Farm Bureau Press for August 8

AUGUST 9, 2019 • VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 16

Farm Bureau Press A PEEK INSIDE

HOW TO WIN AN ELECTION Arkansas Farm Bureau has joined with the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas to hold a two-day seminar called “How to Win an Election” on Oct. 22-23 at the Farm Bureau Center in Little Rock.

County Farm Bureau leaders and others interested in attending should contact Jeff Pitchford in the Public Affairs and Government Relations department at 501-228-1625. This seminar teaches how to evaluate candidates and the electorate, build a campaign structure, raise money, enlist allies, create coalitions and get last-minute voter attention.

The seminar was developed by American Farm Bureau, an organization noted for its understanding of the political process, with the help of professional political consultants and staff members of Democratic and Republican parties. The instructors are trained staff members of Farm Bureau. Video recording, a case study and a computer simulation allow attendees test techniques, tools and methods.

Pesticide Committee approves enforcement actions, page 2.

Two field days will address the use of alfalfa to fight pigweed, page 3.

FOLLOW US ONLINE State 4-H-O-rama | Washington County agents and ARFB staff cooked burgers for the Bumpers College picnic during State 4-H-O-rama. More than 400 4-H members and County Extension Agents attended the event. Pictured: Stuart Baber, Wash. Co. agent; Vince Massanelli, Wash. Co. agency manager; Steve Hignight, ArFB state staff; Rusty Walker, Wash. Co. agent and Andy Guffey, ArFB state staff.

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A PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

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Summer Treats | Agent Steve Jarrett in Chicot County invited children from the CB King School in Eudora to the county office where they enjoyed free snow cones to all of the children.

PESTICIDE COMMITTEE APPROV The Pesticide Committee of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s State Plant Board met July 30 to discuss and approve enforcement actions regarding violations of pesticide rules that occurred in 2017 and 2018.

The committee reviewed 53 violations for unauthorized use of 2,4-D and dicamba, which included minor and major infractions. Enforcement action recommendations ranged from warning letters to fines, with fines ranging from $600 to $1,000. The violations and enforcement actions will now be submitted to the full State Plant Board for review at its meeting on Sept. 17.

Prior to August 2017, the maximum fine for unauthorized use of a pesticide was $1,000. Current law allows for fines up to $25,000 for egregious violations of the use of dicamba or other auxin-containing herbicides. A copy of the law and penalty matrix can be found online at http://bit.ly/ ARStatePlantBoard. A summary of enforcement actions can also be found online at http://bit.ly/ARDicambaInfoUpdates.

Memorial Trap Shoot | The Daniel Griffin Memorial Trap Tournament was held July 13 at the Black River Trap and Skeet Club in Corning. The Greene County Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers sponsored the event, which benefited the Daniel Griffin Memorial Scholarship Fund.

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“We take our responsibility to implement the rules promulgated by the State Plant Board seriously,” said Scott Bray, Director of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Plant Industries Division. “Our staff fully investigates every complaint and compiles a detailed record of information so members of the State Plant Board can make informed enforcement decisions. It can be a lengthy process but it’s

A PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

TWO FIELD DAYS TO ADDRESS THE USE OF ALFALFA TO FIGHT PIGWEED Agronomists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are testing an age-old approach to solving a modern-day farming problem: The increasingly prevalent Palmer amaranth, commonly known as pigweed.

Herbicide-resistant pigweed can be a costly problem for farmers. Historically, crop rotation with a forage crop was used to break up disease and weed cycles. As the weed becomes increasingly unfazed by available chemistries, some growers may find that reuniting with an older approach may be the new tool they’ve been seeking.

VES ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS important that procedures are fully and accurately followed.”

Investigations of alleged unauthorized pesticide use may be initiated by the filing of a complaint or by one of the 29 Plant Industries Division inspectors. Inspectors typically conclude their investigations and provide findings to the Plant Industries Division’s Pesticide Section enforcement staff within 30 days. The enforcement staff reviews the information provided by the inspector and determines whether there is sufficient evidence of a violation.

If the Pesticide Section finds sufficient evidence of a violation, a panel reviews the case and makes recommendations to the Pesticide Committee. Possible enforcement actions include a warning letter, applicator license suspension, referral to the State’s Prosecuting Attorney, referral to the Environmental Protection Agency, or a fine.

John Jennings, extension forage specialist for the Division of Agriculture and the primary investigator for this research, said the use of alfalfa as a high quality hay crop is being tested for efficacy in the escalating war against pigweed.

Two upcoming field days will give Arkansas growers the opportunity to learn about whether this approach may be a good fit for their respective farms.

The first field day is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 23 at 175A County Road 324, Cherry Valley. The second is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 9 on the James Farm, located at 4511 AR-304, Pocahontas.

