Agriculture & Timber

U.S. Department of Labor providing $1.3 million to aid seasonal and low income ag workers in Arkansas

Arkansas agriculture workers, especially those identified as low income seasonal or migrant farmworkers, will continue to receive counseling, training and support, through renewed funding to the Arkansas Human Development Corporation…

Tyson Foods opens $300 million automated chicken plant in Virginia

Tyson Foods’ smart chicken plant in Danville, Va., is up and running with 13 high-speed automated case packing lines and five high-speed robotic case palletizing units, according to the company….

Reducing food insecurity the goal of a rooftop garden at Baptist Health-Fort Smith

Baptist Health-Fort Smith is growing fruits and vegetables in a new rooftop garden in hopes of addressing food insecurity among its patients. It’s the first of its kind in Arkansas,…

Agri-food summit in Fayetteville inspires entrepreneurs to action

The inaugural Agri-Food Innovation Summit at the University of Arkansas aimed to inspire entrepreneurial scientists for impactful societal contributions. Held on Nov. 2-3 at the Don Tyson Center for Agricultural…

Williams Baptist University opens fourth meat processing facility in Arkansas

Walnut Ridge-based Williams Baptist University has opened the fourth meat processing facility licensed by the Arkansas Meat Inspection Program, according to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. The facility joins Arkansas…

Researchers say better rice quality will feed more people

About 2.3 billion, or nearly 30%, of the world’s population doesn’t get enough to eat, according to the World Health Organization. Rice is by far the most consumed food in…

Basic Thanksgiving meal costs remain high, but down from 2022

Food inflation has been persistent for the past two years but hefty retailer promotions from Aldi, Walmart and other discounters may help consumers stretch their Thanksgiving meal budgets further this…

A-State researchers receive $700,000 to study food supply protections

Two professors at Arkansas State University have received grant funding totaling more than $700,000 to conduct research that will ultimately help secure the nation’s food supply. Dr. Tanja McKay, professor…

Riceland Foods reports revenues of more than $1.3 billion

Stuttgart-based Riceland Foods reported $1.3 billion in annual revenue at its yearly member meeting held Nov. 9 in Jonesboro. “To make our cooperative better serve the needs of its farmers,…

Deal for Lyon College’s vet and dental school campus in Little Rock falls through

The sale of the proposed Little Rock-based campus for the about-to-be-formed dental and veterinary schools at Lyon College in Batesville has fallen apart. OneHealth Companies, the school’s partner in the…

Arkansas turkey production numbers better than U.S. average

Avian influenza had a significant impact on U.S. turkey production in 2022 and it led to higher prices for Thanksgiving meals. Production is up nationwide, and in Arkansas, turkey production…

Tyson Foods reports fiscal year loss of $648 million

Tyson Foods on Monday (Nov. 13) reported an income loss in fiscal year 2023 of $648 million, well below the $3.238 billion of net income in fiscal 2022. Annual revenue…

AG Griffin collects $280,000 fine from Chinese landowner

In mid-October, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin enforced a new state law that bans entities from several countries including China, from owning agricultural land in the state. His first target,…

Market watchers predict 81% drop in Tyson Foods’ quarterly earnings

Tyson Foods investors will continue to see weaker earnings into next year as the Springdale-based meat giant predicts only marginal recovery through the fourth quarter ending Sept. 30 into its…

A-State Meat Market to team with Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry to make snacks

The Arkansas State University College of Agriculture Meat Market will partner with Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry (AHFH) to produce and distribute shelf snack sticks for school children across the…

Advocating for Arkansas’ farm to school future

Arkansas has a solid farm to school presence. In 2021, 293 schools and institutions serving children in the state reported spending $11.5 million (7.8% of their food budget) on local…

Soybean bushels and harvest at record pace

Dry weather led to record low water levels on the Mississippi River, but another side impact in the Arkansas Delta has been a stealthy harvest. As of Oct. 29, the…

Avian influenza found on Arkansas poultry farm

Avian influenza has infiltrated at least one farm in Arkansas, according to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. Testing has confirmed a case on a poultry farm in Madison County. Following…

Lake City’s Steve Cobb named Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year

Lake City native Steve Cobb has been selected as the overall winner of the Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award for 2023. Cobb Farms is a partnership…

Arkansas Farm Bureau hires Jay Robbins for national government affairs role

Jay Robbins has been hired as director of national affairs at Arkansas Farm Bureau. He will lobby the state’s Congressional delegation on behalf of ArFB members and assist in executing…