The 77th Annual Officers and Leaders Conference will take place in Rogers July 17-18. We are excited for you to join us and other county leaders for summer commodity division meetings, workshops, fellowship and leadership development. Registration will begin at 8 a.m., Thursday, July 17, at the Rogers Convention Center. Workshops will cover mental health, solar grazing, local foods, farm bill updates, women’s leadership and more. The conference will conclude Friday afternoon with a keynote from Carey Portell, a cattle farmer from Missouri who knows how to meet adversity head on and adapt by turning her challenges into opportunities.
A tentative agenda can be found online. More information and registration will be shared in the coming weeks.
2025 ArFB FOUNDATION WEEK
Arkansas Farm Bureau Foundation (ArFB) Week is June 2-6! The ArFB Foundation works to provide support and resources to rural communities across the state. Throughout the week, the ArFB social media channels will highlight the work the ArFB Foundation is doing. County Farm Bureaus are encouraged to ‘like’ and ‘follow’ the ArFB Foundation Facebook page and share the posts to help spread the word about ArFB Foundation Week and the impact of the Foundation throughout Arkansas.
County offices can also share original stories and photos about how the Foundation has made a difference in your county and use #FoundationWeek25 to tag us.
For questions about Foundation Week, please contact Amanda Williams, amanda.williams@arfb.com.
ArFB Selects Summer Interns, Page 2
ArFB SELECTS SUMMER INTERNS
Two students have joined Arkansas Farm Bureau as summer interns, gaining hands-on experience while advancing their professional skills. Through the internship program, they will support the organization’s advocacy work for the state’s largest industry, agriculture, and rural communities. The program offers the opportunity to see how Farm Bureau serves as a voice for farmers and ranchers at the local, state and national levels.
Madi Dains, native of the Dallas area, will work within three areas: Commodities and Regulatory Affairs, Organization and Member Programs, and Public Affairs and Government Relations. Dains is a senior studying agricultural leadership and communication at the University of Arkansas.
“I’m honored to be part of an organization that plays such a vital role in advocating for Arkansas’ agriculture industry. It’s exciting to contribute to efforts that truly make a difference for our farmers, ranchers and rural communities,” said Dains.
Julia DeSalvo, native of Center Ridge, Arkansas, will work within the organization’s Public Relations Department. DeSalvo is a junior at Southern Arkansas University, studying agriculture business, where she serves as vice president of Collegiate Farm Bureau.
“The chance to work with Arkansas Farm Bureau is a dream come true,” said DeSalvo. “I’m excited to combine my passion for Arkansas agriculture with the advocacy efforts of the organization.”
PASSPORT TO SUMMER – EXPLORE
Just in time for farmers market season, the Arkansas Farm Trail (AFT) program is in full swing. AFT allows farmers and consumers to connect and share a passion for farming and locally grown food.
With more than 20 farms across 16 counties, a stop (or two) along AFT is the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon. The farms on the list grow or raise at least one food product sold on the farm, for a guaranteed farm-toshelf experience. The trail allows farmers to showcase products and emphasize the importance of buying local, while teaching customers how food is grown. Farmers in the program offer fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, canned goods and more. From berries to beef, AFT
YOUNG FARMER & RANCHER AWARD
Arkansas Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers recently announced its finalists for the Excellence in Ag and Achievement Awards. Both contests are designed to provide opportunities to give recognition for achievements in agriculture, business, and leadership to young farmers and ranchers.
Excellence in Ag recognizes the accomplishments of contestants who derive the majority of their income from efforts other than agriculture but are involved in farming. The three finalists are:
• Reed Kelley, Faulkner Co. The Kelleys have a commercial cow-calf operation in Conway, where Reed is an agriculture instructor and FFA advisor at Conway High School. Sarah is a labor and delivery and NICU nurse. They market sides of beef to the public and currently have a waitlist for beef in 2026. The Kelleys have a son and daughter, and are active in multiple agriculture organizations and passionate about serving others.
• Garrett and Mallory Moix, Faulkner Co. The Moixs have a 300-acre Bermuda grass hay farm and a run a 130-head cowcalf operation. Garrett is immersed in the agriculture industry daily and Mallory works as a pediatric occupational therapist. They have three daughters and love to include their children in all their farming adventures.
• Danielle Rudolph, Madison Co. Danielle is a first-generation farmer, and she operates a cow-calf operation alongside her husband, Tye, and their daughter. Danielle works as a certified nursing assistant and paraprofessional. The
Madi Dains
Julia DeSalvo
FARM TRAIL
has something for everyone to enjoy. Consumers can get a passport at any farm participating in the program, at their county Farm Bureau office or by printing it online. With the passport, consumers visit farms to make a purchase and collect a stamp. Prizes will be available according to the number of stamps, with a grand prize for the first three participants submitting passports with stamps from every farm. The grand prize is a custom-made fire pit made by members of Arkansas FFA. Get your passport today for an opportunity to explore Arkansas and support local agriculture this summer. For more information, visit ARFarmTrail.com.
AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
Rudolphs are actively involved in their county and state Farm Bureau, as well as their county fair board. They enjoy spending time together farming, playing sports and showing livestock.
The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers in Arkansas who have excelled in their farming and ranching operations and exhibited outstanding leadership abilities. The award is designed for those involved full-time in production agriculture.
The top three finalists for the Achievement Award are:
• Dalton and Skiver Dilldine, Mississippi Co. The Dilldines grow wheat, soybeans, cotton, corn and rice on 5,900 acres. Dalton is a fourth-generation farmer and Skiver is a registered nurse, and much of their quality time is spent together on the farm. They are expecting their first daughter this summer.
• Clay Gustafson, Van Buren Co. Clay and his wife Chalet have six broiler houses alongside a cow-calf and custom stocker calf operation. Clay also owns a custom litter and spreading business, and grows hay for their livestock. Clay and Chalet have one daughter and are expecting their family to grow this fall.
• Jacob and Callie Feather, White Co. Jacob is a thirdgeneration farmer of rice, soybeans and corn. Feather Farms operates on 1450 acres in total and in 2018 the family diversified by adding pecan orchards to their operation. Jacob’s wife Callie is a local nurse practitioner, and they have three sons.
The winner of both awards will be announced in July at the Officers and Leaders Conference held in Rogers.
New Office Location | Benton Co. Farm Bureau hosted a member appreciation day and ribbon cutting ceremony May 23 for their new, Pea Ridge satellite office. Those in attendance included Pea Ridge city officials/council, state Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance and Federation Staff, Benton Co. Extension staff, as well as Benton Co. Farm Bureau managers, agents, board and board officers, and Women’s Leadership Committee.
Scholarship Recipient | Pike Co. Farm Bureau Agent Andrew Henderson (right) recently presented the 2025 Pike Co. Farm Bureau scholarship to
attend the University
Can Tab Collection | County Women’s Leadership Committees (WLC) are collecting can tabs to help support the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas & North Louisiana, a non-profit they have partnered with for more than 30 years. For more information, reach out to your county WLC.
Brody Maroon of Murfreesboro High. Maroon will
of Arkansas at Rich Mountain in the fall.
MARKET NEWS
as of May 28, 2025
Contact Brandy Carroll brandy.carroll@arfb.com
Tyler Oxner tyler.oxner@arfb.com
Rice
On May 25, the final planting date for crop insurance in Arkansas, farmers had reportedly planted 94% of intended acres. With the final plant date of June 9 fast approaching and lots of precipitation over the holiday weekend, farmers are making tough decisions about how to proceed. Of the rice planted, 87% has emerged and only 66% is in good to excellent condition, evidence that the current weather pattern has been detrimental to the start of the crop. Fertilizer prices are trending higher, with urea prices estimated to be up 13% since April. UAN28 and UAN32 were up 9% and 10% respectively, and DAP, MAP and potash are all up slightly. July futures have support at $12.25 a 5-year low on a front-month basis. A close above resistance at $13.50 could signal a retest of the $14 area.
Corn
The latest USDA Crop Progress report shows corn planting progressing steadily, with 87% of the crop planted nationwide — up from 81% at this time last year and ahead of the five-year average of 85%. While planting pace has been strong, early crop condition ratings are raising concern. U.S. corn is currently rated at 68% good to excellent, trailing the average of 72% for this time of year. Some key states are struggling — Ohio, Texas, and North Dakota are each reporting less than 50% good/ excellent ratings, well below their
typical 70% range. Arkansas is reporting its corn crop at 68% good/ excellent, down slightly from 72% last year. Despite these weaker conditions, the market reaction has been muted. USDA’s projection of increased corn acreage this year continues to weigh on sentiment, with expectations of larger supplies and higher ending stocks. The September corn contract is finding support at the recent low of $4.20, with resistance near $4.43.
Soybeans
Soybean planting is moving quickly this year, with 76% of the U.S. crop planted — well ahead of last year’s pace by 10 percentage points and 12 points above the five-year average. In Arkansas, planting progress is slightly behind last year at 80% versus 87%, but still ahead of the state’s five-year average of 76%. USDA has not yet issued national soybean condition ratings for 2025; the first report is expected in early June. In the meantime, Arkansas is reporting 61% of its soybean crop in good to excellent condition, down from 74% at this time last year. With little fresh data on crop quality, markets remain subdued. November soybean futures continue to struggle for traction, unable to hold above $10.60, and may stay rangebound until more condition reports are available.
Wheat
U.S. winter wheat conditions are currently rated at 50% good to excellent, slightly better than last year’s 48% but still lackluster overall. Condition ratings this year are broadly similar to 2024 across all categories. In Arkansas, 50% of the crop is rated good to excellent, with only 9% in very poor or poor shape. That’s down from 65% good/ excellent at this time last year. On the technical analysis, the Chicago July wheat contract broke its stair step pattern last week but has yet to
show a definitive breakout. Traders remain cautious as the market awaits further clarity on harvest potential.
Cotton
With the final planting date for cotton in the rearview, Arkansas farmers have seeded 74% of the cotton crop, down from a 5-year average of 81%. Farmers in Northeast Arkansas have until the late planting date of June 4, while southern Arkansas farmers have until June 9 to plant cotton. Concern about the size of the U.S. crop has been somewhat supportive to the futures market, though rains that have prevented mid-south farmers to planting could prove beneficial in West Texas and result in additional acres there. December needs to close above resistance at 69 cents to suggest additional upside is possible. Weak demand continues to dominate the conversation in the cotton market. Weekly exports have repeatedly been disappointing, although last week’s total was up 41% from the previous four-week average. Vietnam has been the top buyer, while China has been in the market to a much lighter degree.
Cattle
Both live and feeder cattle futures hare facing significant technical pressure after charting bearish key reversals last week and a bearish outside day on Tuesday. While we haven’t seen a lot of follow-through selling, August futures need to close above the high of $214.50 to negate the negative chart signal. The monthly cattle on feed report pegged the total feedlot inventory as down 2% from May 2024, while placements were down 3%.
