FWD: Morning Manna May 4-BP: I Jn. 2:7-14; RBTTY: Lk. 22:47-71; I Kings 16-18

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Sent: Sat, 3 May 2008 08:00:36 -0500
To: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Subject: Morning Manna May 4-BP: I Jn. 2:7-14; RBTTY: Lk. 22:47-71; I Kings 16-18
 

May 4                                                                                                           “Darkness Dwellers”

 

“But he that hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness and knows not where he goes, because that darkness has blinded his eyes.”

                                                                                                                          I John 2:11

     Both cannot co-exist in the heart; one must reign and the other must retreat.

     Light and darkness.  Right and wrong.  Truth and error.  Love and hatred.

     When Jesus “No man can serve two masters—for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other” (Mt. 6:24a), we know He was talking about “God and mammon/the world” (v.24b).

 

     However, this same type love-hate analogy also applies to today’s Manna. . .for John clearly states “he that hates (Grk. ‘miseo’—‘to detest, despise, love less, persecute, hold in contempt, etc.’) his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness and knows not where he goes, because that darkness has blinded his eyes.”

 

     There’s no escaping his message, is there?

     No.  We may try; but, ultimately the words ring out loud-and-clear, demanding a decision.  We either love someone or we don’t.  And, even if we gloss over our hatred with words like “Well, I’m not terribly fond of him” or “Loving him/her doesn’t mean I have to be around them,” the verdict’s still the same:

 

     “Guilty as charged, darkness-dweller!”

     Hatred and darkness go together, even as “light and love” go together (I Jn. 2:10).  And, you can usually tell where a person dwells by the reaction you get from them when you read these words to them and apply them (Jn. 3:18-21; 15:18-23).

 

     No one likes being told they’re full of hate.  They certainly don’t like being told their ways are wrong and they’re a “murderer” because of their loveless ways.  But, again, the seething hostility you incur when you tell them—instead of brokenhearted repentance—clearly shows who they are and where they dwell.

 

     Oh, dear Pilgrim, is there anyone you’d refuse to share a meal with in your home?  Is there anyone you’d turn away if they were homeless and needing a place to stay for the night?  For sure, we should be “as wise as serpents” (Mt. 10:16a) in these days of escalating evil; however, this still doesn’t mean we should use that as an excuse for being ungracious or inhospitable and only loving “our kind” (Heb. 13:2).

     And, it certainly doesn’t mean we can harbor prejudice in our heart toward another person and still claim to be one of Christ’s disciples.  A thousand times no!!  If Jesus told the chief priests and elders that “the tax collectors and prostitutes will go into the Kingdom of God before you do” because of their unbelief and unrepentance (Mt. 21:31-32), we should not think He’ll not do the same today to those who harbor hatred toward another in their hearts.  In these “last days” in which we live, we need to clearly proclaim both God’s love and His coming judgment.  For now, the “wheat and tares may grow side-by-side”—but the Day will come when He will reveal which is which. . .and then it will be too late to start “loving others as He has loved us” (Mt. 13:24-30, 36-43).

 

 

Thanks,

 

 

Mr. Lynn M. Smith

Department Business Administrator

Department of Economics

University of Houston

204C McElhinney Hall

Houston, TX 77204-5019

(713) 743-3802 (office)

(713) 743-3798 (fax)

LSmith20@central.uh.edu (email)

http://www.class.uh.edu/econ/ (department website)

  

 

a

FWD: Morning Manna May 3-BP: I Jn. 3:13-24; RBTTY: Lk. 22:21-46; I Kings 14-15

 I hope all of you OK.  Ark hit HARD by storms again today.  Carlisle in Lonoke Co got hit but no casualties I know of but heard there were 7 in the state.  God bless all of you and families. 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Sent: Fri, 2 May 2008 10:16:39 -0500
To: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Subject: Morning Manna May 3-BP: I Jn. 3:13-24; RBTTY: Lk. 22:21-46; I Kings 14-15
 

May 3                                                                                                              “Don’t Just Say It”

 

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue—but in deed and in truth.”

                                                                                                                          I John 3:18

     As someone once said, “Talk is cheap.  Prove it to me.  Put your money where your mouth is.”

     Today’s Manna is a hard-hitting one that strips away the veneer of pretense and lays bare what’s really beneath the surface.  Just as a wall or floor may look perfectly fine, but still be eaten up by termites within, so does the white-light holiness of an all-seeing God have a way of revealing whether or not we’re genuine or counterfeit when it comes to following Christ.

