Farm Bureau Press
ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU SETS 90TH ANNUAL CONVENTION
Farm and ranch leaders from across the state will gather for Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 90th annual convention Dec. 4 – 6 at the Hot Springs Convention Center. The event is expected to draw over 1,000 farmers and ranchers and will feature keynote addresses by ArFB President Dan Wright and Dwier Brown, the actor known for his role as John Kinsella in Field of Dreams.
The convention will offer professional development and learning opportunities for ArFB members, with workshops covering the farm bill, drone regulations, row crop sustainability, financial literacy, livestock marketing, small ruminant production and more.
ArFB’s convention will host the largest agriculture trade show in Arkansas with more than 180 vendors and projects on exhibit. The trade show is open to the public. It will feature a farmers market with vendors selling Arkansas products, including animal protein, produce, pecans, honey, jellies, baked goods, crafts, seasonings and other items.
An Ag Mechanics Show returns this year to the ArFB trade show floor. The event showcases the work of Arkansas high school students and promotes skill development in the design, fabrication, and construction of farm, ranch, and recreational equipment. The Ag Mechanics Show will also feature, for the first time, a technical school and career fair in support of the recent passage of Issue 1, a constitutional amendment permitting Arkansas Scholarship Lottery funds to be used for trade and vocational school.
Farm Bureau’s annual business session, where voting delegates define the organization’s policy positions on items of importance to its members, will conclude the event. The delegate body also elects the organization’s president, vice president and members of its state board of directors in the business session.
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ARKANSAS
Arkansas Farm Bureau Now Accepting Garden Mini-Grant Applications, Page 2
2024 ArFB Foundation Silent Auction, Page 3
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ARKANSAS CENTURY FARM INDUCTS 41 NEW FARMS
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders joined by Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward Nov. 7 to induct 41 farms into the Arkansas Century Farm Program.
The Arkansas Century Farm Program recognizes Arkansas farms of 10 acres or more owned by the same family for at least 100 years. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture established the program in 2012 to highlight these families’ contributions to the agriculture industry and our state. The program is voluntary, and there is no cost for participating families.
Agriculture is the largest industry in Arkansas and contributes more than $24.3 billion to the state’s economy annually. Arkansas has 38,000 farms, and 95% are family-owned.
With the addition of today’s inductees, there are 645 Arkansas Century Farms throughout the state. A list of this year’s inductees can be found here. Photos from the induction ceremony can be found here.
Applications for the 2025 class of inductees will open in February 2025 and close in May 2025. More information on the program and previous inductees can be found on the Department’s website.
ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU NOW ACCEPTING GARDEN MINI-GRANT APPLICATIONS
Applications for the Outdoor Classroom Garden MiniGrant Program are now being accepted. The program is designed to show the connection between agriculture and our everyday environment. Schools/organizations can apply for a matching funds grant to help construct or maintain a learning garden on the school campus. Grant applications are available on our website. These funds can be used to construct vegetable gardens, gardens featuring traditional production of agriculture crops, forestry projects, livestock projects, and bees. They may not be used for butterfly gardens or nature trails.
The application deadline is Feb. 15, 2025. Funds are limited, so those interested should apply quickly. The application must include a description of the source and amount of matching funds that will be used for the project. In-kind donations are acceptable forms of matching funds.
An integral part of this program is the advising of the project by local agencies and at least one local farmer. We hope this program will generate more interest from the schools in the types of agriculture that are in their county. As a county president and volunteer leader in your community, this is an excellent opportunity for you to participate in these programs.
Schools, FFA chapters and 4-H clubs are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. More than $8,500 was awarded to 23 groups in 2024.
More information and requirements can be found in the application and here.
For any questions, please contact Donette Spann at (501) 228-1222 or donette.spann@arfb.com
Among 41 century farms honored, two included a past and current state Women’s Leadership Committee (WLC) member. (Above) Susan Bitely served on the committee from 2020-2022 and (below) Kerry Stiles, who serves as the current State WLC chair.
ARKANSAS
A r FB CONVENTION
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“Our annual convention is a special time for Farm Bureau members to come together, learn from each other and celebrate the progress we’re making in Arkansas agriculture,” said ArFB President Dan Wright. “The 90th convention is a milestone, and we’re excited to offer an outstanding lineup of workshops and speakers to address the challenges and opportunities facing our industry.
“I hope our members see, through this event, that we are committed to building a stronger future for agriculture and rural Arkansas.”
Awards will be presented to county Farm Bureaus for their work in support of the organization’s agricultural advocacy and membership efforts. Arkansas Farm Bureau will also present the Women’s Leadership Award along with the Stanley E. Reed Leadership Award, given annually to an active Farm Bureau member, 36 – 45 years old, for outstanding leadership within their county Farm Bureau and community.
2024 A r FB FOUNDATION SILENT AUCTION
The Arkansas Farm Bureau Foundation Silent Auction will be held Dec. 4–5 at the 2024 ArFB State Convention in Hot Springs. Greenway Equipment is returning as the sponsor of the auction and will be matching proceeds from the event.
ArFB is inviting county Farm Bureaus to donate items to the silent auction with a retail value of $25 or greater. Counties wishing to donate larger items may choose to work with other county Farm Bureaus, groups or agencies. Items unique to the county, local or from a local store are encouraged.
Items need to be checked in and ready for bidding by 9:30 a.m., Dec. 4 in the trade show. If a county would like assistance in getting an item to convention in a timely manner, please contact your district director.
Proceeds from the auction are used to further agriculture education in Arkansas, through programs like Ag in the Classroom, grants that are available for educational projects and support of Arkansas FFA and Arkansas 4-H youth programs as well as other efforts supported by the ArFB Foundation.
For questions or additional information, please contact Donette Spann at donette.spann@arfb.com or 501-2281222.
Judging Team Donation | Farm Bureau supports the new livestock judging team in place at UA-Rich Mountain, and recently helped secure a truck in support of the team’s efforts. Those taking part in the presentation included (L-R) Chase Groves, ArFB state board member; Tony Hooper, Polk County Farm Bureau agency manager; Walker Anttila, UARM livestock judging coach; Terry Terrell, Polk County Farm Bureau board member; Kyle Carpenter, UARM associate vice chancellor of academic Affairs; David Head, president of Polk County Farm Bureau; Krystal Thrailkill, UARM vice chancellor of academic affair; Dan Wright, president of ArFB; Jarrod Yates, executive vice president of ArFB; Kaden Ables, UARM livestock judging team; Alec Smith, UARM livestock judging team; and Candence Swindle, UARM livestock judging team.
Monroe County Donation | 1,000 snack sticks were delivered to Monroe County Farm Bureau last week to assist with the backpack programs in the Brinkley and Clarendon school districts. This donation was made possible through the Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry (AHFH) Snack Stick Program. Present for the donoation are Jana Carroll, Monroe County Women’s Leadership Committee (WLC); Ronnie Ritter, AHFH; and Leann Wilkison, Monroe County WLC.
MEMORIAM REQUEST
As ArFB prepares for the annual meeting, we are requesting names of county Farm Bureau officers, employees and agents who have passed away since Nov. 1, 2023.
Please include the person’s name, highest office held and the name of the county Farm Bureau to which they belonged and if the person wasn’t active in their position at the time of death.
Names should be submitted by Nov. 27 to Cindra Jones at cindra.jones@arfb.com.
