I have talked to many of you about the changes happening here at the Oklahoma Farm Report and the Radio Oklahoma Network- but wanted to give everyone an update as 2017 starts to wind down about what's going on with yours truly and our team here at RON.

Earlier this year- it was decided by the Griffin Communications folks that they did not want to be in the Ag Radio Network Business- and at that point- and there was talk about either trying to sell the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network or perhaps simply shutting it down.

The man who I have worked with many of the years I have been on the radio and talking agriculture in the state of Oklahoma is Tim West.  We worked together at the Oklahoma Agrinet- he was a salesman, Sales Manager and later Network Manager there- retired to his Duck Hunting Guide Business and then got talked out of broadcast retirement by David Griffin to run his Radio Oklahoma Network.  In 2006- Tim and I started talking about me making the jump from the Agrinet to the Radio Oklahoma Network- joking that they had the named the network after me and I had to come to work for him. 

Well- Ron on RON was the result- and it has been a great ride. Thank you David for including me in your News9 and News on 6 family.

When Tim was made aware of the Griffin desire to get out of this part of the broadcast business- he and I started talking about buying the ag radio network and continuing what we had built.

That started coming together in November- and as of December first- Tim West is the new owner of the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, the Oklahoma Farm Report website and this newsletter- and I have a small equity position as a partner with Tim in this venture.

So- what does this mean to you if you listen to us on the radio, surf our website, read this email daily or follow us on Twitter or Facebook????

Really- nothing.  The effort was made to be seamless in these areas from November 30th to December first and since then- and we are working hard to do just exactly that!

Saying that- it does mean that we are more more determined than ever to not only be a GREAT source of agricultural news and market information every day- but also as we see the need- to be a GREAT Advocate for the farm and ranch community as well. To be honest- that has always been my goal as a farm broadcaster/journalist since I began in 1974 in Wichita, Kansas.  Sometimes in some of our recent battles against those who hate modern production agriculture- that has been difficult- we will leave it at that.

It does mean that we are looking at some options for our In the Field TV segments- we appreciate the platform given to us on News9 over the years- but stay tuned- we will be making an announcement on that aspect of our effort to tell the Ag Story very soon.

It also means we are relocating our studios and offices to perhaps the most historic place in Oklahoma Agriculture- the Oklahoma National Stockyards!!!

When you turn onto Exchange Avenue and go under the famous sign- look right and wave- we will be located in the office building just past the sign right besides KIS Futures. Give us a few days to get things all "gussied up"- we hope you will stop by and say HOWDY once we get established in our new digs.

These changes have caused me to reflect on how thankful I am to be a part of the US and Oklahoma farm and ranch scene- so many of you have been so important in my life- and have helped us accomplish so much in being a VOICE for the farm and ranch community for well over forty years! 

Thank you for your trust and support and friendship!  It's been a great ride- and we are not done yet! 

By the way- if you have ideas or suggestions or complaints about what we do- the buck stops with me- email me or give me a call sometime soon.

 

Leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees say the just-passed tax bill delivers lower taxes for farmers and ranchers. House Ag Chair Mike Conaway remarked that this bill will deliver several benefits to those in agriculture, including lower marginal rates, favorable treatment of pass-through income and improved small business expensing.

Meanwhile, Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts said the legislation offers a more fair, simpler tax code for all Americans. For farmers, Roberts says the bill creates a "much more pro-growth tax system," lowering the tax burden on farmers and ranchers.

Not all agree, however, that the bill will benefit farmers and ranchers. The partisan bill was not supported by Democrats. Further, the bill will deliver near-term benefits to farmers, but many of the ag-important provisions are temporary.

The President of the National Farmers Union Roger Johnson said in a statement released, yesterday, that he was very disappointed with the bill, arguing it will ultimately provides handouts for the wealthy that "will be paid for by family farmers, ranchers, the lower and middle classes, and our future generations."

On the other hand, Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation applauded the bill, and stated AFBF will now focus on making those important tax deductions, lower rates and the estate tax exemption permanent."

National Council of Farmer Cooperatives President Chuck Conner chimed in, too, remarking positively on the passage of the bill. He thanked Senator John Thune of South Dakota and Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota, for their roles in making sure provisions were made to protect farmer coops from incurring future tax rate hikes, fearing that possibility with the elimination of Section 199 in the tax code. Conner went on to share Duvall's similar sentiments.

"With the tax reform package now through Congress, we look forward to President Trump signing the legislation into law at the earliest opportunity."

Click here to read Conner's complete statement.

The New Year is almost upon us and with it comes the next mid-term elections in Congress. Already, people are beginning to talk about the many different scenarios in which this could all play out. The fact is, whichever way the tides turn politically, will have an impact on how well the agriculture industry will be able to work with Congressional leaders to ensure a positive business climate. However, Colin Woodall of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association's Washington, D.C. office says it is simply too soon to make speculations.


"It is way too early to determine what is going to happen come November," he said. "There's a lot of things that will factor into that. Neither party right now should be confident. They both are going to have to work hard. When you look at the numbers, the opportunities are there for any scenario to play out. It's something we're going to have to watch very closely."


What are some of those main factors that could potentially swing the vote? Woodall says two things - the President's ability to sign the new tax code into law before the end of the year (a strong possibility at this point), and how quickly people start to see a change in their paycheck. The question there is, will they remember that come November? Woodall also says the sexual harassment issue has and will continue to play a big role in the outcome of the mid-term elections. Depending on how it goes, ultimately, could have a significant impact on NCBA's ability, Congress' ability and the President's ability to pass legislation and continue this trend of deregulation that favors a productive and unhindered agricultural economy. Woodall insists this is why the NCBA's PAC fund is so important, to help back those incumbents and contenders - of either party - in Congress that are friendly to agriculture.


"NCBA PAC is a tremendous tool for us here in Washington, D.C. It allows us to take everything that members donate, dollar for dollar, to do everything we can to try to influence these elections in a way that allows us to have as many friends on Capitol Hill as possible," Woodall said. "We need to make sure we keep them around fighting for us, because we still have a tremendous number of challenges and we need people who are willing to step up and fight. So, stay tuned on this one."


Listen to Colin Woodall of NCBA explain how the outcome of the mid-term elections in Washington could impact the ag industry's legislative efforts, with me, on yesterday's Beef Buzz - click here.