 

     The Apostle John, who was also known as “the Beloved Apostle” by Christ, used Jesus’ words in Jn. 13:34-35; 15:12-17 as the basis of his own words in our Manna.  His call for us to “not love in word, neither in tongue—but in deed and truth” is his version of the earthly adage “The proof of the pudding’s in the eating” or “It’s the place where the rubber meets the road.”

 

     Simply put, it’s a call for genuine, Christlike love, not some carnal counterfeit of it.

     Prior to writing our Manna, he said “We know we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.  He that loves not his brother abides in death.  Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer—and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (vv.14-15).

 

     John then reminded us to what lengths God the Father was willing to go to demonstrate His love for us (v.16).  He also added “But whoever has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him, how does the love of God dwell in him?” (v.17).

 

     We know the answer, don’t we?

     It can’t.

     Why, then, do we cling to our carnal convictions. . .ignoring such pointed, straightforward words. . .and continue saying, “Well, I understand what he’s saying, BUT I’m okay.  I was baptized as a child.  Why, I give over 10% off the gross to the church and even sing in the choir.  I just believe everyone’s got their own place and we need to live and let live”??

 

     Sound familiar?

     It’s ashamed those words will still be echoing in that person’s ears when they awake one day in hell, being tormented by those flames (Lk. 16:19-31).  Remember:  “Not everyone that says unto Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven—but he that does the will of My Father, Who is in Heaven” (Mt. 7:21).

     Woe to him that looks at another person and condemns him because of the color of his skin or how well he dresses or where he lives.  Hell will be full of “professors,” who said they loved others, but their actions proved otherwise.

 

 

Thanks,

 

 

Mr. Lynn M. Smith

Department Business Administrator

Department of Economics

University of Houston

204C McElhinney Hall

Houston, TX 77204-5019

(713) 743-3802 (office)

(713) 743-3798 (fax)

LSmith20@central.uh.edu (email)

http://www.class.uh.edu/econ/ (department website)

  

 

05/02/2008 Farm Bureau Market Report

Click here to view this report online.

