Arkansas produces some eye-opening numbers related to its robust poultry industry, which entails the production of broilers, eggs and turkeys.

The state ranks third in the nation in broiler production and value, third in the country for the number of turkeys produced, and seventh nationally for egg production value.

The value of all the broilers, eggs and turkeys produced in Arkansas each year is a whopping $6.7 billion, but the economic impact of the industry in the Natural States extends far beyond, said Marvin Childers, president of the Poultry Federation, a nonprofit advocacy group that represents producers, processors and other industry representatives in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. Roughly 158,000 jobs are supported by the industry in Arkansas in 2024, according to the federation’s most recent data, and state jobs related to broiler production alone pay an average of $57,100 in annual wages and benefits.

Childers said the credit goes to the producers, processors and service providers his group represents.

“The Poultry Federation has been around since 1954 and has been fortunate to have every poultry and egg company as a member,” he said. “Our membership is also blessed with over 300 allied members who sell goods or provide services to the poultry and egg companies. The federation board members understand the importance of our organization, and just as our predecessors did, we take seriously our mission to promote and protect the poultry and egg industry.”

As the federation celebrates its 64th annual Poultry Festival June 21 and 22 in Rogers, food safety will continue to be its top priority.

“We will also continue our efforts with workforce development issues by supporting [Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce labor recruitment program] Be Pro Be Proud,” Childers said. “We must be mindful of the supply and demand of all poultry and egg products and continue to look at how we sustainably continue to provide the safest, most abundant and most affordable food products that feed the world.”

Keith Smith, vice president of sales at Keith Smith Co. in Hot Springs, the federation’s incoming board chair, will replace Duane Weems, live operations manager at Peco Foods in Pocahontas. Like Weems, Smith has served in every board officer position.

Childers said Weems and Smith have been reliable leaders for the federation.

“Duane is one of our go-to guys when we need expertise and advice at the federation,” he said. “He oversaw the planning and construction of the Peco processing plant in Pocahontas and the Peco feed mill in Corning in 2016. Duane has been an outstanding chairman and will continue to serve on our board and executive committee.

Smith will follow in his father’s footsteps as board chair. Jim Smith served in multiple board positions, including his stint as chair in 2017 and 2018.

“Keith has grown up in the hatching egg industry and observed his father’s service on the Poultry Federation board for many years,” Childers said. “Keith has the leadership skills to lead our board and will bring fresh ideas to what we as a board need to focus on. He is a hands-on person and is looking forward to leading the board as we prepare for the 2025 legislative session.”

Weems said he is leaving the board in good hands and that the future of the industry looks bright.

“The Poultry Federation works hard to make a positive impact for the industry, customers and states where our members do business,” he said. “We have seen the federation grow through outreach and educational programs such as the festival, the Food Safety Conference and the symposium to name a few. Being aligned with such a dynamic network is invaluable.”

Smith said he is looking forward to carrying on the work of his father, Weems and others.

“My dad was involved in the Poultry Federation for decades, and it’s been an honor to serve on the board with Marvin Childers and his team,” he said. “Our family business is completing 80 years in operation this year, and we spend a lot of time talking about our purpose, vision, mission and stewardship — how we manage the company’s talents with a servant’s heart. My vision for the Poultry Federation is do my part with others in guiding the federation for continued long term success for the poultry industry where it is today, as well as where it will be in 15 years.”

This year’s Poultry Festival will serve as the symbolic transition to Smith’s term as chair. For the industry, even beyond the Poultry Federation’s three-state footprint, it also serves as a celebration of the field — the producers, processors and service providers — and the impact they have on local communities. Within the industry, it is an event marked on every calendar.

Toby Tapp, complex manager for Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ Danville facility, even likened it to a family reunion.

“The poultry festival is a celebration of the poultry and egg industry, and it’s a highlight for us every year — a chance to network, see people we work with from across the state and nation and come together as an industry and industry supporters,” he said. “Poultry is at the center of the Arkansas economy, and it impacts so much more than just the producers like Wayne-Sanderson Farms. It’s kind of like a family reunion — producers, farm partners who grow our chickens, local businesses, area contractors, suppliers and even consumers. We’re all connected to the poultry business, and the festival is a fantastic opportunity to champion the industry while visiting with old friends.”

