JULY 30, 2021 | VOLUME 24 | ISSUE 15
Farm Bureau Press A PEEK INSIDE
ArFB RECOGNIZES TOP YOUNG FARMERS & RANCHERS James and Ashton Dixon (Madison County), John Michael and Rachel Bearden (Hot Spring County), and Lauren Martin (White County) earned Young Farmers & Ranchers awards July 19 during Arkansas Farm Bureau’s annual Officers & Leaders Conference at the Hot Springs Convention Center. YF&R Achievement Award The 2021 YF&R Achievement Award winners were James and Ashton Dixon. The Dixons have six broiler houses on 44 acres where they expect to grow 5.7 million pounds of chicken in 2021. They also will remove and sell roughly 1,400 tons of litter per year between flocks. The family received a $35,000 cash prize and a trip to the 2022 American Farm Bureau Convention in Atlanta to compete for the national award. The YF&R Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers in Arkansas who have excelled in their farming/ranching operations and exhibited outstanding leadership abilities. The award is designed for an individual or couple involved in full-time production agriculture with a majority of their income subject to normal production risks. YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award The 2021 Excellence in Agriculture Award winners were John Michael and Rachel Bearden. The Beardens raise cattle, sheep, performance horses and hay along the Ouachita River. John Michael is the Malvern High School agriculture teacher, and Rachel is the Hot Spring County Extension agent. They have a daughter, Lexi Grace. The family received a $11,000 cash prize and a trip to the
USDA Announces Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers, page 2
2 0 2 1 ArFB 2021 Officers & Leaders Conference, page 3
Crisis Exemption Granted for Intrepid Use Against Fall Armyworms in Rice, page 3
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ArFB TOP YOUNG FARMERS & RANCHERS
USDA ANNOUNCES PANDEMIC ASSISTANCE FOR TIMBER HARVESTERS AND HAULERS The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers (PATHH), which provides up to $200 million to provide relief to timber-harvesting and timber-hauling businesses that have experienced losses due to COVID-19 as part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Loggers and truckers can apply for assistance through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) July 22 – Oct. 15.
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2022 American Farm Bureau Convention to compete for the national award. The YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes the accomplishments of individuals or couples who do not earn the majority of their income through farming, but who are involved in farming and ArFB. They are evaluated on their understanding of agricultural issues, as well as leadership, achievements and involvement in ArFB and other organizations.
Program Details To be eligible for payments, individuals or legal entities must be a timber-harvesting or timber-hauling business where 50% or more of its gross revenue is derived from one or more of the following:
Discussion Meet Winner
• Cutting timber.
The 2021 Discussion Meet winner was Lauren Martin. Lauren and her husband, Brandon, are members of White County Farm Bureau and raise broilers and cattle.
• Transporting timber.
The Discussion Meet is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation Lauren Martin (left) was are expected from announced the 2021YF&R each participant Discussion Meet winner by YF&R and give individuals Chair Dustin Cowell at the Monday the opportunity to night reception following Day 1 of O&L. strengthen their ability to analyze agricultural issues and decide on solutions. 2
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, authorized this critical assistance for the timber industry. Timber harvesting and hauling businesses that have experienced a gross revenue loss of at least 10% during the period of Jan. 1 – Dec. 1, 2020, compared to the period of Jan. 1 – Dec. 1, 2019, are encouraged to apply.
• Processing wood on-site on the forest land (chipping, grinding, converting to biochar, cutting to smaller lengths, etc.). Payments will be based on the applicant’s gross revenue received from Jan. 1 – Dec. 1, 2019, minus gross revenue received from Jan. 1 – Dec. 1, 2020, multiplied by 80%. FSA will issue an initial payment equal to the lesser of the calculated payment amount or $2,000 as applications are approved. A second payment will be made after the signup period has ended based upon remaining PATHH funds. The maximum amount that a person or legal entity may receive directly is $125,000. Applying for Assistance Loggers and truckers can apply for PATHH beginning on July 22 by completing form FSA-1118, Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers Program application, and certifying to their gross revenue for 2019 and 2020 on the application. Additional documentation may be required. Visit farmers.gov/pathh for more information on how to apply.
