SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 | VOLUME 30 | ISSUE 16
Farm Bureau Press PREMISES IDS: WHAT TO KNOW As show season gets underway across Arkansas, many livestock owners, especially those new to 4-H, FFA or county fairs, find themselves navigating a maze of requirements and paperwork. One area that often causes confusion is the Premises Identification Number (PIN). Whether you’re tagging animals for the first time, preparing for interstate travel or simply trying to meet fair entry guidelines, understanding what a premises ID is and why it’s important can save you time and stress.
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County Fair Prep with County Women’s Leadership Committees, Page 2
The PIN system applies to a wide range of species, including cattle, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, equine and other livestock commonly raised in Arkansas. Whether you’re a commercial operator or a small-scale hobby farmer, a PIN can be a vital part of your animal health plan. The main function of a PIN is to support animal disease traceability. During outbreaks such as avian influenza, bovine tuberculosis or swine fever, animal health officials can quickly trace the movement of animals. This speeds up containment efforts, limits the spread of disease, and helps protect both public health and the agriculture economy. In addition to disease control, registered premises can also play a key role in emergency preparedness, such as during floods, tornadoes or other disasters. When animals must be evacuated or relocated, having your premises already in the system can speed up response efforts and direct assistance where it’s needed most. A PIN is also required to purchase official U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 840 RFID ear tags. These tags are commonly needed for interstate livestock movement, youth livestock exhibitions (4-H, FFA, etc.), and compliance with federal animal ID and traceability rules.
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A PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
PREMISES IDS: WHAT TO KNOW
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While the program is voluntary in Arkansas, many individuals and organizations either require or benefit significantly from having a PIN: • Livestock producers and ranchers – Needed to purchase USDA-approved RFID tags and often required for animal transport across state lines. • Veterinarians – Must use a PIN or Non-Producer Participant Number when ordering official tags on behalf of clients or when issuing Certificates of Veterinary Inspection. Farmer for a Day | Members of the Clinton High School Family Career and Community Leaders of America helped Van Buren County Farm Bureau set up their Farmer for a Day barn at the Van Buren County Fair.
• Youth livestock exhibitors – Many county, state and national 4-H and FFA programs require a PIN for animals entered in shows or fairs. • Livestock markets and auction barns – Often must register their facilities to comply with federal traceability regulations. • Animal health officials – Use the system to conduct investigations, manage disease incidents and coordinate response efforts. • Tag distributors – Required to verify a valid PIN before shipping official USDA identification tags. Even small farms, backyard flocks and hobby operations benefit from registration; especially if animals are shown, sold or moved off the premises. The system is designed to support operations of all sizes, not just large-scale producers.
County Fair Field Trip | Johnson County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee, with the help of Johnson County 4-H and the Johnson County Junior Fair Board, taught Clarksville kindergarteners about where our food comes from as they went on a field trip to the county fair.
Some livestock owners are concerned about privacy. It’s important to know that your premises information is used only by authorized animal health officials for disease traceability and emergency response. It is not shared publicly, nor is it used for taxation, regulatory enforcement or any unrelated government purpose. Registering for a PIN is free for Arkansas residents. To apply, contact the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Division at (501) 225-1598. To order RFID tags, reach out to Kory Jones at kory.jones@ agriculture.arkansas.gov or call (501) 823-1722. Be prepared to provide your name and contact information, the type(s) of livestock you manage, and the physical address of the premises.
Back to School | Searcy County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee spent time stuffing bags for the Searcy County Fair. The goodie bags were handed out to students visiting the fair. 2
While participation in the Premises Identification System remains voluntary in Arkansas, it’s important for livestock owners to understand when and why a PIN may be required. Whether for compliance with federal regulations, participation in youth livestock programs or preparedness during emergencies, having a premises ID can offer practical benefits. Ultimately, the decision to register is a personal one, and producers should consider their specific needs, activities and goals to determine whether a PIN is right for their operation.
A PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
MATT SMITH ELECTED VICE CHAIRMAN OF ARKANSAS SOYBEAN PROMOTION BOARD The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board (ASPB), a producerled organization serving the state’s soybean industry through research, education and promotion, has elected Matt Smith of Blytheville as vice chairman. Gov. Sanders appointed Smith to the board in September of last year. Smith also serves as a board member on the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Board. Smith is a third-generation farmer growing soybeans, corn, cotton and wheat in Mississippi County. As vice chairman, Smith wants to continue promoting the state’s soybean industry and advocating for research funded through checkoff dollars that support the best return on investment for farmers. “I am honored to be chosen by my fellow board members to take on this role for the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board,” Smith said. “I hope to continue the important work of the board by being a resource for farmers and producers in the state.” Arkansas is one of the leading states for soybean production, ranking second in the United States. Approximately 3 million acres of soybeans are harvested each year, making soybeans a $2 billion industry and the top row crop in the state. “We are happy to have Matt on the board, and we look forward to his leadership,” said Brad Doyle, ASPB Chairman. “He is a hard worker and passionate about putting farmers first in Arkansas.”