Shane Acosta, assistant vice president and general manager at Cargill in Springdale, said he is unaware of any industry event as robust and effective as the Poultry Festival.

“It holds immense significance for producers and processors in the poultry industry as it offers a prime opportunity for market exposure, networking and brand promotion,” he said. “The Poultry Festival serves as a platform for showcasing products, engaging with consumers and gathering valuable market insights. Additionally, the festival fosters community connection and supports local economies, making it a crucial event for industry stakeholders to enhance visibility, forge partnerships, and stay attuned to consumer preferences and market trends.”

The festival will include the annual scholarship auction, which raises money for the Poultry Federation’s Allied Industries scholarships through items or experiences donated by industry stakeholders. For the 2023-2024 academic year, the federation distributed $156,000 in scholarships to 24 undergraduate and 17 graduate students pursuing industry-related careers in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Acosta, who launched the federation’s annual Food Safety Conference, said the scholarships represent one of the federation’s most important roles.

“The scholarship auction is of paramount importance as it provides significant opportunities for supporting the educational pursuits of students within the poultry industry,” he said. “These scholarships not only alleviate the financial burden for students but also facilitate access to education and career advancement opportunities within the industry. Moreover, the auction fosters a sense of community and collaboration among industry members as they come together to invest in the future talent of the poultry sector. Overall, the scholarship auction serves as a vital mechanism for promoting education, fostering talent development, and ensuring the continued growth and success of the poultry industry.”

Childers said the poultry industry, like any other, has its challenges, but he lauded the work of federation members who understand the industry’s vital role.

“I have served as president of the Poultry Federation for the past 17 years, and it is an honor and privilege to work with an organization that believes in our mission,” he said. “Our members are some of the most dedicated members, and we strive daily to meet the mission. We are also fortunate to have our Little Rock staff, Holly Duval, director of marketing and business development, and Annie Hounsel, business operations coordinator, who both do an excellent job. We could not do what we do without them.”

Duane Weems on industry challenges and opportunities:

There are many opportunities in today’s ever-changing world. Two of these are poultry health/biosecurity and sustainability. Biosecurity is always at the forefront of our management practices, and recent disease challenges make this even more of a priority. Also, we must continue to operate in a sustainable manner. Therefore, we must look for ways to continually improve.

Keith Smith on industry strengths:

Our industry is one of the most efficient in the world at providing nutritious, safe and affordable proteins — so efficient, in fact, that turkey, eggs and broilers require on average 33 percent fewer feed inputs per pound than the next most efficient protein, pork. I believe we can do a better job of communicating our industry’s role in stewarding natural resources to feed our communities, our nation and beyond.

Duane Weems on safety:

The industry has addressed concerns and made strides on food safety by implementing a total systematic approach to mitigate risk. Examples are the use of in-process monitoring and process control versus finished product reaction, multi-hurdle pathogen control programs, and the use of advanced technology as they become available.

Keith Smith on working with the Poultry Federation:

The investment in time and resources we put into the federation has had exceptional returns. The business environment that the state of Arkansas provides to our company and growers to operate in is a key part of the recipe for success, and the function that the federation serves in protecting and promoting those interests is paramount. Part of our company’s longevity can be attributed to good partnerships; we see value in the federation’s support and representation of our allied industry members and their efforts to help create one of the most robust food supply chains in the nation.

The POULTRY FEDERATION 2024 | ARKANSAS FACTS & FIGURES

Arkansas ranks third in the nation in broiler production and value.

• Number of broilers produced: 1.03 billion

• Pounds produced: 7.44 billion

• Value of production: $5.31 billion

• The broiler industry creates and supports 143,078 jobs in the state.

• In 2022, the industry was responsible for as much as $35.03 billion in total economic activity throughout the state.

• Jobs in this industry subset pay an average of $57,100 per year in wages and benefits.

Arkansas ranks third in the nation for the number of turkeys produced.

