arkansas agriculture - winter 2012

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VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 WINTER 2012 www.arfb.com www.arfb.com Beebe FFA builds leaders p 26 F ARM THEFT ! Biting the hand that feeds you p 4

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Stealing from the hand that feeds you - Farm Theft, Policy Update, Building a tradition of excellence - Beebe High School FFA program.

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Page 1: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

VOLUME 8ISSUE 4

VOLUME 8ISSUE 4

WINTER2012

www.arfb.comwww.arfb.com

Beebe FFA builds leaders

p 26

FARM THEFT!

Biting the hand that feeds you

p 4

Page 2: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

JUST LIKE ME.

“ I can always count on MorSoy Xtra for its yielding potential, even under harsh conditions.”

– Richard Noe, Clarksdale, MS

For years, Mid-South farmers have relied on the high quality and high potential of MorSoy. Now see even better results with MorSoy Xtra. Contact your MorSoy dealer today to experience Xceptional yields.

morsoyxtra.com

For the highest yields and the best disease resistance, you need soybean seed that was made specifically for the Mid-South. MorSoy® Xtra combines Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® technology with carefully selected genetics to give you more four- and five-bean pods per plant.

©2012 Cache River Valley Seed, LLC. All rights reserved. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready® crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides. Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Genuity and Design®, Genuity Icons, Roundup®, Roundup Ready®, and Roundup Ready 2 Yield® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2010 Monsanto Company.

®

THE PROOF IS IN THE POD.

Page 3: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

3Arkansas Agriculture

Farm Bureau Perspective by Randy Veach 2

Stealing from the hand that feeds youThe farm theft epidemic by Keith Sutton 4

Policy Update by Michelle Kitchens 22

Inside...

1Arkansas Agriculture

Rural Reflections Photo 28

Spotlight on YouthBuilding a tradition of excellenceby Ken Moore 26

VOLUME 8ISSUE 4

VOLUME 8ISSUE 4

WINTER2012

www.arfb.comwww.arfb.com

Beebe FFA builds leaders

p 26

FARM THEFT!

Biting the hand that feeds you

p 4

On the cover – High prices have made farm commodities, fuel, metal, agrichemicals, vehicles and other products targets of thieves nationwide. According to the Urban Institute, agricultural thefts cost farmers $5 billion in 2007 alone.

F E A T U R E S

C O L U M N S

VOLUME 9ISSUE 1

WINTER2012

Executive Editor: Steve EddingtonEditor: Gregg PattersonContributing Editors: Ken Moore, Keith Sutton, Chris WilsonResearch Assistant: Brenda Gregory

JUST LIKE ME.

“ I can always count on MorSoy Xtra for its yielding potential, even under harsh conditions.”

– Richard Noe, Clarksdale, MS

For years, Mid-South farmers have relied on the high quality and high potential of MorSoy. Now see even better results with MorSoy Xtra. Contact your MorSoy dealer today to experience Xceptional yields.

morsoyxtra.com

For the highest yields and the best disease resistance, you need soybean seed that was made specifically for the Mid-South. MorSoy® Xtra combines Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® technology with carefully selected genetics to give you more four- and five-bean pods per plant.

©2012 Cache River Valley Seed, LLC. All rights reserved. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready® crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides. Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Genuity and Design®, Genuity Icons, Roundup®, Roundup Ready®, and Roundup Ready 2 Yield® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2010 Monsanto Company.

®

THE PROOF IS IN THE POD.

Page 4: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

2 Arkansas Agriculture

Arkansas Agricultureis an official publication of

Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation.

Arkansas Agriculture is distributed to almost 32,000 farming and ranching households in Arkansas.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Included in membership dues.

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU OFFICERS: President

Randy VeachManila

Vice President Rich Hillman

CarlisleSecretary/Treasurer

Tom Jones Pottsville

Executive Vice President Ewell Welch

Little Rock

DIRECTORS:Richard Armstrong, Ozark

Troy Buck, Alpine Jon Carroll, Moro

Joe Christian, Jonesboro Terry Dabbs, Stuttgart Mike Freeze, England

Bruce Jackson, Lockesburg Tom Jones, Pottsville

Johnny Loftin, El Dorado Gene Pharr, Lincoln Rusty Smith, Des Arc Allen Stewart, Mena

Mike Sullivan, Burdette Leo Sutterfield, Mountain View

EX OFFICIOSue Billiot, Smithville

Janice Marsh, McCroryKirk Meins, Suttgart

Brian Walker, Horatio

Arkansas Agriculture is published quarterly by the

Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, 10720 Kanis Road, Little Rock, AR 72211. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to

Arkansas Agriculture, P.O. Box 31, Little Rock, AR 72203.

Publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. All rights reserved.

Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

The Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation reserves the right to accept or reject

all advertising requests.

Send comments to:[email protected]

Created byPublishing Concepts, Inc.Virginia Robertson, Publisher

[email protected] Taylor Loop Road

Little Rock, AR 72223501.221.9986 or 800.561.4686

For advertising information contact:Tom Kennedy at

501.221.9986 or [email protected]

Edition 24

Politics makes for strange bedfellows, the old saying goes, and the recent

introduction of legislation that changes the game for the nation’s egg

producers may be the strangest union I’ve ever seen.

The Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012 – introduced in late

Jan. by U.S. Reps Kurt Schrader (Ore.), Jeff Denman (Calif.), Elton Gallegly

(Calif.) and Sam Farr (Calif.) – has the joint backing of the Humane Society

of the United States (HSUS) and the United Egg Producers (UEP). Strange

bedfellows, to say the least.

HSUS, contrary to its highly polished commercial image designed to generate

millions in donations in the name of pet safety and security, is a radical animal

rights group whose objective is to put animal agriculture out of business.

Their tactics are threatening, and their playbook filled with deceptive (though

admittedly effective) strategies. HSUS is not; repeat NOT, your local humane

shelter. Your local humane shelters actually perform those needed acts of pet

security and safety and are worthy of our financial support. Meanwhile, HSUS

works on ways to systematically eliminate animal agriculture.

The proposed legislation would set national requirements on cage size,

limitations on animal density and would ban a number of proven, science-

based egg production methods. The bill ignores the consensus of mainstream

agricultural veterinarians, animal scientists and livestock producers.