Grain & Soybean Date: May 02, 2008 Soybeans Local Elevators: (May) EAST AR:  1233 to 1257 (NC) Summ. 1111 to 1143 River Elevators: (May) MISS: 1215 to 1277 ; AR & White 1241 to 1247 (NC) Summ. 1117 to 1151 Ark. Processor Bids: (May) 1243 to 1248  (NC) 1139 to 1141 Memphis:  (May) 1275 1/2 to 1283 1/2 (NC)  1148 1/2 to 1151 1/2 Riceland Foods:  (May/Jun) Stuttgart 1248 ; Pendleton 1257 ; West Memphis 1277 Chicago Futures: May up 33 3/4 at  1292 1/2   Jul  up  33 1/2  at  1304 1/2   Aug up 32  at  1292   Nov up 25 1/4  at  1218 1/2   Nov '09 up 23 1/4  at  1206 1/2   Today's Arkansas LDP rate for soybeans is: 0¢ Soybean Comment Soybeans posted sharp gains today, mostly on news that the farm strike in Argentina will likely resume next week. Yesterday’s weakness was mostly attributed to the strengthening dollar, but the dollar is still weak from a historical perspective. Yesterday’s low of $11.65 is initial support, and below that, the mid-March low of $10.60 appears to be key support. Wheat Cash bid for May at Memphis  664 to 674; Bids to farmers at Local Elevators 641-654; River Elevators 624-667; Chicago Futures: May up  19 1/2  at  796    Jul up 19  at  809    Sep up  18 3/4  at  823    Dec up  20  at  843    Jul '09 up  18  at  853    Today's Arkansas LDP rate for wheat is: 0¢ Grain Sorghum Cash bid for new crop at Memphis  992 to 1013; Bids to farmers at River Elevators 907-968; Today's Arkansas LDP rate for sorghum is: 0¢ Corn Cash bid for May at Memphis   589 1/2 to 593 1/2;   new crop at Memphis   578 1/4 to - - -; Bids to farmers at River Elevators  571 to 586 Chicago Futures: May down  3 1/2  at  602    Jul down  3 3/4  at  613 1/2    Sep down  3 1/2  at  623 1/4    Dec down  2  at  629 1/2    Today's Arkansas LDP rate for corn is: 0¢ Grain Comment Wheat futures turned higher today, but the move is likely just a corrective bounce as the market had become oversold. This market is clearly locked in a downtrend as harvest approaches. The next level of support is around $7.75. Corn futures ended lower after December set a new contract high by ¼ cent in early dealings. Continued weather-related planting delays continue to support this market, but resistance at the contract high of $6.37 ¾ is proving difficult to break. Cotton & Rice  Date: May 02, 2008 Cotton Spot Price, Grade 41 Staple 34: Memphis up 31 at  6006   Greenwood up  31 at 6006 New York Futures: May up  10  at  6705    Jul up  31  at  6956    Dec up  39  at  7784    Mar '09 up  38  at  8214    May '09 up  33  at  8354  This week's LDP rate for cotton is  0 cents   The estimate for next week is  0 cents Cotton Comment Cotton futures turned mostly higher today, with December further establishing 77 cents as a support area. Crop progress in planting appeared to be on target for the U.S. but behind in much of the mid-South. With big ending stocks projected the market isn’t really too concerned at this stage of the game. Trading is expected to remain within the overall trading range of 77 cents to 89.49 cents. Rice Long Grain Cash Bid for  May/Jun 2025/cwt  to  - - -   - - - - - -  to  - - - Chicago Futures: May up  19 1/2  at  2055    Jul up  31  at  2094 1/2    Sep up  4  at  1858    Nov up  32  at  1855    - - -   - - -  at  - - -  Today's Arkansas LDP rate for long grain rice is  0¢ medium grain rice is  0¢ Rice Comment Rice futures traded in a relatively narrow range compared with recent expanded limit losses, and ended the day higher. November has broken through support at the 62% retracement level of $18.57 and this could bring support at $17.70 and $16.25 into play. Underlying fundamentals are unchanged with limited offerings available from exporters in Southeast Asia where rice quotes are in the $1,000 to $1,100 per tonne range. The current slide in futures is bringing that quote back in line with current conditions and should bring some stability into the market. Cattle & Hogs  Date: May 02, 2008 Cattle As reported by Federal-State Market News, receipts were 8,095 head at sales in Arkansas this week.  Compared with last week, feeder steers sold $2-5 higher, heifers sold firm to $3 higher . Steers:  Medium & Large Frame 1   400 to 450 lbs. 109.14 to - - -   500 to 550 lbs. 113.97 to - - -   600 to 650 lbs. 104.25 to - - -  Medium & Large Frame 2   400 to 450 lbs. 108.26 to - - - Heifers:  Medium & Large Frame 1   400 to 450 lbs. 109.14 to - - -  Medium & Large Frame 2   400 to 450 lbs. 98.59 to - - - Slaughter Cows, Boners 47   to   53 Light Weight 35 to 42 Bulls, Yield Grade   1   1000   to   2100 lbs.   58   to   65, high dressing 68-72.50 Midwest Steers   n/a   at   - - -   to   - - - Panhandle Steers   remained   at   92   to   - - - Oklahoma City Feeders Steers n/a to - - - lbs. - - - to - - -   n/a to - - - lbs. - - - to - - - Heifers n/a to - - - lbs. - - - to - - -   n/a to - - - lbs. - - - to - - - Chicago Futures: Live Cattle: Jun up 67 at 9212   Aug up 75 at 9825 Feeders: May up 70 at 10565   Aug up 87 at 10815 Cattle Comment Cattle futures turned higher today on ideas yesterday’s losses were overdone. Gains were limited by disappointing cash prices and weakness in beef values. June live futures have clearly broken out of the short-term uptrend and further losses are likely. The chart gap between $90.15 and $90.45 is a likely target. Hogs Peoria: were     steady   at   44.5   to   45 Chicago Futures: Jun up 85 at 7195   Oct up 72 at 7255 Sheep St. Paul sheep shorn slaughter lambs   at   n/a   to   - - - Hogs Comment Hogs also recovered part of yesterday’s big losses. News that the federal government will buy up to $50 million of pork for the school lunch program was supportive. June will have initial support at yesterday’s low of $70.80. Poultry  Date: May 02, 2008 Eggs New York:  Ex. Lg. 105-109; Lg. 103-107; Med. 91-95; Chicago:  Ex. Lg. 105-113; Lg. 103-111; Med. 91-99; Eastern Region Turkeys Hens: 8-16 lbs. 87-90 Toms: 16-24 lbs. 87-90   Delmarva Broilers U.S. Grade A Trade sentiment was mostly steady to at times fully steady. Supplies of all sizes were usually sufficient to closer balanced for trade needs. In production areas, live supplies were moderate at desirable to slightly heavier weights. ---------------------------------------- HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE You are receiving this newsletter because you requested that your e-mail address be added to the Arkansas Farm Bureau Market Report. To unsubscribe or change your subscription information, go to http://www.arfb.com/commodity_marketing/email/ ---------------------------------------- QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? If you have any comments or questions about this e-newsletter please e-mail us at mktrpt@arfb.com Arkansas Farm Bureau 10720 Kanis Road Little Rock, AR 72211 501-224-4400 Copyright 2008 Arkansas Farm Bureau, Inc. All rights reserved Terms of Use

