Senators Push Back on Department of Labor Plan to Exclude Youth From Working on Farms 

U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) have introduced common sense legislation this week, the Preserving America's Family Farm Act, to prevent the Department of Labor (DOL) from enacting its controversial proposed restrictions on youth working on family farms. Both of Oklahoma's Senators- Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn, have signed on as co-sponsors.

Last year, DOL Secretary Hilda Solis proposed rules that would restrict family farm operations by prohibiting youth under the age of 18 from being near certain age animals without adult supervision, participating in common livestock practices such as vaccinating and hoof trimming, and handling most animals more than six months old, which would severely limit participation in 4-H and FFA activities and restrict their youth farm safety classes; operating farm machinery over 20 PTO horsepower; completing tasks at elevations over six feet high; and working at stockyards and grain and feed facilities. The language of the proposed rule is so specific it would even ban youth from operating a battery powered screwdriver or a pressurized garden hose.

"The Department of Labor has proposed 85 pages of unreasonable and overreaching rules that would unnecessarily restrict the participation of young people in agriculture related activities," said Thune. "Family farms and farming communities teach young people responsible work ethics and these proposed rules would change that by severely limiting the commonplace activities in which young people can learn about agriculture." 

"There is no better example of the vast overreach of government into the everyday lives of Americans than the Department of Labor's proposed rule to regulate young people working on farms and ranches," Sen. Moran said. "This proposal should alarm more than just rural America. If the federal government can regulate the relationship between parents and their children on their own family's farm, there is virtually nothing off limits when it comes to government intrusion into our lives."   

To read more about the Preserving America's Family Farm Act, click here. 

Drought Ends for Much of Oklahoma- See the Latest Drought Monitor 

According to Gary McManus, Associate State Climatologist for the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, heavy rain associated with this week's slow-moving storm system brought one hazard back to the state, even as it was ending another. The abundant moisture produced flooding in eastern and central Oklahoma, but also alleviated drought impacts that had plagued the state over the last 19 months. The result was a much-improved Oklahoma drought picture. According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday morning, the area of the state completely free of drought or abnormally dry conditions rose from 27 percent last week to 63 percent this week. At the drought's zenith in September 2011, the entire state was suffering some level of drought. At that point, having just exited the hottest summer on record for any state dating back to 1895, 69 percent of Oklahoma was mired in exceptional drought, the U.S. Drought Monitor's worst category. This week's report is the best for Oklahoma since October 5, 2010, when 66 percent of the state had no drought or abnormally dry conditions. 

According to data from the Oklahoma Mesonet, rainfall totals of 4-6 inches were common throughout the eastern half of the state for Monday through Thursday morning. Estimated totals from radar indicate some localized areas in the northeast received more than 8 inches. Virtually the entire state received at least an inch of rain, with more general amounts of 2-4 inches spread throughout western and central Oklahoma. The Mesonet site at Pryor led totals with 6.95 inches. 

Click here for more of the story and the latest Drought Monitor map.

Supreme Court Sides With Landowners Against EPA- Inhofe and Jackson Dialogue Over Sackett Case and Clean Water Act

UPDATED- we now have the audio of Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe in a dialogue with EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson regarding the Clean Water Act- and the Sackett ruling was a part of that discussion- our link below will take you to the updated story that includes that audio.

The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling favoring landowners over the enforcement power of a federal government agency. In a unanimous decision in Sackett v. EPA, the court said an Idaho couple can sue to challenge a compliance order issued by the Environmental Protection Agency against their property under the Clean Water Act.

The ruling was hailed by many as a David v. Goliath victory.

At issue in the case was a home site purchased by Mike and Chantell Sackett near Priest Lake in Idaho in 2007. The property did not border the lake and was surrounded by other homes. The Sacketts received a building permit from the county. They had spent three days hauling fill dirt to the lot in preparation for construction when officials from the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers ordered a halt to the work. The reason? The EPA suspected the property was a wetland. Six months later the Sacketts received a compliance order requiring them to return the property to its original condition or face astronomical fines.

The Sacketts attempted to appeal the compliance order and filed suit against the EPA. Lower courts sided with the EPA, basically agreeing that the agency's decisions were above review.

The Supreme Court saw the case differently and ruled the Sackett's case against the EPA can go forward on its merits.

 Click here to read more of this story, audio with Inhofe and Jackson, and the Supreme Court decision itself. 

