Farm Bureau Press | February 17

Farm Bureau Press

2023 ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FARMERS DAY AT THE CAPITOL

The 2023 Farmers Day at the Capitol event is an opportunity to bring agriculture’s collective voice to the Arkansas State Capitol. The purpose will be to share the obstacles and opportunities for the state’s farmers and ranchers while earning a better understanding of the legislative process.

We are asking everyone who plans to attend to join us for dinner and a short informational session Tuesday evening, Feb. 28, at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock. Those arriving Wednesday morning should plan to meet at the Embassy Suites and ride the shuttle.

On the morning of March 1, our group will board buses and head to the Capitol for a full day of engagement with elected officials, including a lunch fish-fry, catered by King Kat of Carlisle. Events will include House & Senate committee meetings and House and Senate sessions for Farmers Day recognition.

All county presidents and legislative chairmen are encouraged to attend, however, any interested Farm Bureau leader is welcome. Hotel arrangements, meals and mileage will be covered by Arkansas Farm Bureau. Attendees may register through their local member service representative, by contacting your ArFB district director or County President.

A r FB COMMODITY CONTESTS

The 2023 Dairy Foods and Rice Is Nice Youth Cooking Contests are now open for registration. Program booklets can be found at arfb.com and contain everything you need to know to conduct your own county contest. ArFB will again offer prizes for county winners, and the order forms for prizes are included. The state contests will be held in-person July 27. For more information, cotact Brandy Carroll, or Jake Cartwright.

FOLLOW

A PEEK INSIDE

Arkansas Women in Ag 2023 Conference, Page 2

Winter Forage Conference Scheduled for Feb. 23, Page 3

ARKANSAS WOMEN IN AG 2023 CONFERENCE

The Arkansas Women in Agriculture Conference will be held on April 3 – 4 at the Hot Springs Convention Center. The conference is a networking event for all Arkansas women involved in agriculture.

The annual conference gives participants a chance to learn more about hot agriculture topics, resources for their farm, issues in production agriculture and today's family concerns.

Keynote speakers this year include Kiah Twisselman Burchett, better known as Coach Kiah and Kelli Payne, president of the Oklahoma National Stockyards. Participant, vendor, and sponsor registration is available online.

ARKANSAS CENTURY FARM APPLICATIONS DUE MAY 31

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the 2023 Arkansas Century Farm Program. This program recognizes Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. Online and printable applications are available at here. There is no cost to apply.

To qualify, Arkansas farms must meet the following criteria:

• The same family must have owned the farm for 100 years by Dec. 31, 2023. 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 ten acres of the original land acquisition and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income.

Qualifying Arkansas farms will receive a personalized Arkansas Century Farm certificate and metal sign listing the farm name and year established.

Contact Beth Moore at 501-539-4027 or beth.moore@ agriculture.arkansas.gov with questions. Applications must be received via email or postmarked on or before May 31 to be eligible for designation as a 2023 inductee.

Drew Co. Donation Drive | For Farm Bureau week, Drew Co. Farm Bureau hosted a Fill a Ford event for baby items to support the local Hope Place. Diapers, wipes, baby food, formula and much more were donated through the week.

Clark Co. Proclamation | At a recent Quorum Court meeting, Clark County Judge Troy Tucker (right) proclaimed Feb. 6-10 Farm Bureau Week across Clark County. Clark Co. Boardmembers Wayne Baumgardner (left) and Karen Kirkpatrick were present for the signing.

Benton Co. Radio Promotion | Benton Co. kicked off Farm Bureau week with a visit to KURM Radio where they promoted Farm Bureau programs.

WINTER FORAGE CONFERENCE RESCHEDULED TO FEB 23

On Feb. 23, the Arkansas Forage & Grassland Council will present “Warding Off the Next Drought,” a one-day winter forage conference featuring researchers, agricultural economists and other experts presenting facts and strategies to stay profitable in 2023. Having been postponed due to the severe winter weather that closed down much of the state during the first week of February, the conference is again scheduled to be held at Crossroads Cowboy Church, located at 3071 Arkansas 5 in El Paso (White County). Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $25 to attend; students pay only $10.

John Jennings, professor and extension forage specialist for the Division of Agriculture, said the conference will help producers manage their resources in the coming year.

The conference’s agenda includes:

• How we got ahead of last year’s drought — Shane Gadberry, professor and director of the Livestock and Forestry Research Station, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

• Using the forage calendar — John Jennings, professor and forage specialist, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

• Annual forages and using them to your advantage — Kenny Simon, extension animal science instructor, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

• AFGC business meeting

• Managing your fertilizer dollar — Bronc Finch, assistant professor-soil fertility, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

• Fertilizer outlook for 2023 — Hunter Biram, assistant professor, ag economist, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

• Insuring your forages against the next drought — James Mitchell, assistant professor-livestock marketing and management, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

• What can you do with drones and other emerging technologies — Jason Davis, extension application technologist, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

For more information or to pre-register, contact Linda McCargo at 501-671-2171.

