In Farm Bureau ArFB Women’s Conference Arkansas Farm Bureau’s State Women’s Conference is set for March 4-5 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Little Rock. Registration will begin at 11 a.m., March 4. Events scheduled that day include three creative workshops (How to Get Your Story Across Using Social Media, Blood Pressure Machines for Your County and the New Health Program, and Becoming Politically Active), followed by dinner at the Governor’s Mansion. The March 5 schedule includes more workshops (Beef Lessons You Can Teach, Kids Backpack Program and Continuing to Farm After the Death of a Spouse), with a closing luncheon featuring keynote speaker Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. For more information, contact Lori Croy at 501-228-1306 or lori.croy@arfb. com. Farm Policy Summit Late last year, Congress amended its 2016 business calendar, greatly reducing
Darryl Little (right) was recognized Feb. 3 by Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach during ArFB’s Winter Commodity Meetings in North Little Rock. Little is retiring as director of the Arkansas State Plant Board after almost four decades working with the agency. He has served as agency director since July 2002 and previously served 24 years on the board. Veach called him “a true friend of agriculture” and thanked him for his support of Arkansas Farm Bureau. the number of days senators and representatives will convene in Washington, D.C. The restricted schedule forced the cancellation of the 2016 President’s Tour planned by Arkansas Farm Bureau. In its place, ArFB will host the first Arkansas Farm Policy Summit at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Little Rock, March 28-30. Registration
Since 2012, the Arkansas Century Farm Program has been honoring farm families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. In 2015, Pine Mountain Ranch in Johnson County was one of 58 farms added to the program, bringing Arkansas’ Century Farm total to 297. Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward (right) was on hand to recognize the family.
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will begin at 3 p.m. March 28. “The forum will give our volunteer leaders from across the state an opportunity to engage with their senators and members of Congress, as well as a chance to visit with representatives from various federal agencies,” said ArFB President Randy Veach.
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A Publication of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation
February 5, 2016 • Vol. 19, No. 3
Judge Larry Atkinson (seated, second from right) signed a proclamation declaring Feb. 1-5 as Farm Bureau Week in Columbia County. County President Debbie Dooly and State Senator Bruce Maloch (left and right of Atkinson) looked on with several local Farm Bureau leaders. The county conducted a membership drive and ad campaign during Farm Bureau Week.
Jeremy Peppas (left), editor of GateHouse Media, received a certificate of appreciation from Robby Bevis, president of Lonoke Co. FB, for his dedicated service to the local agricultural community. GateHouse publishes the Lonoke, Carlisle and Cabot newspapers. The presentation was made Jan. 18 at the county Farm Bureau office.
Are you an AgVocate? Have you become an AgVocate yet? You can help tell the stories of Arkansas farmers and ranchers by sharing information, news and facts that relate to agriculture, such as blog posts, articles, fun facts and more using social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. After signing up, AgVocates will receive prepared content to share to their social networks. It’s as simple as clicking the “share” button within the email you receive, which will automatically post the status updates to the social networks selected. By sharing content and generating
traffic, participants earn points in contests for prizes from companies like Petit Jean Meats, Riceland and Walmart. Additional information can be found at www.arfb.com/get-involved/agvocates or by emailing agvocates@arfb.com.
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Strategic Action Plan, 2016 The American Farm Bureau Federation has released highlights of its 2016 strategic action plan, which addresses public policy issues in the coming year. The plan is a result of deliberations by delegates to AFBF’s Annual Convention in Orlando. The board-approved plan focuses the organization’s attention on a number of key issues, including creating a more-positive dialogue with consumers about modern agricultural practices; protecting farmers’ ability to use biotech plant varieties and other innovative technologies; opposing unlawful expansion of federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act; and moving forward with congressional approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. “We will continue to work hard to protect the business of American agriculture on all fronts,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “This plan is an important roadmap to key issue areas that AFBF and our grassroots members will address in 2016.”
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Participation is limited to one leader from each of the state’s 76 county Farm Bureaus and ArFB’s state board of directors. Hotel arrangements and meals will be covered by Arkansas Farm Bureau. Reservation cards have already been sent to county presidents and should be received back at Arkansas Farm Bureau by Feb. 26. For additional information, contact Zac Bradley at 501-228-1626 or zac.bradley@arfb.com.
Derek and Carlee Helms of Arkadelphia (standing, center) posed for a photo with the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee at the recent AFBF conference in Orlando. Arkansas Farm Bureau and AFBF extend thanks to the Helmses, who have given hundreds of hours of volunteer service during a two-year term that ends later this month.
