Grainnet

By Robert Brice, Grainnet editor

Suffering through the greatest drought in recent memory, those in the Oklahoma agricultural industry are hopeful for rain – fast.

Without a doubt, as things stand now, the drought trumps all other agricultural issues in the state.

“It is THE number one issue right now,” explained Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association President and CEO Joe Hampton. “It has been dry since October. We need rain and we need it soon.”

The drought has been a slow, unforgiving disaster. Wildfires have destroyed homes and businesses.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management Council from Nov. 27, 2005 to Jan. 20, 2006, 786 homes have been damaged by wildfires.

Over 200 homes have been destroyed.

As of Feb. 10, there were a total of 11 large, active wildfires in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri.

In fact, only 28% of the normal rainfall occurred in Oklahoma City, OK from September to January. Just 3.61 inches of rain fell compared to 12.9 inches normally in that same time period.

While some scattered rain fell in parts of the state in the beginning of February, a substantial rain is needed in a hurry.

According to the USDA’s Feb. 14, 2006 Drought Monitor, drought conditions continued to worsen across the central and western sections of Oklahoma the second week of February.

According to the summary, a moderate drought currently extends into west-central and north central Oklahoma, while a severe drought expanded to cover west-central and north central Oklahoma.

An extreme drought expanded westward through much of central Oklahoma and parts of central Texas.

An exceptional drought exists in the southeastern part of the state.

While the drought is the issue, it’s not the only issue affecting members of the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association.

Another issue the Association is staying on top of is pending legislation concerning custom harvester permits in Oklahoma.

“Last year we had a change in the state regulatory agency as to who issued permits to custom harvesters, causing a lot of confusion,” Hampton said.

The change in agencies created a hassle for the custom harvester to get his permits. According to Hampton, it just made it more difficult to obtain those permits.

“We have been working on legislation to make it easier to get permits,” Hampton added.

He said he believes House Bill 2895 would do just that. But this Bill is in the early stages, and will not be heard by a committee until the week of Feb. 20.

Also, in unrelated news, Hampton said that the state’s first ethanol plant was announced recently. Construction should begin sometime in early 2007. It will be located in Enid, OK.

See Related Websites/Articles:

• Drought Monitor
• Kentucky Grain and Feed Association Officials Prepare for Annual Convention
• Issues Facing Texas Grain and Feed Association
• Issues Facing Kansas Grain and feed Association
• Issues Facing Northeast Ag and Feed Alliance

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