Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays talked in depth about several key beef industry issues with industry consultant Dr. Nevil Speer. Among the topics that Hays and Speer discussed- the 300,000 metric tonnes that President Trump asked foreign countries to send to the US at a discount price to help with beef prices that consumers have been facing, the President’s concerns about the Big Four Meat Packers, his interest in MCOOL, the reopening of the Mexican border for cattle from Mexico to start flowing into the US again…and more.

On the sidelines of the Summer Cattle Industry Business Meeting being held in Denver, Oklahoma Farm Report’s Ron Hays sat down to talk about the state of Beef Industry with the longtime Chief Executive Officer of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Colin Woodall. NCBA is one of three groups that has gathered in Denver for meetings, along side the American National Cattle Women and the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion Board. For the NCBA- the summer meeting is very important as Woodall says this is very much a working meeting for committees on both the policy side and for the Federation on the checkoff. There’s no shortage of issues to explore- from New World Screwworm to completing a farm bill to the politics leading us to the midterm elections. On the New World Screwworm- they discuss the response by the Trump Administration and stakeholders in Texas with the first cases showing up in the United States in June. They also explored the education of cattle producers to be ready in case NWS is found on their farm or ranch. Listen to Ron and Colin as they talk about all of this and more. Click on the audio bar above to hear their visit. Our coverage of the 2026 Summer Cattle Industry Business Meeting is powered by Farm Data Services of Stillwater.

Ron Hays talks with Donnie Robertson of Express Ranches on This edition of Ag Perspectives Podcast

Our latest Ag Perspectives Podcast features Senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays talking with Donnie Robertson, vice president of Express Ranches, about the remarkable legacy of one of the nation’s top seedstock operations after the Funk family announced plans to disperse the ranch’s beef cattle operation.

When discussing elite seed-stock programs in the U.S., Express Ranches has long stood alongside some of the industry’s most respected names. The ranch built a reputation for producing high-quality genetics that influenced commercial and purebred cattle operations across the country. Since acquiring Angus cattle in 1996, the ranch grew exponentially to become the largest registered seed-stock operation in the United States.

Hays and Robertson talk about the history of Express and their plans to disperse the Angus herd of over 2400 females and several hundred bulls this fall and early in 2027.

Listen to the full conversation by clicking on the Audio tab above.

Today's Ag Perspectives Podcast features a Hall of Famer that has helped thousands of livestock producers in the southwest get top dollar for their animals through his sixty plus years at the Oklahoma National Stockyards. Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays sat down with Tom Gilliam at the market known as the "World's Largest Stocker and Feeder Cattle Market" just a month ahead of his 90th birthday and talked with him about growing up in southwest Oklahoma, graduating from Oklahoma State University and starting his life's work at one of the Commission Firms at the Oklahoma National Stockyards.

The story of Tom Gilliam's career at the Oklahoma National Stockyards began in 1959 at the Farmers Commission Company. For the modest sum of 100 a week, Gilliam's first role was far from glamorous: he was responsible for washing the manure from the hog pens.

Opportunity knocked just a few months into his tenure when the company's veteran hog salesman fell ill. Asked if he could step into the role, Gilliam didn't hesitate. He accepted the challenge, even though it meant he had to continue washing the pens while taking on the responsibilities of a salesman—all for the same 100 a week. From there, he moved on to Interstate Commission and moved over from hog buying to cattle.

Fast forward through the years and being involved in working for multiple Commission Firms the late 1980s. Gilliam and long time partner Bill Griffeth purchased Stockman Livestock Commission Co. in 1987. They were inaugural inductees into the Cattle Marketers Hall of Fame in 2019. Earlier in his career- Gilliam was inducted into the Oklahoma Ag Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Oklahoma Pork Council Hall of Fame in 2006.

Ron and Tom talked about his life in the business, how the business has changed, his family, faith and more.

Ron Hays talks the cattle industry's big picture with the CEO of Cattlefax, Randy Blach

At CattleCon26 in Nashville, one of the highlights was the annual Cattlefax Industry Outlook that happened on the final day of the gathering of cattle producers. CEO of Cattlefax, Randy Blach and his team looked at cattle prices, feed prices, beef demand and lots more.

Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays talked with Blach after the presentation- and they covered some of the big picture issues that are "Center of the plate" for the beef cattle industry.

Coverage of CattleCon 2026 is powered by Farm Data Services of Stillwater, Oklahoma.

“The Hess Address” is a new quarterly feature on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network designed to keep producers directly connected to Oklahoma State University leadership. In this series, Farm Director KC Sheperd sits down with OSU President Dr. Jim Hess to go beyond the headlines and discuss the real-world impact of higher education on rural Oklahoma. In this episode, President Hess opens up about the challenges of managing a snow-covered campus, unveils the ambitious “Code Calls” fundraising campaign, and explains why upgrading OSU’s agronomy research facilities is a critical legislative priority for the state’s wheat growers.

Ron Hays talks Dietary Guidelines with NCBA Executive Director of Nutrition Science, Health and Wellness Shalene McNeill

Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays spent time with NCBA's dietician Dr. Shalene McNeill just days after the Trump Administration released their 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines, which they called a historic reset of nutrition policy. Important for the beef cattle producers that McNeill works for through the Beef Checkoff, the USDA says in their news released on the new guidelines- at the top of the list of guidelines that explain their plan- Prioritize protein at every meal.

Hays and McNeill look at that means to the consumer- and how that will impact eating habits over the next several years.

Listen to their full conversation by clicking on the Listen Bar above.

Ron Hays talks with Michael Kelsey of OCA about Cattlemens Congress and OCA's Upcoming Winter Policy Meeting

Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays caught up with Michael Kelsey, Executive Vice President of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association at the 2026 Cattlemen's Congress and talked about the value of Congress to the Oklahoma cattle industry- and then moved on to spend most of their time previewing the 2026 OCA Winter Policy Meeting, set for January 21st at the Embassy Suites Northwest Oklahoma City from 9 AM to 4:30 PM.

