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October 25, 2013 Vol. 16, No. 20A
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Arkansas Farm Bureau was once again a major supporter of the
Sale of Champions, a program that provides scholarship money for
junior livestock exhibitors at the Arkansas State Fair and
Livestock Show. This years sale was held Oct. 18 at Barton
Coli-seum in Little Rock. Before the auction started, ArFB
Secretary-Treasurer Tom Jones of Pottsville (left) and state board
member Allen Stewart of Mena discussed strategies for buying some
of the champion animals up for sale at the annual event.
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In Farm BureauArFB State Convention, Dec. 4-6
The 79th Arkansas Farm Bureau Conven-tion is Dec. 4-6 at the
Marriott Hotel and Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.
This years theme is Farm Bureau Strong.
Convention registration starts Dec. 4 at 9:30 a.m. The first
general session starts at 1 p.m. A number of special awards will be
presented during this session, which will be highlighted with
addresses by Gov. Mike Beebe (invited) and Arkansas political
observer Rex Nelson. Leaders who are no longer with us will be
honored and remem-bered during the memorial service.
Numerous commodity conferences will be held Dec. 4-5 to provide
the latest infor-mation from noted experts in their fields. Special
conferences also are scheduled for Environmental Issues, Local
Affairs, Public Policy, Rural Funding Opportunities and the Young
Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet finals.
Other events on Dec. 5 include the Wom-ens Luncheon and Cotton
Fashion Show and the Sew with Cotton Contest. Back again is
the silent auction with proceeds providing for Ag in the
Classroom programs.
The general session on Dec. 5 will be highlighted by membership
awards and ad-dresses by Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach
and 19-year old Texarkana na-tive Taylor Wilson, a young nuclear
physicist who first attracted national attention when, at the age
of 14, he became the youngest individual to achieve nuclear fusion
in his
parents garage! A reception honoring Execu-tive Vice President
Ewell Welchs 36 years of service to ArFB will be held at 4 p.m.
Dec. 5 in the Statehouse Convention Center.
VIP experience for county presidentsCounty Farm Bureau
presidents will
enjoy a special VIP experience during the 2014 American Farm
Bureau Federation Convention in San Antonio. Presidents
At an Oct. 9 reception, ArFBs Rodney Baker (left) presented
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Ewell Welch a framed photo of the I-430/I-630 construction site.
Of the
humorous gift, Baker said, We wanted to give you something
to help you remember your last few years at
Farm Bureau. Welch is retiring Nov. 1 after 36
years with ArFB.
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and their guests will be invited to a special event on the
Convention Trade Show floor at 8:45 a.m. on Jan. 12, prior to
the opening general session. AFBF President Bob Stallman will
recognize leaders for their hard work and dedication to Farm
Bureaus feder-ated grassroots structure. In addition, county
presidents will be among the first to interact with trade-show
exhibitors and will receive a special gift in recognition of their
service to the organization. Visit the convention website at
http://annualmeet-ing.fb.org/ for more details.
Ag Hall of Fame seeks nominations The Arkansas Agriculture Hall
of Fame
is seeking nominations from the public for its class of 2013.
The deadline is Nov. 15.
The Agriculture Hall of Fame recog-nizes Arkansans who have
contributed significantly to the states largest industry, while
spotlighting their contributions to the states economic
development. Since its first class was selected in 1987, 136 men
and women have been inducted.
Hall chairman Cal McCastlain says anyone can nominate a person
believed worthy for the honor. The men and wom-en of agriculture
have some truly compel-ling success stories, he said. The role of
the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame is to help tell their
stories, to honor the worthy individuals who made a profound
impact on Arkansas agriculture. The Farm Bureau Center in
Little
Rock houses the Agriculture Hall of Fame, which is sponsored by
the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Arkansas Farm
Bureau.
It is a great honor to be able to recog-nize some of the finest
farmers, ranchers, business people and scientists connected to
agriculture, McCastlain said. The success
of these individuals has not just been for them personally. It
has impacted count-less communities around our state, and touched
people across the country and the world, in fact.
