March 23, 2012

PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU

®

March 23, 2012

Three priority bills advance in state legislature

By Chris Kidd, OFB Director of State and National Affairs

FARM BUREAU

The past couple of weeks required long hours from both the House Legislative Update and Senate as the deadline for bills to be reported out of their house of origin quickly approached. Three pieces of Oklahoma Farm Bureau priority legislation were approved in their originating chambers.

HB 1562, authored by Rep. Fred Jordan passed the house 37 to 1. HB 1562 instructs the attorney general to prepare a Landowner’s Bill of Rights, detailing a landowner’s rights under Oklahoma eminent domain law. Landowners are often unfamiliar with the legal technicalities involved in eminent domain proceedings. By providing a landowner with a Bill of Rights prepared by a neutral party (the attorney general), their rights under the law will be detailed in language that is easy to understand. This will enable a landowner to make an informed decision on how to proceed and whether or not legal counsel should be consulted.

HB 2924, authored by Rep. Don Armes, passed the house 89 to 4. Currently, municipalities may use eminent domain to take landowners’ groundwater rights, which are private property under Oklahoma law. HB 2924 does not stop municipalities from using eminent domain, but it limits the condemnation term to 10 years and limits the amount of surface area the municipality may take.

SB 1035, authored by Sen. Ron Justice creates the Oklahoma Surface Use and Damages Act. Surface owners can sustain significant damage to property and crops due to the acts of negligent seismic operators with few options for remedy. This can have significant economic impacts on landowners, especially those who farm and ranch for a living. SB 1035 would bring seismic operations under the surface damages act. The bill passed the Senate 42 to 0.

Another piece of legislation supported by OFB was HB 3110, authored by Rep. Earl Sears. Currently, only livestock owned in the rancher’s individual name or as a sole proprietor are considered “in support of the family” and are exempt from ad valorem taxation. Livestock owned by a family partnership or limited liability company are not considered “in support of the family” and are therefore subject to ad valorem taxation. HB 3110 clarifies that “in support of the family” includes livestock owned through a limited liability company, a family partnership or a corporation. HB 3110 passed 88 to 2.

TOP – State Rep. Todd Thomsen speaks on current legislative news during the Pontotoc County Farm Bureau legislative dinner in Ada, March 9.

BOTTOM – Rep. Joe Dorman speaks to Comanche County Farm Bureau members (left to right) Benny Taylor, Stuart Henderson and Don Hankins on March 13.

In This Issue • State legislative update • Farmer hearing study • YF&R national survey • Farm truck exemptions • 4-H volunteer training • OK Dept. of Ag grant money

Farm City Festival is April 3 The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women’s Committee will host its annual Farm City Festival at the state capitol, April 3.

The event promotes agriculture’s contributions to the daily lives of Oklahomans by welcoming state legislators and their staff members to a special luncheon. Legislators can stop by between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the first floor rotunda of the state capitol.

To learn more about Farm City Festival, call OFB Women’s Committee coordinator Marcia Irvin at (405) 523-2405.

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Commodity trip to tour southern OK The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Commodity Tour is quickly approaching (April 9-10) and any members still interested in attending should contact Thad Doye in the OFB Field Services division as soon as possible.

This year’s tour schedule includes stops at Producer’s Cooperative Oil Mill in Oklahoma City, the Wal-Mart distribution center in Pauls Valley, dinner at a hunting lodge near Ardmore and several cattle facilities owned and operated by the Noble Foundation.

Overnight accommodations will be at the Quality Inn in Ardmore. Call Thad at (405) 523-2307.

Member Benefits

• PetPartners, Inc. – Offers health care for

your dog or cat. Call 877-738-7888 for more details.

• GoBob Pipe and Steel – Offers members discounts on products including fencing and corral material, hay and feed equipment and other ag services. Visit gobobpipe.com.

OFB highlights 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 okfarmbureau.org.

OFB Calendar Farm City Festival April 3, 2012 • Oklahoma State Capitol Contact: Marcia Irvin, (405) 235-2405 Ag Day at the Capitol April 5, 2012 • Oklahoma State Capitol Contact: Blayne Arthur, OK Dept. of Ag OFB Commodity Tour April 9-10, 2012 • Ardmore, OK Contact: Thad Doye, (405) 523-2307

Farmers encouraged to participate in hearing study Farmers across the country now have the opportunity take part in a research study geared toward hearing protection. The goal of the HEAR on the Farm study is to reduce noise-induced hearing loss among farmers by increasing their use of hearing protection devices. The project is a collaboration between the American Farm Bureau Federation and researchers at the University of Michigan, with funding provided by the National Institutes of Health.

The study’s website, www.hearonthefarm.org offers information about hearing protection devices, how they work and how to overcome barriers when using them. The website also demonstrates common farm noises and how they can be damaging to your ears, in addition to an explanation Farmers can visit the website hearonthefarm. of how noise-induced hear- org to sign up for the hearing study and also read ing loss can be prevented. about preventative tips for avoiding hearing loss The ways in which to present on the farm. hearing protection tips to farmers are being tested with an overall goal of improving future farm safety programs.

To learn more about the study or to enroll as a participant, visit www.hearonthefarm.org and use the access code “saveears.” Volunteers can receive up to $40 for participating while also earning money for their local Farm Bureau safety programs.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online Monitor the latest Farm Bureau and agricultural news and information online at okfarmbureau.org.

Currently online: • YF&R Speech Contest – The YF&R’s annual speech contest will take place March 26 at the OFB home office in Oklahoma City. See the OFB website for contest results.

• OFB Calendar – The busy season of OFB spring events is in full swing.

From scholarship deadlines to the State YF&R Leadership Conference, see a complete list of activities on the OFB homepage.

www.okfarmbureau.org

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Farm show to host OFB cattle sale Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Herd Builder private treaty sale will be held during the Southern Plains Farm Show in Oklahoma City, April 19-21. Those interested in marketing bulls, heifers or cows at the three-day sale should call Thad Doye at (405) 523-2307.

YF&R golf classic planned for May 4 The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers group will host its 10th annual golf tournament May 4, at the Lakeside Golf Course in Stillwater.

All proceeds from the event benefit the OFB Legal Foundation.

All teams must pay in advance and register by April 25. The cost is $340 per team and $85 per individual. For more information about the event or to register, call Holly Carroll at (405) 205-0069.

Land availability, government regs top young farmer concerns The latest survey of participants in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program shows an even split when it comes to concerns about top challenges they face today. A total of 21 percent of young farmers surveyed ranked burdensome government regulations and “red tape” as a top concern; an additional 21 percent cited securing adequate land to grow crops and raise livestock as their top challenge.

“Most young farmers and ranchers would like to stay on the farm or ranch their entire lives,” said Glen Cope, AFBF national YF&R committee chair and a beef cattle producer from Missouri. “One of the biggest challenges many of us have faced is getting enough capital to start farming. And then, once we are established, regulatory costs can be the wildcard that Kiowa County determines whether young farmer and we can be successful rancher Zac Harris is enough to stay on optimistic about the the land,” he said. future of his operation.

Other issues ranked as top concerns included economic challenges, particularly profitability, 11 percent; availability of farm labor and related regulations, 8 percent; and willingness of parents to turn over the reins of the farm or ranch, 7 percent.

The 20th annual YF&R survey revealed that 94 percent of those surveyed are more optimistic about farming and ranching than they were five years ago. Last year, 87 percent of those surveyed said they were more optimistic about farming than they were five years ago.

The informal survey of young farmers and ranchers, ages 18-35, was conducted at the AFBF 2012 YF&R Leadership Conference in Grand Rapids, Mich., in February.

Oklahoma County 4-H to offer volunteer training The Oklahoma County 4-H Program is hosting a “Master Volunteer Training” seminar on April 18.

The purpose of the one-day training session is to educate Oklahomans interested in helping youth from all walks of life.

The workshop will include sessions designed to assist volunteers in learning how to work with a wide variety of personalities, as well as children of all ages and economic backgrounds.