It also sets a dangerous precedent that some egg producers, along with

national pork and cattle groups, approach with great hesitation. I have no

doubt that HSUS will use this as a first step to federal legislation that impacts

more than just egg production and will put more and more restrictions on

livestock production. It also would set mandated animal care standards based

on the political goals of an animal rights group. I’ve listened to both sides of

this debate. I have talked to egg producers and those who work for the egg

companies. I just can’t answer the question of ‘why?’ when considering the

political union between HSUS and UEP.

Obviously, eggs are an important source of protein and a regular part of

many people’s day. Farmers, as we all know, have a responsibility to produce

eggs with professional care for their animals, while being effective stewards of

the land and understanding their critical role in food safety.

Far be it from me to sound like Chicken Little (“The sky is falling. The sky is

falling.”), but allowing HSUS to be involved in creating legislation that mandates

how farmers and ranchers raise animals is a dangerous and unprecedented

development. Ignoring years of proven science is possibly even more hazardous.

The correct thing for the U.S. House of Representatives to do is vote down

the proposed legislation. Then UEP, which purports to represent ownership of

95 percent of the nation’s egg production, can engage the people who work

with farm animals daily – meaning veterinarians, animal scientists and livestock

producers – not HSUS. When that happens, any proposed legislation that would

come from that group could be viewed with credibility.

Farm Bureau Perspective

By Randy Veach, President, Arkansas Farm Bureau

ŒŒŒ*

Page 5: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

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Relying on foreign fuel sources?

High ammonia levels? Inconsistent heating?

PRICE OF PROPANE?

start saving at LeeEnergySolutions.com or 256-528-7290

Better for bird health

Save more than 50% on heating

More efficient

Dry heat = less ammonia

Made in U.S.A.

Renewable source

The wood pellet-burning poultry furnace that improves your flock,

your finances and our country.

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• Up to 500,000 BTU • Only one unit needed per house!

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Page 6: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

4 Arkansas Agriculture

STEALING FROM THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU

Great member benefit Farm Bureau’s $2,500 Reward program is a member benefit that helps discourage theft, arson or vandalism.

Keith

Sut

ton

Page 7: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

5Arkansas Agriculture

Some called him a modern-day cattle

rustler. Cattle thief is a better description,

as it doesn’t romanticize the criminal’s

deeds.

Seven times in spring 2010, he drove cattle

onto a trailer at an acquaintance’s Searcy County

ranch, then took the animals to a local livestock

market and sold them. His total haul: 81 cattle

valued at tens of thousands of dollars.

***

It wasn’t easy rolling 800-pound hay bales

onto the flatbed trailer, but, working together,

the four determined thieves did it 100 times.

Each time, they stole one to three round bales

from a farmer’s field in Howard County. The

hay was then sold to unsuspecting buyers.

During 2011, round bales that once sold for $20

were topping $150 in some areas, making the

sale of 100 bales a lucrative proposition, indeed.

***

During a three-week period in fall 2011,

two small-time thieves made a big heist from

a Lonoke County farm shop, stealing 3,000

gallons of diesel fuel valued at $6,800. Diesel

tanks from the farm were loaded on a borrowed

truck, driven to Little Rock and sold. The cost of

the thefts to the farmer was exponential beyond

the cost of the fuel. He had to cease operations

for hours waiting for fuel shipments, which

slowed his harvest and cost him thousands of

dollars.

***

She was an absentee landowner. Her forested

property was in Fulton County. She lived

in another state. One day, an unscrupulous

logger on an adjoining property crossed her

fenced boundary line and cut 30 acres of the

lady’s timber. The logs then were loaded and

transported elsewhere for sale. The landowner

didn’t find out until five years later when she

hired a forester to sell her timber. Her loss was

valued at more than $30,000. The timber thief

was never caught.

STEALING FROM THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU

by Keith Sutton, Arkansas Farm Bureau

The farm theft epidemic

Page 8: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

6 Arkansas Agriculture

***

In spring 2011, an anonymous tipster

told police about an anhydrous-ammonia

tank concealed in a rural-area storage shed

near Little Rock. Investigating officers

found a stolen 1,000-gallon tank filched

from a Mississippi County farmer who used

the ammonia for fertilizer. Several small,

portable tanks also were in the shed. The

thief planned to fill these with anhydrous

ammonia and sell them to drug dealers who

use the chemical when manufacturing illegal

methamphetamines.

***

When she went to sleep that night in

summer 2011, her blueberry bushes were

loaded with thousands of ripe berries. But

when the Benton County farm owner awoke,

someone had made off with the fruits of

her labor — literally. Berry bandits plucked

an estimated 120 gallons of blueberries that

night, despite a barbed-wire fence and locked

gates. The lady lost approximately $3,000 of

fruit that would have been sold for income.

***

On a moonless night in 2011, the thieves

backed up to an irrigation well on the Lee

County rice farm. Within seconds, they had

disconnected conduit from the switch box,

pulled out the valuable copper wire inside

and attached it to their truck. They then

used the truck to rip away all the wiring

inside the tubing and well system. The farm

owner discovered the destruction the next

day, the third such incident in just a few

weeks. “They probably got less than $100

when they sold the copper wire,” he said,

“but the damage to my irrigation systems

cost thousands to repair, plus much more in

down time and damage to my crops.”

***

The incidents described above are true.

Unfortunately, they are but a few of the

thousands of thefts plaguing farmers and

ranchers throughout Arkansas and the

U.S. Theft of farming-related commodities,

supplies and equipment has reached

epidemic proportions in many areas as

criminals steal livestock, crops, vehicles, farm

implements, trailers, tools, feed, seed, fuel,

fertilizer, pesticides, scrap metal, metal parts,

building materials, horse tack and more.

The costs of these crimes are passed along

to consumers in the form of higher prices or

are absorbed by farmers in the form of lower

profits. And the costs are staggering.

The price we payAccording to underwriting manager

Richard Sims, Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance

Company of Arkansas paid approximately

$1.7 million in farm-equipment theft losses

in 2011, plus an additional $230,000 for

losses on thefts of farm-related vehicles.

