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.

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 Affairs team compiled a list of some of the more imp...

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.

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 what may be driving the U.S. ag trade deficit. Ge...

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 in 2024. Watch or listen to get the latest from the...

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 details on how to get started. We’ll also cover th...

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 continue to struggle with weather challenges and m...

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 latest data on the storms. We also share leadership...

#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 may be music to farmers’ ears. All that and more...

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 issues farmers face. Brandon gives us a step-by-step l...

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!