Corn yields on most Arkansas farms this year are good. Some are great. Yet, costs to raise corn continue to climb while market prices remain near 1970s levels. Veteran growers talk about their 2025 harvest and increasing challenges.
After breaking ground last year, the new animal science building at De Queen schools is now open to students. Offering hands-on learning experiences, ag teacher Morgan Frachiseur explains the benefit of having this on-campus facility.
Ryn, a new farm-to-table restaurant, is led by chef Matthew Cooper, whose rural Arkansas roots fuel his passion to create a unique on-farm dining experience in Northwest Arkansas. Ingredients from the on-site Sun Painted Farm allow chef Cooper and his team to directly connect the consumer to the farm.
On this week’s Arkansas AgCast, we cover challenges facing Mid-South farmers. We start with the Mississippi River, where current low water levels could again disrupt barge traffic, raising transportation costs, and widening basis levels that cut into farm income. Next, we look at how extreme weather last spring is impacting yields during harvest, with rice producers facing some of the steepest declines in decades.
We also cover comments from USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden, hinting at possible short-term relief for farmers until new safety net programs take effect. Finally, we provide the latest update on the New World screwworm, as U.S. officials confirm the first travel-related human case and expand surveillance to protect livestock.
Harvest is underway at JAM Farms, where fourth-generation farmer Jordan Maier reflects on this year’s growing season challenges and the reward of harvest.
