arfb.com
Winter 2014
Combating Grain Bin Wire
Theft
I n s tal l an e l e c tron i c “ sn it ch ”
New Ag Hall of Fame class
On top of most current offers, here’s an extra bonus 1 for Farm Bureau members.
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Winter 2014
Inside...
VOLUME 11 Issue 1
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Combating grain bin wire theft by Steve Eddington Ag Hall of Fame inductees by Bricen Pace
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Farm Bureau Perspective by Randy Veach Faces of Agriculture — Sunni Wise by Gregg Patterson Policy Update by Michelle Kitchens New State Board Member Profiles — Thrash and Felts add talents by Bricen Pace Rural Reflections Photo On the cover — Metal theft, particularly copper wire, continues to be a problem on farms. Three Lonoke County farmers have teamed up to help curb it at grain bin facilities. The article begins on page 4.
4 12
Executive Editor: Steve Eddington Editor: Gregg Patterson Contributing Writers: Ken Moore, Keith Sutton, Chris Wilson Research Assistant: Brenda Gregory
3 18 22 26 28
Farm Bureau
Arkansas Agriculture
Perspective
is an official publication of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation. Arkansas Agriculture is distributed to almost 42,000 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
by Randy Veach, President Arkansas Farm Bureau
W
We’ve talked about the need for a new farm bill for so long that my personal opinion
of the “farm bill” has encompassed a full set of emotions, including anger, despair, disgust, anxiety, concern, and – finally – relief. President Obama has signed a new five-year farm bill, cobbled together by a conference
committee from the vastly different bills passed in 2013 by the House and Senate. I want to thank those members of the Arkansas delegation who voted for passage. They understand sustainable agriculture can only be achieved if long-term stability and profitability are part of the equation. Sen. John Boozman and Rep. Rick Crawford of Arkansas were among the conferees who worked diligently to bring about a compromise bill. This is far from a perfect bill, with many of the historic safety net programs used in the Midsouth now removed. But, frankly, the certainty of the new legislation is needed for our farmers and ranchers. Having a five-year program, as opposed to year-by-year or ad-hoc programs, was imperative, particularly as we go about making planting and livestock decisions for the coming year. The farm bill continues to be attacked from those unfamiliar with its general purpose. You, in fact, may have been asked to defend the programs. In a nutshell, the purpose of federal farm policy is to help ensure the availability and safety of the United States’ food supply. It does that by helping farmers and ranchers ride the uncertainties of world market forces, weather and government intervention. Bringing stability to the farm helps ensure production capacity remains in place and dulls some of the risk farmers and ranchers routinely face. The federal farm bill is not something we should be ashamed of but something we
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 #32.
should be happy to defend and explain to those who question its value and purpose.
Publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
Those direct payments were crucial for many Midsouth farmers, particularly those who rely
The Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation reserves the right to accept or reject all advertising requests. Send comments to: arkansasagriculture@arfb.com
There are several things of note included in the 2014 farm bill, including more than $7 billion for livestock producers through conservation (EQIP, etc.), disaster and grazing programs. The new legislation expands federal crop insurance and eliminates direct payments. heavily on irrigation. We see an opportunity to work with USDA’s Risk Management Agency to develop a crop-insurance program that will work for irrigated crops. As it stands now, the expansion of crop insurance doesn’t help the majority of Midsouth row-crop farmers. The proposed reference prices in this farm bill won’t replace the safety net that direct payments provided, but at least it will help. We are pleased the legislation preserves the farm bill’s permanent law tenets. It also maintains the historic connection between commodity and nutrition programs. These were issues for which Farm Bureau worked diligently to include in the legislation. We believe the linking of the commodity and nutrition programs is natural, and obvious, where the production of food and the feeding of those in need are appropriately connected.
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 32
Farmers make a living adapting to changes, whether they are market forces, improvements in technology or weather. We’ll have to adjust to this new farm bill, for sure. But I believe in the resourcefulness of our farmers and ranchers. God bless you and your families. God bless the farmers and ranchers. And God bless Farm Bureau.
