Gov. Mary Fallin recently signed an extension to the temporary suspension of several agriculture transportation rules. Fallin’s o! ce says the decision to continue enforcing the transportation suspensions, “is necessary to assist and expedite all e" orts of drought relief and wild# re suppression.”

Oversized vehicles used to haul hay to ranchers require certain permits and licensing, but Fallin’s temporary suspen-sion allows truckers to transport hay without following the restrictions. $ e governor’s executive order stated, “Due to the severe drought conditions occurring statewide, it is necessary to expedite access to hay for livestock.”

Fallin’s extension temporarily suspends requirements for special permits for use of oversized vehicles. $ e requirements are listed under Title 47 as they apply to vehicles used to transport hay for livestock. $ e following requirements also are included in the governor’s executive order.

1. Requirements for licensing/operating authority as required by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

2. Requirements for licensing/registration as required by the Oklahoma Tax Commission

3. Requirements contained in the Motor Carrier Safety Regulations

Fallin’s order is scheduled to terminate 60 days after its issue date of Sept. 20.

h

OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU

October 7, 2011

OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU

October 7, 2011PPPERSPECTIVEERSPECTIVEERSPECTIVE

Governor signs extension on hay transportation rules

ROLL ON – An 18-wheeler drives west on Interstate 40 near Oklahoma City with a large load of hay.

Planting wheat and praying for rain

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DQG�GRQ·W�KDYH�IDLWK��ZH�GRQ·W�KDYH�DQ\�EXVLQHVV�SXWWLQJ�VHHG�LQ�WKH�JURXQG��0\�GDG�OLYHG�WKURXJK�WKH�'XVW�%RZO��+LV�PHPRU\�LV�WKDW�LW�ZDV�ZRUVH�WKHQ�WKDQ�ZKDW�LW�LV�QRZ��,·OO�MXVW�KDYH�WR�WDNH�WKDW�IRU�ZKDW�LW�LV�µ

U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma recently contributed to the new Oklahoma Farm (Farming and Ranching Matters) Foundation at the plati-num $2,500 level.

As an avid supporter of agriculture programs, Inhofe said he was more than willing to contibute to the new agriculture advocacy foundation.

“Fewer and fewer Americans have an understanding or connection to our nation’s ag-ricultural community,” he said. “For the average American to have an appreciation for the di! culties that farmers and ranchers face, it is vitally important for them to be educated through e" orts like the FARM Foundation. $ rough the FARM Foundation, Americans no longer have to rely on the liberal media outlets and environmental groups for news and views. $ ey can now receive information from the perspective of our nation’s hard working agricultural community.”

2

Oklahoma Farm Bureau OnlineMonitor the latest Farm Bureau

and agricultural news and information online at okfarmbureau.org.

Currently online:Annual Meeting Details –

Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 70th annual meeting is just over a month away! Check the OFB website often for convention details and news as the event nears.

YF&R News – Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers group recently hosted its annual livestock judging competition at the State Fair. See OFB’s homepage or click the News button to see contest results.

www.okfarmbureau.org

State Resolutions Meeting

Contact: Tyler Norvell, (405) 523-2402

OFB Annual Meeting

Contact: Monica Wilke, (405) 523-2303

FBW Rally

Contact: Marcia Irvin, (405) 523-2405

OFB C!"#$%!&

O" ers qualifying members a $500 manufacturer’s discount on 26 di" erent GM models. Call OFB Field Services at (405) 523-2470 for more details.

a comprehensive cattle program utilizing radio frequency identi# cation technology. Contact your OFB # eld representative or call (405) 523-2406.

M#'(#& B#$#)*+,

OFB highlights a few bene# ts in each issue of Perspective as a reminder of the savings available to OFB members. Find a complete list of savings online at okfarmbureau.org.

OK Department of Ag creates pasture directory

Inhofe gives to new foundation

$ e Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry has created the Oklahoma Pasture Lease Directory to help live-stock owners in Oklahoma locate producers in neighboring states who have pasture they are willing to lease through the winter. “We hope this will give our state’s pastures time to recover and give relief to owners who want to keep their herds,” Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese said.

$ e directory and an application form are available online at www.ag.ok.gov. Completed forms should be mailed to Oklahoma Pasture Lease Directory at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and

Pasture listings will remain on the directory for 60 days and can be renewed for an additional 60 days. Changes to the listings can be made by calling the Hay Hotline at 800-580-6543.

