Find tips from experts on preparing land and livestock for the arrival of warmer weather, updates on agriculture policy and law issues, the latest news and more.

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.

Read the latest edition of the Farm Bureau Press

On this week’s edition, we hear from a cattle rancher who testified at the State Capitol in favor of a new state meat inspection program, we learn about a grant to improve Arkansas State University’s Meats Lab and we get to know a produce-growing family in Bradley County. We also get our weekly update from the state legislature with Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Jeff Pitchford.

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.

It’s #InternationalWomensDay! Here’s a message from #WomenInAg across the state.

On this week’s edition, we hear about the lingering impacts of recent winter weather on agriculture and we learn about the ongoing work of the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust. We also get our weekly update from the state legislature with Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Jeff Pitchford.

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.