Œ„´*
Arkansas Agriculture
3
Local far mers create
device to combat wire thef t
System notifies owners when wires cut, electrical system compromised by Steve Eddington
4
Arkansas Agriculture
F
Faced with a copper wire theft epidemic on grain bin
facilities, three Lonoke County farmers have uncovered, and are now marketing, a theft detection system they believe will yield dramatic results in the fight against wire theft. Farmers Scott Mitchell, Matt Schafer and Jerry Kelly were
each victims of copper theft on their grain bin facilities – Kelly several times. They tried to think of ways to thwart the thieves who had figured out how to beat camera monitoring systems and other theft deterrents. They also spoke to law enforcement to understand their rights and limitations in protecting their property. Schafer went as far as staking out his farm at night. “I’d have dinner, put the kids to bed and get out there about midnight,” Schaefer recalled. “I had the perfect spot at a crossroads on our farm, where I could see anyone coming or going in any direction.” He says he had the sheriff department’s number programmed into his phone in one hand and a gun in his other hand for protection. Problem was, after a long day on the farm, Schaefer kept falling asleep. “I’d wake up and say ‘where the heck am I?’ So I’m telling myself ‘this isn’t fun, it’s probably not very safe, either.’ Finally, I told myself ‘I’m not doing this anymore,’” he said. “But I knew there had to be something out there – some sort of technology – that could help us with this problem.” In the darkness of one of those stakeout nights last May, Schafer reached for a piece of technology he had with him, an iPad, and typed into the search bar how to stop copper wire theft, agriculture. What popped up in the returns ultimately led him, Mitchell and Kelly to the technology they’ve now incorporated into a product they call BinSnitch.
Arkansas Agriculture
5
An Indiana-based company named Net Irrigate had already created a wireless irrigation monitoring system that included the ability to notify owners when copper wiring was cut on centerpivot irrigation systems. Seeing an opportunity to transfer that technology to their problem with copper wire theft on grain bin systems, Schaefer and Mitchell began a series of conversations with the owners of Net Irrigate. After several months of discussion and a visit to Arkansas, Net Irrigate’s general manager, Edward DeSalle, came up with system tweaks that would allow deployment of his technology in a grain bin environment. “If you cut a wire or in any way break a connection, the BinSnitch immediately sends notice,” said Mitchell, who was the first to have the system installed on his grain bins last July. “It sends notice out to 10 different numbers through a cell phone connection.” Mitchell says it logs the GPS coordinates where the device is located and sends out an email, text or voicemail message. “You can program your home number, your cell number, the sheriff’s office, your neighbor, your farm help, whoever,” he said. “Any number you program into it. “We think this can be a big help to law enforcement. We want the copper thieves to know there is a deterrent that wasn’t there before.” Mitchell says the thought of those who engage in metal theft is
Steve Eddington
an irritant to his sensibilities.
6
Arkansas Agriculture
Build a better mousetrap (from left to right) Farmers Jerry Kelly, Matt Schafer and Scott Mitchell teamed with Edward DeSalle to develop the BinSnitch system to help thwart copper wire theft at grain bin sites.
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“You know, I’ve got to get up every day, I’ve got to put a crop in, I’ve got to get a crop out, and I’ve got a family I want to see. I do those things, because it’s the life I’ve chosen,” he said. “But it’s not right for a guy to take the wire out of my bins, take it to a scrap yard and get paid in cash and not pay taxes on it. This guy doesn’t have a real job, doesn’t have to pass a drug test, and the next thing he does is wait until I fix the wiring in my grain bins and then hits me again. I don’t like a copper thief.” Kelly, who runs a law practice in Carlisle and continues to direct, along with his brother, the family’s farming operation, understands the difficulty in getting a conviction in metal theft cases. “I’ve been a special prosecutor. I’ve been a judge, and I practice law,” Kelly said. “I know what it takes to bring about prosecution. And that’s not easy (with this type of theft), and there’s good reason for that.” He says just having a photo of someone at your grain bins doesn’t automatically mean a conviction. “You have to prove a person is guilty of a criminal act beyond a reasonable doubt. With the epidemic of metal theft we have, the police are getting a bad rap for not catching these people, but they’re just as frustrated as anyone,” Kelly said. “They’re tired of pulling up and seeing the plastic clippings from the wire casing that has been cut and having a mad landowner, because they haven’t caught somebody. They know they
Wire theft The amount of copper wire used at grain bin sites along with the sites’ remote but accessible setups make them targets for thieves.
