April 22, 2011 by Matrix Digital Media Inc

PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU

April 22, 2011

Budget, redistricting loom as priority legislation moves forward By Kinsey Money, OFB Director of Research and Policy Development The stressful days and long nights of the 2011 session is beginning to show as talk of early adjournment circulates around the capitol. However, early adjournment doesn’t seem likely with redistricting and the budget still waiting to be resolved. Even in the turmoil of the 2011 session, four Farm Bureau priority bills have already been signed by Gov. Mary Fallin. HB 1249, authored by Rep. Wade Rousselot and Sen. Kim David, was signed into law by the Governor on April 12. HB 1249 removes the exemption under current trespass law that allows owners to retrieve animals by entering

the property of another without permission. The Governor signed SB 92 into law on April 13. Authored by Sen. Ron Justice and Rep. Steve Kouplen, SB 92 reforms continuing education requirements for poultry growers. On April 14, HB 1044 and HB 1296 were signed into law. Rep. George Faught and Sen. Anthony Sykes authored HB 1044, which requires certain proposed agency rules to be approved by the legislature before the end of each legislative session. HB 1296 requires municipalities to obtain consent of a majority of the acres before annexing property. It was authored by Rep. David Derby and Sen. Anthony Sykes. This past week marked a deadline week. All bills had to be out of committee in the House and the Senate by April 14. All of Farm Bureau’s priority legislation successfully made it out of committee. The following bills are now waiting for a floor hearing: (See Priority legislation, page 3)

Farm Bureau members hit D.C. for Congressional Action Tour A group of 50 Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders took time out from preparing for the spring growing season to travel to Washington, D.C. for an intense lobbying effort, March 26-31. “This is a valuable trip for farm leaders,” said Mike Spradling, OFB president. “It shows our Oklahoma congressional delegation we support them and it gives our members an opportunity to see how the federal government functions.” During the trip, the farm leaders met with Senators Inhofe and Coburn, plus all five U.S. House members from Oklahoma, including Frank Lucas, the new chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. “Lucas will play a major role in the new farm bill and we’re glad he understands how important the farm bill is for Oklahoma agriculture,” Spradling said. Lucas laid out the time table for the new farm bill, making sure the leaders understood the current farm bill does not expire until end of July, 2012. He told the group he expects field hearings on the farm bill to take place this summer and hopes to have the farm bill written and ready for the president to sign by next July. For Farm Bureau leader Jack Sherry of Holdenville, the trip was a good opportunity to see Congress in action. “The big discussion going on right now in Washington is the tight budget situation,” Sherry said. “I am concerned how it will impact the farm bill and the non-farm economy as well.” In addition to the farm bill and budget discussions, the farm leaders also discussed burdensome EPA regulations with their congressional representatives. “We’ve seen a growing list of attempts by the EPA in recent years to heavily regulate the agriculture industry,” Spradling said. “We’re concerned these regulations are becoming a major obstacle to producing food and fiber in this country.”

FB IN DC – Farm Bureau members met with the Oklahoma congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., including Congressman Dan Boren.

FARM BILL – Congressman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma’s third congressional district, and chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, visited with Farm Bureau members about the upcoming farm bill.

Member Benefits

Farm City Festival

• Fasttrack Airport Parking – Located on South

BELOW - Sharla Waltrip of Custer County (left) and Charlene Thornbrough of Washita County prepare for the legislators’ arrival.

Meridian near Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, offers Oklahoma Farm Bureau members 10 percent off the price of parking, not including sales tax or fuel charge. No discount is offered for covered parking at this location.

OFB will highlight a few benefits in each issue of Perspective as a reminder of the savings available to OFB members. Find a complete list of savings online at www.okfarmbureau.org.

