Agriculture & Timber

Tyson Foods to invest $48 million in poultry expansion in Pine Bluff

Tyson Foods plans to invest $48 million in its poultry operation in Pine Bluff. Company officials say nearly 70 jobs will be created by the project, which is expected to…

Agri economist Dr. Bob Stark set to retire

One of the top agricultural economists in Arkansas is about to retire. After nearly a quarter-century of teaching agriculture business and policy at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Dr….

Tyson Foods joins U.S. cattle traceability program

Tyson Foods is the first beef packer to join and invest in the U.S. CattleTrace, an industry consortium formed by multiple state cattleman’s organizations to reduce the risk animal disease…

Freezing temperatures could impact farmers during early planting

Bitter, unseasonably cold weather is projected to spread across the state late Tuesday (April 20) into Wednesday and farmers in the midst of early planting are keeping a wary eye….

Greenway Equipment donates $2 million to Northeast Rice Research center

The new Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center in Poinsett County is getting a $2 million boost from Greenway Equipment. Greenway executives John Conner, Jr., Chairman; Marshall Stewart, Chief Executive…

More than 40,000 pounds of medical marijuana sold in Arkansas with value of $285 million

More than 40,000 pounds of medical marijuana have been sold in Arkansas since the first dispensary opened in May 2019, according to the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission (AMMC). A dispensary…

Farmers turn to trapping system to remove feral hogs

As planting season begins in Arkansas, feral hogs continue to do damage and the cost is difficult to quantify. Most damage estimates, however, include only the crop itself, said Jennifer…

U.S. beef exports down slightly to begin 2021

Beef exports have evolved in recent years in a dynamic environment of global politics and trade policies, direct and indirect impacts of animal disease outbreaks, and growing beef preferences and…

Tyson Foods opens new processing plant complex in Tennessee

Tyson Foods said Thursday (April 8) the meat giant is set to open its $425 million poultry processing plant, feed mill and hatchery in Humboldt, Tenn., later this month. “We’re…

Rising feed prices to boost cattle market costs

Two recent U.S. Department of Agriculture reports indicated a red-hot grain and oilseed market was again heating up and raising corn prices for animal agriculture. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University…

Farmers hoping for a ‘Row Crop Renaissance’ in 2021

As a new decade continues to unfold, there might be a few glimmers of hope for farmers as the spring planting season begins. Wes Ward, Arkansas secretary of agriculture, told…

Little Rock Farmers’ Market to return May 1

The Little Rock Farmers’ Market will return on Saturday, May 1, officials announced Wednesday (March 31). The market, held in the downtown Little Rock River Market, has been postponed for…

Early soybean and corn planting set to begin

Anecdotal reports from growers across Arkansas indicate corn producers are eager to take advantage of clear weather as it occurs. Jason Kelley, extension wheat and feed grains agronomist for the…

Cold weather may impact cattle breeding this spring

Record cold weather just prior to the start of spring could have a significant impact on the number of cattle produced during 2021. Cattle breeding experts with the University of…

Stakeholders coalesce to tackle state’s feral hog problem

The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed many human activities, but it hasn’t stopped feral hogs from reproducing and causing damage to agriculture fields throughout the state. During 2021, the Cooperative Extension…

Public comment period on the extended use of dicamba set to begin

Perhaps the most controversial subject in Arkansas agriculture, the use of the herbicide dicamba, will now require public input. A 30-day public comment period has been set for a proposed…

Real Deals: Horton Farms finds buyer in $6 million transaction

A popular executive retreat, estate home and event venue in rural Benton County sold recently for $6 million. Legacy Ranch at Dry Creek LLC, registered to Little Rock law firm…

Judd Hill Foundation to expand ASU’s farmer’s market

Arkansas State University will rename its farmer’s market, the Judd Hill Farmer’s Market, and there are multi-million dollar plans to expand. The Judd Hill Foundation will provide about $2.4 million…

Dr. Fred Bourland receives A.L. Vandergriff Cotton Pioneer Award

Mississippi County native Dr. Fred Bourland received the A.L. Vandergriff Cotton Pioneer Award in February from the Southern Cotton Ginners Association. He is a professor of cotton breeding and genetics…

Fayetteville startup AcreTrader secures $12 million in Series A funding

Fayetteville brokerage AcreTrader, the online farmland investing platform, said Thursday (March 11) it had raised $12 million in Series A funding. Jump Capital, a venture capital firm in Chicago, led…