Agriculture

Oklahoma’s Agriculture Sector encompasses much more than beef and wheat. In the 21^st century, poultry and swine are at the top of the state’s production list. Livestock and crops that were once relatively small in terms of production have grown dramatically in recent years.

Due to the varied climate of our state, there are few North American crops not grown in Oklahoma. Wheat and corn are neighbors to vineyards and organically grown specialty crops, and over 6 million acres of commercial timber are grown in the forests of southeastern Oklahoma.

The safety of Oklahoma’s agricultural resources is paramount to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry’s Food Safety Division. Specialized sections oversee the compliance of safety provisions for each area of Oklahoma food production. This oversight is just one aspect of protecting these valuable resources.

The possibility of bio-terrorism is a very real concern to those in the Agriculture Sector. The introduction of hazardous elements into the food supply could not only cause illness and/or death in animals or humans, but also have a significant financial impact on the industry. The influence bio-terrorism could have is cause for added vigilance in our everyday routines.

Some general indicators of possible tampering or terrorist activity are listed below. These items should be considered in context with the individual’s involvement in the industry and the need to know the information.

Possible indicators:

• Interest in facility security and access controls
• Seeking information about trucking and delivery schedules
• Operational information on livestock auctions, markets, state fairs, etc.
• Theft of scientific research cultures, material, or organisms
• Operational information on food processing, packaging, or distribution facilities
• Unexplained purchases, rental, or theft of chemical sprayers, crop-dusting aircraft, or other  agricultural equipment.
• Suspicious employment, recruitment of employees, or theft of uniforms or identification credentials.