OFB Calendar YF&R Golf Classic May 6, 2011 • Seminole Contact: Chris Kidd, (580) 228-4001 State Legislature Adjourns May 27, 2011 • State Capitol Contact: Tyler Norvell, (405) 523-2402 Farm Bureau Safety Seminar June 6-8, 2011 • Tatanka Ranch, Stroud Contact: Justin Grego (405) 523-2391

ABOVE - Marilynn Spence of Craig County visits with Rep. Chuck Hoskin, Minority Floor Leader of the house. RIGHT - Rep. Jeff Hickman of Dacoma, House Speaker Pro Tempore, gets help loading his plate from Patty Matthews of Creek County during the Farm City Festival April 6 at the State Capitol. More than 600 state legislators, officials and staff were fed by Farm Bureau women during the annual event.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online Monitor the latest Farm Bureau and agricultural news and information online at www.okfarmbureau.org. Currently online: • YF&R Conference photo gallery – Photos covering three days of the conference, including tours in the Altus and Hobart areas, are available for viewing in the Galleries segment in the News section. • Legislative Update – Recent legislative activity on Oklahoma Farm Bureau priority legislation is updated frequently on OFB’s Web site. Public Policy staff record action on legislation of interest to keep members informed.

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Farm City Festival brings country cooking to state legislators Farm Bureau women from across the state brought home-cooked goodies to feed state legislators during Farm City Festival April 6 at the state Capitol. More than 600 plates of food were served by the women and served to state legislators, state officials and their office staff. The annual event is a memorable draw for legislators and state Capitol workers, as they were offered a spread of sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, chips and dip, and homemade desserts. “We’re promoting what we raise and how we feed the people,” said Kitty Beavers, Women’s Committee chair. The event also gave Farm Bureau women a chance to visit with legislators about agriculture- and rural-focused legislation and Farm Bureau priority issues.

Priority legislation ready for the floor ...

Rick Davis

Farm Bureau lauds Governor’s choice for OSU Board of Regents Oklahoma Farm Bureau is praising Gov. Mary Fallin for appointing Rick Davis, Guthrie, to the Oklahoma State University Board of Regents. “We are pleased Governor Fallin chose such a respected and successful agricultural leader as Rick Davis,” said Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling. “Davis and his family are well respected in the community, across the state and nation for their leadership in agriculture.” A 1983 graduate of OSU with a degree in Agricultural Economics, Davis manages a diversified crop, beef and dairy farm. He also manages a hay production and supply company servicing stores and individuals throughout Oklahoma and North Texas. Davis and his family are known for their extensive efforts in promoting the dairy industry both nationally and internationally, including exporting heifers to Mexico. The Davis family has been milking cows in the same location since 1958. Davis believes this long tradition of successfully operating an agriculture business gives him the expertise to serve on the OSU Board of Regents. “I am proud of my family’s rich heritage in agriculture,” Davis said. “It’s important to keep a strong agriculture voice on the Board of Regents.” Davis has been actively involved in agriculture and public education most of his life. He has served as state FFA president, OSU Student Senator, Farm Bureau Outstanding Young Farm Family, Guthrie Public Schools Board of Education president, Logan County Farm Bureau board of directors, Bank of Crescent board member, and is a member of Gideon’s International.

(Continued from front page) HB 1471 is the last component of the the future rights of Oklahoma livestock compromise language between OFB and owners by granting an Owner’s Lien to secure payment of the sales price. It is the veterinarian community. It is authored authored by Sen. Sean Burrage and Rep. by Rep. Don Armes and Sen. Ron Justice. Don Armes. SB 124 prevents the use of eminent SB 95 repeals the language in current law domain for the placement of wind farms requiring the words “NOT FOR HIRE” or wind turbines on private property. It is to be displayed on both sides of a nonauthored by Sen. Ron Justice and Rep. Tom Newell. commercial vehicle transporting horses SB 494 creates the “Oklahoma Private or livestock. It is authored by Sen. Eddie Land and Public Recreation Act,” which Fields and Rep. Skye McNiel. allows any law enforcement agency to issue Your public policy team would like to a ticket for recreational trespass violations. thank the women of Farm Bureau for a It is authored by Sen. Don Barrington and very successful (and delicious) Farm City Rep. Skye McNiel. Festival. We also extend a thank you to SB 530 provides a non-judicial process those counties who have joined us for for foreclosing on agistors liens. The bill capitol visits. We appreciate the time you also contains measures intended to protect dedicate to Farm Bureau. LEFT – Members from Haskell, LeFlore and McIntosh Counties teamed up to visit the Capitol on April 5. From left to right: Donald Ray, McIntosh County; Rep. Ed Cannady; Foster Johnson Jr., Haskell County; and Ralph Kelly of Haskell County.

