Farm Bureau Press | March 23

Farm Bureau Press

A PEEK INSIDE

2024 A r FB MSR CONFERENCE

Plans are underway for the 2024 Statewide Member Service Representatives (MSR) Conference May 8–9 at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock. This conference allows each county MSR to gather firsthand knowledge on the latest information and advancements to assist them in their member service role. It is also an opportunity for MSRs to be recognized among their peers for years of service to the organization.

Meals and service awards will be provided for the conference. Counties are asked to cover the lodging costs for attendees who require an overnight stay.

The deadline to register for the conference and rooms is April 15.

Each MSR attending is asked to register online, whether you are attending or not, for an accurate count for meals, hotel rooms, tee shirts, and other activities. A tee shirt will also be provided to MSRs who do not attend.

If you have any questions, please contact Dustin Hill at Dustin.Hill@arfb.com or Lori Croy at lori.croy@arfb.com.

2024 M*A*S*H Camp Sponsorships, Page 3

2024 Outdoor Classroom Garden Mini-Grants, Page 2

St. Patrick’s Day Donation | | The Arkansas Farm Bureau Foundation made a $10,000 donation to the Arkansas 4-H Foundation during its St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser. Amanda Williams, ArFB Foundation Director (left), presented the check to John Thomas, Arkansas 4-H Foundation Managing Director.

90 Year

Anniversary | Hempstead Co. Farm Bureau

celebrated its 90th anniversary. Shown is County President Mark Lloyd, holding a sign with a quote

past President Mark Jackson, circa 1936. Two different “Marks,” both serving as president, 88 years apart.

2024 OUTDOOR CLASSROOM GARDEN MINI-GRANTS

Arkansas Farm Bureau recently awarded the 2024 Outdoor Classroom Garden Mini-Grants. The program provides classrooms with grants up to $500 to help show how agriculture is an integral part of our everyday environment, as well as demonstrate the connection between agriculture, food, fiber, conservation, wildlife and the urban environment.

The twenty-three schools or organizations, who were awarded over $9,000 in grant funds to aid in a garden program at school, include:

• Batesville Preschool

• Caney Creek 4-H Club/Hope Academy School

• Chicot Elementary School

• Compass Academy

• Cooper Elementary School

• Delta Behavioral Health School

• Future School of Fort Smith

• Gentry Intermediate School

• Hampton FFA Chapter

• Marion SMT 4-H/Garden Club

• Midland FFA Chapter

• Monticello Intermediate School

• Nashville Elementary

• Nemo Vista FCCLA

• Ozark Junior High

• Parkway Elementary School

• Perryville High School

• Prairie Grove Elementary Pre-K

• Rogers Heritage FFA

• University Heights School of Med. Arts

• Ward Central Elementary School

• Westside Elementary School

• Wynne Junior High School

Farm Bureau YF&R Conference | Young farmers and ranchers from across Arkansas traveled to Omaha, Neb. to participate in the 2024 American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference. Members were able to network, hear from industry experts, grow their leadership skills and more. See all the photos here.

Midland FFA Chapter was awarded a $500 grant. Shown (from left) are Donette Spann, ArFB Ag in the Classroom Director; Peyton Pearson, Vice- President; Andee Whitener, Reporter; Heidi Parrish, President; Tom Hess, Independence Co. Farm Bureau President; Lacey Wilf, Jr. Advisor; Logan Hodge, Secretary; Hunter Nichol, Sentinel; and Lensey Ford, FFA Advisor.

2024 President’s Tour | Arkansas Farm Bureau recently completed the 2024 Presidents’ Advocacy and Leadership Tour in Washington, D.C. County Farm Bureau presidents from across the state met with elected officials, EPA officials and members of the USDA office. A complete photo recap can be found here.

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2024 M*A*S*H CAMP SPONSORSHIPS

Since 1993, Medical Applications of Science for Health (M*A*S*H) has become an integral part of Farm Bureau’s efforts to promote quality health care for our rural members. With the continued commitment of county Farm Bureaus, we remain the largest collective contributor to this program. Through county Farm Bureau efforts and the efforts of our partnering organizations, no student selected for this program will be turned away. M*A*S*H’s success is proven through the number of graduates practicing or intending to practice in rural areas of Arkansas.

In an effort to continue our longstanding commitment to invest in the future of Arkansas’ health care providers, the Arkansas Farm Bureau Annual Fund for Excellence has been established through the UAMS Foundation. For more than 30 years ArFB has supported healthcare education programs, specifically M*A*S*H. The Fund for Excellence will further our support to inspire youth to become Arkansas’ next generation of healthcare providers.

Approximately 25 camps will be offered in 2024. A list of camp dates and locations can be found here.

With county support, students will enjoy an unsurpassed opportunity to learn about health care fields at no cost to the students or their parents. County and individual contributions will continue going to the ArFB Foundation and will be earmarked for M*A*S*H. Checks should be made payable to “Arkansas Farm Bureau Foundation,” with MASH in the notation line. Please send checks to the attention of Jennifer Craig.

Each county will receive a list of participants from their county once the students have been confirmed at each camp. Counties are encouraged to invite those students to their annual meeting or regular board meeting to give a report on their M*A*S*H experience.

The Arkansas Farm Bureau has a strong commitment to this program, and with your continued support, we can and will make a difference in the health of our membership.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact Jennifer Craig at jennifer.craig@arfb.com or (501) 228-1269.