• Number of turkeys raised: 27 million

• Pounds produced: 542 million

• Value of production: $510 million

• The turkey industry creates and supports 13,399 jobs in the state.

• In 2022, the industry was responsible for as much as $3.36 billion in total economic activity throughout the state.

• Jobs in this industry subset pay an average of $51,700 in wages and benefits.

Arkansas ranks seventh in the nation for egg production value.

• Number of eggs produced: 3.9 billion

• Value of production: $843 million

• The egg industry creates and supports 1,162 jobs in the state.

• In 2022, the industry was responsible for as much as $327.84 million in total economic activity across out the state.

• Jobs in this industry subset pay an average of $43,000 per year in wages and benefits.

More than 6,500 farms in Arkansas produce some type of poultry.

• Benton County is the No. 1 poultry-producing county.

• Other top production counties in rank order: Washington, Madison, Carol, Yell Hempstead, Howard, Sevier and Logan.

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NEW YORK — Under questioning this week, Michael Cohen described the nuts-and-bolts of how payment to the porn actor Stormy Daniels to bury her story of an alleged sexual encounter with former President Donald Trump worked.

It wasn’t until after a decade in the fold, after his family pleaded with him, after the FBI raided his office, apartment and hotel room, Cohen testified Tuesday, that he finally decided to turn on Trump.

The complicated break led to a 2018 guilty plea to federal charges involving the payment to Daniels and to other unrelated crimes.

And it’s that insider knowledge of shady deals that pushed Manhattan prosecutors to make Cohen the star witness in their case against Trump about that same payment, which they say was an illegal effort to influence the 2016 presidential election.

“To keep the loyalty and to do the things that he had asked me to do, I violated my moral compass, and I suffered the penalty, as has my family,” Cohen testified Tuesday.

But defense attorneys sought to portray Cohen as motivated by vengeance toward his former boss, confronting him on the witness stand with his own profane social media about Trump and wanting to see the former president in handcuffs.

The Republican presidential nominee has pleaded innocent and denies that any of the encounters took place.

As prosecutors laid out their case, Cohen testified about purposefully mislabeled checks, false receipts and blind loyalty that placed Trump at the center of the scheme. The testimony, somewhat dry for a man who was defined for years by his attitude as Trump’s problem-zapper, underscored the prosecution’s foundational argument — that the case isn’t about the spectacle of what Trump was paying for, but rather his effort to illegally cover up those payments.

Cohen has testified in detail about how the former president was linked to all aspects of the hush money scheme, and prosecutors believe Cohen’s testimony is critical to their case. But their reliance on a witness with such a checkered past — he was disbarred, went to prison and separately pleaded guilty to lying about a Moscow real estate project on Trump’s behalf — could backfire, especially as Trump’s attorneys continue to cross-examine him.

One of Trump’s attorneys, Todd Blanche, spent no time Tuesday asking about the allegations at the center of the trial, instead working to raise doubts about Cohen’s credibility and his motivation for helping prosecutors try to put Trump behind bars.

Amid rapid-fire objections from prosecutors, Blanche probed Cohen’s hyperfocus on Trump, suggesting he’s attempted to parlay his insider knowledge into a reduced prison sentence and court supervision for his own crimes, and a new career making millions of dollars criticizing Trump.

Cohen was asked to listen through headphones to a snippet of his podcast, as was Trump while sitting at the defense table. Blanche asked Cohen if he recalled an October 2020 episode in which he said Trump needs to wear handcuffs and that “people will not be satisfied until this man is sitting inside a cell.”

“I wouldn’t put it past me,” Cohen testified.

“Is it fair to say you’re motivated by fame?” Blanche asked.

“No sir, I don’t think that’s fair to say,” Cohen said. “I’m motivated by many things.”

Cohen will be the prosecution’s last witness. Trump’s defense will begin after Cohen, though it’s not clear whether his lawyers will call any witnesses or if Trump will testify in his own defense.

Jurors have already heard how Trump and others in his orbit were reeling after the leak just a few weeks before the 2016 election of an “Access Hollywood” tape in which he bragged about grabbing women by the genitals without their permission. The publication of the tape hastened the payments to Daniels, according to testimony.

