On the latest Arkansas AgCast episode we cover breaking news on WOTUS, recap great news for the farm economy and much more!

On this week’s AgCast we discuss an interesting update on Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS), more time for poultry companies to come to an agreement on the Illinois River watershed and more!

Firmer, fewer seeds, thinner skin and delicious flavor. Muscadine connoisseurs and raisers get ready for the release of two new varieties this fall from the University of Arkansas’ Fruit Research Station north of Clarksville. The fruit breeding program’s first muscadine releases will be fresh market, eating varieties developed by Dr. Margret Worthington. Insiders say the yet-to-be named diversities are more like a grape or ‘indoor fruit.’

After an allergy left her unable to eat meat from mammals, Amy Hall sought an alternative protein source. Her search led to the founding of Gum Creek Emus in Logan County. A few hundred birds later, now Hall is providing an alternative protein option for herself and others who struggle with Alpha-gal syndrome.

Most Arkansas farms await warmer temperatures before planting, but soybeans and corn have been up since March 3 at Miles Farms in McGehee. Crazy? Matt Miles and his son, Layne, dropped seed early last year and harvested more than double the Desha County bushel average for beans. This spring they've doubled down, adding corn (Feb. 22) and another early bean planting on Feb. 20. Watch the experimenters' story here.

Big news on the right-to-repair front, we break down the "other" five titles in the Farm Bill, plus how the freezing could be impacting Arkansas farmers. We cover all that and much more on today's episode of the Arkansas AgCast!

Did you know March is Farm Safety Month? Every year Arkansas Farm Bureau offers grain bin safety training to farmers, firefighters, EMTs and other first responders in an effort to combat grain bin entrapments. Thank you to our friends at Mississippi Farm Bureau for helping provide the equipment and experts to lead this course!

Leadership and service that brought distinction to the state’s largest business sector is the hallmark for the five newest inductees into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame. A total of 180 men and women are now enshrined in the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame. These five were inducted March 3 in a ceremony at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

On today's episode we recap the record-setting Farmers Day at the Capitol event, chat about a big partnership with Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry and share some interesting news concerning the new WOTUS rule. Check out the March 2nd edition of the Arkansas AgCast.

The final part of our week of action was having over 250 farmers ascend the Capitol steps and be present for the lawmaking process. Getting face-to-face with legislators to talk about the challenges we face as farmers is the most effective way of making a difference. Watch to see our members taking action to better their community!