8
Arkansas Agriculture
Keith Sutton
need something more.”
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Arkansas Agriculture
9
Keith Sutton
More than pictures It can take more than photos of thieves to successfully get a conviction for wire theft. The BinSnitch system can alert farm owners and law enforcement when a theft is in progress, raising the chances that thieves are caught in the act.
Kelly says they knew Farm Bureau had worked in the legislature last session to get more teeth in metal
pictures of people hauling off your
something that took the control out
stuff.
of the thieves’ hands.”
“First off, we want to help the
The BinSnitch system is available
theft laws with only minimal success.
farmer. I cannot stand to think there
for $2,750 per unit. There are no
“We were concerned that our law
are people out there sitting up at
monthly monitoring fees, and the
enforcement didn’t have the tools
night to guard their grain bins,”
system operates on a battery with
needed to really impact metal theft,”
Mitchell said. “When that happens,
a three- to five-year power supply.
he said.
the cost of repair is far more
Mitchell says they’ve installed dozens
expensive than the wire that’s been
of units across Arkansas, with the
stolen. It’s devastating.
ability to go nationwide with the
They believe the BinSnitch system can help both the farmer and law enforcement.
“We’ve got enough sense to know
product. Those interested in finding
there’s going to come a time when
out more about the BinSnitch should
many of these BinSnitch devices can
Farm Bureau says it can’t afford to
contact AgSecure at 105 Park Street,
we get out there to stop this metal
insure your bins anymore or the cost
Suite B, Carlisle, AR 72024, or by
theft?” Mitchell said. “We believe
of that insurance is going to get so
calling (870) 552-5000.
this is going to help. You can get
high we can’t afford it,” Mitchell
cameras. But cameras are going to get
said. “We knew we had to do
“We want to make this work. How
10
Arkansas Agriculture
Arkansas Farm Bureau paid claims in excess of $1 million for copper-
theft losses on grain bins, irrigation
Ag Chemicals Direct to the farm
equipment and farm buildings in 2013, with losses exceeding $2 million during the past three years. Nationally, Net Irrigate estimates wire theft accounted for more than $1 billion dollars in losses in 2013. As a way to counter some of those losses, Arkansas Farm Bureau will waive an insured’s deductible up to $1,000 on claims where a copper theft loss occurs and BinSnitch was properly installed at the time of the loss. this can bring to a farmer, you can’t put a dollar value on that,” Kelly said. “One thing I know, these copper thieves are sort of like lightning. You know they’re going to hit, but you don’t know when, “At least now, with BinSnitch, you’ve got a fighting chance with the thieves.”
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Arkansas Agriculture
11
Ag Hall of Fame inductees New group to be honored
T
by Bricen Pace
Berry made sure President Clinton
Louisiana State University and
Fame will induct six individuals
was well versed on agricultural issues
a master’s in forestry from Yale
whose leadership and service have
affecting Arkansas and the rest of
University.
brought distinction to Arkansas
the country. His efforts resulted in
In the 1950s, Darling was a
agriculture, the state’s largest industry.
policy implementation promoting
young forester working for the
agriculture, trade and rural
Fordyce Lumber Company where
prosperity.
he pioneered the first landowner
The Arkansas Agriculture Hall of
The group will be honored at the
26th annual induction luncheon, 11:30 a.m., March 7 in the
assistance program, a new
to the United States House of
innovation in the forest industry at
Embassy Suites Hotel. Luncheon
Representatives for Arkansas’ 1st
the time. This program combined a
tickets are $35 each and are available
Congressional District, winning by
forester’s knowledge with landowners
by calling (501) 228-1470 or email
a small margin. But in the next six
struggling to make ends meet
aghalloffame@arfb.com.
elections, Berry would win with close
following the Great Depression and
to two-thirds of the vote or more.
World War II. The program helped
During this time, he was a major
farmers generate a supplemental
R. Marion Berry
advocate for lifting the trade ban on
income from their farm woodlots
earning a
Cuba, so Arkansas rice farmers could
through scientifically based forest
pharmacy
regain trade opportunities. Berry was
management and improve the value
degree from
a member of multiple committees
of their property while improving
the University
and a champion for agriculture
the forestland’s health and
of Arkansas, R.
throughout his House tenure; among
productivity.