Additional information and online nomination forms are available
at www.arkansasaghalloffame.org. Forms also can be requested by
calling MaLeta Stephens at 501-228-1470. The induction ceremony for
the next class will be March 7, 2014 in Little Rock.
In ArkansasReed named to Hall of Fame
On Oct. 7, the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the
University of Arkan-sas announced its 2014 inductees to the
Arkansas Business Hall of Fame.Among them is Stanley E. Reed of
Marianna.
Reed, a lawyer and row-crop farmer, served on Arkansas Farm
Bureaus board of directors from 1987 to 2008 and was president of
the organization from 2003 to 2008. He was also a member, and later
chairman, of the University of Arkansas Systems Board of Trustees.
Reed passed away in 2011.
The Arkansas Business Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take
place Feb. 7, 2014 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little
Rock.
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On Oct. 10, Eddie Tackett (left) and Pope Co. extension agent
Phil Sims examined Tacketts soybean crop near Atkins. Tackett is
one of four growers whove exceeded 100 bushels per acre in the Race
for 100 contest sponsored by the Ark. Soybean Promotion Board and
Ark. Soybean Association. His 5-acre plot yielded 104.83 bushels
per acre, earning him part of a $50,000 prize.
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On Oct. 10 at the Brinkley Conven-tion Center, Vice President
Lonnie Medford (left) presented Brinkley Fire Department Chief
Jolly Bussell with a new Res-Q Tube purchased by Monroe Co. Farm
Bureau. The lightweight, aluminum tube will provide first
responders a means for rescuing victims of grain-engulfment
accidents at area farms and storage facilities.
Earlier this month, Scott Co. FB President Dan Wright (left)
presented a check for $16,351 to Scott County Judge James Forbes.
The money, do-nated by Arkansas Farm Bureau and six county Farm
Bureaus surrounding Scott County, will be distributed to farm
families affected by the May 31 flood in southern Scott County.
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Madison Co. FB reached a milestone on Oct. 10 by becoming first
in the state to reach its membership quota. Area coordinator Steve
Hignight (left) presented an award of $1,000 from ArFB to agency
manager Jimmy Pea-cock (center) and county president Jeremy Miller
at the organizations October board meeting.
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Beef industry seeks ambassadorsThe 2013 Arkansas Beef
Ambassador
competition will take place Nov. 9 at Ar-kansas Tech University
in Russellville. The deadline to enter is Nov. 1.
Beef Ambassadors are passionate youth advocates for the beef
community who provide American consumers and students with positive
nutritional, economic and environmental stewardship information
related to beef consumption and the beef industry. Participants
learn how to effec-tively address issues and misconceptions,
accurately share industry practices and promote the versatile uses
of beef.
Any Arkansas youth between the ages of 9 and 20 is eligible to
enter. There are three divisions: the Youth Division for ages 9-12,
the Junior Division for ages 13-16 and the Senior Division for ages
17-20. Three monetary awards will be given in each division: First
place will receive $150; second, $100; and third, $75. The $1,500
Arkansas Cattle Womens Founda-tion Scholarship will be awarded to
the first-place winner of the Senior Division. The first-place
winner also will represent Arkansas at the National Beef
Ambassa-dor Competition in 2014. The first place winner of the
Junior Division also may be invited to represent Arkansas in the
junior competition of the National Beef Ambas-
sador Competition in 2014.For more information, complete
contest
rules and a registration form, visit
www.arcattlewomen.com/programs/arkansas-beef-ambassador/.
25 years: Master Gardeners ProgramThis month, Arkansas Master
Garden-
ers are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the programs
founding.
The University of Arkansas Coopera-tive Extension Service
started a Master Gardener volunteer program 25 years ago with a
class of 30 people, said Janet Carson, extension horticultural
specialist. Today, we have more than 3,200 volun-teers in 65 of
Arkansas 75 counties.
Master Gardeners is an education and volunteer program that
offers 40 hours of education to those who are gardening enthusiasts
in exchange for 40 hours of volunteer work. After the first year,
Master Gardeners are required to obtain 20 hours of continuing
education and pay back 20 hours of volunteer service.
