This week, weather takes center stage. We hear from a National Weather Service Senior Forecaster John Lewis, Ag Extension Rice Agronomist Jarrod Hardke and Sevier County livestock and poultry grower Bruce Jackson about how excessive winds and rainfall from Hurricane Laura could impact Arkansas agriculture. We also get some tips and information for Arkansas small meat and poultry processors interested in the state’s new $5 million grant program for expanding processing capacity.
The first general session of our 71st Officers & Leaders Conference opened with this video about the challenging 2019 season and the rain and flooding that have made it so difficult for farmers and ranchers across the state. See for yourself how they've been "facing the storm" and how they plan to keep doing what they love, no matter what Mother Nature may throw at them.
We spoke to Matt Hill, fire chief for Dierks in Howard County, about flooding from Tropical Storm Barry in the southwest part of the state. HIll said the area received more than 17 inches of rain and he described the impact on local rachers and farmers and the timber business in the county.
Kenny Holt grows corn and soybeans in the Snow Lake community of southern Phillips County along the Mississippi River. The river has been near flood stage for several months and "seep water" coming up from underground has flooded thousands of acres of cropland and pasture throughout the region and has helped make this one of the most difficult seasons in Holt's memory.
Jessica Hamilton and her husband, Cory, farm in the Paris Bottoms of the Arkansas River in Logan County. The couple lost their entire crop of wheat, corn and soybeans when a federal levee along the river was breached during the recent river flood. Hear their story in our latest AgCast.
The Arkansas Farm Bureau announced Wednesday a donation of $50,000 to the American Red Cross-Greater Arkansas Chapter, to be used for flood relief efforts to be used in counties affect by the flood throughout Arkansas.
David Walt of Desha County talks about the Arkansas River flooding in his area that has surrounded his home and covered nearby property and farmland and explains how the rains have made spring planting next to impossible.
Jefferson County farmer Jeff Edwards, whose family has farmed in the area for almost a century, stands in front of water-covered cropland to talk about the Arkansas River flooding and the challenges he was already facing because of the heavy fall and spring rains.
As the Arkansas River floodwaters started to rise, Conway County farmer Robert Stobaugh took time to explain to us what he and other farmers along the river are dealing with and the long-term challenges they will face if the water remains high for weeks.
