News Stories

Almost 600 youngsters participated in the 12th annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau-sponsored Oklahoma State Fair Livestock Judging Contest Sept. 28 in Oklahoma City. The contest gave youngsters the opportunity to test their judging skills on cattle, swine and sheep while competing for $2,000 worth of prizes plus plaques and ribbons. Results in the senior 4-H division, which was for 4-H members 14 and older, were: • Teams: McCurtain County’s (Valliant 4-H) Courtney Coffman, Jake Mullens, Sabrina Meeks and Chelsea Coffman, first; Kay County’s Gayle Buellsefeld, Salye Bersman, Justin McMurtrie and Ross Kubik, second; and Washita County’s (Canute 4-H) Kylie Kupksa, Caittyn […]

Oklahoma wheat producers have until Sept. 30 to apply for crop insurance, according to Scott Bulling, crop program manager for Oklahoma Farm Bureau. Crop insurance should be considered a risk management tool, Bulling said. “We don’t want to have to bet the farm on whether or not we will have a crop,” Bulling said. “After the huge losses producers have experienced the last several years, few (producers) wish to bet their entire future on one year’s crop. Crop insurance gives producers the security of knowing they can survive a crop failure.” There is a large variety of crop insurance products […]

A District Court ruling in Muskogee County is testing the rights of citizens to own property according to Harlan Hentges, Director of the Oklahoma Agricultural Legal Foundation. Muskogee County commissioners asked the district judge earlier this year to approve the taking of private property for a private company’s water pipeline easement. In a ruling issued Aug. 29 the district judge concurred. The Foundation is funding legal representation for the property owners. "If this is allowed then any government entity can take anybody’s land for any purpose," Hentges said. "The taking of private property for private use is clearly unconstitutional." Landowners […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

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• […]