Perspective Oklahoma Farm Bureau
www.okfarmbureau.org
March 6, 2015
Legislative Update: From water to wild pigs By John Collison OKFB Vice President of Public Policy and Media Relations ince it snowed or rained across most of Oklahoma last week, I will give you all a break from talking about water for just a bit. However, this is not to say in any way shape or form that the recent rain and snow has anything to do with fixing our long-term solution to drought in Oklahoma. This week I want to discuss an issue at the Capitol with you that many of you are intimately familiar with. This problem comes in many different shapes, sizes and colors. It has been moving in from Texas at an alarming rate and is now in all 77 counties. We have sustained thousands of dollars in losses to this problem and it continues to be an issue. We have trapped it, shot it and made money off of it. If you haven’t guessed by now, it’s not Longhorn fans. Rather, it’s wild pigs. For years, we have been trying to address this issue of how we manage the wild hog population. Many of you have seen
The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Water Committee met at the home office in Oklahoma City on Feb. 17 to review OKFB water policy. Mark Walker of Crowe and Dunlevy presented to the committee on the history of Okahoma water law. Pictured from left to right: Roland Pederson (Alfalfa County), Gary Crawley (State Director, Pittsburg County), James Fuser (State Director, Ottawa County), John Grundmann (State Director, Pottawatomie County) and Zac Harris (YF&R Chairman, Kiowa County).
the damage this ever-roving pack of wild pigs has caused. They have torn up your crops and uprooted your land, and some even claim they are the cause of the lost quail population in Oklahoma. Whatever the case, we at Oklahoma Farm Bureau want this problem taken care of. These domesticated animals have run free and it is time to put Pandora back into the box. If you have been to the coffee shop in the last few days, you have no doubt heard the commotion about a bill at the Capitol trying to solve some of the problems we face. One such bill is House Bill 1104 that is trying to find a solution to getting rid of feral pigs. This bill has gone through many changes and will continue to evolve until passed and signed by the governor. Let me be clear on what OKFB is demanding on this bill: Today you cannot move pigs around the state without first having them tested. We do this on all pigs so we do not introduce sick pigs into our industry or our livestock showing world. We
do this because it makes sense and protects all of the people involved with pigs. We also allow people with a pickup and a trailer to load up wild pigs and haul them all over the state and dump them out. This is the equivalent to playing roulette with all six chambers loaded. We are working on House Bill 1104 to make sure that if these pigs are going to be rounded up and transported that all of them are first tested to ensure they are free of any diseases. It has been the Wild West in terms of how we treat these destructive animals, and it is time we stop. This bill, as it stands today, will not put people out of business or outlaw the shooting of wild hogs. It will just make Oklahoma agriculture safer as we move into the future. This bill gets Oklahoma one step closer to getting this issue under control. If you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to call the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Public Policy Department at (405)530-2681.
OKFB Women’s Leadership Committee donates to Ronald McDonald House Charities he Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee recently donated $600 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oklahoma City as a part of the “Our Food Link” initiative. In addition to the donation made by the state women’s committee, Oklahoma County Farm Bureau also donated $100 to the charity organization. OKFB women have had a long history of partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities, donating time and money in many capacities over the last several years. The OKFB women’s group has previously served as guest chefs for the house and chose to make a significant monetary donation this year. “The Farm Bureau has been a longstanding partner for Ronald McDonald House Charities,” said Susan Adams, president and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oklahoma City. “We’re fortunate to have such an active group here in Oklahoma.” Ronald McDonald House Charities provides a “home away from home” by providing lodging, meals and laundry facilities for families with seriously ill or injured children receiving medical treatment in the Oklahoma City area. The charity organization has had a facility in Oklahoma City since 1984 but recently opened a
The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee donated $600 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oklahoma City on Feb. 25. Oklahoma County Farm Bureau also donated $100 to the Oklahoma City charity. brand-new facility on the OU Children’s Hospital campus in January of 2015. The new facility added 14 more rooms for families in need, bringing the total capacity to 33 rooms in two Oklahoma City facilities. “[The new facility] will allow us to serve nearly 500 more families each year,” Adams said. “What’s unique about it is that it is on the hospital health sciences center grounds and families are connected by a walk-way to their child’s bedside in the hospital. It helps keep families close to their child and allows them to interact with their child’s caregivers
and medical team.” The donation from the OKFB Women’s Leadership Committee will go toward providing meals for families when guest chefs are not present. It will also be used to stock the pantry at the Ronald McDonald House to provide — Susan Adams breakfast and lunch provisions for families. The OKFB Women’s Leadership Committee will also make a monetary donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tulsa in the near future.
