We took to the road for the latest episode of the Arkansas AgCast, where we recorded live from ArFB’s Officers & Leaders Conference hosted in Jonesboro this year. In addition to covering news impacting Arkansas farmers, we sat down with Dr. Heidi Banse, dean of A-State’s new vet school, to talk about plans and how the curriculum will serve a long-t…

A tick bite causing temporary blindness and a permanent allergy to meats and dairy, opened Dr. Karen Ballard’s eyes to what was right in front of her. Hear the Jackson County farmer passionately share her discovery while cooking surprisingly delicious, soy-based dishes on this episode of AgriCulture.…

On the latest episode of the Arkansas AgCast, ArFB ag economist Tyler Oxner discusses the long list of regulatory actions taken by the federal government recently and their impact on Arkansas farmers. In many cases, these regulations are issued among hundreds of pages, making it difficult for farmers to track. The ArFB Commodities and Regulatory Af…

On the latest episode of the Arkansas AgCast, Jared Garrett, ArFB staffer, joins us to discuss the changes USDA has proposed to the payment and capital improvement system for poultry farmers. We learn a bit about how the system has worked in the past, what changes are proposed and how those changes are proposed to improve the current system.…

Fewer youths are pursuing farming careers. The average age of American farmers is 58 (20 years older than the citizen average). Anna Sweat, a 17-year-old raised on Sweat Farms in Southwest Arkansas, admits she has considered other lifestyles but plans to earn a degree in ag business. Hear her story and her dad’s tips on keeping the next generation …

The American Farm Bureau has released its annual 4th of July Cookout Cost Survey, and this year is shaping up to be the most expensive BBQ on record. We have a breakdown of where you’ll spend more and where you’ll save a little. Plus, Denmark is moving forward with a livestock carbon tax, farmer sentiment on the ag economy is down and we dive in to…

Arkansas families are feeling it. Grocery costs are approaching a 30-percent increase since January 2020. Conway County’s Ashley Flickinger says it’s devouring her family-of-five’s budget and Arkansas Pork Producers Association director Jerry Masters offers insight to the increases in this episode of AgriCulture.…

Sen. John Boozman joined the AgCast from Washington D.C. this week to discuss the Farm Bill framework he recently released with GOP colleagues in the Senate Ag Committee. We discuss the updates and additions he proposed for the Farm Bill, plus the areas of bipartisan common ground. We also asked if he predicts a new Farm Bill or another extension i…

One in five Arkansas children is hungry, yet the state’s hunters annually harvest 200,000 deer. Hot Spring County farmer Ronnie Ritter says he has a "calling" to get more venison to famished kids. Heart-wrenching stories drive Ritter as Director of Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry. Hear his stories and how you can help in this episode of AgriCul…

Earlier this week, the GOP side of the Senate Ag Committee, led by Sen. John Boozman, released framework for the farm bill. We will summarize the contents and discuss next step for the legislation. There’s also a groundwater conservation tax credit program in Arkansas that gets little use, but farmers are well-suited to take advantage, we have the …

Industrious Ellis Bell flew alone at night for 45 years in a 1956 Cessna to successfully run a Forrest City farm and St. Louis insurance business. Hear his turbulent ascent to vocational victories and heart to help other minorities on this episode of the national award-winning AgriCulture podcast.By Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

This week, USDA announced proposed changes to the poultry tournament system, which includes guarantees for base price and addresses other issues. We’ll have the details and how you can add input to the proposal. Plus, a Sicilian delegation visited the Natural State this week to form a partnership focused on agriculture with the U of A, how farmers …

Growing up on a Forrest City farm in the 1940s shaped Ellis Bell. The challenges Bell faced couldn’t stop a strong and studious mind, laser-like focus and two parents from propelling him to a 2023 Arkansas Ag Hall of Fame induction. Hear the hurt, tears and triumphs on this episode of the national-award winning AgriCulture podcast.…

The House Ag Committee passed its version of the Farm Bill just after midnight last Friday, but despite the late-night action the legislation has a long road ahead. Plus, Arkansas experienced one of the biggest tornado outbreaks in history over Memorial Day weekend, with farmers and rural communities bearing the brunt of the impacts. We share the l…

Eva Henderson, affectionately known by thousands as “Granny,” lived 87 years on the Buffalo River but was removed from her farm in 1972 by the government. She was one of about 2,000 displaced when the Buffalo became a National River. Her great-grandson Randy Gibbins remembers and is concerned it could soon happen to others, too. A visit with Gibbin…

