AG COUNCIL NEWS & INFORMATION BRIEF
April 12, 2024
WASHINGTON AG UPDATE
Chairman Thompson Aims to Advance Farm Bill in May: U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glen "GT" Thompson (R-PA) recently indicated plans to move a farm bill through the Agriculture Committee prior to the Memorial Day federal holiday. In addition to announcing plans on timing of consideration of a new farm bill, Chairman Thompson also indicated the legislation would include increased funding for farm safety net programs. More...Agri-Pulse | Agri-Pulse II | Agri-Pulse III | RFDTV
Senate Republicans Introduce Legislation to Improve Crop Insurance: On Tuesday, April 9th, several leading Republican Senators, including Senator John Boozman, joined together in introducing new legislation aimed at enhancing crop insurance programs by enhancing premium support and increasing levels of coverage for certain policies. The legislation, titled the Federal Agriculture Risk Management Enhancement and Resilience (FARMER) Act, serves as an alternative to a proposal by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), which would require farmers to choose between more support for higher levels of coverage and participation in popular commodity title programs, including Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC). More...DTNPF | Boozman Press Release | Boozman Floor Statement | Agri-Pulse | ArkansasOnline
Womack Named Chair of Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation: Arkansas 3rd District Congressman Steve Womack was named chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. In this role, Womack will lead House republicans in setting spending priorities for transportation infrastructure and the Department of Transportation. More...TalkBusiness | EENews
ARKANSAS AG UPDATE
US Cotton Trust Protocol Offers New Payments with Climate Funding: The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol (USCTP), the U.S. cotton industry's sustainability initiative is currently accepting enrollment of cotton producers for the 2024 crop year and bales from the 2023 crop. Included in this year's application process is the opportunity to participate in the Climate Smart Cotton Program, which provides financial and technical assistance to farmers for participating in an advanced level of the protocol. April 30th is the deadline to enroll in the Trust Protocol and apply for the Climate Smart Program. More...Cotton Grower Magazine | Farm Progress | AgWired | USCTP Enrollment Link
Governor Sanders Delivers State of the State Address to Kick-start Fiscal Session: On April 10, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders provided a State of the State address to members of the Arkansas General Assembly as they kicked off the fiscal session in which they will set budget priorities for the coming fiscal year. During the address, the governor highlighted first year accomplishments of her administration and the legislature. She also outlined priorities for the 2025 fiscal year and the year to come. More...Text of Address | Video Address | TalkBusiness | ArkansasOnline
Legislature Takes Aim at Crypto Mines: In addition to setting funding priorities for the state, the Arkansas General Assembly is also aiming to address growing concerns around crypto mines, which have come under scrutiny in recent months as municipalities and the state aim to more control over how these businesses can operate. Primary concerns relate to foreign ownership, noise pollution, energy consumption and water use. More...ArkansasOnline | TalkBusiness | ArkansasAdvocate
NCC Accepting Applications for Emerging Leaders Program Through April 26: The National Cotton Council's Cotton Foundation is seeking applicants for its 2024 Emerging Leaders Program sponsored by Bayer Crop Science. The program, which offers intensive leadership training through three sessions in 2024 and 2025, is an excellent opportunity for cotton producers and others from within the cotton industry to gain a greater understanding for leadership and policy development within the cotton industry. Individuals interested should contact andrew.grobmyer@agcouncil.net. More...Emerging Leaders Program Information
Cotton Incorporated Accepting Nominations for Research & Promotion Hall of Fame: Cotton Incorporated is accepting nominations for the Cotton Research & Promotion Hall of Fame through May 17. The hall of famer was established to recognize those who have made significant contributions to the Cotton Research and Promotion Program and the cotton industry in general. Individuals interested in making nominations should contact andrew.grobmyer@agcouncil.net. More...Nomination Information | Nomination Form
Save the Date! Ag Council Sets Dates for 2024 Board of Director Meetings: The Ag Council of Arkansas has set dates for its upcoming board of directors meetings this year. The meetings are open to Ag Council board of directors and invited guests. Other Ag Council members and sponsors are welcome to attend general sessions of these meetings provided they notify staff of their plans to attend in advance of the meetings. Spring Meeting: Tuesday, May 14 at the Lon Mann Cotton Research Station in Marianna (Tentative Agenda); Summer Meeting: Thursday, August 15 at the Northeast Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center in Greenfield; Annual Meeting: Thursday and Friday, December 12-13 at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock
Arkansas Department of Ag Accepting Century Farm Applications Through May 31: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the 2024 Arkansas Century Farm Program. This program recognizes Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. The program is voluntary and there is no cost to apply. More...Century Farm Homepage | News Release
Members Encouraged to Apply for Service on State Boards and Commissions: We strongly encourage Ag Council members to apply for public service on various agriculture related state boards and commissions which serve important roles for our industry. We stand ready to help our members navigate the application and appointment process. More...https://agcouncil.net/services/leadership/ | Application Portal | Office of Governor Homepage
Additional Arkansas Ag Resources:
4.12.24 Nutrien's Eric Snodgrass Weather Outlook
USDA Daily Arkansas Grain Bids
Arkansas Department of Ag Calendar
Ag Council Leadership Opportunities
Apply for Service on State Boards & Commissions
2024 Arkansas Rural Development Conference May 21-23
USDA NRCS Arkansas Offices
USDA County Cash Rent Estimates
Arkansas Crops Update
UADA Crop Budgets
UADA Verification Information
Arkansas Row Crop Risk Management
Pine Tree Discoloration & Mortality Reporting
Feral Hog Task Force
2023 Arkansas Grown Publication
Digital Edition of Delta Farm Press
H-2A Guidebook by Congressman Crawford
Bayer Carbon Program (ForGround)
Indigo Carbon Program
Corteva Carbon Program
Truterra Carbon Program
Nutrien Carbon Program (FarmSmart)
ECONOMIC & INDUSTRY NEWS
April 11 WASDE Report: On April 11, USDA issued an updated World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) Report. The report provides the latest supply and demand estimates for major commodities. The report indicated lower projected commodity prices for most commoditites. More...WASDE Report | Secretary Briefing Slides | Secretary Briefing Video | DTNPF | Agri-Pulse | AgWeb | Crop Production Report
USDA Issues Historical Track Record of Crop Production: On April 10, USDA issued a Historical Track Record of Crop Production Report. More...Historical Track Record
USDA Issues Crop Progress Report: On Monday, April 8, USDA issued its first Crop Progress and Condition Report for the 2024 crop year. According to the report, Arkansas farmers have planted 22 percent of the corn crop, 13 percent of the rice crop, and 10 percent of the soybean crop. Recent rainfalls are expected to delay planting progress this week, especially in southern Arkansas. More...U.S. Report | Arkansas Report
Other links of Interest:
Ag Law Summit Set for June 6-7 in Memphis
Cotton Inc Monthly Economic Letter
Fertilizer Prices Go Higher
$1.5 Billion Available Nationwide for Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)
USDA NASS Announces Plan to Discontinue Certain Cattle and Crops Reports
Arkansas Farm Bureau AgCast Interview with Congressman Bruce Westerman
Southern Ag Today: Level the Playing Field for U.S. Producers
Southern Ag Today: Higher Reference Prices & Higher Payment Limits Are Critical
Jarrod Hardke's Arkansas Rice Report
Dr. Nathan McKinney Retires from UofA Division of Ag
Invasive Snails from Crawfish a Concern for Arkansas Rice
AGFC Adjusts Duck Hunting Dates and Bag Limits
UofA Leads in Development of New Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool (FRST)
DTN Market Insights: Commodity Market Info
The RiceStuff Podcast: Podcast Homepage
USDA March/April Processing Reports:
- Cotton System
- Fats & Oils
- Grain Crushings
- Grain Stocks
- Prospective Plantings
- Rice Stocks
- Agricultural Prices
- Peanut Prices
- Peanut Stocks and Processing
Regional Headlines: Judd Hill Foundation Donates $1 Million to UAMS Northeast to Combat Cancer
Options for Conservation Funding with New Climate Programs: Arkansas farmers have multiple options to seek out funding incentives for conservation programs deemed to be "climate smart" through grants issued from USDA to various agriculture organizations and enterprises. The grants were part of a Climate Smart Commodity Program established by USDA with use of funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation. Practices such as alternate wetting and drying and furrow irrigation in rice will provide payment opportunities as well as no-till and cover crops for other commodities. Additional practices are also eligible. For cotton farmers, enrolling acres in the industry's U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol program also offers payment opportunities. Some application windows have already opened and closed while others are expected in coming days and weeks, but they are not expected to be open long. More...Climate Smart Cotton | Climate Smart Rice | Winrock/Riceland Foods Program | AgriCapture | Rice-Tec SmartRice | Alliance for CS Ag | More Arkansas Related CSAF Opportunities | USDA CSAF Homepage
Arkansas Economic Profile: 2023 Pocket Facts - News | USDA Arkansas Ag Economic Overview | Arkansas Ag Census Data | Arkansas Historical Data | Arkansas Farms & Land Report | Arkansas Land Values & Cash Rent Report | Arkansas Farm Labor Report
UofA Crop Updates | UofA Land Grant Research & Extension Service Video
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