Featured speakers on the agenda are motivational speaker Sean Abbananto, Oklahoma career technology center consultant Lorinda Schrammel, National FFA President and fellow Oklahoman Riley Pagett and State 4-H Program Director Dr. Charles Cox. The workshop is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Service in Oklahoma City. For more information, call (405) 713-1125.

AFBF supports farm vehicle exemptions The American Farm Bureau Federation supports two farmer-friendly amendments of the pending U.S. transportation bill (S. 1813) that were approved by the Senate on March 13. The amendments exempt certain farm vehicles from federal motor vehicle regulations that are aimed at the long-haul trucking industry.

The first amendment, introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), provides an exemption for farm trucks. If based solely on weight limits, previous legislation would require even a one-ton pickup truck pulling a trailer to follow the long-haul regulations.

The second Farm Bureau-supported amendment to S. 1813 exempts certain farm truck drivers from regulations on maximum driving and on-duty times during harvest and planting seasons.

The amendment applies to drivers transporting agricultural commodities within 100 miles of the farm that produced them, or those carrying farm supplies for agricultural purposes within 100 miles of the wholesale or retail distribution point.

The Senate version of the U.S. transportation bill was approved on March 14.

Fallin issues extension of executive order Gov. Mary Fallin issued a 4th extension of her executive order to assist farmers and ranchers with hay hauling on March 13.

Her order temporarily suspends state requirements on permits, licensing and registration for farmers and ranchers who must haul hay to livestock. Fallin said the extension is needed to expedite all efforts of drought relief and wildfire suppression, due to lingering drought conditions.

The amended order is now set to expire in 30 days.

Amendments in the pending transportation bill would exempt farm trucks such as this Dodge dually from certain federal highway regulations.

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Published by Oklahoma Farm Bureau Postmaster: address corrections to: Published bySend Oklahoma Farm Bureau

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STAFF DIRECTORY STAFF DIRECTORY Gail Banzet, 523-2346

Oklahoma Farm Bureau 2501 N. Stiles Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3126

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Perspective/Online News Editor Traci Morgan, 523-2346 Monica Wilke, 523-2303 Perspective/Online News Editor Executive Director Sam Sam Knipp, Knipp, 523-2347 523-2347 Vice Vice President President of of Communications/PR Communications/PR Kinsey Money, 523-2539 Director of Public Policy Tyler Norvell, 523-2402

Marla Peek, 523-2437 Vice President of Public Policy Director of Regulatory Affairs MarlaKidd, Peek,523-2539 523-2437 Chris Director of of State Regulatory Affairs Affairs Director and National

OK Dept. of Ag offering specialty crop grant money

BEST IN SHOW

ABOVE – OFB President Mike Spradling demonstrates his cattle showmanship skills with a Hereford heifer at the Oklahoma Youth Expo Legislative Show, March 14, in Oklahoma City.

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Farm radio journalist Mike Dain of the Oklahoma Agrinet accepts the President’s Award from Rogers County Farm Bureau leader Joe Parker during the annual Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts conference.

Parker also serves as president of the OACD. The recent event was held in Oklahoma City, Feb 26-28.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is accepting applications for $384,000 in grants that will enhance the competitiveness of speciality crops.

Grants are available to promote the production of specialty crops such as fruits, vegetables and tree nuts.

“There’s a lot to be gained by expanding Oklahoma’s specialty Farmers can crop industry,” receive grants for said Agriculture growing specialty Marketing Co- crops such as ordinator Jason strawberries.

Harvey.

Specialty crops include many fruit, nut, vegetable, herb and cut flower crops.

The focus of the grants is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by increasing nutrition knowledge, improving production efficiency, reducing distribution costs, enhancing food safety and developing new seed varieties. Eligible projects should impact the entire specialty crop industry and/or the public. Single organizations, institutions and individuals are encouraged to participate as project partners.

For additional information, please call Jason Harvey at (405) 522-5563 or email Jason.harvey@ag.ok.gov.