2023 Farm Bill Priorities Discussed at Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I caught up with the vice president of governmental affairs at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Ethan Lane, talking about top discussions for the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting that took place on July 24-26 in San Diego.

Our coverage from the 2023 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in San Diego is being powered by Farm Data Services of Stillwater.

Lane said he feels it is highly likely that there will be an extension for the 2023 Farm Bill.

“Given that appropriations is still very much front-burner, you know, 160 amendments are being debated this week on the ag appropriations bill,” Lane said.

There is plenty of work to be done by September 30 regarding the appropriations bill, Lane said, to avoid a government shutdown.

“It sounds like there is a move afoot to give a little bit of breathing room there, so they are not trying to have this Farm Bill conversation at the same time,” Lane said.



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Oklahoma Conservation Commission’s Blane Stacy Talks Soil Health Management

During the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association’s Annual Convention and Trade Show, Farm Director KC Sheperd had the chance to visit with Oklahoma Conservation Commission Soil Health Educator, Blane Stacy about soil health practices before and after moisture.

As the state has received some good rains throughout the month of July, Stacy first talked about how to best keep that moisture in the soil. Practicing good soil health management before it rains, Stacy said, is the key.

“Everybody that had a good grazing management plan, it seems like they are reaping the benefits,” Stacy said. “They are getting a massive amount of growth out of their forage. The cattle market is going crazy right now, so those who really took care of their grass are reaping the rewards.”

Now that grass is growing well in parts of the state, Stacy said he recommends implementing a grazing system if you haven’t already.

“We mimic how the buffalo grazed across the prairie,” Stacy said. “Buffalo, they graze in a small area for a short time and then move away, and that grass would get a recovery period, so we are just trying to mimic that in a smaller area.”

Animal Agriculture Organizations Partner to Communicate Science and Combat Misinformation

Yesterday, the Animal Agriculture Alliance (Alliance) and National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) announced a working partnership between the two organizations to maximize areas of expertise to ensure sound scientific information about animal agriculture is being communicated effectively to key audiences.

As part of the working relationship, NIAA, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing programs to work towards providing solutions for disease, while promoting a safe and wholesome food supply, will serve as a resource on scientific research and technical expertise. The Alliance, a non-profit working to safeguard the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities, will work to communicate this information to key audiences.

“The Alliance frequently fields questions from food brands, registered dietitians, media, and thought leaders on issues such as animal welfare, responsible antibiotic use, and environmental stewardship. This partnership with the NIAA will give us greater access to technical experts in these fields to ensure we’re communicating accurate, science-backed, and expert-supported information to these audiences,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance president and CEO. “The animal agriculture community has an incredible history of progress – thanks in large part to advancements in science – and we’re honored to continue spreading that message with the support of NIAA.”

At the NCBA Board of Directors Meeting in San Diego on Wednesday, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota cattle producer, responded to attacks on the Beef Checkoff and NCBA from animal rights activists and their allies in Congress:

“As a cattle producer, I know what it means to work hard for every dollar, and I am proud to invest my money in the Beef Checkoff. It’s extremely disappointing to see members of Congress, who have historically been allies to agriculture, turn on the cattle industry and attack our producer-led checkoff.

“I am especially disappointed in Rep. Victoria Spartz who claimed in a recent interview that she paid into the wheat checkoff, which does not exist at the federal level. I’d encourage people to understand the truth about how Checkoff programs operate by visiting their websites, or better yet, by getting involved in the Checkoff programs themselves rather than spreading misinformation that furthers the goals of anti-agriculture activists.

“Groups like Farm Action also have no business claiming to represent America’s farmers and ranchers. Their leaders, including Angela Huffman and Joe Maxwell, are career animal rights activists who have spent years attacking animal agriculture. In fact, the Animal Agriculture Alliance just added Farm Action, and other groups like the Organization for Competitive Markets to their Animal Rights Extremism list. Members of Congress should listen to the folks who are raising cattle and keeping our nation fed, not animal rights extremists hiding behind an organization that falsely claims to represent the interests of farmers and ranchers.

Our coverage of the 2023 Summer Business Meeting of the NCBA is being powered by Farm Data Services of Stillwater.

Oklahoma Beef Hosts Wine and Beef Dinner to Benefit Foster Children and Families

The Oklahoma Beef Council will host the second annual Steak & Grape wine pairing event on Friday, September 15 at Will Rogers Theater in Oklahoma City. The beneficiary of this year’s event is Pepper’s Ranch, Oklahoma’s premiere foster care community.

Located on 240 serene acres near Guthrie, Oklahoma, Pepper’s Ranch is home to tenured foster families providing love and care for youth within the foster care system. Peppers Ranch seeks to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect through a neighborhood of loving homes, counseling, and growth-oriented activities. Their safe and nurturing community inspires and equips each child to break the cycle, reach their full potential, and become productive citizens of society.

“We are truly honored to have the generosity and support of the Oklahoma Beef Council. Being named a beneficiary of the Oklahoma Beef Council’s event is a great honor for us as we all come together united to support Oklahoma’s foster youth, break down the barriers before them and support them as they become independent, successful, thriving adults. We are looking forward to a “roaring” good time at this themed event and coming together to make an impact for all foster families and youth at Peppers Ranch,” said Ashley Hahn, Executive Director at Peppers Ranch.

OSU Agriculture’s communications and marketing team wins state, national industry awards

The Office of Communications and Marketing for Oklahoma State University Agriculture wrapped up an outstanding awards season with more than 27 honors and accolades from state and national professional organizations.



“The team really knocked it out of the park this past year with their expertise, creativity and commitment to educating Oklahomans,” said Lyndall Stout, director of the office of communications and marketing. “When you love what you do – it shows.”