2009 NE District Agriculture/Rural Development PAC Summary
21 Counties Reporting
BEEF CATTLE AND FORAGES
Weed and Brush Control(8 Counties reporting)
Soil Fertility (Litter vs. Commercial) price, convenience, regulations (2 counties reporting)
Use of prescribed fire (2 Counties reporting)
Animal Health (6 Counties reporting)
Nutrition (2 Counties reporting)
Pasture Management – Muske Thistle, Cedars, Sericea (5 Counties reporting)
Soil testing as a farm/ranch best management practice. (2 Counties reporting)
Introduction of legumes into improved pasture land & ranchland to reduce fertilizer expense and contribute to increased quality of available forage.
Continued interest in potential use of by-product feeds as an alternative feed source for livestock.
Poultry litter continues to be of interest as an alternative fertilizer source. (3 counties reporting)
Premise identification, pre-conditioning programs and source verification of beef cattle. (3 Counties reporting)
Mayes County producers want information on developing and/or accessing pasture lease agreements.
Because of lower cattle prices and increased input costs good forage and cattle management practices have become even more important for producers. (2 Counties reporting)
Bluestem broomsedge continues to invade pastures in Mayes County.
Agriculture Youth Programs (3 Counties reporting)
Beef Cattle Programming (4 Counties reporting)
Producers need a better understanding of Litter nutrient values compared to commercial fertilizer as an alternative for forage fertility.
Stocking Rates are too high in relation to forage production decreases because of cost that could lead to reduced cow production measures.
Weaning weight, Conception rate, etc.
Cow/Calf –Marketing (Does weaning and vaccination pay? Should we retain stockers?
Cow/Calf – No incentive to breed for traits past weaning weight
Stockers – Don’t know what kind of cattle buyers are looking for.
Computer Programs (Not interested in animal ID, just want to keep better records)
Forage & Hay Production (5Counties reporting)
Calf Clinic
Adding value to calves
Younger & Inexperienced Beef Producers and Ranch Employees.
Beef & all of Agriculture Awareness and Advocacy to Public.
Continue educational efforts of the Master Cattleman Program.
Improve cattlemen knowledge of proven and available sire selection tools that assist in purchase of appropriate herd sires.
EPD’s, bull test information and steer feedout opportunities should be available to cattlemen in a timely manner.
Track trends regarding economic benefits for producers.
Lessen agricultural adverse impact in rural-urban interface of Rogers County.
Education on “How to control Sage Grass”.
Genetic Profiling and ways to use it.
Internal and External Parasites.
Provide trainings on Evaluation, Feeding, Health Care, etc.
Utilize tours and demonstrations as much as possible.
CROP MANAGEMENT
Barley – Production/ Marketing replacement for wheat production.
Develop market as a feed stuff bulk and retail bag.
Soybeans: Develop more public varieties
Wet Conditions
General Pest Problems
Educate producers and homeowners on the benefits of soil testing. (2 Counties reporting)
Provide more information on new crop varieties that are being developed.
Encourage more crop rotation to break up disease and insect cycle.
(2 Counties reporting)
Keep producers update on new technology that emerges.
No-Till Conversion & Methods for our soils. (2 Counties reporting)
Soil Quality & Management. (2 Counties reporting)
Partners in Research.
Ridge till, water drainage, bedded crops.
Variety plots-wheat, and soybeans.
Weed control in soybeans (water hemp, pigweed) herbicide resistance.
Monitor disease and insect problems.
Variety selection for Yield and Resistance.
CATTLE RECEIVING/FEEDING/MARKETING
Calf marketing group – Pool calves, precondition, direct sell to feedlots
Continue “OK SELECT” heifer sale
More information on vaccination and weaning programs
Educate producers on value added programs
Have basic care and feeding meetings to target new small operators
More information on using by-product feeds
Keep producers updated on new technology through meetings and newsletters
FARM AND AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Poultry: Alternative business to utilize the poultry facilities of contract company pulling out.
Educate producers on financial management tools available. (2 Counties reporting)
Hold meetings and invite local bankers and farm credits to discuss programs.
Help develop niche markets.
Provide information on how to start and grow a home processing business.
Alternative Enterprise & Markets for Ag Products.
Increase those young and new producers knowledge of managing a ranch/farm business. (2 Counties reporting)
Farmers Markets
Marketing to Restaurants and Hotels.
Developing web sites to market products
Marketing Club.
Landowner Education
Continue programs of Master Cattlemen and Master Gardeners.
Develop economic impact report of agriculture and horticulture in Payne County.
Educate producers of marketing opportunities like OBQN.(2 Counties reporting).
Promotional efforts in educating public on where food comes from i.e. farm to table.
Teach existing operators to become more cost efficient.
COMMERCIAL HORTICULTURE
Small Farms
Increased Emphasis on various Commercial Horticultural crops as alternative Ag Crops.
Informational “How to” demonstrations on Lawn, Landscape and Gardening Issues.
Connecting Horticulture and beautification of Environmental Issues and Stewardship.
CONSUMER HORTICULTURE & URBAN FORESTRY
Continue educational efforts with Master Gardeners (3 Counties reporting)
Gardening
Continue educational outreach of “Tuesday Gardening Series” conducted by Master Gardeners.
Determine economic impact of the horticulture industry in Payne County, including fruit and wine, nursery, farmers market, lawn services and retail.