Kelsey tells Hays that they have invited Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond to come and explain his position as he represents the State of Oklahoma in the poultry lawsuit that has been revived after laying dormant for over twenty years. OCA is also inviting the Poultry Federation to send a representative to offer their position in this battle that finds poultry contract growers in the middle and threatens their way of life. This issue also raises real questions about the court being able to dictate environmental policy and overrule established science based regulations at the state and federal levels. Kelsey says his members will consider if they need to update their policies as a result of the developments in this case.

OCA will also welcome Colin Woodall of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association to the meeting, as Woodall will offer an overview of the federal issues impacting the cattle industry just ahead of CattleCon 2026 which will be happening in early February in Nashville, Tennessee. OCA will review their federal policies ahead of the Nashville meeting when several members will be weighing in during Committee meetings there.

Lots of other issues will be considered- including state tax policy and possible changes in property taxes that will be considered by the State Legislature starting in February. Kelsey also expects a conversation about the efforts to keep New World Screwworms out of the US and Oklahoma.

Ron and Michael have a wide ranging conversation previewing the meeting- click on the audio button above to listen.

Share your thoughts, exercise your membership voting power and help chart the course for a successful Oklahoma beef industry! Member Engagement is Vital to the Success of Policy Development! Be sure to attend the 2026 Annual Winter Policy Meeting.



Extended discounted registration available online until January 19.

Onsite registration is 65/person.

OCA Membership is Required to Attend.

Dues May be Paid at the Door.

50 Early Registration Fee, Lunch Included.

State Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur: Leadership, Resilience, and the Road Ahead for Oklahoma Agriculture

Ron Hays talks with Secretary Blayne Arthur- Looking back on 2025 and ahead to 2026

Blayne Arthur has never been just a bystander in Oklahoma’s agriculture scene. Since becoming Oklahoma’s Secretary of Agriculture in December 2018—making her the first woman in the state's history to hold the post—Arthur has woven together policy expertise, practical experience, and a deep connection to rural living, earning praise from both ends of the political spectrum. Senior Farm and Ranch broadcaster Ron Hays sat down just before Christmas to talk with Secretary Arthur- and she spoke of her longevity within the Kevin Stitt Administration- her journey is not just a story about her but also about the unique resilience and collaborative spirit of Oklahoma agriculture.

To call 2025 a challenging year for Oklahoma agriculture would be an understatement. Producers began the year facing the growing threat of the New World Screw Worm—a pest that posed significant economic and animal health risks. Though, as of late 2025, no active cases were confirmed within the state, preparedness remained a top priority. State officials, led by Oklahoma’s State Veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall and in close coordination with the USDA under Secretary Brooke Rollins, adopted a proactive stance, closing borders and increasing surveillance (OSU Extension, USDA).

A Collaborative, Nonpartisan Approach

If there’s a secret sauce to Oklahoma’s agricultural resilience, it might be the collaborative, nonpartisan nature of the work. Arthur’s career has spanned transitions through both Democratic and Republican administrations. While political winds have shifted, she’s found that practical agricultural policy rarely fits neatly into a partisan box. “Most farmers and ranchers just want to make a living and have the government stay out of their way,” she’s often said—a maxim her husband helps keep top of mind.

Arthur gives much credit to both Governor Stitt and the state legislature for their hands-on, bipartisan approach to agricultural issues. The Governor has stood with producers through contentious issues—especially where state and federal interests clash, as with recent poultry industry litigation and environmental regulations. Time and again, Arthur and her team have emphasized the importance of “thoughtful conversations” with lawmakers and keeping open lines with commodity groups like Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, and others (Oklahoma Farm Bureau).

Preparing for What’s Next

As Governor Stitt’s term approaches its end, Arthur is focused on ensuring a seamless transition for whoever leads next, both in the legislature and within the Department of Agriculture itself. That means bolstering strong leadership teams, shoring up forward-thinking ag policies, and making sure regulatory decisions are always made with a producer’s reality in mind.

If you ask Arthur whether she foresaw all these responsibilities when she took the job—running an agency, leading the Board of Agriculture, sitting on higher education boards and state land commissions—the answer comes with a laugh and an honest “No.” Still, she sees all those “extra hats” as a way to serve the people who, like her, head down a gravel road each night to the real work of feeding the state and the nation.

For Blayne Arthur and the community she represents, the story of Oklahoma agriculture is one of resilience, collaboration, and hope—come drought, disease, or whatever else the next season brings.

Listen to Part Two of a Tribute to the Legacy of Bob Funk, Sr.

The Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Youth Expo and Cattlemen’s Congress, has produced two podcasts that salute the life of Bob Funk, Sr. Mr. Funk passed away July 15, 2025 and Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Hall of Fame broadcaster Ron Hays has talked to several individuals that knew Bob Funk, Sr. well- and they have offered their thoughts about who Bob Funk was in their life and what they believe his legacy is today and into the future.

In this Bob Funk, Sr Legacy Podcast part Two, we offer comments from four Oklahomans who knew and loved him. Our conversation begins with some opening thoughts from KC Sheperd, Farm Director of the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and moves into conversations that Hays had with each of the following: (the time after their name shows when in the Podcast that conversation begins)

Farm & Ranch Director of Programming for the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network KC Sheperd (1:10)

Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur (5:07)

Legal Counsel and Member of the Board of Cattlemen's Congress Jennifer Callahan (14:36)

Former First Lady of the State of Oklahoma, Cathy Keating (24:41)

Arthur, Callahan and Keating all told of their interactions with Mr. Funk dating back into the 1990s and how they have seen firsthand his love of helping others and building a legacy of improving the state of Oklahoma and so many of its citizens.

In part one of our Podcast paying tribute to the Legacy of Bob Funk, Sr.- we had several friends and admirers of Mr. Funk that told their story- click here to listen to that podcast

Our thanks for the joint efforts of the Oklahoma Youth Expo, Cattlemen’s Congress and Hillary Communications to make this Podcast series possible.

You can also learn more about the life of Bob Funk, Sr. in an earlier conversation Ron Hays had with him in 2023- that in depth visit is available by clicking here.

Listen to Part One of a Tribute to the Legacy of Bob Funk, Sr.

The Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Youth Expo and Cattlemen's Congress, is producing two podcasts that will salute the life of Bob Funk, Sr. Mr. Funk passed away July 15, 2025 and Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Hall of Fame broadcaster Ron Hays has talked to several individuals that knew Bob Funk, Sr. well- and they have offered their thoughts about who Bob Funk was in their life and what they believe his legacy is today and into the future.

In this Bob Funk, Sr Legacy Podcast part One, we offer comments from five Oklahomans who knew and loved him. Our conversation begins with some opening thoughts from Tyler Norvell of the Oklahoma Youth Expo and moves into conversations that Hays had with each of the following: (the time after their name shows when in the Podcast that conversation begins)

Oklahoma's 28th Governor Kevin Stitt (2:03)

Express Ranches Vice President of Marketing Donnie Robertson (9:07)

Donnie Robertson's Cowboy Hat Story from Eulogy (21:50)

Long Time Oklahoma Spring Livestock Show and OYE Volunteer Celeste Nelson (25:38)

Past American Angus Association President Dr. Barry Pollard (35.25)

President of the Oklahoma Youth Expo, the Onward Foundation and Chairman of the Board of Cattlemen's Congress Tyler Norvell (44:05)

In part two of our Podcast paying tribute to the Legacy of Bob Funk, Sr.- we will have several additional friends and admirers of Mr. Funk that will each tell their story.

Our thanks for the joint efforts of the Oklahoma Youth Expo, Cattlemen's Congress and Hillary Communications to make this Podcast series possible.

You can also learn more about the life of Bob Funk, Sr. in an earlier conversation Ron Hays had with him in 2023- that in depth visit is available by clicking here.

Ron Hays talks with Bob Funk in a Podcast Produced for OYE

Back in August of 2023, Oklahoma Farm Report’s Ron Hays sat down with Bob Funk in his ranch home in Yukon to talk about his life- from birth in the state of Washington to his rise in the world of Express Personnel, the Angus Breed and his love for 4-H and FFA youth that were a part of the Oklahoma Youth Expo. This podcast was produced for OYE as a part of their Legacy Voice series.

As our state mourns the loss of Bob Funk, Sr this week- this conversation gives you the chance to hear his story- recorded August 11, 2023 and posted by the Oklahoma Youth Expo to provide everyone the chance to hear him tell you his life’s story in his words. Learn what has motivated him over the years to serve others and to succeed in his business dealings.

Ron Hays talks with Anne Anderson of Austin, Texas

Anne Ilse Anderson of Austin, Texas was honored with the Cattlemen’s Beef Board’s fifth annual Beef Checkoff Visionary Award during the General Session of the 2025 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in San Diego, California. This award recognizes an individual in the beef industry who has demonstrated exemplary support of and commitment to the Checkoff’s goals and vision.

Oklahoma Farm report's Ron Hays talked in depth about her career with Anderson- you can hear their full conversation by clicking on the listen bar above.

“Anne represents what this award is all about,” said Ryan Moorhouse, chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. “She’s a fellow Texan who’s spent decades helping drive beef demand—both here at home and around the world—through education, research and smart marketing. Anne helped lay the groundwork for the Beef Checkoff, and years later, she’s still helping shape its future. We’re proud to recognize her with the 2025 Visionary Award.”

Anderson and her husband Jim own a cow-calf operation in the Texas Hill Country, combining a deep passion for agriculture with a global business perspective. The Andersons and their partner Brett Morris raise purebred Speckled Parke cattle as well as Speckled Parke/Angus crosses.

Anderson began her career as a clinical dietitian and educator before fully transitioning into agricultural leadership. Since then, Anderson has dedicated more than four decades to advancing the beef industry through innovation and mentorship. Her understanding of consumer nutrition needs and her lifelong passion for beef production have made her a unique and powerful voice in the industry.

Ron Hays talks policy and politics with Congressman Frank Lucas

On this Ag Perspectives Podcast- Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays talks about a variety of issues with the senior member of the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation- Frank Lucas. Lucas has served as the Chair of the House Ag Committee as well as the Chair of the Science Committee in the US House.

He is the Senior member in the House Ag Committee here in 2025- and is currently serving as the Subcommittee Chair for Conservation.

Ron brings up several topics, including US House H.R. 1713 that adds the Secretary of Agriculture as a permanent member on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), the interagency committee charged with reviewing the national security implications of foreign investments in the economy. The bill also requires CFIUS to consider referrals from USDA for reportable agricultural land transactions. Lucas is the principal author of the measure, which just passed through the US House.

They also talked about the "farm" portions of the Big Beautiful Bill and Lucas' perspective on how things are unfolding in the Senate for the measure.

They also chatted about the worries about New World Screwworm and the Congressman's thoughts on how Congress and the President are getting along so far here in 2025.

Ron Hays talks 2025 Wheat Crop and more with Mike Schulte of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission

Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays sat down and talked about the status of the 2025 Oklahoma Hard Red Winter Wheat Crop with the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, Mike Schulte.

Schulte reviews what he has seen in recent weeks as he has traveled across the wheat belt in the state- and he explains that the crop looks much better than he thought it might look like six weeks earlier. April rains have turned crop prospects around- and has allowed the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association to predict a 101 million bushel crop for the state in 2025- just slightly less than the 108 million bushel crop produced in 2024.

Hays and Schulte talk about crop conditions, what the Kansas crop may look like in the coming week during their annual wheat tour, what USDA may tell the trade on Monday as they make their first prediction of the year based on May first conditions, the upcoming election for District for the Commission(the seat for the eastern half of the state of Oklahoma that has been held for many years by Don Schieber of Kildare, Oklahoma- who has chosen not to seek another term this year) and what the prospects are to successfully market the HRW crop in the months ahead.

Learn more about the Oklahoma Wheat Commission by traveling to their website- OkWheat.Org.

Ron Hays talks with the 28th Member of the Oklahoma Ag Hall of Fame, John Pfeiffer, Jr.

Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays sat down at the kitchen table with John Pfeiffer, Jr to talk with the newest member of the Oklahoma Ag Hall of Fame. Their conversation was on April 21, 2025- the day before the actual induction ceremony.

John's family is one that stretches back to before statehood- and it includes Angus cattle all the way back to 1907. His great grandfather bought his first Angus bull that year- and his family has had black hided cattle grazing the pastures around Orlando ever since.

