News Stories

Oklahoma farmers and ranchers will focus their legislative efforts this year on protecting private property rights, but Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s top lobbyist says that will not be their only priority. “We’re going to work extremely hard to keep a lid on property taxes and protect our sales tax exemption,” Lori Peterson, OFB’s vice president of public policy, said. With the economic slowdown, lawmakers will be looking for ways to increase state revenue and Peterson does not want them to look at agriculture. “Agricultural leaders were successful last year in keeping the sales tax exemption intact as legislators scrutinized all tax […]

To get a glimpse of the future of Oklahoma agriculture, all you have to do is venture into the Cimarron Hotel and Suites in Stillwater, Jan. 23-25. That’s where the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers winter conference is scheduled to kick off with over 100 of the state’s best young producers in attendance. “This is a great opportunity for young farmers and ranchers from throughout the state to learn from each other as well as some of the state’s top agricultural scientists,” said Sheila Taylor, coordinator of the weekend event. Sheila and her husband Tim farm north of […]

It was an eye-opening experience for a group of Oklahoma young farmers and ranchers when they competed with more than 90 of their counterparts in contests held during the annual American Farm Bureau Federation convention Jan. 11-14 in San Antonio, TX. “It was a wonderful opportunity to represent Oklahoma and meet farmers from other states,” said Mindi Clark, Burlington. Clark was a contestant in the Discussion Meet where farmers are judged on their ability to discuss national agricultural issues. Clark, who teaches agriculture education at Fairview High School, said the national competition gave her a chance to expand her knowledge […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling, has been re-elected to the American Farm Bureau Federation board of directors. He will serve a two-year term. “This is one of the greatest jobs I could have,” Spradling, who resides in Sand Springs, said. “It’s at the top of our leadership structure and allows me to see how much impact my involvement has at the national level.” Spradling was elected during the business session of the annual American Farm Bureau Federation convention Jan. 13 in San Antonio, Tex. Approximately 130 Oklahoma farmers and ranchers participated in the national meeting and they were successful […]

This will be a challenging year full of opportunities and pot holes for agricultural producers and consumers alike. That’s the assessment of Mike Spradling, president of Oklahoma Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization. In the coming months, Spradling expects to see opportunities for farmers to sell their commodities for a profit. “To survive a volatile economy, producers will have to be shrewd marketers,” Spradling said. “I expect the market to provide windows of profit opportunity, but at the same time pot holes of losses.” The agricultural leader acknowledges every producer’s break even points are different, but just like in […]

Voting delegates at the 67th annual meeting of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau reaffirmed the organization’s position on several major issues during the business session of the convention. Delegates said they will continue to support renewable fuels. This stance was made despite a proposal to dilute the support in an attempt to ease the pressure of higher feed costs for livestock producers. At the same time, delegates added support for nuclear power as a potential fuel source in Oklahoma. They also voted to support tax incentives for landowners who use wind turbines or solar power as alternate power sources on their […]

Noble County’s Scott and Carol Dvorak were named Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year Nov. 14 at the 67th annual state convention in Oklahoma City. A panel of judges selected the Perry family from 14 entries in the annual contest, which honors the farm family who best represents farming and ranching and the spirit of Oklahoma agriculture. The Dvoraks received use of a new Dodge pickup for a year, an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation meeting in San Antonio, Tex., and other gifts in recognition of their accomplishments. The couple has three children, Joseph, Allison […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau honored two leaders during its 67th annual meeting in Oklahoma City with Distinguished Service Awards. The pair of awards is designed to honor those who have made outstanding contributions to agriculture and to Oklahoma Farm Bureau, according to Matt Wilson, executive director. Payne County’s Dr. Michael R. Dicks and Woodward County’s Eldon Merklin were honored Nov. 14 during a special evening award’s program in the Cox Convention Center. Dicks was presented with the Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Agriculture Award while Merklin received the Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Farm Bureau Award. Dicks, 55, of Stillwater, has served agriculture […]

Payne County’s Scott Storey was recognized with Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award Nov. 14 at the 67th annual convention in Oklahoma City. The award recognizes successful young people 35 or younger who are involved in farming but whose primary occupations are not farming or owning an agricultural business. The award is based on their involvement in agriculture and participation in Oklahoma Farm Bureau and other community organizations. Storey received a Polaris four-wheeler ATV courtesy of Farm Credit plus a trip to the AFBF convention in San Antonio, Tex., to represent Oklahoma in the national contest. He and […]