Member Benefits • EZ Ranch – Offers its profit and loss herd management software to OFB members at 15 percent off. www.ez-ranch.com, 1-888-EZ Ranch
• PetPartners, Inc. – Offers health care for your dog or cat. www.okfbph.com, 877-738-7888
OFB will highlight a few benefits in each issue of Perspective as a reminder of the savings available to OFB members. Find a complete list of savings online at www.okfarmbureau.org.
Farm Bureau offers private treaty cattle sale... (continued from page 1) demonstrates there is a need to provide this type of private treaty opportunity.” Entry forms are available online at www.okfarmbureau.org, from OFB field representatives, or contact Doye at (405) 523-2307, or thad. doye@ okfb. org. The deadline to enter is April 1.
CRP general sign-up has begun
OFB Calendar Congressional Action Tour March 27-31 • Washington, D.C. Contact: Tyler Norvell, 405-523-2402 State YF&R Conference March 31 - April 3 • Quartz Mountain Contact: Chris Kidd, 580-228-4001 Farm City Festival April 6 • State Capitol Contact: Marcia Irvin, 405-523-2405
USDA recently reminded landowners and producers that a general sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) began on March 14 and will continue through April 15. During the sign-up period, farmers and ranchers may offer eligible land at their county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. The 2008 Farm Bill authorized USDA to maintain CRP enrollment up to 32 million acres. In addition to general sign-up, CRP’s continuous sign-up program will be ongoing. Continuous acres represent the most environmentally desirable and sensitive land. For more information, visit www.fsa. usda.gov/crp.
Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online Monitor the latest Farm Bureau and agricultural news and information online at www.okfarmbureau.org. Currently online: • YF&R Conference – An agenda for the annual Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference is now available for download online. The four-day conference will be held March 31 - April 3 at the Quartz Mountain State Lodge. • Private Treaty Sale – Download an entry form online for the OFBsponsored Private Treaty Cattle Sale, which will be held April 7-9 at the state fairgrounds during the Southern Plains Farm Show. The sale is open to all breeds.
www.okfarmbureau.org 2
YF&R Speech Contest... (continued from page 1) gave speeches in three division categories, including Agricultural Production, Agriculture Policy and Environment & Natural Resources. Speeches for the Junior Division were three to five minutes in length; five to eight minutes for the Intermediate and Senior divisions. Participants of both contests were judged on speech presentation, content, response to questions and general poise and appearance. Farm Bureau presented plaques to the winners of each category in each age group. Junior Division: The first, second and third place winners in the Junior Division received $400, $200 and $100 savings bonds, respectively. Winners in the “I Believe in Oklahoma Ag” category were: First place, Colton Budy of Alva; second place, Madelyn Gerken of Kingfisher; and third place, Bayli Hyde of Burlington. Intermediate Division: First, second and third place winners of the Intermediate Division received $500, $200 and $100 savings bonds, respectively. Winners in the Agriculture Production category were: First place, Lydia Blaine of Amber; second place, Nicole Ashton of Lawton; and third place, Maegan Yost of Kingfisher. Winners in the Agriculture Policy category were: First place, Seth Paxton of Tuttle; second place, Kyler Belinson of Fletcher; and third place, Zoe Cummins of Elgin. Winners in the Environment & Natural Resources category were: First place, Tyler Schnaithman of Garber; second place, Denton Lowe of Amber; and third place, Cale John of Cyril. Senior Division: First, second and third place winners of the Senior Division received $1,000, $500 and $200 scholarships, respectively. Winners in the Agriculture Production category were: First place, Charlotte Towler of Meeker; second place, Annie Jo Gilbert of Tecumseh; and third place, Cade Broadbent of Cashion. Winners in the Agriculture Policy category were: First place, Amber Allen of Byron; second place, Katie Lippoldt of Kingfisher; and third place, Maddi Shires of Calera. Winners in the Environment & Natural Resources category were: First place, Gabe Cranford; second place, Jessie Heidlage of Claremore; and third place, Paul Brown of Waurika.