Bi-Weekly Market Briefings for 05/02/2008

Click here to view this report online.

ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER Bi-Weekly Market Briefings for 05-02-2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.arfb.com Is the rice market topping? Old-crop May Futures left a one-day island reversal recently, which may be the first sign the fire in the market is running out of oxygen. An island reversal is one or more days of trading separated by gaps on the upside and downside, both. In this case, May f utures gapped higher on April 23. The next day, the market gapped lower, leaving a one-day island. Typically, this is a reliable technical signal. In today’s highly charged index fund-fueled market, however, it becomes a question mark. Markets tend to do strange things when heavy investment capital generally ignores both fundamentals and technicals. In this case, rice is following a path very similar to spring wheat’s, which topped above $24 — and is now trading about $11 without a single bushel of new wheat harvested. Rice market fundamentals exhibit tight world and U.S. supplies, but they’re sufficient to meet normal demand. Hoarding and panic-buying are something else. Nevertheless, producers should take advantage whenever possible of the excellent profit potential the futures market currently offers. The market may go higher, but it also certainly will drop at some point. Cotton supplies will keep a cap on price. After a brief, almost inexplicable stratospheric move, cotton has settled into a wide price range likely to contain trading for much of the year. December Futures recently made another one-day move to 89.49 cents before settling and moving toward lower support at 77 cents. Planting delays in parts of the Mid-South might shift more acreage, but that will likely be limited. Drier weather over the next two weeks will allow timely planting of much of the crop. With almost 10 million bales of carryover projected, the smaller the acreage in ’08, the better. Corn planting delays may boost the market. This most recent Crop Progress Report puts planting at just 10 percent compared to an average of 35 percent. Illinois at 6 percent and Iowa, 3 percent, are well below their five-year averages of 55 and 33, respectively. The delay suggests potential switching from beans to corn will be limited, and every day’s delay impacts potential yield. Producing 13 billion bushels of corn in this year may be a problem, so the market may compensate by moving to new record levels. At this writing, December futures are poised just below the $6.31¾ contract high. A move above that will make $6.50, or perhaps $7, the next upside objective. An improving dollar, which appears to have bottomed and is now ready to rebound, might limit the upside. Soybeans are continuing to trend lower. They’ve established a down trend, and delays in corn planting are adding pressure. November has tested overhead trend-line resistance twice in recent weeks only to fail. As this is written, November has fallen below $12 and may be ready to make a run at the $10.60 April 1 low. Argentina’s striking farmers have kept business coming to the U.S. If the strike is settled and the dollar rebounds, though, exports will slide. We should view any move above $12 that November Futures make as a pricing opportunity. The wheat decline has broken its long-term upward trend. As anticipated, fundamentals are driving the market lower. Australia is expected to produce more wheat this year than in the past two years combined. Canada’s wheat acreage is up 16.2 percent from last year. All this has combined to drive July Futures lower. Current support is being tested near $8 — and with harvest less than six weeks away, pressure will increase even more. Chart support at $7.63 and $6.97 may come into play. We should view rebounds from current levels — to resistance at $8.75 and $9 — as pricing opportunities. In Poultry, the Georgia f.o.b. dock-quoted price on broilers and fryers for the latest trading is 82 cents, based on full truckload lots of ice pack USDA grade A-sized, 2½–3-pound birds. Eighty percent (905 loads) offered are confirmed at 79½–84 cents, with a preliminary weighted average of 81.07cents f.o.b. dock or equivalent. The market continues moderate, and the live supply adequate for mostly normal demand. Average weights range desirable to occasionally heavy. Estimated slaughter is 4.9 million birds, or some 25.2 million a week. This compares with more than 4.8 million birds April 25. Cattle futures have been strong in recent weeks and are trending higher, in fact. Live Futures are supported by higher beef values and the resulting higher cash prices. Seasonal factors — grilling season has started — gives the product market a boost. June has moved above resistance at $93.15, the top of the recent trading range, and now has resistance at $95.50. Feeders are following Live Futures higher, but the upside is still limited with Corn Futures higher than $6. Hog futures broke out of their short-term up trend drawn off the April low. June failed at resistance at $77.10, and experienced higher selling pressure recently. Cut-out values climbed significantly in April, thanks to strong exports and domestic demand. However, weekly kills are still running 5–10 percent above last year’s totals — and pork stocks are burdensome. June’s downside objective is $72. Contact: • Gene Martin (501) 228-1330, gene.martin@arfb.com . • Brandy Carroll (501) 228-1268, brandy.carroll@arfb.com . • Bruce Tencleve (501) 228-1856, bruce.tencleve@arfb.com . • Matt King (501) 228-1297, matt.king@arfb.com . -------------------------------------------------------------------------- We promised you your own bank, and here it is - www.farmbureaubank.com Created by members who understand your financial needs like no other bank can. Backed by the strength, stability and leadership of Farm Bureau. Go ahead. See what better banking is all about. Call 1-800-492-FARM Personal Bankers are available Monday - Friday, 7am to 7pm CST -------------------------------------------------------------------------- QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? If you have any comments or questions about this e-newsletter please e-mail us at: mktrpt@arfb.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE You are receiving this newsletter because you requested that your e-mail address be added to the Arkansas Farm Bureau Market Report. To unsubscribe or change your subscription information, go to http://www.arfb.com/commodity_marketing/email/ ---------------------------------------- QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? If you have any comments or questions about this e-newsletter please e-mail us at mktrpt@arfb.com Arkansas Farm Bureau 10720 Kanis Road Little Rock, AR 72211 501-224-4400 Copyright 2008 Arkansas Farm Bureau, Inc. All rights reserved Terms of Use

