Oklahoma Farm Bureau applauds the Oklahoma legislature for passing HB 2562 Thursday, which reduces an approaching gross production tax rate increase on horizontal wells and also applies an equal rate to traditional vertical wells. Under the new law, horizontal wells will be subject to a tax incentive program to reduce the effective gross production rate to 2 percent for the first 36 months of production and then increase to 7 percent. The same law will be applied to vertical wells, which are currently taxed at 7 percent. The bill replaces an expiring incentive program and prevents the gross production tax […]

As more than $15 million in May 2013 tornado relief funds sit idle, Oklahoma Farm Bureau strongly encourages legislative members to defeat HJR 1092, a measure that would increase Oklahoma ad valorem taxes to build storm shelters in schools. “Our members live and work in many of the communities too often affected by tornadoes and violent weather, so we are certainly not overlooking the need for storm shelters in our schools,” said John Collison, OKFB vice president of public policy and media relations. “We are just asking the legislature to consider the millions of donated dollars still available before looking […]

Today, the state’s largest agricultural organization, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, voiced its support for the continued development of oil and natural gas in the state. “OKFB opposes any legislative action that would discourage exploration and production of Oklahoma natural resources,” said John Collison, OKFB vice president of public policy and media affairs. A proposal at the state Capitol would increase the state’s gross production tax on new wells from 1 percent to 2 percent for 48 months. “While Oklahoma Farm Bureau does not encourage the raising of taxes on oil and gas production, we see this as a fair compromise,” Collison […]

The new farm bill, tax reform, regulatory overreach and immigration reform were key issues discussed this week by Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders during a four-day lobbying effort in Washington, D.C. During the trip, the farm leaders met with U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe and U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn’s Chief of Staff Brian Treat, plus U.S. Reps. Jim Bridenstine, Markwayne Mullin, James Lankford and Frank Lucas, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. Lucas emphasized his committee’s efforts to draft a new farm bill that provides a strong safety net for farm income using a combination of crop insurance, a revenue assurance program […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau supports Sen. Jim Inhofe and Rep. Markwayne Mullin as they present an amendment to strike a provision in the omnibus appropriations bill that makes it illegal for the USDA to inspect horse processing facilities.  The bill is expected to be considered, passed and signed by the President by the end of the week and will fund the federal government through Sept. 30, 2014.  “Our Oklahoma delegation understands these horse slaughter facilities are humane solutions to the challenge of abandoned, abused and otherwise neglected horses,” OKFB President Tom Buchanan said.  “We applaud their efforts to obtain funding for […]

Fifteen of the state’s top agricultural advocates – including Gov. Mary Fallin – will receive the Oklahoma Farm Bureau 2013 Champion Award during the OKFB Leadership Conference, Feb. 17-18, at the Skirvin Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City.   The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Board of Directors is recognizing the state leaders and legislators for going above and beyond to protect and improve agriculture and rural Oklahoma during the 2013 legislative session.   “As the state’s largest agricultural organization, we are committed to preserving the livelihood and legacy of our fellow farmers and ranchers,” OKFB President Tom Buchanan said.  “It is an […]