Farm Bureau Press for Feb. 23

In Farm Bureau Veach re-elected chairman of Southern Farm Bureau Life Company Randy Veach of Manila (Mississippi County) was re-elected by board action as president and chairman of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, his third one-year term in that position.

A third-generation farmer, Veach is the first Arkansan to serve as chairman of SFBLIC. In his 10th year as president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau, Veach has served on the SFBLIC board for the past 15 years.

Arkansas Farm Bureau was among five founding members of SFBLIC in 1946. The company provides life insurance products in 11 states: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. It has more than $144 billion in life insurance coverage in force and is headquartered in Jackson, Miss.

“I am humbled by the support of our board and hope to continue to serve Farm Bureau members,” said Veach. “Providing products and services that improve the quality of life for our members is a key tenant of our mission statement.”

Troy Buck of Alpine was recognized Thursday for his 14 years of service to Arkansas agriculture as an Arkansas Farm Bureau state board member. President Randy Veach presented Buck a plaque during a dinner after the February board meeting at the Farm Bureau Center in Little Rock.

Veach also serves as a board member of the American Farm Bureau, the nation’s largest farm advocacy organization.

A deacon at Little River Baptist Church, Veach is a trustee of B.M.A. Theological Seminary in Texas, and was past board director of Baptist Hospital in Mississippi County. He also served 10 years on the Manila School Board. Veach previously served as a member of the Arkansas State Plant Board and the board for the National Cotton Council, and Cotton, Inc. He has also been a member of the Arkansas Rice

Gov. Asa Hutchinson spoke about NAFTA and other topics of concern to Arkansas farmers in a keynote speech Feb. 19 at the Arkansas Rice Council/Rice Farmers annual meeting at Arkansas State University.

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www.arfb.com

Research and Promotion Board.

In 2012, Veach received the Honorary American FFA Degree for lifetime service to youth and agriculture education, and has additionally received the Honorary State FFA Degree. In 2014, he was recognized as the Burlsworth Foundation’s Legends Honoree.

Before joining the Arkansas Farm Bureau state board in 1999, Veach held several positions in Mississippi County Farm Bureau, including president and vice president. He also served on the county’s Soybean, State Affairs and National

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A Publication of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

February 23, 2018 • Vol. 22, No. 4

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Matt Jackson, ArFB senior education coordinator (left), explains to Woodlawn Elementary students the water cycle and how rainfall is an important part of helping plants grow. The exhibit was a part of the “Seed Survivor” trailer, an interactive program where students learn where their food comes from.

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Ag safety awareness week Farm Bureaus across the country are making safety a top priority this spring through the Agricultural Safety Awareness Program (ASAP). As a part of ASAP, March 4-10 has been designated as Agricultural Safety Awareness Week.

This year’s theme, “No One Can Take Your Place,” will highlight a different safety focus each day of the week. Monday will focus on General/Mental Health; Tuesday, Fire Safety; Wednesday, Impaired Driving (drunk and distracted); Thursday, Hearing Protection; and Friday, Respiratory Safety.

When the latest statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other organizations are examined, it’s easy to see why the awareness of safety in these areas is important.

• In 2014, there were more than 16,000 deaths in Arkansas due to heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes.

• In 2014, about 115,000 adults aged 18 or older had serious mental illness within the prior year to being surveyed.

• In 2017, 32 home fire fatalities were reported by the news in Arkansas.

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Legislative Affairs committees. He and his family were chosen as the 1998 Mississippi County Farm Family of the Year.

Veach and his wife Thelma have four grandchildren.

Garland Co. FB women’s leadership committee members Sarah Goodeaux (left), Lindsey Rucker and Cindy Rucker along with YF&R representative Keith Rucker joined Jeanie Saunders (far right), social services director for the Salvation Army, in Hot Springs to donate more than $200 worth of nonperishable items to the food pantry.

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In 2014, 44 percent of driving fatalities in Arkansas were alcohol or drug related.

• The National Safety Council estimates that 27 percent of all crashes involve cell phone use.

• In 2015, 401 farmers and farm workers died from a work-related injury.

• Every day, about 100 agricultural workers suffer a lost-work-time injury.

“This year’s theme, No One Can Take Your Place, was chosen because farmers fill such important roles in their communities, businesses and families, and it’s critical that they take time to ensure their safety and good health,” said Jason Kaufman, education coordinator for Arkansas Farm Bureau.

Arkansas Farm Bureau has two fulltime education coordinators on staff who offer five different safety and informational programs free of charge to schools and civic groups.

