As agriculturists our jobs haven’t changed much from generation to generation but the way we do them sure has! Our roles as providers of the nation’s food and fiber and stewards of the land remain the same but just as we rely on new technologies to become more efficient as producers, we find we now need to find new ways to use them to communicate with each other.
That’s why we have created this blog. Almost 60 percent of the population now depends on the internet for news and other information. The daily and weekly newspapers are still out there (and we still depend on them to reach thousands of Oklahomans) but for all of you who prefer the speed and convenience of electronic communications, this blog is for you.
Let us know what you think and please interact on this site with your thoughts and comments. We are counting on you to let us know what you think and suggest things and ideas that will improve this site and provide you with the information you are looking for.
Terry Peach, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture
Posted by carson4575 on February 8, 2010
Thanks to everyone who has been purchasing MIO Paper Towels! Your support of this program has made a huge impact on the “Food 4 Kids” Backpack Program. Over 170 students were able to be added to the program because of the donation from the MIO Paper Towels.
Today’s count is 617,664 rolls. Help us countdown to 1 MILLION rolls of paper towels sold!
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Posted by carson4575 on February 5, 2010
2008 ORGANIC PRODUCTION SURVEY RESULTS
Results from the 2008 Organic Production Survey, a follow-on project of the 2007 Census of Agriculture, are now available through the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). According to Wilbert Hundl, Jr., State Director for the NASS Oklahoma Field Office, 88 certified organic farms covering 29,591 acres were operating in the State in 2008.
Of the 88 farms, 71 reported sales of $5.6 million and 10 had sales in excess of $100,000, totaling $4.2 million. Sixty-three of the farms reported crop sales of $3.0 million, 15 had livestock sales of $1.2 million, and 5 sold livestock and poultry products valued at $1.4 million. Thirty-eight of the farms received all of their farm income from organic sales.
Vegetable and melon sales of $561,291 from 28 farms covering 72 acres were also reported. Tomatoes were the single largest component with sales of $141,721, followed by squash with sales totaling $83,448. Organic pecans from 6 farms brought sales of $99,897, while organic berries sold by 10 farms resulted in sales of $68,248. Twenty-seven farms raised organic hay on over 11,000 acres and had sales of $1.3 million. There were 14 organic beef cow operations with a peak inventory during 2008 reaching 608 head.
Twenty-two farms sold just over 10 percent of their product on-site and 23 reported almost 15% of their sales were through farmers’ markets. Thirty-eight farms marketed their products within 100 miles, 14 sold in areas between 100 and 500 miles, and 4 made sales over 500 miles from the farm.
Organic production expenses totaled $2.7 million on 79 of the farms, an average of $34,280 per operation. Challenges faced by organic producers ranged from 20 operations reporting production problems, 16 reporting regulatory problems, and 14 farms reporting market access issues.
The full release is not yet available in printed form but can be accessed at the following link: http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Online_Highlights/Organics/
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Posted by carson4575 on February 4, 2010
An investigation involving four Oklahoma law enforcement agencies has resulted in a total of 10 arrests involving stolen property and other crimes. Col. Mike Grimes, Director of the state agriculture department’s Investigative Services Unit, said the cooperation of the different agencies helped identify and apprehend the suspects.
Agencies involved included he Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry; Canadian County Sheriff’s Office; Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office; and the Cleveland County DA’s District 21 Task Force. Grimes said the Oklahoma City Police Department’s Santa Fe IMPACT Unit Tulsa Police Metro Fugitive Task Force helped locate and arrest the final two suspects earlier today.
The suspects are accused of targeting rural residences, barns and farms and stole primarily items such as four-wheel ATVs, vehicles, zero-turn mowers, tractors and trailers. The initial suspects were Julie Lawton, 22; Mark Palmer 34; and Mathew Shrum, 34. All three are Oklahoma City residents.
Seven more people were arrested with the assistance of the OCPD Santa Fe IMPACT Unit during the investigation. Grimes said a variety of charges including possession of stolen vehicles and methamphetamine were filed against the seven.
The crimes were spread over a wide area of central Oklahoma.
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Posted by carson4575 on February 4, 2010
The fifth annual Oklahoma Water Appreciation Day will be held February 9 at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) will host the event featuring state agency and organization booths and displays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Capitol’s 4th floor rotunda.
“Water Appreciation Day presents a unique opportunity for groups to demonstrate the importance of Oklahoma’s water resources as well as provide information on their water management, conservation, and educational programs for state legislators and other government officials,” says Duane Smith, OWRB Executive Director. “This annual celebration of Oklahoma’s diverse water resources not only focuses the attention of our state leaders on pressing water issues but serves to recognize those who strive to protect our most precious natural resource.”
