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While America's farmers and ranchers achieved notable victories on the farm bill and waterways infrastructure legislation in 2014, agriculture must push harder for important policy reforms in 2015, according to American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. Stallman opened the first general session of the 2015 Annual Convention of the AFBF in San Diego- and you can hear his complete remarks by clicking here- where you can also read some of the highlights that Stallman delivered in his annual address to the membership.

Besides the accomplishments of this past year- Stallman sees lots of "needs" that the group will be pushing for in the coming twelve months- including:

Immigration reform, which must include a reliable and legal workforce for America's farms and ranches;

 

A national, fact-based approach to food labeling, rather than patchwork regulation that only raises the price of food while doing nothing for food safety;

 

Tax rules that will encourage economic growth and multi-generational farming and;

Policies to continue growing our nation's energy independence through the production of all forms of energy, including those that come from America's farms and ranches.

 

And yes, he said, it was time for the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers to ditch the widely reviled Waters of the U.S. proposal, which would regulate land use under the guise of the Clean Water Act.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma Farm Bureau's delegation to the national meeting was led once again by President Tom Buchanan- and we talked to Tom Saturday evening here in San Diego.  To learn about the priorities of Oklahoma's delegations as they prepare for the policy setting session tomorrow- click here.

A Conversation With Tom and Bob- a Farm Bureau Town Hall Meeting

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman focused on farm policy and USDA's priorities during a town hall-style conversation at the 96th AFBF Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show.
 

In his opening remarks, Vilsack thanked Farm Bureau members for assistance in helping secure the 2014 farm bill, strong ag education and farm safety initiatives, and involvement in the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance.
 

Questions came from the Farm Bureau member audience and covered a variety of issues- including trade with Cuba, USDA helping tell ag's story to other regulatory agencies and more.

Click here to read more- and to be able to view the Town Hall meeting as recorded on Sunday afternoon from here in San Diego.

Oklahoma Sorghum Acres Expected to Continue Uptick in 2015 Seen Last Spring 

Sorghum acres in Oklahoma were higher in 2014 after several years of going lower- and expectations are that they could be higher yet when farmers finish this spring's planting. Sorghum has been an iffy crop for many Oklahoma farmers in recent years. With the intense drought persisting over the past three to four years, many farmers have not planted much sorghum. I caught up with National Sorghum Producers Chair J.B. Stewart at Sorghum U held in Enid Friday. 


In looking ahead to the 2015 growing season, Stewart is hoping spring rains return in giving farmers the moisture necessary to grow sorghum.


"We hope that is slowly coming to an end, its guarded optimism," Stewart said.


In farming near Keyes in the Oklahoma Panhandle, Stewart said sorghum has worked well even in a low rainfall environment averaging 16 - 17 inches of rain annually. He plants sorghum in his crop rotation in planting wheat, sorghum, fallow, then back to wheat. Stewart has used this rotation since the early 1980's when he took over the farm and was looking for a way to increase farm income. In planting sorghum, he also found his wheat yields have been better than when he planted a wheat-fallow rotation.

Click or tap here to listen to my conversation with Stewart as he talks about the changes in the 2014 Farm Bill and financial advantage in growing sorghum.   

Oklahoma Counties Included in Texas Natural Disaster Declaration by USDA

Fourteen counties in Oklahoma are eligible for natural disaster assistance, as the US Department of Agriculture has designated 156 counties in Texas a primary natural disaster area. The natural disaster designation comes from the damages and losses caused by a drought that occurred from January 1, 2014, and continues. Farmers and ranchers will be offered with assistance in being located in a primary or contiguous county to the natural disaster area.


Contiguous counties include 43 counties in Texas, 14 in Oklahoma and seven in New Mexico. The Oklahoma counties eligible for assistance include Beaver, Beckham, Bryan, Cimarron, Cotton, Ellis, Harmon, Jackson, Jefferson, Love, Marshall, Roger Mills, Texas and Tillman. The eligible New Mexico counties include Curry, Dona Ana, Lea, Otero, Quay, Roosevelt and Union.


"Our hearts go out to those Texas farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation's economy by sustaining the successes of America's farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We're also telling Texas producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood." 

Click or tap here to read more about the USDA programs available to farmers and ranchers.  

Beef Demand Under Pressure From Pork and Poultry in 2015

With record high beef prices, the beef sector will be under pressure from competing meats like pork and poultry this year. After battling the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus the U.S. lost millions of baby pigs. In going into 2015, it appears there will be a lot more pork available for consumers to enjoy. Livestock Marketing Information Center Executive Director Jim Robb said that will impact beef prices in the days to come.


"We actually had a year-to-year decline in U.S. pork output in 2014, but that picture is going to change fairly quickly based on the USDA's report," Robb said. "Not only the number of sows up dramatically, compared to a year ago, but the USDA reported we had a year to year increase in pigs per liter. That says we are getting this Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus at least much under control, compared to where we were a year ago at this time." 


I featured Robb on the Beef Buzz feature. Click or tap here to listen as he discusses how pork and chicken production will both increase in 2015.  

Soy Growers Welcome Roberts to Chair of Senate Agriculture Committee, Thank Stabenow

With the swearing in of the 114th Congress this week, Senate Republicans appointed Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas as the next chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Nutrition and Forestry. Outgoing Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow of Michigan will become ranking member. The American Soybean Association (ASA), which has worked extensively with both lawmakers, signaled its praise of Roberts, and its optimism for the agricultural policy landscape in the coming Congress.


"We are thankful for a wonderful working relationship with Chairman Roberts, and we're excited for what's to come on his watch," said ASA President and Brownfield, Texas, farmer Wade Cowan. "Chairman Roberts has built a deep and fluent knowledge of agricultural policy, specifically the crop insurance and disaster assistance programs that are so vital to the success of soybean farmers. What's more, Chairman Roberts has made each of his farm policy decisions based on the concept that farm programs should encourage farmers to grow what the market demands. His approach is one that doesn't distort the marketplace and enables farmers to have the flexibility and confidence they need to be successful. At his core, he understands the intricacies of our industry, and we look forward to a great partnership with him."


ASA also expressed its gratitude to Ranking Member Stabenow for her leadership of the committee for the past four years. Sens. Stabenow and Roberts led the Agriculture Committee as chair and ranking member, respectively, for the majority of Stabenow's time as chairwoman, and together laid the majority of the framework for the 2014 Farm Bill. 

Click or tap here to read more about how Senator Roberts is making history this year.  

Grab Your PBR Tickets and Help the Oklahoma Youth Expo!

The OYE has partnered up with the Professional Bull Riders and have the "OYE night at the PBR" coming up on Friday, January 23rd.  The OYE has a handful of lower level tickets at $25 each in which all proceeds go to benefit the OYE and the 2015 event. We have checked some other websites and the cheapest lower level tickets that we have found are going for more than $55 a ticket!

Any one interested in purchasing the tickets can do so on our website- click here to buy tickets and support the OYE at the same time- or if you prefer- you can call the OYE office during business hours at 405- 235-0404.

If you enjoy PBR action- this is a great deal which helps you to support the OYE and have a great Friday night in the Big Town. First Come- First Served as the Expo has only a limited number of these tickets left.