Governor Henry is proclaiming Friday, November 20th, 2009, “Oklahoma Thank a Farmer Day.”

Here’s the wording from his proclamation:

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, The holiday season is a time to be thankful for America’s abundant supply of safe, wholesome and affordable food, and

WHEREAS, America’s farmers and ranchers produce the food that nourishes our bodies and serves as the centerpiece for family gatherings and holiday celebrations, and

WHEREAS, Less than one percent of the American population works in food production and the average American farmer now feeds 144 people, and

WHEREAS, America’s farmers and ranchers not only provide the food we eat but also help sustain rural communities, preserve open space and wildlife habitat and protect the environment, and

WHEREAS, Farming and ranching play a vital role in the economy of the country and our state.

THEREFORE, I GOVERNOR Brad Henry, hereby proclaim November 20, 2009

“Thank a Farmer Day” in the State of Oklahoma.

One of the highlights of last week’s Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture conference was the reception hosted by the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. Scott Dewald and his crew really pulled out all the stops to give the southern commissioners and secretaries of agriculture a real treat with excellent foods and beverages.

One of the nicest things was an ice sculpture of a cowboy hat perched atop a pair of boots. Everyone attending took pictures with their cameras or camera phones…I don’t think any single item was photographed more all week!

Today’s Journal Record features a great story by Brian Brus on the artist who created that sculpture and tells a little more about the trade. Click here for the full story.
–Jack Carson

Oklahoma is hosting the annual Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture annual convention this year. Our guests began arriving early yesterday and the conference is in full-swing as this is written with a tour of the Clem Rogers McSpadden Agricultural Complex and the new agricultural laboratory.

SASDA is made up of the 15 southern states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Here is a link with more on this year’s conference.

State lawmakers today named the state agriculture building and new laboratory the Clem Rogers McSpadden Agricultural Complex. The move was met with enthusiasm by the state’s top agricultural official.

“Clem McSpadden was the voice of agriculture and rural Oklahoma and he promoted both wherever he went,” said Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach. “When people met Clem they knew they were dealing with a real agriculturist of the highest character and integrity. It’s an honor for our facilities to carry his name.”

The state’s top livestock organizations added their approval as well.

“I’m grateful not only that this great Oklahoman is being honored in this manner but that his name is being lent to our state agricultural complex,” said Scott Dewald, Executive Vice President of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. “I have never met anyone who actually knew Clem McSpadden that didn’t like and respect him. That is the kind of person we want to memorialize agriculture in this state.”

Roy Lee Lindsey, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Pork Council said the state’s pork industry supported the move.

“It would be very difficult to find an individual who gave more to Oklahoma – and especially rural Oklahoma and agriculture – than Clem McSpadden,” he said. “He was extremely proud of his roots, his heritage, his affiliation with agriculture, and Oklahoma. Naming the ODAFF complex in honor of Clem is just a small tribute to a man who gave so much to Oklahoma.”

The Clem Rogers McSpadden Agricultural Complex is located at 2800 N. Lincoln Blvd., in Oklahoma City.

Today Blackwell farmer and rancher, Elmore Bathurst, was inducted into the Oklahoma Agricultural Hall of Fame at the State Capitol. Today was Oklahoma Agriculture Day and the induction served as the closing ceremony.

Bathurst was a founding member of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission when it began in 1965 and served as its chairman from 1968 to 1970. He has also been a member of the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association since 1967 and served as chairman from 1972 to 1975.

Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach, said Bathurst represents the type of farmer and leader best deserving of the recognition.

“Mr. Bathurst and a handful of his peers had the vision nearly 50 years ago to see that agricultural marketing and promotion would be necessary to compete in a global economy,” he said. “The actions they took back in the mid 1960s set the stage to help make Oklahoma a leading exporter of wheat to markets such as Mexico and Cuba.”

Bathurst was also appointed to the U.S. Wheat Industry Council by two U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture and was selected by then U.S. Senator Don Nickles to serve on the Oklahoma Ag Advisory Committee. He was later selected by Governor Henry Bellman to serve on the Oklahoma Futures Advisory Committee.

The newly inducted Agricultural Hall of Famer offered the same advice to farmers and ranchers he said he received many years ago, don’t spend all of your time on a tractor.

“Spend part of your time in the political arena and get active about the issues,” Bathurst said. “I followed that advice and it was one of the best things I ever did.”

Bathurst is the twelfth inductee into the hall. The Oklahoma Agriculture Hall of Fame was created in 1998 to honor Oklahoma agriculturists who have distinguished themselves in the industry and as community and state leaders.

Reprinted here with permission from Drover’s Alert

Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame established
By Drovers news source (3/11/2009)

Over the years, America’s cattle feeders have played a key role in making the United States the world’s most efficient producer of safe, quality beef. The Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame has been established to honor the exceptional visionary men and women who have made lasting contributions to the cattle-feeding industry.

“Countless individuals have worked to make the cattle-feeding industry a success over the years,” says Betty Jo Gigot, nominating committee chair. “It’s time we honored these individuals for their contributions to our industry.”

The purpose of the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame is to celebrate the rich traditions of the cattle-feeding industry and recognize individuals who have devoted their careers to preserving its mission and improving production practices.

Nomination committee member Richard McDonald says, “It truly will be a task this year to pick a handful of cattle feeders to recognize. There have been so many outstanding men and women who have helped build the framework of our industry and improve the way we all do business each day.”

The nominating committee is comprised of five industry leaders: Betty Jo Gigot, editor and publisher of CALF News; Richard McDonald, former CEO of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association; Dr. Del Miles, veterinarian and industry consultant; Terry Stokes, former CEO of the National Cattleman’s Beef Association; and Topper Thorpe, former CEO of CattleFax.

Although a nominating committee will put forth the ballot of nominees, the inductees ultimately will reflect the sentiments of the entire industry. Next week, cattle feeders will have the chance to participate in the selection of the inaugural inductees to the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame. The ballot of nominees will be distributed to the industry.

Once the ballots have been submitted and counted, the top two vote recipients will be inducted into the hall of fame. The 2009 inaugural inductees will be announced in May.

In addition to the induction of members, additional plans are underway for the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame. In the short term, a virtual museum is being created to house the history of the U.S. cattle-feeding industry and recognize those entrepreneurs and visionaries who contributed to its success.

“Establishing a hall of fame is a big undertaking,” Gigot says. “While there are many exciting immediate initiatives underway, we’re even more enthusiastic about the long-term vision for the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame — creating a home for our rich heritage.”

An Oklahoma steer from stock bred by State Representative and retired vocational agriculture instructor, Dale Dewitt, Braman, won the Fort Worth, Tx. Livestock Show last week. 13-year-old Callie Stedje of the Texas panhandle town of Gruver took home $140,000 for the championship.

Picture at left is Dale Dewitt

Here’s a link to the story and picture of Callie Stedje and her Grand Champion Steer, “Blackjack.”

Oklahoma Congressman Dan Boren was honored Friday evening for his support of pork production and advocacy of free trade agreements to increase pork exports. The Oklahoma Pork Council recognized Boren with a Distinguished Service Award at the evening awards banquet.

Nikki Snider’s full story on Boren and the award is located here at the OPC website.
–Jack Carson

Public Safety Commissioner, Kevin Ward, announced last night that non-essential state offices would remain closed today due to the icy and hazardous road conditions. Affected counties include Canadian, Cleveland, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie.

Temperatures are forecast to rise well above freezing this afternoon and we hope to reopen tomorrow.

Jack Carson