PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU
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September 9, 2011
State agriculture officials discuss drought recovery Close to 100 people attended the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Drought Recovery Summit on Aug 30. Several state agriculture leaders were on-hand to talk about how the drought is affecting Oklahoma’s economy and agricultural industry. Despite a projected $2 billion in economic losses, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese said he is confident the state’s producers will survive the drought. “It will rain again and it will get better,” he said. “The crop losses can be partially offset with crop insurance and there are programs to help livestock producers.” Other drought summit speakers included Hugh Aljoe and Job Springer of the Noble
Foundation, Farm Service Agency Director Francie Tolle, Oklahoma Ag Mediation Director Andrea Braeutigam, Oklahoma State University sociologist Dr. Duane Gill and climatologist Gary McManus of the Oklahoma Climatological Survey. “Some counties have only had four inches of rainfall since Oct. 1, 2010,” McManus said. “No longer do we have to talk about the legendary days of the past. We are living in a legendary year.” The Noble Foundation’s Hugh Aljoe also discussed how Oklahoma farmers and ranchers are now living in unchartered territory. His presentation focused on pasture management and long-term planning for cattle grazing.
“We’ve become accustomed to flying by the seat of our britches and I don’t think we’re going to be able to do that anymore,” Aljoe said.
The conference concluded on an optimistic note. Climatologist Gary McManus suggested cooler, fall weather is possible in the next couple of months.
BELOW – State Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese discusses economic losses due to drought during the OFB Drought Recovery Summit.
AUGUST IN REVIEW: District meetings round up policy ideas Oklahoma Farm Bureau has just completed a busy month of August Area Meetings, and OFB staff members are now moving on to resolutions meetings with plenty of policy ideas. OFB Vice President of Public Policy Tyler Norvell said the meetings were well-attended considering the drought and current status of the economy. (see meetings, page 2)
ABOVE – Atoka Co. Farm Bureau member Merle ABOVE – Woodward Co. FB board member Wes Crain Henderson asks a question to the OFB Public Policy makes comments during the District 1 August Area Meeting in team during the District 5 meeting in McAlester. Woodward on Aug. 23.