:ULWLQJ�WKH�UXOHV�²�&DQDGLDQ�&R��Farm Bureau board member Francis 3DUL]HN��IDU�OHIW��ZULWHV�GRZQ�D�)%�SROLF\�UHVROXWLRQ�LGHD�GXULQJ�WKH�FRXQW\·V�UHVROXWLRQ�PHHWLQJ��6HSW������$OVR�SLFWXUHG�IURP�OHIW�WR�ULJKW�DUH�+HQU\�+HLQULFK��%LOO�0DQVÀ�HOG�DQG�&DURO\Q�0DQVÀ�HOG��&RXQW\�)DUP�%XUHDXV�DUH�KROGLQJ�WKHLU�UHVROXWLRQV�PHHWLQJV�LQ�SUHSDUDWLRQ�IRU�WKH�6WDWH�5HVROXWLRQV�0HHWLQJ��Oct. 18-19, in Oklahoma City. )LQDO�UHVROXWLRQV�ZLOO�EH�SUHVHQWHG�WR�YRWLQJ�PHPEHUV�DW�WKH�DQQXDO�PHHWLQJ�LQ�1RYHPEHU�

3

Governor’s Water Conference set for Oct. 18-19

$ e 32nd annual Governor’s Water Conference and 9th annual OWRRI Water Research Symposium are scheduled for Oct. 18-19, at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Norman.

$ e two events feature the latest developments in water management and quality infrastructure # nancing. Oklahoma Water Pioneer Award recipients also will be recognized during a special ceremony. To register for the conference and symposium, call the Oklahoma Water Resources Board at (405) 530-8800.

Memorial services were held Sept. 19, in Elk City for James C. "Jim" Taylor, the son of Oklahoma Farm Bureau's # rst president, John I. Taylor. Taylor passed away Sept. 16, at the age of 81 due to a ranch accident.

$ e Taylor family requests memori-als in Jim's name to the # rst Presbyterian

Foundation, Inc., 1033 Long Prairie Road, Suite 5, Flower Mound, TX. 75022-4230.

OFB remembers VRQ�RI�À�UVW�VWDWH�president

OFB to celebrate 70 years at upcoming annual meeting

Oklahoma Farm Bureau members are encouraged to attend OFB’s 70th Annual Meeting, Nov. 11-13, in downtown Oklahoma City. $ is year’s theme “Living a Legacy ... Building our Future” re% ects the rich heritage of the organization and how it has pro-gressed over the years.

$ e annual meeting is an opportunity for FB members across the state to join in help-ing set OFB policy, vote on other busi-ness matters and recognize the achievements of members. Conven-tion highlights include the selection of three district board members, a presidential election between current President Mike Spradling and current Vice President Tom Buchanan and the announcement of OFB’s Farm Family of the Year award. Con# rmed speakers include veteran Oklahoma meteorologist Gary England, scheduled for opening session on Friday afternoon. Also, country music singer Joe Di! e is slated to perform at the awards banquet Saturday night.

OFB’s trade show is expected to include more vendors than ever before with the addi-

(405) 523-2470. $ e trade show runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday.

A tentative schedule of events is available online at okfarmbureau.org. See the next issue of Perspective for more annual meeting details and a list of OFB’s nine Farm Family of the Year # nalists.

$ e Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry is establishing the Okla-homa Feral Swine Directory to assist hunters and trappers locate landowners who want help in controlling feral swine.

Feral swine can be found in all 77 counties in Oklahoma and can pose several problems for farmers and ranchers. Cultivated crops make up a large part of their diet but they also prey on ground-nesting birds, such as quail and turkey. Crops commonly damaged by feral swine include wheat, sorghum, soybeans, corn, peanuts, hay, watermelons, pecans and vegetable gardens.

$ e wild hogs typically travel in groups consisting of sows and young while boars are generally solitary. Also, it is speculated feral swine double in population every four months.

“Feral swine have become a serious problem for our agriculture producers in the state,” said Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese. “It is imperative that we do all we can to help control the spread of these animals.”

$ e Oklahoma Feral Swine Directory is intended to be an online tool to help hunters and trappers connect with landowners and provide swine control. An application form

for landowners with feral swine prob-lems can be downloaded at http://www.ag.ok.gov/ais/feralswinelandowner.pdf. Landowners will be grouped by county in the directory. $ e exact location of their property will not be revealed. $ ey will be in control of accepting or declining o" ers from hunters and trappers. Hunters and trappers willing to assist landowners can download an application at http://www.ag.ok.gov/ais/feralswinehunter.pdf. A database of their contact information will allow landowners to extend hunting o" ers to them.

Feral swine directory connects hunters, landowners

Feral hogs can be found in all 77 Oklahoma counties

A video featuring Oklahoma Farm Bu-reau members Mason and Madison Bolay is a top ten # nalist in Dell’s America’s Small Business video competition. $ e video showcases their farming operation in Perry. To see the video, visit www.youtube.com/dellbusiness. Viewers can vote daily until the video contest ends on Oct. 9.

