AG COUNCIL NEWS & INFORMATION BRIEF
October 14, 2024
WASHINGTON AG UPDATE
Congress Has Full Plate Post Election: Congress avoided a federal government shutdown at the end of the 2024 fiscal year by providing a continuing resolution to fund the government from October 1 through December 20. However, much work remains for Congress when they return to Washington on November 12 following the election. Included in the list of things to consider are what to do related to the farm bill, which expired September 30th, and what type of supplemental spending may be required to support farmers and respond to recent hurricanes. The abilities of Congress to complete such work may depend on the outcome of the election. More...ArkansasOnline | FarmPolicyNews | SuccessfulFarming
USDA Announces Programs to Assist Farmers with Financial Challenges: In recent weeks, USDA has announced a handful of initiatives aimed at helping farmers manage financial stress, which is building due to challenging economic environments resulting from high input costs and interest rates, low commodity prices, and a farm bill safety net that is not triggering support despite the challenges economy. Primary support for farmers aims to help farmers consolidate debt for lower interest rates, and other tools to help farmers navigate through the challenging economy. More...Debt Consolidation Announcement | Assistance Network for Distressed Farmers | Financial Assistance for Distressed Borrowers | ArkansasOnline
EPA Releases ESA Toolbox to Help Farmers with New Rules: On U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an online toolbox with educational materials related to pesticides and endangered species. The new web resource aims to assist farmers and applicators as they become subject to a new suite of rules and guidelines for utilizing pesticides. The toolbox catalogs educational resources including guidance documents, handouts, presentations, informational webinars, and other resources relating to EPA’s recent endangered species work, which includes the new regulatoy strategies for herbicides and insecticides to enhance the agency's compliance with the Endangered Species Act. More...EPA Toolbox Webpage | AgUpdate
EPA Finalizes Pesticide Application Exclusion Zone Rule: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced its final rule relating to the pesticide Application Exclusion Zone (AEZ) under the 2015 Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS). The rule aims to limit direct exposure to pesticides among farm workers. More...EPA Application Exclusion Zone Webpage | EPA Announcement | AgWeb | MorningAgClips
Other News & Info from Washington:
Opinion - Southern Ag Today: Losses Mounting, Projected to Get Worse
Reuters: Port Strike Ends But Not Without Disruption
NALC: EPA Initiates Vulnerable Species Action Plan
Agri-Pulse: EU May Delay Anti-Deforestation Law
ARKANSAS AG UPDATE
Secretary Ward Elected President of National Association of Departments of Agriculture: Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture, Wes Ward, was recently elected president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. In this role he will lead the organization, which is comprised of secretaries and commissioners from other states. As part of his responsibilities, Arkansas will play host for the organization's next annual meeting, which will take place in Rogers, Arkansas, in September 2025. More...Arkansas Dept. of Ag Announcement | Video | NASDA Announcement | TalkBusiness | ArkansasOnline
General Assembly Focused on Budget As Legislative Session Nears: As Governor Sarah Sanders and members of the Arkansas General Assembly gear up for the upcoming legislative session that will begin in January, the budget is taking center stage. Governor Sanders is expected to unveil her proposed general revenue budget for fiscal 2026 on November 21st, and in the coming weeks the general assembly will begin holding budget hearings to consider spending priorities and needs for the coming legislative session and next fiscal year. According to recent reports from the Department of Finance and Administration, the state maintains healthy reserves and continues to maintain surplus revenues, but those margins are narrowing due largely to recently enacted tax cuts and rising costs of state government. More...ArkansasOnline I | ArkansasOnline II
State Revenues in September Decline From 2023 Levels: According to the latest monthly revenue report from the Department of Finance and Administration, monthly revenues for September were down 2.3 percent from 2023 levels and quarterly revenues were down 2.6 percent. However, the revenue levels did exceed forecasts and maintain levels sufficient to provide an expected end of year surplus. With newly enacted reductions to income taxes for the 2024 tax year, budget directors warned legislators that state budgets were tightening and future year surpluses are becoming more difficult to anticipate. More...DFA September Revenue Report | ArkansasOnline I | ArkansasOnline II | TalkBusiness
Arkansas Ag Hall of Fame Accepting Nominations for Next Class of Inductees: The Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame recently announced that it is now seeking nominations from the public for its next class of inductees. The nomination deadline is November 1. The Agriculture Hall of Fame recognizes Arkansans who have contributed significantly to the state’s largest industry while spotlighting their contributions to the state’s economic development. More...TalkBusiness | Ag HOF Website | Nomination Link
