Posted by carson4575 on January 16, 2009
Wil Hundl
Farmers and ranchers will soon have the opportunity to update production input costs and asset resource data to reflect the issues that affect them – and to help ensure that policies and programs are based on accurate, real-time data. This is the goal of the annual Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS), conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) – the parent agency of our very own Ag Stats Division.
The ARMS is the primary source of information on production practices, resource use and economic well-being of Oklahoma’s agriculture operations and households.
“Just about every federal policy and program that affects farmers and farm families is based on information from ARMS,” said Wilbert Hundl, Jr., Director of the Ag Stats Division. “This information is used not just by USDA, State and Federal government, but also by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Oklahoma State University research and extension, Oklahoma commodity groups, producer organizations, agribusinesses and others who make decisions that shape the future of Oklahoma agriculture.”
Between December and March, NASDA enumerators will contact Oklahoma farmers and ranchers by mail, phone or personal visits to complete the survey. Producers will be asked to provide data on their operating expenditures, production costs and household characteristics.
“All farm operators rely on quality information and sound government policies in order to run a successful business. That’s why participation in ARMS is so important,” Hundl explained. “Producer participation in ARMS ensures that decisions affecting farmers, their families, their businesses and their communities are based on the facts, straight from the source.” “This year’s survey is particularly important to Oklahoma producers because of the Cow/Calf version. We need updated data to reflect current-day production aspects,” says Hundl.
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Posted by carson4575 on January 16, 2009
We have received numerous calls today from media and concerned citizens about the danger of bird strikes to commercial, private and military aviation. Our Wildlife Services division devotes a large amount of manpower, time and budget toward protecting the state’s aviation industry and military airbases.
Here are some interesting statistics they provided us this morning:
· Over 219 people have been killed world-wide as a result of bird strikes since 1988.
· Bird and other wildlife strikes cost USA civil aviation over $620 million/year, 1990-2007.
· Over 5,000 bird strikes were reported by the U.S. Air Force in 2007.
· Over 7,600 bird and other wildlife strikes were reported for USA civil aircraft in 2007.
· Studies indicate only about 20% of bird strikes to civil aircraft at Part 139-certificated (passenger service) airports in USA are reported. Less than 5% of bird strikes at General Aviation airports are reported.
· From 1990-2004, USA airlines reported 31 incidents in which pilots had to dump fuel to lighten load during a precautionary or emergency landing after striking birds on takeoff or climb. An average of 11,600 gallons of jet fuel was released in each of these dumps.
· Waterfowl (31%), gulls (26%), and raptors (18%) represented 75% of the reported bird strikes causing damage to USA civil aircraft, 1990-2007.
· Over 760 civil aircraft collisions with deer and 250 collisions with coyotes were reported in the USA, 1990-2007.
· In 1890, about 60 European starlings were released in Central Park, New York City. Starlings are now the second most abundant bird in North America with a late-summer population of over 150 million birds. Starlings are “feathered bullets”, having a body density 27% higher than herring gulls.
· The North American non-migratory Canada goose population increased 3.6 fold from 1 million birds in 1990 to over 3.5 million in 2007. Over 1,400 Canada geese strikes with civil aircraft have been reported in USA, 1990-2007. Over 40% of these strike events involved multiple birds.
· The North American population of greater snow geese increased from about 50,000 birds in 1966 to over 1,000,000 birds in 2007.
· The nesting population of bald eagles in the contiguous USA increased from fewer than 400 pairs in 1970 (2 years before DDT and similar chlorinated-hydrocarbon insecticides were banned) to over 11,000 pairs in 2007. Over 100 bald eagle strikes with civil aircraft have been reported in USA, 1990-2007. Mean body mass of bald eagles = 9.1 lbs (male); 11.8 lbs (female).
· The Great Lakes cormorant population increased from only about 200 nesting adults in 1970 to over 260,000 nesting adults in 2006, a 1,000+-fold increase.