#Plant24 in Arkansas is wrapping up quickly and we’re still moving at a historic pace, but how does the crop quality look? Has it been impacted by storms? We answer that on this episode. Plus, you may be shocked at the increase of soybean seed prices in the last 20 years, and we’ll tell you why the new vet school dean at A-State has experience that…

In recognition of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we wanted to produce a Deep Dive episode dedicated to the impact of mental health challenges on the farm while sharing resources available to help anyone who may be struggling. We invited Brandon Wolfe, clinical therapist and cattle rancher, to join the podcast to talk about the unique issu…

Armed U.S. Marshals ushered Susan Halsted’s grandparents from their Buffalo River farm in 1972 when it became a National River. Hear Halsted’s heartbreak, and her concerns about recent talks of another possible river re-designation. Cattleman Bob Shofner, a life-long resident of booming Northwest Arkansas, understands more people present challenges…

On this episode, we’ll discuss how the Northern Lights phenomenon may have impacted agriculture over the weekend. We also recap the data from the latest WASDE report and what USDA is forecasting for commodity prices, plus how Cicadas could be creating a historical buzz in Arkansas and a lot more!By Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

Does the Buffalo River need more protection? Will it remain free to fish and hunt? Billy Bell would arguably be the best person to ask. Hear what he says sustains it and what could destroy it in episode three of our 5-part series on the past and future of the Buffalo River.By Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

Seven months pregnant while unloading an 18-wheeler load of chickens is part of Belinda Wright’s motherhood story. Hear her mom-wise stories and heart on this special Mother’s Day edition of AgriCulture.By Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

Mothers raising children on the farm own interesting stories and perspective. North Little Rock rancher Libbie Dougan overcame much to raise three daughters and shares her laughs and wisdom on the special Mother's Day weekend edition of AgriCulture.By Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

On this episode, we have the latest on timing for the EPA’s review of the newest dicamba label submission from Bayer. Also we discuss the latest information on the FDA’s new ag water rule and a crop planting progress update and a lot more.By Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

Jack Tinsley and his siblings’ Buffalo River re-designation resentment goes back half a century. Hear the trauma of being evicted as children from their family farm in 1972 when the Buffalo became America’s first national river, and their concerns about another possible re-designation. Listen to episode 2 of a 5-part series on the past and future o…

On this episode, we cover farm bill news hot off the press in D.C., where the House and Senate ag committees released their vision for the legislation. We also give the details on H-2A labor regulations set to go into effect next month, share resources for Mental Health Awareness Month and much more.…

Farmers and residents in the Buffalo River area of North Arkansas are troubled. Discussion of a possible re-designation of the National River in late October drew more than 1,200 for a community meeting in Jasper (population 547). Longtime Searcy County residents Randy Clark and Bonnie Cash Glidewell attended, and in this debut episode of AgriCultu…

On this episode we share how you can get involved in the State Water Plan update and when you should apply for Arkansas Century Farm status. We also cover new EQIP funding in Arkansas, give the forecasted timing for La Niña, share the latest data trends for ag industry greenhouse gas emissions and a lot more.…

Rep. Rick Crawford stopped by the AgCast studio to share updates on his work in D.C. On this Deep Dive episode, we talk about his leadership of the Ag Labor Working Group within the House Ag Committee. Rep. Crawford walks us through the recommendations of that group, how those could become a reality for farmers and the significance of bi-partisan a…

Congressman Bruce Westerman stopped by the AgCast studio to share some updates on his work in D.C. On this Deep Dive episode, we talk about his work as chair of the House Natural Resources Committee and how that’s beneficial to the Natural State. In addition, we recap the impact his America’s Wildlife Habitat Conservation Act will have on local com…

Avian influenza has made its way to mammals, and we talk about what that means for other industries in agriculture and consumers at the grocery store. We also cover the new heavy-duty truck rules on emissions that could impact farmers in the near future. Plus, conservation funding available from USDA and the outlook on row crop acres in the U.S. th…

We welcome Sen. John Boozman back to the studio for an update on the farm bill, including his thoughts on the likelihood Congress will pass one in 2024. Sen. Boozman also shares some priorities he and his colleagues have for the framework of the legislation and we even find out what’s on the menu for his family’s Easter celebration.…

We take a look at the latest round of tariffs leveed on Russian grain from the European Union, plus Congress is holding hearings on the topic of foreign-owned ag land in the U.S. We also share how Arkansas farmers are sending hay to help Texas farmers impacted by their state’s record-setting wildfires and tell you how to play a role in the next rou…

