In Farm Bureau Policy development videoconference Just a reminder that Arkansas Farm Bureau’s statewide policy development videoconference, one of our organization’s most important meetings of the year, will begin at 7 p.m. on July 9. The locations will be as follows: Arkadelphia, Clark County Farm Bureau office (2702 Caddo St.) Batesville, Independence County Farm Bureau office (805 Neeley St.) Clarendon, Monroe County Farm Bureau office (200 Hayes St.) El Dorado, Union County Farm Bureau office (1911 W. Hillsboro St.) Fayetteville, Washington County Farm Bureau office (1165 N. Meadowlands) Harrison, Boone County Farm Bureau office (110 West Industrial Park Rd.) Hope, Southwest Research and Extension Center (362 Hwy. 174 N.) Jonesboro, Craighead County Farm Bureau office (2731 E. Highland Dr.) Little Rock, Farm Bureau Center, 10720 Kanis Rd.
Six high school students attended M*A*S*H camp June 8-19 at Fulton County Hospital in Salem. On June 9, members of the West Plains, Mo. Air Evac Lifeteam visited to discuss their professions. Attending were (l to r) Air Evac director Jack Bates; Air Evac assistant Don Laughary; students Danielle Tucker, Mary Estes, Zachary Foster and Camron Holowell; M*A*S*H director Charish Dailey; Air Evac assistant Chris Bryant; and Air Evac pilot Larry Cook. Mena, Polk County Farm Bureau office (309 S. Morrow St.) Monticello, Drew County Farm Bureau office (656 Barkada Rd.) Mountain Home, Baxter County Farm Bureau office (1424 Hwy. 62 SW) Russellville, Pope County Farm Bureau office (1805 E. Parkway) Searcy, White County Farm Bureau office (501 East Booth Ave.)
Weeks of heavy rainfall in the Arkansas and Red river valleys during May impacted many farmers and ranchers, including Tyler McDonald of Lewisville who had 1,000 acres of pasture flooded. Friends helped McDonald move 400 head of cattle to dry ground at a neighbor’s ranch. Officials say this is the worst flooding in these regions since 1990.
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O&L Conference “#BeVocal” is the theme for Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 67th annual Officers and Leaders Conference scheduled for July 20 and 21 at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., July 20, at the convention center, followed by a luncheon at 12:15 p.m. Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach will give his summer address during
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A Publication of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation
July 19, 2015 • Vol. 18, No. 12
Cary Goacher (left) of Hughes is shown buying a Famous Forrest City chili dog from St. Francis County Young Farmers & Ranchers chairman Matt Howton. Howton and other members of the county’s YF&R committee had a food booth at the first Forrest City Blues Fest in late May. The festival was attended by thousands of people from Arkansas and other states.
On May 26, Capt. Brian Shannon with the Greene County Rescue Squad in Paragould displayed the squad’s new farm rescue equipment to Greene County Farm Bureau board members (left to right) Terry Norwood, Ronnie Roberts and Donald Norwood. Greene Co. FB and area businesses donated $9,300 to purchase a Res-Q-Tube and other gear needed for farm emergencies.
Committee. Another finding of the survey is that most of the women respondents are comfortable advocating about agriculture, and most believe they have the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful. Social media is the preferred avenue of advocating about agriculture among the women surveyed. Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed own or share ownership of a farm or ranch. One-third of women surveyed have not yet started a business but indicated they would
like to do so in the future. Respondents cited obtaining financial support, business plan development and prioritizing/finding time to accomplish tasks as their most common business challenges. The AFB Women’s Leadership Committee sponsored the survey. Responses were received from women in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
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Women in Ag survey results Communicating effectively, establishing and achieving goals, and strategic planning ranked highest on a list of important leadership skills for women in agriculture to master, according to a new Farm Bureau survey. Nearly 2,000 women completed the informal online survey, which was conducted to determine the goals, aspirations, achievements and needs of women in American agriculture today. “The survey results point to a need for a deeper dive into what leadership traits women in agriculture are interested in learning about in order to achieve their goals,” said Sherry Saylor, an Arizona row crop farmer and chair of the AFB Women’s Leadership
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Monday’s general session, and newly appointed Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward will speak on agriculture issues affecting Arkansas. Ward’s talk will be followed with the presentation of this year’s YF&R Achievement Award finalistists, ArFB Foundation scholarship recipients, the Romeo E. Short Scholarship recipients and the Marvin Vines Memorial Scholarship recipient. There will be eight workshops Monday and four Tuesday. Tuesday’s general session will begin at 10 a.m., with a keynote speech from Greg Peterson, one of the Peterson Farm Bros now well known for their farmbased Internet content. The conference will adjourn at 11 a.m.
