PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU
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July 1, 2011
Irish Secretary of Agriculture and Food visits Oklahoma First Secretary of Agriculture and Food from the Irish embassy in Washington D.C., Dr. John Dardis visited Oklahoma for the first time last week to learn about Oklahoma agriculture. Hosted by Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, Dardis learned about Oklaho-
From left – First Secretary of Agriculture of Ireland Dr. John Dardis tours the Oklahoma City Stockyards with Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb and State Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese.
Production Advantage workshop sets agenda Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s new technology training workshop should prove to reach members of all skill levels thanks to an informative and diverse schedule developed by the OFB Field Services division. The training seminar is designed to help members improve and expand their operations through a better understanding of new technology and computer competency. Space is limited for the event. To register, call Kelli Beall at (405) 523-2470 or email her at kelli.beall@okfb.org. Thursday, July 28 9 – 9:30 a.m. 9:30 – 9:45 a.m. 9:45 – 10 a.m. 10:15 – 11:30 a.m. 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. 12:30 – 4 p.m. 4:15 – 5:15 p.m.
Friday, July 29 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. 12 – 1 p.m. 1:15 – 2 p.m. 2 – 3 p.m.
Welcome with coffee and doughnuts Intro to Glogster with Burton & Audrey Harmon Farm Bureau website with OFB Communications Web soil survey with JD Dennis Lunch and Stand Up and Speak with Holly Carol Green Seeker technology with Dr. Brian Arnall EZ-Ranch software
Feeder Packer Insight with Dr. Peel, Kelly Raper Lunch and Feeder Packer wrap-up Marketing Training with Lane Broadbent Debriefing, planning and survey
ma’s cattle and dairy industries, farming practices, and agricultural research and also toured several agricultural facilities in the state including Braum’s Dairy and the Oklahoma City Stockyards. Lt. Gov. Lamb said the mission of the Irish official’s visit was to develop a relationship with Ireland that explores economic development and research opportunities in agriculture. “Like Oklahoma, Ireland has deep roots in agriculture and rural development,” Lamb said. “Building a relationship with Dr. Dardis and Ireland will showcase our heritage and what Oklahoma has to offer the agriculture industry worldwide.” The Irish secretary is a fifth-generation farmer who grew up on a cattle operation. He now raises wheat and has an educational background in plant breeding. In addition to Oklahoma’s livestock and grain industries, Dardis said he also has an interest agricultural research. “One of the mandates I have here is to strengthen our relationship with universities and you can’t do better than Oklahoma State University and production agriculture,” he said. With three years of his term remaining, Dardis said he anticipates a long-lasting relationship with Oklahoma focused on improving trade, food security and other agricultural issues.
FB Women preparing for state conference The annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau State Women’s Conference is just around the corner. Scheduled for July 8-9, in historic downtown Bartlesville, women will participate in breakout sessions, listen to guest speakers and enjoy dinner and entertainment.
Supreme Court rules against federal GHG nuisance suits On Tuesday, June 21, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Clean Air Act displaces any right to seek common law abatement of greenhouse gas emissions through the federal courts. In American Electric Power v. Connecticut, the Court reversed a Second Circuit Court of Appeals decision allowing the nuisance cases to proceed. The Supreme Court ruled that because the Clean Air Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to regulate GHG, federal common law rights to pursue nuisance claims against emitters are preempted. The cases were filed by states claiming that GHG emissions from several power plants constituted a “public nuisance,” which could subject emitters to controls placed by a court. If allowed to stand, this would allow nuisance suits against any emitters (including farmers and ranchers), exposing them to expensive and time consuming court cases and potential liability. The Supreme Court decision removes that cloud but does not address whether such suits would still be precluded if Congress were to preempt EPA regulation of GHG. Farm Bureau supports H.R. 910, which would strip EPA regulatory authority over GHG.