EPA Continues to Contemplate Clean Water Act Power Grab 

Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe joined farmers and ranchers in Garfield County last Thursday to discuss the Environmental Protection Agency's attempts to redefine navigable waterways under the Clean Water Act. Speaking from a buffalo wallow in a field on Gary Johnson's farm near Waukomis, Inhofe said the EPA wants to redefine or remove the term 'navigable' from legislation defining the scope of EPA's responsibilities. That would allow the agency to regulate all water including farm ponds, pipelines, groundwater, roadside ditches and even the buffalo wallow beneath his feet.

"When Republicans controlled the United States Senate, I chaired the committee called the Environment and Public Works. That has jurisdiction over all of what I call the 'over regulators' destroying this country. Not just in ag. You think it's just ag, it's not. Manufacturers have the same problems. Producers have the same problems. This is probably singularly more destructive than the huge deficit that this President's given us.

"You might remember, just to refresh some of your memories, that we had the Clean Water Restoration Act that was introduced by a Senator named Russ Feingold from Wisconsin and a House member named Oberstar. Now, they introduced this so that they would take the word 'navigable' out to allow the federals to regulate everything you're looking at. You can go to Kingfisher County. I can remember after a hard rain when some water was standing. That would then be subject to regulation.

"Not only did we defeat the Clean Water Restoration Act, we defeated Russ Feingold and Congressman Oberstar. They didn't give up, however. It's just like cap and trade. We defeated all their legislation, now they're trying to do it through regulation."

You can listen to Senator Inhofe's remarks or read more by clicking here.

Texas Governor Joins Coalition in Requesting Ethanol Waiver 

The request for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandate is gaining even more traction across the country, with Governor Rick Perry (R-Texas) announcing that his state is joining the coalition. Texas joins more than 180 members of Congress, the governors of Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, New Mexico and North Carolina, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) and other livestock groups in requesting that relief from high corn prices be brought to the thousands of producers who are struggling to feed their animals amid the worst drought in roughly 50 years.

"Texas is the largest beef cattle state in the country. By Gov. Perry announcing that his state is joining this coalition and expressing their support for waiving the RFS, it's evident that cattlemen and women nationwide are continuing to experience the negative effects of this drought," said Bob McCan, NBCA Vice President and cattleman from Victoria, Texas.

Texas Cattle Feeders Association Chairman Jim Peters said, "TCFA appreciates Gov. Perry's steadfast support and leadership on this issue, and I'm pleased that Gov. Susana Martinez and a growing number of other governors and members of Congress from around the country agree with him and are requesting a common sense waiver that will provide livestock producers and consumers with some relief from this ill-conceived, economically harmful federal policy."  (Click here for more from the TCFA.)

Under the RFS requirements, 13.2 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol must be produced in 2012 and 13.8 billion gallons in 2013, amounts that will use about 40 percent of the nation's corn crop. Due to this year's crippling drought, some agricultural forecasters now are estimating that just 11.8 billion bushels of corn will be harvested this year, meaning corn-ethanol production will use about four of every 10 bushels.

Click here to read more. 

Congressman Walz Applauds Formation of 'Farm Bill Now' Coalition

Thirty-nine of the nation's leading agricultural organizations have joined forces to urge Congress to pass the five-year farm bill

Minnesota Congressman Tim Walz applauded the formation of the Farm Bill Now coalition. According to a press release, the Farm Bill Now coalition is comprised of thirty-nine of the nation's leading agricultural organizations. These organizations are all working together towards the same goal of raising public awareness and pushing Congress to pass the five-year Farm Bill.

"I applaud and thank these organizations for joining forces to raise awareness about the need for Congress to pass a five-year Farm Bill before October," said Walz, a member of the House Agriculture Committee. "Whether it comes in the form of steady, dependable prices at the grocery store or relief for drought stricken farmers, the Farm Bill affects and gives certainty to everyone. Congress needs to get its chores done. We need a five-year Farm Bill now. Rural America-and the rest of the country-can't wait.

You can read more about Congressman Walz's support for the farm bill by clicking here. 
 

Case IH Celebrates 25 Years of Magnum Tractor Production

The introduction of the Case IH Magnum™ tractor in 1987 marked a major milestone. The 1988 model year Magnum tractor was the first designed and produced after the birth of Case IH - the result of the merger of J.I. Case and International Harvester.

