Arkansas Farm Bureau has promoted Bryan Pistole to vice president of information technology and production, and hired Rob Roedel as vice president of communications and Allan Hudson as director of health plans.
Bryan Pistole
Pistole has been with ArFB 11 years and most recently served as sr. director of public relations. Pistole will oversee the organization’s information technology infrastructure. A 35-year creative professional, Pistole will continue to serve as creative director, managing video production, graphic design and printing production operations, and serve as lead technical director for live events.
Rob Roedel
Roedel, a 37-year communications industry veteran, joins after 24 years at Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. Most recently, he served as senior director of corporate communications. He will lead the organization’s comprehensive communications strategy and related programs.
Allan Hudson
Allan Hudson, a 25-year health insurance professional, has joined as director of health plans.
Hudson will coordinate statewide health plan training, sales planning and health plan marketing initiatives. Additionally, Hudson will assist Farm Bureau agents in serving the healthcare coverage needs of Farm Bureau members.
2026 District Farm Families Announced, Page 2
2026 ArFb Foundation Trap Shoot, Page 3
Bryan Pistole
Rob Roedel
Allan Hudson
Scholarship Presentation | Phillips County Farm Bureau board members recently presented checks to their 2026 scholarship recipients (front row, from left) Riley Vondran, Kirkley Ann Rawls , Emory Barnes and Olivia Rawlings.
Jefferson Co. Camp | M*A*S*H (Medical Applications of Science for Health) 2026 is underway at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff. Jefferson Co. Farm Bureau welcomed the high school juniors and seniors to the twoweek program, which provides hands-on experiences to students interested in entering the health field.
Perry Co. Donations | Perry Co. Women’s Leadership Committee members recently delivered meat sticks for the summer food programs at the Bigelow Elementary and high school and Perryville Elementary and high school.
2026 DISTRICT FARM FAMILIES ANNOUNCED
The 79th Annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program has announced its eight district farm families, highlighting the diverse sectors that make up the state’s largest industry, agriculture. Judges will visit these farms to determine the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year, which will be announced Dec. 11.
The District Farm Families of the Year are:
• Northwest District: the Haley family of Maysville (Benton County);
• Western District: the Rogers family (Logan County);
• West Central District: the Frachiseur family of Gillham (Sevier County);
• Southwest District: the Fawcett family of Winthrop (Little River County);
• Southeast District: the Hornbeck family of DeWitt (Arkansas County);
• East Central District: the Vinson family of Rose Bud (White County);
• Northeast Central District: the East family of Clarkedale (Crittenden County); and
• North Central District: the Newland family of Dennard (Van Buren County).
The Farm Family of the Year program annually begins with the selection of top farm families in each county and ends in December with the selection of the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. The family selected will represent Arkansas at the Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Competition. Families are judged on farm production, efficiency, management, family life and community leadership.
Sponsors of the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program are Arkansas Farm Bureau, the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas. Additionally, support for the program is provided by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Arkansas Department of Career Education, Arkansas Press Association, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development. The full news release can be read here.
2026 A r FB FOUNDATION TRAP SHOOT
The Arkansas Farm Bureau Foundation held its 8th annual trap shoot June 5 at the Arkansas Game & Fish Foundation Shooting Sports Complex in Jacksonville. This year, 64 teams competed, with 23 adult teams and 41 youth teams.
Prizes were awarded to the top three adult and youth teams as well as the top shooter.
Top teams for this year’s shoot are:
• Top Shooter – Zach Millsap, Crawford Co.;
• Youth Division First Place – Ashdown Sr. #1;
• Youth Division Second Place – Sebastian Co. 4-H;
• Youth Division Third Place – Woodruff Co. Farm Bureau;
• Adult Division First Place – Fulton/Izard Co. Farm Bureau;
• Adult Division Second Place – Crawford Co. Farm Bureau; and
• Adult Division Third Place – 501 Clay Busters. Each year, half of net proceeds from the shoot directly benefit the Arkansas 4-H and Arkansas FFA foundations, while continuing to support the goals of the ArFB Foundation.
Photos from the event can be found online.
NEW WORLD SCREWWORM DETECTED IN THE U.S., BEEF SUPPLY SAFE FOR CONSUMERS
Several cases of New World Screwworm (NWS) have been confirmed in the United States. USDA and officials in affected states have taken immediate action to contain the outbreak following strategies outlined in the NWS Response Playbook.
