Featured podcast

Global Market Prospects for U.S. Long-grain Rice for the Upcoming Market Year

Hunter Biram and Ryan Loy sit down with Alvaro Durand-Morat to discuss the outlook for U.S. long-grain rice in the 2025/26 marketing year. They cover the latest global supply and demand dynamics, including record global rice production and rising use in key markets. The discussion highlights USDA’s projection for lower U.S. rice exports and competition from South American suppliers, as well as trends in rice prices and trade policy developments. Grab your coffee and join us for an in-depth update on the global rice market and what it means for U.S. producers. 24 minutes.

New and upcoming stories

Check back for new stories later this week.

LITTLE ROCK — With most Arkansas cotton now in the ground, growers are now contending with high soil moisture, and the prospect of stunted plants if things don’t dry out soon. By Ryan McGeeney. 400 words. With file art.

MONTICELLO, Ark. — From show bulls to elk skulls, fifth graders from the North Little Rock School District got a behind-the-scenes look at livestock and wildlife during a hands-on visit to the University of Arkansas at Monticello. By Traci Rushing. With art. 

LITTLE ROCK — Horticulture. Wildlife. Photography. Fine arts. Four Arkansas teens with widely varied interests have one thing in common: They are the 2025 4-H Governor’s Award finalists. By Mary Hightower. 825 words. With art.

AMITY, Ark. — Nestled among towering pines and a glittering 40-acre lake, Arkansas 4-H members from five counties gathered at Timber Lodge Ranch for the 4-H Star Camp from June 18-20. The annual program, dating back decades, is the result of dedicated collaboration among Cooperative Extension Service staff. By Rebekah Hall. 750 words. Art planned.

CONWAY, Ark. — A dozen University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture employees have been recognized for excellence in videos, podcasts and writing by Arkansas Press Women. By the U of A System Division of Agriculture. Art planned.

Earlier stories

SEARCY, Ark. — Angelia Hudson and Joanne York were recently named the 2024 Arkansas Master Gardeners of the Year in honor of their contributions to the volunteer organization, which trains members to lead horticulture education and beautification projects throughout the state. By Rebekah Hall. 1,126 words. With art.

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will host a sanitation and Listeria prevention workshop at the Cooperative Extension Service Little Rock State Office on Aug. 12-14. By Ryan McGeeney. 400 words. With graphic.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- As Arkansas rice producers face increasing agronomic and economic challenges, new assistant professor of post-harvest grain processing Kaushik Luthra is ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work. By Amy Gimpel. 396 words. With art.

Over the years I’ve visited many trial gardens and even planted a few myself, but the garden managed by Dr. Stephen Love at the Aberdeen Research and Extension in Idaho center is absolutely unique. In Love’s garden, seeds are collected from the wild and the plants evaluated for their suitability for garden planting in urban backyards.

Upcoming events

2025

• June 28 — FAYETTEVILLE — Dairy Cattle Fitting and Showmanship Clinic
• July 7 — ONLINE — Soil & Water Conservation Virtual Field Trip about Blackberries and Tunnels
• July 15 — ONLINE — Grow Your Own Groceries: Watermelons
• July 15 — BENTON — Ruminant Nutrition
• July 16 — ONLINE — Western Water Markets: Overview of Legal & Policy Considerations
• July 18 — MOUNTAIN VIEW — Food Preservation-Pickled Green Beans
• July 23 — MONTICELLO — Explore Your Environment: Educator Workshop
• July 29 — NEWPORT — Soybean College
• July 31 — HARRISBURG — Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center Rice Field Day 
• Aug. 6 — FAYETTEVILLE — Turfgrass Field Day
• Aug. 7 — STUTTGART — Rice Research and Extension Center Rice Field Day
• Aug. 12-14 — LITTLE ROCK — Listeria Prevention & Sanitation Workshop
• Aug. 14 — COLT — Pine Tree Research Station Field Day
• Sept. 17 — LITTLE ROCK — Bed Preparation & Methods of Transplant Production

See our events calendar.

Questions? Contact Mary Hightower