Oklahoma Agriculture News
Inspectors with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry have a new tool that can give them a worm’s eye view of what lies beneath the soil’s surface. They expect this new technology will be able to locate contaminants from agricultural operations or storage sites and provide information to help clean up the area afterwards.
The machine is called a Geoprobe and it is capable of not only providing soil samples from up to 60 feet deep, it also keeps the soil profile intact. ODAFF hydrologist, Dr. G.A. “Jim” Shirazi, said the soil profile it provides enhances the ability to determine how to prevent groundwater from being affected if a contaminant is found.
“The soil profile provided by the Geoprobe can help us to build a computer profile of water movement in the area,” he said. “By knowing the exact composition of the soil we are much better equipped to form a solution to prevent further spread of any contamination and form a plan for remediation.”
Temporary monitoring wells can also be created by the machine and it can be used to take groundwater samples as well.
The $50,000 machine drives probes into the ground with percussive force—think of a jack-hammer driving a steel tube into the ground—in minutes as compared to hours for manual soil sampling methods. Kenny Naylor, ODAFF fertilizer supervisor, said in the past a team of two inspectors might be able to take three soil samples in a day using a hand-powered auger.
“With the Geoprobe we can take that many samples in an hour,” he said. “This isn’t just more cost-effective, it’s going to allow us to take more samples and will mean even better detection of contaminants.”
State Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach, said the agriculture department was thrilled to be able to purchase the Geoprobe to enhance his agency’s environmental regulatory work.
“This is the newest example of our commitment to protecting our state’s resources and monitoring our agricultural industry,” he said. “We are always looking for ways to increase our ability to monitor soil and groundwater health and take any actions needed if we find anything amiss.”
Naylor and three other ODAFF inspectors have become licensed to operate the new machine. It will be shared by two divisions of the state agriculture department: Agricultural Environmental Management Services and Consumer Protection Services.
November 2008
Most state wheat farmers have already purchased or arranged to purchase seed wheat for next year’s crop but the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry cautions sellers to follow state and federal seed laws.
The rules are relatively simple: Sellers must be licensed seed dealers, the seed must be tested and properly labeled, and inspection fees for the seed must be paid. Wade Krivanek, ODAFF seed program administrator, said companies and individuals advertising seed for sale must also include their dealer’s license number in the ad.
“Our seed laws are in place to protect farmers from purchasing inferior quality seeds,” he said. “With the high input costs of fuel and fertilizer no grower can afford the consequences of planting wheat that may contain noxious weed seeds or that will have a low germination rate. It has never been as important to know exactly what you are planting as it is today.”
Most seed wheat falls under the Plant Variety Protection Act which provides the developers of the varieties patent-like rights that protect its reproduction and distribution. Krivanek said these varieties must be sold by variety name only and must be certified by an official seed certifying agency.
In Oklahoma that agency is the Oklahoma Crop Improvement Association in Stillwater.
Anyone with questions regarding the Oklahoma Seed Law or licensing information can contact Krivanek at (405) 522-5452 or by email at wade.krivanek@oda.state.ok.us.
Grant and loan application deadline for the next Oklahoma Agricultural Enhancement and Diversification program is October 1. State agriculture officials are urging all producers with innovative ideas to apply.
Agricultural diversification grants of up to $5,000 are available as well as interest-free loans in three categories: Cooperative Marketing Loans, Marketing and Utilization Loans, and Basic and Applied Research Loans.
Loans may not be used to purchase land, buildings or equipment. Eligible expenses include feasibility studies, business plans, legal expenses, consultant fees, product development and marketing.
“We’re looking for producers are interested in either diversifying their current operations or entering some form of value-added or marketing venture,” said Rick Maloney, Marketing Director for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. “Our hope is that we get some good applications from growers or producer groups interested in pursuing forms of value-added enterprises or marketing cooperatives.”
Among other things, OAED loans and grants have been used to create a variety of diversified enterprises such as agritourism venues, marketing cooperatives and food processing businesses. Maloney said board members who review and approve proposals for the funds hope to see some creative applications for the program.
“The OAED board of directors is especially interested in the most creative types of proposals,” he said. “This program is unique in that by its very design it can help get some unconventional marketing projects—perhaps the kind that regular financial institutions would be afraid to invest—get their start.”