Were we able to obtain the same type

of information from the dozens of other

Arkansas insurance companies, no doubt

the costs of such losses would total many

millions of dollars.

Few agencies keep statistics on farm

crimes, but according to the Urban Institute

in Washington, D.C., agricultural theft cost

U.S. farmers $5 billion in 2007. That’s billion

with a B, an amount equal to the average

annual financial loss from house fires. As

many farmers do not report thefts, experts

believe the actual farm loss is as much as 10

times greater.

Metal theft crackdownDespite the magnitude of these crimes,

farm theft has received little attention

from criminal-justice policymakers. In

Bale out Shortages of hay in 2011 led to record-high prices and an unusually high theft rate. Getting bales out of fields and into secure storage reduces the probability they’ll be stolen.

- Keith

Sut

ton

Page 9: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

7

RTI 0112 009 NetRevenue_7.875x10.25_otl.indd 1 1/26/12 3:19 PM

Keith

Sut

ton

Page 10: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

8 Arkansas Agriculture

Rip and run Farm implements like this center-pivot irrigation system often operate on electricity and must, by nature, be left in fields. This makes them prime targets for thieves who slip in under cover of darkness and strip out copper wiring, pipes and other metal components that are sold for quick cash at scrap yards. New laws are helping reduce metal theft problems, but a single incident can cost a farmer thousands of dollars in repairs and down time.

Page 11: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

9Arkansas Agriculture

Page 12: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

Arkansas, one exception is metal theft, a

problem impacting agricultural operations

statewide. Thieves usually target high-priced

copper in pipes and wiring, which often are

components of farm equipment. Bronze,

aluminum and steel also are stolen and sold

for a quick buck. Victims include not only

farmers but homeowners, contractors, utility

companies and many others.

A 2008 FBI report called for tougher laws

to combat metal theft, which it referred to

as “a threat to public safety and national

security.” The following year, Arkansas’

legislature unanimously passed Act 390,

which states, in part, “It is unlawful for a

person to injure or destroy, steal, or remove

any electric power line, gas line, water line,

wire or fiber insulators, electric motors or other

apparatus connected to farm shops, on-farm

grain drying and storage complexes, heating

and cooling systems and environmental control

systems, animal production facilities, irrigation

systems, dwellings or alterations that could

result in physical injury.” The act also requires

scrap-metal sellers to provide a copy of their

driver’s license, a digital thumbprint, a digital

photo of themselves and the scrap metal,

and a statement indicating the seller has

authority to sell the metal. This information

is collected and made available to law

enforcement in a statewide database.

Act 390 also increased the penalty

for sellers accepting stolen copper

and other metals, making it a Class A

misdemeanor punishable by up to a year

in jail and a $1,000 fine. Theft of utility,

telecommunication or essential farm metal

became a Class D felony punishable by up to

six years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Apparently, having to provide the

identifying information law officers can use

to catch them has, to some extent, deterred

thieves from stealing metal. Officials say

metal theft has abated somewhat since the

act was passed.

Cattle rustling, timber theft and other crimes

The incidence of other forms of farm

theft continues to surge. Take cattle theft,

for example. Despite the fact that stealing

a cow valued at $200 or more is a Class C

felony punishable by a fine of up to $10,000

and a prison term from three to 10 years,

incidences of theft have risen dramatically

the past two years. High beef prices are

driving the increase, but “cattle rustling”

appeals to thieves for other reasons as well.

Many ranchers don’t brand cattle these

days, so it’s often difficult for buyers to

differentiate between legitimate and stolen

goods. And unlike some items such as

electronics, which usually fetch only 25 to

50 percent of their actual value when sold

to pawn shops or on the black market, hot

cattle usually net 100 percent.

“You may have thought cattle rustling

was a thing of the past, a common theme

in old western movies,” said Tom Troxel,

extension professor of animal science for

the University of Arkansas Division of

Agriculture. “But nothing could be further

from the truth.” The unemployment rate

has increased in many rural areas, and,

“Oftentimes, desperate people do desperate

things,” he said.

Timber theft, a crime many people have

never even heard of, also continues to be

a huge problem. The Arkansas Forestry

Commission (AFC) investigated 79 cases in

2011. These usually involve contract fraud

10 Arkansas Agriculture

Stumped Here yesterday, gone today. But who took it? Timber theft often occurs on the property of absentee landowners, causing losses in the tens of thousands of dollars and frequently going undiscovered for months or even years.

Page 13: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

and/or forged timber deeds. In other cases,

the timber is cut, removed and sold, but

the landowner never receives payment.

Thefts often amount to tens of thousands

of dollars. AFC timber-theft convictions in

2008 resulted in more than $600,000 in

restitutions paid to landowners that lost

timber.

Another serious problem is the theft

of anhydrous ammonia, which farmers

commonly use as a fertilizer. This

agrichemical has been safely used for more

than a half century by farmers growing corn,

soybeans and other crops. But it’s also used

in production of illegal methamphetamines,

prompting more thefts in recent years.

Thieves often remove locks from tanks with

bolt cutters and siphon off ammonia. If

valves or tanks are damaged in the process,

dangerous leaks can develop that threaten

humans, livestock and the environment.

Clean-up can be extraordinarily expensive.

Fruit, nut and vegetable farmers report

more thefts, too, involving everything from

tomatoes, peaches and corn to commodities

such as pecans, which this year are selling

for record prices. As one law-enforcement

official said, “If you can eat it, they’re

stealing it.”

Several years of a soft economy have led

to a rise in all types of farm theft throughout

Arkansas. High unemployment, foreclosures

and drug abuse have made criminals more

desperate, officials say. As a result, thieves

steal anything they can quickly load, carry

away and sell, everything from batteries,

ATVs, bags of seed and tools to chickens,

scrap iron, farm-raised fish and even bees.

Bolder bandits sometimes steal equipment

like combines and tractors.

Farmers and ranchers have been fending

off thieves since the heyday of cattle

rustling in the nineteenth century, but

11Arkansas Agriculture

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Page 14: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

12 Arkansas Agriculture

the duty of battling farm theft now falls

to law enforcement. Unfortunately, there

aren’t enough enforcement officers and

judicial employees to catch, prosecute and

incarcerate all the criminals. It falls upon

the farmer or rancher then to implement

preventive measures that stop farm theft

before it happens.

General precautionsToward that end, here are tips to help

you thwart thieves before they cause

problems. No security measure works every

time, but farmers and ranchers who follow

these guidelines are much less likely to deal

with thievery than those who don’t.

• Post your property, including signs

around the perimeter warning thieves

there are alarm systems/guard dogs/

watchful neighbors/a reward program,

etc.

• Restrict access by fencing farm/ranch

boundaries with the most secure fencing

you can afford.

• Secure road entrances with sturdy gates,

making sure to keep gates closed and

locked except when used.

• Maintain a complete list of all tools,

machinery and equipment, including

serial/model numbers on items that

have them and personal identification

numbers you’ve permanently marked on

other equipment.

• For insurance and law enforcement

purposes, shoot photographs and/

or videotape of all farm inventory,

including fences, gates, buildings and

other things that could be damaged or

stolen by determined thieves.

• Keep work areas well lighted and tidy,

so thieves can’t waltz in and steal things

without the likelihood of being seen.

• Keep valuables inside behind securely

locked doors whenever possible,

including agrichemicals, seed, vehicles,

farm implements, building materials

and harvested commodities. Items that

must be left on unsecured areas of the

Drug ties Preventing the theft of even small amounts of anhydrous ammonia is extremely important as this commonly used farm fertilizer is also a key ingredient used in a dangerous production process to manufacture illegal methamphetamines.

Nut case Arkansas was one of very few states reporting a bumper pecan crop in 2011. Tight supplies worldwide led to record-high prices paid by wholesalers. As a result, orchard owners reported much higher-than-normal problems with thefts in recent months.

Keith

Sut

ton

Page 15: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

13Arkansas Agriculture

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ARKANSAS FARMERS DESERVE

Page 16: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

property should be out of sight from

roads.

• Use bars to secure high-risk windows.

• Patrol your farm or ranch daily, year-

round, and at different times, day and

night. If a thief is watching, you want to

make it clear you frequently check your

property, but not on a set schedule.

• Consider installing video surveillance

systems, alarms and devices that can

be used to pinpoint the location of

stolen goods. With today’s advanced

technology, many options are available.

Livestock• All cattle, hogs, sheep and goats should

be properly earmarked or branded for

identification as required by Arkansas

statutes. Bear in mind, however, ear tags

can be removed.

• Maintain complete livestock records

with identification numbers. List

livestock you buy or sell, and record

births and deaths.

• Use strong chains and locks on all gates,

access routes and loading ramps.

• If possible, place loading chutes and

livestock yards away from roads or

access points.

• Make daily head counts of livestock;

know if an animal is missing.

Farm equipment• Remove the key, and lock everything

when it’s not in use.

• If machinery must be left in the field,

disable it by removing the distributor

cap, rotor or battery. Secure separate

implements together or around a

large tree with heavy chains and case-

hardened padlocks.

• Batteries are favorite targets of thieves

and should have lockable cases over

them. Transport wheels should be

lowered to prevent easy removal.

14 Arkansas Agriculture

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Agricultural Economist

479-521-3939 501-707-4048

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Hang ‘em high Brands and ear tags tie cattle to a specific ranch or owner, often alerting buyers at livestock yards when cattle thieves are trying to sell stolen animals.

-

Page 17: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

• Don’t leave tools or other equipment in

a truck bed where they’re easily stolen.

Fuel• Place lockable caps on fill ports of

vehicles, power equipment and supply

tanks.

• Pump nozzles should stay properly

locked. Control switches on electric

pumps should be inside a locked

building or house. Turn electricity off

when the pump is not in use.

• Place supply tanks where they are visible

from the home or work areas, not

behind outbuildings or equipment.

• Fill tanks kept on isolated parts of the

property only when they’re being used

— during planting and harvesting, for

example.

• Park gas- or diesel-powered vehicles

and machinery in secure, well-lit areas,

preferably behind closed, locked doors.

• Monitor fuel purchases and usage daily,

so you know if there are unexplained

losses.

• Use security fencing around supply

tanks.

Timber • Maintain a current inventory of your

timber, so you can prove the extent of

losses if theft occurs.

• Mark valuable trees with a painted stripe

down one side for identification.

• Clearly mark your property boundaries,

so thieves cannot plead ignorance of

boundary locations. Clearly mark sale-

area boundaries, too.

• Visit your property and walk the

perimeter often. Frequently visited

properties are risky, so thieves are likely

to look elsewhere.

• Enlist the aid of adjoining landowners

in watching for timber theft. Set up

Get real answers.

www.afbic.com

One thing will always be true about farming: Conditions change. From weather, to soil, to technology, you have a lot to keep up with. Thankfully, you’ve got real insurance that keeps up with you. If there’s anything you need to know, just call us. You’ll always have questions. Your local Farm Bureau Insurance agent always has answers.

THIS ARTWORK CANNOT BE ALTERED, REVISED, RESIZED OR REBUILT BEYOND CHANGING THE AGENT PHOTO OR CONTACT INFO. CONTACT MADGENIUS WITH ANY QUESTIONS AT [email protected]

AR

ML

PR

41120

Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. of Arkansas, Inc.Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Co.Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co., Jackson, MS

15Arkansas Agriculture

PIVOT IRRIGATON BRIDGES

JOHN’S WELDING & TOOLCall John, 1-800-669-6571 • Wayne, NE

www.johns-welding.com

Call ForQuotes!

Page 18: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

a notification system whereby all

parties are informed when trees will be

harvested.

• Deal only with reputable timber

buyers, using a well-written legal

contract that clearly defines

all terms of the sale. Samples

are available from the Arkansas

Forestry Commission.

Hay• Transport hay from fields to a

secure storage location as soon as

possible after harvesting.

• Mark large bales with spray paint

for identification, which makes

them less attractive to thieves.

• Where practical, cut the string on

small-bale hay to deter thieves.

Anhydrous ammonia and other agrichemicals

• Do not have tanks delivered to the

field. Instead, take tanks to fields

when you will use them. Request

that chemicals be delivered on

days you need them and not

before. Promptly return tender

tanks back to the supplier.

