Yesterday, I had the chance to speak with our state's senior senator, Jim Inhofe, about several issues facing farmers here in Oklahoma and around the country for that matter - and what's being done about them in the nation's capital. Two of the topics we spoke the most about were, 1.) tax reform and 2.) the repeal of WOTUS.

Regarding tax reform, the Senator spoke optimistically on the progress being made. Not since 1986, have such changes to our tax code been proposed. Inhofe says this action is incredibly significant for not just farmers and ranchers, but all Americans. In his experience, he says reducing taxes has lead to increased revenue and economic prosperity in our country. He expects the same will be true for proposed cuts included in the tax reform packages that have passed through both the House and Senate, just this past Saturday. Currently, Congressional leaders are meeting in conference to negotiate a final bill that marries the two chambers' language in their respective bills.

"It's a huge deal and everyone listening to us right now, should be very excited, because we've passed the bills out of the House and Senate. The conference is working now and I think we can do it by the end of the week," Inhofe said confidently. "As soon as these reductions go into effect, you're going to see revenue really jump-start in America."

A major highlight in this package for farmers, includes the potential repeal of the death tax. Though some details need to be ironed out, Inhofe believes the fate of this tax is sealed.

The Senator and I also discussed one action being pursued by our former AG Scott Pruitt, now serving as Administrator of the EPA. By direction of the President, Pruitt has begun the process to review, repeal and replace the infamous Waters of the US rule, implemented by the previous administration. This regulation is known for being harmful and confusing to rural landowners, often seen as a tool of governmental overreach. According to Inhofe, who served the entire eight years of President Obama's term as chairman of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, the rescission of WOTUS is one of the most important regulatory issues facing farmers today.

You can listen to my complete conversation with Sen. Inhofe to hear his comments on these issues and others, by clicking here.

According to the latest check of the Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, producers signaled a slump in confidence with a seven-point drop in the Barometer's 

November reading.

At 128, the measure of producer optimism was the second weakest observed this year, and just four points above the lowest reading in 2017, of 124, last March. However, organizers say that although indicating producers were less confident about the agricultural economy than in October, the survey still suggest agricultural producers remain more optimistic than they were prior to the fall 2016 election.

The November slide in producer sentiment was driven by producers taking a less optimistic view of the future. The Index of Future Expectations declined ten points compared to October as the index fell to 127.

However, the Index of Current Conditions reading of 129 in November was unchanged from October.

A rating below 100 is negative, while a rating above 100 indicates positive sentiment regarding the agriculture industry.

At the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasters Convention in Kansas City, our own Carson Horn, had the chance to speak with president and CEO of the Animal Agriculture Alliance Kay Johnson Smith. Smith has worked for many years, keeping an eye on anti-agriculture groups and the tactics they employ to impose their will on the livestock industry. Ultimately, she says their end-goal is to completely eliminate animal agriculture altogether. In talking with Carson, she described some of these less than respectable practices utilized by activists against reputable food companies.


"One activists described what they had done to get their way, which was to essentially harass the company until they gave in," she said. "Some groups say their demands are just trying to change negative or bad farm practices - that they're not against animal ag. But, that's a complete lie."


On the food supply chain, grocery stores and retailers are the public facing entities of agriculture, dealing directly with consumers. It is easy to be sympathetic and relate to these companies who fold under pressure from these activist groups who threaten to ruin their business with negative campaigns. A very popular demand by activists, Smith says, is to get retailers to commit to selling only cage-free eggs. But, she says now, these businesses are learning the hard way that consumers don't want the products activists are demanding. The problem now is, too, that once you give in to activists' demands, they'll keep coming back for more.


"We really hope (retailers) have a backbone and that they work with their suppliers that provide their products, because it's really extortion; it's blackmail what they're doing," Smith said, explaining how companies can push back. "They've said they will never go away, they won't stop. Consumers are not demonstrating an interest in cage-free eggs by buying them, so they're starting to realize and ask themselves 'why did we make these pledges.' And the activists are already saying cage-free is not enough."


Listen to Kay Johnson Smith of the Animal Agriculture Alliance describe the tactics being used by animal rights activists to pressure companies into complying with their demands, on yesterday's Beef Buzz - click here.

The 2017 American Farmers & Ranchers speech contest season culminated with the state contest held Dec. 2 at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.


Each of the state contestants previously participated in their district contests, where they must have placed first or second in their respective category and division in order to advance to state. In total, more than 120 students advanced to the state contest from the five districts across Oklahoma.

The AFR Speech Contests consist of five district contests and a state contest. At each contest, students in grades 4-12 compete in one of four categories - American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union, Science & Natural Resources, Agribusiness and Ag Advocacy & Policy.


This year marks the 73rd year of the AFR speech contests.


"We are proud to host a contest that highlights outstanding youth across Oklahoma," said Micaela Danker, AFR Youth Development Coordinator. "The fall speech contests proves to be a successful event every year. It gives students the opportunity to gain knowledge about current issues and topics facing the agricultural industry as well as improve public speaking skills."

For a look at the complete list of winners this year, click over to our website's Blue/Green Gazette for this complete story and the latest youth-in-agriculture news.

 

It's time. The 24th annual Tulsa Farm Show opens their doors tomorrow morning at 9 AM at the River Spirit Expo Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds.

Close to 400 exhibitors are moving in today to be ready for the three day event- Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

We will be at our same spot as we have for many years now- just inside the doors from the big Tulsa Driller- come by, say howdy, register for a chance to win a Braums Gift Card and then enjoy the show.

Click here for the Tulsa Farm Show website- including the interactive map of where all of the exhibitors are located at.

We will be broadcasting LIVE on KGGF (AM 690) out of Coffeyville on Friday morning from our booth- from 10 am to Noon- take a listen here on their live streaming page.

AND- if you can make the show on Friday afternoon- AFR is planning their second Rural to Urban Outreach reception-

Finally- a Tweet from North Dakota Farm Broadcast Colleague and Friend Don Wick caught our eye- Don writes "Pro-NAFTA ag groups want to inundate the White House today with phone calls. @dfamilk(Dairy Farmers of America) is part of this effort is asking farmers to call the White House between 12-1 PM Central to leave a constituent comment. DFA says the message is the president should improve NAFTA, not end it."

If you want to make a call with a message on NAFTA to President Trump- the number to call is 202-456-1111.  Click here for the Dairy Farmers of America CALL to Action on the Call-In.