John credits being a part of Class One of the Oklahoma Ag Leadership Program as that point where he understood the importance of involving himself in service to the local community and the larger ag community as well. He says that after he graduated from that program- that's when he started serving on local boards- and eventually on the American Angus Association Board of Directors- becoming the Chairman of Certified Angus Beef Board and after that, the President of the American Angus Association.

Hays and Pfeiffer talk about his time at OSU- his thirty years as a teacher and his efforts to breed high quality Angus cattle. Listen to their full conversation by clicking on the Listen Bar above.

Ron Hays talks with NCBA's Ethan Lane

It's a variety of topics that Ron Hays and Ethan Lane discuss that impact the US Beef Cattle industry- starting with a look at where we are on the Trump Tariffs, the "Big Beautiful Bill" that will include an extension of the Trump Tax Cuts from his first term, dealing with HHS Secretary Kennedy, the value of having Brooke Rollins as USDA Secretary, putting WOTUS to bed once and for all (Maybe) and how the Speaker and the Senate Majority Leaders are getting along thus far here in 2025- and how all of this impacts beef cattle producers.

Ron Hays talks with Hemphill County's Andy Holloway about the upcoming Hemphill County Beef Conference April 29-30 in Canadian, Tx

Details on the Hemphill County Beef Conference available by clicking here.

Ron Hays talks with Tyler Norvell as we arrive at the start of the 2025 Oklahoma Youth Expo

As they gear up for the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE), the organization’s president, Tyler Norvell took time out of his busy schedule to tell Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays all about the big event slated for March 10 – 21, 2025, at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.

This year’s event will be the 110th annual Spring Livestock Show, and it promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Norvell said, “It has gotten bigger, maybe not in the number of animals that show up, they have held steady over the last couple of years, but where we have gotten bigger is the Skill-a-thon, where any kid can come and take a test for free and compete for over 15,000 worth of scholarships.”

The Ag Mechanics Contest exploded from 50 entries in 2020 to 350 entries this year. “We don’t want financial resources to be a reason a kid doesn’t come and be a part of this event,” Norvell insisted. “There is something for everybody, no matter what your situation is. I think we have accomplished that now, but we are going to look for more ways to give more opportunities.”

With all of the exciting things going on at OYE, the bittersweet undertone is the fact that 2025 will be its last year in the original Jim Norick Arena and its 60th year in “The Big House.”

Ron and Tyler talk about the Big House, the growth of the world's largest Junior Livestock Show- now the OYE, the sponsors who support the OYE, the volunteers who help make the show a success and what may be ahead for the OYE. Click on the audio to hear their full conversation.

Ron Hays and Noah Wicks of Agri-Pulse talk with former Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa

National Farmers Union (NFU) honored former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa with the 2025 Award for Meritorious Service to American Agriculture, its highest distinction, at the opening banquet of the 123rd Anniversary Convention.

After the presentation- Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays joined with Noah Wicks of Agri-Pulse to talk about a variety of issues with the former Senator from Iowa- click on the listen bar above to hear that full conversation.

“Senator Tom Harkin was steadfastly committed to American family farmers throughout his life and 40-year career in the U.S. Congress,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “NFU is proud to honor him with the 2025 Award for Meritorious Service to American agriculture, recognizing his dedication to family farmers and our communities. He’s been a friend and a staunch ally to Farmers Union for decades. We congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition.”

Harkin made agriculture a top priority during his time in the U.S. Congress. serving on the House Agriculture Committee during his 10-year stint in the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa’s 5th Congressional District. Harkin then served five consecutive terms in the U.S. Senate, including serving as chair on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

Ron Hays and Don Close with Terrain talk cattle inventory report and how the markets are shaping up here in 2025

Don Close has been watching the cattle market for a lot of years- and Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays had the opportunity to draw on that experience as they sat down at CattleCon 2025 in San Antonio to talk cattle markets.

The jumping off place was the January 2025 Cattle Inventory report- and went a lot of different directions from there.

Click on the link above and take a listen to their conversation.

Coverage of CattleCon 2025 is powered by Farm Data Services of Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Ron Hays introduces Governor Kevin Stitt's Newest Cabinet Member to Oklahoma- Jeff Starling

Back in early December, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt fired his previous Secretary of Energy and Environment Ken McQueen- and almost immediately named Jeff Starling as his replacement. Secretary Starling has been on the job for about six weeks- including the Christmas holiday break, so he is still meeting key players within the Department that he oversees.

Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays sat down with the Secretary at his office in downtown Oklahoma City- and Starling talked about growing up in southern Virginia close to the North Carolina state line- studying law and eventually coming west to Oklahoma in 2012. He's adopted our state as his own- has worked within the energy industry and was approached by Governor Stitt last fall about taking a role within his Administration.

That turned out to the Secretary for Energy and Environment.

Starling said he and his staff are starting to study bills that could impact the agency in the upcoming Legislature. He also says that one current longstanding piece of litigation for Oklahoma got his attention- as his position means he is named as plaintiff in the long standing poultry lawsuit that dates back twenty years when Drew Edmonson was Attorney General. U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell rejected a request in the final days of 2024 from poultry industry defendants to postpone it. Two years ago, Frizzell ruled in favor of the state of Oklahoma in a long-running federal lawsuit that alleged poultry industry practices were polluting the Illinois River watershed in eastern Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas. Judge Frizzell is searching for a final solution to put that ruling to bed.

Hays and Starling also talked about Carbon Capture and how it should be regulated- he's looking for a way for the state to regulate it instead of the EPA.

Click on the link above to hear the full conversation.

Ron hays talks with Kentucky Farm Broadcaster Jeff Nalley About Ag Policy as 2025 Arrives

Between Christmas and New Year's- Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays talked with 2025 National Association of Farm Broadcasting President Jeff Nalley. Hays and Nalley have been farm broadcast colleagues for over thirty years- and they both share a love of pursuing the latest in agricultural policy news- where ever it can be found.

They discuss the end of the year CR- what it means for farmers and ranchers struggling because of low farm prices and high input costs. They look at the new Congress and the administration being formed by the 47th President of the US, Donald Trump.