We review the highlights of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s Ag Labor Working Group final report and recommendations to address challenges in the H2A program. Also, funds are available to help farmers markets across the state and we have all the details, plus more funding from USDA on climate-smart ag programs and a call for input on the reva…

In this episode, we explore the reasons behind the EPA’s opening of its new Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and we calculate the impacts of 2023 weather disasters on crops in Arkansas. We also explore USDA's efforts to protect livestock and poultry farmers and cover Gov. Sarah Sanders' initiative to review Arkansas' levees, plus a lot more…

We invited Mike Klamm with USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service to join the AgCast and discuss the data from the latest Ag Census. From the number of family farms in the Natural State to the average age of farmers and a trend that might surprise you. We cover a lot of numbers on this episode, you don’t want to miss it.…

The latest Ag Census data was recently released, and we break down Arkansas’ numbers. You may be surprised to learn what changed in the five years since the last census. We also talk about the Brazilian soybean and corn crop with data from the latest WASDE, including weather impacts. All of that and more on this episode.…

On this episode, we sit down with ag economist Jake Cartwright for a closer look at current beef cattle prices and what could be driving them to near record-setting high levels. We'll also cover how market prices will likely make their way to grocery shelves and what that means for your bank account.…

This episode covers the latest report on net farm income projections for 2024 and why it might set a record. We have some tips for farmers planning to be in the fields during the solar eclipse on April 8. We’ll also talk about the YF&R convention coming up and some menu options for the big game.By Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

This week we cover the “State of the State: Arkansas Ag Industry” report recently released by Talk Business & Politics. We also discuss breaking news from the U.S. House of Representatives, covering newly passed legislation that brings tax relief to American farmers and families and a lot more agriculture news. We had a bit of fun too since Feb. 2 …

We took the show on the road this week and recorded this episode live from the Arkansas Grown Conference in Hot Springs. We recap all the news from the American Farm Bureau Convention, chat about all the buzz around the Hot Springs Convention Center and have a discussion with Greg Matteson from the Farm Credit Council about resources available for …

On this episode, we take a closer look at the first WASDE report from 2024 and why production numbers increased since last month. We also tell you how a new partnership between John Deere and Space X could bring better connectivity to equipment on the farm.By Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

On this episode, we talk with Alvin Peer from Arkansas NRCS about the new ACT NOW funding model for EQIP applications. If you’re pursuing funding for high tunnel, soil health or energy initiatives, you don’t want to miss this episode. The $19 million in funding will be available over a 30-day period beginning Jan. 22.Zoom Link: https://uada.zoom.us…

On this episode, we share how you can ACT NOW to get Environmental Quality Incentives Program funding faster than ever before, there’s a new round of USDA investment in meat processing and much more. Plus, we offer a few ideas on how you might spend your snow day this weekend.By Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

On this episode we invited Congressman Steve Womack into the studio to talk about the priorities of his work based on input from Arkansas farmers and ranchers. Congressman Womack also gives us some great insight into his recent trip to the South Pole, and how work there impacts Arkansans every day.By Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

On this episode we invited Dr. John Anderson, new director of the U of A Cooperative Extension, to share his vision for the organization he now leads. We’ll also learn a bit about Dr. Anderson’s background in agriculture and how he likes to spend his free time.By Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

On this episode we invited Whitney Haigwood, staff writer for Delta Farm Press, to share some of the top stories of the year in Arkansas agriculture. She gives a rundown of row crop stats, new technology, how a pumpkin patch is innovating with precision ag and so much more. Join us for a rundown of the stories you may have missed this year - or jus…

On this episode we talk about several new conservation incentive programs from Arkansas Game & Fish, a poultry company in the state impacting farmers and a lot more. Plus, we discuss the most memorable Christmas gifts we’ve given and received over the years.Register for the Ag Producers Listening Session on solar projects here: https://www.zoomgov.…

On this episode we sit down with Dan Wright just seven days after being elected president of ArFB. You’ll learn what Dan sees as opportunities for the organization and how his history as a poultry farmer uniquely positions him to take the reins at ArFB. Give it a listen to get to know a bit more about Dan and his vision for Arkansas Farm Bureau.…

Coming from location at the 89th Annual State Convention in Little Rock we talked all about the activities of the week, get the latest information on the H2A wage predictions, and we had our friend, policy analyst Macie Kelly all the way from Washington DC, on to talk about her background in ag, farm bill updates, and of course, some food talk. Che…

Economist Tyler Oxner has written an Ag Insider on what you can expect to pay for Thanksgiving dinner this year. Hear how turkey prices in Arkansas stack up to national costs, which item on the table increased in cost the most and much more on this special edition of the show.By Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation