Oklahoma Farm Bureau recently submitted comments on the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry’s proposed rules regarding feral hogs. The proposed rules create a feral swine-free zone which includes 11 northwest Oklahoma counties. They also increase recordkeeping requirements for transporting, handling and sporting facilities. Restrictions on bringing feral swine into the state also are made permanent by the rule.  ODAFF claims the rules will “adopt aggressive measures for the eradication of feral swine in the state of Oklahoma.” Yet OKFB found the rules lenient, saying the “proposed rules have the appearance of being a step in the right direction; […]

OKFB President Tom Buchanan issued the following statement in response to Gov. Mary Fallin’s proposal to allow for increases in property taxes to fund local schools. “In the State of the State address today, Gov. Mary Fallin proposed changes in the manner ad valorem taxes are used for school districts. “As landowners, Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers know and understand that school district buildings belong to the patrons, or landowners, of the school district. Therefore, it is the patron’s responsibility to either build new buildings or maintain the existing buildings. The state’s current ad valorem, or property, tax process has served […]

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Public Policy Division recently named Mark Yates its director of field operations. In the new position, Yates will serve as the face of Oklahoma Farm Bureau at various community and civic organizations and events. He will work to educate urban citizens on the importance and impact of agriculture in Oklahoma. “Oklahomans need to know the importance of agriculture in their every day lives,” Yates said. “I’m excited to serve as another voice representing agriculture and Farm Bureau.” To educate urban citizens, Yates will become a fixture in larger Oklahoma cities including Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Lawton, […]

The following article is from the winter 2016 edition of Oklahoma Country magazine’s Lincoln to Local column by OKFB Vice President of Public Policy John Collison. It’s that time again when the new year gets older and we at Farm Bureau look forward to another year at both Capitols. This year, however, is a special year for Oklahoma Farm Bureau. 2016 marks the 75th anniversary that we have been lobbying legislators at both the Oklahoma Capitol and in Washington, D.C. In these 75 years, many lobbyists have gone before us and have paved the way to the success we enjoy […]

An op-ed by Tom Buchanan, southwestern Oklahoma farmer, Lugert-Altus Irrigation District manager and Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. Over the past several years, Oklahoma experienced a severe water drought. While it was relieved last year by heavy rains, our state now faces another crisis: an economic drought. Beginning Feb. 1, the Oklahoma Legislature will search for answers to the $900 million budget shortfall. But, what if I told you our state watched $4.2 billion flow out of the state last year alone? Yes, you read that right. $4.2 billion with a B.  With the extreme rainfall in 2015, Oklahoma released approximately […]

As the 2016 legislative session approaches, Oklahoma Farm Bureau has invited state legislators to a welcome back reception Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 5 p.m. at the OKFB home office. Gov. Mary Fallin, Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, Attorney General Scott Pruitt, Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese and other state leaders also are invited to the reception.  “We want our legislators to know who Farm Bureau is and what we stand for,” said Tom Buchanan, OKFB president. “Our welcome back reception is another opportunity for us to communicate with those making the decisions for our state.” Held each year, the reception allows […]

President Obama today vetoed a resolution from Congress that would have nullified the Waters of the United States rule, which increased the reach of the Clean Water Act. “The president’s veto is salt in the wounds of farmers and ranchers. We remain mystified as to why he continues to support this fatally flawed rule,” said American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman. “The Government Accountability Office found the rule was issued with the help of illegal ‘covert propaganda’ by EPA. Ninety-two members of Congress, 22 states, numerous cities and counties and dozens of industry groups have all stood up and said […]

Delegates from all 50 states and Puerto Rico elected new leaders and approved policies that will help determine the future of agriculture during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 97th Annual Convention Jan. 8-12 in Orlando, Florida. Feral hogs, governmental reform, farm policy, risk management and international trade were among the most important matters slated for action over the next 12 months. Delegates elected Zippy Duvall to serve as the new president of AFBF and Scott VanderWal as vice president.  Vincent “Zippy” Duvall is a poultry, cattle and hay producer from Greene County, Georgia, and served as president of the Georgia […]

 Congressional omnibus spending and tax extender bills will benefit agriculture greatly if passed, the American Farm Bureau said today. Farm Bureau said the bills would provide relief to America’s farmers and ranchers, but is disappointed that Congress failed to stop the Waters of the U.S. rule. “This tax extender package gives farmers and ranchers critical tools to help them reinvest in their businesses,” AFBF President Bob Stallman said. “Tax provisions like Section 179 small business expensing and bonus deprecation free up cash flow for farmers and ranchers to put their money to work. New provisions will let our members make […]

Hannah Nemecek has been named Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s director of public policy communications. In the new position, Nemecek will work alongside the public policy staff to inform OKFB members, legislators and the general public about legislation and policy affecting Oklahoma agriculture. “Most of the population doesn’t understand the importance of agriculture and how legislation and regulation affects the industry,” Nemecek said. “I’m excited to share how vital our farmers and ranchers are to the success of our economy and our lives.” Nemecek said her goal is to present the policy news in a simple, easy-to-understand manner.  “I want to provide […]