Agriculture & Timber

Packed house for $600 million Keo solar farm hearing

It was standing room only as close to 100 people packed a county annex courtroom in Lonoke County on Tuesday (Aug. 5) to hear plans for a $600 million, 6,000-acre,…

Wildfire suppression kit applications being accepted by Ag Department

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for wildland fire suppression kits through Sept. 30. Applications can be submitted online here. Through a grant from the U.S. Forest Service, the Department plans…

Tyson Foods’ net income beats estimates, beef segment losses continue

Tyson Foods on Monday (Aug. 4) reported better-than-expected third quarter numbers and boosted full-year sales guidance, sending the stock price up more than 4% in early trading. The Springdale-based meat…

Record rice imports put more pressure on domestic producers

Rice producers have dealt with low commodity prices, weather impacting yields, and a litany of other issues this growing season and now they are battling on another front – trade….

Connections: New hires announced at medical school, UAMS clinics

The newly opened Alice L. Walton School of Medicine recently announced several new hires at the Bentonville-based campus. The school opened July 14 and welcomed its inaugural class of 48…

Tyson Foods expected to report a 9% decline in third-quarter net income

Despite financial improvement in the chicken segment, Tyson Foods is expected to report a decline in net income and a small gain in revenue when it reports fiscal third-quarter earnings…

Communication is key for farmers in challenging times

It’s no secret that farmers are going through a tough time. Being an ag lender and relationship banker means supporting them during difficult moments, encouraging them not to lose hope…

Rice weed management seminars to be held in NEA

Agents, consultants and others in the agriculture industry can earn continuing education units, or CEUs, as they walk through new rice weed management demonstrations during three workshops in Colt, Keiser…

A-State College of Agriculture’s strategic vision for state workforce

Arkansas’ agricultural heritage is more than tradition — it’s the foundation of our economy, communities and higher education. In 1909, four agricultural schools were established across Arkansas. Arkansas State University,…

Cobblestone Farms names Paul Savas as executive director

Paul Savas, former executive director of Trike Theatre, has been appointed executive director of Fayetteville nonprofit Cobblestone Farms, which combats food insecurity through sustainable agriculture, according to a Monday (July…

AI, satellites used to track, monitor carbon data

Having an accurate estimation for Arkansas’ above ground forest biomass has numerous economic and environmental impacts, Dr. Hamdi Zurqani told Talk Business & Politics. The key is to understand how…

Field day for rice research center planned

A field day will be held at the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center on July 31 in Harrisburg. Two field tours will be held covering rice, soybeans and corn….

Game and Fish leaders dedicate $16 million renovated hatchery, launch new trophy bass program

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on Wednesday (July 16) dedicated its $16 million renovation of the nearly 100-year old Joe Hogan State Fish Hatchery in Lonoke. It is the…

Arkansas Department of Agriculture awards $1.4 million to fairs, livestock shows

Gov. Sarah Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture have announced more than $1.4 million in funding to support Arkansas’ local fairs and livestock shows. The funding, awarded through the…

Rice, soybean and lithium-ion battery researchers receive bonus grants from Arkansas Research Alliance

Four researchers with the University of Arkansas System were awarded bonus grants by the Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) for projects to develop innovative applications of rice, soybeans and lithium-ion batteries….

High water levels, tariffs impact Arkansas River shipping numbers

High water levels and Trump’s tariffs are key factors in the almost 20% decline in Arkansas River tonnage in the first half of 2025. Commercial river tonnage in June was…

Wayne-Sanderson Farms opens new $43 million feed mill in Danville

Wayne-Sanderson Farms announced Thursday (July 10) the grand opening of its new mill at the company’s Danville complex in Arkansas. The $43 million facility is designed to produce more than…

Gov. Sanders appoints Jamie Anderson to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Gov. Sarah Sanders announced Wednesday (July 9) that she has appointed Jamie Anderson as the newest member of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Anderson’s seven-year term will last until…

Farmers can now apply for $16 billion in aid through Supplemental Disaster Relief Program

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced Wednesday (July 9) that agricultural producers who suffered eligible crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 can now apply for…

Low Mississippi River levels cost soybean farmers up to $293 million

During the past several years, drought conditions have plagued the lower Mississippi Delta region and have had a dramatic impact on row crop farmers. The lack of rain caused river…