Applications are available online from the ODAFF at www.oda.state.ok.us by clicking the “Loans” link. For more information contact Harvey at (405) 522-5563. The mailing address is Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, 2800 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
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For More Information Contact: Jack Carson (405) 522-4575
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND FORESTRY
2800 N. Lincoln, Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105
State Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach, said today that he is directing Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry field inspectors to step up surveillance of herbicide applicators—including farmers—in southwestern Oklahoma to prevent further harm to cotton in five counties.
“Yesterday I traveled to the Altus area and saw firsthand the significant damage cotton growers have incurred due to improperly applied hormonal herbicides,” he said. “It is clear that some chemical applicators have not respected the cut-off date for applying these chemicals and we will take steps to stop this illegal activity.”
ODAFF inspectors will begin taking tank samples from pesticide applicators to make sure that they do not contain the banned products, Peach said. Aerial surveillance will also be used to locate damaged fields and to assess where the chemicals might have come from.
“Our investigations into damage from 2,4-D and other hormonal chemicals are not only going to be more thorough than ever, we are going to increase the intensity of our inspections,” he said. “It appears that people are violating the law in some areas and we are going to issue violations when we find who they are.”
2,4-D and other hormonal herbicides are extremely valuable to hay producers and livestock owners for treating broadleaf weeds in meadows and pastures. Peach said rules agreed to by various segments of the agricultural industry set a cut-off date of May 1 for the use of these herbicides in Greer, Harmon, Kiowa, Jackson and Tillman counties.
The chemicals can once again be used beginning October 15 each year.
Cotton is extremely susceptible to damage by these herbicides and growers have reported increased losses this year.
Any applicator or producer having questions about the rules or specific questions regarding restricted chemicals can contact their OSU County Extension office or ODAFF personnel at 405-522-6347 or 405-522-5981. A list of herbicides regulated under these rules is posted on the ODAFF website at www.oda.state.ok.us under “Sensitive Crop Viewer.”
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For More Information Contact: Jack Carson (405) 522-4575
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND FORESTRY
2800 N. Lincoln, Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Demand for locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables is at an all time high through farm to school, farmers markets, food cooperatives, restaurants, distributors and at the work place.
Join the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Risk Management Agency, OSU Cooperative Extension Services, OSU Lane Research Center, Langston University, the Noble Foundation and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry for a first hand look at innovative successful producers and how they are maximizing their production to meet demand, current research that is happening in the state and resources that are available to producers.
• Saturday, April 12, 2008 – Plow & Prep Day at the Oklahoma Vegetable Research Station in Bixby, OK located at 13711 S. Mingo Rd. – 1 pm – 3:30pm. Rain date is scheduled for the following weekend April 19, same time.
Start your growing season off right by learning how soil is prepared for small farm acreage for maximum production and how to efficiently cultivate soil and hoe weeds to maintain small farm plots throughout the season. Learn how to harvest and prepare produce for market and also how to calibrate fertilizer applicators and small sprayers. See the right equipment to use, how to use it and also see a demonstration of how plasticulture can be beneficial to growers. For more information contact Sue Gray, Tulsa County OSU Extension Center, 918-746-3717, sgray@tulsacounty.org.
• Thursday, April 17, 2008 - Farm to School and Direct Marketing Farm Field Day at Crow Farm - 5 pm – 8 pm.
Join Ricky & Claudia Crow at their farm in Earlsboro located near Shawnee. Claudia and Ricky will describe their current foray into farm-to-school, backed up by two decades of experience growing and direct-marketing vegetables. The Crows will showcase their farm to school crops, hoop house tomatoes, plasticulture crops, and wash line facilities. Registration, due by April 14, is $10 and includes dinner. To register, 918.647.9123 or visit www.kerrcenter.com/HTML/events.html#fieldday.
• Sunday, May 4, 2008 - Farm to School at THE Farm – 2pm – 6pm.
Join Vicki and Joe Townsend at The Farm in Atoka County. This event will focus on season extension techniques. These are important for farm-to-school in Oklahoma, because they allow farmers to ripen crops earlier in the spring, and later in the fall, when school cafeterias are serving meals. Registration, due by April 28th, is $10 and includes dinner. To register, 918.647.9123 or visit www.kerrcenter.com/HTML/events.html#fieldday.