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1) ArFB President Rich Hillman spoke to attendees to the conference at the opening general session. 2) Beef producers filled the room for their commodity division meeting. 3) Miller County members Nedra Turney (left) and Barbara Sutton (right) before the opening general session. 4) Melvin Daniel and Kelly Robbins, Arkansas Rice executive director, visit between sessions. 5) Arkansas 4-H President Faith Fritch sang the National Anthem at the opening general session. 6) Attendees visit before the opening general session. 7) Arkansas YF&R Chair Dustin Cowell (left) and Vice Chair Reed Storey (right) announced the YF&R Excellence in Ag and Achievement Award winners at the opening general session. 8) Attendees register for the conference held at the Hot Springs Convention Center. 9) ArFB Public Relations team members tested attendees knowledge on Arkansas agriculture between sessions.
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1) The Senate and House Ag Committee met as part of Officers & Leaders. 2) Vance Crowe was the Keynote Speaker at the closing general session. 3) Soybean/feed grain producers met for their commodity division meeting. 4) Attendees gathered for an afternoon session on energy generation. 5) The Farm Bureau Foundation presented donations raised from its 2021 Trap Shoot to the Arkansas 4-H Foundation and FFA Foundation. (From left) Faith Fritch, Arkansas 4-H president; Jesse Bocksnick, Arkansas 4-H outdoor skills instructor; Amanda Williams, ArFB Foundation director; Justin Reynolds, Vice President of OMP; Jennifer Cook, Arkansas FFA Foundation director. 6) Rice producers met for their commodity division meeting. 7) ArFB EVP Warren Carter welcomed attendees to the opening general session. 8) Several agents and employees from the Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance companies were in attendance. 9) AFBF President Zippy DuVall delivered comments about the importance of member involvement during the opening general session. 4
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USDA TO MEASURE CROP PRODUCTION THROUGHOUT THE GROWING SEASON How will this year’s weather conditions affect crop production? The Monthly Agricultural Yield Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey U.S. farmers, beginning July 30, regarding acerage and yields of the major row crops throughout the growing season. The Agricultural Yield Survey captures changes in yield that occur due to weather, pests, disease and other factors. NASS encourages producers to respond via the Internet but also welcomes mail or fax responses and offers the opportunity for a telephone interview to those producers who did not respond by the deadline. NASS will compile and analyze the survey information and publish the results monthly August through November, in the Crop Production report and publish final yield and production data the following January in the Annual Crop Production report. NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov/ Publications/index.php. For more information, call the NASS Delta Regional Office at (800) 327-2970.
Appreciation Award | ArFB President Rich Hillman (right) awarding plaque of appreciation to Bruce Jackson (center), and his wife Sandra, for his service to the ArFB Board of Directors from 2009-19.
CRISIS EXEMPTION GRANTED FOR INTREPID USE AGAINST FALL ARMYWORMS IN RICE
ARKANSAS FOOD FREEDOM ACT TO REPLACE COTTAGE FOOD LAW
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Request for a Section 18 Crisis Exemption for the use of Intrepid 2F insecticide against fall armyworms in rice was granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on July 28.
Arkansans will soon be able to sell more types of homemade food and drink products in more locations after the passage of the Arkansas Food Freedom Act of 2021.
Intrepid is a growth regulator that’s approved for use in most row crops and forage but is not labeled for use in rice. University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture entomologist Dr. Gus Lorenz provided documentation about the high populations of armyworms in rice and the limited options for control of the pest. It is estimated that 250,000 acres of the 1.24 million acres of rice planted in Arkansas this year have been impacted. Fall armyworms have also infected 1.8 million acres of forage in Arkansas, with an additional 3 million acres at risk.
