Volume 8, Number 1, Spring/Summer 2003

That’sThat’s agritainmentagritainment page 18 BIG BUSINESS. . .

Arkansas counts on agriculture Agriculture is big business in . Agricultural production and processing provided 12.4 percent of the gross state product (GSP) in 1999, the latest year for which all relevant data were available, according to a Bureau of Economic Analysis report from the U.S. Department of Commerce. That was more than in any of the 11 other southeastern states. The average for the region was 7.1 percent, and the national average was 4.6 percent. A recent study by economists in the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture estimated that the total impact of the agricultural sector on the state’s economy was $13.6 billion, which was 22 percent of GSP. The study estimated total impact by combining direct, indirect and induced economic impacts of farm production, forestry production and processing, and the food processing industry. Indirect impact occurs when producers and processors buy input goods and services, which is an important part of the economy in many communities. Induced impact is primarily the personal spending by owners and employees of the agricultural sector or firms that provide inputs to the agricultural sector. Looking at total impact brings into focus the fact that agri- culture is part of a diverse, interactive base of economic activity in Arkansas. In addition to $13.6 billion in value added to GSP, the agricul- tural sector accounted for one in every five jobs and 15 percent of wages paid in the state. For more details, see “Impact of the Agricultural Sector on the Arkansas Economy,” by H.L. Goodwin, J. Popp, W. Miller, G. Vickery and Z. Clayton-Niederman. Research Report 969. Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Call 479-575-5647 for a free copy or view online at www.uark.edu/depts/agripub/Publications/bulletins/. ■

Impact of agriculture on state economy

Wages & salaries Value added to GSP Jobs (billion $) (billion $)

Direct impact 192,160 5.16 7.8 Indirect impact 67,540 1.99 3.2 Induced impact 67,446 1.55 2.6 Total ag impact 327,146 8.70 13.6

2 ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 Page 10

Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003

Visit us on the World Wide Web!

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Arkansas — http://www.uark.edu/admin/aes/ Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas — http://www.uaex.edu College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences — http://www.uark.edu/depts/dbcafls

Changing faces of Arkansas forests ______4 Invasion of red oak snackers ______5 New farm bill means new opportunities ______8 ‘Cattle-friendly’ endophytes help solve fescue toxicosis ______10 Hay, what’s going on down there? ______11 Page 18 Slashing winter feed costs for cattle producers ______12 Page 4 Fighting fire (ants) with fire ______13 The evolution of Arkansas agriculture ______14 Agriculture plus fun equals agritainment ______18 Managing price risk ______21

Market makers ______22 Page 14 2002 farm family survives on diversity and unity ______24 Page 24 Endnotes 2003 Arkansas Select plants make garden sing ______25 Division personnel honored for work in stink bug problem ______25 Fire ants 101 ______26 Local parenting show gains national audience ______26

Arkansas Land and Life is published twice a year by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. Milo Shult, Vice COVER: Hannah Marie Robertson, President for Agriculture; Ivory W. Lyles, Associate Vice President for Agriculture–Extension; daughter of Shawn and Dr. Susanne Gregory Weidemann, Associate Vice President for Agriculture–Research and Dean, Dale Bumpers Robertson, tiptoes through the daffodils College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. Howell Medders and Bob Reynolds, co-managing at the Wye Mountain Daffodil Festival editors, Lamar James and Fred Miller, co-editors. Judy Howard, Jennifer Vickery and Chris Meux, co-designers. Shareese Kondo, writer. Send change of address notification to Communications, in Roland. Read more about this festival Cooperative Extension Service, P.O. Box 391, Little Rock, AR 72203, telephone 501-671-2117. and other forms of agritainment, Articles may be reprinted provided that no endorsement of a product is stated or implied. The starting on page 18. (Photo by University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. ISSN 1081-2946 Jason Shivers.)

ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 3 TEXT AND PHOTOS BY FRED MILLER

atch closely. Ozark forests “The apparent trigger for decline in Ruth Ann Chapman, a graduate are changing right before the Ozarks was three consecutive dry student at UA-Monticello who works W your eyes. years in the late 1990s,” Heitzman with Heitzman, compared a 2002 Oaks are dying throughout the says. “Drought stress weakened the inventory of trees she conducted in the Ozarks of Arkansas, Missouri and trees’ natural defenses.” Sylamore Experimental Forest near Oklahoma. It’s part of a decline in oak Diseases and insects that take Mountain View with one done in health throughout the hardwood belt advantage of stressed trees are the final 1934. Her study indicates Ozark from the Atlantic coast to Arkansas. progression of decline. The most forests are considerably denser today. “Oak declines have been occurring “Denser forests stretch limited sporadically throughout the South resources and thicker canopies inhibit since at least the early 1900s,” says growth of seedlings that could replace Eric Heitzman, silviculture researcher The apparent trigger for the older, dying oaks,” Heitzman says. at the Arkansas Forest Resources decline in the Ozarks was He says oak seedlings are less shade Center at the University of Arkansas at three consecutive dry years tolerant than other species growing in Monticello. “A decline is typically a in the late 1990s. the Ozarks, including dogwood and series of things working together to maples. “These other species spring kill trees.” up faster and further shade out the Heitzman and other scientists with oaks,” he says. “As mature oaks the U of A Division of Agriculture and visible villain in the Ozark National decline and die, these other species the U.S. Forest Service are striving to Forests is the red oak borer. Other will take over.” figure out the causes, determine the opportunistic pests in this category “We’re witnessing an ecosystem- ecological impacts and decide what include fungi that attack tree roots and changing event,” Oliveria says. “Oaks can be done about it. other chewing and boring insects. won’t disappear, but the composition Some of the reasons for the oak How today’s conditions came to be of species will change. decline are unknown, but Dale Starkey, is a matter of debate among foresters, “This will have impacts not only on plant pathologist for USFS Forest but the favorite theory points to a the appearance of the forests and the Health Protection, says the pattern is passive style of management that value to the timber industry, but also familiar. dominated the 20th century. on wildlife,” Oliveria says. “Oaks drop “There’s a progression to a forest “The philosophy that guided their acorns in the fall, providing an decline that begins with predisposing management over the last 100 years over-winter food source to everything factors,” Starkey says. “In this case, we was that the forests should be allowed from squirrels to deer and bears. Other have overly dense forests of 70- to to grow wild and fires should be trees drop their seeds in the spring, 100-year-old oaks growing in thin, avoided,” says Forrest Oliveria, U.S. which leaves little food for the winter.” rocky soils. This makes them more Forest Service entomologist. “The If oaks are going to maintain their susceptible to insects and diseases that forests grew increasingly dense, and dominance in the Ozarks, they will younger, more vigorous trees can little was done to promote growth of need help from forest management. fight off.” younger trees.” Oliveria says thinning forests by