Marion Berry,
those being on the House Agriculture
71, always has
Committee, where he helped write
Fordyce Lumber Company, Darling
had farming
the 2002 farm bill. Berry served in
continued his landowner assistance
Congress until 2011.
efforts, further expanding the
Despite
in his blood and used practices
When Georgia-Pacific bought the
learned on the farm to become
program. At the peak of Darling’s
an influential political figure in
career, he was responsible for
Arkansas agriculture. The Arkansas
managing 3 million acres of Georgia-
County rice and soybean farmer from Gillett would eventually travel to Washington, D.C. to promote agriculture worldwide.
O.H. “Doogie” Darling O.H. “Doogie”
Pacific timberland, delivering wood to 28 forest production mills in eight states. After retiring from Georgia-Pacific,
Darling, 85,
Darling served on the Deltic Timber
Berry to the Arkansas Soil and Water
of Crossett, is
Corporation’s Board of Directors for
Conservation Commission where
a well-known
12 years. Darling has been a member
he served from 1986 to 1994. When
name in forestry
of the Arkansas Forestry Association
Clinton won the White House, he
in southern
for almost 50 years and served as its
brought Berry to Washington with
Arkansas.
president in 1988 to 1989. He is also
him, appointing him as his special
Darling earned
a member of the Arkansas Foresters’
Governor Bill Clinton appointed
12
In 1996, Berry won election
Ambassador Ballroom of Little Rock’s
assistant for Agricultural Trade and
his forestry technician certificate
Hall of Fame and mentored many
Food Assistance, and as a presidential
from Arkansas A&M College (now
young foresters throughout the state.
advisor on the White House
the University of Arkansas at
Domestic Policy Council during
Monticello). He went on to earn a
Clinton’s first term. In these roles,
bachelor’s degree in forestry from
Arkansas Agriculture
Ruben H. Johnson
and securing a $904,000 grant to
farming his best rice ground year
study broiler production. As a result
after year. He also pioneered zero-
graduating from
of that grant, four broiler houses
grading of rice fields when he
the University
were constructed in Savoy for broiler
noticed how long it took for water
of Arkansas
research.
to drain from a traditional sloped
After
in 1955 with
Johnson retired in 1988 and
contour levee system. Zero-grading
a degree in
moved to Magazine where he uses
allowed the field to drain water
animal science,
his Extension experience to obtain
quicker in four directions rather than
Ruben H.
grants for local organizations, such as
the one sloped direction found in
Johnson joined
the Magazine Rural Fire Department,
a traditional rice levee system. This
the University
Booneville Development Corporation
led to extensive water conservation
of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
and the town of Magazine. He’s a
benefits. Isbell and his sons were the
Service as associate county agent in
Korean War veteran and retired from
first to do this in Arkansas.
Washington County. While Johnson,
the Arkansas Army National Guard as
now 83, began his career at the local
a colonel in 1984.
It took a trip to California by Isbell’s son, Chris, to get involved
level, he quickly was promoted to
in another rice-growing innovation.
the state office after two years.
Chris met a Japanese man, who claimed that Koshihikari, a Japanese
While in Washington County, Johnson started the 4-H pullet chain funded by the Sears-Roebuck Foundation. His work with poultry
Leroy Isbell
rice variety, couldn’t be farmed outside of Japan. Father and son With
took on the challenge, successfully
in Washington County led to his
innovations in
cultivating the Japanese variety and
promotion to UACES Poultryman in
the rice industry
taking it to market in the U.S. and
1957. Johnson’s accomplishments
never before
eventually Japan when it opened
included his educational work on
attempted
trade for rice imports.
broiler production and the initiation
by anyone in
of some of the earliest work on
Arkansas or
to his family farm wanting to
proper use of poultry litter.
the U.S., Leroy
improve their own rice-growing.
