Farm Bureau Press
ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU 2025
Applications are being accepted for this year’s Arkansas Youth Leadership Summit (AYLS). The four-day seminar will provide an in-depth look at agriculture degrees and careers, introduce students to the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, and examine the issues affecting agriculture and rural Arkansas. All this and more will happen at the Southern Arkansas University (SAU) campus June 1‐4.
AYLS teaches youth several aspects of the agricultural industry, including agriculture agencies, companies, and technologies. The summit will also explore career opportunities in agriculture and the educational path needed for those careers.
In addition, the group will tour the SAU campus and farm, experience dorm life, and interact with a local producer.
Students will also give back to the community with a service project. The summit will conclude on Wednesday with a dinner for attendees and their families and a drawing for a $500 scholarship for one lucky participant.
AYLS is for students entering the 11th or 12th grades in the 2025‐26 school year. Links to the guidelines and the online application for AYLS can be found at here or on the Leader Portal.
The deadline for applications is March 15. Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from a Farm Bureau county board member or agency manager.
We look forward to a successful summit and would appreciate your assistance in recruiting students in your community. For questions, please contact Donette Spann at donette.spann@arfb.com or 501-228-1222.
ArFB Women’s Leadership Conference, Page 3 ArFB Seeking 2025 Summer Interns, Page 2
the QR code to access direct links referenced in each article.
Photo Credit: Rae Thurman Greening
ANNUAL YOUTH COOKING CONTESTS SET
The Arkansas Farm Bureau Dairy Foods Contest and Rice is Nice Youth Cooking Contest will be held July 18, at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds in Little Rock. Complete rules and entry information can be found on the ArFB website.
Counties may conduct contests as they see fit to select their entrants into the state contest. ArFB will again provide prizes for county winners. A request form is included in the rulebooks. Each county can enter one student per category per contest. Each contest has Main Dish and Party Idea categories.
Entrants must be 9-18 years old, in the 4th-12th grade as of Jan. 1 and certified by the county Farm Bureau or county Extension agent.
Entry forms are also included in the online rulebooks and are due by June 20. Finalists will be notified no later than June 30.
For more information, contact Brandy Carroll, or Jake Cartwright.
ArFB SEEKING 2025 SUMMER INTERNS
ArFB internship program provides a hands-on work experience to students who will increase their understanding and knowledge of agriculture and the function/purpose of ArFB. The multidepartment internship includes opportunities to interact with agriculture leaders and farmers from across the state/country. Students will be tasked with the development of new advocacy material to promote Farm Bureau policy to legislators, regulatory agencies, consumers and/or students.
The Public Relations internship provides technical and creative support for ArFB’s PR department, and the opportunity to gain valuable experience in support of Arkansas’ largest member organization. Students will be tasked with writing for our various publications, photography, videography, design and more. More information is available online
SIX INDUCTEES ADDED TO CLASS OF XXXVII ARKANSAS AGRICULTURE HALL OF FAME
Six inductees will be added to the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame, reflective of industry-changing work in aquaculture, forestry, rice, poultry and cattle as well as the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
Class XXXVII induction ceremonies are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on March 28 in the Wally Allen Ballroom at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. Contact Cindra Jones at 501-228-1609 for ticket information or click here to purchase tickets online.
The six inductees that make up Class XXXVII are:
• Aubrey Blackmon of Houston;
• Carl Brothers of Stuttgart;
• Chuck Culver of Fayetteville;
• Mike Freeze of Little Rock;
• the late Jack Reaper of Albion;
• Frank Wilson of Rison.
Since the hall of fame’s first class in 1987, a total of 192 men and women have been inducted for significant contributions to Arkansas’s largest industry and the economic impact of the industry.
Brief biographies for each inductee can be found online
The Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame was originated in 1987 by Paul Harvel, C.R. Sawrie and the Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. The program seeks to build public awareness of agriculture; and to honor/recognize past and current leaders who have given selflessly to the farm industry, their communities and to economic development in the state.
Aubrey Blackmon Carl Brothers
Chuck Culver
Mike Freeze Jack Reaper
Frank Wilson
2025 A r FB WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE FROM THE COUNTIES
The 2025 Arkansas Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Conference is set for April 3-4 at the Little Rock Marriott. Registration will open at 8 a.m. on April 3.
The conference will begin at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, with a welcome in the Arkansas State Capitol Rotunda. Buses will depart from the Little Rock Marriott at 9 a.m. After the welcome, attendees can meet with elected officials from their respective districts, attend legislative committee meetings and tour the State Capitol. Lunch will begin at noon at Next Level Events, and bus transportation will be provided.
Following lunch, attendees will return to the Little Rock Marriott for afternoon sessions, including networking, a capitol visit wrap-up and a hands-on school program demonstration. Thursday will conclude with dinner and Bingo.
Sebastian Co. Farm Bureau Week | Sebastian Co. Farm Bureau board and county president, Danny Dalmut, are shown with County Judge Steve Hotz (seated left) as he signs a Farm Bureau Week proclamation.