Bayou Meto Irrigation Project Advance with Pumping Station Ceremony: U.S. Senator John Boozman joined agricultural leaders from across the state and other supporters of the Bayou Meto Irrigation Project for a ceremony in which the pumps at the Marion Berry Pumping Station near Scott were turned on to withdraw surface water from the Arkansas River to demonstrate the ability of the system to provide irrigation water to area farmers. The system, which remains in construction phase under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will provide excess surface water for crop irrigation to area farmers serving roughly 300,000 acres. The project is intended to reduce groundwater depletion, thus sustaining aquifers and ensuring continued production of crops, such as rice and soybeans, for future generations. More...TalkBusiness
Upcoming Meetings and Events:
Cotton Council PAC Fundraiser Manila, AR November 14
Cotton Council PAC Fundraiser Marianna, AR November 19
Cotton Council PAC Fundraiser McGehee, AR November 20
Cotton Council PAC Fundraiser West Memphis, AR November 21
Arkansas Farm Bureau Convention Hot Springs December 4-6
USA Rice Outlook Conference in Little Rock December 8-10 | Register
Cotton Board/Cotton Inc Joint Meeting San Diego December 10-12
December 12-13 Ag Council Annual Board of Directors Meeting, Little Rock (RSVP)
Other Arkansas News & Info Links:
UA Welcomes New Head of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences
KATV: AGFC Conservation Incentive Program for Waterfowl Habitat
Arkansas State Chamber: Arkansas Climbs to #12 Top State for Business
UADA: 2024 Economic Situation & Outlook for Arkansas Row Crops 10.14.2024
Additional Arkansas Ag Resources:
USDA Daily Arkansas Grain Bids
DeltaPlastics Push4Pickup App
Crop Residue Field Burning Smoke Management FIRESMART App
Arkansas Farm Bueau AgCast Podcast
USDA AMS Service Rates
Arkansas Department of Ag Calendar
Ag Council Leadership Opportunities
Apply for Service on State Boards & Commissions
USDA NRCS Arkansas Offices
USDA Land Value & Cash Rent Estimates
Arkansas Crops Update
UADA Crop Budgets
UADA Verification Information
Arkansas Rice Research Studies Report for 2023
Arkansas Row Crop Risk Management
Pine Tree Discoloration & Mortality Reporting
Feral Hog Task Force
Arkansas Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines
Digital Edition of Delta Farm Press
H-2A Guidebook by Congressman Crawford
Enrollment Link: U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol
Climate Smart Grant Opportunities Dashboard
Arkansas Alliance Grant Application Information
AgriCapture Carbon Program
Bayer Carbon Program (ForGround)
Indigo Carbon Program
Corteva Carbon Program
Truterra Carbon Program
Nutrien Carbon Program (FarmSmart)
ECONOMIC & INDUSTRY NEWS
October USDA WASDE Report: On October 11, USDA issued a World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) Report and Crop Production Report. The reports showcase supply and demand estimates for major crops and include anticipated production for the 2024 crop year. The data produced in the August report furthered the expectation of a large yield across the United States for most commodities. More...WASDE Report | Secretary Briefing (slides | video) | Visual Summary | U.S. Crop Production Report | Arkansas Crop Production Report
October 7 USDA Crop Progress Report: On October 7, USDA issued an updated Crop Progress Report. According to the report, 98 percent of corn was harvested, 92 percent of rice was harvested, 59 percent of soybeans were harvested, 34 percent of cotton was harvested, and 21 percent of peanuts were harvested. Harvest progress continues to gain speed as drier weather has set in following some challenging harvest weather from remnants of hurricanes Francine and Helene. Crop conditions in Arkansas remain decent with a large majority of crops remaining in fair to excellent condition, despite known issues from tropical weather. More...U.S. Report | Arkansas Report
Other Market News & Info:
Delta Farm Press: How to Negotiate with Lenders
Progressive Farmer: Cash Rent Reset for 2025?
Tractor and Combine Sales Down in September
Farm Progress: Farmer Sentiment Hits 8 Year Low
DTNPF: Mississippi River Levels Continue to Fall
Other USDA Reports:
- Cotton System
- Fats & Oils
- Grain Crushings
- Grain Stocks
- Small Grains Summary
- Peanut Prices
Other links of Interest:
USDA Daily Arkansas Grain Bids
Arkansas Rice Update from UADA
Morning Coffee & Ag Markets Podcast from UADA Economists
NCC Cotton Economic Review for October
DTN Commodity Market Insights
Nutrien Ag Solutions Weather Reports
UADA Fundamentals of Federal Crop Insurance
FarmJournal ProFarmer Newsletter
Cotton Inc Monthly Economic Newsletter
Cotton Inc 2024 Mid-Year Report to USDA
USA Rice Daily
RiceStuff Podcast Homepage
Entergy Agri Desk
Jarrod Hardke's Arkansas Rice Report
Arkansas-Crops Blog
UADA Ag News Blog
USDA County Cash Rent Estimates
Arkansas Economic Profile: 2024 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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