Also on Water Appreciation Day, numerous dignitaries will gather in the House Chamber at 10 a.m. to recognize the event, including the OWRB’s water and wastewater financing programs, which collectively exceeded the $2 billion mark late last year. Helping to reach that milestone was the state’s participation in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) program, a cooperative effort between the OWRB, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that leveraged federal stimulus dollars with funding from the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan programs. Newly-appointed EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz will contribute remarks at the event, which will be attended by many of the 44 communities who received ARRA water/wastewater funds.
Among other pertinent water issues that will be discussed in the House Chamber is the ongoing update of the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan (OCWP). Major components of the Water Plan, which will be completed in 2011 and presented to the Legislature in 2012, include numerous ongoing technical studies of state water supplies, infrastructure, and issues as well as a water policy development effort strengthened through unprecedented public participation.
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Posted by carson4575 on February 3, 2010
Kim Farber. Vice President of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts announces the delisting of four Oklahoma streams.
Oklahoma Agriculture Secretary, Terry Peach, said the accomplishment was directly related to the tremendous spirit of cooperation among all of the state’s agricultural groups and agencies.
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Posted by carson4575 on February 3, 2010
Kenny Naylor with the Consumer Protection Services Division provided this information.
The History of Soil Amendments in Oklahoma
There are currently no federal regulations governing the distribution of fertilizers, agricultural lime, or soil amendments in the United States. As a result, it is up to each individual state to ensure that these types of products are properly labeled, and that the quality and claims represented by the manufacturer are accurate, while also protecting consumers and the environment. In Oklahoma the distribution of these products is regulated by the Consumer Protection Services Division of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry.
The distribution of fertilizer and agricultural lime has been regulated in the state of Oklahoma under the Oklahoma Fertilizer Act and the Oklahoma Agricultural Liming Materials Act since 1949 and 1973, respectively. However, in the mid 1970’s new products were coming into the marketplace which claimed to be beneficial to plants and/or the soil but did not fit the definition of fertilizer or agricultural lime. As a result the Oklahoma Legislature passed the Oklahoma Soil Amendment Act (OSA) in 1975. The passage of this law made Oklahoma the first state in the nation to address this issue, and Oklahoma is still one of only 30 states that currently have a soil amendment law. The soil amendment program has grown in Oklahoma over the last 10 years from where it originally began in the 1970’s with less than 50 registered products to the more than 250 products we currently have registered today.
The Oklahoma Soil Amendment Act
The OSA defines a soil amendment as any substance that is intended to improve the physical, chemical, or other characteristics of the soil, horticultural growing media, or any natural or synthetic substance applied to plants or seeds that is intended to improve crop production, germination, growth, yield, product quality, reproduction, flavor or other desirable characteristics of plants. Furthermore, soil amendments are also divided into three separate categories: inorganic based; organic based; and microbial based, with each subcategory having its own set of labeling requirements.
Under the OSA all soil amendment products are required to be registered by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry prior to distribution in the state. As part of the registration process the company must submit efficacy data to substantiate their label claims. If the research submitted is deemed to be insufficient, the product is denied registration until additional data is provided. In addition to efficacy data, companies may also be required to submit sample results for heavy metal analysis and harmful bacteria. Finally, the product label must also be in compliance with all additional laws and rules, which may include warning statements to help inform and protect consumers and the environment.
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Posted by carson4575 on February 2, 2010
Want to get your kids in the woods this summer? Enroll them now in one of Oklahoma’s premier summer camps!
The 54th Annual Oklahoma Youth Forestry & Wildlife Camp is accepting on-line applications for campers aged 13 to 15 years old that want to get outdoors and learn about forestry, wildlife and natural resources. The week-long camp will be held June 7-12 in beautiful Beavers Bend State Park near Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and is open to boys and girls from across the region.
“Only 50 spots are available, so we urge interested campers to sign up now,” said camp director Christina Stallings Roberson. “We are also recruiting volunteer adult leaders and camp counselors to assist with camp. Adult leaders are also eligible to bring one camper for no charge.”
Camp counselors, ages 18 to 22, should be mature, responsible young adults with an interest in education or outdoor careers such as forestry or wildlife. In addition to working with the younger campers and gaining valuable experience in their field, camp counselors will receive a stipend of $200 for the week.
The fee for campers is $175 and covers all costs including lodging, meals, transportation at camp, field trips, and workshops. A limited number of partial scholarships are available. Applications will be accepted until May 3, 2010 and are available at www.forestry.ok.gov or by calling (405) 522-6158. The website also has additional camp information as well as photos from past camps.
By experiencing nature in a fun atmosphere, students will gain a life-long awareness and respect for the world in which they live while learning from some of the top natural resource professionals in the state. So don’t wait, apply now for this memorable outdoor experience.
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Posted by carson4575 on February 2, 2010
There is a lot of ice and snow damage to trees after last week's winter storm. Unfortunately this is my backyard.
While there will certainly be many instances where such action is needed, home and property owners are advised to make sure of any contractor’s credentials before hiring them to do any job, advises Mark Bays, Urban Forestry Coordinator.