(Left to right) State board member Rusty Smith, White Co. FB president Matt Morrison, and county board members Johnny Wheetley and John Hamilton posed for a photo with Second District Congressman French Hill (center) following Hill’s meeting with local farmers in West Point Jan. 26. Hill visited to answer farmers’ questions about a number of ag issues.
Survey participants wanted The American Farm Bureau Federation is collecting feedback from farmers through its USDA Program Survey. The survey focuses on programs from the Farm Service Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rural Development. “Our goal here is to learn really what people’s experiences are, whether they’re good, bad or ugly,” said Dr. Lisa Benson, AFBF’s director of rural development. “We want it to be honest feedback, and what’s wonderful is USDA is asking us for this feedback. They really want to learn how to improve and strengthen their programs.” The survey is open to all farmers, ranchers and producers in the U.S. To participate, go to at http://usdaprograms. questionpro.com/
In Arkansas In Memory: Don Alexander Arkansas Farm Bureau extends condolences to the family and friends of Don Alexander who passed away Jan. 21. Alexander provided more than 40 years of service to Arkansas agriculture, including 35 years at the Arkansas State Plant Board. He was
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Prescribed burn workshops Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologists will host a series of free workshops in February and March to teach landowners how to increase wildlife habitat on their property using prescribed fire. “When done properly, introducing fire on the landscape is one of the best and most economical ways to promote new browse and herbaceous growth for wildlife,” said Ted Zawislak, AGFC Private Lands Program coordinator. ”While a lot of landowners realize the value of burning, they tend to be a little afraid of prescribed fire. Our hope is to increase their comfort level with this practice. In one Saturday, no landowner can be an expert, but they can have a greater appreciation of the art and science behind prescribed fire. If they choose to hire a prescribed burn contractor to burn their property, they will be a more informed consumer.” Four six-hour workshops are scheduled. Space in each is limited to 30 participants, and registration is required at least one week before each workshop date. Lunch will be provided. Workshop dates, times and locations are: Feb. 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., McCaskill Community Center,
Thirty-six students from Genoa Central High School attended a class on becoming a better driver on Jan. 7 at the Farm Bureau office in Miller County. The class was taught by Melinda Alexander, with assistance from Barbara Sutton, Nedra Turney and Clyde Davis, who shared information on Farm Bureau scholarships and ArFB’s SavingsPlus program.
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inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2011. He received numerous awards, including the Southern Crop Production Association’s highest honor, the Don W. Beise Award, for service to agriculture and the ag chemicals industry, as well as the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s President’s Tribute for Distinguished Service.
Mollie Dykes (center), Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program coordinator, met with Miller Co. FB board members and FSA, NRCS and Extension Service representatives Jan. 29 to explain the Farm Family of the Year process. Miller County has not participated in several years and is excited to join other counties across the state in recognizing some of its premier farm families.
4223 Highway 371, McCaskill (register at www.learntoburn-mcCaskill.eventbrite. com); Feb. 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Northwest Ark. Community College, Walmart Auditorium at Shewmaker Center B102, 1 College Drive, Bentonville (register at www.learntoburn-bentonville.eventbrite. com); March 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Pinnacle Mountain State Park, 11901 Pinnacle Valley Road, Little Rock (register at www. learntoburn-littlerock.eventbrite.com); and March 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Fred Berry Conservation Education Center on Crooked Creek, 851 Conservation Lane, Yellville (register at www. learntoburn-yellville.eventbrite.com). Contact Clint Johnson at 877-470-3650 or email clint.johnson@agfc.ar.gov for more information. 2015 wildfires According to the Arkansas Forestry Commission, 1,178 wildfires burned 14,652 acres in Arkansas in 2015. Forest rangers say the state was lucky because weather conditions led to relatively low wildfire frequency. Saline County ranked No. 1 with 76 fires, Grant County was second with 61 and Miller County was third with 46. According to five-year Arkansas wildfire trends, February through April and August through October figure to be the highest wildfire frequency months.
Since 1935, the AFC has compiled wildfire data so residents and officials can track wildfire trends, causes and frequency that are specific to the state.