4 ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 CHANGING VIEW — The appearance of Arkansas forests, like this view from White Rock Mountain in the Invasion Ozark National Forest, is changing as aging oaks surrender their dominance to other species. of red oak snackers cutting trees is an unpopular idea, but one that may be TEXT AND PHOTOS BY FRED MILLER needed to maintain healthy forests. Another, more radical, tool is fire. ike kicking a man when he’s down, a little native Another UAM graduate student, Rick Soucy, surveyed fire beetle is taking advantage of the weakened health of scars in the tree rings of stumps in the Ozark National Forest LArkansas forests to decimate large tracts of red oaks. near Fifty-Six. He found that fires were much more frequent The red oak borer lays its eggs almost exclusively on until fire suppression became common in the 1930s and ’40s. red oak trees, though they’ve been known to attack white Heitzman and his students have planted oak seedlings in oaks in some areas. The larvae eat their way into the Ozark National Forest trees. “One borer by itself doesn’t do a lot of harm,” says plots near Fifty-Six and Forrest Oliveria, entomologist for the U.S. Forest Service Clarksville to research Forest Health Protection, Southern Region. “Thousands of efforts that may stimu- borers can kill trees. late oak regeneration. “These beetles were not Beginning this year, in a considered a threat until project supported by a a few years ago,” Forest Service grant, Oliveria says. they will set controlled “Something turned fires in three areas them loose.” where a lot of oak “Red oak borer seedlings are struggling populations are a to compete with other hundred times higher species. than at any other time “Fire burns off the on record,” says Fred plant above ground, but Stephen, UA forest entomologist leaves the roots intact,” and interim head of the Division of Agriculture’s depart- Heitzman says. “After ment of entomology. burning, the oak sprouts A survey of 1,000 red oaks in the early 1970s found again with a more devel- up to 71 red oak borer attack holes in a single tree, says oped root system. It UA post-doctoral entomologist Damon Crook. “Now may take a number of FRESH START — UA silviculture we’re finding up to 4,200 attack holes in a tree.” burns, but we hope that researcher Eric Heitzman checks the This population explosion is part of a chain of events more mature roots will growth and condition of oak in a general oak decline that stretches across the hard- give the oaks enough of seedlings planted in the Sylamore wood forest belt from the Atlantic coast to Arkansas, a jump to compete Experimental Forest near Mountain Oliveria says. The red oak borer is an opportunistic pest successfully with the View. He is studying ways to regen- that probably got a boost during a severe drought in the other trees.” erate oaks in areas with severe late 1990s. Without changes in damage from oak decline. Healthy trees kill boring insects by suffocating them or forest management, the pushing them out with sap. “Drought stress reduces sap Ozarks are on the way the trees use to defend themselves,” Oliveria says. to a new look. Oliveria can’t say whether that’s good or bad. “The insect has a two-year life cycle,” Crook says. “It just is,” he says. “When the eggs hatch, the larvae bore into the phloem, “Ecology-changing events have happened throughout the where they carve out small galleries in the vital nutrient- Earth’s history, but it’s rare to witness one,” he says. “For me carrying tissue just under the bark. They spend their first and a number of others, it’s almost a spiritual event.” ■ winter in a dormant state in these galleries. “The following year they bore into the heartwood, forming long tunnels, where they spend the second winter. The next summer they pupate and emerge as

ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 5 TREE SAMPLES — Research specialists Vaughn Salisbury, left, and Dana Kinney cut a red oak into sample segments for a survey of red oak borer populations and damage.

infestation patterns. and Oklahoma, or about $1 billion in The galleries tend to standing timber,” Pelkki says. “Thirty concentrate on the percent of this volume is at risk from southern sides of red oak borer.” trees, but this The direct impact would include job tendency is not losses in logging, mills and companies consistent in all making hardwood products, Pelkki areas and researchers says. There would also be losses to continue to look for companies that provide equipment and other environmental, supplies to these industries, and lost genetic and chemical income and wages mean less money to clues to the pests’ spend at stores and restaurants. attack patterns. “Potentially, we’re looking at a loss U of A and Forest of 2,200 jobs, about half of that in the Service studies have logging and milling industries,” he indicated heaviest says. concentrations of red Losses of red oak timber would have adults, which only live three or four oak borer damage tend to be on ridge a smaller impact in Arkansas, where weeks.” crests and southern slopes. the industry relies more on softwoods, “The adults emerge in odd- “They may be drawn to the warmer than in Missouri, where the lumber numbered years; there’s no overlapping areas of trees,” Oliveria says. “But industry is bigger, Pelkki says. cycle,” Stephen says. “Red oak borers those areas of the forests are also “Even so, severe red oak throughout Arkansas are on the same where you find the thinnest borer damage could lead to a schedule, and we don’t know how they soil and scarcest water, making $250 million drop in Arkansas’ maintain it.” trees more vulnerable.” total annual timber industry Crook and research specialists Dana UA graduate students are output of about $8 billion in Kinney and Vaughn Salisbury are conducting research on genetic this state,” he says. “Labor income developing an accurate visual method traits that govern the red oak borer’s could drop as much as $60 million and for rapidly assessing the degree of life cycle or habits. They use the state could lose about $5 million in infestation. Last summer, this team geographic information systems to taxes.” identified red oaks in the Fly Gap and identify infested areas and track and Pelkki says oak prices had been White Rock areas of the Ozark predict their spread. increasing about 8 percent a year, National Forest that they believed to Red oak borers are already having an making oak forested land a good have light, moderate and heavy impact on Arkansas’ timber industry, investment. Losses in quality, real or damage. Over winter, they cut samples says Matthew Pelkki, economist for the perceived, are depressing those prices, to verify their condition. Division of Agriculture’s Forest and some landowners are selling their “The first sign of damage is the Resources Center at Monticello. He oaks low to avoid being hammered leaves die early,” Crook says. “Further says damaged oaks may be good only later. evidence of borer activity includes piles for glutted chip markets. Mills are “A lot of industry decisions are of frass (sawdust) around the trees, bidding low because they anticipate being made without enough informa- attack holes and emergence holes.” damaged wood. tion,” Pelkki says. “The economic web They are mapping the patterns of “There are 13.8 billion board feet of is as complex as the ecological attack holes and galleries to determine standing red oak in Arkansas, Missouri web.”

6 ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 Tamara Walkingstick, extension forestry specialist, says forest landowners should resist this tendency to make panic decisions. “Landowners need to inform themselves about the value of their timberland and always get the help of a professional, regis- POINT OF ENTRY — Red oak borers make tered forester when selling their attack holes, like this one in a sample timber,” she says. segment of a red oak, when they enter a “The best thing a landowner can do tree. Researchers look for these holes when to minimize potential damage is to assessing red oak populations and damage actively manage forest land with in Ozark forests. improvement thinnings, harvest and regeneration,” Walkingstick says. How much damage the red oak borer will do is unknown and no strategy has been developed to stop its onslaught. Stephen believes controlling the beetle with tradi- tional means may be impossible. “Since the borer spends little time in the outside world, pesticides will probably not be effective,” he says. Studies to find what attracts the adults — pheromones, chemistry or tree characteristics — have been inconclusive so far. But if an attractant is found, it could be used to trap the adults. It’s possible that nature will solve the problem. “One of the things we’re looking at is how many borers actually survive to emerge as adults this year, compared to those that emerged in 2001, to see if the population is increasing, declining or maintaining,” Stephen says. “I’m confident that in five years or so, it will be seen as an anomaly, that this rise will peak and then decline,” he says. ■

CLOSE SHAVE — UA forest entomologist Damon Crook shaves the bark and phloem from a sample segment on a red oak tree to see where red oak borers began eating galleries into the heart- wood. The groove cut along the trunk marks the south-facing side of the tree.

ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 7 New farm bill means new opportunities

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY FRED MILLER

“ he 2002 farm bill is a small which represents only 1 percent of slice of the U.S. budget pie, the federal budget. Most of that, 71 Congress passed the Farm Security T but it provides much-needed percent, goes to food programs, and Rural Investment Act of 2002 support for Arkansas agriculture,” says including food stamps, Wailes says. to replace the 1996 farm bill, Eric Wailes, the L.C. Carter Chair of “In fact, only 18 percent of the which had no built-in provisions to Rice and Soybean Marketing at the farm bill budget goes to commodi- support farmers when crop prices University of Arkansas. ties to help farmers make a living,” dropped dramatically. The Farm Security and Rural he says. “It’s a small piece of the Investment Act of 2002, the new farm pie, but it means a great deal to bill, will provide a total of $782 billion producers.” provided $223.3 million more support over 10 years to American agriculture, The 2002 farm bill gives producers a to Arkansas producers than the ’96 bill safety net not provided in its 1996 would have. predecessor. Although overall support is higher “The 2002 farm bill provides higher in the new bill, new payment limits, direct payments, based on set prices for which cap the amount of payments wheat, corn, grain sorghum, upland individual farms can receive, will cost cotton, rice, soybeans and other Arkansas producers more under the crops,” Wailes says. “But the main 2002 bill, Wailes says. benefit is that counter-cyclical “This is one of the biggest issues for payments — those made when market Arkansas,” he says. “Payment limits are prices fall below commodity target seen by northern legislators as protec- prices — are committed into law.” tion to keep small farms from being The 1996 bill had no such provi- overwhelmed by ‘corporate’ farms. In sion, he says. Congress compensated the South, highly capitalized family with emergency “market loss assis- farms producing rice and cotton need tance” payments when crop prices larger operations to spread their fixed plummeted. costs enough to make a reasonable The new farm bill is estimated to profit. Payment limits have become an have provided $836.6 million in total important constraint for these family payments to Arkansas farmers in 2002, farms.” COMMODITY SUPPORT — Arkansas’ boosting support payments to Payment limits are set annually in highly capitalized family farms, producers by $43.3 million over the the federal budget. producing rice, soybeans and other 1996 farm bill, Wailes says. If the One of the interesting developments crops, rely on farm program commodity emergency payments are not taken into in the farm bill over the years has been titles to ensure they can keep producing account, he estimates the new farm bill the inclusion of conservation titles. during times of low prices.

8 ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 FIBERS OF AGRICULTURE — Although a small slice of the national budget pie, the farm bill has a big impact on cotton and other agricultural products.

contains incentives for transportation of surplus poultry litter to other regions that can use it for fertilizer. U of A Division of Agriculture Such measures now account for research and extension programs 5 percent of the farm bill budget, address these issues in Best Division of Wailes says. Management Practices and 2002 Farm Bill The major conservation title for other projects. Arkansas in the 2002 bill is the Other conservation programs that Environmental Quality Incentives can help Arkansas producers include Program, or EQIP, he says. The other cost share for land leveling, construc- title, the Conservation Security tion of buffer strips to filter sediment Program, was not funded for this year and chemicals from runoff water, and to allow the funds to be used for construction of on-farm reservoirs disaster relief. and tailwater recovery systems to “EQIP will probably bring $10 conserve water in the Delta. million to $14 million to Arkansas MARORA, a free computer farmers this year for conservation program from the Division of programs,” Wailes says. “That’s a Agriculture, helps producers assess drop in the bucket, compared to the costs and benefits of on-farm the commodity programs, but it’s a reservoirs and tailwater recovery significant jump from last year.” He systems, and takes farm bill incen- Food Programs 71% says conservation programs provided tives into account. Commodities 18% between $3 million and $4 million to A comprehensive look at the new Conservation 5% Arkansans in 2002. farm bill is available on the USDA Misc. (Sec 32 & FCIC) 5% EQIP provides payment incentives Economic Research Service website: Trade 1% for such conservation practices as http://www.ers.usda.gov/features/ poultry litter management. It also farmbill/. ■ Rural Development, Research, Forestry and Energy each make up less than 1% of the 2002 Comparison of estimated total 2002 Farm Bill. farm bill payments to Arkansas farmers 1996 vs. 2002 (in millions)

1996 2002 Difference Direct payments $161.3 $188.1 $26.8 Counter-cyclical payments $180.0* $195.8 $15.8 Marketing loan benefits $452.0 $452.7 $0.7 Total payments $793.3 $836.6 $43.3

* Counter-cyclical payments were not included in the 1996 farm bill, but Congress authorized one-time market loss assistance payments to compensate for declines in crop prices. These were appropriated annually and would have been approximately $180 million following 2001 fiscal year estimates.

ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 9 ‘Cattle-friendly’ endophytes help solve fescue toxicosis

Piper and others suggests that the endophyte also provides other benefits, unrelated to the toxicity, that help the plants survive drought and other harsh conditions. Starting in the late 1980s, forage scientists around the world focused on finding non- toxic mutants of the fescue TEXT AND PHOTOS BY HOWELL MEDDERS endophyte that would enhance the hardiness of tall fescue niversity of Arkansas Division of Agriculture without making it toxic to live- plant scientist Chuck West is a leader in devel- stock. The Arkansas program is Uoping one of the most important recent one of only three that have advances in livestock forage — a non-toxic, endophyte- yielded a non-toxic, endophyte- infected tall fescue grass named ArkPlus, which is FIELD DAY — UA forage infected tall fescue variety now marketed by the FFR Cooperative seed company in scientist Chuck West tells field on the market. The others are Lafayette, Ind. day visitors about field trial from New Zealand and Georgia. Tall fescue became a staple in the diet of cattle in the performance of ArkPlus, non-toxic, West began the quest by after the discovery in 1931 of a lush field endophyte-infected tall fescue. screening samples of tall fescue of grass on a Kentucky hillside. The pasture had from the Fescue Belt, with no survived the severe drought of the dust-bowl era, success. He then screened samples from the USDA’s world which drew the interest of forage breeders at the University collection and found a few promising specimens. He next of Kentucky. The breeders used seed from that remote hill- focused on the original source of tall fescue in the side to develop the ‘Kentucky-31’ tall fescue variety. Mediterranean region and made collecting trips to the region. During an expansion of livestock production in Arkansas “Our best specimens are natural mutations we found in the 1950s, Ky-31 was seeded, often by air, throughout growing in their native habitat,” West says. north and central Arkansas and soon became the dominant He now has about a dozen specimens of natural mutations cool season forage species in Arkansas and other states. of the endophyte that lack the toxic ergot alkaloids. One was In the 1970s, animal scientists documented a fescue used to infect a new tall fescue variety developed at the toxicosis syndrome in cattle grazing Ky-31. Ed Piper at the U University of Missouri to produce ‘ArkPlus,’ which has a of A and others found that virtually all Ky-31 is infected by a patent pending. Leaders in the project, funded in part by fungal endophyte USDA grants, in addition to West and Piper, were fescue that produces toxic UA forage scientist Chuck West breeders David Sleper at Missouri and Hank Mayland with ergot alkaloids. The the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Kimberly, Idaho. found non-toxic endophyte toxicity reduces Additional varieties will be developed. strains growing in the weight gain, repro- “Field testing has shown that steer weight gains are as Mediterranean region, which is ductive performance good on ArkPlus as on endophyte-free tall fescue with no the native habitat of tall fescue. and general health, fescue toxicosis,” West says. “Stand survival of ArkPlus has but it can be been as good as toxic Kentucky-31.” managed, West says. But he recommends care in grazing pressure, especially in Non-infected fescues are available, but the infected variety the summer. ArkPlus is more palatable to cattle than endo- remains the dominant cool-season forage in the Fescue phyte-infected Ky-31, and cattle will leave little of the plant Belt because it is hardier. to re-grow if grazing is not restricted. ■ The toxicity helps the plants survive in part by discour- aging animals from eating it. However, research by West,

10 ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 Hay, what’s going on down there

? Fred Miller BY LAMAR JAMES HAY QUALITY CHECK — Benton County Agent Robert Seay, left, and Jim Singleton examine award-winning Bermuda hay.

