As winter turns to spring logging crews in south Arkansas are thinning tree stands on ground that’s dry enough for harvest. Like other commodities, timber prices are cyclical. Record low mortgage interest rates are driving a sharp increase in home building, creating a demand for pine timber and lumber. Grant Pace, chair of Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Forestry Division provides this update on the state’s timber industry and what this economic climate means for private landowners.
Renee Threlfall is a grape and wine researcher for the University of Arkansas System Extension - UAEX. She helps lead the Arkansas Quality Wine program. AQW is presently conducting an online consumer survey about Arkansas wines and ag tourism visits to Arkansas wineries. Threlfall talks about the survey which runs online through April 1.
Dustin Cowell of Newton County testified at the State Capitol this morning in favor of reinstituting state meat inspection and funding for the program. We caught up with him to hear about the experience and we spoke to state Sen. Breanne Davis of District 16, a supporter of the measure.
Jerry Shannon of Mountain View raises cattle on the same Ozark Mountains farm where his father and grandfather also were ranchers. He hopes that his son and grandchildren will follow in his footsteps and carry on the Shannon family legacy of raising quality cattle on this beautiful Stone County property.
Mike Daniels is an extension soil and water conservation specialist with the University of Arkansas System Extension - UAEX. He recently was honored with the "Outstanding Conservationist Award" for his work in conservation agriculture from the Arkansas Soil and Water Education Conference and the Judd Hill Foundation.
Jeremy and Magen Garner Allen’s JA Farms Feed Mill in Bismarck continues to expand with the addition of a pelletizing unit that offers clients a new feed additive for their livestock rations. The former laying hen producers now have a business that is shipping feed products to customers in Arkansas and across the country.
Delta Peanut in Jonesboro is a 100% farmer-owned company serving peanut farmers in Arkansas, the Missouri Bootheel and northeast Louisiana. CEO Tommy Jumper shared its story.
We're wrapping up #VirtualFarmersWeek, a week of hearing what our members had to say about the issues they believe are most important to address during this legislative session, including a state meat Inspection program, broadband and securing funding for the future of Arkansas forestry.
Fred Nickerson bought his first calf at the age of 16 with money he raised mowing yards. From serving in the Air Force to working for Union Pacific Railroad and raising cattle on his farm in south Pulaski County, Nickerson has lived a fascinating life in and out of agriculture. Hear his story and find out why he’s not ready to retire just yet.
