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 EVP

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.

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 Suttonkeith.sutton@arfb.com

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.

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, brandy.carroll@arfb.com

Bruce Tencleve 501-228-1856, bruce.tencleve@arfb.com

Matt King 501-228-1297, matt.king@arfb.com

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

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.

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