Farm Bureau Press - August 17, 2012

In Farm Bureau Carroll appointed to USGC Arkansas Farm Bureau state board member Jon Carroll of Moro has been appointed to the U.S. Grains Council by Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach. He will serve as ArFB’s voting delegate on the council. Carroll succeeds Jeff Carroll Rutledge of Newport, who served on the U.S. Grains Council for one year.

In Arkansas Temple Grandin visits 4-H On Aug. 12, Arkansas 4-H members had an opportunity to hear Dr. Temple Grandin, world-renowned

® Arkansas’ first commercial edamame soybean harvest began on Jimmy Gooch’s farm near Alma.

American Vegetable Soybean and Edamame, Inc. supplied a special harvester and delivered the beans to the new processing/distribution facility in Mulberry.

AVS wants Arkansas to be the hub of U.S. edamame production.

researcher and author on livestock handling and autism, speak at the C.A. Vines 4-H Center in Ferndale.

Grandin is professor of animal science at Colorado State University.

Livestock-handling systems she designed are used worldwide, and her insights on grazing-animal behavior have helped many people reduce stress on their animals during handling. Grandin also has done extensive research on autism. Facing autism herself, she has used personal experience with autism and her pasGov. Mike Beebe spoke to more than 1,000 in attendance at the Arkansas Rice Expo on Aug. 3 at Stuttgart’s Grand Prairie Center. The expo featured educational exhibits, seminars, research updates and field tours at UofA’s Rice Research and Extension Center.

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sion for agriculture to impact thousands of people worldwide. Her life story was made into an award-winning HBO movie.

Grandin also spoke at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences on Aug. Grandin 11. As part of her agreement to speak about autism, she requires that

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A Publication of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

August 17, 2012 • Vol. 15, No. 15

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she also speak about agriculture and its importance. The UofA Division of Agriculture coordinated the opportunity for 4-H members, ages 14-19, to hear the presentation about her life and work with livestock. More than 300 people attended.

2012-13 Rice Council officers The Arkansas Rice Council, the promotional arm of the Arkansas rice industry, met recently and elected officers for 2012-13. Steve Orlicek of Reydell was elected president. He also serves as president of Arkansas Co. FB. Kyle Baltz of Pocahontas, a member of Randolph Co. FB’s board of directors, was elected vice president. Jeff Rutledge of Newport, an active member of Jackson Co. FB, was elected secretary.

ARC also elected directors to the USA Rice Council. They are Joe Mencer, Lake Village; Robert Petter, DeValls Bluff; Orlicek; Baltz; Corbin Brown, Wynne; Jim Carroll, Brinkley; Gary Canada, Sr., England; Michael Cureton, Cash; Marvin Hare, Newport; Bobby Hoard, Marianna; Byron Holmes, Forrest City; Eric Leonard, Corning; John King III, Helena; Heath Long, Tichnor; Sam Whitaker, McGehee; Roger Pohlner,

Monroe Co. FB President Carl Frein (right) welcomes Prairie Co. FB President Luke Hooks to a joint policy-development meeting at the Clarendon FB office Aug. 7.

This is the second year the counties have worked together on policy development.

Amanda Radke, a daily national beef blogger, discussed the importance of using social media to tell agriculture’s stories at the Aug. 9 animal well-being symposium in Fayetteville. The event is sponsored by the UofA Division of Ag’s Center for Food Animal Wellbeing.

Fisher; Rutledge; Dean Wall, Walnut Ridge; and Chris Luebke, England.

ton, Pollard, reappointed to the Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board. Appointments expire July 1, 2014.

• Joe Christian, Jonesboro, and Bryan Moery, Wynne, reappointed to the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board. Appointments expire June 30, 2014.

• Jim Carroll III, Brinkley, Shannon Davis, Bono, Wes Higginbothom, Marianna, and Andrew Oliver, Marion, reappointed to the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board.

Appointments expire June 30, 2014.

• Terry Dabbs, Stuttgart, and Tim Smith, Clarendon, reappointed to the Arkansas Wheat Promotion Board. Appointments expire June 30, 2014.

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Appointments Gov. Mike Beebe recently announced the following appointments to state boards and commissions relating to agriculture: • Jeff Baxter, Watson, Wayne Branton, Wilmot, and Steve Kueter, Paragould, reappointed to the Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board. Appointments expire June 30, 2014.

• Michael Richardson, Holly Grove, and Dennis Keith Woolver-

There was standing room only at Cattlemen’s Livestock Market in Glenwood Aug. 9, where more than 500 beef cattle were sold at auction. Steven McGrew with CLM said many ranchers are culling herds due to water and hay shortages caused by this summer’s extreme drought.

Franklin Co. FB Secretary-Treasurer Paul David Gramlich (left) listens as policy-development chairman and ArFB state board member Richard Armstrong leads a policy-development activity during the county meeting Aug. 6 in Charleston.

Members approved several resolutions for their annual meeting.

Kidd new PSA president Michael T. Kidd, director of UofA’s Center of Excellence for Poultry Science and head of the poultry science department, has been selected as the 2012-13 president of the Poultry Science Association.

