Oklahoma Agriculture Blog

Oklahoma’s Official Agricultural Information Site

  • Welcome!

    Terry Peach, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture

    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

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MIO Recipe of the Month: Sweetheart Snickerdoodle Smoothie

Posted by carson4575 on February 10, 2010


An Original Recipe by Kitchen Kimberley

•2 C Braum’s Carb Watch Coffee flavored ice cream
•½ C Neighbor’s Snickerdoodle coffee, brewed, chilled
•2 C ice cubes

Instructions
Place all ingredients into blender container; cover. Blend on high speed, using on/off pulsing action until smooth. Serve immediately. Garnish with a dollop of Hiland whipped cream, and a light dusting of ground cinnamon, if desired.

Variation: Snickerdoodle Shake – omit ice cubes, and add Hiland milk to desired consistency. Enjoy!

Posted in MIO Recipe | Leave a Comment »

Oklahoma Cattlewomen’s Recipe of the Week: Sonoma Ranch Steak Salad

Posted by carson4575 on February 10, 2010


This recipe serves six people.
Ingredients
3 beef shoulder center (ranch) steaks, cut 1 inch thick (about 8 ounces each)
3 cups loosely packed fresh spinach
1-3/4 cups frozen butter beans, thawed
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pint red and yellow cherry, grape or teardrop tomatoes, cut in half or quartered, if large
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup Kalamata olives, cut in half
3 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
Fresh basil (optional)

Rub:
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
3/4 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
1.Combine Rub ingredients; press evenly onto beef steaks. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.

2.Meanwhile, place spinach, beans, lemon juice, garlic and pepper in food processor container. With motor running, slowly add 2 tablespoons oil through opening in cover, processing until combined. Season with salt, as desired. Set aside.

3.Combine tomatoes, cheese, olives and basil in medium bowl. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and vinegar; toss well. Season to taste with pepper; set aside.

4.Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, uncovered, 11 to 14 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 12 to 16 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally.

5.Remove; let stand 5 minutes. Carve steaks into slices; season with salt, as desired. Evenly divide spinach mixture among 6 individual plates. Top with beef slices; spoon tomato salad over beef. Garnish with basil, if desired.

Posted in MIO Recipe | Leave a Comment »

A Beef Lover’s Guide to Shopping

Posted by carson4575 on February 10, 2010


The Beef Council is promoting beef for Valentine’s Day this year with this graphic. They are offering these shopping tips from their website as well.

Today’s meat case is brimming with exciting choices – from traditional steaks, roasts and ground beef to new steaks such as the flat iron (shoulder top blade), ranch (shoulder center steak) and petite tender. Knowing beef basics and understanding how to read the label will help you get the most value for your dollar.

When shopping for beef, make the refrigerated meat case your last stop to ensure that beef stays cold as long as possible until you get home.

•Choose packages that are cold, tightly and completely wrapped with no tears or punctures.
•Be sure the packages do not contain excessive liquid – this can be an indication of problems with temperature or storage.
•For vacuum-packaged beef, be sure that the seal has not been broken and that the package is not leaking.
Choose beef with a bright cherry-red color, without any grayish or brown blotches.

•A darker purplish-red color is typical of vacuum-packaged beef. Once exposed to oxygen, beef will turn from a darker red to bright red.
•Choose steaks and roasts that are firm to the touch, not soft.
Don’t forget to check the “sell by” date printed on the package label. If you can’t read it or it’s not there, select a different package of beef.

Posted in Beef Council | Leave a Comment »

Countdown to 1 million rolls!

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!

Posted in MIO | 3 Comments »

Oklahoma Ag Statistics Release 2008 Organic Data

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/

Posted in Ag Statistics | Leave a Comment »

ODAFF Investigators Make A Case Against Rural Crime

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.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Fifth Oklahoma Water Appreciation Day Set for February 9

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.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

EPA Recognizes Landowner Efforts, Removes 4 State Streams From Impaired List

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.


Landowner efforts were credited with the removal of four Oklahoma streams from the Environmental Protection Agency’s 303d list of impaired water bodies.

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.

Click here for the Tulsa World story.

Posted in Conservation | Leave a Comment »

History and Laws of Soil Amendments for Oklahoma

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.

Posted in Consumer Protection | Leave a Comment »

54th Annual Forestry & Wildlife Summer Camp Applications Sought

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.

Posted in Forestry Services | Leave a Comment »