Cohen testified that Trump was constantly apprised of the behind-the-scenes efforts to bury stories feared to be harmful to the campaign. And after paying out $130,000 to Daniels in order to keep her quiet about an alleged sexual encounter, Trump promised to reimburse him.

Jurors followed along as prosecutor Susan Hoffinger walked Cohen through that reimbursement process. It was an attempt to show what prosecutors say was a lengthy deception to mask the true purpose of the payments.

As jurors were shown business records and other paperwork, Cohen explained their purpose and reiterated again and again that the payments were reimbursements for the hush money — they weren’t for legal services he provided or for a retainer.

It’s an important distinction, because prosecutors allege that the Trump records falsely described the purpose of the payments as legal expenses. These records form the basis of 34 felony counts charging Trump with falsifying business records. All told, Cohen was paid $420,000, with funds drawn from a Trump personal account.

“Were the descriptions on this check stub false?” Hoffinger asked.

“Yes,” Cohen said.

“And again, there was no retainer agreement,” Hoffinger asked.

“Correct,” Cohen replied.

But prosecutors also spent time working to blunt the potential credibility issues, painting Cohen as a longtime Trump loyalist who committed crimes on behalf of the former president. On the witness stand, Cohen described in detail the April 2018 raid that marked the beginning of the end of his time being devoted to Trump.

“How to describe your life being turned upside-down? Concerned. Despondent. Angry,” Cohen told the jury.

“Were you frightened?” Hoffinger asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said.

But he was heartened by a phone call from Trump that he said gave him reassurance and convinced him to remain “in the camp.”

He said to me, ‘Don’t worry. I’m the president of the United States. There’s nothing here. Everything’s going to be OK. Stay tough. You’re going to be OK,’” Cohen testified.

Cohen, who once boasted that he would “take a bullet” for Trump, told jurors that he “felt reassured because I had the president of the United States protecting me. … And so I remained in the camp.”

It was his wife and family who finally made him see how sticking by Trump was detrimental.

“What are you doing? We’re supposed to be your first loyalty,” Cohen testified. “It was about time to listen to them,” he said.

Throughout Cohen’s testimony Tuesday, Trump reclined in his chair with his eyes closed and head tilted to the side. He occasionally shifted and leaned forward, opening his eyes and talking to his attorney before returning to his recline. Even some of the topics that have animated him the most as he campaigns didn’t stir his attention.

It was a far cry from the scene last October, when the once-fierce allies faced off at Trump’s civil fraud trial and Trump walked out of the courtroom after his lawyer finished questioning Cohen.

“Mr. Cohen, do you have any regrets about your past work for Donald Trump?” Hoffinger asked as she concluded her questioning.

“I do,” Cohen said. “I regret doing things for him that I should not have. Lying. Bullying people to effectuate a goal. I don’t regret working for the Trump Organization. As I expressed before, I had some very interesting, great times.”

Information for this article was contributed by Jill Colvin and Lisa Mascaro of The Associated Press.

    Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media outside Manhattan criminal court in New York, on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Curtis Means/Pool Photo via AP)
  

    Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media outside Manhattan criminal court before his trial in New York, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Mark Peterson/Pool Photo via AP)
  

    Eric Trump looks on as his father, former President Donald Trump arrives at Manhattan criminal court in New York, on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Curtis Means/Pool Photo via AP)
  

    Former President Donald Trump gives a thumbs-up as he exits the courtroom during a break at Manhattan criminal court before his trial in New York, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Justin Lane/Pool Photo via AP)
  

    From left U.S Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and Republican Congressman Cory Mills of Florida listen as former President Donald Trump talks with reporters outside Manhattan criminal court before his trial in New York, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Curtis Means/Pool Photo via AP)
  

    Former President Donald Trump appears at Manhattan criminal court before his trial in New York, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Mark Peterson/Pool Photo via AP)
  

    Defense attorney Todd Blanche cross examines Michael Cohen in Manhattan criminal court, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in New York. Cohen returned to the witness stand Tuesday, testifying in detail how former president was linked to all aspects of a hush money scheme that prosecutors say was aimed at stifling stories that threatened his 2016 campaign. (Elizabeth Williams via AP)
  

