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The lead author of the Right to Farm ballot inititative, State Representative Scott Biggs of Chickasha, came to the 89th Annual Convention of the Oklahoma FFA's Legislative/VIP Banquet on Wednesday evening in a great mood after the Oklahoma House gave him a convincing final vote on HJR 1012- the so called Right to Farm proposal.


Shortly after he arrived, he talked with us about the three year process of getting to this point where "Oklahomans will be able to help Oklahomans in November 2016 and help protect farming and ranching for future generations."


Biggs told me that the measure is designed to protect farming practices as they evolve in the years to come from out of state interests to come in and convince a future legislature from causing harm by limiting or forbidding certain crop production or livestock handling practices from being used in the state- without a compelling state interest. 

Also at the FFA Convention Banquet to honor Oklahoma Lawmakers- the Senate Author Jason Smalley.

You can hear our conversation with both of these men by

Scott Biggs was pleased that the vote is now done- and voes to help in getting the "Yes Campaign" up and running quickly.

We have reaction from several Oklahoma Farm Groups- we will share that with you tomorrow morning! 

House Speaker Jeff Hickman Cheers Right to Farm and Extols Virtues of FFA at State Convention

He told the audience at the 2015 Oklahoma FFA Legislative/VIP Banquet on Wednesday evening that it had been a long day and that he wanted to get comfortable. With that, Oklahoma House Speaker Jeff Hickman of Fairview took off his suit jacket- and put on his FFA Blue Corduroy jacket that he wore as a member of the Cherokee FFA Chapter in the 1980s. Speaker Hickman joined the thousands of high school students in their FFA jackets that were taking part in the 89th Annual Convention of the Oklahoma FFA Association in downtown Oklahoma City this week.


With that, he spent his time crediting his success in the state legislature and other aspects of life to his time wearing the Blue and Gold jacket. Afterwards, he told us that his leadership skills and speaking abilities were developed during his High School years as a member of what was known then as the Future Farmers of America. While he was in High School, the organization decided to change its name to the National FFA organization, and no longer limit itself by the name Future Farmers. He believed at the time that was a mistake, fearing having just the three letters as the name of the group would result it in not meaning anything.


In front of FFA members of today and his colleagues in the State Legislature, he admitted he was probably wrong then- as the vision of those who believed that the organization needed to stand for more than just production agriculture have been proven correct. Hickman believes that the FFA of today is the premiere leadership development group of today- period.


Hickman also praised the passage of HJR 1012- Right to Farm- earlier in the day- saying that the future of Oklahoma agriculture depends on getting this protection into the state constitution. He pointed to the young men and ladies in the modern Blue and Gold jackets- and told the Banquet audience- that these men and ladies are the future- and their involvement in FFA- quoting the FFA Creed by E.M Tiffany, will result in "better days through better ways." It's because of these young people and others like them, according to Hickman, that Right to Farm is the visionary right thing to do.  

Click here to read more of Hickman's comments and to LISTEN to our full interview. with the Speaker of the Oklahoma House- Jeff Hickman.

Oklahoma FFA Showcases Stars Over Oklahoma on Wednesday Afternoon- Blake Goss is Star Farmer for 2015 

Leedey FFA member Blake Goss is actively involved in his supervised agricultural experience through managing four enterprises - a swine operation, miniature Hereford operation, a lawn care service and a livestock tracker app.

Goss' devotion to agriculture led to his selection as a recipient for one of Oklahoma FFA's highest honors: the 2015 State Star Farmer. His supervised agricultural experience was recognized as the top agricultural production program among the 742 FFA members who received the State FFA Degree during the 89th State FFA Convention on April 29.

Here's the video that we prepared and that was shown after he was announced as the 2015 Star Farmer:

2015 Oklahoma Star Farmer- Blake Goss

Click here to read more about Blake and to also have a chance to his hear our audio conversation with Blake.

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The Star in Agri-Business was claimed by Megan Trantham of the Boise City FFA-

Click here to see our full package with Megan- both our video highlights as well as the audio Q&A with outstanding FFA member.

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The Star in Ag Placement was won by Ashton Shepler of the Edmond FFA Chapter.  Ashton worked with horses in a couple of jobs- including one at Remington Park in Oklahoma City.

Click here to read more, see the video and listen to the audio spotlighting Ashton Shepler 

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Finally- the newest star being selected at the State Level is the Oklahoma Star in Agri- Science.  That title was claimed by Hallie Barnes of the Porter FFA Chapter.

Click here for our complete story with Hallie featuring our video look at Hallie as well as the audio that can be played and heard as well.

Congressman Lucas Addresses Trade, House Ag Committee Priorities and EPA Overreach

For the last four decades Congress has given the President of the United States Trade Promotion Authority. Since TPA expired in 2007, the ability for the Obama Administration to "fast track" trade negotiations have been stalled. The Former House Ag Chairman Congressman Frank Lucas is excited to see that Congress has finally moved forward with TPA. He said TPA is needed to negotiate trade deals, to open up international markets, lower trade barriers and bring the final agreement back to Congress for an up or down vote.