Fly control is crucial to prevent the spread of the pest. Make sure livestock have received an effective fly prevention product and increase surveillance of livestock and pets. The FDA has approved for emergency use many products for prevention/ treatment of NWS. NWS maggots can infest warmblooded animals and most often enter through an open wound. Look for draining and enlarging wounds, also check in and around body openings such as nose,
ears, and navel of newborn animals. Pay close attention to freshly castrated animals.
The U.S. food supply is safe. Screwworms do not infest meat, fruits, vegetables or other food supplies. Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service must inspect all eligible species unless they’re exempt or covered by a state inspection program. Evidence of screwworms would be identified during these inspections and any contaminated product from an affected animal would not be allowed to enter the food supply.
Suspected cases of NWS should be reported to veterinarians immediately.
2026 First Place Adult Team
2026 First Place Youth Team
2026 Top Shooter
MARKET NEWS
as of May 27, 2026
Contact
Brandy Carroll brandy.carroll@arfb.com
Tyler Oxner tyler.oxner@arfb.com
Rice
Carryover weakness from the rest of the grains complex has resulted in pressure on rice futures. Mid-south growing regions have received much-needed rains in recent days, but the crop is still struggling in many areas. In Mississippi, 73% of the crop is rated in only fair condition. In Arkansas, only 59% is rated good to excellent, while 36% is in fair condition. Coupled with a significant reduction in acres, expectations for the crop are low, which could be supportive for prices. Conditions in Asia are currently favorable for rice, but weather projections later in the year indicate that could change, potentially providing support for prices. Domestic supplies are ample and exports remain disappointing. September has topped at $13.43½ for the time being as long-term resistance at $13.50 capped the market. A close below $12.75 would signal further weakness is possible.
Soybeans
Soybean futures have seen significant pressure in recent days-closing lower for eight days in a row. Generally favorable U.S. weather forecasts and a crop in good condition are one factor, with 65% of the crop rated good to excellent across the U.S. In Arkansas, 71% of the crop is in good to excellent condition. Soy oil prices are holding their own despite declining crude oil prices, and while that market appears to have topped, the longer-term uptrend remains intact. Meal prices, however,
continue to decline, pressuring the soy complex. The recent rally drove soybean futures well above the USDA expected on-farm price, with speculators and index funds driving the market. November has support at $11.18, but below that, the next level of support is around $10.60.
Corn
Corn futures have plummeted over the past few week. Nearby July futures topped on May 5 with a high of $4.87½, and have lost more than 60 cents per bushel. The recent low of $4.12 is now the first level of support. December futures have lost nearly 60 cents per bushel since the high of $5.06½ on May 13. Monday’s low of $4.41 is now the first level of support, and resistance begins at $4.51. Large speculators and commercials are driving the market, and open interest remains high, and it’s possible the downtrend will continue until more of the long positions are cleared. The market is technically oversold, though, which could provide some support. 67% of the U.S. crop is in good to excellent condition.
Cotton
Cotton futures have also broken an uptrend and put in a major top in recent weeks with prices falling to new two-month lows. Carryover weakness from grain markets is a factor, as are weaker crude oil prices and a recent surge in the value of the U.S. dollar. Demand from Vietnam has been somewhat supportive, but overall demand is weak with no sign China will return as a key buyer of U.S. cotton. Key areas in Texas have received beneficial rains, with 45% of the crop there in good to excellent condition, with another 34% in fair condition, which can add pressure to prices since Texas grows a large percentage of the crop. In Arkansas, 72% of the crop is rated good to excellent. The December high of 88.08 cents per pound looks to be a major top. The market is testing
support near 75.25 cents, and will have resistance at 81 cents on a rebound.
Wheat
Wheat futures are also trending lower after charting a major top in May. For the July contract that top is at $6.88¼. The market is testing support at $5.74. Winter wheat harvest is beginning and the small size of the crop was built into the market over the spring. Carryover weakness from other grains has also been a factor, but as a food crop, wheat could benefit from concerns about food insecurity amid global unrest.
Cattle
Cattle futures have trended lower after potentially charting a major top in May. However, news released last week indicating New World Screwworm (NWS) was found in U.S. cattle in Texas resulted in futures charting a bullish reversal as traders worried about the potential for additional cuts to production. There are concerns, however, that this could impact beef demand too, among concerns from consumers and record-high retail prices. NWS does not impact food quality, but will likely result in higher production costs. Nearby June futures have support near $240.
Hogs
Hog futures continue to trend lower, charting four days of back-to-back losses this week. Cash hog markets are improving into Summer grilling season. However, ample supplies are expected to limit gains, with slaughter rates and average weights both running significantly higher than last year at this time.
