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.
Early planting and favorable weather led to a record rice harvest this year for 1881 Farms south of Gillett. Owner Curtis Fox leans on a varied vocational history to operate, raise yields and make 13-hour harvest days a delight.
Getting kids to eat veggies they’ve never tasted is tough. Healthy Flavors Inc., farmer Dan Spatz admires school nutritionists’ work and offers them fresh produce to change children’s palates.
Agriculture industry stakeholders gathered Friday to celebrate the grand opening of the UofA Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Center Director Tim Burcham and Farm Bureau President Dan Wright all spoke about the importance and impact the facility will have in northeast Arkansas. Vital research will be conducted to better help producers in the area, as well as provide extension-based education on the value of Arkansas rice.
Liz and Mike Preston moved to Arkansas in 2013 after buying a farm off Craigslist. A decade later they opened "Prestonrose Bistro and Mercantile," a complete farm-to-table experience. Watch and learn about their journey from a small on-farm brewery to a multi-faceted decidedly different dining experience in Clarksville.
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.
For the first time in over 50 years, Arkadelphia schools have an agriculture and FFA program. The new agriculture science program, led by veteran FFA advisor Sammy Cox, will introduce students to FFA and the many agriculture career opportunities available to them after graduation. The Clark County Farm Bureau has been a consistent voice for the need for vo-ag education to the district.
Man’s best friend has a different meaning on some farms across the state. Many livestock ranchers in Arkansas couldn’t do all they do without their working dogs at their side. For #NationalDogDay we head to Cauthron where Justin and Laycee Story tell us how they utilize working dogs on their ranch.
Congressman French Hill visited area farmers today at Conway County’s Farm Bureau office. He spoke about gridlock on a new farm bill in D.C., potential water issues in the county and other economic struggles farmers are facing.
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.
