Farm Bureau Press
ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU 2025 FARMERS DAY AT THE CAPITOL
The 2025 Arkansas Farm Bureau Farmers Day at the Capitol was held Feb. 25 with more than 150 Arkansas farmers and ranchers in attendance. Attendees had the opportunity to share obstacles with legislators while earning a better understanding of the legislative process.
Photos of the event can be found on page 3 and online.
A r FB CONTINUES PARTNERSHIP WITH ARKANSAS HUNTERS FEEDING THE HUNGRY
The Arkansas Farm Bureau Foundation, the ArFB State YF&R and Women’s Leadership committees are partnering again this year with the Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry (AHFH). Arkansas Farm Bureau, along with county Farm Bureaus, have been working to fight food insecurities in our state for many years, through local and statewide monetary and food donations. This program is another great way for your county Farm Bureau to continue efforts to feed hungry Arkansans.
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Retiree Recognition | Hempstead Co. Farm Bureau board recently gathered to recognize three retirees from its board of directors. Ned Ray Purtle passed away prior to retiring with 48 years of service on the board. Glen Ford passed away a few months following retirement after contributing 46 years of service. Their plaques were accepted by their families. And Ernest Brown retired after serving 10 years on the board.
Ag in the Classroom |
Stacy Witcher and the Cross County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee recently brought agriculture to local classrooms in a hands-on way. The group read “My Grandpa, My Tree and Me” to students and brought a pecan branch full of pecans for students to shake and watch them fall. They also shared about the important crops grown in Cross County, helping students connect with the farming community.
A r FB FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIP
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AHFH is in its 24th year of helping feed hungry Arkansans. The ArFB Foundation is supporting AHFH’s Wild Game Snack Sticks Program, whichprovides shelf stable meat snack sticks to schools for their backpack programs, to provide a protein option for students.
The ArFB Foundation Board of Directors has approved donation of $25,000 to AHFH. In addition, $30,000 has been designated for matching donations made by county Farm Bureaus, individuals and other entities.
If you or your county Farm Bureau would like to be a part of this great program, please make a tax-deductible donation to the ArFB Foundation. Money donated to the ArFB Foundation, earmarked for the AHFH, will be donated to the organization on your behalf.
In 2024, a total of $77,275 was donated to AHFH through our matching program and initial donation. This would not be possible without the support of our county Farm Bureaus. More information on how to donate and how the 2024 donations made a difference can be found online.
USDA RELEASES THE FIRST TRANCHE OF FUNDING UNDER REVIEW
On Feb. 20, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that USDA will release the first tranche of funding that was paused due to the review of funding in the Inflation Reduction Act.
Sec. Rollins, as directed by the White House, will honor contracts that were already made to farmers. Specifically, USDA is releasing approximately $20 million in contracts for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program, and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. USDA says additional announcements are forthcoming as additional programs are reviewed.
ArFB will continue to monitor the situation and keep its members informed.
MARKET NEWS
as of March 5, 2025
Contact Brandy Carroll brandy.carroll@arfb.com
Tyler Oxner tyler.oxner@arfb.com
Corn
Corn futures continue their downward slide, with new-crop December futures declining for the eighth consecutive day. The implementation of increased tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China took effect Tuesday, prompting immediate retaliatory measures from Canada and China. China has announced an additional 15% tariff on U.S. farm imports, set to begin on March 10, potentially allowing time for negotiations. Meanwhile, Canada has imposed a 17% tariff on a range of U.S. products. Mexico has yet to respond, but unshipped U.S. corn sales to the country remain at 7.8 million metric tons (307 million bushels). As the largest buyer of U.S. corn, Mexico’s decision could significantly impact the market. Corn remains deeply oversold, with December futures testing key support at $4.40-$4.45. Funds have likely liquidated over 100,000 contracts from their long positions but are still estimated to hold a netlong position exceeding 270,000 contracts.
Soybeans
Soybeans and soybean products are facing heavy selling pressure this week, with November soybeans and soybean oil extending their decline for the eighth consecutive session. Brazil’s soybean harvest is now 50% complete, according to AgRural, and favorable weather conditions in both Brazil and Argentina continue to support strong production prospects. Additionally, newly enacted tariffs on China and Mexico, along with their
retaliatory measures, coupled with falling financial markets, have further pressured grain and soy markets. Unfortunately for futures prices, the market remains heavily focused on global fundamentals, where record production is expected to maintain ample soybean supplies in the near term.
Wheat
All three wheat markets have seen losses this week, with Chicago and Kansas City extending their losing streak to seven days, while Minneapolis May wheat has declined for 10 consecutive sessions. Both Chicago and Minneapolis have fallen to new contract lows. Selling pressure has been driven by tariff concerns, steep losses in corn and soybeans, and weakness in outside financial markets. Additionally, wheat faced further pressure after Australian economic firm ABARES raised its crop estimate from 31.9 million metric tons (mmt) to 34.1 mmt. Funds have increased their net short position in wheat, with Chicago’s estimated at 87,000 contracts early Tuesday. Despite being deeply oversold, wheat markets remain under pressure in the face of a strong downtrend, even as the U.S. dollar weakens over the past two days.
Cotton
Cotton futures remain under pressure, mostly from the demand side of the equation. Cotton futures have fallen to a new 5-year low on a front-month basis, and farmers are expected to reduce acreage as a result. At the annual Outlook Forum, USDA projected U.S. planted cotton acres to be down almost 11% to 10 million acres. Assuming average abandonment of 16% and a trendline yield of 833 lbs/acre, USDA is projecting all-cotton production in the U.S. to be 14.6 million bales. This projection, however, is not based on producer surveys. That report will come at the end of the month. The National Cotton Council annual survey forecast an even smaller crop,
with just 9.6 million acres planted, down 14.4% from 2024. Demand for U.S. cotton is weak, with a relatively strong dollar, competition from Brazil, and China likely to impose additional tariffs on U.S. cotton imports all adding to the negative undertone of the market.
Rice
Rice futures set new 31/2-year lows before rebounding a bit last week. Last year’s crop was sizable, and demand is not expected to keep pace, meaning that ending stocks are expected to climb to 47 million cwt. Ample supplies are available around the world, particularly in Asia. India alone has a reported stockpile of 67.6 million metric tons as a result of their months-long export ban. In their first look at the 2025 crop, USDA is projecting planted acres to be at their lowest level in three years, at 2.6 million acres. Mid-south farmers are expected to transition acres into corn and soybeans in an effort to be more profitable.
Livestock and Poultry
USDA held its Annual Outlook Forum last week which provided an indepth look at livestock and poultry markets. 2024 red meat and poultry production was up nearly 1% to 107.6 billion pounds. Beef production was flat with 2023, while pork and broiler production increased enough to more than offset a decrease in turkey production. For 2025, UDSA is forecasting another 1% increase in production to 108.4 billion pounds, driven by higher pork and broiler sectors. Cattle and turkey production are projected to decline. Feed prices are also projected to decline again in 2025, continuing the trend that began in 2023. On farm hay stocks on Dec. 1, 2024, were projected at 81.5 million tons, an increase of 6% from 2023.
EDITOR
Ashley Wallace ashley.wallace@arfb.com
