Arkansas AgCast

On this episode, we traveled to Hot Springs to visit the Arkansas Grown Conference. The three-day event is filled with education and promotion of local foods and agritourism. We sat down with Jessica Chapman, farm-to-school coordinator for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, to learn more about how farmers are getting the commodities they produce into Arkansas school cafeterias. We also cover...

On this AgCast episode, we cover several updates with to the H-2A program that could impact Arkansas farmers. Plus, hay production in Arkansas was up 14% last year. We’ll tell you how we performed against other states around the south and cover more important stories from the week. Get it here in the states only weekly ag news program.

On this episode, we cover the latest news on the state’s lithium industry, with new funding and a timeline for construction of Standard Lithium’s facility in south Arkansas. We also congratulate Sen. John Boozman for officially taking the reins of the Senate Agriculture Committee and much more. Get it here on the state’s only weekly ag news program, the Arkansas AgCast.

On the first episode of 2025, we invited Jared Garrett in the studio to discuss the ongoing battle against Avian Influenza in Arkansas. Jared tells us about the disease, how it impacts poultry and how farmers are working to protect their flocks. Get it here on the state’s only weekly ag news program, the Arkansas AgCast.

On this last episode of 2024, we used this Deep Dive to recap the year’s financial challenges for farmers. We invited UA ag economist, Dr. Hunter Biram, on the show to give an in-depth look at the factors that have led to an estimated loss of $30 billion for American farmers. He shares data on commodity prices, interest rates, input costs, and other factors to paint a clear picture of how we got t...

This episode covers updates on the farm bill, including a push for new legislation and immediate financial assistance. We also discuss new federal orders that could affect dairy farmers and recap ArFB’s recent convention, highlighting election results and key policy positions adopted by voting delegates. Get it here on the state’s only weekly ag news program, the Arkansas AgCast.

We packed the studio up and headed to Hot Springs for this episode. Catch up with us on the trade show floor as we discuss all the action from the 90th Annual State Convention. We also have a great discussion with Field of Dreams star Dwier Brown before his keynote address at the event. Get it here on the state’s only weekly ag news program, the Arkansas AgCast.

In this episode, ArFB’s Jared Garrett breaks down the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner. We tell you what’s more expensive, which ingredients have dropped in price and how much you should expect to pay per person to feed your crew. Get it here on the state’s only weekly ag news program, the Arkansas AgCast.

In this episode, we share details on the upcoming 90th Annual Arkansas Farm Bureau Convention. How much ag production costs have risen in the last five years, plus the latest WASDE data, an update on how changes to the Milk Marketing Order may benefit dairy farmers and more. Get it here on the state’s only weekly ag news program, the Arkansas AgCast.

For this special episode, we’re at the Hot Springs Convention Center for ArFB’s 2024 Resolutions Committee meeting. We sit down with Mississippi County farmer Heath Donner to discuss the policy-making process and how the resolutions meeting plays a role. Get it here on the state’s only weekly ag news program, the Arkansas AgCast.

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 AgCast.

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 state’s only weekly ag news program, the Arkansas AgC...

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 fair. It’s all here on this episode of the state’s o...

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 ag news podcast, the Arkansas AgCast.

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 could be a big deal for Arkansas farmers, plus mor...

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 weekly ag news podcast, the Arkansas AgCast.

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 much more on the state’s only weekly ag news podcas...

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 podcast, the Arkansas AgCast.

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.

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 only weekly ag news podcast.

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.

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-term need for Arkansas farmers.