UADA economists to present ‘Surviving the cost-price squeeze’ Oct. 23 at Stuttgart
“With the current ag economy, we’re trying to put information in the hands of farmers as they start planning for next season." — Grant Beckwith
By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Oct. 1, 2025
Fast facts:
- No cost to attend
- Event runs from 8:30-2 p.m.
(250 words)
STUTTGART, Ark. — Agricultural economists from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will discuss farm policy, marketing opportunities and financial outlooks Oct. 23 at “Farm Gate Economics: Surviving the Cost-Price Squeeze.”
The event begins at 8:30 with registration and will adjourn at 2 p.m. The program will be held at the Rice Research and Extension Center in Stuttgart. Lunch is included. There is no cost to attend. The event is co-hosted by the Southern Risk Management Education Center.
“With the current ag economy, we’re trying to put information in the hands of farmers as they start planning for next season,” said Grant Beckwith, Arkansas County extension staff chair for the Division of Agriculture. “The program will also highlight practical web-based tools designed to turn farm numbers into clear decisions.”
“Farmers across the United States find themselves crammed between ascending input costs and bottom-of-the-barrel commodity prices,” said Ryan Loy, extension economist for the Division of Agriculture. “We understand the strain our farmers are feeling and want to be able to offer means to help growers play the hand they’re dealt.”
The agenda
| Schedule: | Agenda: |
|---|---|
| 8:45 a.m. |
Welcome and purpose |
| 9 a.m. |
Introductions |
| 9:10 a.m. | 2025-26 farm policy outlook Hunter D. Biram, extension agricultural economist, associate director, Southern Risk Management Education Center |
| 10 a.m. | Domestic economy outlook and marketing opportunities Scott Stiles, extension economics program associate |
| 11 a.m. | Financial outlook and international trade Ryan Loy, extension economist |
| 1 p.m. | Turning numbers into decisions: Tools for farmers Biram and Loy |
| 2 p.m. | Adjourn |
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact gbeckwith@uada.edu as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
Media contact: Mary Hightower
mhightower@uada.edu