“Farm Bureau is concerned with saving lives and preventing injuries,” said education coordinator Amanda Williams. “And we at Arkansas Farm Bureau are dedicated to educating Arkansans about safety concerns through courses such as Farm/Tractor Safety, ATV Safety, Distracted Driving Prevention, and Drinking and Driving Prevention.”

For more information, visit the “Education” section of Arkansas Farm Bureau’s website, www.arfb.com.

Union Co. Sheriff Ricky Roberts (standing) speaks to county FB members, elected officials and guests during a legislative breakfast meeting Feb. 9 at the county Farm Bureau office in El Dorado. These informal meetings allow county FB leaders to meet with legislators, and discuss agricultural issues the lawmakers may be dealing with at the capitol.

ArFB and Magic Springs team up Arkansas Farm Bureau and Magic Springs have teamed up to provide Farm Bureau members with online, direct access for fun! This online benefit program offers not only substantial savings, but allows you to “print and go,” so you have your ticket in hand when you get to the park with no waiting in the line to purchase tickets. Go to arfb.com under category “Member Benefits” and the link for the site will be listed under member exclusive savings. You will need to know your membership number to access the discount.

Ag Youth Leadership Arkansas Farm Bureau will provide a new opportunity for Arkansas youth during the summer of 2018.

Students going into the 11th and 12th grades next year will have the opportunity to apply for the first Ag Youth Leadership Seminar (AYLS). This seminar is designed to provide students with an in-depth look at agriculture as a degree and a career.

AYLS will take place July 10-12 at the Arkansas Farm Bureau Center. Based on student applications and a graded system, up to 20 students will be selected to attend AYLS. In addition to touring a farm, different statewide ag agencies, companies and the Arkansas State Capitol, attendees will discuss agriculture as a career and learn about some of the advanced technology used in

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today’s agriculture. Through this experience, students will have the opportunity to look at different careers and degrees they may have an interest in pursuing. Attendees will stay at the Hilton Garden Inn and enjoy local restaurants and entertainment. There will also be a random drawing at the end of AYLS for a $500 scholarship.

Applications must be completed and postmarked by May 25. Please call Jason Kaufman at 501-516-0779 with any questions you have.

In Arkansas

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Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission appointment Governor Asa Hutchinson has appointed Mike Freeze of Little Rock to the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission.

His term expires March 29, 2021. Freeze replaces John Chamberlin.

“Mike Freeze has proven his dedication to the state as a businessman and through service on two state boards,” Governor Hutchinson said. “Through Mike’s love of the outdoors, he was an excellent member of the Game and Fish Commission. As a successful businessman, he brought wisdom and compassion to the Board of Directors of the Development Finance Authority. I am pleased that Mike has agreed to lend his wealth of experience in service to the state once again.”

Freeze has served as vice president and co-owner of Keo Fish Farms Inc. for 32 years.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife from Arkansas Tech University and his master’s in biology from Murray State University. He is an American Fisheries

Van Buren Co. FB board members held an informational session Feb. 8 to discuss and show support for C&H Hog Farms of Newton Co. during a recent board meeting.

Arkansas Farm Bureau recently presented the Arkansas 4-H Officers with leather totes to use during their service. Left to right: Sagely Burnett of Washington County, Lane Fritch of Benton County, Mallory Perkins of Lonoke County, Jason Kauffman with Arkansas Farm Bureau, Sara Gardner of Washington County, Jazzlan Rudd of Garland County, and Noah-Luke Smith of Faulkner County. Not pictured: Katie Head of Greene County.

Society Certified Fisheries Professional.

He has served on the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. He and his wife, Betty Louise, live in Little Rock.

Elsewhere New publishing venture for AFBF American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has created a new publishing venture called Feeding Minds Press. The new publisher’s first book will be “Right This Very Minute,” written by award-winning author Lisl Detlefsen. It is scheduled for release in January 2019. “‘Right This Very Minute’ is the perfect book to launch this exciting new project,” said Christy Lilja, executive director of the Foundation. “It’s a great story and tells kids that every minute of every day, someone, somewhere, is working to bring food to their table.”

Detlefsen, also the author of “Time for Cranberries,” is delighted that “Right This Very Minute” has found a home at Feeding Minds Press.

“Living on a family farm has made me passionate about writing agricultural stories for kids,” Detlefsen said. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with a new

company that is devoted to the accurate depiction of modern farming and the dedicated people who grow our food.”

Award-winning illustrator Renée Kurilla will illustrate the book.

“I’m so thrilled to be working with Feeding Minds Press on their new venture!”

Kurilla said. “We’re making an important book that is such a great reminder of all the hard work that goes into making the food on our plates.”