• Use locking devices on nurse tank

valves.

• Check storage tanks and

surroundings often. Place brightly

colored plastic wire ties or seals

between the valve wheel and roll

cage to facilitate quick visual

checks. If the tie or seal is broken,

the tank has been used.

• Place tanks in lighted, secure areas

where they can be seen from a

residence or work area.

• Post no-trespassing signs, and

mark tanks with caution labels to

warn of hazards. This could reduce

liability should an injury occur

during theft.

Arkansas Agriculture16

ŒŒŒ*

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Searcy, AR 72143Mobile: 501-281-6389

Ag Chem Direct is an established company that can provide all the products you need, delivered straight from the manufacturer, which means savings in your pocket!

In plain sight Thefts of farm equipment often occur when items are left on remote parcels of land where they are visible from roads. When possible, vehicles and implements should be kept in locked enclosures or garages, or placed where they are less likely to be seen.

Keith

Sut

ton

Page 19: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

17 5F R O N T P O R C H I arfb.com

OK

Prepared by The Digital Studio | Goodby Silverstein & Partners. All rights reserved. 415.392.0669

Released on 10.6.11Printed at 100% Round 4

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$500

1 Offer available through 4/1/12. Available on all 2011 and 2012 Chevrolet vehicles (excluding Volt). This offer is not compatible with other private offers. Only customers who have been active members of an eligible Farm Bureau for a minimum of 60 days will be eligible to receive a certificate. Customers can obtain certificates at www.fbverify.com/gm. 2 Dependability based on longevity: 1981–July 2010 full-size pickup registrations. 3 Whichever comes first. See dealer for limited warranty details.

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And because sometimes there’s more to life than pickups, this offer is also good toward the purchase or lease of most new Chevy vehicles—from Cruze to Camaro. Get your authorization number at fbverify.com/gm and visit your Chevrolet dealer today.

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Page 20: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

18 Arkansas Agriculture

Ask your equipment dealer for AgDirect® financing.

AgDirect® offers the best equipment �nancing option in the business – highly

competitive rates, exceptional terms and quick credit decisions.

An equipment �nancing program offered by Farm Credit of Western Arkansas, AgDirect

is only available through your ag equipment dealer. When you’re in the market to buy,

lease or re�nance equipment, ask for AgDirect �nancing. Learn more by calling

888-525-9805 or visiting agdirect.com.

• Purchase, lease or refinance

• Variable or fixed rates

• Financing terms from 2-7 years*

• No manufacturer rebate/financing restrictions

• Delayed payments – up to one year*

• Easy application & quick turnaround

Check our attractive financing rates at agdirect.com.

*Subject to approval.

AgDirect is an equipment financing program offered by Farm Credit Services of America and the partners of AgDirect, LLP.

Page 21: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

19Arkansas Agriculture

Trajan ProMyriad

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T h e M i r a c l e B e a n . c o m

Soybeans are crucially important to the economy and people of our state. Arkansas is ranked tenth in soybean production nationally producing 122 million bushels valued at more than a billion dollars.

But this miracle bean isn’t limited to food production. It’s widely used in paint, cosmetics, soaps, hand lotions, body oils, hair care products and many other products. And nowhere is the potential for environmental sustainability greater than in the area of biofuels.

Locally grown and re� ned soybean oil is crucial in helping us move away from our national reliance on petroleum and reducing fuel costs.

Arkansas soybeans are helping feed the world, fuel our vehicles, protect our health and grow our state. Harvesting the potential of this miraculous bean means a better future for all of us.

Our FOOD. Our FUEL. Our FUTURE.

Page 22: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

Hunters do more to conserve habitat than any other group. And they have achieved great things for wildlife and wild places by supporting conservation organizations like Ducks Unlimited. With their support, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres of habitat across the continent. Come share our vision of skies filled with waterfowl today, tomorrow, and forever. To find out more go to www.ducks.org

hunter: another word for conservationist

Farm Drainage, Irrigation & Culvert Pipe

• Heavy - Wall Stell, 4” thru 96”, up to 50’ Lengths

• Used High-Pressure Line Pipe and Gas Line Pipe

• New Structural Steel Piple, 2” thru 20”

• Large Diameter Pipe - 60”, 78”, 96”

Will Deliver for Small Cost.

ADS plastic pipe dealer and Corrugrated pipe dealer.

1-800-553-1373NORTHSIDE STEEL

Highway 63 BypassJonesboro, AR

20 Arkansas Agriculture

Page 23: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

Total farm production expenses have increased over 68% since 2002, according to the Economic Research Service. Has your marketing

program kept pace with these increased costs?Price Risk Management Group is committed

to providing customized advisory and hedging services in cash markets, futures and options

to improve the competitive position of a select group of clients. Located in Little Rock, we have worked with buyers and sellers of agricultural

commodities for the last 18 years. Owners include Billy Herrington, former Extension

Economist and Market Master instructor, Mike Walsh, a former banker, and Patrick Matthews, a former floor trader in Chicago. If you are not working with a marketing consultant, or if you are unhappy with your current consultant, we

would love to talk with you.

Price Risk Management Group800-459-5694

Email: [email protected]

Futures and options trading contains the risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please carefully consider your financial condition before

investing.

21Arkansas Agriculture

150

170

190

210

230

250

270

290

310

330

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

BIL

LIO

NS

OF

DO

LLA

RS

TOTAL FARM PRODUCTION EXPENSES Source: Economic Research Service

June 2011 Volume 15 Number 3

P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e A r k a n s a s S t a t e B o a r d o f N u r s i n g

www.arsbn.org

CONGRATULATIONS

Elaine Peterson, RN

Crossroads

Medical Clinic 2011 Nursing Compassion Award Winner, Elaine Peterson, RN

We’re searching Arkansas to find the one nurse we can say is the most outstanding in our state. Do you know a nurse that you feel is the most compassionate, car-ing and empathetic caregiver? A nurse who has given comfort or care to you, a family member or friend? We are asking you to send us their name, where they work, phone number and a short message expressing why you think they are the most deserving nurse in Arkansas. Deadline March 31, 2012.

