AG COUNCIL NEWS & INFORMATION BRIEF
December 5, 2022
WASHINGTON AG UPDATE
Rail Strike Averted: On Friday, December 2nd, President Biden signed legislation passed by Congress that averts a nationwide strike of railroad workers. The measure codified a recent compromise between railroad companies and labor unions. More... Agri-Pulse | White House | WSJ
Senate Ag Committee to Hold Hearing on Research: On Decemebr 6th, the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Nutrition Committee will hold a farm bill related hearing focused on research programs. Dr. Deacue Fields, the Vice President of Agriculture for the University of Arkansas System, will serve as a key witness to the hearing. 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. This is the second hearing of the committee to focus on a specific title of the farm bill. More... Hearing Information | Video
Congress is Still Working on Fiscal Year Appropriations & Disaster Aid: As the current Congress comes to a close the House and Senate continue to negotiate what to do with Fiscal Year 2023 spending, which is operating on a continuing resolution that is set to expire mid-December. Included in the negotiations is whether to include a new round of agricultural disaster assistance funding. Agricultural organizations representing various commodities have called for an extension of USDA's Emergency Relief Program (ERP) to cover 2022 losses. More... Agri-Pulse | Agri-Pulse II | Roll Call | The Hill
EPA Takes Action on Renewable Fuels Standards for 2023-2025: On December 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the issuance of new proposed biofuel blending standards under the Renewable Fuels Standard. This proposal grows production mandates of biofuel for use in the nation’s fuel supply for 2023, 2024, and 2025. More... EPA Announcement | EPA Rule | Agri-Pulse | AgFax | Farm Bureau | AgFax | AgWeb
Farm Worker Wage Increases Raise Concern for H-2A Labor Costs: On November 23rd, USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released an updated farm worker wage report that showed wage increases of 7%, which could lead to significant increases in H-2A labor costs for the coming year. More... AgFax | Farm Bureau | NASS Report
ARKANSAS AG UPDATE
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 | Room reservations can be made by calling (501) 374-7474
Arkansas Cotton Industry Socials a Success: The Ag Council of Arkansas worked with area cotton industry leaders in East Arkansas to hold four fundraisers to support the National Cotton Council (NCC) Political Action Committee (PAC), known as the Committee for the Advancement of Cotton. The events held in Wilson, West Memphis, Marianna, and McGehee, led to significant increases to Arkansas's anual contribution to the PAC. For industry participants who were unable to attend, additional contributions can be made one of two ways: 1) check made out to CAC and mailed to NCC-CAC | PO Box 2995 | Cordova TN 38088; 2) online credit card payment at https://www.cotton.org/CAC/contribute.cfm. | About the NCC PAC
Governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders Announces Key Executive Staff: On Thursday, December 1, Governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced several top level administrative staff as she continues to prepare for assuming the office of Governor in January. More...Arkansas Online | Transition Website | Gov. Elect Sanders Twitter
Arkansas Department of Agriculture Awards $270 Million in Water Systems: The Arkansas Agriculture Department announced on December 2nd that the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) approved $270 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for 157 water needs projects across 58 counties. More... Arkansas Online | ANRC
State Approves Additional $158 Million for Broadband Deployment: On December 1st, Arkansas's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) steering committee endorsed the state Department of Commerce's request for $158 million more in federal ARPA funds for broadband projects and related costs. This funding provides additional dollars for the Arkansas Rural Connect broadband grant program, which has handed out $396.5 million in grants to 163 projects across the state. According to news reports, Arkansas has about $292 million in unallocated federal American Rescue Plan funds remaining. More... Arkansas Online | Arkansas Broadband Office | Arkansas ARPA Page
Arkansas Revenues Remain Strong, but Income Tax Collections Softening: The Arkansas Department of Finance released its latest revenue report showing revenues continuing to exceed 2021 levels and state forecasts. However, the report did indicate a trend of declining income tax collections due to recently enacted tax cuts and higher sales and use tax collections largely led by inflated costs of goods and services. More... TalkBusiness | ArkansasBusiness | DFA Revenue Report
Arkansas Farm Bureau Elects Leaders and Adopts Policy Resolutions: The Arkansas Farm Bureau held its 2022 Annual Meeting in Hot Springs November 28 through December 1 where it elected leaders and adopted policy resolutions. Rich Hillman of Carlisle was re-elected as President and Mike Freeze of Keo was re-elected as Vice President. More... Arkansas Farm Bureau News Release |
Avian Flu Impacting Wild Fowl and Poultry Populations in Arkansas: High Path Avian Influenza is spreading throughout Arkansas in populations of poultry and wild migratory fowl. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission continue to monitor the situation in both poultry flocks and wild populations. For wild populations, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is seeking reports from the public on findings and strongly discouraging the handling of fowl exhibiting symptoms. More... TalkBusiness | ArkansasOnline | ArkansasOnline II | ArkansasOnline III | AGFC Announcement | AGFC Portal to Report Sick Birds | Livestock & Poultry Commission
UofA Winter Production Meeting Schedule Released: The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture announced upcoming meeting dates and locations for its winter production meetings, which will begin January 10th and run through March 1. More...UADA News Release | Schedule
UofA Releases Crop Enterprise Budgets for 2023: The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture recently released its 2023 crop enterprise budgets, an important tool to help farmers plan their 2023 planting decisions. The dynamic excel spreadsheet includes some changes that reflect some of the biggest economic impactors from the current year, however the program allows users to adjust numbers as they see fit. More...UADA Crop Budgets | News Release
UofA Accepting Applications for Leadership Program: The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture recently announced that it is accepting applications for its leadership program known as LeadAR. The program is designed to strengthen leadership, knowledge, and networks for Arkansans who are passionate about the futures of their communities. LeadAR provides an in-depth learning experience covering important economic and social issues impacting the state. More...UADA Announcement | Application Form
UofA Variety Performance Trials: The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has begun the process of releasing variety performance trials for a range of agricultural commodities. More...UofA Variety Test Homepage | Rice Performance Trial Data | Cotton Variety Testing Update
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
Rain Returns to Arkansas: Nutrien's Morning Minute with Eric Snodgrass
ECONOMIC & INDUSTRY NEWS
Crop Progress Report: On Monday, November 29th, USDA released an updated Crop Progress & Condition Report
Crop Progress and Condition Report: U.S. | Arkansas
UofA Summary Slides of 2022 Crop Year
USDA Projects Record Income for Farmers: USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) released a farm income report on December 1 that showed a record high income for farmers. When adjusted for inflation, 2022 net cash farm income is forecast to be at its highest level since the USDA inflation adjusted data series began in 1929. More... AgFax | Agri-Pulse | USDA ERS Farm Income Report
WASDE Report Coming December 9th: WASDE
Kenneth Hood Passed Away: Kenneth Hood of Mississippi, a prominent member of the region's cotton industry, passed away on December 1. Hood served in a variety of industry leadership posts, including Chairman of the National Cotton Council, President of Delta Council, President and Chairman of the Board of the National Cotton Ginners Association, President and Chairman of the Board of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association, Chairman MS Cotton Advisory Committee for MS Farm Bureau, and Board Member for Staplcotn. More...Obituary
Corteva Acquires Stoller to Increase Suite of Biologicals: On November 29th, Corteva announced that it would acquire Houston-based Stoller, one of the largest independent Biologicals companies in the industry. According to Corteva, Stoller brings to Corteva a footprint that includes operations and sales in more than 60 countries and 2022 forecasted revenues of more than $400 million. More... Corteva Announcement | AgFax
Arkansas Economic Profile: 2022 Pocket Facts - News