enton County farmers know hay available anywhere in the United Dedmon, Randy Simpson, Ivan how to produce quality hay, and States,” says Jim Singleton, chairman of Duncan, Ronnie McGhee, Dutch Bnow they have a barn-full of the Benton County Extension Council’s Rodgers, Ozzie Rodgers, Mike national awards to prove it, says Robert Quality Forage Program. Herzberg, Dennis Malone, Don Malone, Seay, county staff chair with the Seay says he’s received calls from James Simpson, Allan Paulsen, LeRoy University of Arkansas Cooperative producers in surrounding states who’ve Schuetts, Billy Sitlington, Harold Extension Service. heard of the county’s success, and they Sitlington and Ron White. “For the second consecutive year, want to know “what’s going on down “The producers take a team Benton County farmers have been there?” approach to hay production, and it’s recognized by the American Forage In 2001 and 2002, the national been great to watch them share and Grassland Council for producing council’s highest awards for Bermuda production and marketing information the best Bermuda grass hay in the grass hay were awarded to Benton among themselves and with any inter- nation,” Seay says. County producers Danny Alsup, Wally ested producer,” Seay says. “The results of our program have Millsap, Dennis Malone and Billy Wayne Coblentz, U of A professor of created a great deal of pride for our Sitlington. Their entries achieved animal science, attributes the high producers and an awareness by poten- relative feed value (RFV) scores in quality hay potential in Benton County tial hay buyers that Benton County is a excess of 100. to a favorable climate and the use of source of the highest quality Bermuda Don Ball, extension agronomist good management practices. He says at Auburn University and the county’s producers have learned co-author of Southern Forages, is how to work with natural conditions impressed with how far the and capitalize on the production and county’s hay producers have marketing of high quality Bermuda hay. progressed. He says, “Benton Seay notes that many of the county’s County producers are in producers have standing lists of hay ‘uncharted territory’ in using rela- customers and opportunities to benefit tive feed value (RFV) as a tool to financially. assess Bermuda hay quality.” John Jennings, the U of A Division Seay notes that 23 Benton of Agriculture forage specialist, credits County producers have been Seay’s close association with Benton named to the Quality Forage County producers on essential Program’s elite “100 RFV Club.” management practices with the payoff. Fred Miller This group includes: Alsup, “They’re producing a high quality, KINGS OF BERMUDA — (left to right) National Millsap, Doug Bertschy, Gene consistent product that keeps Bermuda hay quality winners Danny Alsup, Billy Douglas, Scott Belts, Bruce Bowen, customers coming back year Sitlington and Dennis Malone show off their Tim Crawley, Jim Singleton, Randy after year.” ■ awards. Not pictured is Wally Millsap.

ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 11 he most expensive part of by $20 to $30 a cow, which is about raising beef cattle is the cost of 40 to 50 percent of a cow’s supple- Tproviding feed for the herd mental feed cost,” says Troxel. “So during the winter months. The we cut costs and increase calves, in Division of Agriculture has made some cases. The reason we can do reducing the cost without that is we’re now supplying the sacrificing cattle performance a cow herd with the proper nutrients major focus of its programs. to get the performance of the cow The division has targeted 12 herd up.” priority areas for educational Another part of the program programs in agriculture, natural involves using stockpiled forages. resources, family, youth and The practice consists of cutting a community. field of fescue close to the ground in “The Arkansas Beef Improve- the summer, then fertilizing it in late ment Program has demonstrated August or September. With timely that in many cases we are able to rains, the pasture is usually ready for reduce feed costs and increase a grazing in November or December, mature cow’s reproductive rate,” when producers would normally be says Tom Troxel, head of the feeding hay. Slashing animal science department with the Cooperative Extension Service. He says costs can be reduced by The U of A Division winter feed costs forage testing of hay to help of Agriculture has made balance rations and by using stock- reducing the cost without piled forages, winter annuals and sacrificing cattle performance for cattle producers rotational grazing. a major focus. Testing a producer’s hay to TEXT BY LAMAR JAMES determine its quality is a key in PHOTOS BY DOUG KRATZ cost reduction, says Troxel. Forage “We’ve found that the quality of testing usually indicates that cattle that forage is better than the quality producers are overfeeding protein of hay they put up. John Jennings, a and underfeeding energy sources. division forage specialist, has shown The savings come by reducing the that the practice can help reduce the more expensive protein feed and length of time a producer has to feed providing more of the cheaper hay by 40 to 60 days,” Troxel says. energy feeds, Troxel says. Better The beef improvement program balanced nutrition not only can also recommends that cattle save money but improve the producers plant winter annuals such herd’s health. as ryegrass and wheat in the fall to How much can producers save? help reduce costs. “We were able to show that in “You may get some grazing out of many cases we could cut feed costs them in December, but mainly you get grazing in the spring. We’re looking at this practice in combina- tion with rotational grazing to try to reduce hay feeding days.” Rotational grazing ensures that MEASURE OF SUCCESS — more of the available forage will be Rex Dollar, Nevada County consumed. extension agent, uses a “By using electric fences, you can square to help him estimate keep cattle in a confined area each the yield of a pasture. It’s day. They’ll graze it completely, part of a comprehensive then you can move them on to university program to help another area.” ■ cattle producers cut winter feed costs.

12 ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 Fighting fire (ants) with fire TEXT BY LAMAR JAMES, PHOTOS BY SCOTT BAUER, USDA

ire ants are ill-tempered insects that Shanklin says a common question attack and stings en masse when people ask is, “After the flies eradicate F their mounds are disturbed. the fire ants, are they gonna go after Because of their fiery nature, they can my cattle?” endanger pets, livestock and people. Kelly Loftin, a fire ant expert who Because there are no natural predators works with livestock, says the answer is of fire ants in the United States, they’ve no. “We want to people to know they’re been able to migrate and establish specific to fire ants. They can only colonies with impunity. They’re in 41 complete their development in the red Arkansas counties. imported fire ants.” However, fire ants have a natural It’s estimated that if the flies become enemy, and USDA researchers have gone established in an area they’ll only kill to South America to enlist the aid of 10 percent of a colony in their area. But, that enemy, the phorid fly. The phorid flies will keep fire ants “on the Arkansas Plant Board, the run,” says Shanklin. This means fire ants University of Arkansas Division of won’t be able to forage as well, and it’ll Agriculture and agencies of the be more difficult for them to establish USDA have teamed up to release the colonies. Native ants will be better flies as an experiment to see if they able to compete with fire ants and help can control fire ants. keep them in check. Donna Shanklin, fire ant specialist with Loftin says a reduction in ants and the Division of Agriculture, says flies were mounds would greatly benefit livestock released in Pike County the spring of producers who now put up with damage 2002 and in Bradley County in October. to mowers and haying equipment from “We hope they’re established, but we don’t collisions with ant mounds. know yet how well they’ve survived the Homeowners, says John Hopkins, a winter,” says Shanklin. division urban entomologist, need Phorid flies are a parasitic fly species complete control in their yards to protect that depends on fire ants for survival. their families and pets. He says a two- The flies lay eggs on fire ants and the step method, using bait products and emerging young kill the fire ant hosts, follow-up treatment, remains the best says Shanklin. answer for yards. This spring, Loftin, Hopkins, Shanklin and county extension agents will check sites in Pike and Bradley counties where the flies were released to see if they survived the winter. That’ll indicate if they’re established and can help control fire ants. The phorid fly release is just one of many control techniques. Other biocontrol methods include releasing another species of phorid fly and releasing a disease organism into ant populations. ■

DELICATE OPERATION — To evaluate the allure of a fire ant bait, Biological Technician Terry Krueger positions particles containing a queen- produced pheromone. Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial 1803-2003 The evolution of Arkansas agriculture BY HOWELL MEDDERS

n April 30, 1803, the United grew corn, gourds, pumpkins, 1800. It became United States territory States doubled its area with sunflower, beans, squash and fruits with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Othe purchase of the Louisiana such as watermelon and peaches In 1770, François Ménard, from France for $15 million. acquired from Europeans. They also Post’s richest citizen, supplied 10,000 The Louisiana Purchase was a major raised chickens, turkeys and bustards, pounds of bear tallow to the Spanish event in the evolution of Arkansas agri- a European game bird. government. Crops and livestock were culture, but it was far from the earliest. Cherokees and other Indians moved raised for food to supplement fish and Evidence of agriculture in Arkansas to Arkansas and farmed the land in the game, but the economy was based on dates to about 1,000 B.C. Some of the early 1800s as white settlements trade with the Indians for furs, skins, first domesticated plants were gourds, increased in the southeast. Political bear oil and such delicacies as salted squash and grains such as goosefat, pressure by settlers wanting more buffalo tongue. marsh elder and sumpweed. Corn farmland resulted in forced removal of The few dozen European settlers became a staple about 700 A.D., an all tribes to the Indian territory depended on the Quapaw as trading era when ancestors of the Caddo (Oklahoma) in the 1830s. partners and allies against unfriendly Indians in southwest Arkansas Arkansas Post was the first European tribes. operated family farms. settlement on the west bank of the In 1687, French writer Henri Jantil Mississippi, established by Henri de Free Land for Veterans. The initial described a Quapaw cornfield of 8 1/2 Tonti in 1686 as an outpost of the vast point for all land surveys in the vast square miles and many smaller fields French fur-trading empire. Arkansas Louisiana Territory is located in a south of the Arkansas River. was then part of Louisiana, which headwater swamp at the corners of In 1800, the Quapaw Indians along France ceded to Spain in 1763. The what became Lee, Monroe and Phillips the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers area reverted to French control in counties. The initial survey point estab-

