For the second time since 2017, the OSU College of Vet Medicine is back on probationary accreditation. At that time, the American Veterinary Medical Association placed the CVM on probationary accreditation after a site visit. OSU was successful in fixing the problems cited by the AVMA seven years ago and regained full accreditation.

However- after a review this past month- the OSU-CVM is back in the same position it found itself in 2017. Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays spoke with Dr. Johnny Stephens, President of Oklahoma State University’s Center for Health Sciences which oversees OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, about the status of the school and the vision of where it is headed.

“The thing about that status is that our students and our graduates are coming from a fully accredited veterinary program, but we do have two years to come off of that probation from the deficiencies that were found in the latest review by the accrediting board,” Dr. Stephens explained.

Dr. Stephens said that none of their deficiencies are a reflection of the quality of education veterinary medicine students receive in the program. “We have complete confidence in the faculty and staff and those who are providing the education, and the students are coming out confident in their education. We are turning out great graduates today, just like we were six months ago.”

Ron and Dr. Stephens had an in depth conversation about not just the current status of the CVM- but also where School is headed as a part of OSU President Kayse Shrum's vision to make OSU the preeminent Land Grand University in the country- click on the Blue Button and take a listen.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau works to improve the lives of all Oklahomans by supporting our state’s agriculture community. As Oklahoma’s largest general farm organization led by Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, OKFB takes grassroots values and advocates for agriculture at the state Capitol and in Washington, D.C., to ensure our way of life continues for generations to come.

Farm Bureau hosts leadership events, supports our state’s agricultural youth and connects consumers with agriculture in order to build a brighter future for our state. Become an OKFB member today online at okfarmbureau.org/join. Together, we are rural Oklahoma.

Exploring the Future of Trump’s Tax Cuts: Insights from Rep. Kevin Hern

While attending the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention, KC Sheperd spoke to Oklahoma Representative Kevin Hern, District 1, about whether the tax cuts initiated by Former President Trump and whether they will expire or increase since his reelection.

Hern believes that Trump will reward American companies for doing business in America. “I think that is part of his reducing the corporate rate from twenty-one percent to fifteen percent. He knows how important farmers and ranchers are to the American dream by feeding Americans and keeping us less dependent on other people around the world. “

He also believes that this is also why Trump pushes predominant energy production as Trump has been quoted as saying that the real gold in America is under our feet. Hern says this is important for the security of the nation.

Hern believes that the farm bill will be extended to be reviewed under President-Elect Trump’s tenure. “Right now, we’ve got to fund the government. We are currently funded until December 20th. It’s important to get that done before he comes into office,” he said. “Also, we have an expiration of the debt ceiling at the end of January, so we need to get that taken care of before he gets into office so that we can have a clean first 100 days to get a lot of the policies done that he’s been talking about on the campaign trail.”

Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays talked with Jimmy Taylor, Western Oklahoma rancher and Angus University’s Herd Rebuilding track panelist at the American Angus Convention.

His herd began with commercial cattle, changed to purebreds, and then to show cattle, but in 2005, he decided to aim for premiums on every animal he sold. After much research, selling carcass cattle on the grid was where he settled.

“We started out by buying registered Angus bulls – they were the best marbling breed,” he said. “I first graded 12.5% prime. By 2012, we were grading 19.5% prime. We made progress, but it was real slow.”

Taylor partnered with Zoetis and capitalized on their technology. Zoetis made a breakthrough around 2016. “They came out with an enhanced test in 2016, and it gave me data down to the trait, in ten different traits, how all of my females ranked.

Those traits were both carcass and maternal; I’m focusing on carcass, but I’m keeping replacement heifers, too.”

After using this technology and making precise breeding selections- the number of animals he placed into the feedlot graded higher and higher- reaching over 80% prime a couple of times by 2018 and 2019. The premiums from those management practices have kept his operation profitable.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau honored achievements and accomplishments of the organization’s members during the past year at OKFB’s annual awards banquet held Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Omni Hotel in Oklahoma City.

Awards were presented to county Farm Bureaus for outstanding achievement in advocating for agriculture and Oklahoma’s rural communities with county star awards, the John I. Taylor Award, the Lewis H. Munn Award and more.

Awards were also given to young farmers and ranchers, members of Oklahoma’s agriculture community, and nine farm and ranch families who were recognized for upholding our state’s richest agricultural traditions.

David Lalman, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle specialist, is the recipient of the 2024 Southern Region Individual Excellence in Extension Award for impactful integrated beef Extension programs.

He was recognized during an awards ceremony at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities on Nov. 10.

The recognition is a partnership between the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Cooperative Extension System’s Extension Committee on Organization and Policy. The Individual Excellence in Extension Award honors professionals who excel at science-based programming, provide visionary leadership and make a positive impact on constituents.

Lalman’s OSU Extension beef cattle programs include Master Cattleman, Rancher’s Thursday Lunchtime Series and the Cowculator beef cattle ration evaluation software.

The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) announces the retirement of Charles F. “Chuck” Conner from his position as President and CEO, effective December 31, 2025. Conner has led the organization with distinction for over 15 years.

During his tenure, Conner has been instrumental in overseeing NCFC’s efforts to promote and protect the interests of America’s farmer-owned cooperatives. He has provided a strategic vision for the organization and enhanced the value for its members. Specifically, Conner has advocated for agriculture at the highest level of government, working to influence policy and provide a voice for NCFC members. 

“Throughout his tenure, Chuck’s leadership has guided the NCFC in adapting to the evolving needs of our member cooperatives and farmers,” comments NCFC Board Chair Jay Debertin. “He has guided NCFC to remain a relevant and influential organization. We express our deepest gratitude to Chuck for his dedicated service to NCFC membership and the agriculture industry.” 

The NCFC Executive Council has selected Kincannon & Reed to begin a national search for Conner’s successor.  

Politico's Short List of USDA Secretary of Ag Possibilities for President Trump's Cabinet

The full transition team is still assembling. But Brian Klippenstein, who pulled together Trump’s USDA transition in 2016, and Carly Miller, Rep. Harriet Hageman’s (R-Wyo.) chief of staff, are already working on the effort- according to Politico's Monday Ag Memo.

"Meanwhile, ag lobbyists, Trump allies and GOP lawmakers are weighing in on their top recommendations for USDA roles behind the scenes. That list, as loyal MA readers know, includes the following former Trump officials and industry reps: Kip Tom, Ted McKinney, Gregg Doud and Mike Conaway.

"Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said publicly that Trump will give him a role in health or food policy so he can “go wild,” as Trump put it, on carrying out his Make America Healthy Again agenda.

"Reuters reported over the weekend that Kennedy is actively reviewing the resumes of candidates to fill out the Trump administration’s top health jobs.

Politico cautions that  "A decision on Agriculture Secretary or other USDA roles could be weeks or even months away. During his first administration, Trump didn’t nominate former USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue until Jan. 19. It was the last Cabinet pick he announced, one day before his inauguration."

BUT- in just the first week since he was declared the winner in the race to the White House- he has already made multiple appointments- it sure looks like it will be a quicker process this second time around.