Friday morning will begin with two rotating workshops starting at 8 a.m. Pastries and drinks will be available at 7:30 a.m. At 10 a.m., there will be time for county committee members to come together and discuss the conference and their plans for 2025; planning materials will be provided during this time. The conference will wrap up with a general session featuring a keynote “From Soil to Senate: A Guide to Advocating for Agriculture” from Cassidy Johnston, an agriculture consultant, communicator, and cofounder of JRC Ranch Management and Consulting. Cassidy and her family live on a ranch near Canon City, Colo. A block of rooms is secured for Wednesday and Thursday nights. Registration can be completed online or contacting your county Farm Bureau office.
The registration deadline is March 14. For questions, please contact Amanda Williams at amanda.wIlliams@arfb.com
Miller Co. Lunch | Miller Co. Farm Bureau recently sponsored a table at the Four States Agricultural Expo in Texarkana. The group also served burgers to attendees from Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
Farm Bureau Week | In honor of Farm Bureau Week, the Lee Co. Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee recently delivered coloring books, crayons, junior ag mags and fresh teeth kits to students at Lee Academy.
Cassidy Johnston
MARKET NEWS
as of February 19, 2025
Contact Brandy Carroll brandy.carroll@arfb.com
Tyler Oxner tyler.oxner@arfb.com
Cotton
Cotton futures are attempting to confirm a bottom after trending lower for months. The market got a boost after the National Cotton Council released results of its annual planting intentions. Farmers reported plans to plant only 9.6 million acres, down 14.5% from 2024 and a 10-year low. Arkansas farmers plan to plant 604,000 acres, down 7% from last year. While prices for all crops are lower than they were a year ago, cotton has declined the most. Many farmers will move acres to other commodities, primarily corn. The monthly WASDE had few changes, but the average on-farm expected price was lowered to 63.5 cents/pound. Last week’s exports were disappointing at 244,700 bales, down 14% from the previous 4-week average. With new tariffs looming over the market and set to take effect on March 1, it will be tough to build upward momentum in the market. The American Relief Act, passed late last year, is estimated to provide payments near $87/acre for cotton, but that could be adjusted as the rules are written. Payments are expected by mid-to-late March.
Rice
March rice futures are attempting to confirm a bottom after taking out previous support at $13.70 and setting a new low of $13.37. Ample supplies are available around the world, particularly in Asia, where stockpiles in India grew to 67.6
MMT during their export ban. Poor milling quality of the U.S. crop is also creating a difficult situation for U.S. exporters, and food aid accounts for 2% to 5% of U.S. exports annually. What seems to be an end to food aid for the foreseeable future will also make it difficult for this market to recover. Ending stocks are now projected to be 47 million cwt, up from 39.8 million just last year. The average on-farm price estimate for long grain in this month’s WASDE was lowered to $14. The American Relief Act, passed late last year, is projected to provide payments near $69/acre for rice. The program will be based on planted acreage, with prevented planted acres receiving a 50% payment. More information should be available soon as USDA publishes the rules and enacts the program. Payment limits will apply.
Corn
Corn futures opened the week strong, posting strong gains on robust export demand and concerns about South American productions. Old crop March and new crop December set new ninemonth highs. December posted a bullish outside day, trading as high as $4.77½. March closed at $5.02 on Tuesday, the first time the lead month has topped $5 in 16 months. Exports are on pace to far exceed the current USDA estimates. There is a lot of uncertainty, though, about what impact tariffs could have on the market. There is obviously great risk to ag commodities, as we have seen in the past. However, new trade agreements could lead to increased exports if and when they are established.
Soybeans
The soybean market is facing price volatility. Nearby contracts have broken through uptrending support, but the trend is mostly sideways. Fundamental factors
impacting the market are the weather in South America and at home as U.S. farmers make planting decisions. With current price levels, however, it is likely that farmers will move acres out of soybeans and into corn. Exports remain solid, and USDA is projecting a carryout of 376 million bushels. That is a stocks-touse ratio of 8.6%, which is relatively low. USDA lowered its on-farm price estimate another dime to $10.10.
Wheat
Chicago wheat futures continue to rally, with prices gapping higher this week. March has tough resistance at the October high of $6.40 that could limit the upside potential. The market is being supported by strength in corn and concerns of winterkill in the U.S. crop, with extreme temperatures affecting large parts of the growing region. Weekly exports were down sharply last week, and uncertainty about the war in Ukraine and tariffs could also limit the upside potential.
Livestock, Poultry and Dairy
In the monthly WASDE, USDA raised its 2025 beef production forecast on a larger calf crop and a smaller decline in cattle outside feedlots. Pork production was raised as higher expected weights offset lower slaughter numbers. Broiler production was unchanged and turkey production was decreased, with a slower slaughter pace expected due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza related culling. 2025 milk production was reduced due to expected lower cow inventories. The all milk price forecast for 2025 was lowered to $22.60/cwt.
EDITOR
Ashley Wallace ashley.wallace@arfb.com