AG COUNCIL NEWS & INFORMATION BRIEF
May 24, 2024
WASHINGTON AG UPDATE
House Ag Committee Advances Farm Bill: Throughout the day Thursday, and into the morning hours of Friday, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee held a committee markup of House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson's draft farm bill titled, “The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024.” The bill passed with a bipartisan vote that included four yes votes from Democrats on the committee. The bill has received support from a broad array of producer and industry stakeholder groups, including the Ag Council.
Upon passage of the bill, Senate Agriculture Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) praised the bipartisanship of the bill and encouraged Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) to take a similar approach to Chairman Thompson. So far, Chairwoman Stabenow has elected to take an alternative and more partisan approach, which places an emphasis on policy priorities that aim to expand nutrition programs, develop organic and specialty crops, and advance climate change initiatives and urban agricultural interests.
Boozman also indicated plans to introduce a preferred framework for the Senate that is expected to more closely resemble the House Ag Committee approved bill. More...Link for H.R. 8467 | Title by Title Overview | Title by Title Summary | House Ag Committee Farm Bill Homepage | Industry & Stakeholder Statements of Support | Ag Council of Arkansas Letter to Chairman Thompson | Boozman Statement | DTNPF Article | Agri-Pulse | ArkansasOnline
Process Underway on Re-registration of Dicamba for OTT Use: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting public comments on the registration of dicamba for over-the-top use in cotton and soybeans for 2025 and beyond. A 30 day comment period closes June 3rd. The process was kickstarted by Bayer as they were first to seek out an updated registration and label for their extendimax herbicide. A similar comment period is expected to come related to BASF's Engenia herbicide, which they hope to also have registered for use. According to the draft regulation, additional significant restrictions are expected to be part of any re-registration, and the process could take up to 17 months for approval. More...Successful Farming | DTNPF | EPA Website on Draft Regulation | Comment Page | NALC Info
EPA Proposes Effective Ban of Acephate: On April 30th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took regulatory action announcing plans to prohibit use of acephate, a common organophosphate insecticide used in Arkansas for insect control in multiple crops. The decision allows for public comments through July 1, and individuals can now express their views regarding the importance of this chemistry. More...DTNPF | Federal Register | Link to Provide Public Comment
ARKANSAS AG UPDATE
State Groundwater Report Update Complete: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division recently released the 2023 Arkansas Groundwater Protection and Management Report pursuant to the Arkansas Groundwater Protection and Management Act of 1991. This report provides a summary of the groundwater monitoring efforts, current water levels, protection and conservation programs, and water use reporting during the 2023 calendar year. More...Arkansas Dept. of Ag News Release | Groundwater Report | Arkansas Water Plan Homepage
Hillman Elected to Serve as Chairman of Riceland Board: According to an announcement from Riceland Foods, the company's leaders elected Rich Hillman of Carlisle to serve as Chairman of the farmer owned cooperative. Hillman, who recently stepped down from his service as President of Arkansas Farm Bureau, follows Roger Pohlner, who stepped down from the role after 12 years. Pohlner will remain on the board to serve the Riceland members in the Stuttgart-based organization’s north central Arkansas district. Shannon Davis, a farmer from Bono, Arkansas, was named Vice-Chairman of the board. More...ArkansasBusiness | Riceland Foods
StoneX Offering Grain Merchandising Risk Academy in Memphis July 16-17: Ag Council Sponsor StoneX, a leading global financial services company with expertise in commodity futures markets, is hosting a grain merchandising risk academy in Memphis, TN, July 16-17. The program is an excellent opportunity for individuals and businesses to build knowledge in managing futures market risks with tools, concepts, and strategies employed by grain merchandisers and originators worldwide. The interactive agenda is tailored to meet the needs of attendees with all levels of experience, regardless of their previous exposure to grain merchandising. More...About the Seminar | Agenda | Registration Link
National Ag Law Center Hosting Mid-South Conference in Memphis June 6-7: The National Agricultural Law Center, the nation’s leading source of objective, scholarly, and authoritative agricultural and food law research and information, is hosting its 11th Annual MidSouth Agricultural Law Conference June 6-7 in Memphis. The event, which is open to attorneys and the general public, focuses on several legal topics affecting agriculture. It offers continuing learning education opportunities for lawyers as well. In addition to the knowledge and information shared, the conference provides excellent networking opportunities for attendees. More...UofA Announcement | Conference Information | Agenda | Registration
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:
USDA Daily Arkansas Grain Bids
Arkansas Department of Ag Calendar
Ag Council Leadership Opportunities
Apply for Service on State Boards & Commissions
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
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
USDA Issues Crop Progress Report: On Monday, May 20, USDA issued a Crop Progress and Condition Report for the 2024 crop year. According to the report, Arkansas farmers have planted 97 percent of the corn crop, 97 percent of the rice crop, 82 percent of the soybean crop, 68 percent of the cotton crop and 78 percent of the peanut crop. More...U.S. Report | Arkansas Report
May WASDE Report: On Friday, May 10, USDA issued its May World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) Report. More...May WASDE | Secretary Briefing Slides | USDA Video
Other links of Interest:
Eric Snodgrass May 23 Weather Look
Jarrod Hardke's Arkansas Rice Report
Arkansas-Crops Blog
UADA Ag News Blog
DTN Market Insights: Commodity Market Info
The RiceStuff Podcast: Podcast 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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