Oklahoma Has Plan to Help Wheat, Cattle Producers

August 30, 1999

By contracting wheat pasture for Nov. 1 to March 1 grazing, Oklahoma wheat producers can make an extra $42 per acre with only a slight decline in grain production. Stocker cattle producers are looking for wheat pasture, so wheat producers save by not having to buy cattle themselves.

"It's not a new concept," says Scott Bulling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau director of commodity marketing services, "but we plan to offer producers of both commodities an option that will put more money in their pockets."

Wheat farmers don't need to go out and buy cattle under the Oklahoma plan. "They can insulate themselves form the market by offering contract grazing to stocker producers who are looking for pasture," explains Bulling.

The current lease standard is 35 cents per pound of gain. Using a conservative two-pounds per day rate of gain, stockers should increase off wheat acres based on one stocker on every two acres, Bulling says. "This is a great addition to cash income. With the adversities producers face today, they need to diversify and reduce risk. This is one way to diversify and increase cash flow without the market risk."

A list will be developed of both available wheat pasture and stocker growers who need pastures. The list will be posted at all county Farm Bureau offices in Oklahoma. Those interested in obtaining an electronic copy of the list may e-mail Bulling at at ScottBulling@okfb.org.