STEWART COMPLETES AFBF PAL PROGRAM

ArFB state board member Dana Stewart recently became the first Arkansan to graduate from American Farm Bureau’s Partners in Advocacy Leadership (PAL) program.

She graduated during the 2024 American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers conference, where she hosted a workshop alongside some of her PAL classmates.

The PAL program is designed to help today’s agricultural leaders accelerate their engagement abilities and solidify their role as advocates for agriculture and equips agricultural leaders with executive-level skills to become effective advocates in their communities, their agricultural organizations and in government.

The two-year program offers a high-level, executive-type curriculum that provides participants with unique opportunities to represent agriculture in the media, on speaking circuits or in testimonial arenas. Program graduates are prepared to step forward and promote issues important to those in the farm-toconsumer food chain.

Their workshop was called “Empowering YOU to ignite Agriculture Advocacy” and was presented on the eve of their PAL class’s program graduation.

Stewart hosting a workshop.

Stewart (center), Jennifer Craig (left), ArFB’s Director of Leadership Development, and American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall present Stewart with her PALS program plaque.

MARKET NEWS

as of March 20, 2024

Corn

The corn markets continue to trade flat due to a lack of new demand updates and a stronger dollar. Brazil has surpassed the U.S. as China’s primary corn supplier, hindering price growth. May24 faces near-term resistance at the 50-day moving average of $4.44, with support at last week’s low of $4.31. Dec24 corn saw a rebound above its 50-day MA of $4.71. In the USDA’s March WASDE, U.S. corn ending stocks remained unchanged at 2.172 billion, with the average farm price slipping to $4.75 per bushel. Global ending stocks for 2023/24 are forecasted to increase to 319.6 million metric tons (mmt) from 301.6 mmt, slightly below expectations and down 2.4 million metric tons from the February 2024 report.

Soybeans

Ahead of next week’s Prospective Plantings report from USDA, short coverings are playing a significant role in the soybean market. May24 has support at $11.75 and resistance at last week’s high of $12.17. A rally and close above the May futures’ 50-day MA could trigger further short-covering. Nov24 beans are well-supported above their $11.73 50day MA. However, nearby prices are expected to encounter resistance due to the rapid export pace of Brazilian soybeans following the country’s harvest season over the next few months. U.S. soybean ending stocks remain unchanged at 315 million in the March WASDE, with the average farm price holding steady at $12.65 per bushel. Global ending stocks for 2023/24 are projected to rise to 114.3

million metric tons from 102.2 million metric tons in 2022/23, slightly below expectations and down 1.7 million metric tons from the February 2024 report.

Wheat

Wheat prices have taken a breather following a recent rally triggered by Russian attacks on Ukrainian grain infrastructure. May24 Chicago faces resistance at last week’s high of $5.56, while support has been bolstered by the EU’s decision to impose $104/mt tariffs on grain imports from Russia and Belarus. Factors such as a stronger dollar, profit taking, and ample Black Sea supplies continue to cast a shadow over the wheat market. U.S. wheat ending stocks increased by 15 million bushels to 673 million due to a decline in exports, with the average farm price decreasing by $0.05 to $7.15 per bushel. Global stocks are forecasted to decrease to 258.8 million metric tons, down from 271 million metric tons a year ago, with minimal change from February 2024.

Rice

Rice futures are best described as a tale of two markets right now. Oldcrop futures have been supported by relatively high Asian rice prices and the continued export ban from India. The export market has been less active recently, though, with weekly sales coming in at a disappointing 43,800 metric tons. Shipments of 89,600 metric tons were more encouraging. Old-crop May futures clearly put in a top on Feb. 12. Bulls continue to challenge resistance at $18, but so far, the market has failed to close above that level. The market has support beginning around $17.50 after closing below previous support at $17.77 early in the week. New-crop September, on the other hand, is attempting to confirm that a bottom has been put in. The market is consolidating below resistance near $14.60 and needs to close above that level to retrace the big losses seen in February. Traders are expecting to see another big rice crop this year and are

looking forward to the first surveybased report on March 28.

Cotton

Old-crop cotton futures have topped and are now trending lower. The May contract high of 103.80 cents will likely prove to be very tough resistance if bulls could get another rally started. Longer-term support is found near 90 cents. Weekly 2023/24 export inspections were disappointing at 85,800 bales, but new crop sales of 112,700 bales were more encouraging. The monthly supply/demand report was somewhat positive, carving another 300,000 bales off last year’s crop estimate, with an equal amount subtracted from ending stocks. That leaves the ending stocks estimate at 2.5 million bales. The average on-farm price was unchanged at 77 cents. New crop December futures are consolidating in a mostly sideways pattern between support at 81.75 cents and resistance at 85 cents. A lot has happened in the markets since the NCC survey in January, and traders are expecting to see the planting intentions report come in above that estimate of 9.8 million acres.

Livestock, Poultry and Dairy

In the March WASDE, the total red meat and poultry production forecasts were raised, with forecasts for higher beef, pork, and broiler production more that offsetting a projected decrease in turkey production. Lower feed costs are expected to support higher production later this year. Projected cattle and hog prices were raised based on recent prices and firm demand.

The 2024 milk production forecast was lowered due to a smaller herd and slower growth in output per cow. The all milk price was projected higher at $21.25/cwt.