PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU
®
July 29, 2011
Historic drought tightens grip on farmers and ranchers Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers are trying to stay optimistic this summer despite a drought and triple-digit temperatures. As the hottest months of the year progress, crops and livestock are suffering. Cotton farmer and Jackson Co. Farm Bureau member Matt Muller said his cotton plants are surviving but will not make much of a crop this year due to the lack of rain. “You see plants that are about 8 inches tall with very little fruit on them,” he said. “We should have 2-feet cotton blooming and we’re nowhere close to that.” Muller said irrigation also is now limited, abandoning the cotton during the peak month of August when it needs
moisture the most. In such dry conditions, the farmer said it is difficult to stay positive. “We take pride in growing a crop and harvesting a crop, and knowing that’s not going to happen three or four months in advance is very discouraging,” Muller said. In the farmer’s opinion, cattle producers have it even worse in times of drought. Commercial cattleman and Jefferson Co. FB member Gary Carter said he sold his summer grass calves early in order to free up more pasture space for cows. “It’s kind of a snowball effect,” Carter said. “You’re moving cattle daily to make sure they have adequate water.” Dry crops, little grass and water shortages are likely to continue as meteorologists pre-
dict more of the same. Officials with the National Weather Service in Norman said the August outlook from the Climate Prediction Center shows above normal temperatures and below normal rainfall. Even so, rancher Gary Carter said he looks ahead to the fall knowing the drought cannot last forever.
“We’re closer to rain every day,” he said. To help Oklahoma farmers and ranchers make wise operational decisions when rains arrive, OFB plans to host a drought conference in late August. Event details on location, dates and times are expected in the coming weeks.
Hot weather and dry conditions leave little moisture for crops to grow.
Governor amends emergency declaration August Area Gov. Mary Fallin signed an amendment to Oklahoma’s State of Emergency declaration on July 20, to include all 77 Oklahoma counties. The amendment is in response to severe heat and drought conditions throughout the state. The executive order ensures Oklahoma is eligible for any and all federal assistance made available for drought relief.
Also due to dry conditions, the governor has issued an executive proclamation banning outdoor burning for much of the state. Oklahoma Forestry Services, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, recommended the ban based upon an analysis of fire activity, wildland fuel conditions and the predicted continued drought. The governor’s burn ban covers 45 counties in western and southcentral Oklahoma. County commis-
sioner burn bans remain in effect in some counties not covered by the governor’s proclamation. Extreme fire conditions are increasing with the extraordinary drought and with no significant rainfall predicted, the number of counties with burning restrictions could increase. “The number of wildfires we have had over the last few months is extremely tough on our state firefighters,” Fallin said. “It’s a drain on their resources as well as a physical drain. Anything that can be done to minimize fires will help to keep both our firefighters and the public safe. I’m asking all Oklahomans to be vigilant and to do their part in preventing fires.”
Meetings begin
August Area Meetings begin Monday, Aug. 1, with District 3 in El Reno. Visit okfarmbureau. org for a complete meeting schedule.
FB applauds truck weight change Oklahoma Farm Bureau supports Gov. Mary Fallin’s July 22, executive order allowing truckers to haul larger loads of hay. “This will make it possible for livestock producers to get hay to hungry livestock quicker,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. The rule effectively doubles the number of bales a truck can carry without an additional permit.