JANUARY 6, 2023 | VOLUME 26 | ISSUE 1
Farm Bureau Press A PEEK INSIDE
ArFB PROMOTES PISTOLE TO DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS The Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation announced that Bryan Pistole has been promoted to Director of Public Relations. The promotion comes after eight years with the Federation, where he most recently served as creative director. Pistole has more than 30 years of experience in graphic design, video production, web services and event management. In his new role, Pistole will be responsible for helping guide the organization's internal and external messaging in addition to his continued work of implementing brand standards across the organization and managing the Production Hub, ArFB’s in-house print, mail and fulfillment center.
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Bryan Pistole
Before joining ArFB, Pistole worked in a variety of roles with Alltel/Fidelity Information Services, Alltel Corp. and Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods. He also operated a private creative consulting firm for more than 18 years. Bryan earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising from Harding University in 1991. He and his wife, Starr, live in North Little Rock and have three grown children and six grandchildren.
2023 WINTER COMMODITY DIVISION MEETINGS The 2023 ArFB Winter Commodity Division Meetings will be held Jan. 31 at the Wyndham Riverfront in North Little Rock. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. The first round of meetings begin at 9:30 a.m. and includes aquaculture, beef cattle, poultry, rice, specialty crops and wheat and feed grains. The afternoon sessions begin at 1 p.m. and cover cotton, dairy, equine, foresty, small ruminant, soybeans and swine.
ARKANSAS
ArFB Grant & Teacher Award Applications Open, Page 3
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A PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU YF&R CONFERENCE SET FOR FEBRUARY The ArFB Young Farmer & Rancher and Collegiate Conference will be held Feb. 17–18 at the Little Rock Marriott. Registration will open at 4 p.m on Jan. 6. The conference will kick off with a reception Friday evening. The Saturday agenda includes addresses from ArFB leadership and workshops covering topics including a legislative update and crop and livestock markets. The conference will conclude Saturday evening with dinner and entertainment at Main Event Little Rock. Childcare will be provided on site for ages 5 and up during general sessions and workshops. Registration forms can be found online or by contacting your county office. Deadline to register is Feb. 3.
DIVERSE 5 JOINING ARKANSAS AG HALL OF FAME Leadership and service that brought distinction to the state’s largest business is the hallmark for five new inductees into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame. Inductees include Arkansas Century Farm owner/ operator and philanthropist Ellis Bell of Forrest City; Arkansas State University professor of agricultural economics Bert Greenwalt of Jonesboro; innovative rice farmer Chris Isbell of Humnoke; veteran cotton farmer and industry leader Steve Stevens of Tillar; and the late Jessie (J.D.) Vaught of Horatio, a pioneer in contract livestock production. Class XXXV induction ceremonies are set for 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 3 at the Little Rock Convention Center. Luncheon tickets to this year’s induction ceremony are $80 each. Individual tickets and tables of 10 are available by calling (501) 228-1609 or emailing aghalloffame@arfb.com. Tickets can be purchased online here. 2
AVIAN INFLUENZA CONFIRMED IN THIRD ARKANSAS POULTRY FLO Testing has confirmed a case of avian influenza in a backyard flock in Arkansas County that had shown increased mortality over the course of several days. This is the third case of avian influenza in Arkansas this year. Earlier this year the Department confirmed cases of avian influenza on a poultry farm in Madison County and on a farm in Pope County. Avian influenza is an airborne respiratory virus that spreads easily among chickens through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. The virus can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers. There is no public health concern, and avian influenza does not affect poultry meat or egg products, which remain safe to eat. To mitigate the disease risk from contact with the birds or their droppings, the Livestock and Poultry Division strongly recommends taking the following steps for the next 30 days, especially within the Delta area: • Keep your birds indoors or covered to prevent exposure to wild or migratory birds. • Restrict access to any source of water that may have been contaminated by wild birds.
2023 ArFB COMMODITY DIVISION Commodity division chairs and vice chairs for 2023 were recently approved by Arkansas Farm Bureau’s board of directors, including the creation of a new Small Ruminant Division. Committee chairs and vice chairs are listed below for each commodity division: Aquaculture: Chair, Jamie Anderson, Lonoke County; Vice chair, Mike Freeze, Pulaski County. Beef Cattle: Chair, Michael Lee, Faulkner County; Vice chair, Caleb Plyler, Hempstead County. Cotton: Chair, Heath Donner, Mississippi County, Vice chair, Sherry Felts, Mississippi County. Dairy: Chair, Bill Haak, Benton County; Vice chair, Bob Shofner, Benton County. Equine: Chair, Steve Jones, Faulkner County; Vice chair, Jack Evans, Lonoke County.
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N OCK • Implement strict biosecurity on the premises. Alert all farm personnel of the increased risk of HPAI. Especially focusing on biosecurity methods to prevent exposure to wild waterfowl or their droppings. All poultry flock owners are encouraged to follow the strictest biosecurity on their farms to prevent the spread of the disease. Those steps include: • Limit, monitor, and record any movement of people, vehicles, or animals on or off your farm. • Permit only essential workers and vehicles to enter the farm to limit the chances of bringing the virus from an outside source. • Avoid visiting other poultry farms and any unnecessary travel off the farm.
ArFB NOW ACCEPTING MINI GARDEN GRANT APPLICATIONS Applications are now being accepted for the ArFB Outdoor Classroom Garden Mini-Grants. The program is designed to show that agriculture is an integral part of our everyday environment and can demonstrate the connection between agriculture, food, fiber, conservation, wildlife and the urban environment. Applications are being accepted now through Feb. 15, or as long as funding is available. Programs will receive up to $500 for new gardens, and up to $250 for on-going garden projects. More details and an application can be found online.
