The Labor Department’s announcement to reconsider the ‘parental exemption’ regulations in its proposed child labor rule is good news for Oklahoma farm families, according to Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling. “I’m really thankful the DOL is taking into account our comments to take another look at their proposal,” Spradling said. The DOL received thousands of complaints from the agriculture industry after it announced plans last fall to propose strict, new child labor guidelines on the farm. The agency now says it will take more time to reconsider the parental exemption and hear comments from the public. “Farm Bureau members […]

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin endorsed the newly formed Oklahoma Livestock Relief Coalition during a press conference at the state capitol Jan. 23. The coalition provides a funding channel for people to support the efforts of livestock producers and law enforcement agencies who are often given the task of caring for abandoned and neglected livestock. “It’s a great example of the private sector coming together with law enforcement agencies to properly take care of animals,” Fallin said. Oklahoma Agriculture Secretary Jim Reese noted last summer’s drought created a difficult situation for livestock owners and the lingering effects still impact livestock producers. […]

The American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors have approved the organization’s priority issues for 2012, following a delegate session at the 93rd Annual Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii. A total of 370 Farm Bureau delegates from across the country and all sectors of the agriculture industry met earlier this week to discuss the 2012 farm bill and develop a priority agenda. The AFBF Board of Directors then approved the priority issues on Jan. 11. Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling said the new list of adopted policies addresses the concerns of farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma and beyond. “The basic […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau today announced the resignation of OFB Vice President of Public Policy Tyler Norvell, effective Jan. 6, 2012. Norvell is leaving OFB to serve as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Youth Expo, in Oklahoma City. The OYE Board of Directors named him to the new position on Dec. 19, 2011. “I will always cherish my time at Farm Bureau, especially the opportunity to represent OFB members at the Capitol and work daily with Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers to protect their way of life,” Norvell said. Norvell began his OFB career in 2006 as a legislative specialist. He also […]

Oklahoma farmers are applauding the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act, which seeks to limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate naturally occurring dust. The legislation’s passage came after more than a year of concern among farmers and ranchers. “We are extremely pleased that Congress supports our efforts in this common-sense approach to regulations,” Mike Spradling, president of Oklahoma Farm Bureau, said. The entire Oklahoma delegation voted for the legislation. “The proposal to regulate farm dust is one of the most absurd ideas to come out of the EPA in a long time,” […]

In a state where horses outnumber people in many rural areas, farmers and ranchers are celebrating the passage of federal legislation that allows for the funding of horse processing facilities. “This eliminates a major hurdle for the resumption of domestic horse processing,” said Mike Spradling, president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. The legislation, H.R. 2112, is contained in the fiscal year 2012 agriculture appropriation bill. It does not include any language prohibiting funding for the inspection of horses at processing plants. “There never was a federal law banning processing, “Spradling said. “The government just prohibited funding USDA inspection.” During the […]

A dedicated group of Oklahoma farmers, ranchers and related businesses working through the Oklahoma FARM (Farming and Ranching Matters) Foundation, are donating processed beef sticks to Oklahoma troops serving in Afghanistan. Beef 4 Battle Coalition members announced the project Nov. 15, during a media event at the Rick Davis farm near Guthrie. “We are extremely pleased to promote agriculture and help our military at the same time,” said Monica Wilke, Executive Director of the Oklahoma FARM (Farming and Ranching Matters) Foundation. State officials in attendance included Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, the Adjutant General of the Oklahoma […]

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 topped the list of policies passed by voting delegates at the 70th annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention, Nov. 11-13, Oklahoma City. “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 federal administration is considering reducing […]

Chelsea Clifton of Kingfisher was named the 2011 Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet winner at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau 70th Annual Meeting Nov. 11, in Oklahoma City. The 23-year-old Clifton competed against five other participants in three rounds of debate-style discussion where performance is evaluated on the exchange of ideas and information on pre-determined topics. Participants are judged on their ability to offer constructive criticism, cooperation and communication while analyzing agricultural problems and developing solutions. As the state discussion meet winner, Clifton received a new John Deere lawn mower and the opportunity to compete for other prizes in the […]

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, in Oklahoma City. “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 […]