Ag Groups Agree- Tell Oklahoma Senate to Pass Right to Farm Proposal 

The Oklahoma Senate may vote on the so called "Right to Farm" measure, HJR 1006, as early as today. A coalition of Agricultural groups in the state have written a letter to all State Senators, asking for their support of the measure. In the letter, the 11 groups say "Advances in technology have afforded many industries the opportunities to do a better job in producing their products. Agriculture is no exception. Oklahoma needs to secure the ability to continue to produce food, fiber and shelter within the modern agriculture community while emphasizing the importance of proper animal husbandry. As organizations with grassroots membership, we understand and take very seriously the stewardship of the animals entrusted to us. We value the responsibility to raise food and have committed to do so with integrity and efficiency."

The groups add that the advancements in technology have allowed Oklahoma farmers and ranchers to have a part in feeding the world- and conclude that HJR 1006 will help protect their ability to do so.

I spoke with John Collison of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau about HJR1006 yesterday- and you can hear his comments supporting the proposed constitutional amendment by clicking here.  The full text of the letter is there, as well. 

Oklahoma Preview of "Farmland" Was Last Night- What Do You Think?  

Some of you reading today's email were in downtown Oklahoma City last night for the Oklahoma rollout of the movie FARMLAND.  It's scheduled to come out at movie theaters across America on May first.   

We watched the documentary along with about 200 leaders in Oklahoma agriculture- and afterwards talked with Becca McMillan and Travis Schnaithman who were offering reaction to the media about what they saw in the movie and how it related to their farm and ranch experience at this point in careers as an agriculturalist.  

Click here to read more and to listen to our short visits with both of this first class young folks.

NOW- most importantly- those of you that have seen FARMLAND to this point- what do you think?  Give me your opinion and we will share your thoughts with our email family in the next day or so- won't use names so let er rip- good or bad.  What's your immediate reaction to the movie?  How can agriculture best use this in promoting family farming/ranching?   

Drop me an email by clicking here and let me know what you think of FARMLAND.

Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Team Feeds and Talks with Legislators

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Team made the most of their opportunity Tuesday to feed state legislators and talk with them about issues important to Oklahoma's farmers and ranchers. Kitty Beavers from Stephens County leads the group and told me that the annual Farm City Week Luncheon has become quite a tradition at the capitol.

"Yes, it is. It is one of the most important projects we do all year. We come up here and we bring food--good, country food-and all of our women from all over the state bring in food and serve all of our legislators and their staffs and we get to know them and we want to know we have a part in this capitol, that we are interested in everything that they do and we want them to know it. And this is one way that we show our appreciation to them."

The potluck-style luncheon serves over 600 people and Beavers said it is an essential part of creating a comfortable atmosphere for visits with lawmakers.

"I think it's great because when we go to speak with them they always say, 'Your dinner is one of the most important things we like to go to.' And they remember it. And they know where we're coming from, so I think it's great."

You can read more of this story or catch my interview with Kitty Beavers by clicking here.

 

Canola Crop Update- Freeze Did Not End Hopes for Decent Crop

There was damage to the 2014 winter canola crop from the freeze on Monday night- Tuesday morning, but the crop still has potential to make decent yields- if rain shows up in Oklahoma in the near future.  That's the opinion of OSU Canola Specialist Josh Bushong, who talked with us in Canadian County, as he got ready to lead the discussion with local canola growers at the third of three Canola Crop Tour stops for Tuesday, April 15.

Click here to jump to our web report and a chance to hear his comments about the 2014 canola crop and its potential after this freeze event.

Sign Up Begins for USDA Disaster Assistance Programs Restored by Farm Bill

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that effective immediately, eligible farmers and ranchers can sign up for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance programs restored by passage of the 2014 Farm Bill.

"We implemented these programs in record time and kept our commitment to begin sign-up today," said Agriculture Secretary Vilsack. "To ensure enrollment goes as smoothly as possible, dedicated staff in over 2,000 Farm Service Agency offices across the country are doing everything necessary to help producers that have suffered through two and a half difficult years with no assistance because these programs were awaiting Congressional action."

Depending on the size and type of farm or ranch operation, eligible producers can enroll in one of four programs administered by the Farm Service Agency. The Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) will provide payments to eligible producers for livestock deaths and grazing losses that have occurred since the expiration of the livestock disaster assistance programs in 2011, and including calendar years 2012, 2013, and 2014. The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish that have suffered losses because of disease, severe weather, blizzards and wildfires.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Wheat Specialist Dr. Jeff Edwards Believes Oklahoma Wheat Has Sustained Significant Freeze Injury

After many wheat fields across Oklahoma sat nine to ten hours below freezing, Dr. Jeff Edwards, Small Grains Extension Specialist at Oklahoma State University, sounded pessimistic about the 2014 hard red winter wheat crop in the state. Here are some of this comments posted on Tuesday afternoon:

"Most of Oklahoma spent at least four hours below freezing last night and some areas spent an extended period of time below 28F. While temperatures in the wheat canopy might have remained slightly higher than reported air temperatures, they were still probably low enough to result in significant injury to wheat.

"Over the next few days growers will need to inspect fields closely to determine the extent of injury. Symptoms may start to appear later this week and will likely be clearly identifiable by early next week. Healthy wheat heads will remain turgid with a green color. Damaged wheat heads will be bleached, yellow, or brown and will easily break when pushed against. I anticipate that we will not have any partial 'blanking' of wheat heads and that most wheat heads will either be okay or a complete loss."

You can read more or listen to Jeff Edwards's comments by clicking here.

 

This N That- Big Iron, Express Grass Time Sale and New Vaccine for BRD

Nearly 900 items are up for bid today in Big Iron's latest online auction.  Sales will begin closing at 10 a.m.  Check out all the items at BigIron.com.  You'll find a detailed description and numerous photographs for each item as well as the owner's name and phone number if you need more information.  

If you'd like to know more about buying and selling the Big Iron way, give District Manager Mike Wolfe a call at (580) 320-2718 or drop him an email by clicking here. 

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Get ready now for the upcoming Express Ranches Grass Time sale. It will be conducted at 11 a.m., April 25th, at the ranch in Yukon.  

Up for sale are 500 head of cattle including:

150 Angus Bulls

125 Registered Angus Pairs
13 Angus Show Heifer Prospects
50 Registered Fall Calving Bred Heifers
51 Commercial Angus Replacement Females
40 Commercial Angus Fall Bred Cows

Make plans now to attend.  You can find more information by clicking here or calling 405-350-0044.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a Veterinary Biologics License for Titanium® 5 + PH-M, a new vaccine that protects cattle against the viruses and bacteria most associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

Marketed by Elanco, Titanium 5 + PH-M provides modified-live virus (MLV) protection against bovine viral diarrhea (BVD), types 1 and 2, bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and parainfluenza3 (PI3).1-9 Each dose also protects against Mannheimia haemolytica10 and Pasteurella multocida bacteria, and is safe for cattle at all stages of production.3,5-7,11-16

"This means veterinarians and producers can protect cattle against the important BRD-causing viruses and bacteria with just one vaccine," says Brett Terhaar, D.V.M., Elanco beef technical services.  

Click here to read more of this story.