MAY 31, 2019 • VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 11
Farm Bureau Press 2019 AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SURVEY The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is beginning to collect data from approximately 2,800 farmers and ranchers for its annual Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). The survey looks at all aspects of U.S. agricultural production, including farm financial well-being, chemical usage and various farm characteristics. In 2019, the survey will take a closer look at cotton production in the U. S..
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USDA On-Farm Trial Effort, page 2.
The information producers provide through the survey influences national and state policy-making decisions. In addition, ARMS data are used to calculate the farm sector portion of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The survey also collects detailed information on production practices, costs and returns for 13 principal commodities on a rotating basis. “Data from ARMS are used to gauge the financial health and resource use of today’s farmers,” said NASS Delta Regional Director Eugene Young. “It gives us an annual snapshot of where producers stand in the U.S. economy.” The survey is conducted in three phases from May 2019 through April 2020. The current (first) phase screens participants to make sure they have the commodities of interest and will accurately represent the entire U.S. farm sector. During the second phase, NASS will collect information on production practices and chemical use for specific commodities. In the final phase, NASS will survey producers on farm income and production expenditures. “We strongly encourage every producer contacted for ARMS to participate, as their response represents not just their own farm but many other similar operations across the country,” added Young. The survey can be completed online at www.agcounts.usda.gov or printed and sent in by mail. NASS representatives are available by phone to assist with any questions about the survey. NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents and publishes only aggregate data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified. For more information about the 2019 Agricultural Resource Management Survey, visit www.nass.usda.gov/go/ARMS.
Benton County Farm Bureau awards college scholarships, page 3.
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A PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
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ARFB HIRES SUMMER INTERNS Two college graduates have joined Arkansas Farm Bureau for the summer as interns. The interns will assist several departments within the organization and work to advance their skills, while learning more about Arkansas Farm Bureau’s grassroots impact within the state and across the nation. Baylee Milam from Vilonia graduated in May from Arkansas Tech University with a degree in agricultural business. Her experiences in FFA judging competitions, such as floriculture and poultry, first sparked her interest in agriculture. Although Milam did not grow up directly involved in agriculture she credits her passion to her time in FFA. Milam is interning with the Organization and Member Programs, Public Affairs and Government Relations, and Commodity and Regulatory Affairs departments. Shaylee Wallace from Reeds Spring, Mo., graduated in May, 2018, from College of the Ozarks, where she studied agriculture animal science. She is now a graduate student studying agricultural communications at the University of Arkansas. Wallace also works as a graduate assistant throughout the school year and currently serves as the collegiate board member of Arkansas Women in Agriculture. Wallace is interning with the Public Relations department. 2
SIGNUP NOW OPEN FOR ON The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing up to $25 million per year over the next five years to help support the adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches on agricultural lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through July 15, 2019, for On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials (On-Farm Trials), a new, additional sub-program created by the 2018 Farm Bill for the USDA’s Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. On-Farm Trials include a Soil Health Demo Trial, also created by the 2018 Farm Bill. NRCS is now accepting proposals from the following eligible entities: • Private entities whose primary business is related to agriculture. • Non-governmental organizations with experience working with agricultural producers. • Non-Federal government agencies. On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials Through On-Farm Trials, NRCS and partners will collaborate to encourage the adoption of innovative practices and systems on agricultural lands. On-Farm Trials funding goes directly to partners, which in turn provide technical assistance and incentive payments to producers to implement innovative approaches
A PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
N-FARM TRIAL EFFORT on their lands. Producers receiving On-Farm Trials payments must be eligible to participate in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The maximum On-Farm Trials award for 2019 is $5 million. The minimum award is $250,000. A critical element of each On-Farm Trials project is the project evaluation. Partners must propose robust scientific approaches to their on-farm trials, resulting in data and analyses of the environmental, financial and (to the extent possible) social impacts of the trials. For the Soil Health Demo Trial, partners must agree to use consistent soil health assessment protocols developed by NRCS. On-Farm Trials is distinct from traditional national CIG competitive grants funding, which is used to support early pilot projects or demonstrations of promising conservation approaches and technologies and is not typically provided directly to producers. On-Farm Trials funding is designed to flow through partners directly to producers to implement innovative approaches that have been well-studied and known to provide conservation benefits. To learn more about the webinar and program, visit http://bit.ly/CIGOn-Farm. For more information on NRCS Arkansas, visit www.ar.nrcs.usda.gov.