Educate public on where food comes from, (Farmers Market demonstrations, curriculum enrichment, educational booths and displays).
Increased Programming: Public Horticulture for limited income families: Growing Edible Crops.
More outreach about Horticulture and Environmental Education to Youth in Schools.
Continue to encourage home gardening for family needs and to sell produce at farmers markets.
Water Conservation
Excessive Usage of Pesticides.
ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT, CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION
Eastern red cedar remains a wildfire hazard, depletory of large quantities of ground water and negative effect on rangeland/wildlife habitat. Cedars on rights of ways/roadsides continue to be a problem. (2 Counties reporting)
Water rights issues/landowner should retain rights to water. Depletion of ground water.
Flood control structures in Lincoln County (64) reaching 50 year life expectancy. Need to repair and keep operational to reduce flooding.
Continued need for improved forage management practices based on production potential of the land.
Erosion of pasture/rangeland as a result of the failure to properly administer land management practices.
Brush and Tree Control.
Sericea Lespedeza and other Non-Native species control. (2 Counties reporting)
Ecosystem & Grazing Issues with “Proposed” Electrical-Generating Wind Turbines.
WILDLIFE ISSUES
Damage related to feral hogs. (2 Counties reporting)
Damage in pecan orchards from wild turkeys
Hunting lease opportunities and deer population management.
Wildlife habitat restoration utilizing prescribed burning and creating buffer zones.
Pond damage from beavers.
Managing Wildlife for Recreation.
Wildlife damage and Predator Control.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
Poultry Litter application
Land Stewardship
Educate producers on the importance of water quality.
Help producers develop a nutrient management plan for their farm.
Educate new poultry producers on rules and regulations.
Provide information on dumpsters that are available for people in the county to dump their trash instead of along the roadways.
COMMUNITY RESOURCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Business Retention/Economic Development
Adequate infrastructure for rural communities.
Inadequate rural septic systems and its effect on rural growth.
City of Stilwell Park and ball fields project.
Oil and Gas Landowners Rights
Rural Water Service Planning and Development.
Solid Waste Problems, Education and Collection Options.
Tourism Development, Promotion and County Wide Planning.
Health Care Needs Assessment.
A need for business owners and potential business owners to understand what resources are available from both OSU and from all other agencies in the county.
A need for someone to provide “hands-on” assistance with writing of business plans, particularly for vocational rehab clients and lower income individuals.
A need for economic development professionals from across the county to meet on a regular basis.
PRIDE program offered on a regular basis across the county.
Help Chambers without paid staff on the issue of business development.
Infrastructure – Roads, Water Supply, Waste Water. (2 Counties reporting)
Funding for County Jail – Proposed Sales Tax
Courthouse Security Issues.
Need for County-wide public Transportation.
Need for Senior Housing and funding for Community Center.
Encourage Downtown Development/possible tax credits for New Business.
More public recreation for Children/Youth.
Public Safety – Outdated EMS
Business recruitment – keep jobs local. (2 Counties reporting)
Recruit more industry – work with authorities on securing land / site ready locations.
Community Garden at local Alternative School in Vinita.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT
More community volunteer leaders are needed to enhance efforts to provide community development projects.
Specialized studies and compiled state and county data are needed to provide decision makers tools in directing local policy.
The County Extension Office home too many local Ag Commodity groups, 4-H Groups and OHCE Groups and are in very poor condition. Efforts to make improvements have been noticed but a new facility to house OSU Extension and the many other community organizations are needed.
A need for leaders to be aware of the issues, successes, organizations, and leaders in all the communities within Payne County, PAC suggested “Leadership Payne County.”
Volunteer Recruitment – suggested that a program/workshop be developed that teaches techniques for volunteer recruitment, including marketing toward younger “Y Generation” volunteers for community service organizations.
A need to increase cooperation among organizations within the community.
Provide education to the communities about the nature of a business improvement district (BID).
SENSOR BASED NITROGEN,CROP MANAGEMENT
Fertility is the single most expensive component to wheat and corn production. Provide resources for row crop producers to be introduced to the sensor based nitrogen management approach to nitrogen fertilization.
Litter is being used on row crop soil as a nitrogen source that is in excess of 100% sufficient in phosphorous and potassium making the value of the litter very low.
Disease on row crops continues to provide an environment to provide early detection and treatment options, trials, and PIR projects to decrease effects of plant disease.
ALTERNATIVE FARMING/SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Producers interested in Hunting Leases/Recreation/Agro-Tourism
Managing/clearing Native Pecan Groves
Grape Production/Don’t want to run a winery, just produce grapes for sale to winery
Women in Ag Program
Sustainable Livestock Production
Economic Forage Production
Water Quality
Vegetable Production
ANIMAL HOST – PATHOGEN INTERACTION AND EMERGING/RE-EMERGING DISEASE
Follow up Goat Parasite Workshop
Goat Nutrition
OTHER ISSUES DISCUSSED (MISC.)
Goat Management – Use of goats for sustainable agriculture.
Bio-Fuel/ Educate producers on Coops and plant sources for the production of bio fuels.
Private Property Rights Issues.
Merchandising Horses and Options.
Meat Goat issues (Parasites, marketing, co-grazing, etc.).
Vaccination and Sterilization of Dogs and Cats.