Fryar Center Podcast

This morning, we’re shining a light on the Southern Risk Management Education Center (SRMEC), led by Dr. Ron Rainey at the University of Arkansas. SRMEC is helping farmers across the Southeast tackle the everyday uncertainties in ag—from weather to markets—through risk education, crop insurance navigation, and financial planning tools. Whether you’re just starting out or have decades in the field, SRMEC’s programs, including the Crop Insurance Navigator, are designed to help producers make informed, financially sound decisions for a more secure future.

In this episode of Morning Coffee and Ag Markets, Riley and Scott dive deep into the USDA’s March 31 Prospective Plantings report and its price implications for corn and soybeans. They break down the anticipated 95.3 million acres of corn—4.7 million more than last year—marking the highest U.S. corn acreage since 2013. This surge, however, puts downward pressure on corn prices, especially with a potential record crop in 2025. Meanwhile, soybean acreage is set to decline to its lowest level in five years, potentially tightening supplies and driving prices higher. Tune in as they analyze these trends and explore what they mean for farmers and the broader market.

Join Riley Smith on Morning Coffee and Ag Markets as he brings in Dr. Hunter Biram, Assistant Professor and Extension Agricultural Economist at the University of Arkansas, to discuss the launch of the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) sign-up. Dr. Biram provides key insights into the program, which offers financial relief to farmers impacted by higher input costs and falling commodity prices. With up to $10 billion in direct payments available, farmers can apply online or at their local USDA Farm Service Agency office by the August 15, 2025 deadline. Don’t miss this important update on how Arkansas farmers can receive nearly $300 million in aid through ECAP!

Join Riley Smith and Dr. Ryan Loy on this episode of Morning Coffee and AG Markets as they break down the latest on tariffs and the trade war’s impact on U.S. agriculture. With the U.S. administration focusing on tariffs to address national security, economic imbalances, and promote domestic manufacturing, Riley and Dr. Loy explore how these policies are affecting markets, especially agricultural commodities like soybeans and potash. They dive into the shifting trade dynamics, particularly with China, and how U.S. farmers, especially in Arkansas, are navigating the uncertainty. Tune in for expert insights on how tariffs are shaping the future of U.S. agriculture and what it means for farm profitability.

Join Riley Smith for this morning’s Morning Coffee and Ag Markets as he is joined by Mr. Scott Stiles as they discuss the March 2025 USDA WASDE report, released on March 11th. This month’s update saw few changes, with no adjustments to U.S. corn, soybean, or cotton stocks. Soybean prices were lowered to $9.95 per bushel, the lowest since 2019, while corn prices remained at $4.35 per bushel. Long-grain rice imports reached a record high, pushing stocks to 35.3 million cwt, while medium-grain stocks were reduced due to higher exports. Riley and Scott also cover the impact of U.S. tariffs and global trade on the agricultural market.

On this episode of Morning Coffee and Ag Markets, Riley is joined by Hunter, Ryan, and Scott Stiles for a polished roundtable discussion on the latest Ag Outlook Forum hosted by the USDA on February 27-28, 2025. The forum brought together agricultural economists and professionals from the government, academia, and private sector, providing valuable insights into national planted acreage projections and market trends.

On this episode of Morning Coffee & Ag Markets, Riley is joined by Dr. Ryan Loy to explore the growing influence of the BRICS+ coalition on global trade. The BRICS+ nations, now producing a substantial share of the world’s key commodities, are pushing to reduce their reliance on the U.S. dollar, focusing on “de-dollarization.” Riley and Dr. Loy will discuss how this shift could reshape global markets, the challenges BRICS+ faces in uniting diverse economies, and what the future holds for the U.S. dollar’s role in international trade. Tune in for insights into these critical developments!

Today, Riley sits down with Dr. Hunter Biram, to discuss the projected economic assistance for Arkansas crops under the American Relief Act. With $10 billion in relief funds for U.S. crop producers, Arkansas farmers are set to receive a share, with payments based on economic losses per acre. Dr. Biram breaks down the expected payments for key crops like rice, soybeans, and cotton, and how the assistance is helping farmers cover operating costs. Tune in for an insightful look at how these relief funds will impact Arkansas agriculture in 2025.

In this episode of Morning Coffee and Ag Markets, Riley and Ryan sit down to discuss a key tool for farmers and ranchers: leveraging enterprise budgets to calculate breakeven points. They break down how using Extension Crop Enterprise Budgets for individual farm enterprises can help producers better understand their cost structure and set realistic price goals. By calculating breakeven points, they can make informed decisions on pricing, marketing, and production strategies.