FWD: Morning Manna May 2-BP: Jn. 13:31-35; RBTTY: Lk. 22:1-20; I Kings 12-13

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

---

-----Original Message-----
From: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Sent: Thu, 1 May 2008 06:10:07 -0500
To: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Subject: Morning Manna May 2-BP: Jn. 13:31-35; RBTTY: Lk. 22:1-20; I Kings 12-13
 

May 2                                                                                                           “The Tell-Tale Sign”

 

“A new commandment I give unto you:  That you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one to another.”

                                                                                                                     John 13:34-35

     There’s no way to fake it; we either do or we don’t. . .which reveals if we are or we aren’t.

     Love.

     Agape love.  Self-giving love.  Giving with no thought of anything in return love.  A God-shaped, God-sized love that’s color-blind. . .not noticing or caring how rich or poor someone is. . .the size house he/she lives in. . .the amount of money they have in the bank or level of education they possess.

 

    That’s what Jesus was talking about in today’s Manna.

     His “new commandment” was/is really an amplification of the “Greatest Commandment” found in the Jewish Shema in Dt. 6:4-5:  “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord—and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (cf. Mt. 22:37-40).

 

     Jesus simply took it to a new level by adding “as I have loved you.”

     Hmm. . .that does shed a whole new light on things doesn’t it?

     Assuredly it does.

     “As I have loved you:”  Being willing to associate with the down-and-outs in life, even though the religious crowd will mock, criticize and condemn you in the process. . . not being afraid or ashamed to stoop down and wash someone’s feet (literally or symbolically) when given the opportunity. . .or reaching out in compassion to someone in need without wondering if you can “afford it.”

 

     No wonder our Master made this the “tell-tale sign” or true “litmus” test of being His disciple.  There’s no mistaking His type of love. . .for it feeds the hungry. . . clothes the needy. . .visits the prisoner. . .ministers to the orphans and widows in their times of trouble, etc. (Mt. 25:35-46; James 1:27).