Isbell, 89, of
The Isbell family is well respected
After working as poultryman for
Isbell’s successes bring visitors
seven years, Johnson was promoted
England, pioneered methods making
and recognizable in Japan where
to two divisional positions for the
his name internationally recognized.
the family’s picture adorns the rice
Southwest District: district resource
Isbell’s innovations during a 55-year
products it sells there.
development specialist (1964-70)
career are widely accepted today.
and district agent (1970-75). In
Isbell first learned about rice
1975, Johnson became UACES State
farming from GI bill classes he
Leader for Agriculture where he had
attended after leaving the Navy. He
administrative responsibility for
began with 40 acres, paying for the
35 counties. Under his leadership,
first crop with his GI bill paycheck.
specialists and agents increased
In1959, Isbell purchased 900 acres
in agricultural
educational programs, such as
— then in use for fish production —
practices are
research verification programs in
and modified it for rice.
necessary for
various commodities. With the latest
Isbell rebelled against the
Keith Lusby Innovations
agriculture
research available, production yields
common rice-growing practices like
and livestock
increased and production costs
rotating rice crops in fields to lessen
production to
decreased.
the impact of red rice problems.
grow. Moreover,
Johnson’s major accomplishments
He found that by water seeding his
the methods and
were his appointment to the position
rice crops, he controlled red rice
facilities used in educating students
of UACES Acting Director in 1981
problems so well he could continue
should be innovative, too. Keith
Arkansas Arkansas Agriculture Agriculture
13 13
S. Lusby, 66, of Fayetteville, who earned an animal science doctorate degree at Oklahoma State University, returned to Arkansas after 19 years in extension, research and teaching at OSU to lead the University of Arkansas’ Department of Animal
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Science. During his UA tenure, Dr. Lusby built the animal science department into a national powerhouse with rebuilding and renovation projects that increased jobs, graduates and educational standards. More than $10 million in facilities construction and improvements included the building of the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center and the Dorothy E. King Equine Pavilion, as well as complete renovation of research facilities at Fayetteville and rebuilding the research station
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at Batesville. The Animal Science Building was also renovated. New scholarship endowments were added to support an intense effort to increase enrollment. With new scholarship endowments increasing
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more than $850,000, undergraduate enrollment increased from 85 to more than 200. To support the increased enrollment, 12 new positions were created for research, teaching and extension. In the effort to excell, Dr. Lusby made decisions that would benefit future students. Lusby closed two dairies and the bull test program, which shifted research away from large beef herds to a diversified mix of swine, beef cows, stocker, feeders, dairy replacement heifers and horses. Dr. Lusby is an active member of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association and Foundation where he was
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Providing Well and Pump Service for over 30 Years 14
Arkansas Agriculture
awarded the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association Producer Education Award in 2013.
J. Keith Smith Taking a oneroom feed store with an incubator and turning it into a multi-million dollar business, the late J. Keith Smith of Hot Springs, pioneered
Arkansas Women in Agriculture 2014 Conference, March 13—14 (Op onal Tour - March 12)
Riverfront Wyndham, North Li le Rock
the development of the broiler industry in southern and eastern Arkansas. Keith
For complete conference details, www.arkansaswomeninag.com.
Smith Company, Inc. was among the first multifunction corporations in the broiler industry before it became the standard. Smith put together a hatchery, broiler parent stock, feed milling and live growout to provide product to some of the first commercial processing plants built in the southern and eastern parts of the state. During the early years of the Arkansas poultry business, Smith provided broiler chicks, live broilers and broiler hatching eggs to companies, allowing them to focus on other operations beyond the initial stage of chick production. This provided stability and growth for the poultry industry. Now, 38,000 Arkansans are employed by the poultry industry, and it contributes more than $3.3 billion dollars to the state’s economy. Smith helped provide parent stock for the central U.S. that would produce hundreds of millions of broilers. As a result, Smith is credited with aiding in the development of the emerging markets of products like range-fed, organic, Amishgrown and kosher chickens. His company also provided hatching eggs for export
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markets, allowing poultry company expansion into Latin America. Smith went to great lengths to assist
K i m Bra ck ett Cow-calf producer
employees, customers and members of the community if they were having difficulties. Smith also helped with Arkansas Foodbank, Starting Over Ministries, and World Vision. Smith founded the Keith Smith Company,
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Arkansas Agriculture
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Arkansas Agriculture
17
Faces of Agriculture
Sunni Wise All about ag by Gregg Patterson
S
Sunni Wise, 18, is young,
vivacious and all about ag. The Southern Arkansas University freshman is majoring in agriculture education. She’s also fully immersed this school year in ag issues as the 2013-14 state secretary for FFA. For Sunni Wise, it’s all about ag; strange, coming from a girl who didn’t grow up on a farm or get interested in agriculture until high school. The ag bug bit the Bismarck High Keith Sutton
School graduate in ninth grade. “I signed up for my first ag class, because some of my friends were showing goats. I thought that was really cool,” Wise said.
