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An invasive plant hopper is damaging rice farms in southwest Arkansas. Miller County rice farmer, Russell Heigl, explains how rice delphacid is hurting his crop and impacting harvest.

The Arkansas Farm Trail passport program will expand in 2026 with more farms across the state. Applications are open through Oct. 17, for farmers to join the effort connecting consumers with Arkansas agriculture.

A contingent of Californians visited Arkansas last week, making stops at ag companies, research centers and touring farms before seeing McClendon, Mann and Felton Gin Co., in Marianna. The visit was sponsored by California Farm Bureau to help its emerging leaders see similarities and differences of agriculture in the Natural State.

The Arkansas House Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Subcommittee met recently in Stuttgart to hear about challenges facing farmers across the state. Arkansas County farmer Sidney Robnett shared widespread concerns about the farm economy and the need for support moving forward.

From above, it could be mistaken for early spring, with fields still waiting to be planted. In northeast Arkansas, hundreds of thousands of acres of crop land sat under water for too long during planting season. Now the land lies dormant. In a year when farmers needed a break from market pressures, many are left staring at empty fields and on the brink of losing their livelihoods. While the Big Beautiful Bill was passed earlier this year, its help will not be in farmers’ hands until late 2026, which could be too late for many farmers in Arkansas.

Despite recent rain, many areas of the state are still facing challenges from drought. In Sharp County, cattle farmer John Kunkel experienced significant flooding in the spring and is now feeding hay months ahead of schedule. With calving season quickly approaching, he’s concerned for his herd and hopeful additional rains will provide relief soon.

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This week on the Arkansas AgCast, we cover the return of the Farm Trail passport program for 2026, the importance of producer reports in tracking drought conditions, what the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cut means for agriculture and how Arkansas lawmakers are working to secure new federal relief for farmers. Watch here or listen where you get podcasts.