In Farm Bureau
Ag Safety Awareness Week Across the country, Farm Bureaus are making safety a top priority this spring through the Agricultural Safety Awareness Program (ASAP). As a part of ASAP, March 3-9 has been designated as Agricultural Safety Awareness Week. This year’s theme, “Agricultural Safety: Your Best Investment,” emphasizes making farms and ranches safer for farmers, their family members and employees. For example, all-terrain vehicles are used on most farms and ranches in Arkansas, but despite the availability of good safety equipment and training programs, injuries and fatalities involving ATV operators happen much too frequently. According to the latest figures from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 115,000 ATV-related injuries were treated in emergency rooms in 2010. An estimated 28,300 of these were
A record crowd of more than 300 attended Arkansas Farm Bureau’s YF&R Conference in Little Rock on Feb. 22-23. Highlighting the fun was the alwayspopular Farm Bureau Olympics, which included a wild bull ride for competitors like Caleb Parker of Carlisle, pictured here. For more on the conference, see the enclosed insert. children younger than 16 years of age. In 2010, 317 ATV-related fatalities were reported in the U.S. About 25 percent of those who died were children under age 16. Sixty-seven Arkansans died as the result of ATV accidents from 2007-2010. “It doesn’t take very big investments of time or money to make a big difference in the level of safety on most farms,” said Jason Kaufman, safety coordinator for On Feb. 19, Gov. Mike Beebe proclaimed March 3-9 as Agricultural Safety Awareness Week. Attending (l to r) were ArFB Organization & Member Programs Director Chuck Tucker, 4-H Youth Program Director Noah Washburn, Gov. Beebe and ArFB safety coordinators Jason Kaufman and Amanda Williams.
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Arkansas Farm Bureau. “ATV safety is a big part of farm safety because so many farms use these vehicles for work and recreation.” ArFB has two full-time safety coordinators on staff who offer 12 different safety programs, including ATV safety, free of charge. “The safety coordinators at Arkansas Farm Bureau are dedicated to educating Arkansans about safety concerns,” said safety coordinator
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A Publication of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation
March 1, 2013 • Vol. 16, No. 4
Members of ArFB’s state women’s committee presented a gift of $4,000 to Ronald McDonald House in Little Rock on Feb 18. The Food Check-Out Week donation will purchase food items to feed families of seriously ill children staying at the facility.
More than 30 students from Melbourne High School FFA in Izard County enjoyed a day-long tour of the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock on Feb. 19. State Rep. Tommy Wren (right) of Melbourne hosted the students during their visit.
Marion Fletcher (center, gray suit) of Hot Springs was recognized for a lifetime devoted to agricultural education and Arkansas FFA students through a Senate proclamation read to a packed house at the state capitol on Feb. 19.
there is never a doubt about Chairman Lucas’ commitment to America’s farm and ranch families.”
money, $786,949. And, Michigan Farm Bureau tallied the most volunteer friend hours, 6,410.
Feeding America The farm and ranch families of Farm Bureau raised a record $971,235 and donated a record of more than 24 million pounds of food to assist hungry Americans as part of Farm Bureau’s “Harvest for All” program in partnership with Feeding America. Combined monetary and food donations reached the equivalent of more than 28 million meals. The California Farm Bureau took top honors for donating the most food in 2012, 10.1 million pounds. Illinois Farm Bureau raised the most
In Arkansas
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Golden Plow goes to Lucas American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman presented Rep. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma with AFBF’s “Golden Plow” award on Feb. 18 during Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Annual Leadership Conference in Oklahoma City. The Lucas Golden Plow is the highest recognition the organization grants members of Congress. Oklahoma FB nominated Lucas for the award because of his critical work on the Farm Bill in 2012 and legislation to keep agricultural exports growing, as well as helping to ensure reviews of regulations affecting agriculture. “Chairman Lucas understands agriculture because it is a part of his life,” said Stallman. “He shares a deep understanding of and a true passion for agriculture. From his efforts to pass a farm bill, to his ardent support of conservation programs,
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Amanda Williams. “We not only offer ATV safety programs, but programs on farm and tractor safety, distracteddriving prevention, drinking-anddriving prevention, and more.” For more information, visit the “Education and Youth” section of ArFB’s website, www.arfb.com.
ArFB state board member Johnny Loftin (standing) of El Dorado addressed city and county officials, and local Farm Bureau members, who attended a legislative breakfast hosted by Union Co. FB on Feb. 14.