1803 1820 1836 Cotton Boom 1820 Land Act & Statehood Ancestors of these cotton veterans, such as pickers photographed in Louisiana Robert Crittenden, 1935 may have been Purchase became leaders of slaves brought to the future state. Arkansas by planters in the 1830s.

A party in a French village in early Arkansas might have looked like this. The French dance to fiddle music while the Indians look on. This is one of the many paintings Steamboats connected Arkansas based on the legend of the cotton farmers to world markets. Arkansas Traveler. Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial 1803-2003

lished in 1815 is part of land titles today. War of 1812 veterans, who received free land and territorial government positions, became leaders of the future state. Congress lowered the price of federal land to $1.25 an acre for a minimum of 80 acres in 1820. A settler could buy a farmstead for $100. The hill country and lowlands developed separately. Most early pioneers came from the hills of Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky and North Carolina. They favored the Ozarks and Ouachitas, seeking familiar hill farms and avoiding the lowland plagues of malaria and flooding. Before the cotton boom of the 1830s, most settlers relied on game, fish and farm produce to meet family needs and provide some cash through local trade. Corn for meal and animal markets. The first steamboat landing at 435,450 Arkansans in 1860. The value feed, wheat, tobacco, livestock, vegeta- Little Rock was in 1822 by the Eagle. of production of a cotton field hand in bles, fruit and flax were grown. Hogs By 1840, per capita income of $68 in 1860 was estimated at $201 compared were a cash crop in the hill country. Arkansas was $3 more than the to a cost of $36 to maintain the slave. national average. Wealth was concen- Emancipation shook the cotton Cotton Boom. Before Arkansas trated in 10 cotton-producing counties. economy. Production declined by 38 became a state in 1836, an interna- Slaves provided most of the labor percent from 1860 to 1870, but recov- tional cotton boom brought planters for cotton farming. They represented ered by 1880. from the Old South states, and 15 percent of the state’s population of Planters used wage labor and share- steamboats linked Arkansas to world 30,388 in 1830 and 26 percent of the cropping, which soon dominated.

1863 1900 1914

Sharecropping Timber An article in Country Home Replaces Boom Magazine featured Lee Wilson and Co. in Mississippi Company. Slavery

A young girl looks out the window of a sharecropper’s cabin.

Golden Age Reliance on animal and human labor of Agriculture limited income of sharecroppers. ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 15 Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial 1803-2003

Cheap labor was essential to the cotton farming began in the Grand Prairie. economy, and planters relied on force, Rural health improved with drainage intimidation, racism and an exploita- of swamps, smallpox vaccination and tive credit system to provide it. education on diseases such as malaria, hookworm and pellagra. Timber Boom Opens New Land. The Golden Age ended with a bust Lumbering became a major industry in the market for cotton and other before the turn of the century and commodities in 1920 and depression spawned mill towns in the Ozarks and of the rural economy, which lasted Ouachitas. In 1909, Arkansas was the until World War II. fourth largest producer of lumber in The Great Flood of 1927 in eastern the nation and employed 63,000 Arkansas was one of the worst natural workers. disasters in U.S. history. It killed 127 Shortline railroads and navigable people and 50,000 head of livestock streams allowed penetration of Delta and left thousands homeless for weeks. forests. More than 120,000 farms and Flood waters swept through cleared Early prototype of Rust Brothers cotton 5 million acres of farmland were added farmland where forests had previously picker in storage at the Plantation in Arkansas from 1880 to 1910. helped absorb the water. Agriculture Museum in Scott. In the early decades of the 20th The Great Depression hit in 1929 century, most Delta forestlands were with a flood of farm foreclosures and Mechanical Revolution. The cleared and drained, and the landscape bank failures. The worst drought on mechanical revolution came late to took on the appearance it has today. record was in 1930. The price of southern agriculture. But by 1940, Major exceptions are the National cotton dropped to five cents a pound tractors began replacing mules, and the Wildlife Refuge and state Wildlife in 1932. One-third of the people in first commercially viable mechanical Management Area along the lower Arkansas relied solely on private relief cotton picker, an invention of John D. reaches of the White River. efforts in the early ’30s. Rust, was manufactured in Pine Bluff. A depressed farm market revived New Deal agricultural programs By the early 1960s, the cotton crop was after the turn of the century, and raised crop prices by paying farmers completely machine picked. Mechan- World War I increased world demand to take land out of production ization and better herbicides for weed during a “Golden Age” of agriculture. and demonstrated the need for control allowed farmers to expand. Railroads provided cheap land to government action to influence Farmers diversified into rice, promote new crops for shipping. Rice commodity markets. soybeans, winter wheat, corn, grain

1927 1940-60

Mechanical Revolution

Great Flood & Depression Airlift of chicks in and out of Arkansas began After weeks of rain in in 1946 by Ray Ellis of spring 1927 following South Central Air a wet winter, a torrent Transport, Fayetteville. of water 10 feet deep swept over farms and towns in the lower A migrant family from High cotton prices and wage rates during Arkansas Delta. Northwest Arkansas. World War II accelerated conversion to tractors. 16 ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial 1803-2003

sorghum, poultry, cattle and fish as were low and interest rates high. Scientific breakthroughs are major crops along with cotton. Baitfish Improved varieties and technology providing crop varieties that require farms, started in the ’40s in Lonoke increased yields. The environmental less use of chemicals for weed and pest County, still dominate that industry movement spawned new regulations. control. Global Positioning System and led to later growth of catfish Farmer-owned cooperatives pros- technology allows better placement of farming. pered. Processors of food and forest fertilizer to meet crop needs and Hill country farmers prospered with products were the state’s leading reduce runoff. Reduced tillage systems growth of the poultry industry. Now employers. check soil erosion. Organic and other the largest contributor to Arkansas specialty products, innovative agriculture, poultry took off after the Economic Cornerstone. Twenty- marketing strategies, vertical integra- war with farmers growing for inte- first century agriculture and forestry tion and contract farming help reduce grated companies. The integrator remain a cornerstone of the state’s market risks. provides chicks and feed and then economy, providing $13.6 billion a As stewards of the land, Arkansas processes and markets the meat. year of the gross state product and farmers are increasingly aware of envi- Many poultry farmers seeded one out of every five jobs. The sector ronmental issues and the need for durable Kentucky 31 tall fescue and includes production, processing sustainable production systems. ■ other grasses on hillsides and and agribusinesses that serve meadows. The pastures, fertilized with producers and processors. Farmers and Adapted from a Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial poultry litter, nurtured prosperous processors account for 12 percent exhibit, “The Evolution of Arkansas Agriculture,” dairy and beef cattle herds. of the gross state product, a sponsored by the U of A Division of Agriculture. Illustrations courtesy of Arkansas History Commission; Agriculture in the last half of the higher percentage than any other Illinois State Historical Library; Charlton Collection, 20th century mirrored the rest of the southern state. Jesse Lawrence Collection and Lee Wilson & Co. Archives, Special Collections, U of A Libraries, economy with increased diversifica- Farmers must adapt to constant Fayetteville; Tyson Foods, Inc. Text sources: Whayne, J. tion, technological advances and change in technology, markets and and W. Gatewood, eds. The Arkansas Delta: Land of consolidation. The number of farms society. Major issues are declining Paradox. U of A Press, 1993. Baker, T.H. and J. Browning. An Arkansas History for Young People. U of A declined from 182,000 in 1950 to aquifer levels in parts of eastern Press, 1991. Whayne, J. et al. Arkansas : A Narrative about 52,000 by 1975, and the average Arkansas, plant nutrient runoff into History. U of A Press, 2002. Arnold, M.S. Colonial Arkansas, 1686-1804: A Social and Cultural History. size increased from 103 acres to surface water, use of transgenic crop U of A Press, 1991. Porter, F. W. Indians of North 290 acres. varieties, profitability of farming, and America (Quapaw and Osage). Chelsea House Publishers, 1988,1989. The exhibit may be viewed on Capital-intensive operations reduced government’s role in regulation and the Web at www.uaex.edu/Louisiana_purchase/index.html. the risk of crop failure but exposed support of agriculture. farmers to financial crises when prices

