Arkansas Agriculture - Fall 2014

FALL 2014

Best Young Farmers & Ranchers

Our

Meeting the challenge

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Arkansas Agriculture

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Arkansas Agriculture

3

FALL 2014

Edition 35

F E A T U R E S

Meeting the challenge

by Mollie Dykes | Page 6

C O L U M N S

Farm Bureau Perspective

by Brent Lassiter | Page 3

Faces of Agriculture – Melvin Daniel

by Mollie Dykes | Page 14

Policy Update – Endangered Species Act reform

by Michelle Kitchens | Page 20

Rural Reflections Photo | Page 28

On the cover — The need for younger farmers and ranchers to take on the challenge to feed the world is critical. This issue features some of Arkansas’ best.

Cover girl Alechia Meador and her family raise broilers and cattle. Photo by Keith Sutton.

Executive Editor: Steve Eddington Editor: Gregg Patterson Contributing Writers: Ken Moore, Keith Sutton, Mollie Dykes

2

Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Agriculture

is an official publication of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation.

Arkansas Agriculture is distributed to almost 36,000 farming and ranching households in Arkansas.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Included in membership dues.

Arkansas Farm Bureau Officers: President Randy Veach Manila Vice President Rich Hillman Carlisle Secretary/Treasurer Joe Christian Jonesboro Executive Vice President Rodney Baker Little Rock Directors: Troy Buck, Alpine Jon Carroll, Moro Joe Christian, Jonesboro Terry Dabbs, Stuttgart Sherry Felts, Joiner Mike Freeze, England Bruce Jackson, Lockesburg Tom Jones, Pottsville Johnny Loftin, El Dorado Gene Pharr, Lincoln Rusty Smith, Des Arc Allen Stewart, Mena Leo Sutterfield, Mountain View Joe Thrash, Conway Ex Officio Josh Cureton, Jonesboro Brent Lassiter, Newport Janice Marsh, McCrory Peggy Miller, Lake Village Arkansas Agriculture is published quarterly by the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, 10720 Kanis Road, Little Rock, AR 72211.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Arkansas Agriculture, P.O. Box 31, Little Rock, AR 72203. Issue #35.

Publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. All rights reserved.

Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

The Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation reserves the right to accept or reject all advertising requests.

Send comments to: arkansasagriculture@arfb.com

pcipublishing.com Created by Publishing Concepts, Inc. David Brown, President • dbrown@pcipublishing.com For Advertising info contact Tom Kennedy • 1-800-561-4686 tkennedy@pcipublishing.com Edition 35

Farm Bureau

Perspective

by Brent Lassiter | YF&R Chairman, Arkansas Farm Bureau

A

s I think about the past year, I can truly say the future is bright for Arkansas agriculture and Arkansas Farm Bureau. This encouraging fact is based on the number of young leaders stepping up to fill the shoes of those who have gone before us.

The 2014 Young Farmers & Ranchers conference was a good indicator that interest in agricultural leadership is alive and well. We once again set an attendance record at this event. Presentations by university personnel, as well as other business professionals, addressed current issues in agriculture. The YF&R Committee is striving to place the most current information in front of our members, so they can be as informed as possible and make their operations efficient and profitable.

Welcome additions to the conference are our collegiate Farm Bureau chapters. It’s vitally important to include this group, as they are the next generation of Farm Bureau leaders. The quicker they become involved at the state level the better chance of keeping them involved throughout their adult life. With the collegiate chapters came the addition of the collegiate discussion meet. This event was well received and gave us an opportunity to see how hard they work all year to prepare.

The 2015 conference will possibly be even bigger. We’ve outgrown our previous venue and will move to the Marriot in Little Rock. We’re excited about the opportunity this gives us to expand the conference and provide sessions dedicated to our collegiate chapters, too.

I’d also like to mention our chapters and advisors across the state. I’m always impressed by the hard work and dedication put forth by these young men and women.

They’re building a foundation that will shape who they become as leaders and agriculturalists. They’re learning at a young age the importance of being prepared to feed and clothe our nation and the rest of the world.

