November 4, 2011

PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU

®

November 4, 2011

Annual Meeting Begins Nov. 11, in Oklahoma City After months of preparation and anticipation, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Annual Meeting is here!

In honor of OFB’s 70th anniversary, the theme for this year’s convention is “Living a Legacy, Building our Future.” The schedule of events begins bright and early Friday morning at Oklahoma City’s downtown Cox Convention Center with registration and the YF&R Discussion Meet.

The OFB Trade Show opens at 10 a.m., and Opening Session begins at 1:30 p.m. Channel 9 meteorologist Gary England is scheduled to speak at Friday’s afternoon session after a wel-

come from Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb.

On Saturday, trade show hours and registration begin at 8 a.m. All voting members should take note that the credentials desk, located near OFB’s registration table, will

election and districts 1, 4 and 7 elections.

Saturday night’s dinner begins at 7, followed by the awards program at 7:45. The Farm Family of the Year video presentation, Farm Family winner, Distinguished Service to

close at noon on Saturday.

Several orders of business will be conducted during the day’s two general sessions including election of AFBF delegates, resolutions sessions, the presidential address, the presidential

OFB Award, YF&R Achievement Award and YF&R Lifetime Legacy Award all will be announced during the ceremony. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by country music singer Joe Diffie.

Sunday will close out the annual meeting with the County Presidents Breakfast, the FBW Chairmans Breakfast and Breakfast of CHAMPIONS all beginning at 7:30 a.m.

The annual Vespers & Memorial Session starts at 9:15 a.m. featuring inspirational music and guest speaker U.S. Congressman James Lankford.

Other convention highlights include the OFB Silent Auction. Proceeds from the auction this year will benefit the new Oklahoma FARM (Farming and Ranching Matters) Foundation. See the complete Annual Meeting Schedule of Events on page 3 or visit okfarmbureau.org.

Grass roots policy development at work ... State Resolutions Committee reviews proposals A resolution calling for a federal farm program that provides a strong safety net for farm income using a combination of crop insurance and a revenue assurance program was among more than 100 resolutions passed by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau state resolutions committee Oct. 18-19, in Oklahoma City. The proposal will be voted on during the annual OFB convention, Nov. 11-13.

“We want to protect our producers’ ability to grow food and fiber for this country,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “We believe crop insurance should be a top priority and is a key to Oklahoma agriculture’s success.”

There is concern direct payments may be eliminated since the administration is considering reducing the agriculture department’s budget. The proposed resolution states OFB supports keeping direct and countercyclical payments to farmers, but if they are going to be reduced more than 33 percent, the remaining funds should be shifted to a revenue assurance program.

“We need to keep a strong, affordable crop insurance program and realize at the same time direct Resolutions Review – Oklahoma Farm Bureau District 4 payments provide income stabilDirector Bob Drake (middle) discusses a policy proposal during ity,” said Scott Neufeld, chairman Resolutions Committee work in Oklahoma City, Oct. 18. Also of OFB’s Farm Bill Committee. pictured YF&R representative Mason Bolay (far left) and Mickey Farm Bureau also supports Vanderwork (far right) of Dewey County Farm Bureau.

(See Resolutions, page 2)

Member Benefits

• Grainger – Offers 10 percent off catalog

prices along with special pricing on other merchandise. Order toll free at 877-202-2594 or online at grainger.com.

• ScriptSave – A prescription drug discount card that offers members and their families access to prescription discounts and free health/wellness info. Call 800-700-3957.

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

(Resolutions, from page 1) conservation programs allowing farmers to produce crops while protecting the environment.

“We strongly support programs such as EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program),” said Neufeld. “Farmers are familiar and comfortable with these programs and want to continue efforts to protect and improve the environment.”

The resolutions committee also passed measures opposing production of castor beans in Oklahoma and the practice of conjunctive (tying surface and groundwater rights together) use management anywhere in the state.

The committee voiced support for legislation prohibiting the use of eminent domain to condemn water rights and for State Question 758, which changes the current cap on property tax increases from 5 percent to 3 percent of fair cash value in any taxable year.

“SQ 758 is something this organization has been working on since our inception,” Spradling said. “We hope the voters agree with us when they go to the ballot box in 2012.”

The Farm Bureau committee also passed a resolution opposing designation of a protected area for prairie chickens as an endangered species.

OFB Annual Meeting November 11-13, 2011 • OKC Contact: Monica Wilke, (405) 523-2303

TOP – OFB Director of Research & Policy Development Kinsey Money (right) looks up an OFB policy for resolutions committee member Karen Brewer (left).

LEFT – OFB’s Resolutions Committee discusses hundreds of proposed resolutions, Oct. 18, in Oklahoma City.