1970-90 2003 Still Stewards of the Land Lonoke County farmer Bob Bevis in a cotton field.

Diversification & New Technology

A typical hill farm includes chicken houses and pastures fertilized Robotic instruments allow rapid with chicken litter. DNA analysis in functional A NASA grant funds genomics research by the U of A research on Rice, soybean, wheat, cotton, corn U of A to derive benefits from use of remote sensing and grain sorghum fields surround new knowledge of how life technology to detect Stuttgart and other Delta towns with works at the most basic level. skylines featuring grain elevators. plant diseases. hen festival and flower show time arrives in Arkansas, the “agritainment” business Wexplodes, leaving U of A Cooperative Extension Service personnel moving faster than a tiller racer at the Emerson Purple Hull Pea Festival. Extension’s role in some of these events runs the gamut from supplying volunteers to sponsoring booths that help communities celebrate fruits, vegetables, flowers and gardening. Agritainment is Extension vegetable specialist Craig Andersen’s term to describe what occurs when agriculture is combined with entertain- ment. Some of the state’s most fun-filled events have been agri- taining for years. Take for instance the Hope Watermelon Festival, Clarksville Peach Festival, Warren Pink Tomato Festival and Emerson Purple Hull Pea Festival. Other events that have gained regional popularity in the past 15 years center on gardening, like the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show and the Wye Mountain Daffodil Festival, an event sponsored by the Wye Mountain United Methodist Church since 1948. “We belong to the church, but we’re also Extension Homemakers Club members who use this festival to raise money for our pastor and to support our club,” said Sue Gildner, president of the EHC club. Manufacturers, churches, independent boards and individuals sponsor festivals and events celebrating grapes, pickles, spinach, apples and pumpkins. Most of them have an Extension connection. Kelly Quinn “Some of these things wouldn’t even exist without Extension,” says Steve Diver, agriculture specialist with Agriculturegriculture the Fayetteville-based Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA). Diver, a former Oklahoma county agent, says Extension agents usually serve as coordinators or facilita- tors of major agriculture-related community events. plus fun = “Their job is to bring the rural farm community and urban organizations together,” he says. “And once that’s done, and the event has taken on its own identity, Extension usually Agritainment backs off and lets the other players carry it BY SHAREESE KONDO out. Extension personnel

18 ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 PASS THE PEAS, PLEASE — Fresh purple hull peas are picked, prepared and served during the Emerson Purple Hull Pea Festival.

usually work their butts off though to contests. He does whatever the in our community every day,” Keith get this done.” Chamber needs him to do.” says. At the state’s largest flower and Just try to find Hempstead County Mark Keith, director of the Hope garden show, Extension agents, special- Staff Chair Gerald Alexander during the Chamber of Commerce, contends that ists and Master Gardeners, 4-H’ers and Watermelon Festival. Extension lends credibility to the EHC members volunteer in several “He’s around here somewhere,” a Watermelon Festival’s competitions. capacities. volunteer on the busiest day of the “Extension has always been involved, “We’ll do a better job of acknowl- August festival responds when asked if and we rely on the expertise edging Extension’s role in putting this he’d seen Alexander. Gerald brings,” Keith says. show on next year,” says Robert “You can’t miss him. Everybody here “We could do a better job Hunter, president of the board knows him,” he continues. “Gerald is thanking Extension for all for the Arkansas Flower and like the rover in a softball game. He their help. In small Garden Show. The show was does the weighing-in of the water- communities like this, held at the Statehouse melons, and he judges the seed-spitting Extension is one of our Convention Center in Little Rock in greatest March. “We wouldn’t be able to put this assets. We take advan- show on without Extension’s help. It tage of that during just wouldn’t happen,” Hunter says. festival time. At Bradley County’s Pink Tomato Everybody knows that Festival, producers rely on the agricul- Extension’s role in ture agent to lend expert advice on our community fertilizer, pesticides and growing condi- goes far beyond the tions. Since 1956, Bradley County has Watermelon Festival.” celebrated the pink tomato. A former The quilters director of the Chamber of Commerce guild is made started the event to bring “people into up of Extension Bradley County to buy these tomatoes,” Homemakers Clubs, said Gwen Sledge, chairman of the which puts on the 2002 festival. Jonquil Festival each The tomatoes also get eaten during spring. “We see the a luncheon that began as an Extension benefits of Extension Homemaker’s project in 1957. Jean

JUICY FRUIT — Young and old enter peach-eating contests during the Clarksville Peach Festival, where winners emerge with juice-splattered chins and fingers. Rich Maples

ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 19 Rich Maples

CART-LOADS OF FUN — Horse and buggies travel the Peach Parade route toting peaches purchased at roadside produce stands.

They don’t grow many purple hull Agriculture combined with peas as cash crops in southwest entertainment extends from county Arkansas anymore, “but folks down fairs to state fairs. These events allow here sure do like to eat them,” specialists, county agents, consumer says Shirlye Hopkins, family scientists, 4-H, EHC and Master and consumer scientist in Gardener volunteers to connect with Columbia County. the curious, hungry, rich and poor. Hopkins sets up a “It’s an Extension employee’s job nutrition booth at to create avenues and new oppor- the Purple Hull Pea tunities for producers to find new Frisby, a retired Extension staff chair, Festival. The festival markets,” Diver says. “And so often started the tomato festival luncheon, features a lunch, they come up with new innovative which today attracts more than 300 outdoor activities like programs to help farmers stay in busi- guests. During the last event, Bridgette the tiller races and ness. These festivals, shows and Youngblood, Extension family and several carnival-style community events are great for consumer science chair, worked long vendors and displays. marketing and connecting hours in the kitchen helping 27 “It’s all about bringing people with consumers.” ■ Extension Homemakers Club members together,” she says. “We’ve been doing cook, serve and clean up. this for 27 years, and people grow “That was my first time, and EHC their peas now. I’m here to teach them has been putting on that luncheon how to take their bodies through what for years,” Youngblood says. “I sit on they eat and shouldn’t eat.” the planning board for the whole festival and so does John Gavin, our agriculture agent.” Yao Kondo Yao

SWEET STUFF — Melon lovers of all sizes turn out for a king- size slice of cold, sweet melon served during the Hope Watermelon Festival.

