June 24, 2020 Issue, Page 5 of 8

Page Text

Agricultre Wednes: , June 24, 2020 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Page 5 Expansion would meet the require- “And really, I can’t stress to the notion that funding for said. ments for Medicaid expan- enough the ability to access 802 and Medicaid expansion If 802 passes, then for the sion when 802 passes,” care on a regular basis so passage will come at the cost first year in Medicaid ex- Lively said. you don’t find yourself in of education dollars. Medic- Passage of 802 would give that emergency situation,” pansion in Oklahoma, it is Continued from page 2. come people in the $17,000- aid expansion will be funded sicker before they have to $30,000 category, or they families who have a tight he said. thorough a 90-10 match rate, estimated over $2.5 billion go see a doctor, come to the emergency room household budget the ability The consequences of 802 whereby Oklahoma will be of revenue will be generated Voting for 802 will bring and many times they do not to have a family member go failing will be the state en- responsible for the 10 per- by the state and more than “significant federal dollars have the resources to pay to a primary care physician during the status quo, Lively cent and the federal govern- with insurance with hopes said. ment for the 90 percent. 17,000 jobs will be created. back to state to infuse into for their care under any cir- that the individual’s health “Oklahomans will still be “Those primary [state] “Specifically for Great our economy as a result of cumstance, Lively said. The will improve and the health second in the nation in hav- things are funds from the Plains and Beckham Coun- that,” Lively said. The YES hospital has to treat people of the family will improve, ing the highest uninsured 2004 tobacco tax, the 2018 ty, we expect to have a total on 802 website states more who do not have the ability Lively said. The family rate,” he said. “Oklahoma cigarette tax and a program than $1 billion of tax dollars to pay. Lively said GPRMC won't be in an emergency will still be in the bottom 5 that’s called SHOPP. which year one economic impact of would be brought home to gives about $8 million a year situation in which it has to percent of healthy individu- is a hospital-specific funding $9 million and the creation Oklahoma to “create jobs, to this community and re- go to the emergency room als and citizens in the nation. program where the hospitals of 75 new jobs,” Lively said. boost our economy and keep gion in uncompensated care. for something that could We will continue on this have a provider fee that can If 802 passes, it will tech- our rural hospitals open.” Passing 802 would qualify have been prevented. path. Hospitals will continue be utilized to fund that 10 GPRMC supports the 802 many of those individuals Lively said 802 will ex- to struggle because they’re percent,” he said, referring nically not go into effect initiative, as Lively said the and families to have insur- pand coverage for mater- required by law to care for to the Supplemental Hospi- until July 1, 2021, giving hospital cares for people in ance. nity and newborn care, gives these individuals and they’ll tal Offset Payment Program. hospitals enough time to the area and region needing “What it means for our coverage for mental health keep accessing high-cost Hospitals, essentially, get details in order and be health care who lack insur- community, for our hospital, and substance abuse ser- emergency care, and it will come out of pocket to help ance. Those people either is about $2 million of those vices and provides access to ultimately drive rural hospi- pay for that 10 percent so sure everything is ready by pay out of pocket, which $8 million a year could be prescription drugs and addi- tals out of business.” that no other programs in the the time it goes into effect, can be difficult for low-in- offset by individuals who tional pediatric services. He said there was no truth state are affected by that, he Lively said. Food Box program helping put food on the table in Oklahoma By Sofia Olivas, Gaylord across the board. So I think Sartorius, chief executive of said. distributed nationwide as of is growing as more distribu- News it’s a fabulous idea.” Catholic Charities of Eastern With a nearly $54 million Friday. tions are held. TULSA - The cars just The Farmers to Families Oklahoma. dollar contract, Go Fresh, In a USDA press release “We're doing this for the kept on coming, one after Food Box program has been “We also need the dis- the USDA and help from from early June, Perdue an- entire month of June and partners like the Catholic another, after another. Allhelping farmers and families tributor and Go Fresh has nounced the distribution of into July and we may even Charities of Eastern Okla- those in line were waiting alike since its introduction been really good to us,” he homa, are reaching dinner food boxes to those in need extend and we invite any- for kindness in hard times. said, referring to GoFresh in May. In the Sooner State, nationwide, saying: “it’s Produce in Tulsa. “They’ve tables across the state. body who’s in need to come “You know, the mon- a few partnerships came to- The Food Box Program is encouraging to see the pas- been able to coordinate with out and get some,” said Sar- ey’s been short all the way gether to give these families a $3 billion nationwide ini- sion with which farmers dis- our schedule and with our torius. around,” said Lori Ranallo, a sense of relief in a time of events.” tiative announced by Ivanka tributors and nonprofits have who was waiting in line for Gaylord News is a report- need. “And when we all come Trump and Agriculture Sec- gone above and beyond to a food box to deliver to an- “We know in this process together, like we have with retary Sonny Perdue as part make this program work ing project of the University other family. “It hasn’t just there’s a lot of different criti- Go Fresh and the Gathering of the Coronavirus Farm As- in support of the American of Oklahoma Gaylord Col- been people that are, you cal elements. We need the Place, it all works out and sistance Program. A total of people.” lege of Journalism and Mass know, disadvantaged, it’s all farmer right?” said Kevin then everybody gets fed,” he 18.4 million boxes had been And the support in Tulsa Communication. Early drought planning will pay off By Derrell S, Peel reduced. and open cows, growing re- These calves may be mar- and production to make de- drought conditions will lead Drought conditions have Drought-reduced pasture placement heifers, pregnant keted early or moved into a cisions in a timely manner. to easier decision-making... expanded rapidly in recent and/or hay production may heifers, mature cows and so dry lot or semi-confinement These assessments should simply because fewer alter- weeks across western and lead to a need to reduce for- on. The list should include backgrounding program. include feed quality as well natives will be available. northern Oklahoma as well age demands in cattle opera- action triggers, which could The feasibility of imple- as quantity in order to plan The result will be increased as much of the western half tions. Early cow culling may be specific dates or based on menting such a program for animal health and well- financial and emotional of the U.S. be a place to begin. Identify forage conditions, that will must evaluate overall eco- being. If additional forage stress. A comprehensive Though many regions do older or cows without a calf initiate the next phase of nomic potential as well as or supplemental feed needs drought plan that considers not yet face imminent ac- that are likely culling candi- liquidation. This plan may the availability of facili- are anticipated, early plan- short and long run consider- tions, it is not too early to dates and consider culling include consideration of re- ties, labor and equipment ning may avoid the higher ations will help guide deci- develop drought plans. early. Cull cow prices are locating animals outside of to feed and care for calves feed prices that typically ac- sions to reduce the stress for The natural optimism of seasonally higher now than the drought area and should in a growing program. In company drought situations. both the producer and the agricultural producers and they will be later in the year evaluate the economic feasi- general, supplemental feed The tradeoff between buying business. For more informa- the inevitable hope that rain or if significant regional cull- bility of relocating animals supplies are plentiful and in- feed or liquidating animals is will come “any day now” ing occurs due to drought. as well as the reality of lo- expensive this year and may always economically tricky tion, contact Greg Hartman makes it tempting to post- Early pregnancy testing can cating and arranging a desti- provide more flexibility for and inevitably wrapped Beckham/Washita County pone drought planning. It is help identify cows that could nation for animals. cattle producers to stretch in emotion that can cloud Extension at 580-928-2139 better to have a plan that is Early weaning of suckling forage supplies. sound decision-making. or 580-832-3356. ultimately not needed than calves will reduce forage re- All of these cattle manage- It is OK to hope for bet- Derrell S. Peel is an Okla- wait until conditions force additional liquidation will be quirements of lactating cows ment alternatives depend on ter conditions as long as homa State University Ex- decisions at a time when al- implemented if necessary. and stretch limited forage re- early and frequent assess- you plan for the worst. Fail- tension livestock marketing ternatives are significantly This should include older serves this summer and fall. ments of forage reserves ure to plan for deteriorating specialist. Senators form task force to address problems with beef By Cass Rains, Enid “Four major meat packers, Chapter 12 bankruptcies are (Casey) Murdock (R-Felt) is a federal meat inspector tisk,” said Brad Hutchin- News & Eagle Tyson Foods, Cargill, JBS up 24% over last year. The and Rep. Ty Burns (R-Paw- and will outline slaughter son, president of Oklahoma An Oklahoma beef task (Brazilian owned) and Na- beef supply chain has been nee) have agreed to join the regulations. Meat buyer Paul Independent Stock Growers force designed to analyze tional Beef are controlling challenged nationwide be- task force.” Cochran, of Crowley, Texas, Association. “We appreciate problems in marketing and about 87% of beef process- cause of the closure of 75% Ranchers agreeing to serve will provide information and Oklahoma legislators step- processing beef has been ing and sales,” Humphrey of American feedlots and on the task force are Evan data relating to the packag- ping up to help solve major organized by State Rep. Jus- said. “They have consid- ing and marketing process. problems, which are impact- 48 packing plants. The pan- Rowland, of Durant; Pamela tin Humphrey, R-Lane, and erable control over what Stockyards owners Jerry ing our economic well-be- State Sen. David Bullard, R- ranchers are paid for cattle demic has also had a nega- Livingston, of Seiling; Jim Nine, of Woodward, and Jeff Robinson, of Boswell; Brad ing.” Durant. and what consumers pay for tive impact. Times are tough Hazaleus, of Durant, will The task force will file a The two legislators have meat. The beef price is very for American agriculture in Hutchinson, of Canton; and outline the spot-buying pro- Tim Bryant, of Ardmore. final report with the Okla- invited independent ranch- low for ranchers and ex- all sectors, they said. cess, cattle futures and pric- homa Senate and House ers, meat buyers, meat pro- tremely high for consumers “We are extremely Meat processors are Bill ing cattle. Consultants to the cessors, livestock auction while meat packers are mak- pleased that practitioners in Johnston and Clarita and task force are rancher Andy Agriculture Committees, owners and meat inspectors ing millions of dollars. This Steve Swigert, of Durant. Chain Hutchinson, of Can- Oklahoma Department of Oklahoma agriculture have Agriculture and U.S. De- to convene and identify fi- is not acceptable.” They will represent the ton; lobbyist Rex Duncan, of agreed to participate in the packing plant concerns. Wil- nancial obstacles and struc- The lawmakers said Okla- Pawnee; and rancher Gary partment of Agriculture. tured solutions to provide homa ranchers are feeling examination of problems in liam Payne, Saint Louis, Greene, of Tishomingo. Ranchers with concerns a process for long-term fi- the financial squeeze as pro- raising and selling cattle,” will explain. the packing “The future of our chil- outside of what is mentioned nancial gain for Oklahoma duction costs continue to Sen. Bullard said. “We also plant to consumer issues. dren, grandchildren and can call 580-371-6677 to ex- farmers and ranchers. climb along with farm debt. are happy to learn that Sen. Steve Combs, of Chester, our western lifestyle are at press opinions.