On this week’s AgCast we discuss an interesting update on Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS), more time for poultry companies to come to an agreement on the Illinois River watershed and more!

Firmer, fewer seeds, thinner skin and delicious flavor. Muscadine connoisseurs and raisers get ready for the release of two new varieties this fall from the University of Arkansas’ Fruit Research Station north of Clarksville. The fruit breeding program’s first muscadine releases will be fresh market, eating varieties developed by Dr. Margret Worthington. Insiders say the yet-to-be named diversities are more like a grape or ‘indoor fruit.’

After an allergy left her unable to eat meat from mammals, Amy Hall sought an alternative protein source. Her search led to the founding of Gum Creek Emus in Logan County. A few hundred birds later, now Hall is providing an alternative protein option for herself and others who struggle with Alpha-gal syndrome.

The Arkansas Farm Bureau Foundation is partnering with Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry (AHFH), with an initial gift of $25,000 that could triple with contributions from others. The program adds to the hunger relief efforts that ArFB and county Farm Bureaus have supported to fight food insecurity in Arkansas.

Most Arkansas farms await warmer temperatures before planting, but soybeans and corn have been up since March 3 at Miles Farms in McGehee. Crazy? Matt Miles and his son, Layne, dropped seed early last year and harvested more than double the Desha County bushel average for beans. This spring they've doubled down, adding corn (Feb. 22) and another early bean planting on Feb. 20. Watch the experimenters' story here.

Read the latest issue of the Farm Bureau Press.

Big news on the right-to-repair front, we break down the "other" five titles in the Farm Bill, plus how the freezing could be impacting Arkansas farmers. We cover all that and much more on today's episode of the Arkansas AgCast!

Read the latest Market Report.

Did you know March is Farm Safety Month? Every year Arkansas Farm Bureau offers grain bin safety training to farmers, firefighters, EMTs and other first responders in an effort to combat grain bin entrapments. Thank you to our friends at Mississippi Farm Bureau for helping provide the equipment and experts to lead this course!

45 years ago, Lonoke farmers went on a wild ride, landing in Panama; Arkansas Agriculture Class XXXV Inductees; Hunters Feeding the Hungry