Farm Bureau Press
APPLICATIONS FOR 2025 YF&R COMPETITIVE EVENTS
The Excellence in Ag (EA) and Achievement Award (AA) applications are now available. There are two rounds of competition. In the initial round, applicants will fill out an Arkansas specific application, due March 15. The top three contestants will be chosen from these applicants. The second round will require the top three competitors to complete the more extensive American Farm Bureau applications and participate in either an interview (AA) or presentation (EA). The interviews and presentations will be held, and winners announced during the Officers and Leaders Conference in July.
The Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers in Arkansas who have excelled in their farming/ ranching operations and exhibited outstanding leadership abilities. The award is designed for an individual or couple involved full-time in production agriculture with a majority of their income subject to normal production risks. Competitors are judged on a combination of farming operation growth and financial progress, excellence in operation management and scope, and selfinitiative displayed throughout the development of their operation.
The Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes the accomplishments of contestants who derive the majority of their income from efforts other than agriculture, but are involved in farming and Farm Bureau. Competitors are evaluated on their understanding of agricultural issues, leadership experiences and achievement, ability to communicate their agricultural story, and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations (i.e. civic, service, and community).
These awards provide opportunities to give recognition for achievements in agriculture, business and leadership to our young farmers and ranchers. The future of Arkansas Farm Bureau relies on the success of our young leaders and recognizing those leaders and their accomplishments is vital to the Continued on page 2
Six inductees added to XXXVII Class Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame, Page 2-3
US ONLINE Market News, Page 4
Scan the QR code to access direct links referenced in each article.
Photo Credit: Rae Thurman Greening
COMPETITIVE EVENTS
Continued from page 1
health of our organization. These contests play an important role in encouraging our younger leaders to strive for excellence at home, on their farms, in their community and in their involvement with Farm Bureau.
We urge county Farm Bureaus to identify leaders who are eligible to apply. Applications are now webbased and must be submitted online. Submission links, applications and information on deadlines and announcements are available on the Arkansas Farm Bureau website and the Leader Portal.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, contact Lindsey Rucker at (501) 228-1843 or lindsey.rucker@arfb.com.
Independence County Book Donation | Helen Williams delivered copies of “My Grampa, My Tree, and Me” to six local elementary schools on behalf of Independence County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee. “My Grampa, My Tree, and Me” was the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s “Book of the Year.”
Monroe County Donation | Monroe County Farm Bureau delivered one-thousand snack sticks to assist with the backpack program in the Brinkley and Clarendon school districts. The donation was made possible through the Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry Snack Stick Program. Present for the donation were Jana Carroll, Monroe County Women’s Leadership Committee; Ronnie Ritter, AHFH; and Leann Wilkison, Monroe County WLC.
SIX INDUCTEES ADDED TO CLASS ARKANSAS AGRICULTURE HALL
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. 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, a founding member of Perry County Cattlemen’s Association in 1970 and recipient of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association lifetime service achievement award in 2012;
• Carl Brothers of Stuttgart, who spent 53 years with Riceland Foods, retiring as senior vice president and chief operating officer and whose leadership was instrumental in passage of the 1985 farm bill.
• Chuck Culver of Fayetteville, retired University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture executive who helped secure more than $600 million in public and private funding for agriculture research and extension projects;
• Mike Freeze of Little Rock, co-owner and operator of Keo
ARKANSAS FFA FOUNDATION
WISEMAN AS NEW EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
The Arkansas FFA Foundation, Inc. has announced the appointment of Taylor Wiseman as its new Executive Director. After a comprehensive national search conducted by Jorgenson Pace, Inc., Wiseman was selected for her outstanding qualifications, leadership experience and unwavering commitment to advancing agricultural education and FFA in Arkansas.
Having been raised in Arkansas, Wiseman brings a wealth of experience in leadership, fundraising, and agricultural advocacy. She previously served as professional staff for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources under Chairman Bruce Westerman, where she led critical initiatives on forestry and public lands policy. Her impressive career also includes roles with the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry under Sen. John Boozman and service as Arkansas FFA President and
OF XXXVII
OF FAME
Fish Farms — America’s largest producer of hybrid striped bass fry and fingerlings — who helped Arkansas become one of the top states in aquaculture production;
• the late Jack Reaper of Albion, who was a prisoner of war in a German concentration camp before starting with a 24-acre farm in White County and growing it into a model farm that included poultry, cattle and row crops.
• Frank Wilson of Rison, who began planting pine trees with his dad more than 70 years ago and started Wilson Brothers Lumber Company in 1972, followed by several logging companies and other timber industry enterprises offering more than 100 jobs in rural Cleveland County.
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’ 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 by Paul Harvel, C.R. Sawrie and the Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce in 1987. 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.
ANNOUNCES
DIRECTOR
National FFA President.