Their handiwork is visible in coun-ties across the state from
beautification projects in local communities, to demon-stration
gardens in schools and nursing homes, to farmers market projects,
edu-cational seminars and annual plant sales, Carson said. These
trained volunteers share their knowledge and spread their
passion for gardening all across Arkansas.In 2012, the Master
Gardener program
had 3,234 members who reported more than 55,000 learning hours
and more than 118,500 service hours.
ElsewhereS.D. ranchers relief fund
Three South Dakota organizations have joined together to
establish the Rancher Relief Fund with the Black Hills Area
Com-munity Foundations to provide support and assistance to
ranchers affected by the early October blizzard that resulted in
the death of as many as 60,000 head of cattle. According to the
National Weather Service, 19 inches of snow fell in Rapid City,
shattering a nearly 100-year-old record for accumulation in
October.
Donations to the Rancher Relief Fund can be made online at
https://www.giveblackhills.org/27677. Checks also are accepted and
can be mailed to Black Hills Community Area Foundation, SD Rancher
Relief Fund, P.O. Box 231, Rapid City, SD 57709. Checks should be
payable to Rancher Relief Fund. The fund will be administered by
the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, South Dakota Cattlemens
Association and South Dakota Sheep Growers Association.
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Victoria Maloch (right), former Arkansas FFA state president,
engaged in mock inter-views on Oct. 14 with Arkansas Farm Bureau
staff members (from left) Michelle Kitchens, Stanley Hill and
Warren Carter. Maloch, daughter of Bruce and Martha Maloch of
Emer-son, is a national FFA officer candidate and was preparing for
the selection process.
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EditorKeith [email protected]
On Sept. 27, Rodney Baker (left), Arkansas Farm Bureaus incoming
executive vice president, was named Distinguished Alumnus of the
Year for the agricultural economics and agribusiness department in
the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at
the Uni-versity of Arkansas. Steve Halbrook, head of the
department, presented the honor.
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In the MarketAs of October 22, 2013
November SOYBEANS have staged a nice little mid-harvest rally
after finding support at $12.61. Reports continue to indicate
impressive yields, making a national average of 42 bushels per acre
a possibility. A sharp increase in planted acreage in South America
will limit the upside potential of the market, with Brazil
reporting an expected increase of 3.4-5.9 percent over last years
crop. For the time being, November has run into resistance at
$13.05. With the shutdown, we missed the October crop report, so
the November report could be a big market-mover. Remember, USDAs
last report showed an average on-farm price of $11.50 per
bushel.
December CORN is still trending lower but is attempting to
consolidate, with prices remaining just below resistance at $4.50.
Support remains at contract lows of $4.32, but if prices fall below
this, we could see prices move to $4.25 or $4.00. Yield reports are
coming in much higher than expected, and the November crop report
could be a big shock for the market. Having said that, the market
is extremely oversold, so a corrective bounce is certainly
possible.
WHEAT fundamentals are stronger than corn and soybeans, and
current prices reflect that. A weaker dollar has been supportive,
but carryover weakness from other markets has limited the upside.
Planting both in the U.S. and Europe is moving along well. USDA
says that 79 percent of the U.S. crop is now in the ground, and 65
percent is in good to excellent condition. Thirty-one percent is in
fair condition, with only 4 percent in poor to very poor condition.
Now is a good
time to price some wheat for 2014. As we move throughout the
winter into spring and other countries have an opportunity to plant
more wheat, it is likely we will see wheat in the $6 range rather
than the $7 range.
December COTTON is attempting to consolidate, with prices barely
holding above key support at 82 cents. The first level of
resistance will be the recent high of 84.40 cents. The market
continues to feel the weight of large global supplies and no
bullish news to support prices. Declines over the last week have
pushed prices close to oversold territory, which may help prices
rally by the end of the month. There is talk of increased cotton
acreage next year in light of recent declines in corn prices.
RICE futures have been on a roller coaster ride over the past
few weeks. November bottomed early in the month, finding support at
$14.69 before putting nearly $1 back on the market and establishing
resistance at $15.52. Significant weakness in the dollar has been
supportive, and news of some strong export sales also has been
supportive. World supplies are comfortable, with a large stockpile
of rice in Asia looming over the market, limiting upside
potential.