The staff and board of Farm Bureau are driven to continue the goal of growing the YF&R program and transitioning those leaders into other positions as they grow older.

Farm Bureau continues to be a great organization for networking for young farmers and ranchers. This network of knowledge is invaluable to anyone trying to find a better, more efficient way to produce and market crops and livestock. Many young leaders brought up through Farm Bureau have taken that knowledge and made a big difference on a local, national and world level.

We also greatly appreciate our state and national legislators for the leadership they’ve provided. Being involved in Farm Bureau has given me the ability to speak comfortably with our representatives no matter what level they serve. We’re provided excellent access to these men and women because of the great history of leadership and respect the name Farm Bureau has.

Now you understand why I’m confident we’re building a great future in the leaders presently being trained in YF&R. My wife Mandi and I are so thankful to experience the opportunity to serve in this capacity. Our prayer is Farm Bureau will remain strong and continue to further the way of life we all love.

Thank you and God bless. *

Arkansas Agriculture

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Arkansas Agriculture

Caleb Plyler and son Huck with one of their show animals. Being able to spend quality time with Huck and his wife Briana is one reason Caleb loves ranching.

Photos by Keith Sutton

These young farmers and ranchers lead by example

by Mollie Dykes

I

n 2050, the world population is expected to exceed 9 billion people.

Farmers and ranchers will have to produce 100 percent more food than today. This year’s Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Achievement Award finalists understand this challenge and are working to meet it. Their understanding of the importance of educating younger generations about agriculture will help ensure the world has food and fiber for years to come.

Caleb and Briana Plyler

Caleb and Briana Plyler own Plyler and Son Charolais in Hope. They have 302 head of registered Charolais cattle on 1,362 acres. Their 3-year-old son, Huck, is a constant fixture by Caleb’s side, working cattle and hay and learning the tricks of the trade.

“The best thing, without a doubt, is when I get to wake up every morning and have my little boy get up with me and we head out,” Caleb said. “All we have to do is worry about figuring out the best way to feed the family.”

Caleb got his start with cattle farming at the age of 5 when his dad gave him his first bottle-fed calf. By 18, he’d built his herd to 22. In 2000, he decided to start raising registered Charolais cattle and started renting 80 acres. He purchased his first piece of property with his brother in 2003 and continued growing the operation from there into what it is now. Caleb’s passion for farming and ranching is evident by simply looking at his farm and seeing what he’s done with it and what he plans to do in the future.

Caleb, Briana and Huck Plyler check their herd of Charolais cattle on their ranch near Hope.

“One thing I’ve always heard people say is do what you love, and I love what I’m doing,” Caleb said.

Caleb also grows hay on 385 acres. He custom bales and cuts hay. The forage production is an important factor in maintaining his cattle operation.

Due to the high cost of hay equipment and keeping

Arkansas Agriculture

713

Kevin Smith poses for a photo with the tens of thousands of broiler chickens in one of his poultry houses near Decatur.

it maintained, he constantly strives to produce above and beyond their forage needs.

“We always try to keep a couple of years supply.

We’re lucky to have plenty of barn space, and we can always keep plenty of hay in the barn,” Caleb said. This strategy was especially critical to the Plylers making it through the drought of 2012.

Caleb and Briana’s goals for the farm include increasing the herd size to 500 within the next five years and hosting their own production sale.

They’ve experienced success with livestock shows and hope to continue that trend. They’ve produced the most dominant show bull in the state junior show circuit, and it went on to become a state champion. They’ve also had a class-winning heifer at the Fort Worth Stock Show.

Off the farm, Caleb and Briana serve in a variety of roles. Caleb serves on the Hempstead County Farm Bureau board, was a voting delegate for Arkansas at the 2014 American

8

Arkansas Agriculture

Farm Bureau National convention, was beef chairman for the Four States Fair and a member of the Southwest District Fair Board. He was also an agriculture education instructor at Blevins until last school year when he decided to farm fulltime.

Briana also farms full-time, assists with the photography contest at the Hempstead County Fair and has attended the YF&R state conference and national American Farm Bureau Federation convention.

Caleb and Briana both say Huck is their best marketing tool. “If you meet him, you’re leaving with a business card in your hand and a bull on your trailer. Guarantee it.”