ArFB Advocates | Arkansas Farm Bureau President Dan Wright was a guest on Arkansas Week, discussing the economic challenges facing Arkansas row-crop farmers. Wright made the point that Congress has made meaningful and beneficial changes to federal support programs, though there is a need for USDA to provide one-time benefits. Others on the program included UA Extension economist Hunter Biram and rice farmer Mark Isabell of Humnoke. Veteran broadcaster Chris Kane served as host of the episode, which will air Sept. 5 at 7:30 pm and re-air the afternoon of Sept. 7. It is also available on the Arkansas PBS YouTube channel. A PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
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MARKET NEWS as of September 3, 2025 Contact Brandy Carroll
brandy.carroll@arfb.com
Tyler Oxner
tyler.oxner@arfb.com
Corn Corn futures opened the shortened week soft but managed an impressive reversal higher, bucking weakness in soybeans and wheat. December futures held firm at the 50-day moving average near $4.14, marking the first consecutive closes above that level since late May. Technically, the next upside target is the 100-day moving average near $4.31, which hasn’t been tested in over a month. Fundamentals remain mixed. Crop condition ratings are historically strong, with pollination progressing under generally favorable conditions. Traders, however, remain cautious, weighing strong yield potential against the possibility of weather-related risk later in the season. Until new headlines emerge, technical levels are likely to drive trade direction in the near term. Soybeans Soybean futures slipped sharply to start the week, with November contracts retreating to chart support near $10.40. The market has repeatedly failed to sustain rallies above $10.50, as both yield potential and export demand remain uncertain. China continues to favor South American supplies, leaving U.S. exporters without the typical midsummer buying boost. On the technical side, November soybeans face resistance at $10.77 and support at the 20-day moving average near $10.33. USDA’s latest report added pressure, with crop condition ratings dropping 4 points to 65 percent good to excellent, the lowest level in weeks. Without stronger demand or weatherrelated stress, rallies may continue to encounter selling pressure. 4
Wheat Wheat futures erased last week’s modest rally, giving back two sessions of gains as traders returned from the long weekend. The pullback underscored that recent strength was more about short covering than a shift in market fundamentals. Global supplies remain ample after better-than-expected harvests across the Northern Hemisphere. Markets now turn their attention to planting of the 2026 winter crop in the U.S. and Europe, along with developing conditions in the Southern Hemisphere. Weather in Argentina and Australia will be watched closely in the months ahead, as risks there could inject volatility. For now, Kansas City December wheat shows resistance near $5.24 and support at $5.06. With demand soft and supplies steady, wheat futures may continue to trend sideways to lower. Rice Rice futures are trading near their five-year low point, with November hovering between support at $11.72 and resistance at $12.25. November has managed to close above $12 for the past couple of trading sessions, buoyed by carryover strength from soybeans and corn. However, a close below $12 would signal that bears are ready to make another run at the contract low. Harvest pressure could turn the market lower as more of the crop moves to market. Despite the slow start, Arkansas harvest is currently at 26%, ahead of the 5-year average of 15%. Nationwide 33% of the crop is harvested, with Louisiana and Texas nearing completion. The 71% of the remaining crop in Arkansas is rated good to excellent, while 76% of the U.S. crop is rated good to excellent. Export demand remains weak, with weekly sales continuing to disappoint. Supplies from Asia — especially India — and South America are proving to be tough competition and keeping world prices low. Cotton Cotton futures are trading at or near
A PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
contract-low levels. A rally last week was cut short when most-active December ran into trendline resistance and made a new three-week low on Friday. The August low of 65.88 cents remains the downside target for bears. Weaker crude oil prices, and therefore cheaper polyester prices, are adding pressure. As we move into harvest, the crop outlook is still uncertain. Cooler temps could hurt yield prospects in the southern plains, but rain in Texas could improve prospects there and lessen the likelihood of abandonment. Nationwide, 51% of the crop is rated good to excellent. In Arkansas, 77% is rated good to excellent. Export sales and shipments have been mostly supportive recently, with Vietnam the leading buyer. China, once our biggest customer by far, is still not buying U.S. cotton. Cattle Cattle futures continue to trend higher, with no sign yet that the market has reached a top. Both live cattle and feeder cattle futures made new contract highs and a new all-time high on a front month basis last week. The market is being supported by surging beef values, with packer margins estimated to be firmly in the black despite the high cattle prices. The southern border remains closed to cattle trade, with fear of New World screwworm making its way into the United States. Hogs Hog futures have been supported by strength from cattle markets, with prices moving higher again after trending mostly sideways during July and August. October is now moving toward a retest of the contract high of $97.05, and the December and February contracts have moved to new highs. Pork exports are down 3.5% year over year, and packer margins have weakened.
EDITOR Shaylee Wallace Barber shaylee@arfb.com