All ag to the bone Sunni Wise is completing her freshman year at Southern Arkansas University. The agriculture major is busy with school work, as well as her duties as FFA grade, and I absolutely fell in love Secretary/Treasurer. “I didn’t show a goat until 10th with all of it.” She showed goats the rest of high
“Sunni, I think you’d make a great ag
intelligently about agriculture issues.
school and got involved with FFA. “I
education teacher.” She says she brushed
“Farm Bureau is an asset to FFA but
found my passion. No matter where you
it off, but then got to thinking seriously
just like FFA, Farm Bureau is only as strong
come from or what you do, you can be
about it.
as its members are,” Wise said. “So Farm
something, be who you want to be and
“My entire life I wanted to work with
Bureau can look to FFA, and FFA can
work toward success in the FFA,” Wise
animals, which would be an ag teacher. I
look to Farm Bureau for strength. They’re
said. “You don’t have to be a farmer or a
wanted to work with kids, which would
beneficial to each other like a symbiotic
scientist who’s going to create the next
be an ag teacher,” she said. “And I wanted
relationship, and the result is both are
generation of soybeans to feed the world.
to make a difference. What other job can
helping the agriculture industry.”
You can just be you and bring what you
you have to make a difference in the lives
have to the table. And I like the aspect of
of people to help build them up into the
agriculture, that’s what Sunni Wise is all
being in the FFA, and I like that you can
people they want to be?”
about. She says her FFA experience has
make a difference in the field of agriculture no matter what you’re doing.” Originally, Sunni thought she wanted to be a veterinarian. Then she realized that wasn’t it. She wanted to be around
Helping spread the good word about
It was then she knew she was going
even helped her teach her family about ag.
to be an ag teacher. “I’m really interested
She’s even managed to get her 14-year-old
in Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom
brother interested in agriculture.
program,” she said. Through FFA, she’s become familiar
“My little brother, Baylen, sent me a text recently ‘Sister I joined ag’ when he
animals, she wanted to help people,
with Arkansas Farm Bureau. Sunni was
joined FFA,” Wise said. “He’s 14 now and
and she wanted to make a difference. In
a Discussion Meet winner while in high
has wanted to be a farmer since he was 12.
eleventh grade, her ag teacher told her,
school, proof of her skill in speaking
How cool is that?”
18
Arkansas Agriculture
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LOCATION: 1059 N. 190th St., Arcadia, KS. DIRECTIONS: From Fort Scott, KS, go south on Hwy. 69, 12 miles to County Road 720, turn west, go 1 mile to T in road, then right 1/2 mile, then left 1-1/2 miles to sale. Watch for auction signs.
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ROUND BALE WRAPPER/SYSTEMS 3 Tubeline all hydraulic hay trailers, model 80TX2; 2 Tubeline single or double wrap wrappers, model 800wx2 BANK LETTER must accompany personal or company checks. BID BY PHONE: You must register prior to auction by faxing a copy of your check and bank letter. You may bid by phone on day of auction. TO BID CALL: 620-404-0050 OR 620-404-9296 OR 417-300-9904 BID BY FAX: You may submit your bid by faxing a copy of your check and bank letter. (No fax bids will be accepted later than 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2014. BID BY FAX: 820-362-3389.
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Arkansas Agriculture
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Remember
Moving forward - Growing stronger in research, teaching and service!
For more information: (870) 972-2085 AState.edu/CoAT AState.CoAT @AStateCoAT
Share Your Thoughts • facebook.com/ArkansasFarmBureau • youtube.com/ArkansasFarmBureau • twitter.com/ARFB • www.arfb.com
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Arkansas Agriculture
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Policy Update Take advantage of ag tax cuts Certify now by Michelle Kitchens
D
During the 2013 legislative session,
the Arkansas General Assembly passed several tax cuts for agriculture. The legislature is to be commended for their attention to the state’s largest industry and the farmers who live in their districts. The diverse tax cut package included something for almost all segments of agriculture, from cattlemen to forestry. The largest agriculture tax cut was Act 1441 championed by Reps. Jeff Wardlaw of Warren and Jon Eubanks of Paris and Sen. Larry Teague of Nashville. The bill had enormous bipartisan support, with more than 80
exclusively serve the agriculture purpose
collecting taxes and will not apply the
legislators cosponsoring the bill. Act
or they aren’t eligible. If you don’t
exemption without proper certification.
