July 9, 2019 Issue, Page 5 of 8

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Watershed year for conservation in Oklahoma National Ranking Office of Ge« raphic Information (OGi) Conservation funding. “This new commitment to Water Quality “Or take a look at the conserving, protecting and "National Champion in Stream Water Quality Improvement 2 11. Open data base provides Geographic information to hundreds of public and private entitles every day, Top 10 reauthorization of the restoring natural resources, 72 stteams removed from EPA impaired (polluted) ist Conservation Infrastructure positions Oklahoma to Phosphorus Load Reduction -Streams Conservation Program Deliver Fund,” Lam said. “Through 12, Soil Health: education events reached 8,500+ Oklahomans Top 10 that, we see $2.6 million per continue as a Top 10 State in 22%of entre National eduction credted to Okahoma year in gross production Conservation,” Lam said. 3, Nitrogen Load Reduction - Streams 13, Cooperative Federalism: Partnering with USI Top 10 taxes directed to the Locally “The future for 4, Volunteer Citizen Scientists Natural Resources Conservation Service Result: increased efficiency to share st and significant savings to both agencies Led State Cost Share conservation in Oklahoma 110 Streams Monitored by Accredited Water Quality Blue Thumb Volunteers Program.” is bright,” Blaney said. “We Speaking of local, there are strides such as a $1 per hour are grateful to the legislature Flood Control pay increase for Conservation for their investment in our 5, Number of Small Watershed Flood Control Dams ~ 2107 1 District employees. Also, small watershed program 260 High Hazard Dams (2° Nationally) Conservation Commission Mission Statement 19 local Conservation and excited about new 6. Completed Dam Rehabilitation ~37 of 149 nationally 1 District staff have been To conserve, protect and restore Oklahoma's renewable natural resources working restored across the State, opportunities for increased 7. Specialized equipment and staffto: intain dams 1 in collaboration with Conservation Districts and Partners on behalf of all of which 12 are shared and conservation efforts in ‘Oklahomans, 8, Monetary benefits/prevented dama = $96 million annwally 5 funded in partnership with northeast Oklahoma as the Roads, bridges public and private property protected United States Department poultry industry continues to Conservation Commission Vision Statement of Agriculture (USDA) grow in this part of our state.” ABANDONED MINE LAND RECLAMATION PROGRAM (AML) NRCS and three are field “The partnership has 9. Number of public safety AML hazards identified and Tops Responsible care for Oklahoma's renewable natural resources. technicians funded through eliminated by minimum program state an National Association always worked with private of Conservation Districts landowners in a voluntary 10, AML Reclamation delivered in partnership with local Conservation Distt. t water quality improvement (NACD) grant. There are and a non-regulatory eventually making Oklahoma districts,” said Sarah Blaney, seven Conservation District the needs of conservation STATEOF OCUHOMA + ORLHOMA CONSERVATIN COMSION approach,” O’Neill Executive Director of the staff members where offices said. “USDA NRCS has the national leader in stream recently did not have a full- always worked with local water cleanup. Oklahoma Association of time employee. and state agencies. It is also very possible we Conservation Districts. “We know that our number Conservation Districts to In the history of Another was the are living in a watershed Gary O'Neill, Oklahoma one asset is our conservation ensure that conservation Conservation work in devastating flooding during moment right now, Natural Resources district employees,” Blaney assistance is based on a Oklahoma there have been _the first half of the 1900s that according to the Oklahoma Conservation Service (NRCS) said. “Without dedicated locally led process and several watershed moments— _ inspired Public Law 534 and Conservation Commission. State Conservationist, conservation district reflects the priority resource a turning point - that changed 566. Under these, came the “When we look back said, “Having boots on the employees, our programs the future of our state for the construction in Oklahoma of on 2019 and 2020 we may ground to provide the one- would not be successful. concerns of the local area.” better. the 2,107 flood control dams. well recognize this as on-one assistance to private While we still have a ways Included is a list of the These include the Dust An additional example is another major turning landowners has always been to go to ensure that we are categories in which the point in Natural Resource an essential component of able to hire and retain quality Bowl, resulting in the the Clean Water Act which the Oklahoma partnership. Oklahoma Conservation formation of Conservation _provided the opportunity Conservation in Oklahoma,” employees, the progress Partnership leads the country said Trey Lam, Executive Having shared staff that are made in additional funding Districts along with federal _to tie land conservation to Director of the Oklahoma focused on providing this both last year and this in protecting our soil and Conservation Commission. assistance will result in more year are a step in the right water. “Once again conservation, conservation getting applied direction.” OKLAHOMA HAY “As you look at this list, protection and restoration on the Oklahoma landscape. Now looking statewide, imagine the future successes of Oklahoma’s renewable Sharing staff resources there are four new dam natural resources are a high continues to be an efficient watershed aid staff positions this influx of resources will MARKET REPORT priority to our state.” “Over the course of the last way to assist Oklahoma farmers and ranchers in who are outfitted with skid steers, trucks and trailers. produce,” Lam