Rain Makes Grain- But Could Break the Market- OSU's Kim Anderson Tells All

This week's drought-breaking rains are making a tremendous difference in crop quality. Oklahoma State University's small grain marketing expert Dr. Kim Anderson says the rain was definitely a welcome sight. Wheat is out of dormancy all across the state and quality looks good. The prospects for a large crop coupled with high stocks, however, could put pressure on prices. Dr. Anderson's comments are from his weekly conversation with SUNUP Host Lyndall Stout.

"We've got high stocks. We're looking at increasing stocks next year. And, of course, the rain and the expectation of higher production, and if we get the higher production, then we will have the higher stocks and we will have lower prices."

He also says the U.S. had closing stocks of about 850-million bushels, well above average. He says we may see 950-million bushels next year. The world is in good shape as well with a couple of exceptions. Eastern Europe has had some drought and freeze problems, lowering their potential harvests. Anderson says he sees world stocks staying about the same.

Corn is another issue altogether, with tighter stocks and higher prices. Anderson says he expects feedlots to be buying a lot of wheat near harvest time to use in feed rations.

Overall, he says he expects wheat prices to fall to the $5.75 level later this year.

To read more and see this weekend's lineup for SUNUP, click here. 

More Ethanol Equals Lower Gas Prices, Corn Growers Association Says

With gas prices again on the rise throughout the United States, many consumers are driving less or switching to cars and trucks that use less fuel. And gas is certainly on the rise for some time to come, with the U.S. Energy Information Agency estimating the average retail cost of gasoline to be $3.79 per gallon in 2012 and $3.72 per gallon in 2013. Some areas of the country can see gas priced at well over $4 per gallon into the foreseeable future.

When gas prices are this high, most consumers don't want to think about how it can go higher, but there is one factor that, when removed, can drive the cost of gas in your tank significantly higher, the National Corn Growers Association reports - and that is domestic, renewable ethanol.

"It's hard to believe that there are people who want to reduce our fuel supply at a time when prices are this high, but that's exactly what is happening with ethanol opponents," said NCGA President Garry Niemeyer, a corn grower in Illinois. "This is not the time to be reducing our production and use of ethanol, but increasing it, by moving forward quickly with the E15 blend and by building more flex-fuel cars and trucks - and the infrastructure to support them."

You can read more about how ethanol is contributing toward a more energy-sustainable future.

OSU Division of Ag Salutes Paul Jackson of Apache as a DASNR Champion

The late Paul Jackson will be recognized as a 2012 DASNR Champion Award recipient by Oklahoma State University's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources March 28. Jackson will be honored along with recipients William L. Ford and Virgil Jurgensmeyer. 

The DASNR Champion award recognizes and honors those who are not graduates of OSU's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources but who have brought distinction to the division while demonstrating a continuing interest in and commitment for agricultural sciences and natural resources. 

Even after his passing, Jackson remains renowned for his accomplishments as a wheat producer, conservationist and humanitarian. A third-generation Oklahoma farmer, he successfully managed and expanded an operation that began with the purchase of a parcel of land near Apache by his grandfather in 1912. 

Click here to read more about Paul Jackson's career serving agriculture and the US Wheat industry.   

Shorty Small's Joins Lineup of Legendary Restaurants of Oklahoma

We're proud to have Shorty Small's join our Legendary Restaurants of Oklahoma this week. Shorty Small's has been a fixture in Oklahoma City for more than 25 years and now has branched out to locations in Arkansas and Kansas.

If you're looking for good food and big fun, you're looking for Shorty Small's. Located at Southwest 20th and Meridian, it's conveniently located near the Fairgrounds Arena and makes a perfect place to catch a relaxed meal after a horse show, rodeo, farm show or other great event.

From top to bottom, Shorty Small's has a great menu full of legendary classics like Shorty's famous onion loaf, fried green beans, jumpin' off-the-bone-tender ribs and signature desserts like sizzlin' apple pie and deep-fried Twinkies.

They're known far and wide for their ribs, steaks, burgers, pasta and seafood.

Perhaps one of the most legendary features of Shorty Small's is its All in the Family Owner's Club. Members pay a small monthly fee and eat for half off Shorty's already low prices every day. The club is reflective of Shorty's emphasis on customer service and satisfaction. Their business is built on repeat business.

Click here to purchase two $25 gift certificates to Shorty Small's at half price.

You can hear an interview with long-time Shorty Small's employee and manager Daniel Lindsey by clicking here.