Maximizing Efficiencies AND Revenue 2015 Corn, Grain Sorghum and Soybean Producer Conference January 6 – Jonesboro Fairgrounds January 8 – Dumas Community Center Hosted by:
Morning Session 8:00 a.m.
Registration
8:30 a.m. Welcome and Soybean Board Annual Report West Higginbotham, Chairman Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board 8:45 a.m. Saving Cost without Cutting Yields Both the Corn and Grain Sorghum Board and the Soybean Board have funded specific projects in recent years looking at different ways to maximize yields, part of these projects include an economic analysis. With prices declining more than 40% over the last few years Dr. Kelley and Dr. Ross will discuss ways producers may consider cutting costs as well as some practices you will want to be sure you keep. Corn – Jason Kelley, UAEX Wheat & Feed Grain Specialist Soybean – Jeremy Ross, UAEX Soybean Specialist 9:45 a.m. Improving Irrigation Efficiency In 2014, Delta Plastics released its new pipe planner software that made it easier than ever for producers to use the FAUCET system. This program allows farmers to not only use less water, but also save energy and time by watering less with much greater efficiency. Chris DeClerk, Delta Plastics 10:15 a.m.
Break
10:30 a.m. Welcome and Corn and Grain Sorghum Board Annual Report Trent Dabbs, Chairman Arkansas Corn & Grain Sorghum Board 10:45 a.m. Direct Marketing Options for Grain and Soybeans With more farmers building their own storage farmers are consistently looking for new markets to sell their grain and soybeans. In some cases it is possible for farmers to take the middle man out of selling and go direct to the end user. This segment will introduce producers to some of those individuals. Ozark Mountain Poultry – Is a relatively new poultry company with a feed mill in Batesville. Part of the chicken sold by OMP is labeled fed a non-GMO diet. The company is looking for both GMO and non-GMO corn and soybeans for their plant. PECO – PECO is in the process of adding a new buying point in Corning. The new feed mill will complement their existing mill in Batesville and offer producers another buying point for their grain. The company has said their goal is to source all of their grain locally. Nutt Company – Is the broker in charge of sourcing Tyson’s feed ingredients. Their office in North Little Rock sources all of the feed ingredients for all of the Tyson feed mills in the state. Southern Growers Marketing, Inc – A new virtual cooperative setup by farmers in Arkansas that utilizes on-farm storage and an independent broker to facilitate direct farm sales. The group utilizes the marketing expertise of FC Stone, a Fortune 100 company. Grainster – The self-proclaimed dating service for grain is an online platform to connect buyers and sellers of grain contracts. Their goal is to cut out the middleman by providing a matchmaking service for your grain.
Afternoon Session 12:00 p.m.
Lunch
12:30 p.m.
Luncheon Speaker
1:00 p.m. Enlist and RR Xtend Weed Control System New soybean varieties are in the pipeline. The University has had the opportunity to test these new varieties in the field and have collected a lot of data. There will be specific regulations that producers will need to follow when using this technology. This presentation will provide the latest on Arkansas State Plant Board regulations regarding these products. Dr. Bob Scott, UAEX Weed Specialist 1:40 p.m. Choosing the Right Seed The University will give a brief overview of its 2014 variety trial results and discuss the top performing varieties. Additionally, with the public release of RR1 varieties there will be a brief discussion on the process producers need to follow to get foundation seed. Variety Trial Coordinator Panel of Discussion Dr. Rick Cartwright, Moderator Armor Seed – Armor sells soybeans, corn, rice, wheat and grain sorghum across the Mid-South. Armor Seed aims to deliver the best genetics and technology available to Mid-South farmers. Top bean varieties include 49-R56 and 47-R13, and top corn varieties include 1550 Double PRO and 1616 Double PRO among others. There are many new bean varieties and corn hybrids in the product pipeline for future release. Cache River Valley Seed – CRV sells soybean, corn, wheat, oats, rice and grain sorghum across the US. The MorSoy, MorCorn, Dixie Wheat, and CRV Rice brands are all under CRV Seed. Progeny Seed – Progeny sells soybeans, corn, wheat and rice in Arkansas and surrounding states. 2:30 p.m. Regulations Surrounding Drone Use Drones have the potential to become an integral part of farm management. Unfortunately this technology is shrouded in uncertainty as regulations for the industry are uncertain at this time. Doug Campbell, UAE Specialist, Middle Tennessee State 3:00 p.m.
Adjourn and Door Prizes
The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board was established to improve the sustainability and profitability of the soybean industry in Arkansas. The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board consists of soybean producers nominated by various producer organizations within Arkansas and appointed by the governor. Although board members contribute many hours of their time to administering the program, they serve without pay. This board, with a goal of improving the sustainability and profitability of the soybean industry in Arkansas, is responsible for distributing funds from the checkoff. Funds are used primarily for research and Extension projects conducted University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. Board members include: West Higginbothom, Marianna, Chairman Gary Sitzer, Weiner, Vice Chairman Rusty Smith, Des Arc, Secretary Jim Carroll, Brinkley John Freeman, Dumas Doug Hartz, Stuttgart Donald Morton, Jr., Des Arc Joe Thrash, Conway The Arkansas Corn & Grain Sorghum Board (AR CGSB) is a seven-member volunteer board consisting of Arkansas farmers appointed by the Governor. The board works hard at allocating checkoff funds toward meaningful research and promotion that enhances the corn and grain sorghum industries in Arkansas. By working with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, the Arkansas Corn & Grain Sorghum Board has been able to fund many research projects such as the corn and grain sorghum verification programs, optimal irrigation practices, pest control in grain sorghum, high yield practices for corn and grain sorghum and many more. The board also allocates funds dedicated to promoting Arkansas-grown corn and grain sorghum to buyers in the U.S. and the world. Through its partnerships with the US Grains Council and National Corn Growers Association, the Arkansas Corn & Grain Sorghum Board has participated in programs such as Export Exchange and Commodity Classic that give the board a platform to connect Arkansas farmers to domestic and international markets. The board is proud to serve the corn and grain sorghum farmers across the state of Arkansas. Board members include: Trent Dabbs, Stuttgart, Chairman Michael Richardson, Holly Grove, Vice Chairman Stewart Weaver, Edmondson, Secretary Jon Carroll, Moro David Gammill, Tyronza Keith Woolverton, Pollard Tommy Young, Tuckerman