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Faulkner County Agriculture Update

September 6, 2024

General Conditions

Weather


Rain was headed this way earlier this week but just couldn't quite make it to the majority of the county. Some of the northern part of the county got up to a 1/2 inch, but most of the county didn't see anything. Missing those rains was tough. Our drought situation is getting bad, and we need some relief as we get ready to plant winter annual pastures.

Temperatures remain mild this week with lows reaching the low 50's a couple of nights. Rain chances are back in the forecast towards the end of the week.

Arkansas and Mississippi River

The Mississippi River continues to fall and is adding to already lower commodity prices as shipping is starting to become a problem. Below is a great article explaining some of the issues and a chart from our Economist Scott Stiles that shows basis at the River in August.

Mississippi River continues to trend lower; draft restrictions in place for shipping

Barges plying the shrinking lower Mississippi River have to reduce their draft, meaning operators will have to cut the amount of cargo their boats carry to meet the latest restrictions.


“The gauge at Memphis dropped to the low water threshold of minus 5 feet on Aug. 30,” said Scott Stiles, extension economics program associate for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “The last two years, the U.S. Coast Guard initiated a 9-foot draft requirement when river levels fall below the low water threshold.


A normal draft, the distance between the waterline and the deepest point of the barge, when river conditions are good is about 12 feet at 1,500 tons, Stiles said.


“A barge loaded to a 9-foot draft will carry about 900 tons,” he said. “Each foot of reduced draft cuts a barge's cargo by 200 tons. This costs shippers money as they are paying the same amount of freight to ship less.


“Another way to look at it, if barge drafts are reduced from 12 feet to 9 feet, each barge would be hauling 20,000 fewer bushels of soybeans,” Stiles said.


“Grain terminals will need more barges or an alternative means of hauling such as truck or rail, but this added cost will pressure the basis,” he said. “We saw corn and soybean basis turn weaker in August as harvest began and transportation issues started to build on the Mississippi River.”


On Aug. 29, the river level was at minus 4.02 feet. On Sept. 1, the gauge dropped to minus 6 feet. The river rebounded slightly on Tuesday but declined below minus 6 feet by Wednesday afternoon.


“The Memphis gauge is lower now than it was at this time last year when the river eventually dropped to record lows,” Stiles said. “In October 2023, the Mississippi River reached a level of minus 11.91 feet on the Memphis gauge, which is the lowest since records began.”


Despite heavy rainfall in some parts of the upper Mississippi basin, the U.S. Drought Center said that “portions of the Ohio River Basin received only 25-75 percent of normal precipitation since June 11.” The Ohio River is a major feeder for the lower Mississippi River.


At an Aug. 19 meeting of the Mississippi River Commission, Marty Hettel of American Commercial Barge Line, said “It looks like we will once again see some drastic, extreme low-water conditions on the Lower Mississippi River for the third year in a row.”


The industry has resumed at least twice-weekly calls with the Corps of Engineers via the Lower Mississippi River Committee to deal with navigation issues related to low water, Hettel said.


While most dredging was reactive during the 2022 low-water season, dredging was more proactive in 2023, Hettel said.


“We’re at the stage right now we need to be in that proactive stage, and we need to bring these dredges up here and maintain the Lower Miss so we can move those farmers’ commodities to market,” he said.


American Commercial Barge Lines said Wednesday that impacts of the low Mississippi River would include “delay to transit of 24-to-48 hours due to reduced navigable space in certain areas.”

Drought Monitor
US Drought Monitor

Row Crop

Rice


Rice harvest continues as conditions stay favorable for harvest. The only thing slowing harvest down is trying to get the rice and corn out at the same time.


Yields continue to be good and milling seems to be average. Moistures are low on the early planted rice as this crop dried very quickly. I have heard a comment or two about some of the later rice is sitting around 21% right now and isn't drying as fast. I have included some information on Harvest Aids.


Continue to scout rice that is behind for rice stink bugs.


Below is the link for last Friday's Rice Update from Dr. Jarrod Hardke.

Arkansas Rice Update 8/30/24

Soybeans


Seems like this week I saw a decrease on corn earworms in soybeans. I wasn't getting anywhere near treatment levels to start with, but now I am barely catching one or two per 25 sweeps.


Velvetbeans continue to sit out there and munch on leaves, but defoliation is still at a minimum. I can catch 10 or 12 per 25 sweeps, but the numbers just aren't there to treat. I had another agent up the River Valley send me some pictures earlier this week. He was catching way more than I was, but was still seeing only minimum defoliation. We will continue to watch.


Green and brown stinkbug levels this week were about like last week. I can find them but they are below treatment levels.


This week was a prime example of what I was talking about on irrigation in the last newsletter. If you held the pivot waiting on a rain, you are now behind. Unless we get a big rain, keep those pivots going.