· The North American white and brown pelican populations grew at average annual rates of 2.3% and 1.9%, respectively, 1966-2007.
· At least 15,000 gulls were counted nesting on roofs in USA cities on the Great Lakes during a survey in 1994.
· About 90% of all bird strikes in the U.S. are by species federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
ODAFF Wildlife Services personnel help airports and military bases reduce the danger from wildlife by modifying vegetation, reducing or eliminating water sources, and reducing wildlife populations–normally employing non-lethal methods.
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Posted by carson4575 on January 16, 2009
Fire Situation Report
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
Forestry Services
Time Period: 0800 thru 0800, 01/15/09 thru 01/16/09
PROTECTION AREA STATISTICS*
NE Area – 13 fires burned 171.9 acres (Causes: 12-Incendiary; 1-Escaped from Structure Fire)
EC Area – 2 fires burned 8.3 acres (Cause: 1-Incendiary; 1-Debris)
SE Area – 3 fires burned 23.2 acres (Cause: 2-Incendiary; 1-Equipment)
Discussion: The Northeast Area had a busy day yesterday despite the cold temperatures and snowfall. Fire activity was light in the remainder of the Protection Area.
The East Central Area responded to one request for assistance out of the Protection Area yesterday. Firefighters assisted Rural Fire Department personnel in suppressing a 50 acre fire west of Haywood in Pittsburg County. Debris burning was listed as the cause.
Today and through the weekend fire danger will remain high to very high as a series of cold fronts affect the State. Winds will be variable in direction with gusts predicted into the 20+mph range during the course of the long weekend. Humidity readings are forecasted to be in the low 20s to mid-30% range during the daytime hours. Any fire which starts this weekend has the potential to exhibit surprising intensity.
Due to the varying wind directions that will be experienced this weekend, Firefighters should ensure anchor points are established on any fire and completed lines are secure to prevent a fire from possibly escaping control.
Counties under a County Commissioner’s Burn Ban are:
Atoka County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) Marshall County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Bryan County (01/09/09 thru 01/16/09) McClain County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Carter County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) McIntosh County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Coal County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) Murray County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Garvin County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) Okfuskee County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Hughes County (01/13/09 thru 01/20/09) Pittsburg County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Jackson County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) Pontotoc County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Jefferson County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) Stephens County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Johnston County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) Tillman County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
–Mark Goeller
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Posted by carson4575 on January 16, 2009
This story was on the news wire this morning. Apparently there are factions that are pushing for a reduction in the nation’s dairy herd due to low milk prices for dairy producers.
Jack Carson
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Posted by carson4575 on January 15, 2009
Producer and commodity groups are expressing mixed emotions over the final rules on Country of Origin Labeling finally released by USDA. Good or bad, like them or not, here are the complete 51 pages of the final COOL rules and policies.
Jack Carson
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Posted by carson4575 on January 15, 2009
Fire Situation Report
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
Forestry Services
Time Period: 0800 thru 0800, 01/14/09 thru 01/15/09
PROTECTION AREA STATISTICS*
NE Area – 16 fires burned 161.5 acres (Causes: 12-Inc; 4-Debris)
EC Area – 5 fires burned 123.2 acres (Cause: 4-Incendiary; 1-Debris)
SE Area – 1 fire burned 3 acres (Cause: Incendiary)
Discussion: Fires burned actively through the night in the Northeast Area. Numerous initial attacks were made overnight. Snow is currently falling in the Northeast Area, with an inch being reported on the ground at Jay.
Today will be bitterly cold across the State. Fire danger will be moderate in most areas today.