"These tractors introduced the red paint that has become the signature of the Case IH brand. Their cab-forward design and fully integrated mechanical front-wheel drive (MFD) were examples of International Harvester's reputation of innovative leadership. It let customers know that this new company was off to the right start," said Dan Klein, Case IH Marketing Manager for Magnum tractors.

Twenty-five years later, Magnum tractors are used in some of the most demanding agricultural applications worldwide.

"Customer input has been the key ingredient to the successful design of Magnum tractors," says Klein. "Producers told us they want a tractor with more power to handle demanding tasks at higher speeds, with better fuel efficiency - while maintaining operator comfort." 

Click here for more on the Case IH silver anniversary.

American Meat Institute, Temple Grandin Release Humane Slaughter Video

The American Meat Institute and animal handling expert Temple Grandin have released a video that depicts and explains the cattle slaughter process at a large meat processing plant.

While its release coincides with this week's temporary closure of Hanford, Calif.-based Central Valley Meat over human handling concerns, the video has been in the works for some time, explained AMI Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Professional Development Janet Riley.

"In the video, Dr. Grandin talks about many aspects of handling and slaughter and she specifically explains that after animals are stunned to make them unconscious prior to slaughter, a step that is required by law, it is normal to see some uncoordinated movement, especially of the unrestrained rear leg. She notes that this does not mean that an animal is conscious, and much research will support this," writes Riley. 

The video, narrated by Grandin, takes the viewer from live cattle being unloaded from the truck through the stunning and slaughter process and comes with this warning: "We do want to caution viewers that the scenes are graphic at some points. In an effort to provide true transparency, we are shining a light on the complete process." 

Click here to view the video.

American Farmers & Ranchers Announces 2012-2013 Youth Advisory Council

American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) announced its 2012-2013 Youth Advisory Council at the organization's annual Senior Leadership Summit Banquet Aug. 1.

The Council consists of high school juniors and seniors from across the state. Members of the 2012-2013 Council are Taylor Green, Wellston; Gatlin Squires, Kingfisher; Whitney Wilkinson, Cement; Desiree Masterson, Spiro; and Chance Imhoff, Prague.

Council members participate in agriculture-based service projects throughout the year, such as the upcoming Septemberfest event on Sept. 8. The event will mark the beginning of the Council's one-year term of service. Council members also assist in planning many of AFR's youth programs, facilitate AFR events and act as mentors for younger Oklahoma youth.

"AFR is proud to invest in the future of Oklahoma through these young people," said AFR President Terry Detrick. "Our Leadership Summit and the AFR Youth Council demonstrate that investment across Oklahoma."

There's more to this story on our webpage; click here to go there.

The Weekend Rain Story- Some Got a Bunch- and in a Hurry- and Some Are Still Waiting

Rainfall amounts across Oklahoma during the weekend that has just concluded were spotty- with the best coverage from just west of the Oklahoma City metro in central Oklahoma- eastward into northeastern Oklahoma near Tulsa and south of of Tulsa. Two of the larger rainfall amounts were in Bixby with 3.13 inches of rain and in Jay at 2.84 inches of the wet stuff.


The storms that brought the rain were strong and dumped a lot of rain in many areas very quickly- so there was runoff in many locations- helpful in the country for pond water in some cases- but not as helpful in rebuilding a profile of soil moisture. Retired OSU Professor Dr. Ron Elliott wrote us over the weekend about the Saturday night rains in Stillwater- saying "Last night (Saturday), between 7:25 and 7:40, the Stillwater Mesonet station recorded 1.08 inches of rainfall. In those 15 minutes it received more than the total of 0.87 inch received over the preceding 70 days (June 16 thru August 24)." The Stillwater Mesonet station shows 1.9 inches of rain over the last four days- over half of that apparently came in that fifteen minute period. 

We have a rainfall map from the weekend for you to take a look at on our website- as well as last Thursday's updated Drought Monitor which had Oklahoma up to 48% Exceptional Drought- hopefully that will be the worst drought rating of the year- if we can continue to get a rain or two as the next few weeks unfold. Click here for those weather maps and some of the thought of Alan Crone from the News on 6 in Tulsa about Issac coming to visit this far west by the Labor Day weekend.