• Thursday and Friday, May 21 & 23rd, 2008 - 17th Annual Farming Conference, Langston University’s Oklahoma City campus.
• Join Langston University for their annual farming conference that will cover a multitude of topics related to diversified agriculture. For more information, contact Mathilda Hall, Center for Outreach Programs, 1-866-466-2231(toll free) or 405-466-6154.
• Thursday, May 29, 2008 - From Field to Buyer: Making the Most on Growing Crops at Peach Crest Farm – 5pm – 8pm.
Join Susan Bergen at Peach Crest Farm, north of Stratford. What you will see is how a non-farming person, with the help of many farming people, has made a farm work,” says Bergen. “You will see how we irrigate, integrate and implement what the customer is looking for on this acreage: great tasting produce, grown in environmentally friendly constraints, and sold at a reasonable price. Registration, due by May 29th, is $10 and includes dinner. To register, 918.647.9123 or visit www.kerrcenter.com/HTML/events.html#fieldday.
• Saturday, June 21, 2008 –Lane Agriculture Center Research and Extension Public Field Day, Lane, OK, 9:00am – 3:00pm.
This is a great opportunity to learn about the current research projects that include organic vegetable gardening practices, weed control and fertilizer practices for organic growers, production practices for onions, melons, tomato, squash, etc., vegetable plant disease control, alternative crops for fuel, and selecting and caring for lawn grasses. Trailer tours will be provided for viewing field projects and cold watermelon will be served. Directions: 10 miles east of Atoka, Oklahoma on Highway 3. For more information, call 580-889-7343, www.lane-ag.org
• Thursday, June 26, 2008 – Bixby Vegetable Research Station Field Day, Bixby, OK located at 13711 S. Mingo Rd. 10:00am for farmers market growers and 6:00pm for home gardeners.
This is a great opportunity to learn about the current research that is being done in fruit and vegetable production. For more information, call 918-369-2441.
• Thursday, July 10, 2008 – Organic Soils Building Workshop & Fruit & Vegetable Variety Trials Field Day at Lane Agriculture Center Research and Extension, Lane, OK 2:00 – 6:00pm.
Come and learn how to build healthy soils organically through cover cropping, crop rotation, composting and more – “Healthy Soils make Healthy Plants”. The soils workshop will be followed by dinner and then a tour and discussion of Lane’s certified organic fruit & vegetable variety trials. More information will be available on the Kerr Center’s website at www.kerrcenter.com
• Tuesday & Wednesday, August 5 & 6, 2008 – Future Farms Conference 2008, Oklahoma City, OK.
The Kerr Center’s biennial conference once again has a fantastic lineup for the 2 day conference. The first day will consist of 3 full day bus tours to choose from. Each tour will be traveling to different parts of the state and show examples of diversified agriculture, from fruit and vegetable production to specialty livestock production to cheese making to vineyards and more. The second day will offer 3 tracts of workshops in production, financial planning and marketing. For more information and to register, call 918-647-9123 or visit www.kerrcenter.com
• Sunday, September 14, 2008 – Season Extension & Hoop Houses at Trebuchet Gardens, 2:00 – 6:00pm.
Fall is the perfect time to build a hoop house to extend your growing season. Join Tod & Jaime Hanley at Trebuchet Gardens located on the east side of Norman, OK and see how they took the information learned at a workshop at the Noble Foundation and combined their engineering background, and built a 25’ X 96’ hoop house for under $1000 and grows in them for year-round production. They market their produce through 3 local food markets, individual customers and work with children through the Farm to School program.
