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 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 counter-cyclical 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 payments provide income stability,” said Scott Neufeld, chairman of OFB’s Farm Bill Committee.
Farm Bureau also supports 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.
“This designation would obviously impact our ability to use the land to efficiently produce food and fiber,” Spradling said.