ArFB President Randy Veach of Manila addressed the more than 300 claims representatives, adjusters, appraisers and others who attended the state Claims Conference in Little Rock on June 5, telling them their daily contact with Farm Bureau members makes them “difference makers” whose work is vital to Arkansas Farm Bureau’s current and future success.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson (right) greeted Little River Co. FB President Brett Fawcett June 9 before viewing flood damage on farms in the area. The Fawcetts had 800 acres underwater and were forced to move all their cattle onto one 5-acre lot. The governor asked U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to declare 37 Arkansas counties agricultural disaster areas due to the flooding.
Communications Boot Camp The American Farm Bureau Federation is now accepting applications for the 2015 Women’s Communications Boot Camp set for Oct. 13-16 in Washington, D.C. The intensive training is open to all women who are Farm Bureau members. The program focuses on enhancing communication and leadership skills within the agriculture industry, and includes targeted training in the areas of public speaking, media relations, messaging and advocacy. Fifteen will be selected to participate. The deadline for applications is June 30. All applicants will be notified of their status by July 31. For more information, visit www. fb.org.
In Arkansas Dairy contest winners Jordan Williams of Bonnerdale and Zack Williams of Nashville were winners at the 58th annual Arkansas Dairy Foods Contest held June 3 at the state fairgrounds in Little Rock.
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Soybean Board scholarships The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board (ASPB) has awarded scholarships to Peyton Frost, a senior at Lamar High School, and Tabitha Hudspeth, a senior at Nettleton High School. Frost and Hudspeth are members of the Future Farmers of America in Craighead and Johnson counties and will be attending college this fall. Each received a plaque and a $750 check during the FFA State Convention at Camp Couchdale on June 4. “Our scholarship contest provides the opportunity for seniors interested in agriculture
Sixty-eight students from 29 counties attended ArFB’s Teen Challenge camp June 15-18 at the Ferndale 4-H Center. These young leaders worked as their camp counselors: (back, left to right) Nicholas Heiser of Lamar, William Howard of Huntington and Timmon King of Benton, and (front) Madeleine Brown of Carlisle, Jessica Wesson of Searcy and Amy Parkhurst of Waldron.
On June 10, these Arkansas science teachers visited Brian (front, left) and Nan Kirksey’s Spring Creek Nursery in Amity as part of the “Farm to Table: How STEM Feeds the World” workshop sponsored by ArFB and the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. During the three-day workshop, teachers explored ways to tie agriculture lessons into their science curriculum to learn about the Arkansas soybean industry by interviewing individuals who have chosen agriculture as a career,” ASPB Chairman West Higginbothom said. “Investing in the future of Arkansas students is a priority for soybean producers across the state, which is why we started this program.” Scholarship applicants were asked to interview an agricultural professional in the soybean industry and write an essay describing what they learned. The winners were selected by members of the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. The winning essays can be found in the “Students” section at www. themiraclebean.com. Rural Fire Protection Program The Arkansas Forestry Commission Rural Fire Protection (RFP) Program provides specialized equipment, training and loans to qualifying rural fire departments across Arkansas. Reports from a recent review by the U.S. Forest Service reveal Arkansas as the leader, surpassing all other states in the U.S., for the total value of federal excess property acquired by the program as of 2014. “The Rural Fire Protection Program was designed to support, train and equip firefighters, our strongest partners in wildland fire suppression and community safety,” said RFP Coordinator John Blackburn. “We are proud to see equipment going to rural areas that adds water supply, as well as general tools and supplies, decreases response time and enhances the overall safety of Arkansas communities. We are especially proud to know that Arkansas was a leader in 2014 for acquiring equipment that makes Arkansans safer.” In March and April of this year, the RFP Program provided firefighting vehicles and/
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Jordan Williams, 15, daughter of Jessica Vincent, took first in the Main Dish competition with her “Spinach and Artichoke Pasta.” Zack Williams, 15, son of David and Tina Williams, took first in the Party Idea competition with “Italian Cheese Pillows.” Winners received $150. Contestants were judged on their recipe, use of dairy products, originality, availability of ingredients and serving technique. Arkansas Farm Bureau, Southwest Dairy Museum and Arkansas Dairy Cooperative Association sponsored the event. In the Main Dish competition, Wapiti Hunter Oak Mefford of Jasper took second with “Cow Pies.” Emma Thurmon of El Dorado took third with “Blend of the Bayou.” In the Party Ideas competition, Brooke Bradford of Shirley took second with “Fiesta Cheesecake.” Jazzlan Rudd of Bismarck took third with “Dezanay’s Creamy Dip.” Baylie Clay of Glenwood took fourth with “Marscapone and Mandarin Orange Salad.”
or generators to 29 fire departments in 22 counties; five interest-free loans totaling $80,551 and general firefighting equipment valued at over $67,000. Fire departments may apply for equipment at any time through RFP headquarters in Greenbrier; provided they are in compliance with federal regulations. Call 501-679-3581.
Elsewhere Rice leadership program The Rice Foundation is accepting applications for the 2016 Rice Leadership Development Program. Rice producers or industry-related professionals between the ages of 25 and 45 are eligible to apply for the program. The application deadline is Oct. 3. The Rice Leadership Development Program provides a comprehensive understanding of the rice industry, with an emphasis on personal development and communication skills. During a two-year period, class members attend four one-week sessions designed to strengthen leadership skills through studies of all aspects of the rice industry. The class is comprised of five rice producers and two industry-related professionals chosen by a committee of agribusiness leaders. The committee evaluates the applications of all candidates, reviews letters of recommendation, and conducts personal interviews with the finalists. Interviews will be conducted at the USA Rice Outlook Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, in December. Additional information and an application form can be found on the USA Rice website at www.usarice.com. Editor Keith Sutton
keith.sutton@arfb.com
In the Market As of June 15, 2015 Soybean crush higher than expected Soybean demand remains strong as the National Oilseed Processors’ Association reported its May crush higher than expected and 15 percent above a year earlier. A record May report showed May soybean crush at 148.4 million bushels compared with trade expectations of 147.299 million bushels. While May crush was down 1.5 percent or 2.3 million bushels from the April crush of 150.7 million, it topped the May 2014 crush by 18.576 million bushels. Oil companies recover RFS costs A study released by the Environmental Protection Agency indicates that oil companies are able to ultimately recover the costs of complying with the Renewable Fuel Standard and that renewable identification numbers (RINs) do not increase retail fuel prices or hurt consumers at the pump, according to a Reuters item on the report. Oil refiners, the report said, “generally recover these costs in the prices of their petroleum blendstocks.” Rumors of Chinese DDG shipment cancellations Talk that China canceled two bulk vessels of U.S. dried distillers grains (DDGs) and that the country could cancel as many as six more cargoes pushed DDG prices lower last week. However, another source cited by Reuters said the country was simply rolling deliveries over until October or later. Feed demand in China is sliding, and cheaper soymeal prices are thought to be slowing demand for DDGs
China to begin unloading cotton stockpiles this year China will release detailed plans regarding its intention to sell its massive cotton stockpiles soon, says Yin Jian, a state planner at the National Development and Reform Commission. He says China plans to begin sales of its 10 MMT of cotton stocks (more than 40 percent of world stocks) this year, though the process could take several years. The cotton is expected to be sold at heavily discounted prices to attract buyers, and mills have held off on purchasing cotton in anticipation of the auctions. If the sales pressure market prices for cotton, that could increase the amount of subsidies the Chinese government pays farmers under its new support program. China’s changing grain policy China’s top corn producing province will again double its subsidies to local processors to $1.64 per bushel of corn processed from April 17, according to industry sources cited by Reuters. China’s government said this will help empty grain silos quickly to ensure enough room for new crop, and the provincial government said this would prop up the loss-making industry and help maintain the market. China also announced plans to update grain silos across the country to ensure safety and security of grain supplies. The country also will build new facilities that are able to store 50 MMT by the end of 2015. Last week, Lu Jing Bo, vice administrator of China’s State Administration of Grain, told attendees at the International Grains Council annual conference that China has not yet decided on a domestic price for corn next year as they are concerned about record corn stocks. The gap between Chinese prices and those overseas has resulted in a sharp increase in imports of coarse grains
like barley and sorghum. China is the No. 1 sorghum buyer and the No. 2 barley importer. JBS to phase out gestation crates JBS S.A., a Brazilian company that is the largest (by sales) meat-processing company in the world, will phase out use of gestation crates by 2016 and shift to collective housing for breeding sows, the Brazilian company confirmed to Meatingplace last week. JBS also said it will “continue to support its partners to enable changes to the collective housing of gestation sows,” though it gave no time frame as to when its suppliers should stop using gestation crates. Already, more than 40 percent of JBS’s supply chain no longer uses gestation crates. JBS is Brazil’s second largest pork producer. Bird flu cases slow Bird flu was last detected by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service nearly a week ago on June 9, signaling the virus is being slowed by warmer temperatures and sunny conditions, as expected. Efforts to dispose of poultry carcasses continue, and impacted operations work to recover, but attention is shifting to what can be done in terms of biosecurity and any vaccine to prevent a renewed outbreak this fall as temperatures cool and wild birds migrate south.
CONTACT • Matt King 501-228-1297, matt.king@arfb.com.