Five Arkansas Farm Bureau (ArFB) leaders participated in the American Farm Bureau Advocacy Fly-In. Agriculture is essential to our nation and the need for a farm bill continues to weigh on the industry. Farm Bureau members from across the country met with Congressional leaders to promote restoring longterm certainty for farmers and ranchers after a series of short-term extensions of the 2018 Farm Bill. ArFB leaders met with Senate Ag Committee Chairman Sen. John Boozman, Rep. Rick Crawford, Rep. Bruce Westerman and House Ag Committee Chairman Rep. G.T. Thompson.
Advocacy in Action | Particpants in the American Farm Bureau Advocacy Fly-In included (front row) Joe Mencer of Lake Village, Magen Allen of Bismarck, Heath Donner of Manila, (back row) Terry Dabbs of Stuttgart and Kallem Hill of Oppelo.
District Farm Family of the Year Announced, Page 2
2025 DISTRICT FARM FAMILIES OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED
The 78th annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program has announced its eight district farm families, encompassing the breadth of Arkansas agriculture, the state’s largest industry.
Judges will visit these farms to determine the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year, who will be announced Dec. 12.
The District Farm Families of the Year are:
East Central District: the Mitchell family of Des Arc (Prairie County) – Brothers Drew (Audrey) and Luke (Elise) Mitchell have been farming for 10 years. They grow rice, corn and soybeans on nearly 4,000 acres.
Drew and Audrey have four children: Baylor, Anniston, Rivia and Laken. Luke and Elise have one child: Lyndon.
Northwest District: the Spears family of Fayetteville (Washington County) – Randy and Dawna Spears have been farming for 45 years, with the help of their adult children. The raise cattle and sell direct-to-consumer beef, and grow silage and hay on more than 1,000 acres.
North Central District: the Henley family of Evening Shade (Sharp County) – Bryan and Mary Ellen Henley have been farming for 20 years. They raise cattle and grow hay on more than 500 acres. They have two children: Audra and Addley.
Northeast District: the Dilldine family of Blytheville (Mississippi County) – Dalton and Skiver Dilldine operate Dilldine Farms, marking 99 years of the family’s multi-generational operation. They grow cotton, soybeans, rice and corn on nearly 6,000 acres. They have one child: Daphne.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is reminding pesticide applicators and agricultural producers of important restrictions regarding the use of dicamba products during the 2025 growing season.
From April 16 through Oct. 31, pesticides labeled for agricultural use that contain dicamba cannot be used for pre-plant (burndown) applications in Arkansas.
At this time, no pesticides containing dicamba have a valid federal or state registration for over-the-top (OTT)
Southeast District: the Hoover family of Monticello (Drew County) – Charles and Carolyn Hoover have been farming for 49 years. They raise cattle and grow hay on more than 900 acres, along with operating a logging business. They have two adult children who assist with the farm.
Southwest District: the Lockeby family of Ashdown (Little River County) – Shane & Kim Lockeby have been farming for nine years alongside their adult children and spouses. In addition to raising poultry, they grow hay and pecans on more than 600 acres.
West Central District: the Smith family of Dierks (Howard County) – Jared and Cathren Smith have been farming for 17 years. They raise cattle and poultry on nearly 250 acres. They have two children: Cooper and Clara.
Western District: the Staton family of Magazine (Logan County) – Bruce and Laura Staton have been farming for 53 years with the help of their two adult children. They raise cattle and grow hay on more than 1,000 acres.
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REMINDS INDUSTRY OF DICAMBA USE RESTRICTIONS
application on dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. As a result, farmers cannot legally apply OTT dicamba on soybeans and cotton in 2025.
Producers and applicators who fail to comply with federal and/or state laws and rules may be subject to civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, as well as possible suspension or revocation of their applicator license. Applicable rules can be found on the Department’s website.
Suspected pesticide misuse complaints may be filed here or by calling the Department at (501) 225-1598.
HOW TO WIN AN ELECTION SEMINAR
Mark your calendar for this unique and proven campaign management training seminar and unlock the secrets to running a successful political campaign. This seminar teaches you how to evaluate the candidate and the electorate, build a campaign structure, raise money, enlist allies, create coalitions and get last-minute election-day voter attention. The seminar was developed by American Farm Bureau, an organization noted for its understanding of the political process, with the help of professional political consultants and staff members of both the Democratic and Republican parties. The instructors are trained staff members of Farm Bureau and the program will include a video recording, a case study and a computer simulation that allows you to test techniques, tools and methods. Join us Aug. 26-27 in Little Rock.
7TH ANNUAL ARFB FOUNDATION TRAP SHOOT
More than 50 teams competed at the Arkansas Farm Bureau Foundation 7th Annual Trap Shoot. Half of the proceeds from the event went directly to the Arkansas FFA Foundation and the Arkansas 4-H Foundation and will be used to support their youth agriculture and leadership programs. Event photos can be downloaded online. Winners included:
• Top Shooter – Ross Brister, Crawford Co.