Corn


We are getting close to the end of corn harvest, and I will be the first to say I was wrong. I thought this was going to be a rough harvest with some lower yields, but we cut a great crop. I am happy for everyone and wish we had the price to go with it!

Corn Earworm Moth Traps


Earworm moth counts went down at the Cadron but were up at the Sand Plant location. The numbers are below alert levels.

2024 County Trap Catches
Arkansas Crop Progress and Condition

Beef, Small Ruminants, & Forages

Armyworm Update


I continued to get reports of armyworms all over the county this week. The response has either been, I am treating them today or let them have it.


My attention is now starting to turn to winter annuals. We will be planting winter annuals soon and will have to scout them very closely and often. It don't take an armyworm very long to totally take out a stand of very young plants. Also for anyone planting wildlife food plots, you need to check them often for worms.

Winter Annuals


It is time to start thinking about planting winter annuals for spring grazing. Usually the end of September, first of October are good times to plant. I know that is still a few weeks away, but I would start planning now. Decide what you want to plant, and start looking for seed. If you are going to use the county drills, call the Conservation District and check on availability. Fields will need to be suppressed if you plan on no tilling with the drills. You will need to apply 1 to 1.5 pints of glyphosate one to two weeks out from planting.


Hopefully things will turn around before we plant, but my concerns right now for planting winter annuals is the dry weather and the armyworms. Maybe we can get a few rains to help with planting, but producers will have to scout intensely for armyworms as the plants come up.


I included a chart below on seeding rates and other information about the most commonly used winter annuals. I also have links to two fact sheets that have great information on planting and utilizing winter annuals.

General Traits of Forage Grasses Grown in Arkansas FSA2139
Using Cool Season Annual Grasses for Grazing Livestock

Horse flies are out in full force

Kelly Loftin - Extension Entomologist


Within the last three weeks I’ve received multiple calls from my horse friends trying to combat horse flies. And personally, I’ve been battling them for a couple of weeks. In late summer the dominant horse fly is the autumn horse fly, Tabanus sulcifrons (Picture). This species is a large fly that is a very persistent and painful biter making horse handling difficult when the flies are present.


Horse and deer flies are the largest flies attacking horses, mules and cattle. They are plentiful during certain periods of summer and early fall, especially in marshy or swampy locales. Abundant populations feeding on equines can result in fatigue, blood loss, reduced weight gain, and their painful bites make horses unmanageable to handlers or riders. Horse flies have also been shown to transmit Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), an infectious viral disease of equines. Additional information on EIA is available in the fact sheet “Equine Infectious Anemia in Arkansas” (FSA3032 https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/PDF/FSA-3032.pdf). Horse flies are also potential mechanical vectors of Anaplasma marinale (causal bacterial pathogen in anaplasmosis cases) in cattle.


Female horse and deer flies have knife-like mouthparts that slice through the skin resulting in blood pooling. The fly then feeds on the blood pool. Wounds caused by horse fly bites continue to bleed after the fly leaves its host. Horse flies are stout bodied and range from ½ to 1 ¼ inches in size. Several species occur in Arkansas. However, the black (Tabanus atratus Fabricius), black striped (Hybomitra lasiophthalma Macquart), lined (Tabanus lineola Fabricius) and autumn (Tabanus sulcifrons Macquart) horse flies are among the most important. Many horse and deer fly species lay eggs on vegetation in swampy or marshy areas with larvae developing in aquatic areas or wet or moist soil near water. Development from egg to adult varies with species and ranges from 2.5 months to 2 years. Horse flies overwinter as larvae.


Horse flies are difficult to control for a number of reasons: their large size and rapid feeding on hosts make it difficult to deliver a lethal insecticide dose; they are capable of feeding on a variety of host species; and, in certain areas, their breeding habitat can be extensive. With the abundance of alternate hosts, insecticide treatments of domestic livestock do little to control the horse fly and deer fly population. Providing animals with shelter during daytime relieve the animal from horse fly biting because horse flies seldom enter barns, stables or heavily shaded areas. However, insecticide/repellent applications will provide short term relief from biting horse and deer flies. Many of the products used on equines against horse flies are synthetic pyrethroid formulations (such as permethrin). Some ready-to-use formulations containing oil, permethrin and piperonyl butoxide may provide longer-term control. Repellents containing essential oils or fatty acids are also available to repel horse flies. Consult the animal section of MP 144 “Insecticide Recommendations for Arkansas” (https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/mp-144.aspx) for a listing of products.


Elimination of horse and deer fly breeding habitats is impractical. If a breeding site is located, it may be too large to eliminate or elimination would result in destruction of environmentally sensitive wetlands. Mowing (vegetation management) around swampy areas or ponds may provide limited population reduction because horse flies lay eggs on vegetation overhanging moist soil. However, keep in mind that horse flies will travel long distances, meaning other breeding areas beyond your control could be the source of your horse or deer fly problem.


