PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU
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March 25, 2011
Farm Bureau offers private treaty cattle sale
Farm Bureau legislation makes deadline
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 passage of a final bill marked the end of deadline week for Oklahoma Farm Bureau. House Bill 1296, authored by Rep. David Derby, amends the annexation procedure. It passed just in time for the March 17 deadline. House members endured long nights during the last days of the first leg of the 2011 legislative session. In order to advance to the opposite chamber for consideration, all bills had to be heard in their house of origin by March 17. OFB had several pieces of key legislation passing before the end of deadline week. HB 1044 requires proposed agency rules that seek to, 1) establish or increase fees, or 2) govern trades and professions under Title 59 of the Oklahoma statutes, to be approved by the legislature before the end of each legislative session. Authored by Rep. George Faught and Sen. Anthony Sykes, HB 1044 addresses an issue that has been a priority for OFB for many years. HB 1044 passed the House and will proceed to the Senate. Senate Bill 124, authored by Sen. Ron Justice and Rep. Tom Newell, prevents the use of eminent domain for the placement of wind turbines on private property. This position is the current industry standard. SB 124 is codification of this standard. SB 124 passed the Senate and will proceed to the House for consideration. SB 494, authored by Sen. Don Barrington and Rep. Skye McNiel, creates the “Oklahoma Private Land and Public Recreation Act.” The (See Farm Bureau, page 3)
By Kinsey Money, OFB Director of Research and Policy Development
2011 YF&R Speech Contest Oklahoma youth recently competed for $8,200 in savings bonds and scholarships during the 16th Annual Young Farmers and Ranchers Speech Contest, sponsored by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. The contest was held March 14 at the OSU-OKC campus in Oklahoma City. The YF&R Speech Contest was broken up into three age divisions: Junior, nine-12 years old; Intermediate, 13-15 years old; and Senior, 16-18 years old. The Junior Division presented speeches on the topic, “I Believe in Oklahoma Ag.” The Intermediate and Senior divisions (See YF&R Speech, page 2) State YF&R Committee member Letisha Miller of Lindsay, right, helps Burlington FFA Chapter President Amber Allen register for the 16th annual YF&R Speech Contest in Oklahoma City March 14.