Discussion topics include pigweed biology and control, economics and alfalfa planting and management. All interested crop and livestock producers are encouraged to attend one or both field days.

To register and help with meal planning, please call Linda McCargo at 501-671-2171. There is no cost to attend.

If the recommended enforcement action is approved by the Pesticide Committee, the recommendation is submitted to the State Plant Board, which may accept, reject, or adjust the recommended enforcement action. Individuals subject to an enforcement action have 30 days to respond to the decision notice and request an informal hearing with staff or a formal hearing before the full State Plant Board. Fines must be paid within 30 days from the date of the notice or be subject to collection procedures if a hearing is not requested.

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MARKET NEWS as of August 9, 2019 Contact Brandy Carroll 501-228-1268 brandy.carroll@arfb.com

China’s export growth rebounded in July and imports shrank less than forecasted, signaling some recovery in trade just as companies brace for the arrival of new tariffs from the U.S. That said, the White House is still rushing to finalize the latest round of tariffs it plans for Sept. 1. Thursday, U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher opening on Wall Street as stronger trade data from China and a firmer yuan calmed investor sentiment following U.S. trade talk.

The dollar index was little changed, while gold prices slipped from a sixyear high touched on Wednesday.

Corn December corn closed up 4 1/4 cents at $4.18 1/4 Thursday, back above the 100-day average and within a dime of where prices were before the new tariffs on Chinese goods were announced a week ago.

The main source of concern among corn traders at the moment is what the USDA will say on Monday when it releases the results of a second planting survey covering 14 states.

Earlier Thursday, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed an expanded area of abnormally dry conditions from Iowa to Ohio. USDA said only 1.7 million bushels (mb) of corn were sold for export last week and 27.3 mb were shipped, well below the amounts needed each week to reach USDA’s export estimate by the end of this month. Monday’s new planting estimate from USDA should take a lot of uncertainty out of crop estimates moving forward and is likely to set a tone for corn prices until harvest.

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Guessing which direction that will be is the challenge and gives prices a neutral outlook for now. Wednesday indicated a national average basis of 9 cents under the Chicago September futures contract.

Soybeans November soybeans closed up 16 1/4 cents at $8.83 Thursday, an unexpected bounce in the aftermath of last week’s new tariff on Chinese goods. USDA said just 3.7 mb of soybeans were sold for export last week and 37.4 mb were shipped.

The shipments did cover the 31.5 mb needed to reach USDA’s goal by the end of August, but that export estimate is already down 20% from the previous season. The outlook for soybean prices remains bearish as long as China holds a 25% tariff on U.S. soybeans. Soybean prices anxiously await the USDA report Monday. Wednesday indicated a national average basis of 86 cents under the Chicago November futures contract.

Cotton Thursday, December cotton settled at 59.58 cents, up 0.75 of a cent, March finished at 60.42 cents, up 0.53 of a cent and December 2020 closed at 63.37 cents, up 0.19 of a cent. The cotton market was higher Thursday as the appearance of China in the weekly sales and exports data, its buying 60,000 bales. Monday’s USDA report expectations are for a stable or increased 2019 crop and/ or a reduction of future exports.

Last month USDA pegged the 2019 crop at 22 million bales. Anyway, the net effect could be a hike in domestic ending stocks number.

Also, there is the potential that the world carryout may increase. Last month saw global stocks shoot above the 80 million-bale mark, as India’s crop was surprisingly upped some 500,000 bales. Since that time, India’s monsoons have supposedly improved, thus global carry may again increase.

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Livestock In the cattle markets, cash prices for feeder cattle are holding firm, supported by the current-status of cattle on feed. Retail beef demand continues strong on both muscle cuts and ground beef.

Cattle futures prices have been rattled by the recent China trade war developments. The recent announcement from China not to purchase American farm goods will cause more market volatility in the coming weeks. Cattle have fared better than many commodities through the China situation due to the relatively strong U.S. economy, which has bolstered domestic beef demand.

Prior to the recent China developments, both beef and pork exports were at near record levels.

Chinese pork purchases through June were the highest in three years.

Beef exports overall were just below last year’s record level aided by the reduction of tariffs from both Mexico and Japan. Since June, Beef trade has remained strong world–wide; while pork shipments have declined.

At present exports represent 14.9% of U.S. production - steady with last year. U.S. pork exports have declined from 27.8% to 25.4% of domestic production.

A looming factor over the meat complex is the significance of the African Swine Fever situation in China. Reports vary on how much of the Chinese hog population has had to be liquidated – 20, 25, 30%.

Replacing this production could bear significant implications for global meat and poultry trade as well as soybeans and other feed grains. It’s largely a wait-and-see on when China acts to address this domestic food issue.

EDITOR Ashley Wallace ashley.wallace@arfb.com