Oklahoma FFA Best in the Country on Number of Top Chapters to be Honored in Indy 

The state of Oklahoma has claimed the top spot in the National FFA organization when it comes to the number of FFA chapters that will be honored at the upcoming 2012 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis as a Three Star Chapter. This National Chapter Award program recognizes FFA chapters that successfully complete an annual Program which includes a series of activities designed to encourage its members to grow as individuals, to work as part of a team, and to serve others. Only four percent of chapters are honored with the Three Star rating annually.

Oklahoma, with 360 chapters statewide, was eligible to submit 36 top chapters for the 2012 National Chapter ratings- 34 of them received the highest rating of three starts and will be honored on the National Convention stage in Indianapolis in October. Missouri had the second most Chapters receiving three stars with 30 chapters recognized, Ohio was third nationally with 27 chapters and Texas had 19 chapters to be honored in Indianapolis. The 34 chapters from Oklahoma are the most to ever receive the Three Star honor in a single year.

Oklahoma FFA Association Executive Secretary Kent Boggs says Oklahoma is the only state in the country where once you win a three star rating- you must sit out a year, which he says allows a larger number of chapters to have the opportunity to contend for national recognition. He adds that the competition within Oklahoma to be one of the chapters that has their application go on to the National level is intense. One reason that Chapters have a great deal of interest in submitting an application for the State and National Chapter recognition is that each chapter that submits an application is entered into a drawing for a Ford Pickup Truck, given by the Oklahoma FFA Ford Dealers Group.

We have a list of the 36 Three Star chapters on our website, and an interview with Kent Boggs.  Click here to go there. 
 

Canola TV--Dr. Brian Arnall Talks About Canola Fertility Needs 

With the September 10th to October 10th canola planting window rapidly approaching, Dr. Brian Arnall talked with us about last minute considerations for producers when it comes to fertility decisions. Arnall is an Extension crop fertility expert and has co-authored the latest OSU Fact Sheet on Fertilization of Canola. Click here for the fact sheet. 

Arnall said he learned a lot from producers last season.

"We had a lot of learning lessons in 2012. One of the biggest take-homes that I had with all the producers I worked with this season was that proper fertility up front-making sure soil pH, nitrogen, and phosphorous was in good standing by the time that seed was in the ground or very soon after.

"Soil pH has a massive impact on a canola stand and productivity across the board. Anything below a 5.5, we're losing yield across all of our cultivars.

"When it came to phosphorous and nitrogen, we needed a decent amount of fertility down. Twenty to 30 pounds of nitrogen down early in the season whether it's at planting or by sometime in December to get that nitrogen down. And any location that was low soil test for phosphorous, we needed that phosphorous at planting. We didn't see any differences between broadcast and banded, but definitely need to get it down.

Arnall said the plant needs the phosphorous in place to get ready for the winter. 

Click here for the latest edition of Canola TV and for a link to our previous shows as well. 

While Gas Prices Spike, Ethanol Offers Stability and Consumer Savings

The following news release/Op Ed is from Growth Energy, a group that has as its goal to promote the US Ethanol industry.

Labor Day 2012 was a holiday weekend that found economic reality slapping many people in the face.  With gas prices spiking toward $4 per gallon, many Americans elected to stay home. The oil companies are quick to blame Hurricane Isaac for causing the sudden inflation, but the truth is, the increases continue even as reports come in that damage to refineries in the Gulf of Mexico suffered little, if any damage.

"The oil market is so volatile and ethanol has served as a stabilizing factor that can help control costs by providing a level of certainty," stated Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. "Ethanol currently makes up 10 percent of our nation's fuel supply and it has helped prevent extreme spikes in gas prices. Independent studies have shown that the inclusion of ethanol has saved consumers from $0.17 cents to $1.09 a gallon."

AAA has predicted that 33 million drivers will hit the roads this coming weekend, and with gas prices hovering near $4 a gallon, more and more consumers are turning to higher ethanol blends to save at the pump. Furthermore, consumers who drive Flex Fuel vehicles can see substantial savings by filling up with E85.

