The National Ag Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) Professional Development Conference was developed to create an enriching and supportive environment where agricultural communications students can advance their skills, expand their professional networks and engage in meaningful community service. By organizing this conference, OSU ACT intended to facilitate valuable learning experiences, encourage connections between students and industry leaders, and contribute positively to the community.

Oklahoma Farm Report’s Farm Director KC Sheperd attended and spoke at the OSU ACT Professional Development Conference today, January 17, which was organized, in large part, by our own Maci Carter.

Students attended from many surrounding states for the opportunity to network with, and be inspired, educated, and empowered by industry professionals. Dr. Shannon Farrell, with Lifestyles of the Poor but Entrepreneurial, gave a presentation on Business and Financial Management for Young Professionals and Sheperd got to chat with him after the talk.

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.

Thompson Announces Ag Committee Subcommittee Chairs- Including Frank Lucas

Today, Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15), Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, announced the Committee’s vice chair and subcommittee leadership for the 119th Congress. Oklahoma Rep. Frank Lucas will serve as Chairman of the Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology Subcommittee.

“I’m thrilled to welcome both returning and new subcommittee leadership for the 119th Congress, who will lead with strength, expertise, and a shared commitment to advancing the interests of rural America. Together, we will work tirelessly to ensure that American farmers, ranchers, and rural communities thrive during this pivotal moment. We must defend our food security, strengthen our nation’s agricultural economy, and most importantly pass a comprehensive farm bill that we will send to President Trump’s desk.”

Rep. Austin Scott (GA-08) will serve as the Vice Chair of the Full Committee.

In today’s BeefBuzz, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays continues his coverage of Cattlemen’s Congress and the diverse range of breeds exhibited there by discussing Brangus cattle with Executive Vice President of the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) Rick Cozzitorto, who has only held that title since September 2024.

Cozzitorto’s background began in the Angus and Hereford industries and he said that his standard practice in a new leadership position is to spend a few months looking to see what is already being done well and encouraging it. Then, he looks for things that need improvement.

“The first thing we did was clean up their database,” he said of IBBA. “They had a nice database, but now, it is almost perfect. They also weren’t doing much marketing so we are relaunching a new website. We have a great publication right now, and they do a super job with it, and so we are going to add a digital element to it.”

He said that as a breed association, they must market and tell people how good their breed is. “In the last thirty years, Brangus genetics have changed dramatically,” he pointed out. “Now, they marble, and they feed well, and they do things that they didn’t do before. You shouldn’t be afraid to tell people how good they are. Right now, the demand is so good, we can’t produce enough of them. It is awesome, but there is room to expand.”

The day of the official changeover in government has finally arrived. The 45th President of the United States, Donald J Trump, will take the oath of office for the second time and become the 47th President of the United States.

Rural America and the majority of farmers and ranchers supported his campaign and have high hopes for the next four years.

Looking back- USDA had a very familiar face at its helm- former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack who was USDA Secretary for both Barack Obama and Joe Biden. For President Trump- that job is being handed over to Texas native Brooke Rollins- a lawyer by trade who appears to have the ear of the President. The ag community has praised her selection- and they look forward to what might be said in her confirmation hearing that has yet to be scheduled by Senate Ag Chairman John Boozman.

One of her big challenges- helping move a 2025 Farm Bill across the finish line.

On the trade front- Ag interests have fears and hopes- how the returning Trump handles tariffs worries many while the prospect of getting back on the offensive in negotiating trade deals excites many as well.

The prospect of the President working with a Republican Congress to get the Trump tax cuts that expire at the end of 2025 extended or made permanent is a high priority for most ag groups.

Here are the state level- we say thanks to Steve Kouplen at FSA and Kenneth Corn at Rural Development for their hard work in being the Biden Administration face of USDA in the state- who might be their replacements in the days ahead? We shall see.

The American Soybean Association applauds the nominations of Richard Fordyce to serve as the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC), Dudley Hoskins to serve as the USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) and Luke Lindberg to serve as the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs (TFAA).

Steve Censky, ASA Chief Executive Officer, said in a statement, “As a fourth-generation farmer himself, Richard understands the importance of farm, risk management, and conservation programs to farmers. He has been a leader not only within the soybean industry, but also for the State of Missouri and then all of the United States during his time as Administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency. I know from working with him in all these roles that he will do an incredible job for American agriculture, and I’m thrilled by his nomination.

Likewise, I’m so pleased with the nomination of Dudley Hoskins. Dudley has been a longstanding friend of U.S. soybean farmers. Having the opportunity to work closely with him during my time as Deputy Secretary at USDA, he has a deep background in agriculture policy and understands how the work of the MRP mission area impacts U.S. farmers and ranchers.

I also want to congratulate and welcome Luke Lindberg to the USDA family. From his work leading South Dakota’s trade expansion efforts, Luke understands the importance of trade to farmers, ranchers, and rural America. ASA looks forward to continuing our work with the TFAA mission area on trade issues, including the continued development of new markets and the expansion of existing markets for U.S. soy.”

ASA congratulates Mr. Fordyce, Mr. Hoskins and Mr. Lindberg on their nominations and looks forward to working with them in their new roles.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack concludes twelve years as head of the Department of Agriculture. In this edition of USDA’s Agriculture U.S.A. podcast with Rod Bain, he reflects on his two terms of service.

“If you have this opportunity to serve, which I have been the first person to have had the privilege to do it twice in this way, you want to be sure and take advantage of it,” Secretary Vilsack commented.

Secretary Vilsack’s painted portrait is already displayed in the USDA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., alongside those of previous Ag Secretaries, from his first term in office which spanned from 2009 to 2017. Secretary Vilsack doesn’t feel the need to have a second portrait made to commemorate his second term laughingly citing his aging physique.

He added, “If you look at those portraits, you see just about a symbol of virtually every missionary of the department and that was the purpose of it. However, if I were to do a portrait, I would like for folks to appreciate the consistency in the work that was done while I was Secretary of USDA.”

NAWG Awards Chairman “GT” Thompson with the 2024 Wheat Leader of the Year Award

This past week, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) awarded House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) with its 2024 Wheat Leader of the Year Award for getting a long-term bipartisan farm bill passed out of the committee, which, if enacted, would have made significant improvements and investments in the farm safety net.

NAWG President Keeff Felty presented the award to Chairman Thompson during the National Wheat Foundation’s annual Wheat 101 reception in Washington, DC.

“Chairman Thompson has been a champion for wheat growers, and we appreciate his efforts to advance the bipartisan Farm, Food, and National Security Act out of committee and for helping secure much-needed economic assistance for farmers last month. NAWG is proud to present him with the 2024 Wheat Leader of the Year Award,” said President Keeff Felty. “This past year, the Chairman and his staff have made themselves available to NAWG, and I have always felt our needs were heard. I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Thompson as we focus on getting a bipartisan, long-term farm bill passed that helps wheat growers and rural America thrive.”