News Stories

The state’s largest farm organization wants Governor Brad Henry to endorse the “25 by ‘25” renewable energy initiative supported by Farm Bureau. In a letter to the governor, Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling encouraged the state leader to promote renewable energy in the state. “Our policy specifies the state set a goal that 25 percent of energy sold in Oklahoma be renewable energy by the year 2025,” Spradling said. “Oklahoma is rich in energy resources,” Spradling said, “not only with our large oil and gas fields, but also with the opportunities that lie ahead with wind and solar power, […]

The 2008 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year will be announced at the organization’s annual awards and recognition ceremony Friday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City. “This is an opportunity to highlight the many hard working farm families in this state,” said Mike Spradling, OFB president. The farm family winner is chosen on the basis of its success in the industry and involvement in Farm Bureau. Farm families are nominated by their county Farm Bureau Women’s Committee. This year there are 14 farm families from every region of the state competing for […]

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer will address Farm Bureau members attending the annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau convention Nov. 14 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City. “This is the first time a standing USDA secretary has spoken at an Oklahoma Farm Bureau convention,” said Mike Spradling, OFB president. “We are extremely pleased and honored to have Secretary Schafer as our keynote speaker.” The USDA secretary, scheduled for a 2 p.m. address, is expected to discuss the new farm bill and how it will impact Oklahoma producers. Another favorite topic of the secretary’s is the current strong agriculture […]

More than 480 4-H and FFA members participated in the 18th annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau-sponsored Young Farmers & Ranchers Livestock Judging Contest held Sept. 12 during the State Fair of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City. The contest gave youngsters the opportunity to test their judging skills on cattle, swine, sheep and goats. Winners received prizes of ribbons and plaques, and the first place winners received jackets. The top three teams and individuals in each division are listed below. Additional results are posted on Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Web site at www.okfarmbureau.org. Results in the Senior FFA Division, which was FFA members in […]

As Oklahoma’s largest user of water, farmers and ranchers are strongly encouraged to participate in a series of regional water meetings beginning Aug. 7, the president of the state’s largest farm organization said today. “We need to make sure agriculture is well represented in any discussion about water,” said Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling. “This is important because we’re talking about the future management of Oklahoma’s water resources.” Approximately 60 Farm Bureau leaders have been selected to participate in the meetings, but Spradling said anyone can attend and discuss their vision of a future water plan. “It’s a simple […]

The momentum is building for changes in the Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) weight regulations to allow farmers and ranchers to haul their own commodities across state lines. U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma introduced legislation July 16 that is similar to legislation introduced in the U.S. House by Oklahoma Representatives Dan Boren and Mary Fallin. Inhofe’s legislation requires more uniform truck weight regulations nationwide. The issue has been designated a major legislative priority by the American Farm Bureau and was first surfaced by Oklahoma Farm Bureau more than a year ago. “Concentration within the agriculture industry has reduced the number […]

Agricultural producers should be allowed to transport their commodities to market across state lines without being subject to Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) weight regulations for long-haul truckers. That’s what Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling told a congressional subcommittee July 9 in Washington, D.C. Testifying before the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, Spradling said the nature of farming and ranching has changed and producers need the ability to transport goods long distance. “Concentration within the agriculture industry has reduced the number of grain elevators, cotton gins and livestock markets forcing producers to drive longer distances, often across state lines, […]

Oklahoma agricultural producers are concerned proposed climate change legislation now being debated in the U.S. Senate could increase their cost of production. The Climate Security Act, authored by Senators Joe Lieberman, D-CT, and John Warner, R-VA, would impose significant increases in production costs through higher fertilizer and energy prices. “We believe this legislation unfairly penalizes farmers by forcing them to comply with climate change regulations and makes it more difficult for them to compete in the global market,” said Mike Spradling, president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. At the heart of the issue is the question of carbon sequestration. There […]

Oklahoma’s trespassing law became a notch stronger when Governor Brad Henry signed into law two bills in late April increasing the penalty for trespassing. The trespassing bills were among several receiving the governor’s signature recently that are supported by the state’s farmers and ranchers. The first bill signed April 22, SB 1735, increases the fine for a second trespassing conviction from its current $250 to $1,000 plus makes the trespasser responsible for any property damage. This bill will be enforced under the wildlife code section of the law. A companion bill, SB 2111, signed April 25, expanded the coverage to […]

It’s beginning to look like Oklahoma farmers will have a new farm bill soon, even if it is too late for spring planting. That conclusion follows a just completed five-day lobbying trip to the nation’s capitol by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. Approximately 75 farm leaders made the trip March 30 – April 3. “I am amazed by the complexities of lawmaking in Washington, D.C.,” said Mike Spradling, president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. “When we arrived it appeared the new farm bill was going nowhere, just like it had the past several months. But by the third day things started […]