State 3Q milk output
down 15% from '15
Arkansas milk production continues to slide, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics for the July-September quarter.
The USDA said Arkansas dairy farmers produced 17 million pounds, down 15 percent from the same period last year and down 23 percent from the April-June quarterly report. The average number of milk cows in Arkansas during the most recent quarter was 6,000 head, compared with 7,000 a year ago and 6,500 from the previous quarter.
Milk production nationally was up 1.7 percent from a year ago, at 52.6 billion pounds.
The USDA in August announced that it would spend $20 million in purchasing 11 million pounds of cheese from private inventories and then give the cheese to food banks and pantries across the nation.
Increased milk inventories, higher European exports, low prices, sluggish demand and shifting consumer habits helped create the nation's largest surplus of cheese in 30 years. Dairy farmers across the nation have seen their revenue drop 35 percent in the past two years, according to the USDA.
-- Stephen Steed
Transportation panel nominations sought
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the establishment this week of the Advisory Committee on Automation in Transportation and asked for nominations to fill its up to 15 spots.
"From automation in cars, trucks, public transit, and railroads, to unmanned aircraft and smart freight movement technologies, the question is not if our transportation system will change -- dramatically -- but when, and how," Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx said in a blog post.
He said the action acknowledges that the federal government must maintain "access to expert advice from those who are on the front lines of innovation."
The committee will be responsible for gathering information, providing advice and presenting recommendations to the transportation secretary over a two-year period.
Those interested in serving on the committee or nominating others can send information to [email protected].
Nominations are due Nov. 4.
-- Emma N. Hurt
State index edges up 0.40 to 324.84 close
The Arkansas Index, a price-weighted index that tracks the largest public companies based in the state, rose 0.40 to 324.84 Friday.
Eleven stocks gained ground and seven fell.
Home BancShares rose 2 percent in active trading.
For the week, 13 stocks advanced and five declined.
America's Car-Mart was up 6.1 percent for the week. Deltic Timber fell 5.5 percent for the week.
The index was developed by Bloomberg News and the Democrat-Gazette with a base value of 100 as of Dec. 30, 1997.
Business on 10/22/2016