Calling all Arkansas direct-to-consumer farmers and ranchers!
After a successful first year, the Arkansas Farm Trail is back for its second season, and we’re adding more farms.
The Arkansas Farm Trail is a passport program to bring consumers from across the state directly to your farm. By joining the program, you’ll be featured in ArFB’s Arkansas Farm Trail passport, which incentivizes Arkansans to visit farms and collect stamps to earn prizes. Our hope is that these visitors will learn your farm’s story, purchase your products and learn firsthand where their food comes from.
Customers will have an Arkansas Farm Trail passport that lists participating farms. When they visit your farm, you will stamp the passport at time of purchase. As stamps are collected with each farm visit, passport participants will be eligible for prizes depending on the number of stamps they collect. The more stamps, the better the prize!
Apply today to be part of the Arkansas Farm Trail passport program, where local farmers meet local customers! Applications will close Oct. 17. For more details, visit arfarmtrail.com.
School Year Support from County Women’s Leadership Committees, Page 3
THE IMPORTANCE OF REPORTING TO THE U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR MAP
The summer in Arkansas began with steady rainfall that kept fields green and ponds full. But in recent months, those showers have disappeared. Several counties across the state haven’t seen measurable rain in weeks, leaving pastures stressed, crops struggling and rural communities increasingly concerned about worsening drought conditions.
As these challenges mount, understanding and documenting drought conditions is critical. One of the most important tools available is the U.S. Drought Monitor, a weekly map that tracks drought across the country.
Produced through a partnership among the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Drought Monitor compiles data from satellites, weather stations and soil models to create field reports published within the updated map every Thursday.
Reports are reviewed by drought experts and incorporated into the U.S. Drought Monitor each week. By providing this local detail, producers help ensure drought maps reflect real conditions on the ground, supporting decisions about disaster aid, crop insurance adjustments and resource allocation.
Arkansas Farm Bureau is encouraging producers to download the app and participate. By reporting conditions early, producers ensure their communities are accurately represented while strengthening the reliability of the nation’s drought monitoring system. For step-by-step instructions on how to download and use the CMOR app (Survey123), see the official fact sheet: How to Submit Drought Conditions Reports.
FARM BANKRUPTCIES ON THE RISE: FARMERS AND THE FUTURE OF
Arkansas, a state deeply rooted in agriculture, offers a telling example aging farm population. According to the 2022 USDA Census of Arkansas counted 67,425 producers, yet fewer than one in ten were the age of 35. Just 8% fell between ages 25 and 34, and fewer than younger than 25. Against this backdrop of an aging farm population, has emerged as a bankruptcy hotspot. According to data from Bankruptcy Institute, Arkansas has experienced a notable increase 12 bankruptcy filings in recent years. In 2024, the state accounted 30% of the chapter 12 filings in the 8th U.S. District Court, a significant from approximately 5% in 2021. As of mid-2025, Arkansas had filed district’s Chapter 12 cases, with three quarters of the year remaining. The pattern extends across the South. Arkansas recorded 16 Chapter states, and added 15 more in the first quarter of 2025 alone. In six, though historically Texas has often reported far higher numbers. reported only a handful each. On the surface, these figures may trends they tell a more troubling story. The South skews older than operations depend on generational transfer for continuity. When more difficult. Older farmers nearing retirement may have no heirs agriculture, leading to land being sold outside the family and sometimes The stakes are clear. If trends continue unchecked, 2025 may be but a year in which America loses a generation of farmers. Even bankruptcies will be felt for years. The nation’s ability to sustain will hinge on how policymakers, lenders and communities respond. generation of farmers has the tools and opportunities needed to the full September Ag Insider here
California Farm Bureau Visits Arkansas | Leadership Farm Bureau is a leadership and is specifically designed to invest in emerging Cal. Farm Bureau leaders. California, across the nation and on a global level. Participants receive in-depth travel for a firsthand look at the similarities and differences of agriculture and agriculture businesses in Arkansas while learning about the state’s unique to seeing Arkansas’s industry, they met with leaders to gain insight on the can strengthen connections and Farm Bureaus across the country.
RISE: WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUNG SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE
example of an Agriculture, were under than 2% were population, the state the American increase in Chapter accounted for over significant rise filed 27% of the remaining.
Chapter 12 cases in all of 2024, more than the other Southern 2024, Louisiana saw 13 Chapter 12 filings, while Texas recorded numbers. Other states, including Mississippi and Alabama, may appear modest, but when viewed alongside demographic than the national average in its farm population, and many When bankruptcies erode farm equity, succession becomes even heirs willing or financially able to assume the risks of production sometimes outside of agriculture altogether.
be remembered not only as a year of rising bankruptcies, Even if commodity prices rebound, the ripple effects of these its rural way of life, and the food security that depends on it, respond. The choices made today will determine whether the next to carry forward one of the country’s most vital traditions. Read
leadership development program sponsored by the California Farm Bureau leaders. A special focus is given to issues affecting farmers and ranchers in in-depth issues training from industry experts and have the opportunity to across the country. Participants spent a few days touring different farms unique industry and continuing to sharpen their leadership skills. In addition current issues impacting Arkansas agriculture, and how leadership roles
FROM THE COUNTIES
Campus Food Pantry Donation | Hempstead County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee recently donated items to the Beryl Henry Upper Elementary food pantry to support students facing food insecurity. Pictured (from left) is committee member Mindy Lockhart, food pantry sponsor Arianna Leeper and committee member and food pantry sponsor Grace Turner.
