In an economically challenging time for farmers, cutting input costs are more important than ever. Over the last three years, Jason Norsworthy with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service has researched the effectiveness of the new John Deere See and Spray product. This precision agriculture system targets weeds in the field and limits herbicide use, translating into cost savings for farmers.
Several days of heavy rains are expected to push rivers to major flood stage this weekend in east Arkansas. Farmers who were busy planting and prepping for the growing season are now moving equipment to high ground and shoring up levees in an effort to reduce the impacts of the potential flooding.
On this episode, we set up at the ArFB Women’s Leadership Committee conference in Little Rock. We talked all things WLC and the conference with state committee member Elizabeth Walker. Plus, we covered USDA’s Prospective Planting report and more news. Catch it here on the state’s only weekly ag news program, the Arkansas AgCast.
Arkansas farmers worked urgently ahead of the heavy rains that are expected to arrive Wednesday. Watch how they planted and prepped for waters that could impact their planting progress.
It’s mostly cattle and poultry production between Batesville and Newport, but first-generation farmer Isaac Davis excitedly enters his fifth season raising row crops near Rosie, Ark. The 29-year-old recently paused while planting corn and drilling rice alongside the White River to tell his startup story.
While record prices for cattle should paint a picture of profitability, ranchers continue to wrestle with the increased cost of land and capitol. The cattle industry remains on edge, as a mixture of low cattle inventory and surging expenses continue to limit the natural cycle of expansion for the nation’s cattle herd. A renewed sense of optimism is in place after several years of hardship and drought, as cattle prices are expected to remain high in the coming year hopefully allowing ranchers the economic upside to prepare for future challenges.
On this episode, we cover the first “Cattle on Feed and Livestock Slaughter Report” of 2025 to see how the inventory numbers are shaping up as spring calving season carries on. We also have data on the impacts of tariffs on American farmers, share why Brazilian egg imports are up over 90% and much more. Catch it here on the state’s only weekly ag news program, the Arkansas AgCast.
Tim Johnson, a third-generation farmer in Randolph County, is left picking up the pieces from an EF-3 tornado a week ago just as planting season begins. Thankfully, he and his family survived. His first objective now is getting grain from the one remaining storage bin before more bad weather moves in.
It’s called the “Rice Research Mile” and on Friday a sign designating it was unveiled on Arkansas Highway 1 in Poinsett County. Arkansas Farm Bureau state board member Brad Doyle explains its importance.