FBW Rally December 2-3, 2011 • OKC Contact: Marcia Irvin, (405) 523-2405 YF&R State Committee Meeting December 9-10, 2011 • OKC Contact: Chris Kidd, (405) 228-4001

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

Currently online: • 70th Annual Meeting – Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 70th annual state convention begins Friday, Nov. 11.

Check the OFB homepage for annual meeting details and a tentative schedule.

• Publications Viewer – The fall issue of Oklahoma Country magazine is now available! View this issue’s feature stories, YF&R profile and so much more online by selecting the “publications” button under the News tab.

www.okfarmbureau.org

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Legislative staff tours Osage County

From left – Osage Co. FB member Will Cubbage, Sen. Tom Coburn field staff Brian Treet and Michael Junk, and Congressman Frank Lucas field rep Brianna Domnick.

Osage County OSU Extension Agriculture Educator and Osage County Farm Bureau board member Will Cubbage recently hosted a county tour for staff members from the offices of U.S. Congressman Frank Lucas and U.S. Senator Tom Coburn.

Congressional field staff members toured local cattle operations and learned about agricultural opportunities in Osage County, along with the effects the drought has had on both producers and local communities.

EPA proposes SPCC compliance deadline move to 2013 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently amended the date by which farms must prepare or amend and implement their Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans, to May 10, 2013. If the EPA receives no adverse comment by Nov. 2, 2011, the rule will become effective on Nov. 7.

An overwhelm-

ing segment of the continental United States was affected by flooding during the spring and summer of 2011. Other areas were impacted by devastating fires. Many counties in several states were declared disaster areas by either the federal or state government or both. As a result, the EPA believes that, because of their unique nature, farms were disproportionately affected and need additional time to prepare and implement a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan.

The amendment does not remove the regulatory requirement for owners or

operators of farms in operation before Aug. 16, 2002, to maintain and continue implementing an SPCC Plan in accordance with the SPCC regulations then in effect. Such farms continue to be required to maintain plans during the interim until the applicable compliance date for amending and implementing the amended plans. Finally, the amendment does not relieve farms from the liability of any oil spills that occur. For questions about the SPCC’s new deadline, call the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Field Services division at (405) 523-2307 or the Public Policy division at (405) 530-2681.

OFB Annual Meeting Schedule of Events Friday, Nov. 11 8 – 9 a.m...................................... Credentials Committee Breakfast 8 – 8:30 a.m........................................ Discussion Meet Orientation 9 a.m. – 5 p.m................................................................ Registration 9 – 9:45 a.m............................................ Discussion Meet, Round 1 10 a.m. – 7 p.m......................................Trade Show/Silent Auction 10 – 11:30 a.m...............................Commodity Committee Reports 10 – 10:45 a.m........................................ Discussion Meet, Round 2 11 – 11:45 a.m........................................ Discussion Meet, Round 3 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.....................State Board Meeting/Lucheon 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m............................................ Farm Bill Luncheon 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m..........................FBW Conference/Luncheon 12:00 – 1:15 p.m.......................................... Discussion Meet Finals 1:30 – 4 p.m............................................................Opening Session Music: Mikayla Jo Balderas, Tipton FFA Welcome: Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb Speaker: Gary England Awards: County Awards, YF&R Discussion Meet Winner, YF&R County Event, YF&R Charles Roff, Secretary of the Year Award, Journalist of the Year Award *Adjourn to trade show area for door prizes 4 – 7 p.m..................................Trade Show Open House Reception 5 – 7 p.m.................................... Ag Leadership Reception (OALP) Evening on Your Own in OKC Saturday, Nov. 12 7 – 8 a.m...................................................... Credentials Committee 7:30 – 8:30 a.m................... Financial Review Committee Breakfast 7:30 – 8:30 a.m............................ Resolutions Committee Breakfast 8 a.m. – 5 p.m........Trade Show/Silent Auction (auction closes at 7) 8 a.m. – 4 p.m................................................................ Registration 8:45 – 9:30 a.m............................ OFBMIC Policyholders Meeting 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.............................................. General Session Music: Haley Berry, Cordell FFA Credentials report to delegate body, Election of AFBF Delegates, Resolution Session *Adjourn to trade show area for door prizes *12:00 p.m............................................Credentials Desk Closes

Saturday, Nov. 12 (continued) 12 – 1:30 p.m................................ Credentials Committee Meeting 12:30 – 1:30 p.m...................................... YF&R Caucus Luncheon 12:30 – 1:30 p.m................................. FBW Gavel Club Luncheon 1:30 – 2 p.m..........................................................District Caucuses 2:15 – 4 p.m............................................................ General Session Music: Zach Ray, Blanchard FFA Presidential Address, Minutes, Financial Review Committee Report, Credentials Report, District Caucus Reports, FBW & YF&R Incoming/Outgoing, Presidential Election, AFBF Delegate Announcement, 2011 OK AgFund Report, Resolution Session *2:30 is the latest to bring back resolutions *Adjourn to trade show area for door prizes 5:30 – 6:30 p.m...................................................AgFund Reception 7 – 7:45 p.m.......................................................................... Dinner 7:45 – 9:30 p.m..........................Awards Program & Entertainment Emcee: Ron Hays Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Farm Family Video Presentation (during dinner), Farm Family Announcement, Excellence in Ag, YF&R Lifetime Legacy Award, Lewis Munn Award, John I. Taylor Award, YF&R Achievement Award, live auction Entertainment: Joe Diffie Sunday, Nov. 13 7:30 – 9 a.m.........................................County Presidents Breakfast Speaker: Eddie D. Wilcoxen 7:30 – 9 a.m...........................................FBW Chairmans Breakfast 7:30 – 9 a.m........................................ Breakfast of CHAMPIONS

Speakers: Glenn Coffee, Secretary of State

Dr. Drew Kershen, OU College of Law 9:15 – 11:30 a.m................................. Vespers & Memorial Session Music: Toby Baldwin, Cade Baldwin, David & Angela Leu and Sharon Rue Speaker: U.S. Congressman James Lankford Memorial Service 11:30 – 2 p.m......................................... FBW Committee Meeting

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

Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332 Postmaster: Send address corrections to: Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332

Staff Directory Staff Directory Gail Banzet, 523-2346

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

Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 131 Okla. City, OK.

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 Tyler Norvell, 523-2402 Vice Norvell, President of Public Policy Tyler 523-2402

Marla Peek, 523-2437 Vice President of Public Policy Director of Regulatory Affairs Marla Peek, 523-2437 Kinsey Money, 523-2539 Directorofof Regulatory Affairs Director Research & Policy Development

Inhofe supports amendment to protect rural communities U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) recently announced his support for a revenue neutral amendment offered by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) that transfers $8 million to watershed and flooding prevention programs under H.R. 2112. The so-called ‘minibus’ appropriations act is expected to fund Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and related agencies for Fiscal Year 2012. The transferred funds will be taken from departmental administration funds used to support upper-level bureaucrats.

"Oklahoma has more upstream flood

control dams than anywhere else in the country, and Sen. Moran’s amendment offers a needed solution to improving the nation’s watersheds and dams,” Inhofe said.

“Rather than being used for bureaucrats in the agency, these funds will protect 1,532 county and highway bridges, while providing flood prevention for 20,541 farms and ranches in our state. It is clearly a safety and infrastructure issue that requires the repair of aging water dams well past their expected service life. Without this amendment, farms and ranches across the nation

are vulnerable to increased flooding that endangers livestock, grain and crops.”

Officials from several state associations also applauded Sen. Moran’s efforts.

“Oklahoma has more upstream flood control dams than any other state in the union,” said Clay Pope of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts. “In five years, 1,000 dams will be past design life and in need of repair. Without these funds, the lives and properties of Oklahomans will be put in jeopardy. These funds are critical to repairing these structures. ”

Poor peanut crop in South to drive up cost of peanut butter For those who love peanut butter, prepare to soon pay more for the popular snack. Peanut growers in the South did not have a very good crop this year, and as a result, rumors of higher peanut butter prices are “spreading.”

Although there are peanut farmers in Oklahoma, much of the country’s peanut supply is grown in southern states such as Georgia and Alabama. Officials with the Georgia Peanut Commission report a low supply of peanuts left from the 2010 crop combined with poor market prices at planting and drought conditions are driving up the price of peanuts.

“Out of the 33 years I have been working in the peanut industry, I’ve seen two other years worse than 2011,” said Dr. John Beasley, University of Georgia peanut agronomist. “Some areas in Georgia were very drought-stricken with fields yielding zero to 100 pounds.

In a recent editorial written by Georgia Peanut Commission Chairman Armond

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Morris and Georgia Farm Bureau President the United States Department of AgriculZippy Duvall, the two peanut experts state ture reports peanut butter consumption has the tight supply and rules of supply and de- jumped 10 percent since 2008. Is peanut mand, not farmers, are to blame for higher butter worth the extra money? Consumer prices consumers could soon experience. trends will answer that question, but nutriTheir editorial states, “Some might tion experts say it is still a healthy snack! criticize farmers for not planting enough peanut acres, but farmers told peanut buyers in the spring that prices were not high enough to compete for cotton and corn acres, but buyers assumed there would be enough peanuts.”

Peanut butter Now those buyers are havand jelly, ing to pay a heftier price for what peanuts they can find, anyone? and that is expected to be reflected in peanut butter prices later this fall. Large peanut butter companies such as Jif have reported it will increase its prices by 30 percent in November. At the same time,