    Former President Donald Trump appears at Manhattan criminal court before his trial in New York, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. . (Justin Lane/Pool Photo via AP)
  

After missing the NCAA tournament last year led to Eric Musselman leaving for USC, the Arkansas Razorbacks wasted no time making a huge splash in college basketball. They poached John Calipari from Kentucky and have pledged resources to Arkansas basketball moving forward to try to build a championship-caliber program. Now, Calipari and the Arkansas NIL collective are flexing their muscles and quickly rebuilding an Arkansas basketball roster that was decimated by the college basketball transfer portal.

Not a single scholarship player returns to Arkansas next season, but Calipari has used the college basketball transfer portal and Class of 2024 to quickly add talent to the Arkansas roster. Zvonimir Ivisic and Adou Thiero have already followed from Kentucky and D.J. Wagner is expected to follow, as have incoming freshmen Boogie Fland and Billy Richmond. If you love the Razorbacks, or just want the latest roster updates and college basketball transfer portal news, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at HawgSports, the 247Sports affiliate that covers Arkansas.

The team of insiders at HawgSports.com are providing up-to-the-minute scoop on the latest intel surrounding the Arkansas basketball coaching transition and roster changes. Launched in 2002, HawgSports has established itself as the top source for insider Arkansas basketball coverage. Trey Biddy, Danny West and Connor Goodson have a combined 30 years of experience covering the Razorbacks professionally. And right now, HawgSports is offering 30% off the first year of an annual subscription*, so now is the time to sign up.

The team at HawgSports has full coverage of who is coming and who is going on the Arkansas basketball roster. Head to HawgSports now to see all the insider info.

Arkansas basketball roster departures 

Seven of Arkansas’ nine-leading scorers from last season are seniors, so Hogs Nation expected there to be several new faces for the 2024-25 Arkansas basketball roster. What it didn’t expect was that leading scorer Tramon Mark (16.2 points per game) would take his talents elsewhere. The native Texan, who began his career at Houston, is heading back to the Longhorn State as he joined Texas from the transfer portal.

Meanwhile, Trevon Brazile, who was the top underclassmen scorer for Arkansas last year with 8.6 ppg entered the 2024-25 college basketball transfer portal on May 1. He had previously declared for the NBA Draft as well and indicated that a return to Fayetteville was not in the cards. With other departures, that leaves the number of holdovers from last season’s team at just two players — Cade Arbogast and Lawson Blake — both of whom made the team as walk-ons and combined to play all of seven minutes last year. Join HawgSports to see the latest on all of Arkansas’ roster changes. 

Arkansas basketball news, roster

With seven of the top nine players on the Arkansas roster last year listed as seniors, the Razorbacks were always going to see heavy roster turnover this offseason. However, the losses of Tramon Mark and Trevor Brazile left them with two major holes to plug. Luckily, Calipari was able to call in reinforcements from Kentucky that should help stem the tide.

In addition to the several Kentucky players and commitments he was able to flip, Calipari secured commitments from Tennessee center Jonas Aidoo and Florida Atlantic guard Johnell Davis. Aidoo was second-team All-SEC for a Volunteers squad that made the Elite Eight last season while Davis was the AAC Player of the Year and led the Owls to the Final Four in 2023. Fland, Richmond and fellow Class of 2024 four-star Karter Knox have all signed their national letters of intent as well. Join HawgSports to get the latest on all of Arkansas’ roster additions. 

How to get insider Arkansas basketball roster updates

Calipari has already been in contact with multiple transfers from power-conference teams, so be sure to join HawgSports to see who they are and get the rest of the insider roster news. 

Who are the top names Arkansas basketball is pursuing under coach John Calipari, and which power-conference transfers could land in Fayetteville? Go to HawgSports to see their insider information, all from a team of reporters with years of experience covering the Razorbacks, and find out. And reminder, HawgSports is offering 30% off the first year of an annual VIP membership*, so subscribe now before it’s too late.

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