policy recommendations included a statement that "Crop Ins is top priority of Farm Bill- we should do all we can to protect it." They also acknowledged the political reality that direct farm program payments will likely be gone after the 2012 crop year, stating that if funding for direct payments is reduced by more than 33%, the dollars that can be saved and used for farm programs from that pot of money should be used in other farm safety net programs that will offer revenue assurance.

We have more on our website from the delegate discussions on Saturday at the OFB Meeting- including a conversation we had with Matt Muller of Jackson County who sat on the OFB Farm Bill Committee- click here to read more and to hear our interview with Matt.  

In that same Farm Bill update on the web- we have some very interesting reading courtesy of the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association- the group they are tied to nationally- the National Grain and Feed Association- has details of what they say is becoming a two farm bill process. "There will likely be two "Farm Bills;" the first written as part of the deficit reduction package and concentrating on direct farm program payments, but not effective until the 2008 Farm Bill expires on September 30, 2012, along with rewrites of conservation and crop insurance titles."  They contend the second farm bill will then be everything else you might expect in a farm bill and that will be attempted in 2012- a major election year. Go to the link above for that read as well.    

Oklahoma Farm Bureau Reelects Mike Spradling of Tulsa County for his third two year term

The harsh blows inflicted by nature on Oklahoma over the last couple of years has taken its toll on the health of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company- but delegates decided that the man to oversee the rebuilding of reserves by the insurance company was the current President of the farm organization and affiliated companies, Mike Spradling of Tulsa County.

Spradling was reelected to a third term on Saturday afternoon to be President of Oklahoma Farm Bureau and affiliated companies. His opponent, Tom Buchanan of Jackson County, called for change in leadership primarily because of the health of the insurance company, saying a change in strategy was needed.

More on the election of Mike Spradling- and a chance to hear our conversation with him Saturday evening after the election win- can be had by clicking here.    

NCBA Remains Dedicated to Eliminating a Livestock Title in the 2012 Farm Bill

There is still no resolution in the farm bill negotiations between House Ag Committee Chairman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma and Senate Ag Committee Chairlady Debbie Stabenow. As everyoine in agriculture continues to sit, watch for any hints of breakthrough and worry about how the outcome will impact their slice of agriculture- we talked about the farm bill issues with the Vice President for Government Affairs of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Colin Woodall.

Woodall says his organization is not a big fan of the Livestock Indemnity Program- and will not fight to continue it if their opinion is asked.

They are actively opposing having any Livestock Title in the 2012 bill- saying little if any good came out of the title in the 2008 farm law. In fact, Woodall says several negatives surfaced from it- most notably the GIPSA marketing rule which has sharply divided the US livestock industry. 

Click here to listen to our Beef Buzz with NCBA Vice President Colin Woodall.

Oklahoma Mourns the Passing of Senator David Myers

The Oklahoma Senate is mourning the loss of Sen. David Myers. The Ponca City Republican had been fighting pneumonia for the past three weeks. He passed away early Friday morning at the OU Medical center in Oklahoma City surrounded by his family. Myers was first elected to the Senate in 2002 and was the Senate Appropriations Chairman. He was 73 years old.            

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman said Myers would be greatly missed.

In addition to his nine years of service in the Oklahoma State Senate, David Myers was a family man of many accomplishments. A chemical engineering graduate of Oklahoma State University, Myers had a successful career as an executive with ConocoPhillips in Ponca City, retiring after 33 years and then becoming a consultant in the oil industry.             

Myers was also a pilot and was an antique car enthusiast, rebuilding many classic models which he drove in local parades in his district. He also loved working on his farm. 

Click here for more from colleagues on Senator David Myers. 

Scott and Brenda Neufeld Named 2011 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year

Scott and Brenda Neufeld of Major County were named Farm Family of the Year at Oklahoma Farm Bureau's 70th Annual Convention Nov. 12, in Oklahoma City.

The family's full-time farming operation began in 1988, after Scott and Brenda graduated from college. Today, the Neufelds reside on their farm near Fairview where they use a crop rotation system to harvest alfalfa hay, wheat, canola and grain sorghum. Their cattle operation consists of 100 cow/calf pairs and 100-200 stocker calves they graze on winter wheat pasture.

You can read more about their operation and the award given them- as well as a list of other top Oklahoma Farm Bureau winners by clicking here.  

National Pork Producers Pleased with Japan's Interest in Trans-Pacific Partnership 

The National Pork Producers Council welcomed Japan's announcement that it would like to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) multi-lateral trade talks.

The TPP would be a regional trade bloc, consisting of Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam.

"The U.S. pork industry strongly supports Japan's entry into the TPP, and NPPC urges the United States and the other TPP countries to accede to Japan's request," said NPPC President Doug Wolf, a pork producer from Lancaster, Wis. "Pork producers would gain tremendous market opportunities with Japan as part of the TPP."

Japan already has free trade agreements with six of the nine TPP countries: Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. 

Click here for more from NPPC on Japan and the TPP.