“Right This Very Minute” is scheduled for publication in January 2019, in time for the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention.

Feeding Minds Press is also searching for it’s next project. The publisher is looking for manuscripts for accurate agriculture children’s books. They will be accepting open submissions for a limited time (until March 31st). Anyone who would like to submit a story can, including Farm Bureau and Ag in the Classroom staff. Visit bit.ly/ afbf-feedingminds to read the guidelines for submitting a story.

More information about Feeding Minds Press and the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture can be found at feedingmindspress.com. Email inquiries may be sent to info@feedingmindspress.com.

Editor Maddison Stewart

maddison.stewart@arfb.com

In the Market As of Feb. 21, 2018 Agreement reached on Section 199A An agreement to alter the language of Section 199A tax provision contained in the tax reform law has been made, according to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). Current language gives growers a tax incentive to sell to agricultural cooperatives. “I think it’s reached the point where, if there isn’t a complete agreement, there’s enough agreement within the Congress that if we can do what we originally intended to do — maintaining the status quo for co-ops — we’re going to go ahead and do it, even if the co-ops aren’t completely satisfied,” Grassley says, adding, “It would not disadvantage private elevators like they have been since Christmas.” He says the 199A provision should go back to the way it was prior to passage of the tax reform bill late last year and that the change will be retroactive to the start of the year. Grassley also predicts the 199A fix will be attached to the omnibus appropriations bill, due by March 23.

Projections for Brazil’s bean crop Brazil’s soybean crop will likely total a record-high 115.6 MMT, according to Safras & Mercado’s updated crop estimate. This represents a 1.7 MMT increase from the consultancy’s December crop estimate, as it says that better yields in Goias, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo have upped its crop expectations. Safras expects Brazil’s corn crop to come in at 89.46 MMT, down 17 percent from last year. It expects plantings to drop 11 percent and for yields to decline as well.

China may retaliate agsainst metal tariff Last week, the U.S. Commerce Department laid out several options for President Donald Trump to consider regarding steel and aluminum trade, including at least a 24- percent tariff on steel from all countries. The president has until April 11 and April 19 to make a decision on these reports. If these safeguards are implemented, China could consider retaliation by imposing restrictions on U.S. agricultural products. In the last year China has adopted new rules in regards to GMO

and foreign materials. These new rules could be used to reject shipments, which would adversely affect U.S. farmers.

Slow CPTPP ratification for Canada The signing date for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is slated for March 8 in Chile. The CPTPP comes into force once six of its 11 members have ratified the agreement. It is likely the Canadian government will not introduce a bill to implement CPTTP until the fall, which raises concern in Canada that a slow Canadian ratification process could allow other members’ exporters to benefit from new market access before Canadian exporters can.

U.S. immigration reform not dead Washington analysts said last week’s Senate fumbles on getting an immigration reform bill approved means the end of that process for this year. Others think Trump could still move the process along if he listens to himself rather than arch conservatives in the White House. If Trump does not alter his current stance on various bills, some senators have raised the possibility of pairing a simple provision protecting the Dreamers from deportation with funding for the president’s proposed wall at the southern border with Mexico and slipping that package into a large spending bill that must pass in late March.

Argentina’s drought damage Fifty-eight percent of Argentina’s corn crop has been damaged by drought along with 56 percent of its soybean crop, estimates the Buenos Aires Grains Exchange. The exchange detailed that while there were rains of “varying intensity in different parts of the country” last week, the rains were “not enough to make up for the moisture deficit.”

Nevertheless, the exchange made no change to its soybean or corn crop estimates that stand at 50 MMT and 39 MMT, respectively.

CFTC analyzing RINs market EPA previously asked the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to help in analyzing concerns about speculation in the market for biofuel credits, or RINs. CFTC didn’t find any evidence of fraud. However, CFTC Chairman J. Chris Giancarlo told the Senate Agriculture Committee that the EPA data wasn’t of sufficient quality to properly assess the

fairness of the market. CFTC agreed to have its economists do additional analysis to analyze the RINs market at the request of USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, Giancarlo said.

Nebraska is top beef exporter in U.S. Nebraska exported $1.26 billion worth of beef in 2017, according to USDA’s Global Ag Trade System, making the state the nation’s top beef exporter for the second year in a row. Nebraska’s governor credited the state’s abundant feed grain, packing capacity and cattle feeding operations for putting the cornhusker state in the top slot. The state is also seeing strong growth in pork shipments, exporting $479 million worth of the product in 2017, a 20 percent surge from the year prior. Nebraska is the country’s fifth largest pork exporter.

CONTACT

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

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