"By the time you give the authority, by the time the process is put to use, by the time new agreements are reached, 21 months will have passed," Lucas said. "We will have a new President in 21 months, so my perspective is, we have to open up our access to markets around the world. That's what agriculture survived on since colonial times."


TPA is needed for continued progress on free trade agreements. Negotiations are underway for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the proposed agreement between the US and the European Union. In passing TPA, Lucas is hopeful this will help push the process along with both agreements. Lucas said TPP is important for his district in selling pork products into Japan, but the U.S. needs this opportunity to sell products in a fair fashion, but in order to get TPP, he said Congress needs to get TPA passed.


The Former Ag Chairman continues to watch the efforts of the House Ag Committee. Click here to read more or have the opportunity to listen to my interview with Congressman Lucas this week in Washington D.C.  

Curt Pate Says Training Not Limited to Horses and Dogs

Livestock producers will train their horses to be ridden or their dogs to herd livestock or for hunting. One leading expert said producers also need to think about training their cattle. Curt Pate of Wyoming was in Stillwater this past week teaching "effective stockmanship". One of the ways to achieve effective stockmanship is to develop that relationship with livestock by helping them understand their expectations. Pate said that is the key in the whole process of training animals.


"So, the thought and concept for horses and dogs is always the better trained they are, the better they work, but we don't think about training our cattle, the most important things we have for making us money, we don't think about training them to go up a chute, on a truck, how to stand calmly in a pen, how to be sorted," Pate said. "If we can train them to do those things or get ready to do them, then this abuse stuff and the cattle handling it all becomes a nonissue, now we are looking at a performance."


For some animal rights activists, it won't matter how livestock producers handle their stock as they dislike it all. As Pate looks to engage in a conversation with an activist, he goes into the situation by evaluating their behavior, similar to reading cattle.


"That tells me what to do, with people that are animal activists I try to read 'em," Pate said. "If they are genuine and they really want what's best for animals, I am going to go talk to them and I'm going to work with 'em."  

  

Click here to read or to listen to listen to this Beef Buzz feature. 

Award winning broadcast journalist Jerry Bohnen has spent years learning and understanding how to cover the energy business here in the southern plains- Click here to subscribe to his daily update of top Energy News.

Nominations Sought for the 2015 Oklahoma Beef Quality Assurance Producer of the Year

Applications for the 2015 Oklahoma Beef Quality Assurance Producer of the Year are now being accepted through June 1, 2015. The award will recognize one beef producer that best demonstrate animal care and handling principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their respective operations. A common trait among all contest entrants must be a strong desire to continually improve Beef Quality Assurance practices on their operations while encouraging others to implement the producer education program. The program promotes beef quality assurance in all segments of the industry, including commercial cow-calf, seedstock, stocker operators, feedlots and dairy operations. Those nominated must be certified through a recognized Beef Quality Assurance program.


The Oklahoma Beef Quality Assurance Award is coordinated by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service and the Oklahoma Beef Council and sponsored by the Oklahoma Beef Council and Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc (BIVI), a partner of the National Beef Quality Assurance Program. BIVI will donate $1,000 worth of product to the 2015 Oklahoma Beef Quality Assurance Producer of the Year.   


Nominations can be submitted by any organization, group, or individual on behalf of an Oklahoma beef producer. Individuals and families may not nominate themselves, however the nominees are expected to be involved in the preparation of the application.


The nomination application is available by clicking here. For more questions, please contact Gant Mourer at gantm@okstate.edu or 405-744-6060. 

Meet the 2015-16 Oklahoma State Officers- Led by Drake Boyce of Cheyenne FFA

Drake Boyce, member of the Cheyenne FFA Chapter, will lead the more than 27,000 members of the Oklahoma FFA Association for 2015-16. Members elected the 19-year-old to serve as State President during the 89th Oklahoma FFA Convention on April 29. He is the son of Justin Boyce and Sherry Smith.

"I can't wait to give one more year of service to the organization that literally has given me everything," Boyce said. "I'm looking forward to being able to serve FFA members again." Boyce said he credits the FFA allowing him to do things he never thought possible and for his passion for agriculture.

Boyce served on the 1014-2015 Oklahoma FFA Officer team as the Northwest District Vice President.

Seven additional FFA members will join Reed on the 2015-2016 Oklahoma FFA officer team: Cale Jahn, Elgin FFA, secretary; Hallie Barnes, Porter FFA, reporter; Markel Harris, Owasso FFA, northeast district vice president; Vanessa Wiebe, Hooker FFA, northwest district vice president; Kalee Horn, Edmond FFA, central district vice president; Brooks McKinney, Spiro FFA, southeast district vice president; and Kelby Corbett, Elgin FFA, southwest district vice president.