Counties under a County Commissioner’s Burn Ban are:
Atoka County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) Marshall County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Bryan County (01/09/09 thru 01/16/09) McClain County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Carter County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) McIntosh County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Coal County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) Murray County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Garvin County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) Okfuskee County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Hughes County (01/13/09 thru 01/20/09) Pittsburg County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Jackson County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) Pontotoc County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Jefferson County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) Stephens County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Johnston County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) Tillman County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Love County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
* Protection Area Statistics do not reflect local fire department’s fire run information. Statistics are for the ODAFF-Forestry Services’ eighteen county fire Protection Area in eastern Oklahoma unless otherwise noted in the Discussion section of this report.
Prepared by Mark Goeller
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Posted by carson4575 on January 15, 2009
Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach, said he has written a letter of support for former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack to be confirmed as President-Elect Barack Obama’s Secretary of Agriculture.
“He is a mainstream supporter of agriculture and he and Governor Brad Henry had a great working relationship as governors,” Peach said. “I am looking forward to working with Mr. Vilsack and I have every confidence he will be confirmed to lead the USDA.”
The Associated Press has a story about what is going on in the confirmation process right now in today’s Tulsa World.
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Posted by carson4575 on January 14, 2009
January 16-18 Oklahoman chefs entered in this year’s beef cookoff at the Oklahoma City Home and Garden Show will be competing in a number of competitive categories. The categoreies include appetizers, main dishes, and recipes especially suited for kids.
The show will be held at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in OKC. Details on times, cost, etc. are located at the Oklahoma City Home and Garde Show website. On the home page click on “Media” to get to the press release.
On the first day there will be plenty of beef cooking demonstrations. On Saturday a half dozen finalists will go head to head to see who takes home the Best of Beef grand prize of $1,000.
Oklahoma City firefighters from six precints will compete in the “Fire Up The Beef” competition for a chance to win an $800 grill for their fire station and a donation to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in their name.
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Posted by carson4575 on January 14, 2009
Fire Situation Report
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
Forestry Services
Time Period: 0800 thru 0800, 01/13/09 thru 01/14/09
PROTECTION AREA STATISTICS*
NE Area – 7 fires burned 22 acres (Causes: 4-Inc; 1-Debris; 1-Esc. From Structure Fire; 1-Esc. Controlled burn)
EC Area – 1 fires burned 60 acres (Cause: Incendiary)
SE Area – 2 fires burned 1.5 acres (Cause: 2-Incendiary)
Discussion:
The Middle Mountain Fire in Pushmataha County which ignited on 01/12/09 will be monitored for the next 24 hours to ensure control lines are secure. Due to more accurate mapping, the fire’s acreage is now listed at 2,800 acres. The cause of this fire is now listed as arson and an investigation is on-going.
Today will be cold as another cold front crosses the State. The driest air today will be over all or parts of Bryan, Marshall, Johnston, Carter, Jefferson and Love Counties far south central Oklahoma. Winds will be light in this area which will aid firefighters in suppressing wildfires in favorable terrain.
Counties under a County Commissioner’s Burn Ban are:
Atoka County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) Marshall County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Bryan County (01/09/09 thru 01/16/09) McClain County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Carter County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) McIntosh County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Coal County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) Murray County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Garvin County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) Okfuskee County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Hughes County (01/13/09 thru 01/20/09) Pittsburg County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Jackson County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) Pontotoc County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Jefferson County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) Stephens County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Johnston County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09) Tillman County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
Love County (01/12/09 thru 01/19/09)
* Protection Area Statistics do not reflect local fire department’s fire run information. Statistics are for the ODAFF-Forestry Services’ eighteen county fire Protection Area in eastern Oklahoma unless otherwise noted in the Discussion section of this report.
Mark Goeller
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Posted by carson4575 on January 14, 2009
Oklahoma’s forests have never had a real, comprehensive survey but that is in the process of changing. Within a few weeks forestry crews will begin a survey process that may take up to 10 years to complete.
John Burwell, State Forester for ODAFF, said he is excited about finally getting this survey started. He also points out that Oklahoma is one of the last states in the U.S. that has not conducted a comprehensive forest survey. Five northern counties were selected to begin the survey. Our web story gives more details.
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