There are lots of concerns- a few bright spots- and some hard work ahead to keep the US farm economy moving full speed ahead.

Jeff Nalley is a 37-year veteran of radio and farm broadcasting and widely recognized as one of the best interviewers in the business.

He is the current president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) and has received numerous awards for excellence in broadcast media from within the NAFB as well as other farm organizations. In 2010, Nalley was named the Farm Broadcaster of the Year by the NAFB.

Nalley has received distinguished service awards from Purdue University, the United Soybean Board, Kentucky Soybean Association, Kentucky Pork Producers and the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation.

Click on the listen bar above to listen to their complete conversation- when two broadcasters fire up the recorder- there's a lot ground that is covered and very little dead air.

Ron Hays talks with Michael Kelsey of the OCA about a wide range of topics- from Screwworms to Fall Gatherings to Cattle Prices and more

Just ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday- Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays talks with the Executive Vice President of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, Michael Kelsey.

They start their visit talking about the concern US cattle producers have over the discovery of screwworms in southern Mexico- near the border with Guatemala. They also talk about what was on the mind of cattlemen and cattlewomen that attended the 2024 Fall Gatherings of the OCA.

Kelsey also updates us on the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Foundation putting a pause on their fundraising efforts to renovate and expand the OCA headquarters building located adjacent to the Oklahoma National Stockyards. They are waiting to see how the efforts to sell the Stockyards go before making any decisions about whether to proceed with their earlier announced plans on their building.

Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays was asked to moderate a panel of five industry leaders on Wednesday at the 2024 National Association of Farm Broadcasting Annual Convention in Kansas City. Included in this panel- Rob Larew, President of the National Farmers Union, Ethan Lane, Vice President, Government Affairs for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Sam Kieffer, American Farm Bureau's Vice President for Public Policy, Dr. John Newton, Executive Head of Terrain and longtime National Corn Grower Association executive Jon Doggett, now running his own consulting firm, Camas, Creek Consulting.

Hays led these industry leaders thru their takes on the impact of the 2024 election that has resulted in a trifecta for the Republican Party- as they will control the White House, US Senate and the US House in early 2025.

They also looked at the Lame Duck session now underway and the three major groups represented agreed it's now or never for getting a new five year farm bill now.

And- they spent some time looking at what 2025 may look like for the ag industry with the new players that are expected to be in place.

Click on the link below to hear hour long presentation from Kansas City that happened Wednesday afternoon, November 13, 2024.

Ron Hays and Panelists look at the 2024 elections and their potential impact on US Agriculture.

Ron Hays talks with Dr Kim Anderson about his life- from growing up in eastern Oklahoma to life in the Navy on Guam to his career in Extension- and more

If you have ever taken the advice from OSU Grain Market Economist Dr. Kim Anderson- or sat in one of his Sales Marketing classes he taught for 24 years- you need to pull this conversation up and listen to the wit and wisdom and advice from the now retired OSU Ag Economist Dr. Kim Anderson.

On this latest Ag Perspectives Podcast- He and Ron Hays with the Oklahoma Farm Report have a conversation that will take you through Kim growing up in Muskogee County to studying at Connors after High School to working for the Green Giant as he turned 19 before enlisting in the Navy.

Dr. Anderson tells of a turning point in his life under a full moon in Guam- what he learned while being a consumer extension specialist at the University of Kentucky to being able to come home "west of the Mississippi" in 1982 to Stillwater, Oklahoma, when he took the extension grain market economist position.

He told Hays about trying comedy in his extension presentations early on- found out that didn't work and switched to a all meat approach- providing farmers in the state and region things to think about when it came to marketing strategy.

Ron and Dr. Anderson dove into the story behind the Third, the Third, The Third marketing plan for winter wheat each year after harvest- which Dr. Anderson says was all about dollar cost averaging.

He also provided a look behind the curtain of his 24 years of teaching his Sale Marketing class- and how he always worked to value to those students in every single class.

They also talk family- faith and what Kim will has cherished the most over his 42 years in the same office on the fifth floor of the Old Ag Hall.

The time you invest in listening to Ron and Kim will improve your life- how Kim has lived his life is worth your time to learn about. Check it out!

On this Ag Perspectives Podcast, Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays sat down with the Chief Executive Officer of the National Cattlemen's Association, Colin Woodall. They talked about a variety of topics- from how the NCBA operates as a contractor for the Beef Checkoff to assisting young cattle producers in becoming established in the beef cattle business to policy and politics found inside the Washington beltway to the what the future of the beef cattle business looks like.

Click on the listen bar below to listen to this wide ranging conversation between Hays and Woodall.

Ron Hays talks all things NCBA and the Beef Business with Colin Woodall

KC Sheperd talks with Dr. Kim Anderson of OSU- who officially retires July 31st

Farm Director KC Sheperd had the chance to visit with Oklahoma State University Extension Grain Market Economist Kim Anderson about his retirement from OSU on July 31st. Aside from his crop market expertise, Anderson is also well known for his sales and marketing class where he has positively impacted the lives of countless OSU students.

Anderson was raised on a dairy farm in Muscogee County, Oklahoma where he decided at a young age he would plan to pursue a college degree. After high school, Anderson said he attended Connors State College for a short time before he was drafted into the U.S. Navy, where he would spend four years.

After his time serving in the U.S. Navy, Anderson said he had the chance to attend OSU and obtain a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education, and soon after, a master’s degree in agricultural economics. Anderson didn’t stop his education there and went on to obtain his PhD at OSU as well.

After receiving his PhD, Anderson moved to Lexington, Kentucky to pursue the role of Assistant Extension Professor at the University of Kentucky. In August of 1982, Anderson said he was offered a job to serve as the grain marketing specialist at OSU, and he gladly accepted.

Anderson spent a large portion of the beginning of his career traveling the state and talking with individuals working within the agriculture industry. The year 1998 is when Anderson began teaching in the classroom.

“I started the sales course in January of 2001, and I have completed 23 and a half years this last semester,” Anderson said.

Over his years of experience, Andreson said he has witnessed a drastic change in technology, but the students are relatively the same. Aside from teaching sales, Anderson said he also teaches students how to learn, because he knows every student learns differently.

