AG COUNCIL NEWS & INFORMATION BRIEF
November 10, 2022
WASHINGTON AG UPDATE
Russia Said to Rejoin Grain Agreement with Ukraine: Russia on November 2nd rejoined an agreement allowing the shipment of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, one of the few areas of cooperation amid the war in Ukraine, easing uncertainty over the fate of a deal seen as crucial to preventing famine in other parts of the world.More...NYT | WSJ | Reuters
Boozman Presses USDA on COVID Relief Spending: On October 27th, U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), Vice Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, sent a letter to Secretary Vilsack expressing concern for certain uses of $11 billion provided by Congress to help farmers, ranchers, loggers, restaurants, schools, and others respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Boozman requested a report from the Secretary by November 30th detailing the full use of funds provided by Congress to ensure that the funds were utilized consistent with Congressional intent. More...Agri-Pulse | Letter to Vilsack
Senate Ag Committee Set to Hold Farm Bill Hearing: On November 15th, the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Nutrition Committee will hold a farm bill related hearing focused on rural development and energy programs. The committee, led in part by Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR), will be tasked with reauthorization of the farm bill, which is scheduled to expire following the 2023 crop year. More...Hearing Info
USDA AMS Considering Changes to Soybean Grading: On Tuesday, November 8th, USDA Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) reported that the Federal Grain and Inspection Service (FGIS) will be seeking public comment on a proposal to make changes to the U.S. Standards for Soybeans related to soybeans of other color (SBOC). More...USDA AMS | AgWeb
Mexico Continues March Against Crop Technology: According to news reports, Mexico has hardened its stance on plans to implement restrictions on imports of commodities that include biotechnology. Such plans would dramatically curtail U.S. exports, particularly for corn, which could lead to significantly higher food costs and supply shortages for the people of Mexico if fully implemented. Recently, United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai has held discussions with counterparts in Mexico, but such efforts have not led to any breakthroughs. U.S. farm and food advocates are seeking more direct actions from the United States as such actions by Mexico threaten progress established with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) free trade agreement. More...Reuters | Reuters II | Farm Press
Global Climate Summit Takes Place in Egypt: The United Nations (UN) held its annual global climate summit (COP27) in Egypt this week. The meeting of 27 nations aims to propose and consider various policies to address climate change and global warming. President Biden is expected to address the gathering Friday. More...ABC News | AP | UN COP27 | WSJ | WSJ II
ARKANSAS AG UPDATE
Election Results: The 2022 mid-term election held November 8th featured many important elections for local, state, and national wide offices. In addition, voters consided four statewide ballot initiatives. The outcome will shape the environment for policy making in the upcoming year and future years to come.
In Arkansas, history was made as Sarah Huckabee Sanders became the first woman governor of Arkansas. Republican candidates running for Attorney General, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Land Commissioner, all prevailed in their respective races. Republicans also maintained solid super-majorities in the State House and Senate.
For Arkansas's federal races, Senator Boozman, Congressman Crawford, Congressman Hill, Congressman Womack, and Congressman Westerman were all successful in their re-election bids. The balance of power in the U.S. House and Senate remains uncertain as some races remain too close to call, however most project Republicans will gain majorities in the House. If Republicans gain the majority in the U.S. Senate, Senator Boozman is expected to rise to Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee where he'd be the lead author of the farm bill in the next Congress.
Regarding the 4 state-wide ballot issues, they were all voted down by voters. More...