Horse fly traps are available commercially or can be constructed. Some of these traps will catch large a number of horse flies; however, their impact on the abundance of horse flies feeding on livestock is variable. Shelters will provide relief because horse flies prefer sunny areas and seldom enter barns or heavily shaded areas.

Faulkner County Pasture to Plate 4-H and FFA Contest


With the fair coming up, we would like to announce a new contest beginning in 2025. The Faulkner County Pasture to Plate Show will be an opportunity to learn about raising steers from weaning to the rail. If anyone has questions, find members of the committee at the fair.


Here are a few details about the contest:


This show is being proposed to begin in 2025. It has been shared with the Livestock Superintendent and we do not foresee in reason that it will not be implemented. However, it will have to be officially approved by the FC Fair Board. The goal of this show is to provide learning opportunities about the beef industry beyond the show ring with a commercially priced animal.


Kevin Lawson, Michael Lee, Brad Sanders, Kevin Sanson and Kenny Simon have been working together to develop this show. Please reach out to any of them if you would like to learn more.


Now to the rules. These are subject to slight adjustments. Sign ups for this show will be in the December/January time frame.


What is eligible to show?

  • Steers only
  • 1000lb minimum at County Fair Weigh In
  • Project must come from Faulkner county or neighboring county
  • Cleburne, Conway, Lonoke, Perry, Pulaski, Van Buren, White
  • Showman must be able to provide producer’s contact info if requested by Pasture to Plate committee


How is the show being judged?

Each category is ranked from top to bottom. Lowest total score will be the winner of the overall competition. If one category is not competed in, the project will place last for that category.

  • Rate of Gain (25%)
  • Initial weigh in is March to replicate 180 days of feed as it would be in a feed lot
  • Must participate in a minimum of 3 scheduled weigh ins
  • Record Book (25%)
  • Placement in show (25%)
  • Total Carcass Value on the rail (25%)


Awards will be given for each category. Overall winner will be presented at the end of the year 4H/FFA banquet


Who judges?

  • Rate of Gain – No judge needed – All calves weighted on same scale and same day as currently done.
  • Record Book – Will lean on County Extension Agent to help identify a judge
  • Show – Same judge that will judge the County Fair Cattle show. (This is subject to change.) Will explain to the judge the objective of the projects prior to the show
  • Total Carcass Value on the rail – Will lean on meat processor and County Extension Agent to help identify a judge


Order of Show

  • These projects will show in their own category.
  • Classes will be broke by weights only
  • This will parallel the Faulkner Co Born Bred heifer show format.
  • Not associated with the Faulkner Co Fair (No prizes awarded by the fair, not in the fair book)
  • These steer projects will be eligible for the Faulkner Co Premium Sale Steer Show
  • Blow and Go show (No fitting, not glue, etc)


How will processing work?

  • Cypress Valley Meat Company will be used due to being USDA certified
  • All projects will be sent to the processor during the same time period (This will be coordinated with all participants and CVMC closer to time of need.)


Good leaning opportunities

  • Economical nutrition
  • Product marketing
  • Record keeping
  • A realistic, real world project
  • Farm Credit Youth Loans

FAMACHA Certification


There will be a free, hands-on training on the FAMACHA© system—an essential tool for sustainable control of gastrointestinal parasites in small ruminants. September 21 (Saturday), from 9:00am to 12:00pm, at the Heifer Ranch, 55 Heifer Rd, Perryville, AR.

Limited seats. Registration and more information at www.uada.edu/famacha

Cattle Market Notes Weekly
Livestock Market Report

The weekly livestock market report is available on the Arkansas Department of Agriculture website.
ADA Livestock Market Report

Pesticide Applicator Training


Please call or email and register for the class. You can call and talk to Mindy Beard at the office at 501-329-8344 or email at rbeard@uada.edu


All of these will be held at the Faulkner County Extension Office at 844 Faulkner St, Conway.


September 26 - 4:00 PM

November 7 - 6:00 PM

December 6 - 2:00 PM


You can still take the training online if you would like. The link is below.

Online Private Pesticide Applicator Training

Sign up for Text Alerts


You can now sign up for text alerts from me throughout the year. I have two areas you can sign up for which includes Faulkner Livestock or Faulkner Ag (Row Crop Updates). To sign up you can follow one of these links or use the QR Codes below.

Faulkner Livestock


Use either the QR Code or this link:

https://slktxt.io/10lLe

Faulkner Ag (Faulkner Row Crops)


Use either the QR Code or this link:

https://slktxt.io/10lLc

Upcoming Events

Pesticide Applicator Trainings - Faulkner County Extension Office

September 26 - 4:00 PM

November 7 - 6:00 PM

December 6 - 2:00 PM

Contact Kevin Lawson, County Extension Agent–Agriculture, Faulkner County | Kevin Lawson
uaex.uada.edu/faulkner