• Youth Division First Place – Woodruff Co. Trap Team
• Youth Division Second Place – Cabot Trap Team
• Youth Division Third Place – Ashdown Senior #1
• Adult Division First Place – Izard/Fulton Co.
• Adult Division Second Place – Cross Co. Farm Bureau
• Adult Division Third Place – Crawford Co.
Farm Field Day | The Scott Co. Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee hosted Farm Day at The Farmhouse Ranch on Persimmon Hill, welcoming students to explore the “moo-to-you” journey from farm to table, supported by Hiland Dairy in Fort Smith.
Farmers Market Week | Hempstead Co. Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership Committee hosted a hospitality table at the Hope Farmers Market in support of local farmers and vendors.
Member Appreciation | Clark Co. Farm Bureau served over 300 beef brisket sandwiches during its member appreciation event. They also hosted a cereal drive to donate to Healthy Connections in Arkadelphia.
MARKET NEWS
as of June 11, 2025
Contact Brandy Carroll brandy.carroll@arfb.com
Tyler Oxner tyler.oxner@arfb.com
Rice
Rice futures are holding their own after the spring selloff, having recovered over $1/cwt after confirming a bottom in May. That low is $12.53 for new crop September, and futures are now challenging resistance at $13.80. Unfortunately, some of the market strength is attributable to the rocky start of this year’s crop. Farmers across the mid-south, particularly in Northeast Arkansas, were inundated with rain and flooding that led to late or prevented planting. The condition of the crop also reflects this, with 68% of the Arkansas crop rated good to excellent, and 32% rated fair to poor. A recent uptick in export sales has also been beneficial. Iraq, usually a top 10 customer of U.S. rice, has been a major buyer recently after new financing restrictions delayed purchasing. Iraq now is contracted to purchase 220,000 metric tons of U.S. rice in 2025.
Corn
Improved crop conditions put added pressure on corn futures this week. According to USDA’s latest Crop Progress report, 71% of the U.S. corn crop is now rated good to excellent — up slightly from last week and continuing a modest upward trend. Iowa, the top corn-producing state, is leading the way with 85% of its crop in top-tier condition. Arkansas remains steady with 68% rated good to excellent, unchanged from the previous report. Despite bearish fundamentals, short-term technicals are signaling oversold conditions, prompting some buying
interest early this week. December corn futures traded down to revisit the early June low during Tuesday’s session but reversed course, closing nearly 6 cents above the low. From a technical standpoint, the 50-day moving average near $4.48 remains a key level to watch for short-term direction.
Soybeans
Soybean futures have seen limited movement in recent days as traders await developments from ongoing U.S.-China trade discussions. While some optimistic language has emerged, no formal agreements have been announced — leaving the market in a holding pattern. National soybean crop conditions improved slightly this week, with 68% rated good to excellent, up 1 percentage point. Iowa continues to report strong conditions at 80%, while Ohio trails behind at just 53%. Conditions in Arkansas are slightly below the national average at 60% of the crop rated good to excellent. Soybean planting progress remains ahead of schedule with 90% of the U.S. crop planted as of Sunday, well above the historical average. From a technical perspective, November soybeans remain rangebound. Prices briefly pushed above the 100-day moving average near $10.32½ but failed to hold. On the downside, the 50-day moving average around $10.28¾ continues to provide support.
Wheat
The wheat market is looking ahead to Thursday’s WASDE report, which will provide updated global production estimates just as harvest begins to ramp up across the U.S. This week’s Crop Progress report showed winter wheat condition improving, with 54% of the crop now rated good to excellent — up two points from last week. In Arkansas, however, harvest pace is lagging due to persistent wet weather. Only 19% of the crop has been harvested so far, compared to 31% last year and a five-year average
of 25%. On the charts, July Kansas City wheat futures bounced this week after testing late-May support near $5.25. If that level fails, the next downside target sits near the low close of $5.08. Resistance is building near the 50-day moving average at $5.45½, which remains the near-term bullish objective.
Cotton
As of June 8, Arkansas cotton farmers had seeded 93% of intended acres. With the late planting period for crop insurance now closed, it is unlikely the remaining intended acres will be planted. There is 3% of the crop in Arkansas now squaring, and 69% is in good to excellent condition. Nationwide, 76% of the crop is in the ground, with Texas currently at 72%. Exports remain slow as China buys cotton from Brazil and other origins. There is currently no news regarding a trade deal with China, or if cotton would benefit from any deal once it is created. July futures are chopping along mostly sideways with support at 64.5 cents. A close below that level would signal a retest of the contract low of 62 cents. December is consolidating in a narrow band between resistance at 69 cents and support at 67.5 cents.
Cattle
Gains in cattle futures accelerated last week as futures gapped higher and set new record highs in several contracts. Most-active August climbed as high as $220.05 this week before running out of steam. The rally is driven by tight cattle supplies and skyrocketing cash prices. After holiday buying is complete, demand usually wanes through late summer, and prices could correct as a result.