Kevin and Jacque Smith

Kevin Smith and his wife, Jacque, of Decatur have been raising broilers for 10 years and are presently growing more than 300,000 birds annually. They also own and operate K2J Poultry, Inc.

The Smith family (left to right): Foster daughters Sarah and Brittany, Jacey, Kevin, Jacque and Kylie.

The couple began farming in 2003 when they leased two separate farms. They purchased one of the farms in 2007, which had two broiler houses, and in 2011 purchased the other farm that consisted of one broiler house and 25 acres.

After getting the first two broiler houses, they updated them in order to obtain a grower’s contract.

This included adding cooling cells, quad heaters, grower-select feeders and new water lines. The third broiler house had fogger pads, inlet curtains, infrared brooders and new water lines added. To continue staying up to date with the best management practices, Kevin built a stacking shed partially funded by a Natural Resources Conservation Service grant in 2011 to house the poultry litter.

K2J Poultry Inc. is a full-service poultry supply labor force. “We do service calls, custom installations and contract installations for poultry supply companies in northwest Arkansas, southwest Missouri and northeast Oklahoma,” Kevin said.

The services include retrofits where old equipment such as feeders, drinkers, venting, cooling and heating equipment and electrical and

plumbing are either improved or replaced with upgraded equipment. They also outfit new poultry houses. “We do all of the equipment, electrical and plumbing. We’re just not involved in the construction part of new houses,” Kevin said.

Multiple winners of Grower of the Week awards, Kevin and Jacque continue to set new goals for their farm. Overall, they want to continue being successful through hard work, added technology and making additional improvements to lower average operating costs. They’re presently developing a plan to replace the oldest broiler house with a new house and then add another new house.

Once complete, their operation will expand by 35,000 birds per flock.

Kevin and Jacque are both active in Decatur.

Kevin serves on the Benton County Farm Bureau board, the YF&R Committee and the poultry division. He serves on the school board won the State YF&R Discussion Meet in 2011. Jacque is a school teacher at Decatur Public School and also directs the after-school tutoring program. They’re members of Decatur Assembly of God church.

Arkansas Agriculture

913

Kevin and Jacque are raising four girls: their biological daughters, Jacey, 9 and Kylie, 4; and foster daughters, 18-year-old Brittany and 18-yearold Sarah. Kevin loves the fact the girls are growing up in a lifestyle similar to how he was raised.

“My kids appreciate the American farmer, because they are the American farmer. We’re a family farm,” Kevin said. “Everybody pitches in.”

Alechia Meador

Alechia Meador of Green Forest runs a 403-acre broiler and beef cattle operation. She’s presently producing almost 4 million pounds of broilers per

Alechia and Chris Meador with their four sons (left to right): Cole, Jace, Blaze and Mason.

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Arkansas Agriculture

year and has 100 head of cattle, all while raising four sons who are slowly learning about farm life.

Meador has some of the newest chicken houses in her local integrator complex. She started with three broiler houses in 2003 and has been able to expand to six, making specification improvements each time to help produce an overall better bird.

She also sells litter and has a windrow/cake out service, which helps pay for the equipment needed on the farm.

Having an efficient operation is important to Meador. She has increased efficiency by building fences and purchasing a portable head gate, tractor

and other equipment needed to maintain her land.

More automated equipment also has been installed in the chicken houses, which has drastically decreased the man hours. To cut costs and conserve energy, Meador has installed LED bulbs, energy-efficient fans and solid side walls in all the chicken houses.

“Patience is a very good trait to have when it comes to farming. We have learned to do more with less,” Meador said.

Meador is a certified public accountant, which has given her the knowledge and skills to evaluate the level at which the farm is performing. She says, “. . . the numbers don’t lie.” She has gone as far as determining the income and expenses on each chicken house, so she can see how each house is performing individually and if it would make good financial sense to build another house.

She has set a goal of being named the Tyson Grower of the Year. This is awarded to the highest performing grower each year. She understands the

level of efficiency needed for this and is always looking at ways she can be more efficient to help reach this goal.

