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J.D. Alexander, the incoming president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association spoke with Ron Hays about the challenges facing the industry and the progress which has been made in the last year.

There were many issues confronting cattle producers last year, but, overall, Alexander said gave the industry high marks.

"I'd say it was a B. I've always been one to say it's never perfect and never really bad, so I'd say we're doing really quite well."

He cited some successes in slowing, suppressing, or beating back regulations which threatened producers. Among them were the EPA's proposed dust abatement standards which would have had serious consequences for the agricultural industry as a whole. Alexander also mentioned progress made to halt a rule from the Department of Transportation that would have required practically all farm producers to hold a commercial driver's license.

"It was a good year, and we're going to keep the momentum going," he said.

Alexander noted a number of pro-active successes in the cattle industry last year, especially in the area of opening and solidifying international markets. He said that with success comes the opportunity for even greater growth.

"The free trade agreements with Columbia, Panama, South Korea-tremendous. We've been working on those for a long time and it was great to see them finally come to fruition. But our work is not done. We're going to continue to do that. I'm a firm believer in the world marketing of beef. Our potential is out there. We want to be the center of the protein plate around the world."

To read more of Ron's interview with J.D. or to hear the interview, click here.

Job One for Cattlemen in Washington in 2012- Fix the Death Tax- Our Conversation with Colin Woodall

Job one for the US cattle industry in 2012 in Washington is to get something accomplished in addressing estate taxes. The lead lobbyist for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Colin Woodall, says the current measure that was approved in December 2010 for two years was considered a win for those who want the opportunity to pass along their farm or ranch to the next generation- but if nothing is done in the next few months- in the middle of an election year- we would return to the original tax levels of a million dollars exemption and a tax rate of 55% on the value of the estate over that level. Woodall says returning to that level would be devastating to the ranching interests of this country- and he says NCBA will do whatever needs to be done to get Congress to respond to this deadline.

Woodall also addressed the issue of excessive regulations on ag producers. While industry associations noted some successes in beating back proposal after proposal, Woodall said we're not out of the woods yet.

"The question really is what will happen if President Obama gets four more years. Will it truly be a situation where all the chains are lifted and they go at us double time?   That's a concern that we have lingering in the back of our minds.

"I guarantee you, if we come back in 2013 and the president is still in power, then I feel... especially from EPA, that they will do everything they can to get their agenda done in the short four years that they will have left."

To hear the full interview with Colin Woodall or to read more about the NCBA's agenda, click here.

Ag Groups Meet, Look for Common Ground in Commodity Title for the 2012 Farm Bill

The following statement was sent on behalf of these organizations in reference to joint meetings held Tuesday and Wednesday in Washington, D.C.:

American Farm Bureau Federation
American Soybean Association
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Barley Growers Association
National Corn Growers Association
National Cotton Council
National Farmers Union
National Sorghum Producers
National Sunflower Association
Southern Peanut Farmers Federation
US Canola Association
USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council
USA Rice Federation

"Over the past two days, producer leaders have met to discuss policy priorities, to hear the perspectives of key policymakers and to work toward consensus on the future of U.S. farm policy. What was confirmed in our meeting is that we are committed to work together to come up with a viable farm policy.

"Also confirmed is our common belief that Congress should pass and the President should sign a strong new farm bill into law this year. The law expires at the end of this year and producers - like all job creators - need certainty from Washington.  

Click here to read more of the agricuture organizations' statement.

OSU Division of Ag VP and Dean Bob Whitson Leaving This Summer 

The Dean and Vice President of the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resouces at Oklahoma State University, Dr. Bob Whitson, has decided to call it quits.

He has released the following statement to the faculty, staff and students of the Division of Agriculture- letting them know his intentions:

"After careful consideration, I have decided to step down from my role as Vice President, Dean and Director of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources on July 31, 2012. I have appreciated this wonderful opportunity to have served the University, DASNR faculty, staff and students and our many great constituencies across the state in this capacity for over seven years. The time frame I have laid out will allow us to complete a number of important on-going projects that will be important to DASNR's future.

"I cannot think of a better time in my professional life than the last 7 years represent. It has been my honor to have served DASNR in my current role and to have had the opportunity to work with each of you to serve this great State. I look forward to making the transition to new leadership a smooth one."

 

Farm Bureau's Chris Chinn: Child Labor Regs Need Further Revision

Even as the Department of Labor promised to re-examine its proposed rules regarding child labor in agriculture, a House committee held hearings on Thursday on how the original proposal would impact farmers.

Young people and the contributions they make as members of farm and ranch families are vital to American agriculture, according to Missouri hog farmer Chris Chinn. Testifying on behalf of the American Farm Bureau Federation, she told the House Small Business' Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade that proposed Labor Department regulations on child labor would have negative impacts on rural America.

Chinn, who owns and operates a family farm with her husband, said the DOL rules could significantly limit the jobs their children (aged 14 and 10) could do on their own farm, and especially their grandparents' farm.

"A farmer's first-hand reaction to these proposed regulations is how negatively they will affect farm families," said Chinn, a member of the Missouri Farm Bureau's board of directors. "They strip away the ability of youth to work in agriculture, and the desire and goal of parents to pass on to our children the traditions and values we hold." 

To read more about the subcommittee's hearings, click here. 

Prestage Farms Address HSUS Claims and Video

Prestage Farms in Goodwell, Oklahoma has joined the voices speaking out about the Humane Society of the United States' video which claims that Prestage Farms and Seaboard Foods practice inhumane treatment of pigs. Veterinarian Ron Prestage says - we recognize our moral and ethical obligation to provide for the responsible treatment of our animals. Any willful mistreatment or neglect of animals is unacceptable. Prestage Farms takes animal well-being very seriously and has a history of implementing programs that help train our employees on proper animal care, handling and transporting procedures.

Officials at Prestage Farms have initiated an internal investigation into HSUS allegations at units located in Oklahoma. Prestage noted that if it is found that any employee engaged in activities contrary to the company's animal well-being policies, disciplinary action will be taken, including termination of employment.

Click here for the full statement from Dr. Ron Prestage as obtained from their website.

This & That- Buzz- Okies as Cattle Leaders and Rain in Red Carpet Country!

Our end of the week Beef Buzz offers you a little more of our coverage from the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show.  Today's report features part of our conversation with Kristina Butts of the DC office of fhe NCBA- we talk with Kristina about the proverbial camel's nose under the tent problem that the organization has with the HSUS-UEP deal that  has now morphed into proposed federal legislation. Click here to hear the concerns from Kristina on our Friday Beef Buzz- a program heard across our region on great radio stations that are a part of the Radio Oklahoma Network.

We can't talk about a couple of the leadership positions that Oklahoma cattle producers have apparently nailed down here at the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention- however, you have seen our stories this week on Tammi Didlot becoming the new President of the American National Cattlewomen- that is now official.  AND- yesterday, Clay Burtrum from the Stillwater area has been elected as the Region IV Vice President for the NCBA- Region IV includes Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas.

Finally- and really this is the truly GREAT news of the morning- northwestern Oklahoma is getting a serious soaking as we write this early Friday morning- Cimarron and Texas Counties have missed it(again) but much of the rest of the region bounded by I-40 and I-35 in the northwestern quadrant getting lotsa rain- From Ellis County up through parts of Woodward County into Woods County- there is a line of two to three inches of rainfall. Click here for the latest map as of about 5:40 this morning.