We hope to have nominees from every county and ev-ery medical facility in Arkansas. From approximately 48 finalists, we will choose two “Runners Up” and finally, one nurse will be named Arkansas’ Most Compassionate Nurse at a special ceremony. The nurses will be recog-nized in the ASBN Update magazine and the Winner will be featured inside and on the cover. Watch for more details coming soon!

Send or email your nomination to:NURSING COMPASSION

P.O. Box 17427Little Rock, Arkansas [email protected]

We’re searching Arkansas to find the one nurse we can

PUBLISHING CONCEPTS, INC.

Page 24: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

22 Arkansas Agriculture

PolicyUpdate

When Rep. Davy Carter

suggested the state Revenue

and Taxation Committee

use part of its time during this fiscal

legislative session to review the state’s

sales tax exemptions, he got the

attention of everyone from businesses

to churches and charities to farmers.

The idea wasn’t to necessarily do away

with any of the existing exemptions, just

evaluate them.

Rep. Carter is on record saying all the

state’s sales and use tax exemptions could

be warranted. There are approximately

120 sales and use tax exemptions on

the books in Arkansas. As Chairman

of the House Revenue and Taxation

Committee, Carter has a responsibility to

review Arkansas’ tax law. The House and

Senate Revenue and Taxation committees

are the primary guardians of the state’s

revenue. It’s their job to shape the best

tax policy for the state while ensuring

adequate revenue for the state’s budget.

The committees often have to hold the

line during a legislative session, making

sure any tax cuts are responsible tax

policy. In recent years, several members

of the state legislature have pitched ideas

of reshaping tax law either through

expanding the tax exemption list,

eliminating the exemption list entirely or

restructuring the income tax levels.

Simple revisions in tax law are

common in Arkansas. Arkansas Farm

Bureau policy contains support for many

others. As befitting a major economic

force, agriculture has established several

tax breaks for farmers, integrators and

processors. The past three sessions ARFB

has led an effort to establish a sales tax

exemption for energy sales for farms

and supported several other tax saving

measures. However, one can’t talk about

tax cuts without talking about the state

budget.

In 1945, Arkansas Gov. Ben Raney

proposed the creation of the Revenue

Stabilization Amendment, which allowed

budget makers to evaluate general revenue

and expenses and make adjustments as

needed. Every year, Arkansas looks at the

income and financial obligations and

assigns priorities to its expenses. The state

constitution prohibits deficit spending.

It isn’t a novel idea, but it’s one most

states have abandoned. In these economic

hard times, it’s made Arkansas the envy

of the nation; a state with a solid budget.

Farmers and ranchers can appreciate that.

Agriculture is woven throughout

Arkansas’ economy and contributes

considerably to the state’s stability,

especially during this recession. ARFB

whole-heartedly supports agriculture’s tax

exemptions. And ARFB and our farmer

members should always be prepared to

discuss those exemptions and champion

their existence. Not just because they’ve

historically been there or because we

want them but also because they make

good fiscal sense, keeping Arkansas

competitive with other states, adding

purchasing dollars to rural Arkansans

and by providing a measure of stability

to one of the largest economic engines in

the state.

Lawmakers have decided to postpone

the review of tax exemptions until after

the fiscal session, but there are still plans

to do an in-depth discussion of the

state tax code. So while the legislature

examines agriculture’s exemptions,

perhaps we should do the same,

developing reasoned arguments for the

ones we have and hope to secure while

evaluating what’s the best tax policy

for agriculture and the state moving

forward. ŒŒŒ*

By Michelle Kitchens, Arkansas Farm Bureau

Page 25: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

23Arkansas Agriculture

2004 INTERNATIONAL 9200i Cat Engine, C12, Jake, 10 Spd, Air Ride, 3.70 Ratio, 11R 22.5 Tires, 1 Owner,. . . . . . . .$19,750

1995 FREIGHTLINER FLD120, 3406 Cat, 435+ HP, 10 Spd, Air Ride, 3.90 Ratio, 22.5 Tires, Great farm truck . . . . . . . . . $13,500

2005 TRAILSTAR Full Frame End Dump Aluminum, 28’ x 102”, Heavy Duty Spring, Good Condition, Southern, . . . . . . $26,900

2000 PETERBILT 357 HEAVY DUTY CRANE (Qty. 3) Cat, 3406, 675K, 18 Spd, Heavy Chalmers, 20K Front,600C Natl. Crane, 18 Ton, . . . $49,750

2005 VOLVO VNL Cummins, ISX, 450 HP, 499K, Jake, 10 Spd, Air Ride, 3.70 Ratio, 226” WB, 1 Owner, Lease Maint., Raised Flat Top, . . . . . $38,750

22.5 Tires, All Steel Wheels, 72” Mid

2006 KENWORTH T800, 296K, 1 Owner, Lease Maint., C-15 Cat, 435+ HP, Jake, 10 Spd, Air Ride, Very Nice!!!, . . . . . $65,750

2004 Freightliner Columbia, Mercedes, 537K, 410 HP, , 1 Owner, Lease Maint., 10 Spd, Air Ride, Very Nice, Southern Clean, . . . . . . $29,750

Glover Truck & Trailer Sales

[email protected]@glovertruck.com • [email protected]

8608 Hwy. 70, No. Little Rock, AR 72117

www.glovertruckandtrailer.com

Office: (501)945-1550(501) 607-0103 Or (501) 960-3935

Fax: (501)945-1552

Buying, Selling & Trading TruckS & TrailerS For over 35 yearS!

2005 VOLVO VNL Volvo V12, 435 HP, 1 owner, Lease Maint., 630K, Jake, 10 Spd, Air Ride, 3.70 Ratio, 205” WB . . . $25,750

(5) 00-03 Freightliner FLD120 1 owner, lease maint., 480-650K, N-14 Red Top & 12.7 Detriots, 435+HP, jake, 10 spd, air ride, 3.90, More In, . . . . . $27,500 Or Less

1976 FORD L9000, Big Cam Cummins, Jake, 15 Spd, Hendrickson 4 Bolt, 11R 24.5’s, Tri Axle, 20 Ton 2 Spd. Tulsa Winch, Heavy Susp$29,500

Getting Back To The Basics:Conventional Cotton Seed

• Plant Early • Yield More • Make More $Seed Source Genetics offers COLD TOLERANT, high yield, conventional cottonseed at a low cost to producers in the

Mid-South, Southeast and Texas. Our goal is to make cotton farming profitable again.