RIGHT – Rep. Josh Cockroft, left, visits with Pottawatomie County members Todd Kennedy, John Grundmann, Joe Noble and Leroy Odell during their Capitol visit April 12.

COUNTY DIRECTOR ORIENTATION – New county directors received training for their new positions at the home office April 4. Clockwise, starting at the left, are: Tom Edgar, Kingfisher County; Johnny Taylor, McClain County; Bill Gibson, district 8 state board member; Ronnie Lee, Cleveland County; David VonTungeln Canadian County; Thad Doye, vice president of field services; and Holly Carroll, west central field representative.

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Dustin Traci Morgan, Mielke, 530-2640 523-2346 Multimedia Perspective/Online Producer/Writer News Editor Sam Knipp, 523-2347 Sam 523-2347 Vice Knipp, President of Communications/PR Vice President of Communications/PR Tyler Norvell, 523-2402 Vice President of Public Policy Tyler Norvell, 523-2402 Marla Peek, 523-2437 Vice President of Public Policy Director of Regulatory Affairs Kinsey Money, 523-2539 Marla Peek, 523-2437 Director of Research & Policy Development Director of Regulatory Affairs

Private treaty cattle sale unites buyers, sellers Eight Oklahoma cattle producers displayed 33 head of livestock at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and W-W Livestock Systems’ second-annual private treaty cattle sale. The sale was held in conjunction with the Southern Plains Farm Show in Oklahoma City April 7-9. All breeds were welcome, with Angus, Limousin, Simmental and Hereford cattle represented at the sale. “We were proud to offer this service to our members again and we look forward to next year’s sale,” said Thad Doye, OFB’s vice president of field services.

President signs 1099 legislation President Obama signed legislation April 14 repealing the expanded 1099 health care reporting requirement. The law removed a requirement included in last year’s Affordable Care Act, requiring businesses to complete 1099 forms for purchases of goods and services totaling $600 or more, annually. “I was pleased to take another step to relieve unnecessary burdens on small businesses by signing H.R. 4 into law,” the president said in a statement. “Small business owners are the engine of our economy and because Democrats and Republicans worked together, we can ensure they spend their time and resources creating jobs and growing their business, not filling out more paperwork.” American Farm Bureau backed the 1099 repeal.

Muskogee County Farm Bureau director Larry Naumann (left) and his son Kelly stopped by the Farm Bureau booth and visited with northeast field representative Robin Landrum at the Southern Plains Farm Show Thursday, April 7.

Southern Plains Farm Show Tri-County legislative dinner

Rep. Dale DeWitt, left, and Sen. David Myers visited with members of Grant, Kay and Alfalfa Counties at their annual legislative dinner in Medford April 7.

you’re next oklahomafarmbureau youngfarmers&ranchers

spring 2011 insert

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This is a special insert for young agricultural producers and professionals, ages 18 to 35, who have a who have a passion for agriculture and a desire to network, learn and grow in the ag industry. For more information, call YF&R Coordinator Chris Kidd at (580) 228-4001.

YF&R conference opens doors to southwest Oklahoma Young agricultural producers and professionals from around the state gathered at Quartz Mountain Lodge near Lone Wolf for the 2011 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers conference, March 31 - April 3.

Tim Taylor (Right) watches his son, Ryan, start a siphon hose from an irrigation ditch during the YF&R Conference.

Approximately 60 farmers, ranchers, professionals and their families made the trip to southwest Oklahoma for the event. During the four-day conference, YF&R members toured agricultural operations and businesses, learned from speakers from

around the state and nation, and networked the Plains Cotton Cooperative Association warehouses before heading to the farm of with each other. Jackson County Farm Bureau members Things kicked off on Thursday, March 31 Matt and Kellie Muller. with a cookout, proving YF&R members At the Muller’s, YF&R members had a time to visits with and get to know other chance to try their hand at starting a siphon young agriculture enthusiasts from around hose from an irrigation ditch. They also got the state. a chance to visit with Matt Muller about On Friday, April 1, the group was given his experiences growing cotton, including an in-depth look into cotton production and the Lugert-Altus irrigation district in (Continued on back page) the Altus area, led by District Two State Director and Manager of the Lugert-Altus Irrigation District, Tom Buchanan. After getting up-close and personal with the Lake Lugert-Altus Dam, YF&R members followed the path of irrigation water as they toured farms utilizing both flood and drip irrigation practices. YF&R members toured Matt Muller shows YF&R members attending the YF&R the Cotton Growers conference a cotton stripper on his farm near Martha. Cooperative cotton gin and