• Disinfect equipment, vehicles, footwear, and other items that come into contact with flocks. • Keep your flock away from wild or migratory birds, especially waterfowl. • Isolate any ill animals and contact your veterinarian. More information on avian influenza can be found online, as well as information on protecting poultry.
N CHAIRS Forestry: Chair, Grant Pace, Ashley County; Vice chair, Joe Thrash, Faulkner County. Poultry: Chair, Chris Meador, Carroll County; Vice chair, Dan Wright, Scott County. Rice: Chair, Jeff Rutledge, Jackson County; Vice chair, Terry Dabbs, Arkansas County. Small Ruminant: Chair, John Crangle, Hot Spring County; Vice chair, Dana Stewart, White County. Soybean: Chair, Bo Mason, Monroe County; Vice chair, Brad Doyle, Poinsett County. Specialty Crops: Chair, James Meeks, Ashley County; Vice chair, Terry Laster, Union County. Swine: Chair, Steve Balloun, Yell County; Vice chair, Jason Henson, Newton County. Wheat and Feed Grains: Chair, Jacob Appleberry, Desha County; Vice chair, Jon Carroll, Monroe County.
AG IN THE CLASSROOM TEACHER AWARD The Arkansas Ag in the Classroom Teacher Award recognizes an outstanding teacher in Arkansas that incorporates agricultural themes into nonagricultural curricula. If you know teachers who use Ag in the Classroom, please encourage them to apply for the award. Teachers can be selfnominated, nominated by fellow teachers, principals, superintendents or nominated by a county Farm Bureau leader. The winning teacher will be awarded a monetary prize, an expense–paid trip to the National Ag in the Classroom Conference and recognized at the Arkansas Farm Bureau Annual Convention. ARKANSAS The award program guidelines and a nomination form are online. Deadline for application is April 1.
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MARKET NEWS as of Jan. 4, 2023 Contact Brandy Carroll 501-228-1268 brandy.carroll@arfb.com
Cotton March cotton futures are technically in an uptrend drawn off the Oct. 31 low. The recent pattern has been more sideways, though, and resistance at 90 cents continues to cap the market. So far, support at 77.50 is holding. Significant net cancellations reported in recent weeks have resulted in a decrease in export commitments, which are lower now than they were at the first of November, and sales are below the pace needed to meet USDA’s current export projections. That is something to look out for in upcoming supply/demand reports. The latest report showed net cancellations from China of 144,000 bales. The end of the zero–Covid policy in China allowed people to return to work and to social situations but has also resulted in a spike in serious infections. Until that economy stabilizes and demand returns, the cotton market could continue to stall. It is hard to see this market having much upside in the short-term unless export sales improve. Rice To say rice futures have been volatile over the past month is an understatement. In early December, March futures took about $1.50 off the market before finding support near $17. In the last two weeks, though, futures quickly retraced losses to set a new high of $18.53, which will likely prove to be tough 4
resistance. Rice futures got a boost coming into 2023 from the final weekly export report of the year. Total sales of 98,700 metric tons, of which 80,000 metric tons were purchased by Iraq, was the highest weekly total in about two months. Exports for 2022-23 are currently running 40% behind last year’s pace. Soybeans Soybean futures have also been volatile, with little clear direction as prices chart big gains one day and big losses the next. The market remains focused on South American weather and its impact on the crop there. The main concern currently is dryness in Argentina. Conditions in Brazil remain largely favorable. The most recent export inspections report showed 53.8 million bushels, which was below projections. Inspections are down 7% when compared to this date in 2021-22, and slightly below USDA projections for the marketing year. Technically, July soybeans have set a new high of $15.46 last week but are now trading just below the $15 mark. USDA estimates the average onfarm price for 2022-23 to be $14, so the market could be overpriced at current levels. Corn As in the soybean market, traders are watching conditions in South America. While conditions are mostly favorable in Brazil, the same can’t be said for Argentina, which has been hot and dry. Recent transportation issues across the U.S. due to winter weather have resulted in higher prices to try to pull corn to market. Demand from ethanol plants is on pace to meet USDA’s target of 5.275 billion bushels. Export inspections, however, and down 27% from
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a year ago. USDA is currently projecting exports to be down, but only by 16%. Heavy precipitation has helped replenish soil moisture and improved the Mississippi River levels, good news as farmers prepare to plant the crop. Cattle Cattle futures soared to new highs at the end of the year as the severe winter storm moved through the Plains and the Midwest. Strong wholesale beef prices have also been supportive. In the Dec. 23 Cattle on Feed report, USDA pegged the total inventory at 11.7 million head, or 97% total from a year ago. November placements were 1.93 million head, down 2% from the previous year. Marketings during November were pegged at 1.89 million head, the highest November total since the report began in 1996. Technically, February futures have resistance at the recent high of $159.17½, but the market is clearly trending higher. Hogs February lean hogs continue to be capped by resistance near $92, and have turned lower in recent days after again failing at that resistance. The December Hogs and Pigs report showed a total inventory of 73.1 million head. That was down 2% from the year-ago total, and down 1% from the previous quarter. The market hog inventory was down 2% from the previous year, while the breeding inventory was up slightly at 6.15 million head. Cash hog and wholesale pork prices continue to face seasonal pressure.
EDITOR Ashley Wallace ashley.wallace@arfb.com