“They are sending us the best and the brightest,” Anderson said. “They are sending us kids that, for the majority of them, they want to learn.”

When asked what he will miss the most, Anderson said he will miss the people he has the chance to work with and the students he has helped.

“It is so humbling,” Anderson said. “I had the opportunity to impact and help prepare 220 young people a year, and I did.”

Ron Hays and Michael Kelsey talk politics, elections, regents and other fun stuff in and around state government- and also preview the 2024 OCA Annual Convention coming in July

It's a wide ranging conversation that Radio Oklahoma Ag Network's senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays has with the Executive Vice President of the OCA, Michael Kelsey.

The start by talking about the 2024 Oklahoma legislative session- offering a good time to review it all now that the dust has settled from all the crazy things that happened at the capitol in 2024. They discuss tax policy, the poultry bill, anti animal ag groups at the capitol, the legacy efforts of two term limited leaders- both in the House and the Senate and more. They moved on to the give and take between the Governor and the Legislature over a board position that needs to be filled for the A&M Regents and then got into the June primary election results- and how several state Senate races are going to change the dynamic of the State Senate in the next session in 2025. Michael also offered his thoughts on the US House races here in 2024 and how they matter to Oklahoma agriculture and the cattle industry- and even reviewed what the Corporation Commission will look like in the new year, too.

Part two of the conversation was all about the 72nd annual meeting of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association that is coming up July 19 and 20 at the Embassy Suites in Norman. Michael got into the convention theme in depth- talking about why the concept of Legacy is so important to the cattle business at this time.

Ron Hays talks with Lance Zimmerman of Rabobank- June 21, 2024

Rabobank's senior beef analyst, Lance Zimmerman, talked in depth with Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays about the Global and Domestic beef and beef cattle marketplace- they covered topics like current price outlook, heifer retention, consumers and their current love affair with the high quality beef that is being produced by the US Cattle Producer and more.

Listen to their full interview by clicking on the link above.

Ron Hays talks with Chelsea Good of the Livestock Marketing Association in OKC about policy issues LMA has prioritized in 2024

The LMA Convention & WLAC is happening in Oklahoma June 12-15, 2024! The convention will be held in Oklahoma City at the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel, and the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship will be held at Oklahoma National Stockyards. As the trade group that represents the livestock market companies in the US- LMA advocates for the livestock marketing industry and provides a voice on state and federal legislative and regulatory issues. We represent over 80 percent of all viable, regular-selling (minimum 1 sale per week) livestock markets in the United States.

Chelsea Good is Vice President of LMA- and ahead of the start of meetings the next couple of days- she sat down with Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays to talk about some of the issues important to the group and their membership.

Ron Hays talks with OSU's Mark Johnson about last year's Cattlemen's Congress and previews the 2024 Version

Cattlemen’s Conference is a type conference based around building and crafting the right kind of cattle.

35 years ago, cattle industry leaders came together and held the Blue Print for the Right Kind of Cattle Conference, focused on building cattle that fit the industry at that given time. Today, the industry has evolved and therefore, our cattle need to do the same.

Together, Cattlemen’s Congress, Oklahoma State University and the Noble Research Institute have partnered together to bring you the Cattlemen’s Conference.

This Year’s Focus:
Gene Editing
Breeding Systems & Heterosis Relative to Marketing Endpoint
Regenerative Ranching & Sustainability

Learn more and register by clicking here.

Ron Hays Ag and More with Former Chair of the House Ag Committee, Frank Lucas

Senior Farm and Ranch Farm Broadcaster Ron Hays talks about a variety of issues- including the inclusion of his CIFUS language in the MiniBus Appropriations package, the SEC deciding not to force farmers and ranchers to report greenhouse gas emissions on an individual farm/ranch operation, the prospects of getting a Farm Bill in 2024, his priorities as Chair of the Science Committee(think weather and AI) and even a word on the wildfires near his Roger Mills County home.

Ron Hays talks inside the Beltway issues impacting the beef cattle business with Ethan Lane

USDA has released a finalized rule on another aspect of fairness to livestock producers under the umbrella of the Packers and Stockyards Act- Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays talks with Ethan Lane of NCBA on this latest rule from the Biden Administration- and what may still be coming under what we have called the GIPSA rules in previous years.

Lane is not concerned about the majority of the language in this just released rule- but is very concerned about what might still be coming from the Biden White House and the Tom Vilsack USDA.

Hays and Lane also talk about Super Tuesday, the Appropriations process and what is in the latest FY 2024 Ag and FDA portion of the bill that matters to the cattle industry. They also talk about the "what ifs" that need to happen in order to get a Farm Bill back on track to get completed here before the November general elections.

Click on the listen bar above to listen to Ron Hays and Ethan Lane cover these issues in their Tuesday, March 5, 2024 conversation.

Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays talked a week ahead of the 30th Annual Spring Bull Sale of Express Ranches with Kevin Hafner, the Vice President for Operations for the ranch.

The sale is Friday, March 1, 2024 at 12 noon at the ranch in Yukon, Oklahoma. Details are available on their website, ExpressRanches.Com. They have the sale book, a bull sorter for their Angus bulls and sale videos all online.

After two weeks of the general legislative session in Oklahoma, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster, Ron Hays, caught up with Oklahoma Farm Bureau Vice President of Public Policy, Steve Thompson to talk about the latest policy impacting producers in the state of Oklahoma.

Ron Hays talks with Steve Thompson of Oklahoma Farm Bureau

As there has been some movement on particular bills in the 2024 state legislative session, and Thompson said he feels that this year’s pace is historically fast.

“Everybody is truly scrambling to make sure there is not something that anyone has missed or that your bases are covered,” Thompson said.

The number one issue right now, Thompson said, has to do with water.

“We have had probably four or five predominant bills kind of geared at western Oklahoma,” Thompson said. “We have lived through multiple years of drought. We were reading today about the drought map and how good it looks relative to where we have been, and one of the reasons we noticed that is because of what we are used to, unfortunately, for the last few years.”