Elsewhere Mid-South Farm and Gin Show Want to see the latest farm equipment and technology? Plan to attend the 64th Annual Mid-South Farm and Gin Show, Feb. 26-27 at the Cook Convention Center, 255 N. Main St. in Memphis, Tenn. Hundreds of exhibitors from almost every state will be on hand showcasing the latest technology and innovation available in agriculture. Among the scheduled speakers are Carl Brothers, CEO of Riceland Foods in Stuttgart; Dr. Mike Daniels, environmental management specialist with UA’s Cooperative Extension Service, and Desha County farmer Steve Stevens. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 26 and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 27. Those planning to attend are encouraged to preregister online by clicking on the “attendee registration” button on the show’s website, www.farmandginshow.com. Attendees also can download the show’s mobile app, available from iTunes and the Android app store. Editor Keith Sutton
keith.sutton@arfb.com
In the Market As of Feb. 4, 2016 At the Arkansas Farm Bureau Soybean Division meeting Feb. 3, members of the division discussed issues of importance to soybean farmers in the state. They had a number of questions surrounding the new crop insurance products available in 2016, as well as efficient fertilizer use. Whole-Farm Revenue Protection Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) provides a risk management safety net for all commodities on the farm under one insurance policy. This insurance plan is tailored for any farm with up to $8.5 million in insured revenue, including farms with specialty or organic commodities (both crops and livestock), or those marketing to local, regional, farm-identity preserved, specialty or direct markets. WFRP protects farms against the loss of farm revenue that is earned or expected to be earned from commodities produced during the insurance period, whether they are sold or not; commodities bought for resale during the insurance period; and all commodities on the farm except timber, forest and forest products, and animals for sport, show or pets. The policy also provides replant coverage for annual crops, except those covered by another policy; equal to the cost of replanting up to a maximum of 20 percent of the expected revenue; and when 20 percent or 20 acres of the crop needs to be replanted. The approved revenue amount is determined on the Farm Operation Report and is the lower of the expected revenue or the whole-farm historic average revenue. Coverage levels range from 50 percent to 85 percent. Catastrophic Risk Protection coverage is not available.
The number of commodities produced on the farm are counted using a calculation that determines if the farm has the diversification needed to qualify for the 80 and 85 percent coverage levels (there is a 3 commodity requirement); the amount of premium rate discount you will receive due to farm diversification; and the subsidy amount. Farms with two or more commodities will receive a whole-farm subsidy, and farms with one commodity will receive a basic subsidy. Farmers can buy WFRP alone or with other buy-up level (additional) federal crop insurance policies. When WFRP is bought with another policy, the WFRP premium is reduced due to the coverage provided by the other policy. Farmers with other federal crop insurance policies at catastrophic coverage levels do not qualify for WFRP. Pilot program for Arkansas rice An insurance plan now available from the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), Margin Protection provides coverage against an unexpected decrease in operating margin (revenue less input costs). Margin Protection is area-based, using countylevel estimates of average revenue and input costs to establish the amount of coverage and indemnity payments. Because Margin Protection is area-based (average for a county), it may not reflect individual experience. Margin Protection can be purchased by itself or in conjunction with a Yield Protection or a Revenue Protection policy. To the extent that the average margin for a county is lower than expected, due to a decrease in revenue and/or an increase in input costs, Margin Protection will cover a portion of that shortfall. In Arkansas, Margin Protection is only available for rice in 2016. Margin Protection provides coverage that is based on an expected margin for each applicable crop, type and practice. Expected Margin = Expected Revenue – Expected Costs, where expected revenue (per acre) is the expected county yield multiplied
by a projected commodity price; and expected cost (per acre) is the dollar amount determined by multiplying the quantity of each allowed input by the input’s projected price. Farmers may choose to cover anywhere from 70 percent to 90 percent of their expected margin. A higher level of coverage will have a higher premium rate. When determining the margin, two types of inputs are considered: those subject to price change as listed below, and those not subject to price change (i.e., fixed from planting to harvest). Inputs not subject to price change are not specifically identified, but include seed, machinery, operating costs (other than fuel) and similar expenses. Inputs subject to price change are identified in the Margin Provisions and include corn/rice – diesel, urea, DAP, potash and interest; and soybeans – diesel, DAP, potash and interest. New fertilizer recommendations Phosphorus fertilizer recommendations for rice and soybean were revised in December 2015 based on soil-test information and rice and soybean yield response results from nearly 150 phosphorus (P) fertilization trials. The primary change was that the soil-test levels (very low, low, medium and optimum) were revised by adjusting the soil-test P values that define each level’s lower and upper boundary. The critical soil-test P concentration that triggers a recommendation to apply P fertilizer was essentially lowered from 35 ppm to 25 ppm. Minor adjustments were also made to the recommended fertilizer rates within each level. See more at: www.arkansas-crops. com/2016/01/26/recommendationsphosphorus-fertilizer/#sthash.oaMxItt9. dpuf.
CONTACT
Matt King 501-228-1297, matt.king@arfb.com