Wiseman’s background includes a master’s degree in Agricultural economics from the University of Arkansas and a degree in agricultural business from Southern Arkansas University. Her passion for agriculture and education has been evident throughout her career, from investing in the next generation of agriculturalists to advocating for policies that support Arkansas’s farmers, ranchers and the wider agriculture industry.
The Arkansas FFA Foundation is dedicated to fostering agricultural education and leadership for the future of Arkansas’ agriculture industry. With Wiseman’s leadership, the Foundation looks forward to building on its legacy of service and innovation.
Benton Co. Retirement | Benton Co. Farm Bureau recently celebrated Doug Miller (second from right), who served the past 15 years as agency manager and retired Dec. 31, 2024. Miller served 20 years as a Benton Co. Farm Bureau agent prior to becoming agency manager.
Woodruff County Grilling | Woodruff County Farm Bureau insurance agents, Agency Manager Wes Fairchild and John Hanna recently fired up the grill to prepare a pregame meal for McCrory’s girls and boys basketball teams.
Newton County Dairy Cow | Newton County Farm Bureau recently brought the dairy cow simulator to the Touch a Truck Day at the Deer/Mount Judea School District. The event provided an opportunity for students to experience and learn about dairy farming in a fun, interactive way. Local farmers also brought their equipment, allowing students to explore tractors and other farming tools. The learning experience not only educated the kids about the equipment but also deepened their understanding of agriculture.
MARKET NEWS
as of January 22, 2025
Contact Brandy Carroll brandy.carroll@arfb.com
Tyler Oxner tyler.oxner@arfb.com
Rice
Arkansas rice farmers set a new record yield in 2024, according to the USDA Annual Production Report. The average all-rice yield was 7,640 lbs. per acre, or 170 bushels per acre. Long grain yields were even higher, at 7,670 lbs. per acre. March futures ended 2024 by plunging lower, below the FSA reference price of $14. The market has now rebounded a bit, and prices are challenging resistance at $14.90. Overall, the fundamental picture suggests that prices will remain under pressure. The relative value of the dollar and ample supplies from Asia (especially India, now that the export ban has been lifted) are making it tough to compete on the global market. Ending stocks are now projected to be up 9% for the 2024/25 marketing year. 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.
Cotton
Arkansas cotton farmers are projected to have set a new record yield in 2024 of 1313 lbs/acre. Cotton futures are trending solidly lower. The fundamental situation remains quite bearish as soft export demand continues to weigh on the market. In the monthly WASDE, production was raised, and export projections were lowered, resulting in a stocks-to-use
ratio of 37.5%, up from 23.2% just one year ago. The downside could be limited, though, as farmers begin to make their planting decisions for 2025. At current price levels, we would expect to see acres shift to other crops, but West Texas has adequate moisture. The first look at the crop will be the National Cotton Council producer survey released on Feb. 16, which will provide some insight into planting intentions. 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.
Corn
The nearby March corn contract recently broke through resistance at $4.80, climbing to a fresh eightmonth high at $4.90. A move above this level could see the next resistance point at $5.00. The initial surge followed a bullish USDA report, which lowered U.S. corn production to 14.9 billion bushels and cut ending stocks to 1.21 billion bushels. Globally, stocks declined to 293.3 million tons. The continued push higher has been driven by speculative traders increasing their net-long positions to the highest level since mid-2022, when prices began their descent from the 2021/22 highs. Currently, the corn market is extremely overbought technically and a downward correction would not be a surprise.
Soybeans
Soybean futures have rebounded following the latest WASDE report, which lowered U.S. production to 4.4 billion bushels and reduced ending stocks to 380 million bushels. The nearby contract has climbed above $10.70, with technical resistance expected at $10.80—levels not seen since September 2024. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is nearing overbought territory, suggesting possible price resistance ahead. On
the downside, support is currently seen at $10.20. The recent rally has been supported in part by President Trump’s decision to delay tariff action following a productive call with President Xi.
Wheat
The latest USDA report provided little direct support for wheat, but a sharp decline in the U.S. dollar has renewed optimism for U.S. export competitiveness. President Trump appears eager to reopen trade negotiations with Canada and Mexico. While finalizing a new deal would be a lengthy process, both countries may be able to avoid new tariffs by agreeing to enter discussions. The Chicago March wheat contract recently approached its 75-day moving average of $5.67. A break above this level could target the 100-day moving average at $5.75. However, global competition remains a headwind for wheat prices. In Russia, melting snow cover has increased concerns about potential winterkill, which could influence global supply expectations.
Livestock and Poultry
In the monthly WASDE, the 2025 beef production forecast was raised on higher placements at the end of 2024 and higher weights. The Cattle Report, released on January 31, will provide additional data on projected cattle placements and heifer retention in 2025. Pork production was also raised on farrowing data from the end of 2024. Broiler and turkey production projections for 2025 were lowered on based on recent hatchery and slaughter data. Cattle price projections were raised as beef demand remains strong. Broiler and hog price projections were also raised based upon demand.
EDITOR
Ashley Wallace ashley.wallace@arfb.com