Classroom Donation | Sevier County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee presented a $400 check to McKenzie Seymour to help stock her classroom with supplies. Mrs. Seymour is a first-year ag teacher at Horatio High School. Pictured (from left) is committee member Vernichia Davis, Mrs. McKenzie Seymour and commmittee member Elizabeth Walker.
School Supply Delivery | Sharp County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee delivered school supplies to Cave City Elementary and Cherokee Elementary.
MARKET NEWS
as of September 17, 2025
Contact Brandy Carroll brandy.carroll@arfb.com
Tyler Oxner tyler.oxner@arfb.com
Rice
November Rice futures charted a new 5-year low on Monday, trading as low as $11.31. The market recovered a bit on Tuesday, posting a new 7-session high. Resistance begins at last week’s high of $11.95, but it might be difficult for futures to build upward momentum during harvest, especially considering market fundamentals. Farmers are making quick work of harvest. Despite a late start to the crop, Arkansas farmers have harvested 60% of planted acres, well ahead of the 5-year average of 42%. The stocks report, released in late August, showed an increase in total stocks of 3.4 million cwt to 53.9 million cwt, up 35% from last year and the largest August rice stocks in nearly 40 years. USDA raised the production estimate due to higher harvested acreage totals, which was partially offset by a reduction in expected yield to 7,559 lbs. Total exports were lowered by 3 million cwt, all from the long-grain cagetory, on uncompetitive prices and the slow pace of sales. The net result of the report was an increase of 8.7 million cwt in ending stocks, which are now pegged at 53.4 million cwt. The 2025/26 season average on-farm price was lowered by $1.00 from the August report. The expected all-rice price is now estimated to be $13.20/cwt and the long grain price is expected to be $12.00.
Corn
With the September contract expired, attention shifts to December futures trading near $4.28. This month’s WASDE raised U.S. production to 16.8 billion bushels, the result of more harvested acres offsetting a slightly lower yield.
Exports were increased to a record 3.0 billion bushels, keeping ending stocks nearly steady at 2.1 billion. Domestically, crop ratings dipped to 67% good-to-excellent with 7% harvested, while early yield reports are mixed. Export demand remains strong, with inspections running 43% above last year and another 5.6 million bushels sold this week. Technically, resistance sits near $4.35 where we might see some selling emerge.
Soybeans
November futures are trading near $10.44 as the market weighs mixed signals. Strong domestic crush demand is supportive, with August NOPA reporting a record 189.8 mb crush and soybean oil stocks at an eightmonth low, while the EPA’s proposed biofuel reallocation could further boost oil use. Crop ratings slipped to 63% good-to-excellent with harvest 5% complete. This month’s WASDE raised U.S. production slightly to 4.3 billion bushels, with higher crush but reduced exports due to increased global competition. Ending stocks were edged up to 300 million bushels. Globally, soybean production was trimmed to 425.9 million tons, with world ending stocks also lowered. Resistance on the November chart is near $10.50, with support at the 20-day moving average around $10.33.
Wheat
With attention shifting to the December contract, futures are trading near $5.32 after briefly breaking above the 20-day moving average for the first time since July. Demand has been supportive, with Indonesia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka securing large volumes of U.S. wheat, and Vietnam seeking additional supplies, though Russian exports remain a competitive factor. Harvest progress shows spring wheat at 94% complete, while winter wheat planting is 11% done, trailing the average pace. This month’s WASDE raised U.S. exports by 25 million bushels to 900 million, cutting ending stocks to 844 million. Globally, supplies and trade were raised
on larger production from Australia, the EU and Russia, with world ending stocks climbing to 264.1 million tons. Resistance on the Kansas City December board is near $5.35, while support is marked by Tuesday’s breakout level at the 20-day average.
Cotton
Cotton futures have moved to new 3-week high this week. Fundamental support is coming from a stronger dollar and weaker crude oil prices as well as optimism about trade talks with China, a major buyer of US cotton that has been absent from the market so far this marketing year. The September WASDE showed a few changes, with production up 10,000 bales to 13.2 million. There were no changes to consumption, exports, or ending stocks. The stocksto-use ratio was unchanged at 26%. The projected season-average upland price was unchanged at 64 cents/pound.
Livestock and Poultry
In the September WASDE, USDA reduced their forecast for beef and pork production on lower slaughter totals and lower dressed weights. USDA will release the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report on Sept. 25, which will give more information about hog supplies. They raised the forecast for poultry production on recent production and hatchery data and higher expected weights. Cattle and hog prices are forecast higher for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026. Broiler prices are forecast lower for the remainder of the year. October live hogs charted a new high on Tuesday before closing lower and charting a bearish reversal. October live cattle have backed away from the recent contract high, but remain at historically high levels. Support begins near $229.