For more information contact:

SEED SOURCE GENETICS, INC.Edward Jungmann • 5159 FM 3354 • Bishop, TX 78343

Office: 361-584-3540 Mobile: 361-548-7560 Fax: 361-584-4472

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Varieties • HQ 110 CT • HQ 210 CT • HQ 211 CT • HQ 212 CT • HQ 310 CT • CT Linwood

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Seed Source 1/2 horiz ad 10/25/11 9:13 AM Page 37

Page 26: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

Arkansas Agriculture24

AgProfile

- -

Brad

May

hugh

ŒŒŒ*

Picture this!

Dust off your cameras and take part in Rural Reflections, FB’s Front Porch photo contest.

F arm Bureau members now have the opportunity to spotlight their creativity, their perception and their flair for the dra-matic — or the comical or even the tragic — in Front Porch’s

third Rural Reflections Photo Contest.This competition offers amateur photographers the chance to ex-

plore the many activities, seasons, triumphs, disappointments and faces of agriculture, our state’s key industry. The photos that win this competition will capture the image and spirit of agriculture, and Farm Bureau, in Arkansas.

The contest includes two divisions, High School (ages 14–18) and Adult (19 and older). The winner of each receives $250. In ad-dition, one entry will receive a Grand Prize of $500. The winners and honorable mentions may have their works published, with credit, in Front Porch and Arkansas Agriculture magazines, on Farm Bureau’s website, www.arfb.com, and in other publications.

Arkansas Farm Bureau has the final decision on any and all questions or concerns regarding rules, judging, eligibility, prizes awarded or anything else that may arise pertaining to the Rural Reflections Photo Contest.

RULES

• Any photo taken between Jan. 1, 2012 and Oct. 31, 2012 may be entered.

• Files must be high-resolution jpegs (at least 300 dpi).

• Each entrant may enter only one photo.

• Enter by uploading your photo at: http://www.arfb.com/programs_activities/contests/photo_gallery.aspx.

• All entries must be submitted by midnight Oct. 31, 2012.

• The Rural Reflections Photo Contest is open to members of Arkansas Farm Bureau and their immediate families. Employees of Farm Bureau, its affiliated companies and service companies are not eligible.

• Winning or honorable-mention photos also may be published on Arkansas Farm Bureau’s website, www.arfb.com, and in other Farm Bureau publications, as appropriate.

Page 27: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

They are Arkansas 4-H. . . and you can make a difference.

Nothing is as powerful or rewarding as watching a child light up whenhe or she masters a skill or reaches a goal. In 4-H, the volunteers whodonate their time to put smiles on the faces of our youth are inspiringthe next generation — and you can be a part of it!

Share Your Interests. We want your expertise! 4-H project areas are as varied as robotics, GPS, livestock, gardening, publicspeaking, photography, community service,health, citizenship and so much more.

Join With Your Children. Spend timewith your family as they learn skills for life, help others in their community and travel tonew places. Oh, and sometimes they even makenew friends and have fun along the way!

A Perfect Fit. With a variety of flexiblevolunteer opportunities, choose your level of involvement based on your skills and timeavailable. Want to learn more? Contact yourcounty extension office today! Arkansas

ArkansasArkansasArkansas

4-H 4-H 4-HDIVISION OF AGRICULTURER E S E A R C H & E X T E N S I O N

University of Arkansas System

Arkansas Agriculture 25

Brad

May

hugh

Kittler Construction, Inc.318 W. Durkee St. Carlisle, AR. 72024 Office (870) 552-3831Sid Sheets (501) 690-0220Don L Kittler (501) 690-6534Sales, Service and Parts for all your Grain Storage Needs

Page 28: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

26 Arkansas Agriculture

Spotlight OnYouth

Troy Weatherly, Dusty Baxter and

Darren Hawkins are building

something special at Beebe High

School.

They are vocational agriculture

instructors and advisors to the school’s

130-member FFA chapter.

Hired to enhance the program in the

summer of 2009, Weatherly and Baxter

say their goal is to develop a “tradition

of excellence” through the leadership

and skills training the FFA program

provides.

“What we’re most proud of is we

have a well-rounded program here,”

Weatherly said. “It’s very diverse. We

have a bunch of kids with a lot of

different interests and are competitive

in just about everything. Nine out of

our 10 Career Development Event teams

qualified for the state FFA contest last

year.”

Weatherly says being involved in FFA

and performing well in state contests is

beneficial to the students’ futures as some

universities that host the competitions

offer scholarships to winners.

“A lot of times the kids on the

electricity team are really good, and

they go on to become an electrician. Or

if they’re on the poultry judging team,

they end up majoring in poultry science.

These are real life skills they are learning

here,” Weatherly said.

A staunch supporter of FFA and

the agriculture program is Beebe’s

superintendent Dr. Belinda Shook. She

graduated from Beebe High, and her

children were both FFA members.

Baxter says the program wouldn’t be

advancing as it is without her influence.

This past August, the agriculture

program moved into a new

65,000-square-foot Career and Technical

Center on the high-school campus.

Weatherly says one-half of the facility

is dedicated to agriculture. It includes

three classrooms, three shops and offices.

Additionally, the program features a new

animal-science center and greenhouse.

Weatherly is excited about future

teaching opportunities the facility will

offer.

“The animal-science center will

eventually allow us to teach artificial

insemination (AI) and ultrasound and

at some point embryo transfer,” he

explained.

“Hopefully, once we get the new

equipment installed, all three of us will

be AI instructor certified, so we can

certify our students before they leave.”

Only about half of the 130 FFA

members come from farm families or

have an agricultural background. And,

of the 300 or so who take ag classes,

more than half are female.

“It’s about a 60/40 split now in

favor of the girls,” Baxter said. “Many

of them are taking welding and ag

mechanics classes and participating in

those competitions. They’re not just for

boys any more.”

Weatherly promotes his FFA

program as one which makes a

positive difference in students’ lives

by developing their potential for

leadership, personal growth and career

success.

