News Stories

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Board of Directors sent a letter to U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, R-Okla., July 20, requesting his support of the Market Access Program. The MAP is directed by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service to provide funds for international marketing and promotional activities. “This is a good program that provides assistance on a cost-share basis, targeting small businesses, farmer cooperatives, and non-profit trade organizations,” the OFB board said. The board urged Sen. Coburn to cease his efforts to cut funds for the program. MAP provides an economic return to taxpayers by bringing in $35 for every $1 invested, […]

In a July 23 letter to congressional leaders, Oklahoma’s agriculture groups voiced their support for U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., and Ranking Member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., for the success in passing the FARRM Act through the committee with a strong bipartisan vote. The farm groups requested House leaders to continue pushing the legislation forward. “We request immediate consideration (of the farm bill) by the full House,” the agricultural groups wrote in the letter. In the letter, sent to Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the farm groups praised the Agriculture Committee’s legislation as […]

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has appointed Oklahoma Farm Bureau President and Sand Springs farmer Mike Spradling to the State Banking Board. “I appreciate Governor Fallin recognizing the important contribution Oklahoma agriculture makes to our state’s financial institutions by appointing someone representing agriculture,” Spradling said. Spradling will serve a six-year term on the seven-member board. The board, which is chaired by State Bank Commissioner Mick Thompson, is composed of Thompson, five bank officers and a single layman’s position. Spradling will fill the layman position, which is restricted from having any ties with the banking world. The board is responsible for adopting […]

This summer’s heat wave is creating challenges for Oklahoma’s food and fiber producers. A quick check of Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Harvest Watch blog shows triple digit temperatures combined with drought conditions are frustrating efforts. “We are having a real long dry spell,” writes Kenneth Fisher, Bristow. “We got good spring rains, but now everything is turning brown. Somehow the corn is going to make only a partial crop.” For the Webb family ranch at Canton, there is a feeling of déjà vu. “I hope we are not in for a repeat of last summer,” writes Brandon Webb. “100 degree days […]

The farm bill draft released July 5 by U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) and Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) is drawing favorable support from Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders. “This draft offers a strong safety net for farm income using a combination of crop insurance and price protection,” said OFB Farm Bill Committee Chairman Scott Neufeld, Fairview. “We strongly support Cong. Lucas in his efforts as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee to pass a farm bill that would be equitable for all regions of the country.” Neufeld said crop insurance needs to continue to be viable, […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling praised Oklahoma’s congressional delegation for their diligent efforts in passing the federal transportation bill June 29. “Oklahoma farmers and ranchers owe a huge debt of gratitude to their elected representatives in the nation’s capitol for supporting the highway bill,” Spradling said. The farm leader singled out U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe and Rep. James Lankford for their work on the federal legislation. They were members of the conference committee to reconcile differences between the House and Senate measures. Last year, Lankford authored H.R. 2414, the Farmers’ Freedom Act, which allows farm trucks a limited commercial […]

The U.S. Senate’s approval of a farm bill on June 21, is drawing mixed reviews from Oklahoma farmers and ranchers. The main concern, said Scott Neufeld, Fairview, is the lack of price protection in years when commodity prices are low. “We’re disappointed that most of the risk management tools included in the Senate bill are revenue based with very little focus on the price components of actual marketing,” Neufeld said. “There is no mechanism to manage risk when steep price declines happen, and they will happen, and when they may last for several marketing years.” As chairman of Oklahoma Farm […]

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Corporate Communications and Public Relations team received four national awards during the American Farm Bureau Public Relations conference in Traverse City, Mich., June 9-12. The awards recognize excellence in communicating agriculture and Farm Bureau’s message. “We work extremely hard to tell the farm story in Oklahoma, and it is satisfying to know our efforts received national recognition,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. Oklahoma Farm Bureau competed against other state Farm Bureaus in the large-state (over 80,000 members) category. A panel of professional communicators judged the contest entries. Awards won by the OFB team include: Best Audio […]

Saving lives and improving the health of farmers, ranchers and other rural residents was the focus of the American Farm Bureau Safety and Health Network Conference May 21-23, in Oklahoma City. “We were pleased to host this conference and hopefully increase safety awareness for farmers,” said Justin Grego, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Safety Services Director. “Farm Bureau has a long history of advocating safety and health on the farm and ranch,” said Kim Baker, AFBF program assistant. According to conference organizers, more than 30 participants from 12 states attended the event. “This is a great opportunity to share ideas and network […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling has been nominated to serve on the search and screening committee for Oklahoma State University’s Vice President and Dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. “I am extremely honored to serve on this committee and I look forward to helping select someone who can continue the strong leadership and vision DASNR is known for,” Spradling said. The committee plans to begin its search for new division leadership within the next few months. Robert Whitson will step down as vice president, dean and director of OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural […]