The 2026 Arkansas Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Conference is set for April 17-18 at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. Friday, April 17.
The conference will officially kick off at 10:45 a.m. Friday with an opening general session followed by lunch. At noon, attendees will have the option to attend one of three farm tours, or participate in a service project at the hotel. Buses will depart the hotel for the tours at noon. Friday will conclude with dinner and trivia beginning at 6 p.m.
Saturday morning will begin with two sessions of workshops before attendees divide into groups to network. The conference will wrap up with a general session featuring Jennifer Duvall, wife of American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall.
Registration can be done through the county office or online, where a tentative schedule of events can also be found.
The deadline to register is March 13.
POP TAB CHALLENGE
County WLCs: Don’t forget to bring your pop tabs to the WL Conference for your chance to win the Pop Tab Challenge. Bring your tabs to the conference April 17 for the weigh-in.
Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 counties: 1st Place: $300, 2nd Place: $200 and 3rd Place: $100.
All pop tabs must be aluminum. These tiny tabs make a big impact! The pop tabs are recycled, converted to cash and 100% of the funds received support families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.
Six Inductees Added To Class Of XXXVIII Arkansas Agriculture Hall Of Fame, Page 2
Applications for 2026 YF&R Competitive Events, Page 3
ARKANSAS GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
The Arkansas Grassroots Leadership program identifies and provides training and resources for potential county Farm Bureau leaders, introduces them to all aspects of the organization and connects them with current Farm Bureau leaders to ensure their success. The two-year program will offer leadership opportunities at the county, state and national level.
If you are interested in learning more about Farm Bureau, benefiting from leadership development training and amplifying your voice by becoming part of the state’s largest agriculture advocacy organization, sign up for one of the regional meetings that will take place this spring.
Remaining 2026 Regional Meetings:
FAYETTEVILLE | March 12
Washington Co. Farm Bureau
EL DORADO | March 17
Union Co. Farm Bureau
CONWAY | April 1
Faulkner Co. Farm Bureau
For more details contact your county president or district director. Registration can be done online
ArFB PR TEAM SEEKING 2026 SUMMER INTERN
The ArFB internship program provides a hands-on work experience to students who will increase their understanding and knowledge of agriculture and the function/purpose of ArFB.
The Public Relations internship provides technical and creative support for ArFB’s PR department, and the opportunity to gain valuable experience in support of Arkansas’ largest member organization. Students will be tasked with writing for our various publications, photography, videography, design and more.
More information is available online.
SIX INDUCTEES ADDED TO CLASS
OF XXXVIII
ARKANSAS AGRICULTURE HALL OF FAME
Six distinguished individuals will be inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame, recognizing their contributions to the fields of soybean, rice, forestry, and cotton, along with their impactful roles in the United States Congress and Senate.
Class XXXVIII induction ceremonies are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. March 27 in the Wally Allen Ballroom at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. Contact Cindra Jones at 501-228-1609 for ticket information or click here to purchase tickets online.
The six inductees that make up Class XXXVIII are:
• Jim Carroll III of Moro;
• Joe Fox of Fayetteville;
• Allen B. Helms Jr. of Clarkedale;
• The Honorable Blanche Lincoln of Washington D.C.;
• John Paul Pendergrass of Charleston;
• Benny Petrus of Stuttgart.
Brief biographies for each inductee can be found online
Since the hall of fame’s first class in 1987, a total of 198 men and women have been inducted for significant contributions to Arkansas’ largest industry and the economic impact of the industry.
The Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame was originated in 1987 by Paul Harvel, C.R. Sawrie and the Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. The program seeks to build public awareness of agriculture; and to honor/recognize past and current leaders who have given selflessly to the farm industry, their communities and to economic development in the state.
Jim Carroll III
Joe Fox
Allen B. Helms Jr.
Blanche Lincoln
John Paul Pendergrass
Benny Petrus
APPLICATIONS FOR 2026 YF&R COMPETITIVE EVENTS
The Excellence in Ag (EA) and Achievement Award (AA) applications are now available. There are two rounds of competition. In the initial round, applicants will fill out an application, due March 20. The top three contestants will be chosen from these applicants. The second round will require the top three competitors to complete the more extensive American Farm Bureau applications and participate in either an interview (AA) or presentation (EA). The interviews and presentations will be held, and winners announced during the ArFB Officers & Leaders Conference in July.
The Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers in Arkansas who have excelled in their farming/ranching operations and exhibited outstanding leadership abilities. The award is designed for an individual or couple, involved fulltime in production agriculture with a majority of their income subject to normal production risks. Competitors are judged on a combination of farming operation growth and financial progress, excellence in operation management and scope, and self-initiative displayed throughout the development of their operation.
The Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes the accomplishments of contestants that derive the majority of their income from efforts other than agriculture but are involved in farming and Farm Bureau. Competitors are evaluated on their understanding of agricultural issues, leadership
experiences and achievement, ability to communicate their agricultural story, and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations (i.e. civic, service, and community).
These awards provide opportunities to give recognition for achievements in agriculture, business and leadership to our young farmers and ranchers. The future of Arkansas Farm Bureau relies on the success of our young leaders and recognizing those leaders and their accomplishments is vital to the health of our organization. These contests play an important role in encouraging our younger leaders to strive for excellence at home, on their farms, in their community and in their involvement with Farm Bureau.
County Farm Bureaus are urged to identify leaders who are eligible to apply. Applications are web-based and must be submitted online. Submission links, applications and information on deadlines and announcements are available online.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, contact Lindsey Rucker at (501) 228-1843 or lindsey.rucker@arfb.com
AMERICAN FARM BUREAU BOOK OF THE YEAR AVAILABLE
The Arkansas Ag in the Classroom program aims to inspire a love for agriculture among students across Arkansas. That’s why the Book of the Year program is such a special part of it — using charming children’s books to shine a light on important agricultural topics and make learning fun.
The 2026 Ag in the Classroom Book of the Year is “I Love Blueberries,” written by Shannon Anderson and illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett.
Told through Jolie’s comical scrapbookstyle journal entries and Margot’s creative sketchbook, young readers will learn how to create a plan and work together to not only grow blueberries but also develop a new friendship. This heartwarming story emphasizes the value of friendship, a
theme that will resonate with young readers. These hardback books have special pricing for county Farm Bureaus at $5 each. An education guide is also available to accompany the book for $1 each.
You may choose to read the book to a school classroom or donate it to a school or public library. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce an agriculturally themed book to students and teachers. The book may be ordered through your county Farm Bureau office or online
For questions, contact Donette Spann at donette.spann@ arfb.com or 501-228-1222.
MARKET NEWS
as of March 4, 2026
Contact
Brandy Carroll brandy.carroll@arfb.com
Tyler Oxner tyler.oxner@arfb.com
Cotton
The May 2026 cotton contract has remained in a broader bearish pattern since the 2025 harvest, but recent price action suggests a potential shift in momentum. Futures have broken above the descending trading channel that had contained prices for several months, signaling improving technical structure. Strength in crude oil, which surged on renewed concerns about possible U.S. military action involving Iran, provided additional support to the cotton complex. Bulls are now focused on taking out the recent high at 55.38. Initial resistance is noted at 66.75, with the next upside objective at the Jan. 6 high of 67.11. Market attention is beginning to shift toward the U.S. crop outlook. USDA’s Ag Outlook Forum projected a modest increase in planted acreage this year, though upside potential may be limited given current profit margins. Meanwhile, drought concerns across portions of the southern Plains could ease if forecasted early-month rains materialize.
Corn
May corn futures have struggled to sustain upward momentum, with the $4.50 level emerging as firm resistance. That price point is likely attracting increased producer hedging and commercial selling interest. Despite this, corn continues to draw underlying support from strength in the energy sector, particularly crude oil and ethanol margins, which remain constructive for demand. At the same time, profit-taking pressure in soybeans and wheat has limited upside followthrough in corn. Technically, May futures are holding near the 100-day moving average, which continues to
act as a key pivot area. The market’s reluctance to break sharply lower suggests buyers are willing to defend this level, but a decisive move above $4.50 would be needed to shift sentiment more decisively bullish. Until then, corn appears rangebound, balancing supportive energy demand against broader grain market headwinds.
Wheat
Wheat futures have faced pressure from a strengthening U.S. dollar and forecasts calling for much-needed rainfall across Midwest soft red winter wheat areas. However, ongoing dryness concerns in key hard red winter wheat regions have offered counterbalancing support, along with geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Recent sessions have been two-sided, though prices found footing as the dollar retreated from early highs. From a technical perspective, the bullish objective for May Kansas City futures stands near $5.90, corresponding to highs seen during last June’s Israel-Iran conflict. Initial support is seen at $5.64, followed closely by $5.60.
Rice
Rice futures have turned higher again after two weeks of moving sharply lower. The nearby, most active May contract found support below $10. However, the market might have a tough time moving back above $11 with pressure from a stronger U.S. dollar making the export market more difficult for U.S. rice. Weekly export sales did improve in February helped along by a 97,000 metric ton purchased by Colombia thanks to the U.S. Colombia Free Trade Agreement that allows U.S. rice to move into the country duty-free. However, abundant supplies in Asia and a growing rice industry in South America continue to keep a lid on U.S. long-grain prices, while U.S. consumers turn to imported aromatic rice in record amounts, with 30% of the rice consumed in the United States projected to be imported this marketing year. The USDA Agriculture Outlook Forum, held annually at the end of February, did not include any rice reports for the first time in recent
history. A significant reduction in acres this year could have some impact on prices, but that decline of production is not unexpected.
Soybeans
Old-crop May soybeans have added nearly $1 on the market since the early February low, and new-crop November has put nearly 80 cents back on the market. The market is clearly trending higher, with little fundamental justification for the rally. Exports continue to be disappointing, with no real indication that China will be back in the market to purchase U.S. soybeans anytime soon. Soy oil is the bright spot in the market, with prices climbing over 25% since the beginning of the year. Large speculator buying has been the real driving force of the rally. The USDA prospective plantings report will be released in about 3 weeks, and that has the potential to change the market. The April 2024 highs near $12.50 are the next clear chart resistance, so this could be a good pricing opportunity.
Cattle
The cattle charts look toppy after several weeks of moving mostly sideways to higher. Prices have plunged lower as cash prices have declined speculative liquidation have become the focus of the market. Both live cattle and feeder cattle have fallen below their 40-day moving averages. April live cattle have support just above $231, and a 50% retracement objective near $225. However, futures are currently trading at a discount to cash prices, and that will provide some support. Supplies remain tight, which will also support prices in the long-run.
Hogs
Hog futures have found support from rising cash prices and hopes for better trade relations with China. Nearby April futures will have significant resistance near $98, while July futures are building resistance near $112.55.