Century Farm program The Arkansas Agriculture Department will accept applications for the 2013 Arkansas Century Farm program through May 31. The program recognizes Arkansas’ rich agricultural heritage and honors families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. The program is voluntary and places no restrictions on the land. In 2012, the first year of the program, 83 farms were certified as Arkansas Century Farms. For a farm to qualify, it must have been owned by the same family for 100 years by Dec. 31, 2013. The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces, including through marriage and adoption. The farm must be at least 10 acres of the original land acquisition and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income. Qualified applicants will be presented with a personalized metal sign and a certificate. Only the legal owners of the land may apply. “It’s a privilege to recognize the generations of Arkansas farmers and ranchers who have persevered for
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a century or more to provide food, fiber and energy” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Butch Calhoun. There is no cost to apply for the Century Farm program. Applications can be obtained from the Arkansas Agriculture Department by calling 501-225-1598 or from the department’s website at www.aad. arkansas.gov/Pages/programs.aspx
Elsewhere
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Farm to School grants The U.S. Department of Agriculture is requesting applications for its 2014 Farm to School Grants Program. The grants help eligible schools improve the health and well-being of their students and connect them with local agricultural producers. Three grants will be available: planning grants, for schools beginning to incorporate farm-to-school activities; implementation grants, for schools seeking to augment or expand existing efforts; and support service grants. Eligible nonprofit entities, Indian tribal organizations, state and local agencies and agriculture producers or groups may apply for support service grants to conduct trainings, create complementary curriculum or further develop supply chains, among other activities.
England Farms manager Chris Sandine (left) and President Jay England examine eggs from the farm near Rison on Feb. 15. England’s father, Jack England, started an innovative hatching egg enterprise in 1969. He is among six to be inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame on March 8.
Pulaski County Farm Bureau made its annual Food Check-out Week donation to Dorcas House on Feb. 20. Pictured with the women of Dorcas House are Pulaski Co. president Tracey Bemis (back row, second from left), Betty Oliver (far right) and Debbie Moreland (second from right). USDA will host three grant-specific webinars on March 5, 6 and 7 to assist with the application process. Proposals are due on April 24. For more information, visit www.fns. usda.gov/cnd/f2s/. USA Rice and DU partnership The USA Rice Federation and Ducks Unlimited have combined forces to form the USA Rice-DU Stewardship Partnership to serve as a community model of cooperation and communication between a farm group and a conservation organization. The partnership will work to improve waterfowl, working rice lands and water conservation across the U.S. “Rice fields and waterfowl mutually benefit each other, and water is the essential underlying resource for both waterfowl and rice fields, as well as society as a whole,” said USA Rice Chairman Mark Denman. Six members from each organization will help identify and pursue public policies, funding sources, communications strategies and strategically developed research and management practices that advance their mutual interests. Ag census deadline extended The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has extended the Feb. 4 Census of
Agriculture deadline to ensure every U.S. farmer and rancher is counted. Farmers and ranchers who have not already done so should complete and mail back their census form or respond online as soon as possible. For those who do not respond by March 14, NASS will begin following up by telephone and personal visits. Federal law requires all agricultural producers to participate in the census and requires NASS to keep all individual information confidential. If producers have questions about the census, lost, did not receive or need help filling out their form, they can visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call 888-424-7828. Long-term ag projections The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released new 10-year agricultural projections. They are posted on the Office of the Chief Economist’s website at www.usda. gov/oce. USDA publishes the projections each year in February. The projections are developed by interagency committees in USDA, with the Economic Research Service having the lead role in preparation of the report. The new projections cover crop and livestock commodities, agricultural trade and aggregate indicators, such as farm income and food prices, through 2022. Editor Keith Sutton
keith.sutton@arfb.com
In the Market As of February 26, 2013 March Soybeans futures zipped through resistance at $15 and appeared to be headed to $15.50, when just as quickly the market reversed. The resultant key reversal set the stage for further losses and marks another top in the market. Dry conditions in Argentina and strong demand from China contributed to the rally, which, to a lesser degree, was seen in new crop contracts as well. November is now struggling to hold key support at $12.55, with a potential to move toward the June 1, 2012 low of $11.40. If USDA’s Outlook Forum projection of 77.5 million planted acres and production of 3.405 billion bushels is realized, the bottom could be lower. The Corn market is seeking
