The U.S. Securities Exchange Commission on Wednesday voted to finalize a climate-disclosure rule that dropped a requirement for U.S.-listed companies to disclose Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions, including farms and ranches.

The final rule is considered a victory for farmers and ranchers who spoke out against the "Enhancement and Standardization of Climate Related Disclosures for Investors" rule.

The final rule relieves a significant burden on food companies that rely on agricultural commodities across their supply chains. That rule was touted by the SEC as a way to protect investors in publicly traded companies by requiring those companies to report data about their entire supply chains.

Groups like the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association are cheering this about face by the SEC.

“AFBF thanks SEC Chair Gary Gensler and his staff for their diligence in researching the unintended consequences of an overreaching Scope 3 requirement,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Farmers are committed to protecting the natural resources they’ve been entrusted with, and they continue to advance climate-smart agriculture, but they cannot afford to hire compliance officers just to handle SEC reporting requirements."

“This limited SEC rule is a win for America’s farmers and ranchers,” said NCBA President Mark Eisele, a Wyoming rancher. NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart adds “With industry-wide emissions data already available from the EPA and the USDA Life Cycle Assessments, forcing individual farms and ranches to calculate and report emissions creates a costly and unnecessary burden.”



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.

Ag Secretary Blayne Arthur Travels to Northwestern Oklahoma to Assess Wildfire Damage

On Wednesday, Oklahoma Secretary of Ag Blayne Arthur traveled to northwestern Oklahoma to assess the wildfire damage and talk with those in the area. Calling in after meeting with several producers, I talked with the Secretary about those conversations and what she was seeing.

“No question, (it is) incredibly devastating for so many producers, and I think it is helpful for me to share that story when I have had the chance to talk with producers directly,” Arthur said. “A lot of resources have been directed out here already, but I have certainly learned a lot today, and there is a lot more work to be done.”

Arthur said many places are completely charred to the ground. Speaking specifically to Ellis County, Arthur said over 1,000 cattle have been lost.

“I think the really tough piece for folks that live out here is that they did get some great moisture last year, a little bit of unusual moisture, and they have tried to be really good stewards and get some grass out there in a lot of places, but that became so challenging because the grass is dormant,” Arthur said. “So much of it has burned.”

Arthur said during this difficult time, producers need to be sure and document losses, because those records will be needed when applying for USDA grants such as the Emergency Conservation Program or the Livestock Indemnity Program.

Third Biden Administration Rule of Packers and Stockyards Act Could Interrupt Competition and Harm Market Prices

After Monday’s announcement of a second rule to interpret the hundred year old Packers and Stockyards Act from the Biden Administration, I talked with the Vice President of Governmental Affairs at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Ethan Lane about how these changes will impact the beef industry and its consumers.

Formerly known as the GIPSA rules, the fairness guidelines within the Packers and Stockyards Act are being rolled out as separate rules. The first and second rules have already come out, and a third is now in the pipeline and may be on the way yet here in 2024.

Lane said the last wave of rules has the potential to be very harmful. Lane said this third rule focusses specifically on the threshold by which the Packers and Stockyards division, USDA regulators would look at a practice in the marketplace. Lane says this is “a standard for harm to competition. If you get one price for your cattle and your neighbor gets a different price- if you don’t like that- what is the threshold where you could sue for damages because you didn’t get the same price.”

“This has been a real pet project of Secretary Vilsack’s throughout his two terms as secretary,” Lane said. “This is one of his marque issues, and he very much believes that there shouldn’t be a standard. Anybody should be able to sue anybody else if they don’t get the same price for their product, which is, in our opinion, a very dangerous road to go down.”

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to decrease data demands of farmers participating in the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative.

“Farm Bureau supports USDA’s partnership initiative and we are glad to see the department take another look at the related data requirements. The extensive data collection provisions of the program are well-meaning but have led to burdensome reporting requirements and some farmers being reluctant to participate.

“Building new markets for commodities is difficult work and we are glad USDA is listening to participants and continuing to be nimble in implementing this program. They will only succeed by building trust with farmers and ranchers, and they’re on the right track with climate-smart programs that are voluntary, incentive-based and market driven.” 

The Farmers Union Foundation Inc. board of directors met Monday, March 4 to authorize the Foundation to expend up to $10,000 to purchase barbed wire supplies for Western Oklahoma counties impacted by wildfires including Harper, Ellis and Roger Mills Counties. The approved match funds can be matched by members, non-members, local and county organizations, or others up to the $10,000 commitment.

President Scott Blubaugh said, “The ranchers, farmers and rural folks impacted have a long road ahead of them as they have fences that have destroyed and at the very minimum having barbed wire stress with the heat that will eventually cause the fence to rust and break. This is a small way that we can help our friends and neighbors impacted.”

Distribution of the barbed wire pallets will be to the counties most impacted by the loss and individuals not being covered by federal wildfire indemnity resources. AFR members will be given priority in the distribution. Many of these individuals did not have coverage for fencing losses.

Contributions can be made to Farmers Union Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 24000, Oklahoma City, OK 73124. Donations will be taken until April 4, 2024. Should you have any questions please direct your calls to Paul Jackson at 405-218-5559 or email paul.jackson@afrmic.com

Exciting Things Coming in the Pipeline to Promote and Elevate Oklahoma Certified Beef

Farm Director KC Sheperd is talking with Oklahoma Certified Beef Association board member and producer, Brad Brainard, about Oklahoma Certified Beef.

“Oklahoma Certified Beef is a great program in which we are trying to bring the dollars that are generated by Oklahoma livestock and keep them in Oklahoma,” Brainard said. “The program is Oklahoma bred, born, raised, and processed in Oklahoma.”

As a beef producer, Brainard said the Oklahoma Certified Beef Program has accelerated his ability to market his beef because it provides a well-known brand name to get behind. As defined by the Oklahoma State Legislature, Oklahoma Certified Beef is guaranteed to be bred, born, raised, and processed exclusively within the state of Oklahoma.

All cattle are certified under an affidavit system. Producers testify that their cattle meet requirements and a knowledgeable third-party sign-off for each stage. These third-party verifiers can be veterinarians, processors, bankers, etc. If the individual is familiar with the entire operation, they may sign for all four stages. Also, different verifiers can sign for different stages. For example, a veterinarian can sign off that the cattle are bred, born, and raised here, and a processor can sign off it was processed in Oklahoma. Finally, the affidavit will need to be notarized by a public notary. OCBA’s goal with this is to keep the association as honorable as possible.

To view the application and read more information about OCBA, CLICK HERE.

Oklahoma Peanut Expo slated for March 21

The Oklahoma Peanut EXPO, a joint effort of the Oklahoma Peanut Commission, Oklahoma State University Agriculture, USDA-Agricultural Research Service and the National Peanut Board, will take place in Weatherford this year.

“We are expecting a larger crowd along with more sponsors this year, and the conference room at the Stafford Air & Space Museum gives us more room,” said David Nowlin, Oklahoma Peanut Commission executive director. “It is a first-class location that our peanut producers and vendors will enjoy.”

Who: Oklahoma peanut growers and industry experts



What: Peanut industry expo showcasing the latest in research, development and market trends. Two certified Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry Private Applicator continuing education units are offered.

When: Thursday, March 21 at 9 a.m.

Where: Stafford Air & Space Museum at the Weatherford Airport, 3000 Logan Road, Weatherford, Oklahoma

Registration: Begins at 8:30 a.m. the day of the event at the Stafford Air & Space Museum.

For more information, please contact David Nowlin at okpeanutcomm.dnowlin@gmail.com.