OKAgPolicy Today is a morning email containing the day’s top agriculture and policy headlines. The inclusion of a particular story does not equal an endorsement. Subscribe to the email here.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Local farmers support SQ 777:
John and Gaye Pfeiffer produce hundreds of cattle and feed at Pfeiffer farms in Mulhall. However, Gaye said that in recent years, she has had to make several trips to the capitol to fight legislation that has attempted to regulate agriculture [KOCO].
Buchanan discusses SQ 777 with Pat Campbell:
Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Tom Buchanan explains why Oklahomans should support State Question 777 on KFAQ’s The Pat Campbell Show [KFAQ].
Backers of SQ 777 fighting for support:
Because Oklahoma is a reliably red state, and there are no close statewide races, so it’s possible that 777 may be one of the most publicized issues on the ballot [Lawton Constitution].
FEDERAL
China ends 13-year ban on U.S. beef:
China has lifted its 13-year-old ban on U.S. beef, clearing the way for negotiations between the two countries over the specific conditions under which trade can resume [Agri-Pulse].
House to vote on water infrastructure bill next week:
The House will consider a $5 billion waterways bill to boost the nation’s ports, harbors, dams and other water resources next week, according to Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) [The Hill].
Senate report adds fuel to WOTUS fight:
The fight against EPA’s Waters of the U.S. rule had long been quiet thanks to a stay in the court system, but a recent Senate report appears to have awakened repeal efforts. The report came form the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The report cites case studies saying the Obama administration is already overreaching, says committee chair Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma [Agri-Pulse].
ELECTIONS
Heavy fundraising on State Question 777 suggest right-to-farm is high-stakes political issue:
A StateImpact analysis of state campaign finance data shows the issue has attracted more direct donations than any other ballot question, suggesting right-to-farm is high-stakes Oklahoma politics [StateImpact Oklahoma].
When it comes to ag money, Clinton’s far up the food chain from Trump:
By a nearly 2-to-1 margin, employees of agribusiness companies have favored Democrat Hillary Clinton over Republican Donald Trump in their campaign contributions, according to federal data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics [McClatchy].
MISCELLANEOUS
Bayer faces backlash in Germany as lawmakers condemn Monsanto deal:
German lawmakers called on regulators to curb Bayer’s $66 billion takeover of U.S. seed giant Monsanto in a skepticism-laced parliamentary session that highlights the backlash to the deal Bayer faces in its home market [St. Louis Post-Dispatch].
Study shows millennials are big organic consumers:
It turns out that millennials, perhaps the most important generation in terms of retail sales, are big consumers of organic food and other products, according to new study results announced today by the Organic Trade Association [Agri-Pulse].