There are a few more water-related issues impacting the rest of the state, but Thompson said the predominant bill concerns western and southwest Oklahoma. Thompson said this bill is aimed at the Upper Red River Basin.

Thompson said this bill would completely rewrite the way Oklahoma water law works.

“It has some dangerous implications as written that would take away some groundwater rights, particularly in the northern end of that basin, and comingle some of that with surface water rights, which we handle totally differently,” Thompson said.

There are many other ideas that are being explored in several bills involving water in Oklahoma concerning issues such as water metering, measurement, and trying to gauge how much water is being used in permitted wells, irrigation, and more.

Thompson said with permitted water, it is currently somewhat of an honor system with no verification of how much water is actually being used. There is also discussion about water wells that are not metered but should be.

When it comes to measuring how much water is being used, Thompson said producers he has had the chance to speak with are open to the idea, but more concerned with how much this technology will cost.

“Make no mistake, these are significant potential policy changes in Oklahoma,” Thompson said.

Hays and Thompson also talked about Eastern Oklahoma water issues- especially as it relates to the poultry industry. Thompson also offered an updated on the 13 year old court case that has recently been ruled in favor of the state of Oklahoma versus several poultry companies, legislation to help implement the efforts of the legislature last year to allow younger drivers to get limited licenses for driving to and from town legally and more.

Click on the link above to listen to their full conversation.

Ron Hays talks CattleCon 2024 from an Oklahoma perspective with Oklahoma Cattlemen's Michael Kelsey as the 2024 Convention winds down in Orlando.

Michael Kelsey of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association feels good about policy that was hammered out this past week at CattleCon 2024 in Orlando, Florida. He told Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays that at the top of the list for policy issues that Oklahoma producers were watching was language on traceability.

"This has been the lightning rod issue of the last few weeks, there's no question about that, and appropriately so. It's very important that we get this right." Kelsey describes the NCBA policy development process saying that NCBA has policy on Animal Disease Traceback for twenty years. He adds that one proposed policy that cattle producers had in front of them at the Committee level in Orlando went farther than what was eventually hammered out- and would have required electronic ID tags for all breeding cattle by the end of this year- and for feeder and stocker cattle under 18 months of age by 2026. That was a proposal was scaled back by delegates which is not unusual in previous debates that the organization has had for a variety of policy discussions.

Kelsey goes on to say "the final results is a really good piece of policy in our opinion- it matches OCA policy very well- it takes out all of the feeder cattle- we are not going to talk about feeder and yearling cattle right now under this policy. We are going to target on the 18 month and older cattle, sexually intact so that takes out steers from the policy...moving those cattle to electronic ID. "

This was a policy proposal that cleared the Friday Board of Director's meeting and lines up with what USDA is working to put into place this year.

Kelsey is convinced that electronic ID is coming and it's important for the industry to drive the decisions and direction of this coming down the road- and not let government or groups unfriendly to the industry to seize control of this traceability conversations.

Hays and Kelsey also talked about the fears of not getting an extension on the current deduction levels for Federal Estate taxes.

And- they talked about the state legislative session kicking off on February fifth.

Click on the listen bar above to listen to Hays and Michael Kelsey.

Below is a PDF of policy worked on at the NCBA Board meeting on Friday, February 2, 2024

2024-NCBA-Convention-Resolutions-_-DirectivesDownload

At CattleCon in Orlando- Ron Hays talks with Derrell Peel of OSU about the January Cattle Inventory Report from USDA released January 31, 2024

Click here for the full report from USDA- as released on January 31, 2024

Our coverage from CattleCon is a service of Farm Data Services of Stillwater, Oklahoma

Ron Hays talks about cattle industry issues that will be a part of the conversation at the 2024 CattleCon- the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show this week in Orlando, Florida

Ron Hays talks about the January 2024 Cattle on Feed Report from USDA with OSU Extension Livestock Market Economist Dr. Derrell Peel

"We Nailed It!"" That was the first word from Dr. Derrell Peel of OSU on the latest USDA Cattle on Feed Report- perhaps the biggest news from the report is confirmation that we still have a bunch of heifers on feed- more than any other January On Feed Report in recent memory.

United States Cattle on Feed Up 2 Percent Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.9 million head on January 1, 2024. The inventory was 2 percent above January 1, 2023.

The inventory included 7.20 million steers and steer calves, up 2 percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 60 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.74 million head, up 2 percent from 2023.

Placements in feedlots during December totaled 1.70 million head, 4 percent below 2022. Net placements were 1.64 million head.

Marketings of fed cattle during December totaled 1.73 million head, 1 percent below 2022.

Ron Hays talks with former USDA Secretary Ann Veneman about the Cow that Stole Christmas- the first case of BSE discovered in the United States in December 2003

Today's Ag Perspective's Podcast features a conversation that Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays had with former USDA Secretary of Ag Ann Veneman had about the first case of BSE that was found in the US in December 2003.

In the mid-1990s, thousands of cattle in the United Kingdom (UK) were affected by an outbreak of a fatal neurological disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly referred to as “mad cow disease.” Concern grew when it was discovered that some people who had eaten meat from infected cows had gotten a version of the disease called new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (nvCJD).

BSE, which is invariably fatal, is caused by a malformed protein that is not neutralized by high heat or other measures commonly used to kill bacteria, viruses, or other organisms. As a result of the UK outbreak, imports of British beef were banned from the United States and other countries.

However, in May 2003, the first North American case of BSE was reported in Alberta, Canada, sending shockwaves through the highly integrated North American beef supply chain. The United States, along with many other countries around the world, immediately closed its border to Canadian beef and cattle.

Despite the import bans, in late December 2003, APHIS confirmed the first U.S. case of BSE in a dairy cow that had been imported from Canada to Washington State. The ‘cow that stole Christmas,’ as then Veterinary Services Deputy Administrator Dr. W. Ron DeHaven put it, sent the agency into full-on emergency mode. Holiday plans were canceled, and hundreds of APHIS employees were mobilized to determine the source of the disease, ensure that no animals from the affected herd had entered the food supply, and—along with other USDA agencies and the Food and Drug Administration—implement new prevention and surveillance measures.

Secretary Veneman and Hays talk about those days twenty years ago from the USDA and Bush Administration perspective.