Meador serves in a number of roles, including the Carroll County YF&R Committee, the Carroll County CattleWomen’s Association, the Green Forest Agri-Day Committee and leader of the Hickory 4-H Club. She and husband Chris have four children: Mason 7, Jace 5, Cole 3 and infant Blaze.

The Meadors value being able to raise their children on a farm, so they can show them where their food comes from. “It’s getting smaller and smaller, the number of farms out there, so we want to keep the tradition alive,” Alechia said. “We hope to instill the same love for farming in our children and teach them about hard work and dedication, so they can accomplish their goals and dreams. We are proud of the legacy we are creating and hope it can be passed down for many generations to come.” *

During the past 100 years Arkansas State has transitioned from a regional school of agricultural instruction to a comprehensive university. Our mission is to educate, enhance and enrich the lives of our students. Are you ready to make a difference in a growing world? You can by pursuing a degree in Agricultural Business, Agricultural Studies (includes Agricultural Education & Agricultural Systems Technology), Animal Science or Plant and Soil Science in the College of Agriculture & Technology at Arkansas State.

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Faces of Agriculture Melvin Daniel is a long-time mentor and ambassador for all things agriculture. His influence and guidance have inspired others to pursue careers in agriculture education.

Photo by Mollie Dykes

Melvin Daniel

Always a helpful hand

by Mollie Dykes

A

gricultural education instructor. Extension agent.

Cattle farmer. Farm Bureau board member. Melvin Daniel may be retired, but these are just a few of the hats he’s worn throughout a career dedicated to agriculture. And he hasn’t completely hung up those hats.

Daniel continues to stay involved with Lake Hamilton FFA and Garland County 4-H, coaching judging teams, mentoring students and giving

14

Arkansas Agriculture

guidance where needed. His children and grandchildren no longer show livestock, but Daniel’s face is still a common sight at the Garland County Fair, where he offers a helping hand and cheers on the students.

“Mr. Daniel is always willing to help out with anything that needs to be done in our agriculture program. He works with students on different judging contests, helps out with officer candidate interviews, is a member of

our alumni and is always willing to give a word of encouragement to any of our students,” Alex Dykes, agriculture teacher at Lake Hamilton, said.

Daniel’s teaching career began at Glenwood where he taught for two years before starting his 33-year tenure at Lake Hamilton. During his time at Lake Hamilton, he helped produce the school’s first FFA State Officer and first American Degree recipient. He also had a number of state winning teams,

“The technology we use and will be using in the coming years due to climate variations that influence changes in our farming methods make agriculture is everchanging, and you always have to be one step ahead of it ready for the changes.” particularly in agricultural mechanics where he had 13 state winning teams, and more than five state officers.

He also taught a number of people who became ag teachers, including current Lake Hamilton ag teachers Jason Braziel and Alex Dykes. Both say Daniel played a vital role in their decision to teach.

“Mr. Daniel is a teacher who truly wanted his students to succeed in life.

He used raising pigs and working in the shop as a way to get students to help reach their potential,” Braziel said. “He saw value in every student who took his classes. Seeing that, it really helped me realize that I wanted to be in the same profession.”

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“The technology we use and will be using in the coming years due to climate variations that influence changes in our farming methods make agriculture is ever-changing,

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Daniel’s lifelong commitment to agriculture has earned him the Honorary American FFA Degree, the highest honor a non- member can receive. He’ll be presented with the award at the FFA National Convention in October.

Ask anyone in Hot Springs about Melvin Daniel, and you’ll immediately hear about how he influenced their life in one way or another. Daniel’s undying passion and servant heart don’t go unnoticed, and he’s made it clear he doesn’t plan to hang up any of those hats anytime soon. *

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Policy Update

Endangered Species Act reform Why now?

by Michelle Kitchens

O

n Sept. 9, Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach testified in front of the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee about the need for reasonable reform to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Farm Bureau and our allies are working diligently to bring more common sense to the ESA. The findings of a Congressional Working Group earlier this year spurred the introduction of multiple reform bills.

Veach spoke in support of H.R. 4319, the Common Sense in Species Protection Act of 2014 authored by Rep. Rick Crawford (co-sponsored by Reps.