Cookout | Lafayette Co. Farm Bureau hosted a cookout for Farm Bureau Week where they invited the community to stop by for hot dogs and learn more about Farm Bureau. Attendees could also enter a gift card drawing.

Donation Drive | Hempstead Co. Farm Bureau hosted a Farm Bureau Week Fill a Ford drive. More than 2,100 lbs of non-perishable food items were collected and donated to Hope in Action

Ag Expo | Miller Co. Farm Bureau sponsored the Miller/ Bowie County Ag Expo. Pictured are (from left) Agency Manager Coy Mason, Board Members Nedra Turney, Barbara Sutton, Don Sutton, Terry Reeves and Doug Petty, Women’s Leadership Committee member Marsha Petty, Vice President Bruce Ferguson, Women’s Leadership Committee Members Deborah Ferguson and Shannon Olson, Board Members Curtis Mudford and Tom Olson and President Chase Groves.

MARKET NEWS

as of Feb. 15 , 2023

Contact Brandy Carroll 501-228-1268 brandy.carroll@arfb.com

Livestock and Poultry

In the latest USDA Supply/Demand report, the 2023 beef production forecast was raised from last month’s report. Higher slaughter estimates for the first quarter were partially offset by lower carcass weights as cow slaughter was larger than previously forecast. For the second quarter, steer and heifer slaughter was lowered as fourth-quarter placements were lower than expected, implying fewer animals available for marketing in the second quarter. Lower fed cattle slaughter, coupled with lower average carcass weights, more than offset expected cow slaughter. Pork production was lowered on slightly lighter first-half carcass weights. Broiler production is reduced for the first three quarters based on recent hatchery data and the current pace of slaughter. Egg production was reduced slightly on recent layer flock data and slower-than-expected production growth in December 2022.

Beef imports for 2023 were raised for the year with higher first-quarter forecast partially offset by lower second-quarter imports. The beef export forecast and the pork trade projections were unchanged. Broiler imports and turkey exports were lowered, while egg imports were projected higher.

Expected cattle prices for 2023 were raised on expected strength in demand for fed cattle as feedlot numbers shrink. U.S. ranchers have

the smallest cattle herd in over 60 years, and that is reflected in the report. Hog and broiler price estimates were lowered, reflecting current prices. Egg price estimates were raised, also reflecting current prices.

Dairy

The USDA Supply/Demand report showed expectations for declining milk production as weaker milk prices are expected to result in lower cow inventories. The Jan. 1 cattle inventory report showed a dairy cow inventory only fractionally higher than last year, and that producers were retaining 2% fewer cows for the dairy herd. Imports for 2023 are expected to increase and exports are expected to decrease. Both Class III and Class IV prices were lowered from the previous report, reflecting lower product price forecasts, and the all-milk price was reduced to 20.70 per cwt.

Corn

March corn futures continue to chop along in a mostly sideways pattern below resistance at the recent high of $6.88 and support near $6.70. There is currently an adequate flow of corn coming to market, and that is reflected in weaker basis levels. Argentina has seen significant corn crop losses, but they are mostly built into prices at this level. The market will soon be focused on the size of the U.S. crop. USDA will release its initial estimates at the annual Outlook Forum at the end of February.

Cotton

The National Cotton Council released the results of its 2023 grower survey, which revealed that farmers intend to plant 11.2 million acres of upland cotton. That’s down 17.3% from 2022. Extra-long staple intended acres were pegged at 184,000, which is a fractional increase over last year. Cotton prices are significantly

lower than last year, while other commodity prices have remained more stable. The price of cotton relative to other commodities has resulted in farmers choosing to plant other crops. Arkansas farmers reported planting intentions that are down 17.7% from last year. March cotton remains in a mostly sideways trading pattern below 90¢, while new crop December has resistance at 87¢. The market continues to face uncertain demand, especially given the fraught relationship between the U.S. and China.

Rice

In the February supply/demand report, USDA lowered total rice imports by 3 million cwt to 42 million. If realized, that would set a record for imports. The export forecast was lowered 4 million cwt to 62 million, the lowest level since 85/86, reflecting both the smallest supply in 20 years and limited exports due to high U.S. prices. Projected all rice ending stocks were increased one million cwt to 33.1 million, which is down 17% from the previous year. The southern long grain average on farm price was raised 20¢ to $16.90.

Soybeans

Old-crop soybean futures are technically trending higher, but aren’t challenging contract highs. The monthly supply/demand report showed expectations for lower crush and higher ending stocks. Crush is now pegged at 2.23 billion bushels, down 15 million from last month. Exports were unchanged, so the 15 million bushels carried over directly into ending stocks, which are now pegged at 225 million bushels. The season average price was up 10¢ from last month to $14.30/bushel.

EDITOR

Ashley Wallace ashley.wallace@arfb.com