May 2 is last date to register for YF&R Golf Classic

The deadline to register for the 2011 YF&R Golf Classic is Monday, May 2. The Classic will be held Friday, May 6, at the Jimmy Austin Golf Course in Seminole. The tournament, hosted by the OFB YF&R, raises funds for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation, which protects private property rights and production agriculture. The first 36 teams registered will play in a four-man scramble. Participants may register as a team at cost of $340, or for $85 per person. To register, contact OFB’s Kelli Beall as soon as possible at (405) 523-2470.

special young farmers & ranchers insert

YF&R scholarship winners selected OFB’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee selected nine young agricultural leaders to receive the 2011 OFB YF&R Scholarships. The group awarded a $1,000 scholarship to one high school senior from each of the nine Farm Bureau districts in the state. The winners are: District 1: Hartly Carlisle of Laverne; District 2: Bailey Kliewer of Thomas; District 3: Blayne Horn of Chickasha; District 4: Sarah Coffey of Springer; District 5: Peyton Mackey of Spiro; District 6: Emily Baird of Stilwell; District 7: Mark Martens of Fairview; District 8: Whitney Dockrey of Shawnee; District 9: Erin Tilley of Stillwater. The scholarship is awarded to an outstanding graduating high school senior who plans to enroll as a full-time student in an agricultural program at an accredited Oklahoma institution of higher education. Students must also be a member of a voting Farm Bureau Family.

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YF&R conference challenges, inspires

(Continued from front page) an overview of the specialized farm “We have to look at those folks who may equipment cotton production requires. be telling us to change, and we certainly “We are need to say, ‘Hey, is this Keynote speaker really the right move?’” going to put Andrew McCrea McCrea said. “But I in a circle of brought a message think one of the worst cotton this of people and things we can do is dig year, so this purpose. in our heels and say, was great for us,” said ‘Well, I know what I’m Pat Long, a doing, I’m not going young farmer to change’ because we from the must change to grow 70 panhandle percent more food.” town of The group toured the Optima, who Premium Beef feedlot attended the conference for the first time near Hobart, learning about the Premium with his wife, Gina. “We got to come down Natural Beef program and the company’s here, where cotton country really is, and cattle production system. find out how labor-intensive it really is.” Attendees then had the chance to learn Saturday, April 2, started with a spiritabout firearm safety while testing their aim building speech by keynote speaker at a skeet shoot conducted by Oklahoma Andrew McCrea, a Missouri-based farmer Department of Wildlife game wardens. and rancher, speaker, and broadcaster. The day’s activities wrapped up at the McCrea challenged YF&R members to Kiowa County Fairgrounds in Hobart with connect with people to educate them about a dinner provided by AgPreference of Altus. agriculture while they focus on agriculture’s OFB President Mike Spradling provided a purpose of feeding a growing nation. keynote message, stressing the importance

of working together for leadership. On Sunday, April 3, a vespers program was provided for YF&R members, then OFB Vice President of Public Policy, Tyler Norvell, gave the group an update on state legislation with a public policy update. “I thought it was great,” said Josh Emerson, a first-time YF&R state conference attendee from Checotah. “I think it’s a great experience to meet and socialize with a lot of people our age. “It’s kind of like a big family, really.” The group traveled throughout the Lugert-Altus Irrigation District, including a close-up tour of the dam at Lake Lugert-Altus.

YF&R Calendar May • State FFA Convention, OKC - 3-4 • YF&R Golf Classic, Seminole - 6 Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese (right) visits with YF&R members during lunch.

Rep. Ann Coody, left, with Comanche County YF&R Members Amber Fuhrmann and Justin Johnson.

YF&R Legislative Leadership Day

July • OSU Big Three Field Days - 19-21 August • Contest Deadline – Excellence in Ag & Achievement - 15 October • All other awards deadline - 7 • International Student Tour - 7 November • OFB Annual Meeting, OKC - 11-13

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special young farmers & ranchers insert

YF&R state committee members Chuckie Hurt (left), Nicole Martens and Adam Martens (right) discuss OFB priority issues with Rep. Mike Sanders.

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