said. “Local Conservation Districts several legislative sessions, addressing their conservation Also, $5.1 million in bonds partnering with the USDA Once again the hay trade continues very slow across much the partnership has been needs. This results ina were sold to match Federal NRCS and the Oklahoma of the state. On a good note though we have almost gone a focused on educating elected win-win opportunity for the funds to rehabilitate high Conservation Commission officials about the importance partnership and for farmers hazard dams. Plus, the latest attained these Top 10 week without rain. This has provided the opportunity for of voluntary conservation in and ranchers in Oklahoma.” budget includes a $2 million farmers to get out and cut, swath and finally bale hay. Prices our communities. The results ‘There are so many increase in operations and finishes during a crippling were not fully established this week. Surprisingly, demand of the 2019 legislative session examples to support the maintenance funding for economic recession that proves that conservation excitement generated by the 2017 dams. There’s also the forced funding and staff cuts. district directors and progress resulting from the $500,000 State commitment With the Conservation Team made for lush pastures. Hay buyers are willing to enjoy the employees have built strong Conservation Partnership in for public private partnership restored to near full strength, relationships with their local Oklahoma. to put $2.25 million into green grass and wait for later to assess needs for hay. Also officials and have done a For example, we have conservation around poultry Oklahoma is poised to set the speculating hay prices could come down later in the season wonderful job articulating seen a 22% increase in State farms in eastern Oklahoma. national standard.” if the crop improves. Alfalfa Central Oklahoma: Good quality Alfalfa 165.00 per ton. Eastern Oklahoma: No trades reported Western Oklahoma: No trades reported Monitor mineral intake Old Crop Grass Hay Central Oklahoma: No trades reported. closely during summer Western Oklahoma: No trades reported. Eastern Oklahoma: No trades reported Summer often becomes the cattle. A “Veterinary that tends be a popular place supplementation can be a busy time of year for Feed Directive” (VFD) for the herd to congregate. found in the Oklahoma State ranchers (especially will be necessary for Arule of thumb is to Prices are dollars per ton and FOB unless otherwise during haying season). antibiotic feeding in mineral provide one mineral feeding University Extension Bulletin E-861 “Vitamin and Mineral noted, Don’t forget to check the supplements. Contact and station for every 30 to SO mineral feeders or blocks work with your local large cows. Check feeders at least Nutrition of Grazing Cattle.” to be certain that they are animal veterinarian about once a week and keep a clean, For more information supplying the minerals that the appropriate VFD for your fresh supply of minerals contact Greg Hartman Have you heard your cows need. In some operation. present at all times. A good Beckham/Washita County the newsP cases, medications may Placement of mineral feeder should keep minerals Extension at 580-928-2139 or be recommended by your feeders and blocks can aid in dry, be portable and hold up veterinarian to be included achieving optimum mineral to abuse and corrosion. Open 580-832-3356 in the mineral mix. Cow intake. Place them in areas tubs are not adequate in high Oklahoma State University, calf operators will want to where cattle spend a lot of rainfall areas. in compliance with Title VI monitor mineral consumption time. Minerals should be Cattle owners can get and VII ofthe Civil Rights closely to be certain that the placed in loafing areas, near receive additional help with Act of 1964, Executive Order label-recommended amounts water sources, in shady calculating mineral intake 11246 as amended, Title IX of are being consumed by areas, or any other location with the “OSU Mineral the Education Amendments Calculator” and the “OSU of 1972, Americans with Mineral Consumption Record” sheets. Disabilities Act of 1990, Half Price To download these aids go and other federal laws to http://beefextension.com/ and regulations, does not pages/calculators and click Walk-In Bathtubs on the appropriate items discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, Are you looking for a new career opportunity? listed as either “Mineral sex, age, religion, disability, 580-354-7006 “Program” Record” or Consumption or status as a veteran in any ADVERTISING Choosing a mineral mix requires understanding of of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but SALES the animal’s requirements and the minerals available is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, in the forages and feedstuffs PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC NOTICE available to the animals. Mineral needs tend to be and educational services. References within this How much do public notices cost? The Oklahoma Legislature sets area specific and change publication to any specific a rate, which is typically much lower than other newspaper ad rates, with soil type, fertilization commercial product, process, so the cost of notices can be controlled, and exact wording — rather rates, rainfall and many or service by trade name, than a summary — printed. other factors. Mineral trademark, service mark, Send resumes to [email protected] The public is well-served by notices published in a community requirements also will manufacturer, or otherwise or stop by 206 W. Broadway. Newspaper. depend on animal age does not constitute or imply and stage of production. ElkCituNews : www.oklahomanotices.com for free access to public notices in Oklahoma newspapers ‘An excellent reference source for Oklahoma beef producers about mineral ‘endorsement by Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.