PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU
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March 11, 2011
Farm Bureau offers private treaty cattle sale
Key OFB priority legislation advances
Oklahoma Farm Bureau, in cooperation with WW Livestock Systems in Thomas, is sponsoring a private treaty cattle sale April 7-9 in the Carriage Hall building at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds. The sale will run concurrently with the Southern Plains Farm Show. “This sale puts buyers and sellers together in a unique setting,” said Thad Doye, OFB vice president of Field Services. “We are excited to offer this sale as another member service for Farm Bureau members.” The sale is open to all breeds. There is a $50 per head charge for heifers and $100 per head charge for bulls. A five percent discount is applied for groups of five or more animals. “We had great success at last year’s spring show and again in December at the Tulsa Farm Show,” Doye said. “This (See Farm Bureau, page 2)
The 2011 legislative session is in full swing with two key pieces of Oklahoma Farm Bureau priority legislation passing out of the originating chambers, and several bills supported by OFB making it out of committee. On March 3, SJR 37 by Sen. Mike Schulz passed the Senate. One of OFB’s top issues this legislative session, SJR 37 would send to a vote of the people an amendment to change the initiative petition process. Under SJR 37, in order to have a measure placed on the ballot, signatures from an equal percentage of voters in each congressional district would be required, as well as the completion of a fiscal analysis. SJR 37 goes a long way toward ensuring out of state interests do not manipulate the initiative right held by Oklahomans by promoting their interests without regard for the interests of Oklahomans. Only 23 states provide the right of initiative to their citizens. Of those 23, 13 have signature requirements similar to the one included in SJR 37. The bill will now go to the House for a hearing and vote. Rep. Leslie Osborn is sponsoring the bill in the House. An OFB priority issue, HB 1249 by Rep. Wade Rousselot passed out of the House on March 3. The bill removes the exemption under current trespass law that allows owners to retrieve animals by entering the property of another without permission. The current loophole has provided criminals the opportunity to enter private property under the guise of retrieving livestock and instead steal livestock belonging (See OFB priority, page 2)
By Kinsey Money, OFB Director of Research and Policy Development
Food Check-Out Week
RIGHT – State FBW Committee leaders, from left, Desi Milacek, Kitty Beavers, Margaret Ann Kinder and Roberta Hughes loaded their carts full of groceries at Crest Foods, then delivered the groceries to the Oklahoma City Ronald McDonald House Feb. 25 in celebration of Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week.
LEFT – The state Women’s Committee donated food items and Braum’s gift certificates Feb. 23 to the Tulsa Ronald McDonald House in celebration of Food Check-Out Week. From left, are Committee Members Lena Henson and Beverly Delmedico, the House’s Executive Director Glenda Love, OFB Director Phyllis Holcomb and FBW Coordinator Marcia Irvin.