Oklahoma Ag Secretary Blayne Arthur Leads US Delegation in Meetings with Canadian and Mexican Ag Officials

Members of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and their state and provincial counterparts from Mexico and Canada issued a joint communiqué on Wednesday underscoring the role of states and provinces in protecting food security and improving the competitiveness of North American trade during the 32nd annual Tri-National Agricultural Accord.

NASDA Vice President, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur led the U.S. delegation for the conference.

“By collaborating as a North American alliance, we have and will continue to expand opportunities for trade and increase resources available to farmers and ranchers to produce our food, fiber and fuel. We look forward to continuing to advance food security in our states, countries and across the world,” Arthur said.



Oklahoma Farm Bureau works to improve the lives of all Oklahomans by supporting our state’s agriculture community. As Oklahoma’s largest general farm organization led by Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, OKFB takes grassroots values and advocates for agriculture at the state Capitol and in Washington, D.C., to ensure our way of life continues for generations to come. Farm Bureau hosts leadership events, supports our state’s agricultural youth and connects consumers with agriculture in order to build a brighter future for our state. Become an OKFB member today online at okfarmbureau.org/join. Together, we are rural Oklahoma.



New Beef Checkoff Campaign Focuses on Milestones in the Lives of Consumers

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am back visiting with the senior vice president of global marketing and research at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Jennifer Nealson, about the Beef Checkoff’s marketing strategy and a new campaign.

Earlier, in 2023, a brand-new beef industry marketing campaign was rolled out called “Together, We Bring More.”

According to the Beef Checkoff, to continue with the visionary reputation that sets Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. apart, “Together We Bring More” is forming a deeper emotional connection with audiences by celebrating life’s milestones and focusing on how beef can transform our experiences, big or small, into meaningful moments. From a first job promotion to a welcome-home party, all of these memorable events can be more valuable with beef.

This campaign also has the ability to communicate messages that focus on beef’s eating experience, nutrition, how it’s raised and grown, convenience, and versatility – all areas that Checkoff-funded research has identified as directly driving consumer demand for beef.

Introducing Goats to Your Operation Can Improve Land Management, Profitability, and More

Associate Farm Editor, Reagan Calk, had the chance to visit with Langston University Goat Extension Leader Dr. Terry Gipson, about the benefits of adding small ruminants to a property or operation.

Right now, Gipson said, the market prices for goats are incredible. Looking at an economic analysis of goat production, Gipson said there is a greater return on investment in goats over cattle.

Gipson said it has been estimated that you can add one goat for every cow on the farm and not reduce carrying capacity.

“I am not saying that you make more money on goats than you do cattle, but for the investment that you put into it, you get a greater return on that investment,” Gipson said.

Goats can be a beneficial addition to a cattle operation, Gipson said, because cattle and goats eat different vegetation.

Yesterday, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) thanked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for supporting farmers and ranchers by rejecting two petitions from environmental activist groups.

“NCBA appreciates the EPA recognizing that America’s farmers and ranchers are committed to ensuring clean water and investing in a sustainable future,” said NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. “By rejecting these two petitions that sought to directly attack animal agriculture, the EPA is protecting cattle producers from frivolous distractions and allowing them to return to the important job of stewarding our natural resources and feeding the nation.”

Weaning From a Calf’s Point of View

On this edition of Cow-Calf Corner, Paul Vining, Oklahoma Quality Beef Network Program Coordinator, talks about weaning calves.

Oklahoma Quality Beef Network (OQBN) Vac-45 sales will continue here in 2023, beginning in November. Like many certified calf preconditioning programs, the OQBN Vac-45 program requires that calves be weaned a minimum of 45 days before sale. This 45-day period provides calves an opportunity to overcome the stress associated with weaning, bolsters immune function, and provides proper nutrition, allowing for maintained health and performance upon entering the next phase of the beef supply chain.

Weaning stressors include removal from the dam, nutritional changes, a new environment, and altered social structure. These stressors are often referred to collectively as “weaning stress”, however, each is unique and provides its own challenge to calf welfare. Understanding this critical time will allow a better understanding of the importance of a 45-day weaning period. 

In cow-calf production systems, it is necessary to wean calves, usually between 6 and 8 months of age to increase cow reproductive performance and herd economic efficiency.

Farm Director, KC Sheperd, had the chance to visit with Oklahoma State University Extension forage systems specialist, Alex Rocatelli, about Bermuda grass hay and more.

“All the rain that we didn’t get last year is coming this year,” Rocatelli said. “It has been amazing the amount of rain that we are having. I see lots of Bermuda grass pastures that were in a bad

condition last year come and recover this year.”

Rocatelli said that around Oklahoma, one could see the great amount of hay that has been baled, so producers are feeling some relief about winter hay storage.

“Perhaps some of them are even experiencing an excess of forage where they already have hay, and after this coming rain, more forage is going to grow,” Rocatelli said.



There are several different types of Bermuda grass grown in Oklahoma, Rocatelli said, some in particular that produce more hay than others. Rocatelli said producers who already have enough hay stocked up and baled could save some money by leaving the remaining Bermuda standing in the field.

Free Kerr Center Elderberry Workshop September 14

The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture will hold a free elderberry workshop on September 14, 2023, from 4 – 7 P.M., at the Kerr Center offices in Poteau, Oklahoma. Attendees will tour the elderberry research plots at the Kerr Center Horticulture Farm.

The plots contain twelve different selected elderberry varieties in a scientific design, and are part of a multi-state research grant directed by the University of Missouri, with additional plots located in Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

The workshop will cover current elderberry research, production, and marketing. Several regional experts in the field will make presentations, including Dr. Andrew Thomas of the University of Missouri.

Snacks will be provided. Registration is limited to 30. Though there is no charge for the workshop, registration is required by September 12.