Members’ video LV�WRS�WHQ�À�QDOLVW

From left – Mike, Mason, Madison and Bob Bolay

Oklahoma Farm Bureau2501 N. Stiles 5VU�7YV�[

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7LYTP[�5V�����6RSH��*P[ �̀�62�

Traci Morgan, 523-2346�3HUVSHFWLYH�2QOLQH�1HZV�(GLWRU

Sam Knipp, 523-2347 Vice President of Communications/PR

Tyler Norvell, 523-2402 Vice President of Public Policy

Marla Peek, 523-2437�'LUHFWRU�RI�5HJXODWRU\�$IIDLUV

STAFF DIRECTORY

Published by Oklahoma Farm BureauPostmaster: Send address corrections to:

Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332

4

Gail Banzet, 523-2346�3HUVSHFWLYH�2QOLQH�1HZV�(GLWRU

Monica Wilke, 523-2303�([HFXWLYH�'LUHFWRU

Sam Knipp, 523-2347 Vice President of Communications/PR

Tyler Norvell, 523-2402 Vice President of Public Policy

Marla Peek, 523-2437�'LUHFWRU�RI�5HJXODWRU\�$IIDLUV

Kinsey Money, 523-2539'LUHFWRU�RI�5HVHDUFK��3ROLF\�'HYHORSPHQW

STAFF DIRECTORY

Published by Oklahoma Farm BureauPostmaster: Send address corrections to:

Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332

EPA SPCC plan deadline approaches for farmers

One Resource EnvironmentalRuss Green Environmental Engineer/Sales ManagerEdmond (405) 708-5525www.farmspcc.comwww.orenv.com

The Compliance GroupNic Bittle&KLHI�2SHUDWLQJ�2IÀ�FHUEdmond (405) 509-9003www.thecompliancegrp.com

Farm Bureau members with questions about the EPA’s SPCC plan can also contact OFB’s Field Services

division at (405) 523-2307 or the Public Policy division at (405) 530-2681.

OFB approves temporary policyOklahoma Farm Bureau’s board of directors recently adopted a temporary policy on the state’s production of castor beans.

OFB strongly opposes the commercial production and processing of castor beans due to the crop’s potential to contaminate other crops. Castor beans contain ricin, a poison to humans and animals, and any contamination would prohibit the sale of contaminated crops and cause a quarantine of facilities and value-added byproducts.

OFB recently submitted the following statement to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.“We oppose the commercial production and transportation of toxic castor beans in the state of Oklahoma, except for castor beans and

their plants used as ornamentals for landscaping purposes.” – OFBOFB’s delegate body will vote to ratify or reject the temporary policy at its annual meeting in November.

ing shorelines, such as interstate waters, intrastate lakes, rivers, and streams.

Farms with the above criteria are cov-ered by SPCC. $ ose already with a plan must maintain it, and those without a plan should prepare and implement one. Ac-cording to the EPA, many farmers will need to have their plan certi# ed by a Professional Engineer (PE). However, farmers may be eligible to prepare their own plans or self-certify their amended plans if the farm has a total oil storage capacity between 1,320 and 10,000 gallons in aboveground containers, and the farm has a good spill history (However, if farmers decide to use certain alternate measures allowed by the federal SPCC rule, they will need a PE.)

Also, if the farm has storage capacity of more than 10,000 gallons, or has had an oil spill, a farmer may need to prepare an SPCC plan certi# ed by a PE.

Farms in operation on or before Aug. 16, 2002, must maintain or amend their exist-ing plan by Nov. 10, 2011. Any farm that started operation after Aug. 16, 2002, but before Nov. 10, 2011, must prepare and use a plan on or before Nov. 10, 2011.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau members seeking compliance assistance are encour-

aged to contact Edmond companies One Resource Environmental and $ e Compli-ance Group. Russ Green of One Resource Environmental said many farmers are not yet aware they are approaching a November deadline.

“I want these farmers to know I’ve seen these EPA guys turn oil and gas companies upside down, and I don’t want them to make an example our farmers and ranch-ers,” Green said.

Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers will soon be required to comply with the Environ-mental Protection Agency’s Oil Spill Prevention, Control

and Countermeasure program. Under SPCC guidelines, farmers and

other facilities are required to implement an oil spill prevention plan to reduce the risk of water pollution. According to the SPCC program, a qualifying farm includes “a facility on a tract of land devoted to the production of crops or raising of animals, including # sh, which produced and sold, or normally would have produced and sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural products during a year.”

$ e SPCC program applies to a farm that performs the following operations:

or oil products, such as diesel fuel, gasoline, lube oil, hydraulic oil, adjuvant oil, crop oil, vegetable oil, or animal fat; and

in aboveground containers or more than 42,000 US gallons in completely buried containers; and

discharge oil to waters of the US or adjoin-