MARKET NEWS
as of November 13, 2024
Contact Brandy Carroll brandy.carroll@arfb.com
Tyler Oxner tyler.oxner@arfb.com
Corn
December corn saw a modest rally following the latest USDA report, which cut U.S. production by 60 million bushels to 15.143 billion, slightly below expectations. This reduction was attributed to a 0.7 bushel-per-acre decrease in projected yield, now at 183.1 bushels per acre. Ending stocks aligned with expectations at 1.938 billion bushels, with no changes made to usage despite strong demand to date. Since the report, the December contract has fluctuated, trading on both sides of unchanged. Futures have been pressured by lower wheat prices, a correction in soybeans, and some resistance selling at $4.34 from both growers and traders. December futures aim to hold above the weekly low of $4.26, keeping bulls close to monthly highs, with additional support around the 50-day moving average of $4.15.
Soybean
Following the November WASDE report, soybean prices saw a modest increase. Production was cut by 121 million bushels to 4.461 billion, nearly 100 million bushels below expectations. Usage projections were reduced by 41 million bushels, with exports lowered by 25 million and crush by 15 million. Global stocks were reported just under 132 million metric tons, also falling short of expectations. Since then, January 2025 prices have struggled to extend gains, failing to break through the 100-day moving average of $10.37 and recently closing below the 50-day moving average support at $10.23. The market now looks to the 20-day moving average at $10.01 for support, while a move back above the 50-day moving average
would signal a positive shift for bulls eyeing further upside potential.
Wheat
The November WASDE wheat report was seen as neutral. U.S. ending stocks were reported at 815 million bushels, up slightly from last month’s 812 million and in line with expectations. Global stocks held steady at 257.6 million metric tons, slightly above projections. The most notable foreign market development was an increase in Kazakhstan’s production, which rose by two million metric tons to 18 million, though their exports were trimmed by half a million metric tons. Wheat prices have been diverging from corn and soybean prices, with the wheat market now focused on concerns over declining U.S. production due to recent significant rainfall.
Rice
Rice prices have moved to new three-year lows. The market has been trending lower since mid-September but selling accelerated at the end of October and has pushed prices to new lows. The January contract has found support at $14.28½ and is building support. There isn’t a lot of upside momentum though, as there is little to inspire the market to move higher. The mid-south harvest is complete and yield reports suggest it was a good crop. Exports have been a mixed bag recently. The weekly export released on Nov. 1 set a new marketing year low of 12,700 metric tons, however, the report released Nov. 7 showed significant improvement-pegging weekly exports at 71,800 metric tons. Large stocks in India are looming over the market since the export ban has been lifted. Asian prices are under pressure as a result. A stronger dollar will make U.S. rice less competitive globally. The November WASDE report showed unchanged supplies and domestic use, but lower exports and higher ending stocks. Long-grain exports were reduced by two million cwt, while medium- and short-grain exports were raised by one million cwt,
resulting in a one million cwt increase in all ending stocks. The long-grain average on farm price projection was unchanged at $14.50.
Cotton
Cotton futures continue to trend lower. The first level of support for December is 69 cents, and a close below that level would open the way to a retest of the contract low of 66.26 cents. Downtrending resistance is near 72 cents, with additional resistance near 74 cents. Harvest pressure is a factor, but the overall market outlook is not bullish. In the November WASDE, the USDA cut projected exports by 200,000 bales to 13.10 million bales, and that carried through to the bottom line, with ending stocks for 2024-25 increased by 200,000 bales to 4.3 million. The expected on-farm price was unchanged at 66 cents per pound.
Livestock and Poultry
In the November WASDE, the USDA raised the forecasts for beef, broiler, and turkey production for the remainder of 2024. Beef production was raised on higher dressed weights and cow slaughter. The pork production forecast was lowered on slower slaughter pace and lighter weights. Price forecasts for beef, pork, and poultry were all increased due to strong demand and recent prices, and those higher prices are expected to carry into 2025.
Dairy
In the November WASDE, the USDA raised its projection for milk production through the end of 2024. Lower cow inventory was more than offset by higher output per cow. The milk production estimate for 2025 was unchanged from the previous report. The all milk price forecast for 2024 was lowered to $22.75/cwt, and for 2025 was raised to $22.85/cwt.