 

     Thus, it’s clear a true follower of Christ will be more known by how he loves than by how many verses of Scripture he can quote. . .or how many times he goes to church. . .or how much he puts in the offering plate, etc.  And, it’s important to note that Jesus said “ALL men will know we are His disciple when we love the way He does”—which simply means both saved AND lost people will know the difference.

 

     Currency counterfeiters are becoming much more adept at their trade because of major advancements in desktop printing; however, the expert eye can still tell the fake.  But, it doesn’t take an expert eye to tell if someone genuinely loves you the way Jesus does.  There’s no faking that; you either have it—and show it—or you don’t.  May the Holy Spirit show us today whether or not we’re truly Christ’s disciple; if not, may we repent and not rest until we are and “love others the way He has loved us.”

 

 

Thanks,

 

 

Mr. Lynn M. Smith

Department Business Administrator

Department of Economics

University of Houston

204C McElhinney Hall

Houston, TX 77204-5019

(713) 743-3802 (office)

(713) 743-3798 (fax)

LSmith20@central.uh.edu (email)

http://www.class.uh.edu/econ/ (department website)

  

 

05/01/2008 Farm Bureau Market Report

Click here to view this report online.

Grain & Soybean Date: May 01, 2008 Soybeans Local Elevators: (May) EAST AR:  1199 to 1229 (NC) Summ. 1085 to 1117 River Elevators: (May) MISS: 1188 to 1250 ; AR & White 1208 to 1218 (NC) Summ. 1091 to 1125 Ark. Processor Bids: (May) 1209 to 1222  (NC) 1113 to 1115 Memphis:  (May) 1245 to 1249 3/4 (NC)  1123 1/4 to 1126 1/4 Riceland Foods:  (May/Jun) Stuttgart 1222 ; Pendleton 1229 ; West Memphis 1250 Chicago Futures: May down 43 at  1258 3/4   Jul  down  43  at  1271   Aug down 43  at  1260   Nov down 32 1/4  at  1193 1/4   Nov '09 down 30 1/4  at  1183 1/4   Today's Arkansas LDP rate for soybeans is: 0¢ Soybean Comment Soybeans didn’t let a positive export report influence the market. Instead of moving higher on the heels of yesterday’s positive move the market declined sharply. Slow plantings progress for corn may continue “iffy”. Combined with a stronger dollar this turned the heat up on beans. A late rebound tempered losses and left November near support just under $12. The mid-March low of $10.60 appears to be key support. While everything else lost ground, corn stayed in its long term trading range and ended the day on a positive note. A close above Tuesday’s high of $6.37 ½ would bring $6.50, or $7.00 back into play. Wheat Cash bid for May at Memphis  641 1/2 to 650; Bids to farmers at Local Elevators 622-635; River Elevators 605-648; Chicago Futures: May down  10 3/4  at  776 1/2    Jul down 11  at  790    Sep down  11 1/4  at  804 1/4    Dec down  11 1/2  at  823    Jul '09 down  12  at  835    Today's Arkansas LDP rate for wheat is: 0¢ Grain Sorghum Cash bid for new crop at Memphis  985 to 994; Bids to farmers at River Elevators 914-975; Today's Arkansas LDP rate for sorghum is: 0¢ Corn Cash bid for May at Memphis   587 1/4 to 594 1/4;   new crop at Memphis   581 3/4 to - - -; Bids to farmers at River Elevators  575 to 590 Chicago Futures: May up  5 1/4  at  605 1/2    Jul up  5  at  617 1/4    Sep up  5  at  626 3/4    Dec up  3 1/4  at  631 1/2    Today's Arkansas LDP rate for corn is: 0¢ Grain Comment Wheat futures were lower again today. This market is clearly locked in a downtrend as harvest approaches. Weekly exports of 18.4 million bushels were within trade expectations, and were maybe enough to bring the market off the day’s low, but not enough to completely turn the market around. The next level of support is around $7.75. Cotton & Rice  Date: May 01, 2008 Cotton Spot Price, Grade 41 Staple 34: Memphis up 192 at  5975   Greenwood up  192 at 5975 New York Futures: May down  374  at  6500    Jul down  178  at  6939    Dec down  211  at  7741    Mar '09 down  221  at  8164    May '09 down  144  at  8392  This week's LDP rate for cotton is  0 cents   The estimate for next week is  0 cents Cotton Comment Cotton was pressured by the overall weaker market undertone and quickly fell to old support levels near 77 cents for the December contract. December bounced off this support, which could provide a basing area