“The best thing to do is hire a qualified arborist to do this sort of work,” he said. “A good arborist will know which trees need to be removed and which ones simply need time to heal or some judicious pruning.”
Aside from proof that the person or company is a certified arborist, they should also have proof of insurance including liability and property damage as well as workman’s compensation, Atkinson said.
“Working on or around trees that have suffered ice damage can be dangerous work and it’s imperative that people know what they are doing and have the proper safety gear,” he said. “There is a reason we call hanging limbs and snags “widow-makers.” A lot of people have been killed or severely injured working in this sort of environment.”
State officials acknowledge that some of the contractors that come looking for work may be qualified to do the job but Bays said local arborists are a safer bet.
“My advice is to request some local references from anyone before hiring them,” he said. “Also, make sure you get more than one estimate for the job. If they want their money before they do the work, I would decline to hire them.”
Bays said the most important thing people need to remember is not to get in a hurry to prune or remove trees after the ice clears. Identify the trees that are damaged beyond repair or which pose an immediate threat to health and safety and deal with those immediately. There is plenty of time to deal with those trees that have moderate and minor damage.
“Patience is a real virtue when it comes to dealing with this type of damage to trees,” he said. “Trees have a remarkable ability to recover from catastrophic events so don’t be pressured into making a quick decision that you may regret for a long time”
For more information on how to help trees recover from ice storm damage, visit the ODAFF website at www.oda.state.ok.us and view the Forestry Division’s site. You can also contact Forestry Services at 405-522-6158.
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Posted by carson4575 on February 1, 2010
The January 1, 2010, inventory of all cattle and calves in Oklahoma, at 5.45 million head, was up from the January 1, 2009 inventory. All cows and heifers that had calved, at 2.13 million head, were up slightly and bulls, at 150 thousand head, were up from January 1, 2009. All heifers over 500 pounds, at 960 thousand head, were down 4 percent from last year. Steers over 500 pounds, at 1.21 million head, were up 4 percent from January 1, 2009.
The 2009 calf crop, at 1.90 million head, was up 1 percent from the previous year. Calves, other heifers and steers grazing on small grain pasture in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas totaled 1.92 million head, up 16 percent from a year earlier.
All cattle and calves in the United States on January 1, 2010, totaled 93.7 million head, 1 percent below the 94.5 million on January 1, 2009. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 40.5 million, were down 1 percent from the 41.0 million on January 1, 2009.
The 2009 calf crop was estimated at 35.8 million head, down 1 percent from 2008. Calves born during the first half of the year are estimated at 26.0 million, down 1 percent from the previous year.
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Posted by carson4575 on February 1, 2010
Oklahoma’s sheep producers had 75,000 head of all sheep and lambs on hand January 1, 2010, down 6 percent from last year. Breeding ewes one year and older, at 43,000 head, are down 7 percent from last year. Rams, at 5,000 head, were unchanged from the previous year. Replacement lambs, at 11,000 head, were down 1,000 head from the year earlier.
Market sheep and lambs on January 1, 2010, totaled 16,000 head. Market lambs comprised 94 percent of the total. Thirtyeight percent were lambs under 65 pounds, 25 percent were 65 -84 pounds, 13 percent were 85 – 105 pounds, 19 percent were over 105 pounds. Market sheep comprised the remaining 6 percent of total marketings.
The 2009 lamb crop was 45,000 head, down 8 percent from the
previous year.
Wool production in 2009 was 150,000 pounds, down 32 percent from last year. Sheep and lambs shorn totaled 30,000 head, down 25 percent from 2008. The average price paid for wool sold in 2009 was $0.40 per pound for a total value of $60,000, down 32 percent from 2008’s total value of $88,000.
United States:
All sheep and lamb inventory in the United States on January 1, 2010, totaled 5.63 million head, down 2 percent from 2009. Breeding sheep inventory decreased to 4.19 million head on January 1, 2010, down 1 percent from January 1, 2009. Ewes one year old and older, at 3.34 million head, were 2 percent below last year.
Market sheep and lambs on January 1, 2010, totaled 1.44 million head, down 4 percent from January 1, 2009. Market lambs comprised 94 percent of the total. Twenty-five percent were lambs under 65 pounds, 12 percent were 65 – 84 pounds, 19 percent were 85 – 105 pounds, 38 percent were over 105 pounds. Market sheep comprised the remaining 6 percent of total marketings.
The 2009 lamb crop of 3.69 million head was down 1 percent from
2008.
Shorn wool production during 2009 was 30.9 million pounds, down 6 percent from 2008. Sheep and lambs shorn totaled 4.20 million head, down 5 percent from 2008. The average price paid for wool sold in 2009 was $0.79 per pound for a total value of 24.4 million dollars, down 25 percent from 32.5 million dollars in 2008.
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