MAY 27, 2022 | VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 11
Farm Bureau Press A PEEK INSIDE
MCMINN TO ASSUME NEW COMMODITY RESPONSIBILITIES ArFB has announced John McMinn, director of Commodity Activities and Economics in the organization’s Commodity and Regulatory Affairs Department, will expand his role by taking on new commodity responsibilities. For the past two years McMinn has served as the director of Commodity Activities and Economics for Aquaculture, Forestry and Specialty Crops. In his new role McMinn will continue to serve the Specialty Crop Division and will assume additional duties and responsibilities associated with the Beef Cattle and Equine Divisions.
YF&R and Collegiate 2022 Conference, Page 2
John McMinn
His work will include the implementation of Farm Bureau policy affecting each of the agricultural commodities, and he will be responsible for economic analysis and commodity-specific programs and activities surrounding Beef, Equine and Specialty Crops. A native of Stuttgart, McMinn came to Arkansas Farm Bureau after spending three years as a program associate in the agricultural economics and agribusiness department with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. His primary responsibility was to develop and promote specialty crop budgets for growers within Arkansas and to help them better manage risk. He also did price analysis for different specialty crop markets and helped define new forms of value-added products for Arkansas growers. McMinn also worked as a precision ag adviser for Greenway Equipment, where he helped farmers deploy global positioning satellite equipment and other precision ag technologies. McMinn earned undergraduate and graduate degrees through the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas. As part of his master’s degree program in international agricultural economics, McMinn studied at the University of Ghent in Belgium.
Additional Funds Aid Efforts to Remove Feral Hogs, Page 2-3
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A PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
YF&R AND COLLEGIATE 2022 CONFERENCE The Arkansas Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) and Collegiate Conference will be held July 22–23 at the Embassy Suites in Rogers. This year’s conference will directly follow the ArFB Officers and Leaders Conference July 21–22. Attendees will not only gain knowledge and information to assist with their farming operations, but they will also have the opportunity to network with county leaders from all over Arkansas and participate in the start of our fall policy development process. Event registration opens at 9 a.m. July 21. The agenda includes addresses from ArFB leadership and south Texas farmer Jay Hill. Workshops will include advocacy, leadership development, and crop and livestock markets. Friday evening dinner and entertainment will be at TopGolf in Rogers. For registration forms, please contact your county office. Deadline for registration is June 15.
ADDITIONAL FUNDS AID EFFORT The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has funding available to assist with feral hog eradication efforts in Arkansas. U.S. Sen. John Boozman was instrumental in securing $650,000 in federal funding through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to implement additional eradication efforts across the state. Additionally, the Buffalo River Conservation Committee allocated $74,960 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services to expand eradication efforts within the Buffalo River watershed. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture will use the federal funds to work with USDA Wildlife Services to implement a statewide feral hog management plan. These efforts will supplement ongoing removal activities, including eradication efforts in 12 Arkansas counties funded through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program. USDA Wildlife Services will use the funding from the BRCC to
AFBF TO HOST VIRTUAL EVENT FO In recognition of May as Mental Health Month, the American Farm Bureau Federation will host a free virtual event, Farmers Saving Lives, May 31, at 3 p.m. The live event will feature compelling stories from three Farm Bureau members who believe that advocating for mental health wellness is a way to save lives in rural and farming communities. Farmers, ranchers and their families are encouraged to attend via telephone, smartphone or tablet from planters, harvesters, greenhouses, dairy barns, farm trucks, classrooms and carpool lines. According to AFBF national research polls, a strong majority of farmers and farmworkers say financial issues, farm or business problems and fear of losing the farm impact farmers’ mental health, and a majority of rural adults and farmers/farmworkers
2022 CENTURY FARM APPLICATIO 2022 MSR Conference | The 2022 ArFB MSR Conference was held May 11–12 at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock. The biannual conference, held for the first time since 2018, brought together Member Service Representatives from across the state for workshops, demonstrations, insurance plan updates and reviews, panel discussions and networking. 2
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2022 Arkansas Century Farm program. This program recognizes Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. Applications must be received via email or postmarked on or before May 31 to be eligible for designation as a 2022 inductee. There is no cost to apply for the program. To qualify, Arkansas farms must meet the following criteria: • The same family must have owned the farm for 100 years by
A PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
TS TO REMOVE FERAL HOGS purchase additional traps and other equipment to expand trapping efforts within the Buffalo River watershed. Approximately 30,000 feral hogs have been removed from the state by members of the Feral Hog Eradication Task Force (Task Force) since January 2020. The Task Force was created by the Arkansas legislature in 2017 to create a plan for the eradication of feral hogs in Arkansas and is made up of 21 federal and state agencies and non-government organizations. More information on the Task Force can be found at bit.ly/FeralHogETF. Feral hogs are an invasive species that are especially destructive to agricultural crops, native wildlife, and young domestic livestock. In Arkansas, the latest survey by U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated that feral swine cause at least $41 million in agricultural damages every year, including $34 million in damages to soybeans, corn, cotton, wheat, hay, pecans, and rice, and $7.3 million in damages to livestock. Landowners experiencing feral hog damage are encouraged to call USDA Wildlife Services at (501) 835-2318 for assistance.
OR MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
Honorary Membership | Annie Abrams is an Arkansas legend, and now she’s a member of Arkansas Farm Bureau! A retired educator and nationally recognized civic and political activist, Abrams is 90 and stays busy by helping distribute Arkansas Farm Bureau Election Directories. ArFB Vice President of Public Affairs & Governmental Relations Stanley Hill and ArFB Vice President of Organization & Member Programs Justin Reynolds visited Abrams at her home to present an honorary membership in appreciation of her efforts and for being a champion in her community.
are experiencing more stress and mental health challenges than they were a year ago. Farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers also have higher than average rates of suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Register to hear from Farm Bureau member advocates who have unique reasons for caring deeply about stress and mental health and have taken it upon themselves to do their part to make a difference. If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or has concerns about their mental health, visit the Farm State of Mind website at farmstateofmind.org for information on crisis hotlines, treatment locators, tips for helping someone in emotional pain, ways to start a conversation and resources for managing stress, anxiety or depression.
ONS DUE Dec. 31, 2022. 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 10 acres of the original land acquisition and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income. Contact Beth Moore at 501-539-4027 or beth.moore@agriculture. arkansas.gov with questions.
FFA Officer Team | The 2022-2023 Arkansas FFA State officer team was announced in April at the 95th Arkansas FFA Convention at the Hot Springs Convention Center. The officers include (from left) Eastern District VP James Henderson, Reporter Gabbi Litchfor, Secretary Laykin Williamson, President Reese Mitchell, Southern District VP Massey Lauren and Northwest District VP Evan Seay.
A PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
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MARKET NEWS as of May 25, 2022 Contact Brandy Carroll 501-228-1268 brandy.carroll@arfb.com Corn USDA usually uses trendline yields in the May reports, but this year, it backed off the trendline yield of 181 bushels/acre for corn, estimating 177 bushels/acre instead, in an acknowledgement of how much the late planting will affect the yield potential of the crop. The projected on-farm price was pegged at $6.75. Planting progress was impressive last week, with USDA estimating 72% of the crop is now in the ground. That is up from just 49% seven days prior. The charts are looking toppy after sharp losses last week. Support remains at the $7 level for December. Soybeans The soybean report came in near expectations. Using trendline yields, USDA projects a crop of 4.650 billion bushels. Increases in demand are not projected to keep up with the increase in production, resulting in a stocks-to-use ratio of 6.8% for the 2022-23 marketing year. The average on-farm price was pegged at $14.40. The crop is progressing well, with 50% of the crop in the ground nation-wide, compared to a five-year average of 55%. Arkansas farmers are ahead of the average pace of 64% with 71% of the crop in the ground. Rice USDA’s first rice production estimate for the 2022-23 crop was lower than expected, with planted acres pegged at only 2.45 million nation-wide and below trend-line yields of 7,596 lbs/ acre thanks to the slow start of the crop and reduction in higher-yielding California acres. Total production is 4
estimated to be only 182.7 million cwt., down 5% from a year ago. Rice imports are expected to set a record at 38 million cwt as domestic supplies are down and demand for aromatics continues to increase. Ending stocks are projected to be down 11% from last year at 33.2 million cwt. The average on-farm price is pegged at $17.80/ cwt. Farmers have made impressive progress in recent weeks as the weather has been more favorable. Arkansas farmers are now 90% planted, compared with a five-year average of 88%. Cotton The first estimate for the 2022-23 U.S. cotton crop was favorable for prices. While planted acres are estimated to be 12.23 million, up from 11.22 million in 2021, harvested acres are expected to be down over a million acres, pegged at 9.14 million. Severe drought in Texas is the reason. Ending stocks are pegged at 2.9 million bales, down from 3.4 million for 2021-22. The average on-farm price is estimated to be 90 cents/pound. Arkansas farmers have planted 74% of the crop. Livestock and Poultry The May Supply/Demand report contained the first estimates for 2023 production. Total U.S. red meat and poultry production is expected to be below 2022, as lower beef production more than offsets higher pork and poultry production. For 2023, beef production was forecasted lower with expected declines in both fed and non-fed cattle supplies. Pork production was forecasted higher with increased farrowings and continued growth in productivity. Higher forecasted broiler production reflects moderating feed costs and improved productivity. Turkey production is projected higher as the sector recovers from the 2022 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks. Egg production is also forecasted higher as farmers rebuild flocks. Total red meat and poultry production
A PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
forecasts for 2022 were raised from last month. Higher beef and broiler production more than offset a reduction in pork and turkey production. Beef production is raised, with more cattle placed in feedlots sooner than normally expected due to drought conditions, supporting higher annual fed cattle slaughter. Additionally, cow slaughter is forecasted higher. Pork production was reduced on lighter expected carcass weights. Based on recent slaughter and hatchery data, the broiler production forecast was raised while the turkey production forecast was lowered. For 2022, the cattle price forecast was raised on recent data and tighter expected fed cattle supplies later in the year. Hog prices were lowered on prices to date and weaker demand. Broiler and turkey prices were raised on stronger prices to date and continued demand strength. Dairy The 2022 milk production forecast was raised from the previous report, with higher milk cow inventories more than offsetting slower growth in milk per cow. Cheese and butter prices were raised from the previous report on strong demand, but non-fat dry milk and whey prices were lowered. The Class III price as unchanged and Class IV was lowered. The 2022 all-milk price was forecast at $25.75/cwt. In the first estimate for 2023, USDA projected 2023 milk production will outpace 2022 production, driven by gains in milk per cow, with the milk cow herd expected to be about the same as the 2022 herd. Exports on a fat basis were forecast lower, largely on lower expected butter sales. The 2023 all-milk price was forecasted at $23.55/cwt.
EDITOR Ashley Wallace ashley.wallace@arfb.com