1441 created a sales tax exemption for
already have the necessary certification
electricity, propane and natural gas used
form, download it from the Arkansas
big savings. Next time you see your
in poultry, cattle, dairy, horticulture,
Farm Bureau website, www.arfb.com, or
legislator, thank them for making this
swine and aquaculture facilities and
if you don’t have access to the Internet,
exemption possible. It’s important to
operations. That exemption took
contact Farm Bureau at 501-228-1229 or
let them know farmers appreciate their
effect on Jan. 1, and sign up for the
visit your local Farm Bureau office.
support. A similar exemption (Act 1401
exemption is ongoing. Act 1441 will
Farmers will need their meter and
It’s a simple process that leads to
by Sen. Dismang) for grain drying and
save farmers approximately $11 million
tank numbers, the physical location
storage will take effect on July 1. Those
annually. Economists estimate poultry
of the farm where the utilities are
meters will need to be certified through
farms will save about $600 per house
delivered, some tax identification
a similar process this spring.
per year.
information and your NAICS code. After
These tax cuts happened through the
the Arkansas Department of Finance and
efforts of our farmers who let legislators
for this exemption, you’ll need to
Administration receives the completed
know the legislation was important and
certify your meter and propane
forms, they’ll mail an official certificate
legislators who listened and kept the
tanks with the state. This is a simple
that indicates your farm is eligible for
pressure up at the capitol. In a time when
process and prevents people from
the exemption. Share copies of this
many are down on elected officials, it’s
claiming the exemption when they
certificate with all your utility providers.
good to be able to say thanks for the
aren’t eligible. Tanks or meters must
Those providers are responsible for
many good things they do.
If you think your farm is eligible
22
Arkansas Agriculture
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Arkansas Agriculture
23
Right there with you. Updated phone & tablet apps allow you to take our farm friendly resources practically anywhere.
z News
z Member Benefits
With access to farm and food news from around the world, being an informed Arkansas Farm Bureau member is easier than ever.
Handy access to ID numbers and everything else you need to take advantage of our ValuePlus savings.
NEW!
z Government z Weather
The latest developments on policy debates that affect our nation’s food security. Coming soon: A legislator and agency database with quick-contact functionality.
Location-specific weather reporting from Telvent DTN contains all the agro-meteorological metrics a farmer could need, plus five-day forecast and radar.
z Quotes Commodity futures and cash market prices updated every 10 minutes. Our unique interface allows you to customize which quotes you get.
24
Arkansas Agriculture
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One thing will always be true about farming:
Conditions change. From weather, to soil, to technology, you have a lot to keep up with. Thankfully, you’ve got real insurance that keeps up with you. If there’s anything you need to know, just call us. You’ll always have questions. Your Farm Bureau agent always has answers.
Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc. Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, Jackson MS
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Arkansas Agriculture
25
New Board Member Profiles New board members elected Thrash and Felts add talents by Bricen Pace
J
Joe Carroll Thrash, 47, of
Conway and Sherry Wren Felts, 53, of Joiner are the newest members on Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors. The two were elected on Dec. 6, 2013 during Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 79th Annual
Convention. Thrash joined Arkansas Farm Bureau in 1989. A thirdhis farming operation in 1989 specializing in rice, soybeans, wheat and corn. Thrash followed his father to Farm Bureau. His father, Carroll,
Joe Thrash
Keith Sutton
Keith Sutton
generation farmer, he started
Sherry Felts
served on the Faulkner County Farm Bureau board. “The opportunity to represent and serve my fellow farmers was a major
was also active on the Membership
father. The Felts family was awarded the
Committee in 2013.
Mississippi County Farm Family of the
Outside of Arkansas Farm Bureau,
Year award in 2001. Felts’ service within Farm Bureau
motivation to serve on the Arkansas Farm
Thrash has been a member of the
Bureau state board,” Thrash said. “I’m
Arkansas Soybean Association for 14
includes serving in Mississippi County
honored to be a part of the long history
years where he was elected to the
as vice chair of the Women’s Committee
of Arkansas Farm Bureau, looking out for
Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board in
from 2006 to 2007, and she has chaired
the interests of agriculture statewide.”