Griffin, Womack and Cotton).

Crawford’s bill would require federal agencies to show full economic justification before placing any land under the protection of a critical habitat designation, which often severely restricts farming and ranching in the affected area.

“If overzealous enforcement of federal laws, such as the ESA, were to hinder, disrupt or further burden our farmers and ranchers, we will not be able to sustainably raise the crops and livestock necessary to feed the 7 billion people currently on our planet, much less the 9 billion projected by 2050,” Veach said in his testimony.

Presently, more than 700 miles of rivers and streams in our state are being considered for critical habitat for

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Arkansas Agriculture

the rabbitsfoot mussel and the Neosho mucket, and 31 counties in Arkansas could be impacted. Roughly 90 percent of these river miles pass through private property. These species are only the beginning of the discussion on endangered or threatened aquatic species in the South. In September 2011, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced it was reviewing the status of 374 aquatic species that in its view “may warrant” listing under ESA. Each of these species could command the

designation of habitat that will require restrictions on the land. Sometimes the designated habitat isn’t even inhabited by the affected species. It just “could be” habitat.

The ESA was created in 1973 to preserve, protect and recover key domestic species. Since that time, more than 1,500 U.S. species and subspecies have been listed. Most species remain on the list. The ESA was last reauthorized in 1988. Since its creation, the law has often become a tool to stop developments or highways, force a halt

Support for ESA reform is far from universal, but there is belief that legislation could gain momentum. With bipartisan support in the Senate from Pryor and Boozman and the full attention of the House Natural Resources Committee, change can happen. to timber harvests or compel changes in the land use practices of private landowners. The species protected by the law often become little more than a means to an end.

Lawsuits steal dollars that could be used for species conservation and force regulations that hamstring land use. Bills like H.R. 4319 and S. 2729, sponsored by Sens. Pryor and Boozman, would force the USFWS to calculate the real economic impact of listing species.

Farmers and ranchers are calling for reform of the ESA. Support for ESA reform is far from universal, but there is belief that legislation could gain momentum. With bipartisan support in the Senate from Pryor and Boozman and the full attention of the House Natural Resources Committee, change can happen. Farm Bureau members should encourage our congressional delegation to keep pushing for change in the Endangered Species Act. Reform is attainable if landowners remain engaged. *

Arkansas Agriculture

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14-225 Arkansas Farm Bureau magazine ad 4 of 4.indd 1

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22

Arkansas Agriculture

SeaMineralsFA Fertilizer & Animal Minerals

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See us featured on American Farmer. Just go to our website .

TASTE ArkAnsAs.com from farm to table

Food, like nothing else, brings us together. After all, everyone eats.

On Taste Arkansas, a food blog by Arkansas Farm Bureau, this simple truth is connecting those interested in food production with the farmers and ranchers who provide us with an abundance of Arkansas agricultural products.

Arkansas Agriculture

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Notice of annual meeting

Of the members of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

N

otice is hereby given that the annual meeting of

even year and one-half of the positions in each odd year.

the members of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

Any paid up member of a member county Farm Bureau

will be held at 8 a.m., Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, in

shall be eligible to serve as a director. Provided, however, no

Horner Hall at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

The purpose of this meeting is to elect a board of directors

more than one member of any county Farm Bureau shall be eligible to serve at the same time on the Board of Directors.

for the ensuing year, to vote on a proposed bylaw change and

Directors may serve one or more subsequent terms by

an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, and for the

reelection. Each Farm Bureau District shall at all times be

transaction of such other business as may properly come

entitled to at least two positions on the Board of Directors.

before the meeting.

The following amendment to the Articles of The following amendment to the bylaws, as indicated in italics, will be proposed: Article IV – Section 2. Number, Tenure and Qualifications: The number of Directors of the Federation

Incorporation will be proposed: Ninth Article of the Articles of Incorporation, which currently reads as follows: “NINTH: The name and address of the registered agent of

shall be established from time to time by the Board of

this Corporation is Ewell Welch, Farm Bureau Center, PO

Directors, but in no event shall be less than fourteen (14).

