A Jan. 1, 2025 deadline that could affect more than 230,000 American farms carries steep penalties. Are you ready? Plus, we cover the latest global food price data from the World Bank and review the current cattle inventory trends. This episode is packed with information and comes to you from the state’s only weekly ag news program, the Arkansas Ag…

There’s news of possible legislation that could provide financial relief to farmers, and we have the details on who is expected to bring that to the floor and how it could help. Plus, the latest data on Arkansas farm income is in and we’re in decline for the second year running. We discuss the details of all this and more on this episode of the sta…

We took the show on the road this week, with our mobile studio set up in Cattle Barn 3 at the Arkansas State Fair. It may be a little louder (and smellier) than usual, but we still have the ag news that matters on your farm. Plus, John McMinn takes his “microphone” to visit a few students showing animals to experience the agriculture side of the fa…

The port workers strike that made headlines last week is over, but how long will it impact the economy? We’ll discuss that and how your innovations can bring cash to the bank and help to the farm. Plus, several USDA announcements and more news you need. It’s all on this episode of the state’s only weekly ag news program, the Arkansas AgCast.…

The 2018 farm bill, extended by a year in Sept. 2023, expired at midnight Sept. 30. What does the lapse mean for farmers, and will we get a new farm bill any time soon? We discuss that, plus how the port workers strike could deliver another financial blow to farmers this year and much more. It’s all here on this episode of the state’s only weekly a…

There has been a recent flurry of activity meant to encourage legislators to pass a new farm bill, not just an extension of the current legislation. We look at the role Arkansans are playing in the pressure campaign and why it matters. Plus, Iowa is host to 30,000 acres of “short corn” this growing season. We’ll talk about why these smaller stalks …

The Fed lowered interest rates by a half-point this week and Ryan Loy has the details on how the move could impact the Arkansas agriculture industry. We also talked with Ryan about the current commodity market conditions and how factors like a widening basis at Mississippi River ports could further impact prices. It’s all here on the state’s only w…

American Farm Bureau published responses to its Presidential Candidate Survey with both parties answering how they’ll address top issues facing farmers and ranchers. Plus, the Consumer Price Index data released this week shows grocery prices holding steady and declining inflation, which is welcomed news. We take a closer look at these stories and m…

Mississippi River levels are dropping almost daily and that could impact farmers just as they are harvesting crops across the Natural State. Plus, beef prices hit record highs at the grocery store, but farmers aren’t seeing the increased revenue on their farms. We take a closer look at these stories and much more on the state’s only weekly ag news …

Some H-2A worker protections hit a snag in a Georgia court, and we have the details and what further action could follow the decision. Plus, USDA forecasts the U.S. ag trade deficit to widen next year, and we’ll ask “is the U.S. ag economy in a recession?” Hear all that and more on the state’s only weekly ag news podcast, the Arkansas AgCast.…

She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees, but more important to Beverly Scott Chapple are her son and living near him on a family farm. Hear her heritage and joy while shelling purple hull peas in the shade just outside the dwindling delta town of Cotton Plant.By Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

On this episode, we share USDA’s prediction of a record year for Arkansas soybeans and why that may not be a good thing for farmers. Plus, we have the details from the first phase of updates to the state Water Plan, what changes are proposed for the first time in a decade and how agriculture could be impacted. Hear all that and more on the state’s …

On this episode, we share the economic impact caused by the historic tornado outbreak in May on Benton County’s forest land. We take a look from space to see how commodity production is going across the country and discuss crop quality here in Arkansas, plus more ag news.By Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

By Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

Before Bill Clinton or Mike Huckabee, Hope was known for world-record watermelons and its annual festival returns this weekend offering a “slice of the good life.” Lifelong resident Paul Henley and his wife Dolly share interesting farmer and entertaining festival stories on this episode of AgriCulture.…

On this episode of the Arkansas AgCast, we recap the annual Officers & Leaders Conference and celebrate two of this year’s Arkansas Young Farmers & Ranchers award winners. Plus, we share information on a new USDA grant program designated for the forestry industry, details on a virus in the state that could impact equine and more.…

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…