Mammoth PBJ shoots for record Two state commodity groups plan to establish a new world record for a Goliath-size sandwich Sept. 7 during Septemberfest. While the mammoth size of the gigantic size peanut butter and jelly sandwich hopefully will stand the test of time in the Guinness Book of World Records, the hefty behemoth should be reduced to crumbs and splatters before the day is done. Those attending Septemberfest, which will be held on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion in Oklahoma City, will get to sample the giant sandwich when it will be served up after being certified as […]
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Farm Bureau wants USDA to reinterpret farm program
Wheat producers grazing out part of their acres may be prevented from updating yield history according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture interpretation of the new farm bill. "As we understand the rule, if we plant 1,000 acres of wheat, but harvest 500 acres with our cattle, those acres will receive a zero yield for production history purposes," Steve Kouplen, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president, said. "This basically cuts our yield for the 1,000 acres in half, and obviously this would prevent us from updating yields." Updating yields could make producers eligible for higher program payments. If producers do not update […]
OFB President meets with FSA officials
The President of the state’s largest farm organization recently met with Farm Service Agency (FSA) officials in Stillwater to learn how new federal farm legislation will be implemented. “We know producers are concerned about many of the details of the program and how it will impact their business,” said Steve Kouplen, Beggs. “This meeting put us on the same page with the FSA.” The meeting covered FSA’s implementation of Farm Loan, Price Support, Conservation and Compliance programs. The FSA staff has just completed national and state training on implementing the complex 2002 farm bill. The legislation requires participating producers and […]
Trade legislation gives farmers hope for future
With the president’s signing of historic trade legislation, farmers can look forward to a substantial increase in agriculture exports. That’s how Steve Kouplen, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president, views the historic legislation. "Oklahoma farmers and ranchers are heavily dependent on export sales," Kouplen said."Over half of our production is exported. Sales have sagged in recent years and so has farm income." The legislation gives President Bush the authority to negotiate trade agreements that Congress can approve or reject but cannot change. The U.S. House and Senate recently passed the bill with President Bush quickly adding his signature to sign the bill […]
Oklahoma Farm Bureau Praises TPA Legislation
Calling it the catalyst to increasing agriculture exports, Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Steve Kouplen supports the U.S. House of Representatives recent passage of trade promotion authority (TPA) legislation. "Oklahoma farmers and ranchers are heavily dependent on world trade as we export over half of our products," Kouplen said, "and this (TPA) should substantially boost agriculture exports." The trade legislation gives President Bush the authority to negotiate trade deals that Congress can pass or reject but cannot amend. Without it, other countries are reluctant to negotiate with the United States fearing any hard-won trade agreement could be undone through amendments in […]
Oklahoma Farm Bureau announces August Area Meeting lineup
Oklahoma Farm Bureau will kick off its policy development season with 12 Area Meetings in each of the nine state director districts during August. “The primary objective of the Area Meetings is to allow members and leaders to bring up issues of concern for possible policy development consideration,” said Matt Wilson, OFB executive director. Oklahoma Farm Bureau Public Policy staff members will brief members in attendance on issues that are expected to come to the legislative forefront on both the state and national levels. New this year will be a presentation on the positive and negative aspects of developing a […]
YF&R to meet in Ardmore July 26-28
Ardmore will be the site for the 2002 Young Farmers and Ranchers Summer Conference to be held July 26-28. Plan now to attend the three-day conference designed to allow young producers the opportunity to interact and swap ideas while taking a brief break from their operations. For a hotel reservation, call the Ardmore Holiday Inn at 580.223.7130. Room rates are $65. Hotel reservations are separate from the conference. The deadline for reservations is July 15. Please contact Marcia Irvin, at 405.523.2405, for more information. The conference schedule is as follows: FRIDAY, JULY 265:00 p.m. ………….FAMILY BARBECUE DINNERWhitehouse at Noble Foundation• […]
Grazing Lands Conference to focus on profitability
It doesn’t take millions of dollars to start a ranch today. In fact, a August 16-17 seminar sponsored by the Oklahoma Grazing Lands Conservation Association (OGLCA) will demonstrate how a ranch can be profitable on considerably less than a million dollars. "Grazing lands dollars and cents" is the theme for the conference to be held at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, I-40 and Meridian, Oklahoma City. "We’re going to show how young people can succeed and prosper in agriculture today," said Wally Olson, OGLCA chairperson and Vinita, OK rancher. Featured speaker Dr. Barry Dunn, South Dakota State University will […]
Prairie dog management meetings are scheduled for June
Landowners are encouraged to attend an upcoming series of public meetings to address various prairie dog management issues. The ODWC will conduct four meetings across the state which are scheduled to be held in June. The ODWC is expected to unveil its draft plan at these meetings to address declining populations of the black-tailed prairie dog as well as solicit feedback from landowners. Although Farm Bureau agrees with the direction the state is going, Peek said the organization would like to see more of an emphasis placed on adding prairie dog acres on state and federal lands versus further regulations […]
Oklahoma Farm Bureau to hold Campaign Management Seminar
Candidates stumped by the complexities of a modern political campaign are encouraged to attend Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Campaign Management Seminar, May 30-31, Best Western Saddleback Inn, Oklahoma City. The two-day seminar will teach candidates running for public office at any level the “secrets” of a winning campaign, according to Lori Peterson, director of national affairs for Oklahoma Farm Bureau. “With term limits approaching, there will be many new candidates with no public office experience,” Peterson said. “This seminar teaches them how to campaign.” The bi-partisan seminar will feature Brad EcKart, director of public policy with the American Farm Bureau office […]