Arkansas Election News | Arkansas Election Results | Federal Legislative Election Results | Arkansas Election Summary | 2023 94th General Assembly List
Governor-elect Sanders Announces Transition Plan & Website: On Thursday, November 10th, Arkansas Governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the launching of her transition team and a new website offering opportunities for individuals to apply for various positions in the new administration, including boards and commissions. We encourage Ag Council members to consider applying for any position they are interested in serving. For members currently serving in these areas, we encourage they re-apply for that service if they wish to continue the service. More...Transition Team Announcement | Transition Website | Application Page | TalkBusiness
State Senate Organizes Committee Assignments for 94th General Assembly: On Thursday, November 10th, members of the Arkansas State Senate met to consider committee assignments for the upcoming legislative session. More...Committee Selections | Joint Committee Selections | ArkansasOnline
Arkansas Department of Agriculture Releases Smoke Management Smart Phone App for Farmers: On Monday, October 31st, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture announced the launch of a new smart phone application known as Arkansas FireSMART, which is intended to simplify the process for farmers to follow the Arkansas Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines. The voluntary program is intended to help farmers conduct crop residue burning in optimal conditions to minimize various risks associated with the practice. The Ag Council encourages farmers to download the app and utilize the program prior to conducting prescribed burns of crop residue following harvest. More... Press Announcement | Download App | Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines
State Revenues Continue to Show Surpluses: On Wednesday, November 2nd, the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration released its October Revenue Report, which indicated solid revenue numbers for the month of October and the fiscal year to date. The tax collections were in excess of the same period last year and in excess of forecasted collections. More...Arkansas Online | Talk Business | October Revenue Report | Arkansas Business
Governor Hutchinson Submits Budget Update & Outline Proposal: On Thursday, November 10th, Governor Asa Hutchinson submitted to the Arkansas General Assembly a budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2023. While Governor Hutchinson is term limited and set to be replaced by incoming Governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the proposal offers an update on state finances and a plan for consideration in the upcoming General Session, which begins in January. More...Joint Budget Committee | Slide Presentation | Governor's Remarks | Budget Proposal | TalkBusiness
Helena Gains Jobs Through Specialty Packaging Company: Specialty packaging firm Bartlo Packaging Inc. of Passaic, New Jersey, recently announced that it is consolidating its business into a newly acquired facility in Helena, Arkansas. The company serves the agricultural and special chemical industries and others with various packaging systems. More... Arkansas Business | Talk Business | Bartlo
Mississippi River Level Remains Low: While the Mississippi River basin experienced some recent rainfall in recent days, the levels in the river remain extremely low, and they continue to limit and challenge barge transportation of agriucltural commodities. In addition, threats of rail labor strikes threaten the movement of agricultural commodities and inputs. More...Agri-Pulse | ArkansasOnline
November is Soybean Month: The Arkansas Soybean Research and Promotion Board is leading the efforts to recognize November as Soybean Month in Arkansas. Soybeans are the leading row crops planted in Arkansas with an estimated 3.15 million acres harvested this year. Soybean month offers an opportunity to celebrate the impact of soybeans on the economy of Arkansas and the overall important role soybeans play in the world. More...Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board | Soybean Video | Press Release
Osceola Set to Gain More Steel Manufacturing: A new $500 million steel mill is on its way to Mississippi County according to news reports. Highbar LLC, a company focused on sustainable scrap metal recycling and steel production, plans to build a mill on over 600 acres of property just outside of Osceola. The mill, which will produce rebar, is expected to create 200 direct and indirect jobs with high paying wages. More... TalkBusiness | ArkansasBusiness
Cotton Council PAC Fundraisers: The Ag Council of Arkansas is working with the National Cotton Council (NCC) to raise funds from Arkansas's cotton industry for the NCC's Political Action Committee (PAC), known as the Committee for the Advancement of Cotton. Four fundraisers are scheduled for the week of November 28th with "Happy Hour" events in Wilson, West Memphis, Marianna, and McGehee.
We encourage all Arkansas farms and gins to participate in this effort by attending an event and making a contribution to the PAC. Funds raised will be utilized to support candidates for federal office who support policies and positions that support the cotton industry. All are welcome to join the effort! More... Events Flyer | About the NCC PAC
Ag Council Annual Meeting: The Ag Council will hold its Annual Board of Directors Meeting December 12-13 at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock. Meeting Information | Schedule of Events & Confirmed Speakers | Sponsorship Opportunties Special room rates are available through November 14th by calling (501) 374-7474
ECONOMIC & INDUSTRY NEWS
DTN Overview of Carbon Markets: DTN Progressive Farmer recently published an article in its monthly publication that offered an overview of various carbon credit programs offered to farmers from various companies. Such programs offer supplemental payments and credits to farmers that participate in certain practices deemed to provide ecosystem market value. More...DTN Progressive Farmer
Rising Interest Rates Lower Farmer Sentiment: Farmer sentiment weakened again in October as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell to a reading of 102, down 10 points compared to a month earlier. A primary driving force in the reduced sentiment is rising interest rates coupled with higher input costs and softening of commodity futures prices. More... Farm Press | November Report | Ag Economy Barometer Homepage
USDA Announces Lending Interest Rates for November: The USDA announced loan interest rates for November 2022, which are effective Nov. 1, 2022. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs. More...USDA Announcement
November WASDE Report:
On Wednesday, November 9th, USDA released an updated World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) report. More...
WASDE | Secretary's Briefing | Agri-Pulse | DTN | AgWeb
Crop Reports:
On Monday, November 7th, USDA released an updated Crop Progress & Condition Report
Crop Progress and Condition Report: U.S. | Arkansas
On Wednesday, November 9th, USDA released an updated Crop Production Report
November Crop Production Report: U.S. | Arkansas
2022 FSA Acreage Data
NCC's November Cotton Economic Review
Commodity Usage Reports:
On Tuesday, November 1st, USDA released new monthly commodity usage reports:
- Cotton System
- Fats & Oils
- Flour Milling
- Grain Crushings
- Cotton Ginnings (11/9)
Agricultural Prices Reports:
On Monday, October 31st, USDA released new monthly agricultural prices reports:
Agricultural Prices Paid Report
Arkansas Economic Profile: 2022 Pocket Facts - News