Upcoming Classes, Short Course, College Courses, and internships to look for:
• The Oklahoma Market Gardening School Short Course will commence on Thursday, October 2, 2008 and will be held weekly for 8 weeks in Oklahoma City. The course will teach you all aspects for being successful in market gardening from developing your business and marketing plan to soils and fertilizer management to crop establishment, irrigation, season extension, pest management, food safety and fruit and vegetable production guidelines. Increase your chance for success in your market garden business by enrolling in this short course. For more information, contact Steve Upson, Noble Foundation, 580-223-5810, sdupson@noble.org or Lynn Brandenberger, OSU Vegetable Extension Specialist, 405-744-5408, lynn.brandenberger@okstate.edu
• OSU-Oklahoma City Horticulture Center will begin its brand new Associates of Applied Science degree with a Sustainable Crops Production emphasis. This first time in Oklahoma degree program will begin Fall 2008. For more information, contact Julia Lauglin, Horticulture Department Head, 405-945-3348, jlaugh@osuokc.edu
• Sustainable Agriculture Internship Program sponsored by the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture – under construction – watch the Kerr Center website for details as they develop at www.kerrcenter.com
• Look at your individual County Cooperative Extension office calendars for local county market garden classes.
If you need help connecting with markets to sell your fresh locally grown produce or would like to sell to a school close to your farm or need more information about the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry Marketing Division and its resources, please contact Chris Kirby, Farm to School Program Administrator, 405-522-2106,
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture www.okfarmtoschool.com
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For More Information Contact: Jack Carson (405) 522-4575
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND FORESTRY
2800 N. Lincoln, Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Eight creative Oklahoma cooks took home nearly $10,000 in prizes today after winning categories of the third annual Made in Oklahoma Recipe Roundup.
This year’s Grand Champion was Machelle Hamilton of Weatherford who won a $7,000 KitchenAid appliance makeover for her Jalapeno Ranch Beef Wrap recipe.
Other winners included: 1st Place Entrée, Carmen L. Bradford, Broken Arrow, Choc’ken Fried Chicken; 2nd Place Entrée, Sherry Verser, Bethany, Okie’s Beef Fiesta Cheesecake; 1st Place Dessert, Lori McGrath, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Blueberry Bites; and 2nd Place Dessert, Lori Richardson-Morphew, Bethany, Ft. Washita Explosion Cake.
A new category added this year was called “Kid’s Cuisine,” recipes aimed at appealing to younger diners. 1st Place winner this year was Theresa Ingram of Tulsa for her Bug Juice Smoothie recipe. 2nd Place winner in the category was Linda Lancaster, Ada, for her Brownie Flies recipe.
All first place winners received KitchenAid stand mixers and all second place winners received KitchenAid food processors. Oklahoma City based Neighbors Coffee added to this year’s prizes by awarding a Capresso coffeemaker to the best recipe featuring a Neighbors Coffee product. Danielle Patterson was the winner with her recipe for Oklahoma Cow Patty Brownies.
Chef’s Requested Foods also added to this year’s prizes by awarding a stainless steel grill to 1st Place Entrée winner Carmen Bradford. Harry’s TV and Appliance store in Oklahoma City hosted this year’s award presentations.
Entries were judged by a panel of celebrity judges and all recipe finalists were tested by the Platt College Culinary Arts Program.
The MIO Coalition is a group of Oklahoma companies that employ more than 20,000 Oklahomans and last year had a combined payroll of over $480 million and reported sales of over $2.6 billion.
2008 MIO Recipe Roundup Grand Champion:
Jalapeno Ranch Beef Wrap by Machelle Hamilton, Weatherford, OK
6 Chef's Requested Bacon Wrapped Beef Steaks Daddy Hinkle's Southwest Instant Meat Marinade 4 oz Cream Cheese Softened
1/2 C Hiland Dairy Sour Cream
2 tsp dry ranch dressing mix
1 jalapeno seeded and finely chopped
6-10 inch jalapeno & cheddar tortillas
4 oz Braum’s shredded cheddar cheese
6 lettuce leaves
1 tomato thinly sliced
1 avocado thinly sliced
6 tsp Griffins Jalapeno Mustard
Thaw the Chef's Requested bacon wrapped beef steaks in the refrigerator overnight. Sprinkle steaks with the wet and dry Daddy Hinkle's Southwest Instant Marinade while grill is preheating.
Grill or broil for approximately 9 minutes per side at medium high heat or until a meat thermometer reaches 160 degrees. Let meat rest 10 minutes then thinly slice.
Mix together the cream cheese, Hiland Sour Cream, ranch dressing mix, and the chopped jalapeno.