Scholarship Recipients | Benton County Farm Bureau awarded five $500 college scholarships to area high school seniors. 1) Julie Griffin with presenter is Janice Shofner BCFB Women’s Committee. 2) Garrett Hays, Gentry High School, with Susan Anglin. 3) (Left to right) Luke Russell, Clint Bowen, Benton County Board, and Logan Russell, Heritage High in Rogers. 4) Jena Wildeman with her parents Jason & Toby Wildeman and grandmother Brenda Patton, Benton County Women’s Leadership Chairwoman.
A PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
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MARKET NEWS as of May 31, 2019 Contact Brandy Carroll 501-228-1268 brandy.carroll@arfb.com
Rice Rice futures have trended sharply higher in recent days. The big story, of course, is the slow pace of planting progress. In Arkansas, while 80% of the crop had been seeded in the latest Crop Progress report, which coincides with the final plant date for crop insurance. USDA is estimating farmers intended to plant 1,401,000 acres of rice, meaning that 280,000 acres remain unplanted. That is up from 67% the prior week, but down from a five-year average of 97%. Of the crop planted, only 50% is rated good to excellent, while 10% is rated poor to very poor. Exports have been up and down from one week to the next, and Asian prices remain under pressure from light demand. Rice farmers need to see the ratification of the U.S.Mexico-Canada trade agreement in order to secure two of our most important markets. On the technical front, futures have taken out several levels of resistance on their way higher and are trading at their highest levels in over nine months. July has stalled at resistance at $11.90 for the time being, while new-crop September has failed at $12. Corn Corn futures have skyrocketed thanks to the very slow planting progress. On May 13, December corn made a new low and then charted a bullish key reversal. Since that time, 4
we have put 90 cents back on the market in a rally that has involved more than a few gaps higher along the way, moving to new contract highs. USDA says only 58% of the expected 97 million-acre corn crop has been planted, compared with a 5-year average of 90%. Final planting dates for some farmers have already come and gone, and many others are facing a critical time crunch. Market analysts are now talking about anywhere from two million to four million acres taking prevented planted coverage. The new Market Facilitation Program, though, currently indicates that payments will be made on planted acres, which could provide an incentive to plant crops, even if it’s late and yield potential is less than optimum. Soybeans Soybeans have also rallied in recent days, as wet weather continues to impact planting dates and yield potential. Nationwide, the crop is now 29% planted, compared with a 66% five-year average. In Arkansas those totals are 42% and 73% respectively. What remains to be seen, however, is how many acres will shift from corn into beans as producers opt for the 35% prevented planted payment for corn and then plant soybeans in order to qualify for the Market Facilitation Program. The market needs to see resolution with China before the U.S. loses the market to Brazil for good. Technically, November has found resistance at $9.20, and will have further resistance between $9.40 and $9.50. However, this market could turn around quickly and move to fill in the gaps left this week as the market rallied. That means November would have downside objectives of $8.64 and $8.58.
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Cotton Cotton futures are showing signs of confirming a bottom after the recent selloff. Unlike many other row crops, the cotton crop is right on time at 57% planted compared with a five-year average of 58%. Yield potential for cotton is good right now, with rains in West Texas getting the crop that is already planted there off to a good start. Weekly exports lately have been supportive, but China has only been a minor buyer with the recent breakdown of trade negotiations between the two countries. Uncertainty about future export potential will likely continue to limit the upside potential of the market. Livestock Both live and feeder cattle futures remain under pressure. While the markets looked as if they were trying to confirm a bottom, both have charted a bearish key reversal and look headed for a retest of contract lows. Concerns about the size of the corn crop and the recent rally in corn futures have added pressure to the market, as has a softer wholesale beef market and a large feedlot inventory. Hog futures haven’t seen the same weakness, with some support coming from China and the length of time it will take for them to contain the African Swine Fever outbreak spreading through their country. The cash hog market is weak, though, with ample hog supplies available to meet packer needs.
EDITOR Ashley Wallace ashley.wallace@arfb.com