Earlier this week, I had the chance to talk with the President of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Rodd Moesel, about the 2024 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention coming up on January 19-24 in in Salt Lake City, Utah.

This year will mark the 105th year of the annual AFBF Convention. The convention will give members the chance to help set the agenda for the leading voice of agriculture in Washington, D.C., and more.

Moesel said Oklahoma will be represented by a delegation of about 75 members who are making the trip to Salt Lake City.

On Sunday of the convention, AFBF will be honoring Congressman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma’s 3rd district with the Distinguished Service Award.

“That will probably be our highlight,” Moesel said.

The AFBF Distinguished Service Award is awarded to one person each year.

“We are so blessed to have a congressman who understands agricultural policy and actually lives by agricultural policy since he is still an active farmer and rancher,” Moesel said. “There just aren’t many of those left in Congress.”



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At the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association’s 2024 Policy Meeting, Farm Director KC Sheperd had the chance to talk with the keynote speaker at the event, Attorney General Gentner Drummond, about an update on illegal marijuana grow operations in the state and more.

Drummond first talked about the recent arrest of several foreign nationals in connection with the seizure of a significant amount of marijuana allegedly headed for the illegal drug market.

Task force agents, in collaboration with several law enforcement agencies, executed two search warrants in Muskogee County on Jan. 11 that led to the seizure. Multiple firearms also were discovered in the search, as well as evidence that led agents to a half-million-dollar marijuana “stash house” in Bixby where they discovered signs of drug trafficking. 

Following this most recent bust, Drummond said another 14 illegal marijuana grow houses voluntarily shut down in the state.

Oklahoma Drought Conditions Unchanged from Last Week in Latest Drought Monitor

According to the latest Oklahoma drought monitor report, exceptional drought remains at zero percent, unchanged from the start of the calendar year.

Extreme drought or worse remains at zero percent, unchanged from the past three weeks.

Severe drought or worse remains at 1.67 percent, unchanged from last week.

Moderate drought or worse remains at 15.01 percent, unchanged from last week.

Abnormally dry or worse conditions remain at 34.19 percent, unchanged from last week.

Click the Oklahoma drought map above the story to see this week's Oklahoma drought percentages and more.

In this episode of Beef Buzz, I am visiting with the Director of Supply Management and Analysis of Certified Angus Beef, Paul Dykstra, about the CAB program.

With those who are producing successful CAB cattle, Dykstra said terminal traits versus maternal traits is a conversation he enjoys having. 

“It is one that I think is very appropriate for our times as we have advanced in a number of genetic tools that we have available to us, predictions in terms of EPDs, and those indexes that we have,” Dykstra said.

With so many traits to pay attention to, Dykstra said discussing maternal and terminal traits with cattlemen is a good topic of conversation about where to put emphasis.

Making the ARC/PLC Election for 2024

On November 16, 2023, President Biden signed H.R. 6363 – the Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act of 2024 – into law. The bill extended the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill), reauthorizing programs like the Agriculture Risk (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs through September 30, 2024. Producers will have an opportunity to make a one-time election between ARC and PLC for the 2024 crop year. USDA opened the election and enrollment period on December 18, 2023, and it runs through March 15, 2024.[1]

The ARC/PLC decision for 2024 is against the backdrop of a general softening in prices, but the implications vary by crop For some crops, the decision may be clear-cut. In this article, we illustrate the case of wheat (Figure 1). While Effective Reference Prices are projected to climb starting next year for wheat, it is important to remember that you are making a one-year decision for crop year 2024, where the Statutory Reference Price remains at $5.50/bu. With a projected Marketing Year Average Price (MYAP) of $6.63/bu, it is unlikely (though not impossible as we are very early in the growing season) that PLC will trigger. While some may be tempted to elect ARC as a result, note that the 86% trigger threshold is at a price of $5.34/bu, largely indicating that any hope of receiving an ARC payment would rest on very low yields. In other words, in the case of wheat, it’s unlikely that either ARC or PLC will trigger (unless there is a disaster that results in low yields).

Growth Energy Outlines 2024 Federal Policy Priorities 

Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuels trade association, published its 2024 federal policy priorities today. Organized into three categories, the agenda offers a roadmap toward a more vibrant, sustainable future characterized by lower fuel costs, lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, greater energy independence, and stronger rural communities. 

“These are the policy decisions that will shape the next era of growth in plant-based energy and climate solutions,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We hope these priorities serve as roadmap for elected officials seeking to support biomanufacturing facilities at the heart of America’s bioeconomy.” 

“Growth Energy, its members, and its champions on Capitol Hill know that the full potential of America’s bioethanol sector has yet to be fully realized,” she added. “With the right policies in place, our industry will continue to meet America’s energy needs, economic demands, and carbon reduction goals — all at the same time.” 

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