Farm Bureau Press | May 26

Farm Bureau Press

PANGBURN TEACHER NAMED OUTSTANDING AG EDUCATOR

Susan Ramsey of Pangburn, a language arts teacher for Pangburn Public Schools, has been named the 2023 Arkansas Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher. = One element of Ramsey’s teaching is sharing her own love of gardening with students by teaching a gardening class at the school. She has also partnered with the districts ag teacher to foster a value of agriculture and the role it plays in students’ everyday lives. She believes that hands-on learning, such as planting seeds and observing the life cycle, makes a deeper impact on students than classroom instruction alone.

“In my opinion, the best type of learning is one where you can apply it to your life to better understand the importance of the skill,” Ramsey says. “I hope the teaching we do here is the beginning of a passion and understanding of the importance of agriculture in our society.”

The title of Ag in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher comes along with a $1,000 check and the opportunity to attend the National Ag in the Classroom Conference in Orlando this summer as the state’s National Ag in the Classroom nominee.

Farm Bureau established the award in 2006 to recognize teachers who have exemplary programs which integrate agricultural concepts into their curricula. Matt Jackson, Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Director of Education, presented the honor to Ramsey recently at her school.

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A PEEK INSIDE

Ramsey and Matt Jackson, Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Director of Education.

Mental Health Month: See Something, Say Something, Page 2

Arkansas Egg & Beef Month, Page 3

MENTAL HEALTH MONTH: SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING

As any farmer or rancher can tell you, farm life can be demanding and stressful. It has reached a critical stage with pandemic impacts on top of natural disasters, extreme weather events, financial pressures due to fluctuating commodity prices, labor shortages, trade disruptions and other factors over the past several years. Given these ongoing challenges, it’s no surprise that more farmers and farm families are experiencing stress and mental health concerns.

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, depression or another mental health challenge, you are not alone.

Know the Warning Signs

When loved ones, neighbors or others you care about are experiencing mental health challenges, they may not even realize it. Here’s how you can identify someone who may be at risk.

• Change in routines or social activities

• Decline in the care of domestic animals

• Increase in illness or other chronic conditions

• Increase in farm accidents

• Decline in appearance of the farmstead

• Decreased interest in activities or events

• Signs of stress in children including struggles with school

Learn more about recognizing the signs of chronic stress, depression or suicidal intent and what you can do to help at NY FarmNet.

Five Steps to Help Someone in Emotional Pain

• Ask

• Be there

• Stay connected

• Help them connect

Visit the National Institute of Mental Health website for more information.

Coping with Stress and Anxiety

• Healthy Ways to Cope

• Connect with others

• Take breaks from negative news or influences

• Prioritize your health and well-being

• Take time to unwind

• Recognize when you need more help

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information.

“Farmers think that it's a sign of weakness to ask for help. But actually, I think that it's the exact opposite because anything that is hard takes strength. Taking that hard step and reaching out is what saved me.”

—

James Dixon, Madison County Farmer

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 200+ crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Women's Leadership Annual Donation | Members of the ArFB

Women’s Leadership Committee (WLC) stopped by the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas (RMHCA). The committee members toured the house, made their annual donation and prepared dinner for the families staying at the house during their visit. The WLC has been supporting RMHCA for more than 27 years. Visiting the house and preparing meals there is always a highlight for the committee. Learn more about RMHCA here.

FRUITS, VEGGIES AND TURFGRASS FOCUS OF HORTICULTURE FIELD DAY

Research results on vegetable, fruit and turfgrass field trials will be presented June 28 during the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's 2023 Horticulture Field Day at the Southwest Research and Extension Center in Hope.

Experiments involving pest control in tomatoes and blackberries, variety trials for watermelons, cantaloupes and honeydews, and reviving idle peach trees make up the vegetable and fruit categories.

Educational sessions on grafting ornamental plants and preparing fresh fruit recipes will also be a part of the field day, which begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. The station is located at 362 Arkansas Highway 174 North.

Registration for the event is available online until 5 p.m. June 26. Registration on the day of the event will begin at 8:15 a.m. in the station’s auditorium. The $20 registration fee includes lunch at noon, payable by cash, check, or credit card. Presentations begin at 9 a.m.

Speakers and topics include:

• Matt Bertucci, assistant professor of horticulture, will discuss ongoing variety trials for watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew melons. Bertucci tested 15 seedless watermelon varieties, 12 cantaloupe varieties, and three honeydew melon varieties.

• Anthony Bowden, assistant professor of horticulture and ornamental extension specialist, will give a grafting technique demonstration of Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) and Eastern Redbuds (Cercis canadensis).

• Aaron Cato, a researcher and extension specialist who works with integrated pest management in horticulture, will showcase a pesticide spray efficiency research trial on blackberries; a cover crop vegetable trial assessing the need for soil-applied insecticides; and a tomato insecticide efficacy trial focusing on tomato fruitworm.

• Amanda McWhirt, fruit and vegetable extension specialist, will highlight best practices for blackberry and tomato production.

• Hannah Wright-Smith, weed specialist for turfgrass, specialty crops and forestry, will give a presentation on peach orchard floor reclamation and management, seeding centipedegrass and turf weed control.

Arkansas Egg & Beef Month | Numerous farmers, ranchers, industry members and state leaders gathered as Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders presented proclamations highlighting the impact of beef and egg production in Arkansas. ArFB Board Member and Arkansas Beef Council Chairman Caleb Plyler, ArFB Vice President Mike Freeze and Arkansas Beef Council Administrator Donette Spann were among those who joined Gov. Sanders at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. View more photos from the event here.