Ron Hays talks with Don Close, now with Terrain, about the announcement of BSE Found in the US on December 23, 2003

Everyone in the US Beef Cattle Industry were getting ready for a good Christmas back in 2003- until the USDA Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman held a news conference on December 23, 2003 to announce a "a presumptive positive" test result for BSE in a cow found in the state of Washington.

That first case of BSE, or as it was called in those days, Mad Cow Disease, caused the Cattle Futures just ahead of Christmas to go limit down (and they would continue that after Christmas, too), export markets to shut down and stress levels to skyrocket for virtually everyone who was a rancher and owned cattle twenty years ago.

Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays and Don Close, now with Terrain- then with Aztec Feeders- look back to that black swan event and discuss how things went down- how the industry tackled the problem and what was learned that carries over to even today.

Ron Hays talks Ag Appropriations, Where the Money will Come from in the 2024 Farm Bill, the ERP debacle, and whether or not we can get a 2024 Farm Bill Across the Finish Line Before the November General Election. Ron and the Congressman also talk about the Weather Act Reauthorization passed out of Mr. Lucas' Committee.

Ron Hays talks about the November Cattle on Feed Report with OSU Livestock Market Economist Dr. Derrell Peel- and what that report implies to the Beef Cow Herd Rebuilding efforts in the years to come.

Ron Hays talks with Steve Thompson of Oklahoma Farm Bureau about the Resolutions adopted by the delegates from across the state at the 2023 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Oklahoma City on November 11, 2023

Ron Hays talks about the beef cattle industry with Robert York of National Livestock- a company that is involved in cattle marketing, credit, grazing, risk management and more.

Ron Hays talks about the Dietary Guidelines over the years with Dr. Shalene McNeill- and what she is advocating to the current Committee as they prepared to write the guidelines that will become effective in 2025

Ron Hays talks Stray Bulls and the 2023 Farm Bill that is Likely to be the 2024 Farm Bill with the Former Chair of the House Ag Committee, Frank Lucas

Recovery continues for Oklahoma Congressman and former Chair of the House Ag Committee Frank Lucas. On August fourth- the Congressman/rancher discovered a stray bull on the ranch that he and his wife Lynda operate in Roger Mills County. That bull took dead aim for the former Chair of the House Ag Committee- “putting him up against an alleyway hard enough to push my right leg- the ball and femur hard enough to break it and also in several places my pelvis- so I will never go through the metal screener at the airport without setting off the alarm but I am getting better- my surgeon says I will make a full recovery but going six weeks without putting any weight down on my right foot is a real complicated experience.”

Lucas says he will be back on the floor of the House next Wednesday- although he will be moving kinda slow in the immediate future.

One of the reasons that Congressman Lucas is anxious to return is to help the GOP navigate the work to fund the government and avoid a government shutdown at the end of the month. The Appropriations Committee getting the Ag Appropriations measure done will go a long way in helping pave the way to develop and eventually pass a 2023 Farm Bill.

“Short term we need to fund the federal government…because there is not gonna be any oxygen, politically so to speak in DC, to do important things like the Farm Bill until the appropriations process is over with- and a farm bill is important because if you eat- it’s important to you.”

Lucas says he appreciates the dilemma that both Chairman GT Thompson in the House and Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow are dealing with- saying he’s been there when it comes to trying to walk a narrow path of success in crafting legislation as complicated and multifaceted like a farm bill. He says that while the end of the 2018 Farm Bill is September 30th- the first real deadline that impacts an important area of agriculture is December 31st when provisions for Dairy expire. An extension will be needed by then and there is a world of incentive for both of the Chairmen to find ways to get farm bill language developed and moving by the end of the year and early into 2024. He counsels “Don’t get excited if we have to do some sort of short extension- we did an extension in ’08- we did an extension in ’14 and even the ’18 Farm Bill was not passed until after September 30th of that year. So, let’s all be calm- let’s continue to work together- let’s just make sure we have a good farm bill.”

In particular- Lucas points to the Senate Ag Chair Stabenow- who has announced she will not seek reelection in 2024 as one that will really want to a 2023-24 Farm Bill to be a capstone for her Congressional legacy.

When asked about some of the controversial proposals that some lawmakers are promoting for the livestock industry- like Country of Origin labeling and Checkoff changes- Lucas tells Hays “By the time you take both bills to the appropriate committees- take them across both floors and then to a conference committee- the things that survive are things that are overwhelmingly agreed to- controversial things go by the wayside.”

Lucas also briefly addressed language he authored in the Agricultural Risk Review Act that passed the Financial Services Committee on Wednesday- click here for more details of that proposal.

Click on the Listen bar above to hear the full conversation that Hays and Lucas had on Thursday morning, September 21, 2023.

Ron Hays talks in depth about the efforts to write a 2023 Farm Bill and More in our Latest Ag Perspectives Podcast

On our latest Ag Perspectives Podcast, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster, Ron Hays, had the chance to catch up with Congressman Frank Lucas and talk about the 2023 Farm Bill. Lucas is the former Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and now serves as the current senior member of the House Agriculture Committee.

“We are moving from the hearing phase over to the drafting phase of the process,” Lucas said. “Chairman Thompson still believes it is possible to have a markup in September.”

Lucas suggests to his fellow farmers and ranchers to remember there was an extension on the 2008 Farm Bill and the 2014 Farm Bill. The 2018 bill did not have any extensions, he added, but it was still not completed until after September 30.

There are 28 legislative days between now and the 30th of September, Lucas said, so he is guessing there will be an extension. The final bill, he added, will most likely be completed around February or March of 2024.

Besides the deep dive that Hays and the Congressman have on the 2023 Farm Bill- they also discuss the Biden Administration's response to the Supreme Court Ruling on WOTUS- Lucas saying that Congress may have to force the President to start over on their clean water rule as that seems to be what the Supreme Court was saying as they got rid of the significant nexus test that the Biden Rule is based upon. They also talk about legislation to tighten up foreign ownership of farmland, his work on the Science Committee to reauthorize the National Weather Service and his support of the AM in Every Vehicle Bill that he has co-sponsored.

Click on the Listen Bar above to hear the complete conversation with Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas.