Farm Bureau Press - November 9, 2012

In Farm Bureau ArFB earns awards Arkansas Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Ewell Welch announced Nov. 5 that ArFB earned Awards of Excellence from the American Farm Bureau Federation in all five award categories: Education & Outreach, Leadership Development, Member Services, Policy Development & Implementation and Public Relations & Communications.

“This is indicative of the strong programs of ArFB and of the leadership of our state board of directors,” said Welch. “AFBF will recognize Arkansas Farm Bureau and President Randy Veach Jan. 13 during the awards portion of the morning general session at American Farm Bureau Federation’s 94th annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn.”

ArFB’s President’s Leadership Council toured the State Capital Oct. 26. Back row, l to r: Matthew Marsh of McCrory; Joe Thrash, Conway; Wes Long, Benton; Jason Smith, Ulm; Ronnie Roberts, Paragould; John Hamilton, West Point; Allen Moore, Lincoln and Derek Helms, Arkadelphia. Front row, l to r: Corbin Brown, Wynne; Sara Loe, Hot Springs; Beth Killingsworth, McCrory; Justin Blackburn, Paragould; Trey Johnson, Royal; Cassie Davis, Prairie Grove; Heather Keenen, Farmington; Casey Morris, Nashville and Elizabeth Walker, Horatio.

Conference giveaways During ArFB’s state convention Nov. 28-30, any member who purchases a product or service from a ValuePlus vendor receives a free gift. Choose from a tote bag or a camouflage cap, both featuring an ArFB logo (while supplies last).

Health activities at convention The Health and Safety Conference

ArFB President Randy Veach (left) spoke to those attending Sharp Co. FB’s annual meeting on Oct. 8. County President Ken Billiott and State Women’s Committee Chair Sue Billiott welcomed Veach to the get-together in Ash Flat.

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www.arfb.com

at the ArFB Convention will be held Thursday, Nov. 29 from 10:1511:45 a.m. in Room 102 of the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Dr. Susan Weinstein, state public health veterinarian, will speak about occurrences of West Nile virus and rabies in Arkansas this year. There also will be a property protection presentation from Farm Bureau Insurance Assistant State Claims Manager John Bonner and an Ag in the Classroom presentation.

Once again, a Health Fair will be held during the convention,

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A Publication of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

November 9, 2012 • Vol. 15, No. 21

Sew With Cotton luncheon The Sew With Cotton and Women’s Award luncheon will be held Thursday, Nov. 29 at the state convention. Tickets for this event are $15. Please e-mail Autumn Wood at autumn.wood@arfb.com to reserve your tickets, or call 501-228-1306.

Conference checkout Members staying at Embassy Suites during the upcoming ArFB convention in Hot Springs should bear in mind that the hotel’s checkout time is noon each day, and anyone checking out late will incur an additional $50 fee. Please keep this in mind to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Robyn Mulloy, a member of the Brinkley FFA, was special guest speaker at Monroe Co. FB’s annual meeting in Roe on Oct. 9. Also on hand to address the crowd were Miss Monroe County Rice Ashtyn Lowry and county President Carl Frein.

Independence Co. FB president Eddie Wagoner (right) poses with Tom and Margaret Vanemburg, Independence County’s Farm Family of the Year. The Vanemburgs were recognized at the county annual meeting in Batesville Oct. 23.

a horticulture how-to guide and a large cooking dish. As part of this promotion, contestants are following ArFB on Facebook and Twitter.

Taste Arkansas is aimed at people interested in food news, reminding them of the farmers’ constant role in our food-production system.

added in the past two months alone.

Facebook helps ArFB deliver messages directly to people who have an interest in Farm Bureau issues. To become a follower, visit www.facebook.com/ ArkansasFarmBureau.

Facebook followers increase Thanks to some targeted advertising, a great giveaway held in conjunction with the Taste Arkansas blog and high interest in “Ag Fact of the Day” posts in late summer, ArFB’s Facebook page has now exceeded 3,000 followers. More than 1,400 new followers have been

Three horticulturists honored The horticulture department of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture honored two emeritus faculty members and one alumnus on Oct. 18 during ceremonies at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks in Fayetteville. The honorees were Keith Patterson, recipient of the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus Award, Lloyd Martin, recipient of the 2012 Distinguished Service Award, and Gerald Klingaman, recipient of the 2012 Distinguished Service Award.

Patterson, a native of Paris, earned two degrees from UofA, a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1970 and a master’s degree in horticulture in 1978.

He was an extension fruit specialist and horticulture faculty member at UofA from 1988 to 1992. He has since served as a faculty member at California Polytechnic UniversitySan Luis Obispo, in the horticulture and crop science department and as director of viticulture.

He is currently president of Vitis LLC, a vineyard management and consulting company in San Luis Obispo.

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Taste Arkansas anniversary ArFB’s Taste Arkansas food blog, www.tastearkansas.com, just celebrated its one-year anniversary.

Festivities included a giveaway of a Petit Jean Meats gift package,

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Thursday, Nov. 29 from 8 a.m.2 p.m. in Room 103. A wellness screening, which includes blood pressure, blood sugar, BMI, waist circumference, carbon monoxide testing (for smokers) and a complete lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides) will be available for $35. Flu shots will be available for $20.

Legislative chairman Ralph Pinkerton (at podium) gives instructions to candidates at the Garland Co. FB’s Measure the Candidate forum at Lake Hamilton High School Oct. 22. Candidates for the Fourth Congressional District, state House of Representatives and several county positions took part.

ArFB President Randy Veach received an honorary American FFA degree on Oct. 26 at the FFA national convention and expo held in Indianapolis. The award is given to those individuals who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment.

In Arkansas

Water Plan meetings The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission is assessing potential

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Martin was head of the UofA horticulture and forestry department from 1992 to 1995. He provided oversight for the fruit substation in Clarksville and the vegetable substation in Kibler, coordinating the development of the headquarters facility in Kibler. He also coordinated development of a long-range plan for the horticulture department and successfully proposed the development of a postdoctoral position to complement the department’s fruit breeding program.

He has been a UofA emeritus professor since 1996.

Klingaman was employed by the UofA horticulture department from 1974 until his retirement in 2005, dividing his time between Cooperative Extension Service responsibilities and teaching/research tasks. His duties centered on nursery and greenhouse growing. He has written frequently for newspapers, gardening websites and magazines and has delivered numerous speeches to groups around the state. He is an emeritus professor and also director of operations for the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, which has named its planned arboretum in his honor.

More than 100 guests enjoyed an outdoor dinner at Scott Heritage Farm in Scott as part of an “Outstanding in the Field” event Oct. 16. Executive Sous Chef Jeffrey Ferrell and his staff from the Capital Hotel Bar & Grill prepared a meal featuring braised goat and vegetables from central Arkansas farms. revisions to the Arkansas Water Plan.

As part of this effort, the agency will hold a series of meetings around the state this month to obtain input on updating the plan. The public is encouraged to attend.

The meeting schedule is as follows: Nov. 13 Fayetteville University of Arkansas Pauline Whitaker Arena 1335 West Knapp 6:30 – 8 p.m.

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Nov. 15 Jonesboro Arkansas State University Convocation Center 217 Olympic Drive 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Heath and Betsy Long of Tichnor, with daughters Shelby and Sydney, attended the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Ga. in October where Heath, a fourth generation rowcrop farmer in Arkansas County, was a finalist for the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year.

Nov. 27 Little Rock Arkansas Department of Health Auditorium 4815 West Markham Street 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Nov. 29 El Dorado Conference Center 311 South West Avenue 6 – 8 p.m.

To find out more about the Arkansas Water Plan, visit arwaterplan.arkansas.gov or call the ANRC Water Managment Division at (501) 682-3980 .

Thanksgiving dinner up one cent It will cost families only one cent more on average to prepare the traditional Thanksgiving meal this year, due largely to stabilizing prices for frozen turkey and a gallon of whole milk. According to ArFB’s 27th annual survey, it will cost $45.12 for a family of 10, or $4.50 per person, to enjoy the feast. Last year’s average was $45.11.

The statewide average is based on responses from members of ArFB’s Women’s Committee and other volunteers who surveyed food prices at nine supermarkets across the state. They were asked to report the “best in-store price” of 12 items included in the meal.

They are allowed to take advantage of advertised specials, excluding discount coupons and purchase requirements.

Arkansas food prices continue to remain more affordable than elsewhere. American Farm Bureau’s national survey revealed an average cost of $49.48 to prepare the meal.

Editor Keith Sutton

keith.sutton@arfb.com

In the Market As of November 9, 2012:  SOYBEANS have been under pressure ahead of this month’s report as better yields were being seen in some parts of the Midwest. That was confirmed in the November report with yield pushed 1.5 bushels higher, adding 111 million bushels to the projected production. Most of the increase was accounted for by increased use, with the domestic crush rising 20 million bushels, and exports increased 80 million bushels. Projected ending stocks were increased 10 million bushels to 140 million bushels. Early trading closed the July breakaway gap at $14.74, on the January contract. Depending on today’s close, the market could be pushed toward the next support, around $13.90.  CORN report shows minor adjustments from October. Yield, expected by many to decrease, actually increased 0.3 bushels per acre. That added a paltry 19 million bushels to the production projection. Total supply also was boosted by a 25 million bushel increase in imports. The bottom line was projected ending stocks of 647 million bushels, so stocks will remain extremely tight. December futures are continuing to trade in a very tight range between $7.30 and $7.60. A close to either side of the range would indicate further movement in the direction of the breakout, with the next support near $7.05 and resistance between $7.70 and $7.90.  WHEAT numbers in the November report were basically unchanged. USDA did reduce exports 50 million bushels, thus raising projected ending stocks the same amount. After an extended move to the upside new crop,

July fell just short of the $9 mark before closing at its highest level of $8.95 ½ on Thursday before the report. The overnight trading hit $9 but appears at this point, after seeing the lower export number, to be making a potential key reversal top. A lower close today would complete that formation and indicate potential technical selling when trading resumes next week.  RICE received some positive news in today’s report. Yield and production were lowered slightly, while projected exports for all rice were raised 3 million cwt. That was a combination of 4 million cwt. more long grain and a 1 million cwt. cut in medium.

Long grain projected ending stocks reflected the increased use and fell to just 15.1 million cwt. Market reaction has been “underwhelming” so far. However, if we couple the tightening U.S. supply situation with reduced planting potential for 2013, there is a strong possibility of the market firming. There may be a need to encourage additional acreage, and that will take higher price levels if corn and soybeans maintain their positions.  COTTON can’t catch a break. Lower production in the southwest U.S. was offset with good yield bumps in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Arkansas. Even worse were world adjustments, where China’s use

was whittled by 500,000 bales to just 35.5 million bales, down from 46 million bales just two years ago. Projected world stocks were raised another 1.16 million bales to over 80 million bales, putting the stocks to use ratio at 75.5 percent. Numbers like this don’t bode well for building any upward price momentum and suggests it is going to take more than one year of reduced U.S. and world plantings to get stocks back to a more normal situation.  Live CATTLE futures prices are attempting to consolidate.

Firm cash bids coupled with a firmer wholesale beef trade lifted the futures market this week despite weakness in the U.S. stock market. Weekly export sales were a supportive factor. Negative packer margins will likely limit further firming of cash bids.

Nearby December has support near $124.50, while June 2013 has support at $128.75. January feeders are testing support near $144, and a close below that level would open the market to a possible retest of support just above $142.  HOG futures have moved sharply higher in recent days.

Packer margins continue to improve and that should bode well for cash prices, which are showing indications of stabilizing.

February has moved back into position to test long-term resistance in the $86 area.

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.