“”I want to see it become a program

that is self-sustaining where word

will spread about how fun it is to be

involved in FFA, and more students will

want to get involved without having to

be recruited,” he said.

“That’s where I want our program to

go, and I think we’re on our way.”

Building a tradition of excellenceBeebe High School FFA program

by Ken Moore Building leaders Beebe High School’s 130-member FFA chapter now meets in the new Career and Technical Center on campus. One-half of the building is dedicated to agriculture. There are three new classrooms, three new shops, three new offices, an ag computer lab, a new greenhouse and a new animal science center.

-

ŒŒŒ*

Ken

Moo

re

Page 29: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

27Arkansas AgricultureArkansas Agriculture

®

FARM BUREAU MEMBERS EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS AND OFFERS. SAVE OVER $2,000!

DISCOUNT PRESCRIPTION

DRUG PROGRAMFor information on program

availability

call 1-877-673-3688

FARM BUREAU APPARELOfficial Arkansas Farm Bureau-identified

apparel and more now available.

www.FBApparel.comfor special requests and details contact

John Speck847-622-4892

[email protected]

Arkansas Farm Bureau

Purchase Program

Discounted Pricing not available in retail or dealer Sears stores.

Complete details from [email protected] or Ph. 931-553-2173.

Have your Farm Bureau Membership number and discount code CUO88430 in your email, or ready if calling.

EXCLUSIVE

$500 SAVINGS FOR FARM BUREAU MEMBERS

on the purchase or lease of most new Chevy vehicles. Certain restrictions apply.

Complete details at www.arfb.com.

Hearing Healthcare

Benefits PlanStatewide network of Professional Audiologists and Specialists

-FREE Hearing tests and discounted hearing instruments for members

20-25% ACTUAL SAVINGS1-888-497-7447

www.clearvaluehearing.com

High Speed Internet by Satellite. $99 Instant Credit

on new account activations for Farm Bureau Members only.

Call 1-866-556-9661, have your Farm Bureau membership number available when you call.

DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS;

CREDIT CARDS; AUTO AND MORTGAGE

LOANS

1-800-492-3276 www.farmbureaubank.com

Save up to 20% off at Participating Choice Hotels

Call 800-258-2847 Mention your State ID# 00058417

Online Booking – www.choicehotels.com enter your ID#

Save up to $250 on equipmentand $10 per month monitoring on a Securenets security camera system

866-420-3020www.securenets.us

Visit our website to learn more about savingswww.arfb.com

CHILD SAFETY SEATS for $25 each and

CHILD BOOSTER SEATS for $15 each

Contact County Farm Bureau

SAVE UP TO 40% OFF CARPET

20% Off Hard Surfaces

866-758-0801 Ext. 203North Little Rock, AR 72113

Contact: Bill Ross

10% discount on Grainger ProductsAccount Number 805-059-599

Free Shipping for Online Orders1-877-202-2594 • www.grainger.com

Arkansas Farm BureauPurchase Program We make it ~ easy ~ to purchase the latest appliances for your home, particularly if you are remodeling or relocating.

In addition, you can select and purchase these additional great products for your home:

• Craftsman® Garage Storage

• Sealy® and Sears-O-Pedic® Mattresses

• NordicTrack® Exercise Equipment

• Craftsman® Lawn Tractors

• Kenmore® Outdoor Grills, Televisions and more!

This unique program from Sears Commercial features —

• A private selection consultation, with a professionally trained specialist

• Preferred Affiliate Program Pricing, backed by our Price Matching Plus policy

• Program and pricing is only available through Sears Commercial Sales

• This offer is not available through Sears retail or dealer stores

3 Easy Steps for Farm Bureau Members Step 1: Members simply go to sears.com and find the product(s)

they are interested in and write down the product/model number(s).

Step 2: Members email the product number(s) to Farm Bureau’s

designated contact at Sears Appliance Select : [email protected] for a quote. To receive this pricing a member must include their Farm Bureau membership number and Farm Bureau discount code CU098430 in the email.

Step 3: Members can then use a credit card to purchase the

discounted item and it will be delivered via a custom freight company.

All manufacturer warranties apply with the option to purchase extended Sears Protection Agreements. Installation is not included with delivery.

Farm Bureau Members are guaranteed Free automatic approvalStatewide network of Professional Audiologists & SpecialistsFree Hearing Test & Discounts on Hearing Instruments100% Guaranteed Custom Fit / 60 Day Trial1 Year FREE Supply of Batteries (1 case per instrument)

Activate your FREE membership TODAY!

(888)497-7447 toll free

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ATTENTION:FARM BUREAU MEMBERS

20-25% Actual Savings

Visit www.strokedetectionplus.com to see a live screening!

1-877-732-8258

Effective3/1/12

Page 30: Arkansas Agriculture - Winter 2012

Rural Reflections ReflectionsReflectionsReflectionsReflectionsReflectionsReflectionsReflectionsReflectionsReflectionsReflectionsReflectionsReflectionsReflectionsReflectionsReflections ReflectionsReflections Reflections ReflectionsReflections Reflections ReflectionsReflections Reflections ReflectionsReflections Reflections ReflectionsReflections Reflections ReflectionsReflections Reflections ReflectionsReflections Reflections ReflectionsReflections Reflections ReflectionsReflections Reflections ReflectionsReflections Reflections ReflectionsReflections Reflections

Ashlee Buck of Bismarck took this unique photo.

28 Arkansas Agriculture

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Arkansas Agriculture 29

farmcredit.com800-444-3276

Our Capital and Your Hard WorkGo Hand In Hand

Farm Credit members are getting their hands on $13.1 MILLION this spring through our Patronage Program.For 95 years, we’ve worked hand in hand with farmers, ranchers and rural residents. Farm Credit—the financial partner you can count on!

• Competitive Interest Rates

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• We’re a Cooperative—so our members share in the profits.

$107.7 MILLION patronage dollars in members’ hands since 1997!

No other lender does what we do—work hand in hand to share the profits!Call or visit a Farm Credit office near you.

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PRESORTED STANDARDU.S. POSTAGE PAID

LIttLE ROCk, ARPERMIt NO. 1884