To read more of Growth Energy's take on the advantages of ethanol fuels, click here. 

Ag Secretary Touts Rising Farm Exports Forecast

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the following statement today on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's export forecast for fiscal years 2012 and 2013, which shows a level of U.S. agricultural exports unmatched in our nation's history.

"Today's export forecast marks indication of an historic achievement for America's farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses. Even with tough odds due to extreme weather, U.S. agriculture is now poised for three consecutive years of record exports, smashing all previous records and putting America's agricultural sector on pace to achieve President Obama's goal under the National Export Initiative of doubling exports by the end of 2014. These exports will support more than 1 million jobs in communities across the country.

"Exports of U.S. food and agricultural products are expected to reach $143.5 billion in fiscal 2013, well above the record set in 2011. At the same time, the forecast for fiscal 2012 is revised upward to a near-record $136.5 billion. Since 2009, U.S. agricultural exports have made gains of 50 percent.

Click here for more from Tom Vilsack on rising U.S. farm exports.

OSU's Ed Miller Earns National Distinguished Ag Educator Award

Oklahoma State University's Edwin L. Miller has been named the 2012 recipient of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Distinguished Educator Award.

The NACTA award recognized meritorious service to the organization and to higher education through teaching, educational research or administration.

"I think my most important contribution was being among those who have worked to stimulate change in agricultural and natural resource education nationwide," Miller said. "As an example, look at the effect of globalization. Students today need to be more aware than ever about how concerns and issues across the world can affect their career choices and everybody's quality of life."

A professional forester and an OSU faculty member since 1986, Miller currently serves as director of international programs for the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. 

You'll find more about Ed Miller and the NACTA award by clicking here.

ConocoPhillips Requests Proposals for 2013 Grant Program

The Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV) announces the availability of funding for habitat, research and outreach projects through the ConocoPhillips Grant Program. Those interested in applying should note that the application process has changed. Rather than sending them to state representatives first, proposals will be sent directly to the Joint Venture by November 1, 2012. PLJV will then work with states to make sure the project fits their priorities.

Proposals should deal with priority birds, habitats, and/or issues in each of the three program areas. In general, habitat projects should provide measureable gain for priority species in priority habitats; outreach proposals should be linked to demonstrable habitat improvements; and research should address PLJV's identified research priorities. A one to one match is required.

Past grants have included restoration of borrow pits at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, exploration of the effectiveness of playa buffers in Texas and the broader region, and support for background work needed to develop a state-wide prescribed burn alliance in Oklahoma. Other projects have used these funds, once granted, as non-federal match for small and standard North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants, which can be a major selling point when mentioned in the ConocoPhillips grant proposal.

Click here to read more.

Governor Fallin Amends State Burn Ban- to Allow Ag Producers to Apply for Right to do Prescribed Burn 

Scott Dewald with the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association reported in an email late Friday- as the Labor Day weekend was beginning that OCA had worked with the Governor's office regarding some wiggle room for landowners who believe they need to do a prescribed burn this fall. Scott wrote "We have been working with Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese on this issue this week and thanks to his help, staff in the Governor's office and the Governor's leadership, the statewide ban now contains an additional exemption which can be requested. This exemption is for agricultural burning."

The language in the Governor's proclamation regarding agricultural burning reads as follows:  

"Agricultural producers have a genuine need to be able to manage their cropland, range and pasture. Therefore, an agricultural producer burning cropland, range or pastureland as part of their management operations shall be exempted from the ban only if the producer complies with all of the following provisions.

"Cropland, range and pasture may be burned under this ban if the producer:

1. Completes the current form available from the Forestry Services Division of Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry (Form AG-2012-01);

2. Has the form approved, in writing, by the local fire department with suppression responsibility for the area being burned;

3. Constructs adequate fire lines and has sufficient personnel and equipment on hand to control the fire;

4. Wind speeds do not exceed fifteen miles per hour (15 mph); and

5. Notifies his/her neighbors of the planned burn."

Click here to read the full proclamation as released by the Governor's office on Friday evening- Click here for the form referenced above that you need from the Department of Forestry within the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture to apply for an agricultural exemption.