2013. Thrash is a member of the Faulkner
the county Women’s Committee since
Before being elected to the state
County 4-H Foundation. He and his wife,
2008. Felts worked for the state Rural
board, Thrash held positions at the
Renee’, have four children, Benjamin,
Health & Safety Committee in 2010 and
county level and worked on committees
Austin, Kate and Anna. He farms 1,050
has been vice chair of the state Women’s
at the county and state levels. Thrash
acres. Thrash enjoys trout fishing and
Committee since 2012.
became president of Faulkner County
hunting for deer and ducks.
Farm Bureau in 2001 and also served
Felts joined Arkansas Farm Bureau in
“There is a long, rich history of Arkansas Farm Bureau in Mississippi
as president from 2008 to 2010. Thrash
1980. A second-generation farmer, Felts
County,” Felts said. “I’m proud to be a
was part of the state Young Farmers
began farming in 1980 specializing in
part of it, and I look forward to doing
& Ranchers Committee in 2000 and
rice, soybeans, wheat, cotton and milo.
what Farm Bureau does best, being an
the Resolutions Committee from 2010
Felts farms 2,000 acres with her husband,
advocate for and serving the interests of
to 2013. In Faulkner County, Thrash
Benton, her son, Wren, and Benton’s
agriculture throughout Arkansas.”
26
Arkansas Agriculture
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GROWING LEADERS Arkansas Farm Bureau and the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the U of A improve the lives of families across our state and nation, and around the world. Our future is tied to the businesses of foods and agriculture. Congratulations to Ewell Welch, former AFB Executive Vice President, on his recent retirement and congratulations to Rodney Baker on his recent appointment to AFB Executive Vice President. The Bumpers College grows leaders of today and tomorrow.
13-238 Arkansas Farm Bureau magazine ad.indd 1
Ewell Welch
Rodney Baker
Retired AFB Executive Vice President New AFB Executive Vice President Two-time Bumpers College alumnus Two-time Bumpers College alumnus
12/2/13 Arkansas Agriculture
27
8:46 AM
RuralReflections
Icy lace Ice from a February storm covers the trees, creating a lace-like look, on a hillside above this horse pasture near Lonsdale. Photo by Keith Sutton.
28
Arkansas Agriculture
Committed. Strong. reliAble. truSted. member-owned. Farm Credit’s more than 10,000 customer-owners across Arkansas include rural home owners, row crop farmers, livestock operations, local food farmers, and full and part-time farmers. With $2.8 billion in assets, Arkansas Farm Credit associations serve agriculture, our communities and the rural lifestyle. Members enjoy unique benefits like patronage refunds totaling more than $122 million since 1997. Are you Farm Credit?
800-444-3276 farmcredit.com
Arkansas Agriculture
29
Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Little Rock, AR Permit No. 1884
Grow Your Ag Business with Farm Bureau Bank Purchase or refinance the agricultural equipment you need today to grow your business for the future. Plus, take advantage of your membership with dedicated service, special rates, flexible terms and payment plans up to seven full years. We make financing easy!
Contact your local Arkansas Farm Bureau agent or visit farmbureaubank.com Existing Farm Bureau Bank loans are excluded from this offer. *Rate disclosed as Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and based on exceptional credit. Some restrictions may apply based upon the make and model of equipment offered as collateral. Up to 90% financing for new and 85% for used equipment. Loans subject to credit approval. Rates are accurate as of 09/13/13. Rates and financing are limited to farm equipment model years 2003 or newer and are subject to change without notice. A down payment may be required for new or used equipment purchases. Financial information required for loan requests over $50,000. Commercial vehicles and trailers may be subject to an additional documentation fee. Farm Bureau Bank does not provide equity or cash-out financing on commercial vehicles and equipment. Banking services provided by Farm Bureau Bank FSB. Farm Bureau, FB, and the FB National Logo are registered service marks owned by, and used by Farm Bureau Bank FSB under license from, the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Farm Bureau Perspective - Farm Bill; Local farmers create device to combat wire theft; Ag Hall of Fame inductees; Faces of Agriculture-Sunni...