for the market. Crop progress in planting appeared to be on target for the U.S. but behind in much of the mid-South. With big ending stocks projected the market isn’t really too concerned at this stage of the game. Trading is expected to remain within the overall trading range of 71 cents to 89.49 cents. Rice Long Grain Cash Bid for  May/Jun 2025/cwt  to  - - -   - - - - - -  to  - - - Chicago Futures: May down  112 1/2  at  2035 1/2    Jul down  114 1/2  at  2063 1/2    Sep down  115  at  1854    Nov down  115  at  1823    - - -   - - -  at  - - -  Today's Arkansas LDP rate for long grain rice is  0¢ medium grain rice is  0¢ Rice Comment Wham! Bam! Another day of sharply lower futures in the rice market. The trade started out on the positive side in old crop contracts but quickly lost traction and slid to expanded limit declines. This carried November through support at the 62% retracement level of $18.57 and could bring support at $17.70 and $16.25 into play. Underlying fundamentals are unchanged with limited offerings available from exporters in Southeast Asia where rice quotes are in the $1,000 to $1,100 per tonne range. The current slide in futures is bringing that quote back in line with current conditions and should bring some stability into the market. Cattle & Hogs  Date: May 01, 2008 Cattle As reported by Federal-State Market News, receipts were 2,272 head at sales in Charlotte, Ratcliff & Green Forest.  Compared with last week, feeder steers sold firm to $4 higher . Steers:  Medium & Large Frame 1   400 to 450 lbs. 117.79 to - - -   500 to 550 lbs. 109.28 to - - -   600 to 650 lbs. 108.64 to - - -  Medium & Large Frame 2   400 to 450 lbs. 106.26 to - - - Heifers:  Medium & Large Frame 1   400 to 450 lbs. 117.79 to - - -  Medium & Large Frame 2   400 to 450 lbs. 96.01 to - - - Slaughter Cows, Boners 46   to   53 Light Weight n/a to - - - Bulls, Yield Grade   1-2   1000   to   2100 lbs.   63   to   66, high dressing 66-71 Midwest Steers   were steady to $1 higher   at   89   to   90 Panhandle Steers   were $3 higher   at   92   to   - - - Oklahoma City Feeders Steers 500 to 550 lbs. 119 to 125   600 to 650 lbs. 111 to 116.50 Heifers n/a to - - - lbs. - - - to - - -   600 to 650 lbs. 103 to 107.75 Chicago Futures: Live Cattle: Jun down 202 at 9145   Aug down 147 at 9750 Feeders: May down 102 at 10495   Aug down 125 at 10727 Cattle Comment Cattle futures posted sharp losses. Futures’ premium to cash is finally taking a toll on the market, as are ideas that the beef market is topping. Fund liquidation was also a factor. June live futures have clearly broken out of the short-term uptrend and further losses are likely. The chart gap between $90.15 and $90.45 is a likely target. Hogs Peoria: were $1     higher   at   44.5   to   45 Chicago Futures: Jun down 237 at 7110   Oct down 62 at 7182 Sheep St. Paul sheep shorn slaughter lambs   at   n/a   to   - - - Hogs Comment Hogs were sharply lower. Weak packer operating margins are negative, as are ideas that the stronger dollar will hurt pork exports. June shattered support at $72 and now could be heading for a retest of support between $69.60 and $69.72. Poultry  Date: May 01, 2008 Eggs New York:  Ex. Lg. 108-112; Lg. 106-110; Med. 94-98; Chicago:  Ex. Lg. 105-113; Lg. 103-111; Med. 91-99; Eastern Region Turkeys Hens: 8-16 lbs. 87-90 Toms: 16-24 lbs. 87-90   Delmarva Broilers U.S. Grade A Trade sentiment was steady to fully steady, at times firm. Demand was light to moderate, best where features and first of the month business was active, with increased interest expected as Mother’s Day approaches. Supplies of all sizes were adequate to closely cleared for trade needs. In production areas, live supplies were moderate. Weights were desirable to slightly heavier, but mostly desirable. ---------------------------------------- HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE You are receiving this newsletter because you requested that your e-mail address be added to the Arkansas Farm Bureau Market Report. To unsubscribe or change your subscription information, go to http://www.arfb.com/commodity_marketing/email/ ---------------------------------------- QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? 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