20 ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 BY HOWELL MEDDERS

he Dale Bumpers • River elevators are located along College of Agricultural, major rivers and are operated by Food and Life Sciences large corporations. at the University of • Country elevators provide Arkansas offers unique grain convenient locations for delivery merchandising courses for of grain at harvest. Prices are often agribusiness majors. competitive with river elevators “Our program is unique based on knowledge of local conditions and world in emphasizing how grain markets and demand from end-user customers. elevators and merchandisers, as well as producers, are Most river elevators and country elevators provide able to use hedging to marketing services to help farmers lock in a price for part

Howell Medders reduce price risk. The focus of their crop prior to harvest. Daily market quotes and TRADERS — Diana Danforth is on price risk management commentary are available from a number of sources, helps Adam Brown of Humnoke rather than speculating and including the Arkansas Farm Bureau Web site at with Basis Trader exercises and price forecasting,” says www.arfb.com. ■ Andrew McKenzie assists Assistant Professor Andrew another student in a grain McKenzie, also a Division of merchandising class. Agriculture economist. McKenzie and Research Assistant Steven Nichols created “Basis Trader,” a computer game that students use to work grain-merchandising problems. Students play the role of a grain merchandiser and must market and Fred Miller hedge grain positions over the course of a marketing year. McKenzie uses The Merchant’s Edge, a book by Don White and Sherry Lorton, as a textbook. White, co-founder of White Commercial Corporation, is an acknowledged expert on basis trading. The company presents an annual seminar at the U of A and provides scholarships for agri- business students. “Elevator companies and cooperatives provide the essential service of ‘making a market’ for local crops,” McKenzie says. Market makers in Arkansas include some 172 grain elevator companies in three major categories: farmer-owned cooperatives, river elevators and country elevators.

• Cooperatives generally pay farmers an average BASIS BASICS — Professional grain merchandisers Don White (left), price for the crop year plus a premium from Sherry Lorton and Scott Hardy and student Roger Gattis of Ozark view other business activities, such as further the Basis Trader instructional game developed by Steven Nichols (second processing by the major rice cooperatives. from left) and Andrew McKenzie (second from right). White, Lorton and Hardy provided a risk management workshop for students.

ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 21 Market makers BY HOWELL MEDDERS

England Dryer and Elevator Company is one of 172 Arkansas elevators licensed by the Arkansas State Plant

Howell Medders Board and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

eather and markets have a says. He collaborates with Gene future date. CBOT commodities of lot in common for farmers. Martin, senior market analyst for the interest in Arkansas are rice, soybeans, WBoth can make or break a Arkansas Farm Bureau, on workshops corn, milo and wheat. Cotton is traded crop and are hard to predict, but they and other educational programs on on the New York Cotton Exchange present risks and opportunities that marketing for producers of row crops and livestock on the Chicago can be managed successfully, says Tony and livestock. Merchantile Exchange. Windham, a University of Arkansas “We can be a price selector Division of Agriculture economist. rather than a price taker,” Row crop farmers in Arkansas use Martin says. “We can follow irrigation, multi-row equipment to the market for 12 to 15 The futures market makes speed planting and harvest, and other months before harvest and it possible to serve the strategies to manage the weather risks. usually,” he stresses, “find a More and more are using tactics to price that will return a profit.” interests of both buyer and manage market risks as well, Windham The standard advice is to seller with no conflict. use futures marketing tools to lock in a prof- itable price early, even before planting, on about Marketing Services. Increasingly, 25 percent of an anticipated crop, farmers rely on an advisor, a coopera- then watch for opportunities to tive or their local grain elevator for “pull the trigger” on additional marketing advice. amounts as harvest nears, When Ron Miller was hired in 1976 Martin says. as elevator manager for Bayou Grain Futures marketing of grain and Chemical Corporation in Parkdale crops is made possible by the (Ashley County), “we basically just Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), bought commodities at harvest, when founded in 1848, where prices were usually lowest, and held commodity traders from around them to sell when prices went up,” the world determine the base he says. world market value of a bushel of The U.S. embargo on grain sales grain today and the value of a to Russia in 1978 to punish the contract to deliver the grain at a Russians for invading Afghanistan also

BRIGHT FUTURES — Bayou Grain and Chemical Corp. manager Ron Miller and assistant manager Justin Towey help farmers lock in a profitable price for crops before harvest

Gale Miller using the futures market. punished the grain industry, leaving “Our only risk is the basis, and basis as well as open storage for later many elevators holding grain they had is a predictable animal. We manage shipment,” Russell says. to sell at a loss. Since then, markets that risk by understanding the market. Discipline. Miller credits much of his have become even more volatile. The market talks to us and tells us success at Bayou Grain to a 21-year “I figured out real fast there had to what to do with that risk.” alliance with White Commercial be a better way to milk that cow,” Bayou Grain and other “country Corporation. The company, based in Miller says. Most elevator companies elevators” (see story on page 21) Stuart, Fla., provides training, advice that didn’t find a better way went out compete with river elevators owned by and support to grain merchandisers at of business or merged with others. large corporations, such as Bunge country elevators throughout the South “Our number one priority is North America, which has some 12 and Midwest. White Commercial customer service,” Miller says. Instead elevators in Arkansas alone. These are consultant Scott Hardy says the firm’s of trying to “buy low” and “sell high,” located on the Arkansas, White and members are major exporters of his goal is to give the farmer the Mississippi rivers. rough rice. highest possible price for his grain and Tom Russell, manager of the Bunge For their farmer clients, Bayou Grain sell it to the end user for the lowest elevator at Arkansas City, has the and other White Commercial members possible price, Miller says. advantage of low transportation costs promote the discipline of forward The futures market makes it possible because all of the grain and soybeans contracting part of a crop to lock in a to serve the interests of both buyer and he buys are loaded directly onto barges profit before harvest. seller with no conflict. Price doesn’t for the export market. A corporate “We urge farmers to enter into a matter because every purchase is merchandising division sells the ‘target contract’,” Miller says. “When immediately offset by a sale of the commodities. Most country elevators the futures market hits that target, we same amount on the futures market, handle their own merchandising, lock in the price for the farmer so that and vice versa. which gives them many options to he knows he will make a profit on that Basis is Basic. “The basis is all that factor into the price offered farmers. portion of his crop.” ■ matters to us,” Miller says. The basis is Russell, like Miller, says customer the current local cash price minus the service is his main priority. “We offer futures price. five different contracts to the farmer, Gale Miller

ROLLIN’ — Tom Russell, top photo, is manager of the Bunge elevator near Arkansas City. Bottom photo: Barges move down the Mississippi River past the Bunge elevator with grain most likely destined for the Port of New Orleans for export. Pictured are Bunge employees Paul Rancifer, Tom Russell and Sam Taylor. Gale Miller

ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 23 2002 farm family survives on diversity and unity

FLYING HIGH — 2002 Farm Family of the Year, pictured from left to right are TEXT BY SHAREESE KONDO Clayton Henry, Vivian Fortenberry, Roger Sr., Fred, Chester Jr., Chester Sr., Vickie PHOTOS BY MARK WILSON Hensley, Candace and Laura (front).