support. While beans rallied last week, corn sunk even lower. Old crop leveled out at $6.90 and is trying to work higher from that point. Demand remains the key with ethanol use slipping and exports almost non-existent. How quickly they will recover will be the question. USDA projects a record crop of 14.53 billion bushels on 96.5 million acres. That’s where we were last year when the drought intervened. Those numbers have pushed December futures to $5.50, and the market is struggling to hold there. Support around $5.10 becomes a likely target. Wheat continues to trend
lower with recent snow events providing much-needed moisture across most of the droughtstricken plains. Coupled with increased production in other areas of the world, it has pushed July futures sharply lower. July is
bumping $7.00 and may move toward $6.85 or $6.70, which is where this contract turned higher eight months ago. The market is technically oversold and due a rebound, with resistance expected around the recent high of $7.54. Rice has plummeted over the
last two weeks, with May futures topping at $16.68 on February 8 and then dropping as low as $15.62. Good export demand, with steady shipments, provided the upward impetus. However, while demand has been good, it appears Iran is now looking toward Thailand, where major intervention stocks could be a drawing card. Those huge stocks continue to hang over the market, providing a potentially soft undertone as we move forward. Soybeans and corn are expected to pull some U.S. acreage from rice in 2013. cotton’s upward impetus has
ground to a halt with both old and new crop encountering major resistance around 84 to 85 cents. USDA projects U.S. plantings of 10 million acres, while the National Cotton Council survey put 2013 at just over 9 million acres. The key to price will be China, where stocks are projected to be more than 42 million bales. China will likely import substantially less cotton, but that remains to be seen. Cattle. The upside for cattle
futures remains limited by an uncertain fundamental situation. The USDA Cattle on Feed report showed the total on feed inventory is 6.2 percent below last year’s total. However, negative cutout margins and demand concerns remain a negative. The dollar continues to strengthen against other currencies, which will likely result in weakened export demand for U.S. beef. Winter weather has provided some support this week as it both hampers performance
and limits marketings. June live cattle futures have support at the recent spike low of $123.47, while feeders have moved to a life of contract lows. Hog futures are in a sharp down-trend. The market is oversold and due a rebound. However, weakness in stock markets and strength in the dollar are negative and will likely limit the upside potential on a rebound. Cash fundamentals also are offering little help, as packer margins remain weak. April hogs are testing support near $81. poultry. Commercial hatcheries in the 19-state weekly program set 199 million eggs in incubators last week. This was up 2 percent from the eggs set the corresponding week a year earlier. Average hatchability for chicks hatched during the week was 84 percent. Broiler growers in the 19-state weekly program placed 164 million chicks for meat production last week. Placements were up 1 percent from the comparable week a year earlier. Cumulative placements from December 30, 2012 through last week for the 19-state total were 1.14 billion, up 1 percent from the same period a year earlier.
Contact •Gene Martin (501) 228-1330, gene.martin@arfb.com. •Brandy Carroll (501) 228-1268, brandy.carroll@arfb.com. •Bruce Tencleve (501) 228-1856, bruce.tencleve@arfb.com. •Matt King (501) 228-1297, matt.king@arfb.com.
2013 YF&R CONFERENCE
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ore than 300 members and their families from throughout the state attended Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference Feb. 22-23 at Embassy Suites in Little Rock. Attendees participated in workshops on crops, livestock/cattle, policy development and family living and listened to inspirational speeches by ArFB President Randy Veach and guest speakers. There were ag education sessions, a wide variety of kids’ activities and family-oriented fun like the Farm Bureau Olympics. • photos by KEITH SUTTON and Steve Hignight •
Among the many participants in Friday night’s Olympic sawing contest were Jason Drew (left) and Daniel Walters (right) of Pope County.
Above: YF&R state committee member Caleb Plyler of Hope (left) entertained the crowd as the Farm Bureau Olympics emcee. Here he interviews two Benton County contestants, Cody Anglin of Bentonville (center) and Cody Hays of Gentry, as they prepare to tackle the obstacle course. Above right: Farm Bureau Bank President Will Hileman shared tips young farmers and ranchers can use to build good credit history. Right: “2-4D Tolerance and Formulations” was the topic of a presentation by Dow Chemical’s Jonathan Siebert. Right: ArFB education coordinator Matt Jackson helps one of the youngsters build a birdhouse in the woodworking session. Bottom right: Paten Oxner, the 5-year-old son of Sarah and Michael Oxner of Searcy, was all smiles after winning a trophy in the kids’ tractor race.
Above: Terry and Brian Kinder entertained the younger kids with their “Kindersongs.”
Farm Bureau Press Insert — Vol. 16, No. 4
Right: Elizabeth Walker (left), YF&R committee chair, congratulates Amy West with UofA’s Collegiate FB on winning the collegiate discussion meet finals. Far right: And they’re off! Kids race for the finish line in the tractor race.
2 0 1 3 Y F & R C ON F E R E N C E
Left: YF&R committee chairman Brian Walker of Horatio addressed the crowd at Saturday’s luncheon. Above: At Saturday’s luncheon, ArFB President Randy Veach challenged young leaders to “put your time into the things you love, into the things that will have a direct impact on your livelihood and things that will impact your family.”
Above: Networking and women’s committee opportunities were the topic of discussion in a session led by AFBF women’s committee member Sue Billiott. Farm Bureau Press Insert — Vol. 16, No. 4
Above: C.J. Parker of Carlisle gets in the spirit of the Olympics while trying to remove lug nuts from a tractor tire. Left: ArFB’s governmental affairs coordinator Michelle Kitchens discussed policy development in two well-attended sessions.