The new law took effect July 28. It replaced the state’s Cottage Food law, which allowed a few specific homemade food products to be sold directly to consumers without being made in a kitchen certified and inspected by the Arkansas Department of Health. The Food Freedom Act updates labeling requirements and allows direct sales of homemade food and drink products that do not require time or temperature controls to remain safe. Read Act 1040 of 2021, also known as the Arkansas Food Freedom Act, at https://bit. ly/ArkansasFoodFreedomAct.
All applications made under a Section 18 Exemption must be reported to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture within 10 days of application.
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MARKET NEWS as of July 28, 2021 Contact Brandy Carroll 501-228-1268 brandy.carroll@arfb.com
House Ag Committee Passes WHIP+ The House Ag Committee this week unanimously passed the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act, with an amendment that qualifies both the 2020 and 2021 crop years for coverage. The Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus, along with the Milk Loss Program and the OnFarm Storage Loss Program were authorized for 2020 and 2021, but are subject to appropriations. Qualifying losses include those eligible for WHIP+ for 2018 and 2019, but also adds additional causes like high winds, derechos, excessive heat, freeze and power outages or curtailments. The bill also expands coverage for drought to include all secretarial disaster designations and contiguous counties. The action by the committee is an important first step in the process of approving disaster assistance, but Congress will continue to debate the issue and must appropriate funding in order for USDA to carry out the program. Cattle October live cattle futures have seen strength in recent days after finding technical support just above $124. On the fundamental side, a bullish Cattle on Feed report also provided support. Placements were pegged at 92.9% of a year ago, well below the average trade guess. Total cattle on feed were 98.7% of a year ago, and marketings were 102.7% of last year’s 6
total. While the October contact has gained about $5 since the report, the rally may be running out of steam at technical resistance at the contract high of $130.47½. October feeders have posted solid gains in recent days, charting gaps on the way to setting a new contract high. The market could be running out of buying interest above $167. A correction could see the market close the gap between $161.30 and $161.67½. Hogs Tight hog supplies, strong wholesale pork prices and futures’ discount to cash prices are all supportive fundamental factors. High feed costs and high building costs are preventing farmers from expanding herds. Last week’s slaughter was estimated to be 9.5% below a year earlier and production down 10.1% as hog weights are running below last year as well. October has now overcome previous resistance at $91 and have moved to new five-week highs. The market charted a bearish reversal last week but hasn’t seen follow-through selling. Rice September rice futures posted sharp gains last week but have now been building technical resistance at $13.60. USDA says that 73% of the U.S. rice crop is in good to excellent condition. In Arkansas, that total is 67%. Questions remain regarding both the size and condition of the crop in Arkansas, however, and that is providing some support. Last week’s export sales were strong, providing additional support. The possibility of a typhoon targeting a key rice-growing area of China and an erratic monsoon season in India have put the crops in those countries in jeopardy. Cotton December cotton futures looked to be topping after failing at resistance
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at 90 cents four days in a row before posting huge losses July 26. However, there was no follow-through selling and by the end of the week the market closed above the key 90 cent level. Solid export demand and a firmer stock market have been supportive. 61% of the U.S. crop is rated good to excellent. This week a year ago, that total was only 49%. That difference mostly reflects the more favorable conditions in Texas, which has seen cooler temps and more precipitation that usual early this summer. Corn December corn futures have been working higher and have mostly closed a big chart gap left in June but didn’t quite make it before turning lower. Current uptrending support is between $5.20 and $5.25. USDA has rated 64% the crop good to excellent this week. Hot, dry forecasts form much of the Corn Belt are not favorable, however, and crop stress could increase quickly. USDA has pegged production at a recordsetting 151.165 billion bushels, and trade has been light for a few weeks as traders work to get a better understanding of just how big this crop will actually be. Soybeans The soybean market is also watching the weather carefully and trading volume has been relatively low amid uncertainty about the U.S. crop. The potential for a hot, dry August could increase crop stress and hurt yield potential. Currently 58% of the crop is in good to excellent condition. In Arkansas, that total is 64%. Despite violating trendline support in recent days, November has nearby support at $13.25 and $13.
EDITOR Ashley Wallace ashley.wallace@arfb.com