Box 31, 10720 Kanis Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203.”

The Directors shall be elected by the voting delegates of the

Shall be amended to read as follows:

Federation at their annual meeting. Each Director shall serve

“NINTH: The name and address of the registered agent of

until his or her successor is elected and shall have qualified.

this Corporation is Rodney Baker, Farm Bureau Center, PO

Each Director shall hold office for a term of two (2) years;

Box 31, 10720 Kanis Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203.”

provided; however, that the terms shall be staggered such that one-half of the positions shall be up for election in an

Rodney Baker, Executive Vice President

Of the members of Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc.

N

otice is hereby given that the annual meeting

The purpose of this meeting is to elect a board of directors

of the members of Farm Bureau Mutual

for the ensuing year and for the transaction of such other

Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc. will be

business as may properly come before the meeting.

held at 1 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, at the Embassy Suites, Hot Springs.

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Arkansas Agriculture

®

Joe Christian, Secretary

30 YEARS www.nlrchamber.org

43

J

Advocate. From anywhere.

Updated phone & tablet apps make advocating for Arkansas agriculture easier than ever before.

Joe Thrash

Officials & Agencies Sherry zFelts Handy access to contact information for state constitutional officers and agency heads.

z U.S. Congress z Issues Keep yourself informed with up-to-date information on important farm policy issues.

26

Arkansas Agriculture

Get it on

Use our app to make your voice heard. We’ve made it easier than ever to share your opinions on agriculture issues with your Representatives and Senators.

Keith Sutton

The “Government” section of our app gives you quick access to contact information for every member of the Arkansas General Assembly.

You can call or email their offices straight from the app.

Keith Sutton

z State Legislature

Enter the Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Ag Contest, ®

and you could end up behind the wheel of a Polaris

• The YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Contest is designed for the individual or couple who have agriculture interests and are active in Farm Bureau, but derive the majority of their income away from the farm. For additional details, call 501-228-1247. The deadline for entry is Nov.15.

The winner receives a Polaris Ranger UTV and a John Deere riding lawn mower. Applications are at www . arfb.com/get-involved/young_fr/excellence.

• John Deere has grown to become the world’s leading agriculture equipment manufacturer and is posed for a strong future by remaining true to their four core values of quality, commitment, innovation and integrity. Deere is committed to those linked to the land by not only provid-

Ranger.

ing quality agriculture equipment and services, but by also being a world leader in the forestry, construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation industries.

• The Farm Credit mission is to provide reliable credit and related services to agricultural producers and rural home owners. For almost a century, Farm Credit has been rock solid and controlled by the members it serves. Statewide, AgHeritage Farm Credit Services, Farm Credit Midsouth and Farm Credit of Western Arkansas serve members with competitively expertise in lending and a patronage program.

Enter ArFB’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet Contest, and you could end up behind the wheel of a About the contest: Arkansas Farm Bureau’s YF&R Discussion Meet is a discussion contest related to issues that affect U.S. agriculture. The contest will be Dec. 3 in Hot Springs. Deadline for entry is Nov. 24. The winner will win the use of any Kubota tractor for one year and their choice of a Kawasaki Mule or a Honda 4x4 ATV (ATV sponsored by Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company). Contact your county Farm Bureau office or visit www.arfb.com/get-involved/young_fr/discussion for more info.

new Kubota. ®

About the tractor: Kubota continues to introduce new models of rugged, dependable, user-friendly tractors in their 43–118 pto horse power M series tractors. The new Grand X Cab boasts one of the largest cabs in its class. Kubota has increased both interior height and width to provide a more spacious feel. Wide opening doors provide easier access while the unobstructed ceiling and fully flat floor guarantee more head and legroom for a higher level of comfort even during long hours behind the wheel.

Go to www.kubota.com to learn more.

SPONSORED BY KUBOTA.

Arkansas Agriculture

13 27

RuralReflections

In a field as white as snow, a cotton picker works to bring in this year’s harvest.

Photographer Keith Sutton captured this image on a farm near Bay Village in Poinsett County.

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Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Agriculture

29

Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Little Rock, AR Permit No. 1884

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