His term began at Kidd the 2012 PSA annual meeting held July 9-12 in Athens, Ga. PSA is a professional organization consisting of approximately 1,300 educators, scientists, extension specialists, administrators and produc-

ers who are committed to advancing the poultry industry. Kidd has served as the director, department head and as a professor at the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science since 2010. Prior to that he headed the department of poultry science at Mississippi State University.

Yamaha awards scholarships Danielle Smith of Overland Park, Kan., an agricultural communications student at the University of Arkansas, has received an individual scholarship awarded as part of this year’s Yamaha-ACT Scholarship Program. Only two individual scholarships were awarded, the other going to Bailey Toates of Oklahoma State University. Both students will serve as interns for Yamaha during the 2012 Ag Media Summit this month in Albuquerque, N.M. Yamaha’s scholarship program was launched in 2009 to provide financial assistance to members of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, a national collegiate student association with the mission of fostering professional development and skills.

“The high quality of the applications we receive each year speaks to the dedication these students and chapters have for careers in agricultural communication,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV/ SxS group marketing manager. “Yamaha is proud to support these students while promoting the safe, responsible and productive use of farm equipment.”

Women outpace men in ag programs A national study of 70 land-grant universities found that undergraduate women enrolled in agriculture programs outnumber undergraduate men by more than 2,900 students.

This study, conducted by the Food and Agricultural Education Information System, explored trends in the gender of undergraduate students enrolled in 14 agriculture academic areas at land-grant institutions from 2004 to 2011.

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Elsewhere

Professional managers of athletic fields, golf courses and lawns saw the latest equipment, products, technology and research at the annual UofA Division of Agriculture Turfgrass Field Day on Aug. 1 in Fayetteville.

The rise in undergraduate women in agriculture fields is a relatively recent phenomenon. In 2004, undergraduate men outnumbered undergraduate women by more than 1,400 students. By 2008, the number of undergraduate women and undergraduate men enrolled in agriculture academic areas were roughly equivalent.

In 2009, undergraduate women outpaced undergraduate men by 249 students. This trend continued for 2010 and 2011 with enrollment numbers for undergraduate women increasing each year. In 2011, the undergraduate women enrolled in agriculture academic areas exceeded the number of undergraduate men enrolled by more than 2,900 students.

This trend corresponds with an overall rise in women farm operators. According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, the number of women farm operators increased nationally by 19 percent — to 1,008,943 — between 2002 and 2007.

New ag ed degree available at ATU A successful effort by the Arkansas Tech University College of Applied

Sciences to create a new Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture education has ties to the very beginning of the institution.

Arkansas Tech was founded in 1909 as the Second District Agricultural School. Its primary initial mission was to provide training to the next generation of farmers. The study of agriculture has been part of the curriculum at ATU throughout its 103-year history.

With the addition of the Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture education, Arkansas Tech will produce teachers who can share knowledge that has made agriculture the state’s No. 1 industry.

“This new degree will fill an educational void that exists in the westcentral portion of our state,” said Dr. William Hoefler, dean of the ATU’s College of Applied Sciences. “Graduates with the Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture education will be prepared to teach at the middle and secondary levels. They also will have the tools necessary to work in a variety of state and federal agencies.”

For more information about the degree, call (479) 9680251 or visit www. atu.edu/agriculture.

Editor Keith Sutton

keith.sutton@arfb.com

In the Market As of Aug. 14, 2012:  SOYBEANS. USDA dropped the 2012 yield estimate to 36.1 bushels per acre, a drop of more than 10 percent from July. Production of just 2.69 billion bushels means a very tight supply situation, which will require significant adjustment in use over the next 12 months. USDA projected a 95-million-bushel cut in domestic crush and a 260-millionbushel drop in exports. China continues a vigorous purchase program at current price levels. Immediate reaction to the report was positive, with November breaking out of a pennant formation to the upside.

However, weekend rains resulted in a downward correction, which leaves traders in a quandary. A close above $16.68 would signal a retest of resistance at the contract high of $16.91 and bring the gap objective of $17.25 into play. Looking at 2013, the soybean/corn price ratio is 2.0, which favors corn. The ratio will need to move toward 2.3 to get increases in soybean acreage.  CORN. The market reacted to the August report in a classic “buy the rumor, sell the fact” move. A sharp overnight move carried December to $8.49. USDA’s numbers matched trade expectations, with yield dropping to 123.4 bushels per acre and production to 10.78 billion bushels. Use numbers were cut dramatically – ethanol down 400 million bushels, feed down 725 million bushels and exports down 300 million bushels. This net result is stocks of just 650 million bushels.

After the upturn, the market quickly retreated, with December registering a huge bearish key reversal. This typically marks a major top. A close below $7.50 would confirm a top, while it will take a close above $8.49 to suggest another leg higher.  WHEAT numbers were a slight surprise as production was increased 44 million bushels to 2.268 billion bushels. Domestic use was increased

20 million bushels as demand for feed is expected to rise. Projected ending stocks were increased to 698 million bushels. Russia is pushing to garner a greater share of the export market and is making a mark with discounted price levels of $30 to $40 per ton below current U.S. values. Old crop September is testing support near $8.50, while new crop July found strong resistance at the same level. A close below $8.35 would signal a move toward support between $7.75 and $8.

USDA raised its 2012 beef production forecast by 405 million pounds (1.6 percent) because of expectations for continued herd liquidation because of the expanding drought. That resulted in a lower forecasted price of choice steers to $119-$122, down from the July forecast of $123-$126. Feeders have been under such pressure from the steep rally in corn futures that October live cattle are trading in a consolidation pattern between support at $119 and resistance at $127.

 COTTON was hit with an upward revision of 410,000 harvested acres, which put an additional 650,000 bales on the production number. That was a double whammy because the trade expected production to drop as much as a half million bales. The subsequent increase in projected ending stocks of 5.5 million bales for the United States. and 74.7 million bales for the world sent December futures sharply lower. December remains in a shallow uptrend with support around 71.5 cents. Additional support is layered at intervals of 2 to 2.5 cents. Resistance is last week’s high just more than 77 cents.

 HOG futures have been under significant selling pressure. The market is anticipating herd liquidation as feed costs continue to rise. USDA cut its 2013 pork production estimate by 3 percent because of reduced farrowings because of high feed costs. Next year’s export forecast was trimmed by 50 million pounds because of tighter supplies. Weekly slaughter totals are expected to climb in the coming weeks with liquidation and seasonal factors. October appears to be trying to build support just below $75, however, longer term additional weakness is possible.

 RICE saw minor adjustments with yield, production, domestic use and ending stocks all sliding a little lower.

Most of the adjustments were on the long grain side. September futures remain in a shallow uptrend with support around $15.50. Resistance is fairly substantial above $16. Futures traded as high as $16.20 in late April.

Subsequent upturns have stalled at $16.13, $16.09 and last week at $16.04. Potential sales to Columbia are keeping the market steady to firm.  CATTLE. The drought continues to be the focus of the cattle market.

 POULTRY. Commercial hatcheries in the 19-state weekly programs set 195 million eggs in incubators during the week ending Aug. 4. This was up slightly from the eggs set the corresponding week a year earlier. Average hatchability for chicks hatched during the week was 85 percent.

Broiler growers in the 19-state weekly programs placed 164 million chicks for meat production during the week ending Aug. 4. Placements were down slightly from the comparable week a year earlier. Cumulative placements from Jan. 1 through Aug. 4 were 5.09 billion, down 3 percent from the same period a year earlier.

CONTACT • Gene Martin 501-228-1330, gene.martin@arfb.com.

• Brandy Carroll 501-228-1268, brandy.carroll@arfb.com.

• Bruce Tencleve 501-228-1856, bruce.tencleve@arfb.com.

• Matt King 501-228-1297, matt.king@arfb.com.

2012 YF&R CONFERENCE

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ore than 260 members and their families from throughout the state attended Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference Aug. 3-4 at Embassy Suites in Little Rock.

Attendees participated in workshops on crops, cattle, poultry and policy development and listened to inspirational speeches by ArFB President Randy Veach and guest speakers. There were farm living sessions, a wide variety of kids activities and family-oriented fun like the always-popular Farm Bureau Olympics • photos by KEITH SUTTON •

Go-getters in the Olympic sawing contest included Bo Mason (left) and Doug Medford (right) of Monroe County.

Above: Conference attendees were the first to hear the names of this year’s YF&R Achievement Award finalists: (l to r) Scott and Cassie Davis of Prairie Grove (Washington Co.), Nicholas and Karen Steele of Sulphur Rock (Independence Co.) and Mikki and Dan Hosman of Jonesboro (Craighead Co.). Above right: In a cattle workshop, Dr. Jeremy Powell, UofA Extension veterinarian, discussed herd health for drought conditions. Right: “Insect Control” was the topic of a presentation by UofA entomologist Gus Lorenz.

Right: Fifteenyear-old Megan Schaefers of Mayflower took a spin on the bull ride to show the Olympians how it’s done. Bottom right: Brody Allen, the four-yearold son of Jeremy and Magan Allen of Bismarck, is all smiles after winning some medals and receiving this special balloon animal during the kids activities.

Above: Brian and Terry Kinder entertained the younger kids with their “Kindersongs.”

Right: YF&R committee chairman Brian Walker of Horatio addressed the crowd at Saturday’s luncheon..

Far right: Ready, set, go … Kids raced to the finish line in the Olympics tractor race.

2012 YF&R CONFERENCE

Left: ArFB President Randy Veach helped with an interactive member survey as the conference started. In his opening remarks, he stressed the importance of young farmers and ranchers becoming actively involved in Farm Bureau activities. Above: Matt Rush, a fourth-generation grain and cattle farmer, and executive vice president of the New Mexico FB, gave the keynote address, “Agriculture: Viable, Valuable and Visible.”

Above: Brad Henley of Star City (right) was this year’s recipient of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Spirit Award presented by YF&R committee chairman Brian Walker.

Above: Jason Apple, a UofA Research and Extension professor, provided an in-depth look at food safety in one of the crops seminars. Left: UofA poultry science professor Dr. Susan Watkins discussed water quality and litter management in a well-attended session.