Rep. Marion

Former U.S.

passed

served

Congressman for Arkansas's 1st District from 1997-2011. "Our prayers are with the family of Rep. Marion Berry, whose service to Arkansas and our country will be felt for generations," said ArFB President Rich Hillman. "Marion was a farmer who wore his passion for Arkansas and agriculture on his sleeve. He never backed down from a fight for what was right and was a true advocate for Arkansas farmers and ranchers. He was truly one of a kind and our state and nation are better today as a result of his many contributions and service to our country."

Berry | 1942-2023 |

Rep. Marion Berry of Gillett

away May 19. He

as

MARKET NEWS

as of May 24 , 2023

Contact

Brandy Carroll

501-228-1268 | brandy.carroll@arfb.com

Tyler Oxner

501-228-1311

| tyler.oxner@arfb.com

Rice

Last week, USDA released its first look at the 2023/2024 Supply/Demand balance sheet since the February outlook conference. The outlook for rice is for an 8% rise in domestic supplies due to a significant increase in acreage that more than offsets lower beginning stocks and smaller imports. All-rice production is forecasted to be up 20% from the previous year. Yields are also forecasted higher, up 204 lbs. per acre to 7,587 lbs. per acre from 2022. Total 2023/24 domestic and residual use is projected higher at 154 million cwt, which, if realized, would be the largest on record. Total exports are projected at 74 million cwt, reflecting larger supplies and reduced U.S. prices. The 2023/24 all-rice season-average farm price is projected lower than in 2022/23.

The weekly crop progress report shows that planting continues to outpace the 5-year average in most states. As of May 22, the Arkansas crop was 95% planted, and the U.S. total was 90%. Futures prices are under pressure, reflecting the relatively brisk pace of planting, higher acreage, and increased yield potential. September futures have resistance at $15.50, and support at the spike low of $14.51.

Cotton

Despite a projected 2.5 million acre decrease in planted acres, the 2023/24 crop is expected to come in at 15.5 million bales, up about a million bales from 2022/23, after a year of record abandonment. Total supplies are expected to be up nearly 800,000 bales and beginning stocks are projected to be lower. Exports are projected to be up 900,000, and U.S. mill use is expected to rise 100,000 bales. Ending stocks for

2023/24 are pegged at 3.3 million bales, down 200,000 from the previous year. The 2023/24 season average farm price for upland cotton is projected lower from 2022/23.

Cotton farmers are mostly keeping pace with the 5-year average, and 45% of the crop is now in the ground. Arkansas farmers are 10% ahead of the average with 79% of the crop planted. Old-crop futures have been fairing much better than most of the grains, but July found resistance at 88¢ and that has put a halt to the upward momentum for now. Improving conditions in West Texas are potentially limiting the upside for new-crop futures. December has run into resistance at 84.5¢. Support begins at 79.5¢.

Soybeans

Higher supplies, crush, and ending stocks, and lower exports compared with 2022/23 was forecasted in the most recent outlook. The soybean crop is projected to be up 5% from last year’s crop, mainly from higher yields. Lower beginning stocks partly offset the increased production, forecasting supplies to be up 4% from 2022/23. The 2023/24 soybean crush is projected to be up 90 million bushels from the 2022/23 forecast due to favorable crush margins and strong demand for soybean oil as a biofuel feedstock. Soybean and product prices are all forecasted lower for 2023/24.

Planting progress continues to outpace the 5-year average for most of the U.S. with 66% planted. Arkansas is reporting 83% of the crop planted, compared to the 5-year average of 61%. Soybean futures continue to fall due to a few bearish fundamentals including a bearish weather forecast, weak demand and negative macros as Washington continues to try and come to an agreement on a debt ceiling deal. November 2023 has continued to move lower the past few weeks, dropping below $11.80, before finding support.

Corn

Larger production, great domestic use and exports, and higher ending stock were all reported for 2023/24.

USDA estimates corn planted for the 2023/24 marketing year will be 92 million acres, up 4% from 2022/23. Farmers are expected to harvest 84.1 million acres in 2023, putting expected production at a record 15.3 billion bushels, up more than 10% from last year on both area and yield. With an increasing supply, ending stocks are up 805 million bushels from 2022/23. U.S. corn exports are forecasted to rise to 2.1 billion bushels, as lower prices support increases in global trade. The global coarse grain outlook is for record production and use, and larger ending stocks. All of this has moved the seasonaverage farm price projection lower.

Corn planting continues to outpace the 5-year average by 6% at 81% completed. With little rain in the forecast, planting is expected to be raping up. Over the past few weeks September 2023 corn futures continued to move lower, dropping below $4.90, before rebounding back above $5.00.

Livestock and Poultry

In the May Supply/Demand report, USDA lowered its beef production estimates as supplies of both fed and non-fed cattle are expected to decline. Pork production estimates were also lowered on weaker expected farrowings in the second half of 2023. Broiler production is expected to increase, reflecting lower feed costs and tighter supplies of other meats. Turkey and egg production are projected higher as flocks rebuild.

Cattle price projections for 2023 and 2024 were raised on expectations for tighter supplies. Beef exports for 2024 are forecast lower, again on tighter supplies. Hog price forecasts were lowered based upon recent data and weaker-than-expected demand. Broiler and turkey price forecasts were lowered on expectations of increased production.

EDITOR

Ashley Wallace ashley.wallace@arfb.com