Derek Haigwood, a fourth-generation row-crop farmer from Newport, serves as a United Soybean Board director and chairman of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC). In this podcast, he discusses how many soybean farmers are facing a devastating hit to their bottom line this year due to low prices, trade issues, weather problems and more, and talks about USSEC efforts to create new markets and keep existing customers.
Once again, the final weekend of the Arkansas State Fair brought the annual Junior Livestock Auction and Arkansas Farm Bureau was on hand to support the hard-working youth from around the state who raised the prize-winning animals. Learn more about the event and meet Sydney Standridge, owner of this year's Grand Champion Steer.
October is Farm to School Month, so for our latest Arkansas Agcast, we sat down with Andy Guffey, Farm Bureau's director of education and outreach, to discuss this innovative educational program that brings agriculture and schools together, teaching students where their food comes from and the importance of agriculture to our state and country.
A native Arkansan, Dr. Charles Looney spent much of his career working in the cattle reproduction industry outside the state. He recently returned to Arkansas to fill an animal science position at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Southwest Research and Extension Center. Artificial Insemination, or A.I., has revolutionized cattle breeding, but in this edition of Arkansas Agcast, Dr. Looney says the technology is being under-utilized and he intends to meet with Arkansas cattlemen through a series of workshops and educate them on how to use A.I.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson recently proclaimed October as Arkansas Farm to School Month. During the official ceremony, the Governor also took time to honor school garden and celebrate the 2018 Arkansas School Garden of the Year. Find out why "Farm to School" is so important in Arkansas.
Three years ago Sheridan Intermediate School partnered with the Grant County Cooperative Extension Service and other organizations to develop a school garden. The students recently harvested sweet potatoes they planted last spring and now the school has been recognized as having the state’s “Best School Garden” by the Arkansas Agriculture Department and Farm Credit.
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall visited Arkansas to tour some farms and speak at the Woodruff County Farm Bureau annual meeting. He took time during his trip to discuss some of the issues facing America’s farmers and ranchers and how Farm Bureau is advocating for the best solutions for American agriculture’s challenges.
Damon and Jana Helton of Saline County raise grass-fed beef, forested hogs and pastured broilers. They've also opened the Olde Crow General Store, where they sell what they've raised, along with other fresh, local items and deli sandwiches. For Damon, the Olde Crow is about connecting his farm to his community.
Earl Pepper, who turns 75 later this year, can't recall a time when he wasn't around horses. Raised in Alabama, he now lives near DeQueen, where he tends cattle on horseback. Pepper has a love and respect for horses and, in this edition of Arkansas Agcast, he shares his story and explains why he believes horses are an important part of our culture and heritage.