oger Hensley grips the steering You need a diverse crop mixture to “I get to play in the mud,” wheel of his pickup as he make things work. And if people get he chides. R rounds the corner of a pasture out of rice or cotton or one Chester is the mechanic, who where his family’s 200 cattle graze. of the crops that we do a lot of work rebuilds engines. “We’re able to save “Look out there, what looks in, it hurts the bottom line. We were on the cost of repairs and purchasing different?” he asks the three passengers expecting last year to be down, but new equipment. Things that we can do in his cab. “There’s a pig in with the surprisingly, we had a good year.” to save on repair costs is where I come cows, and we don’t know where she Another surprise the Hensleys faced in,” Chester says pointing to engine came from. She just likes to hang out in 2002 was being selected the parts, tools and tractor bodies splayed with our cattle. So we let her.” Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. The throughout a warehouse garage on the The pasture sits about 200 yards family consists of Roger and his wife, Hensley property. from the hangar where his family’s two Vickie; their three sons, Fred, 34; The family owns about 4,500 acres — crop dusters sit. He owns Hensley Clayton Henry, 26; and Chester, 25; a medium-sized operation, they say. Flying Service, an expansion to the daughter, Vivian, They cultivate soybeans, family’s row crop and cattle operation. 22; two daughter- cotton, corn and rice on Roger Hensley’s son, Roger Dale in-laws, Sherry 3,500 acres. They grow Hensley Jr., started the flying service and Candace; and grass for hay and six years ago. son-in-law Robby grazing on 500 acres of When the 25-year-old was killed in Fortenberry. pastures and maintain a plane crash five years ago, Roger “This is quite 500 acres of woodlands. senior took it over. Today, he runs the an honor,” Fred Hensley levels business while employees Lyle Malloy Hensley says. all the farmland. He also and Carlo Sciara fly the crop dusters, “We try to run an has a land moving spraying pesticides and fertilizers on efficient farm and company. several farms in southeast Arkansas Since 1971, when and north Louisiana. The family they purchased their manages about 4,500 acres PROUD PAWPAW — Roger Hensley Sr. pals first farm, the Hensleys in Eudora. around with grandson, Chester Hensley Jr. have kept in mind efficiency and diver- “We just stick together and do sity. By being innovative and using the the best we can,” Hensley says. we all pitch in and cut corners. We’re expertise of the University of Arkansas “Agricultural flying is a lot like not without our struggles, but we’re Cooperative Extension Service, they farming. It’s a business that’s kind of in blessed.” developed a grain-moving device that limbo. The uncertainty of people not Clayton Henry handles the cattle loads and unloads trucks from a hole knowing what to plant hurts us, too. and the pig. in the ground.

24 ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 TAKE OFF — One of the Hensley’s crop dusters circles the hangar before delivering a load of fertilizer to nearby crops.

OINK OR MOO? — This wild pig found a home among the cattle Clayton Henry Hensley raises.

They own their own silos, grain dryer, hoppers and fuel storage tanks. “We try to be all enclosed,” Hensley says. “I guess you can call it smart farming.” And although fluctuating prices have book- keeper Vickie Hensley biting her nails and scratching her head at times, she remains opti- mistic and grateful for what they’ve experi- enced. “I wish I could make my books say we do smart farming, but it will get better. “A family growing up on a farm understands what it takes to make it all work,” she says. “They know about perspiration and inspiration.

“One plus one does not equal two; it equals eleven.” PROUD PARENTS — Roger and Vickie Hensley’s farm and crop dusting operations keep their family busy working to prepare a solid future for the The power of family members working Hensley grandchildren. together is so much greater than any member could have alone.” And according to her family’s philosophy, “One plus one does not equal two; it equals eleven.” ■ ENDNOTES… 2003 ARKANSAS SELECT PLANTS MAKE GARDENS SING

eather Reed Grass, Bouquet Purple FDianthus, Coral Bells, Summer Sweet and Little Gem Magnolia will add depth and beauty to a mud puddle. A panel of experts chose these garden delights as this year’s Arkansas Select, a group of plants that grow well throughout the state. These plants are guaranteed to add color, excitement and seasonal beauty to most landscapes and gardens. The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service’s Department of Horticulture and the Green Industry Association created “Arkansas Select” in 1998 to identify plants that thrive in Arkansas’ varied gardening conditions. Look for Arkansas Select plants at greenhouses and nurseries throughout the state. For information on previous Arkansas Select plants, visit our web site at www.arhomeandgarden.org. ■

SIGNS OF SPRING — Arkansas Select 2003 picks, shown from top, left to right, are Summer Sweet, Little Gem Magnolia, Bouquet Purple Dianthus, Coral Bells and Feather Reed Grass. (Photos by Gerald Klingaman.) DIVISION PERSONNEL HONORED FOR WORK IN STINK BUG PROBLEM

he rice industry has honored 10 employees of the TUniversity of Arkansas Division of Agriculture for their help after a stink bug outbreak in 2001. Danny Kennedy, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Riceland Foods, says stink bugs cost Arkansas rice farmers an estimated $30 million in 2001 or the equivalent of $18 an acre. Kennedy said Riceland and other rice industry representa- tives met with Milo Shult, U of A vice president for agricul- ture, and asked for help. He said Shult quickly assembled a “battalion” of Agricultural Experiment Station researchers and Cooperative Extension Service personnel to develop a strategy. The strategy included managing and controlling the pests by STINK BUG FIGHTERS — UA Division of Agriculture personnel scouting and treatment and communicating the information honored were (left to right, back row) Jeremy Greene, extension to every rice farmer in Arkansas. entomologist; Phil Sims, Arkansas County extension agent; John He said infestation levels in the 2002 crop were almost Bernhardt, research associate-rice entomology; Gus Lorenz, nonexistent. Kennedy said the rice industry was reminded extension entomologist; Don Johnson, extension entomologist; of an important lesson. “With industry working closely with (left to right, front row) Roger Gipson, Clay County extension university researchers and extension personnel, problems agent; Charles Wilson, Extension rice specialist; Hank Chaney, can be solved, and farmers can benefit.” ■ Prairie County extension agent; and Shareese Kondo and Lamar James, extension communications specialists.

26 ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 ENDNOTES…

FIRE ANTS 101

niversity of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Upersonnel have presented Gov. with a copy of “The Ants Underground.” If the governor has the time to review the CD-Rom, he’ll become an expert on fire ants in Arkansas. Donna Shanklin, fire ant specialist with the Cooperative Extension Service, said the new CD is a fun, interactive educational tool aimed mainly at children. Extension’s pest management section and communications department teamed up to create the CD using cutting-edge, computer animation. “It has sections that relate to the history, biology and management of fire ants as told from the perspective of Francine, a native ant who is at war with red imported fire ants,” Shanklin said. The CD also contains teacher lesson plans, interactive games and an interactive coloring book. ■

LOCAL PARENTING SHOW GAINS NATIONAL AUDIENCE

ublic television stations in several major markets are featuring Wally Goddard, University of Arkansas Division of PAgriculture family life specialist, as he hosts, “Guiding Children Successfully.” During the one-hour-long shows that make up the series, Goddard helps parents, teachers and child care providers learn how to rear children in compassionate, productive ways. The show is running in Lansing, Mich., Louisiana Public Broadcasting in Baton Rouge and Maryland Public Television. KSMQ, a station serving southern Minnesota and northern Iowa has picked it up along with KULC in Salt Lake City. Georgia public television viewers can catch it on the PeachStar Education Services parenting and childcare channel on their PeachStar satellite network, and WBRA of Blue Ridge Public Television in Roanoke, Va., runs the show at 6 p.m. Sundays like Arkansas Education Telecommunications Network (AETN) does. “We are extremely pleased with the partnership we have with AETN,” says Bob Reynolds, Extension’s director of communications and marketing. “The partnership has allowed us to reach audiences in Arkansas and nationwide that we otherwise would not have reached with a powerful message about ways that parents can raise healthy children.” Also, cable, network and public broadcast stations are airing the 30-second public service announcement Goddard taped on talking to children about war. Viewers are catching the PSA in Grand Rapids, Mich.; Harrisonburg, Va.; Carbondale, Ill.; Provo, Utah; Maryland; Jonesboro, Conway and Little Rock, Ark.; Baton Rouge and New APPLAUSE — Division Family Life Specialist Wally Goddard Orleans, La.; and Atlanta, Ga. ■ takes good parenting skills to a national audience.

ARKANSAS LAND AND LIFE Vol. 8, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2003 27 Arkansas Land and Life Communications Cooperative Extension Service P.O. Box 391 Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-0391

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Fred Miller CAPITOL IDEA — Congress passed the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to replace the 1996 farm bill, which had no built-in provisions to support farmers when crop prices dropped dramatically. (See Farm Bill, page 8.)