We check in with Dr. Bill Robertson, Cotton Extension Agronomist at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, to hear about record cotton yields last year and what could lie ahead in 2022. We also get a farmer’s perspective on last year’s cotton crop from Terry Pollard of Piggott.
Arkansas farmers harvested 75,000 acres of winter wheat last year. Faulkner County farmer Chris Schaefers talks about the crop and how the 2021 harvest is progressing so far.
Blackberry season is in full swing and just like most Arkansas grown crops it's been a difficult year. Despite the challenges, the University of Arkansas's Fruit Research Station continues to innovate. Since its inception, researchers at the Clarksville farm have developed varieties that are now grown and eaten all over the world.
Farmers and ranchers have dealt with numerous challenges and stresses this growing season, particularly from heavy June rains. These challenges have the potential to significantly reduce farm revenue, so Arkansas Farm Bureau economists have produced a report on likely profitability impacts.
Jim Carroll III of Brinkley will conclude his year as chair of the United Soybean Board next month. It's been a challenging year dealing with Covid-19 and the weather delayed his ability to plant and harvest his crops. He took time recently during his soybean harvest to update us on what it's been like to chair USB during the pandemic and what he's learned from the experience.
Like most other crop farmers, rain and cold, wet weather has delayed harvest for David Sites of Jefferson County. He provided this update from his farm near Altheimer recently where he’s hoping sunshine and wind will dry his fields and allow him to complete harvesting his soybeans this week.
Rick Bransford’s family has been growing cotton and other crops in Lonoke County since the mid-1850s. He has continued that tradition for the past 40 years. He recently took a break from picking his cotton crop to provide an update on how he’s dealt with weather delays and other challenges this year.
Soybean and corn futures get a boost, but hog futures run out of steam. Plus, information on CFAP 2 for dairy production and strength in cattle futures.
Chad Russell has been farming near Marianna since the mid-90s and grows cotton, corn and soybeans. Last year he joined other local farmers and added peanuts to his cotton rotation. For the third year in a row, persistent rainfall is slowing harvest, but as Russell says they will get the crops out and he expects good yields.