In this episode of Morning Coffee and Ag Markets, Riley is joined by Dr. Hunter Biram in the studio, as they dive deep into the usefulness of crop insurance. Dr. Biram provides valuable insights into the complexities of crop insurance and shares an in-depth breakdown of how producers can make informed decisions for the upcoming 2025 season.

In this episode of Morning Coffee and Ag Markets, Riley Smith sits down with Dr. Nalley, the newly appointed head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Nalley shares his journey from assistant professor to department head and discusses his dedication to bridging research, extension, and teaching to support Arkansas producers.

In the latest episode of Morning Coffee and Ag Markets, Riley and Ryan dive into the Federal Reserve’s recent rate cuts and how these monetary policy shifts affect agriculture. With fewer cuts expected in 2025, they discuss the potential pressure on farmers’ margins and what that means for on-farm profitability.

On this edition of Morning Coffee and AG Markets, Riley is joined by Scott Stile to dive into the January WASDE Report, which revealed significant changes to U.S. crop projections. The USDA’s unexpected reductions in U.S. corn and soybean production have shifted the balance sheets, making the corn market “tighter” than last year and bringing the soybean outlook in line with 2023.

In the first episode of Morning Coffee and Ag Markets for 2025, Riley, Hunter, and Ryan sit down to dive deep into the Arkansas Crop Profit/Loss Calculator, a web-based tool designed to help producers make informed crop decisions. The trio explores how this tool enables farmers to assess potential profits and losses by inputting county, crop type, irrigation practices, and rental agreements.

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the growth and success of Morning Coffee & Ag Markets. This year has been filled with insightful episodes, exciting guest interviews, and, of course, your continued support. We’re thrilled to share the highlights of the year, our podcast stats, and a sneak peek at what’s coming next!

In today’s episode, Riley and Dr. Ryan Loy are joined by Mr. Levi Price and Mr. Darin Drennan from Arvest Bank for a roundtable discussion on the financial landscape of agriculture. They cover:

Join Riley and Scott Stiles for the latest edition of Morning Coffee and Ag Markets, as they dive into a detailed analysis of the December 2024 WASDE Report. This key update from the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides important insights into global supply and demand projections for major crops, including corn, soybeans, and wheat.

Dr. Hunter D. Biram provides an update on the state of the Continuing Resolution being considered in Congress as the December 20th deadline and a government shutdown looms. Implications for the magnitude and likelihood of economic disaster assistance payments are discussed.

On this episode of Morning Coffee and Ag Markets, the conversation centers around the big questions facing agriculture as we look ahead to 2025. Riley, Hunter, Ryan, and Scott sit down over their coffee to discuss the current economic pressures on farmers, financial conditions, and the uncertain future of farm programs. With markets in flux and the expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill, there’s much to unpack. Join us as we explore the outlook for agriculture and the policy landscape in the year ahead.

In today’s edition of Morning Coffee and Ag Markets, Riley is joined by Breana Watkins to dive into the latest discussions surrounding the 2025 crop enterprise budgets. Breana explains what’s on the horizon for the upcoming farming year, offering insights into key trends, anticipated costs, and market dynamics that farmers are keeping an eye on as they plan for 2025.

In today’s episode of the Morning Coffee and Ag Markets podcast, Riley and Dr. Biram are joined by special guests Dr. James Mitchell, Professor and Extension Livestock Economist Specialist at the University of Arkansas, and graduate student Walker Davis. First, we provide an overview of PRF Insurance (Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Insurance), a risk management tool designed to help producers protect against the financial impact of weather-related losses in these critical areas of agriculture

In this lighthearted episode, we continue the conversation from Part 1 with our special guest, John McMinn from Arkansas Farm Bureau. What started as a roundtable discussion on the latest ag news and markets quickly transforms into a casual coffee shop chat. Riley, Hunter, Ryan, and John take a break from the usual stats and headlines to dive into fun, offbeat topics.

In Episode 19 of Morning Coffee & Ag Markets, Riley hosts a roundtable discussion with Dr. Biram, Dr. Loy, and special guest John McMinn from Arkansas Farm Bureau. The panel dives into the exciting details surrounding the 90th Annual Arkansas Farm Bureau Convention, set for December 4-6 at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Riley is joined by Dr. Ryan Loy, who is seeking participants for a new study focused on rice crop insurance. This research aims to better understand the challenges and needs of rice producers when it comes to crop insurance options. Dr. Loy shares details on how farmers can get involved…

Join Riley and Hunter tackle a pressing question: Can yield upside risk eclipse price downside risk protection in ECO crop insurance? With a blend of industry insights and market analysis, they’ll explore how current trends in crop yields and prices impact the effectiveness of ECO crop insurance..