Live CATTLE futures have moved to new eight-month highs. Prices
are being supported by the devastating blizzard in South Dakota
that has
killed up to 5 percent of the cattle herd there. Futures are
trading at a premium to cash, though, and that could limit the
upside potential. Negative packer margins will keep a lid on bids
despite relatively tight market-ready cattle supplies.
HOG futures are trading near contract high levels. December will
have tough resistance at the recent spike high of $89.90 but have
ignored a bearish key reversal charted earlier in the month. This
week has seen lower cash hog values with improving product values,
which should give packer margins a boost.
DAIRY. Milk supplies continue to be tight due to the combination
of good Class I demand and seasonally lower milk production. Forage
supplies are becoming a concern in the Northeast as the unusually
wet summer has reduced hay harvest yields and quality. Producers
are beginning to put more fresh cows online. Milk production in the
Southeast is about in balance with Class I demand needs, with
manufacturing supplies near contract levels. Cream demand is active
with good pulls coming from cream cheese, butter, ice cream and
bottling manufacturers. The good cream demand has tightened
available supplies and moved prices higher. According to NASS, milk
production for August 2013 in the 23 reported states totaled 15.7
billion pounds, up 2.7 percent from August 2012.
CONTACTBrandy Carroll 501-228-1268, [email protected]
Bruce Tencleve 501-228-1856, [email protected]
Matt King 501-228-1297, [email protected]
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Above: Judge Mark Hoge (right) of Good Hope, Ill., examines a
finalist in the Market Hog competi-tion. Expert judges from
throughout the U.S. are important to the livestock shows success.
Above right: The midway featured lots of special attractions,
including 9-foot-tall Rock-It the Robot. Right: Karen Kirkpatrick
of Arkadelphia won the Best of Show award in ArFBs Rice Cooking
Con-test for her Brunch Sausage Casserole recipe.
Attendance figures show 445,314 people attended this years fair,
just 2,000 shy of last years attendance. Attrac-tions included the
livestock competitions, carnival rides and food prepared in a wide
array of styles.
Right: Thirteen-year-old Kaylie
Stone of Gurdon showed several
grand champion animals, includ-
ing this Grand Champion Market
Goat. Bottom right:
Visitors to the Arts & Crafts building
saw dozens of winning entries
in the home-can-ning division.
Above: Arkansas FFA President Taylor McNeel (left) and Reporter
Caleigh Sue Moyer posed with state FFA advisor Marion Fletcher
before participating in opening ceremo-nies for the Sale of
Champions.
This years State Fair & Livestock Show kicked into gear Oct.
11 on the state fairgrounds in Little Rock. Arkansas Farm Bureau
and agri-culture were once again well represented at the annual
festivities. Take a look at some of the people and events that made
the 10-day event very special.
photos by KEITH SUTTON and CAROL ROLF
2013ARKANSAS STATE FAIR
& LIVESTOCK SHOW
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Left: The Grand Champion Single Fryer Rabbit was shown by
10-year-old Haeden Barber of Aus-tin. ArFB Vice President Rich
Hillman purchased the animal for ArFB. Above: Fair food favorites
included everything from a 2-pound mega-burger and alligator on a
stick to fried Twinkies and pork chop sundaes.
Right: This baby llama was a favorite of the many children
who
dropped in to visit the FFA Childrens Barnyard. Far right:
Ten-year-old
Chancee Clark (left) of Romance exhibited the Grand Champion
Market Steer at theSale of Champions.
President Randy Veach purchased the animal
for ArFB.
Emma Williams of Searcy took home a blue ribbon for her Mandarin
Orange and Rice Salad, the first-place salad dish in ArFBs Rice
Cooking Contest.
Above: Ten-year-old Colby Daniell of Arkadelphia was named the
2013 Arkansas 4-H State Giant Watermelon Growing Champion at the
Arkansas State Fair. His watermelon weighed 125 pounds.
2 0 1 3 S T A T E F A I R