Spread mixture evenly over the 6 tortillas. Top with shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, sliced steak, and the Griffins Jalapeno Mustard. Roll up burrito style and cut in half diagonally.
Makes 6 hearty servings.
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For More Information Contact: Jack Carson (405) 522-4575
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND FORESTRY
2800 N. Lincoln, Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Oklahoma’s State Veterinarian says she suspects some people may be committing felonies without being aware of it as they move feral swine for commercial or hunting purposes.
“From the phone calls we receive and recent public comments it is clear there are people who do not know it can be a felony to release feral swine unless it is on a licensed sporting or breeding facility or a licensed buying or gathering station or slaughter facility,” said Dr. Becky Brewer, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. “The penalties for violators can be up to two years in prison and a fine of $2000.”
Under last year’s HB 1914, no one can release feral swine onto any unlicensed premise. She said there is at least anecdotal evidence that some private landowners are releasing feral swine in areas where the animals can escape and damage nearby landowners’ properties.
“We have been contacted by several landowners who say they suspect their neighbors are releasing feral hogs that are causing damage to their property,” Brewer said. “So far we have not confirmed these cases but law enforcement and our Investigative Division will look into any suspected criminal activity.”
Some licensed commercial sporting operations import feral swine from other states. The law requires anyone importing feral swine into Oklahoma to have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection containing a written entry permit from the state of origin, individual identification of each animal and negative brucellosis and pseudorabies test results.
Disease testing must be done within 15 days of importation. Brewer said any animal testing positive for either of the two diseases must be immediately sent to slaughter or slaughtered on the premises.
HB 1914 also gives landowners the option of hunting feral swine at night, a practice that in many cases can make it easier to control the pests. Permits from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation are available on request of local game wardens.
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For More Information Contact: Jack Carson (405) 522-4575
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND FORESTRY
2800 N. Lincoln, Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105
April 2008
Lt. Governor Jari Askins today inducted the late Paul Hitch, Guymon livestock producer, farmer and agribusiness leader into the Oklahoma Agriculture Hall of Fame and presented his family with the Governor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture.
Hitch was a fourth generation Oklahoma agriculturist in Texas County. His great grandfather, James K. Hitch drove cattle from Missouri to the area near present day Guymon. Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach, said that cattle drive was the beginning of one of the state’s largest agricultural legacies.
“The Hitch family has always been pioneers in terms of recognizing opportunity, having the vision to capitalize on it and the courage to embrace new technologies and ideas in agriculture,” he said. “People such as Paul and his family are one of the reasons Texas County is the number-one agricultural county in Oklahoma and is always one of the top 10 agricultural counties in the nation.”
Hitch was nominated for the award by the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and the Oklahoma Pork Council. He passed away last month after a lengthy battle with cancer.
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For More Information Contact: Jack Carson (405) 522-4575
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND FORESTRY
2800 N. Lincoln, Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Herbicide Exemption Granted for Sandbur Control
The Environmental Protection Agency has granted a crisis exemption
to allow Oklahoma producers to use the chemical Prowl H2O to control sandbur infestations in Bermuda grass from March 24 through April 8.
The agency granted the Oklahoma Agribusiness Retailers Association (OARA)
requested the exemption. Texas recently was granted a similar exemption for this chemical.
The Noble Foundation in Ardmore and Oklahoma State University concurred
with the request and provided EPA with letters supporting the exemption.
Prowl H2O is a selective herbicide for controlling sandbur as it germinates and
producers have a very narrow window of opportunity to treat their Bermuda pastures and meadows for this weed.
OARA and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry also
remind producers that this is also the optimal time to treat pastures for invasive weeds such as musk thistle. 24D type products are effective
during this time of year.
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For More Information Contact: Jack Carson (405) 522-4575
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND FORESTRY
2800 N. Lincoln, Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105
March 20, 2007
2007 Shaping Up as a Great Year for Tree Planting
Nominations Sought for 2007 Oklahoma Agriculture Hall of Fame Inductee
Livestock Assistance Grant Checks are in the Mail
Rural Fire Departments Receive 246 New Trucks
State’s First Ethanol Plant Dedicated in Burns Flat
Unwanted Pesticide Disposal Program
Food Bank Donates 49 Tons of Food For State's Less Fortunate Citizens