The Farm Bureau has been a longstanding partner for Ronald McDonald House Charities. We’re fortunate to have such an active group here in Oklahoma.
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OKFB’s John Collison wraps up the fourth week of the 2015 Oklahoma legislative session, discussing wind farm decommissioning and set backs as well as a bill limiting transport and release of feral hogs. To view this video and more, go to OKFB’s YouTube page at youtube.com/okfarmbureau.
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On March 13, Oklahoma Farm Bureau will be sponsoring the Oklahoma Invasive Species Conference, a comprehensive invasive species meeting at the National Weather Center in Norman.
The Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts held their 77th annual meeting last week. Congressman Markwayne Mullin addressed the group about issues with the EPA, saying it needs to work with landowners as a partnership. To listen to OKFB’s complete interview with Rep. Mullin, visit the Oklahoma Farm Bureau SoundCloud page at soundcloud.com/okfarmbureau.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from experts from around the state and region discussing important invasive species topics. Learn from people tackling invasives in the field, conducting research and analyzing invasive species trends.
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Dewey County Farm Bureau held a grand opening on Feb. 20 for their new satellite office on Main Street in Seiling! Insurance agent Brian Bensch will be in the office on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Pictured from left to right: Brian Bensch (Insurance Agent), Ken Gore (County Director), Shurae Terrel (CSR), Phyllis Nevels (CSR & County Secretary), Ron Cole (County Director), LaManda Rutz (CSR), Mark Davis (County Director), Chet Purvine (County Director), Lee Vanderwork (County Director) and Matt Oakes (State Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee Member).
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YF&R Legislative Day To be rescheduled — Oklahoma City Contact: Holly Carroll (405) 523-2307
As a member of Oklahoma Farm Bureau, you can take advantage of preferred pricing for LASIK vision correction at 40-50% below the national average! OKFB highlights a benefit in each issue of Perspective as a reminder of the savings available to OKFB members. You can find a complete list of savings on the Oklahoma Farm Bureau website.
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Water Day at the Capitol March 10 — Oklahoma City Contact: Sara Rogers (405) 530-2681 OKFB Commodity Tour March 25-27 — Northeast Oklahoma Contact: Marcia Irvin (405) 523-2405
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Executive Director Monica Wilke 405-523-2303 VP of Public Policy and Media Relations John Collison 405-523-2539 Directors of Corporate Communications Sam Knipp 405-523-2347 Dustin Mielke 405-530-2640 Communications Specialists Karolyn Bolay 405-523-2320 Samantha Smith 405-523-2346
New bill would lift trade restrictions with Cuba n the heels of President Barack Obama’s announcement that he plans to open trade with Cuba, a bipartisan group of senators offered what is expected to be the first of many measures that would fully normalize trade relations with Cuba. Farm Bureau has long called for a removal of trade restrictions with Cuba, and the organization is optimistic that expanded trade with the U.S. will serve as a cornerstone for additional reforms. “The president’s opening to Cuba promises to improve trade conditions by making it easier for Cuba to buy U.S. agricultural and food products. This is welcome news for our nation’s farmers and ranchers,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said in a statement. Currently, U.S. farmers can export to
Cuba, but third-party banking requirements and limited credit financing have made it harder to compete in the market than it should be, explained Stallman. The lifting of those restrictions will be helpful, but full trade relations with Cuba are a must. A bill introduced earlier this month by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) would end the overall embargo. Specifically, the legislation (S. 491) would remove the sections of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 that established the trade embargo and the Cuban Liberty and Solidarity Act of 1996, which strengthened the embargo. The proposal would also repeal the current legal restrictions against doing business with Cuba and end
limitations on direct shipping between U.S. and Cuban ports. This bill is among the first Cuba-related measures introduced after Obama’s announcement, but many more are expected to follow. “The bipartisan support for this legislation shows both Republicans and Democrats are as enthusiastic as farmers and ranchers about the prospect of normalizing of trade relations between the U.S. and Cuba and the opportunities the island nation presents to U.S. businesses,” said Dave Salmonsen, AFBF trade specialist. “Cuban cigars and rum are recognized the world over, but it’s U.S. chicken, corn, soybeans and many other commodities that Cubans are clamoring for,” he added.
Farmers, ranchers call on Capitol Hill to address agriculture’s needs OKFB President Tom Buchanan, Jackson County Farm Bureau member Keeff Felty and Comanche County Farm Bureau member Adam Bohl traveled to Washington, D.C. last week to represent Oklahoma at the AFBF Advocacy Conference. Farmers and ranchers representing nearly all commodities from 43 states gathered in Washington, D.C., this week to discuss top policy priorities and hone their grassroots advocacy efforts.
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