March Roundup: Area Conferences, Legislative Update, and Ag Hall of Fame

In this month’s update, we recap the success of our Spring Area Conferences, reflect on the incredible contributions of Mr. Aubrey Blackmon, and bring you the latest legislative news impacting our industry. Whether it’s gathering in person, supporting vital policy, or honoring the legacy of our leaders, the ACA remains committed to serving and representing Arkansas cattle producers across the state.

Area Conference Recap

The Spring Area Conferences were a tremendous success, with each event demonstrating the power of community and collaboration. The majority of our conferences saw record engagement from attendees, vendors, and sponsors alike. Producers had the chance to enhance their profitability through insightful panels, and enjoy delicious steak dinner, all while connecting with industry peers and experts.

We’re especially thankful to our sponsors—Farm Credit and the Cattlemen’s Education Grant Series—for helping make this year’s Area Conferences possible. Their support allowed us to bring in informative producer panels and other valuable content that added real value for attendees. A big thank you also goes to our vendors for showing up in full force and helping create a great experience at each event.

Most importantly, we want to thank our members for attending and making these events what they are. With over 2,500 participants across the state and several locations setting new attendance records, it’s clear that our members are invested and engaged. Your presence and support helps move our association forward, and we’re grateful for the chance to connect in person and hear what matters most to you. For full coverage check out our May magazine.

Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame Induction

The Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association was proud to watch one of our own, Mr. Aubrey Blackmon of Perry County, be inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame. A devoted leader and lifelong cattleman, Mr. Aubrey has been a cornerstone of ACA for over 50 years. From his instrumental role in starting the Perry County Cattlemen’s Association in 1970 to serving as ACA State President in 2005–2006, his legacy has touched every level of our organization.

In recognition of his decades of service, Mr. Aubrey received the ACA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012—an honor that was renamed in his honor in 2023, a testament to the deep respect and admiration he’s earned across the industry. His commitment to the beef industry didn’t stop at the state level; he served three terms on the Arkansas Beef Council and was appointed twice by the USDA to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.

Mr. Aubrey’s induction into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame is richly deserved. His lifelong dedication to agriculture, leadership within ACA, and advocacy for the cattle industry have left an indelible mark. It was a true honor for his family and the ACA family to be there to celebrate this special moment with him. Congratulations, Mr. Aubrey!

Legislative Update

Bills of Interest:

SB290

• Sponsor/s: Senator Blake Johnson and Representatives DeAnn Vaught and Stetson Painter 

• Committee of Jurisdiction: Agriculture 

• Introduced: 2/25/2025 

• Bill Synopsis: SB290 prohibits a moratorium on the issuance of permits in watersheds and other bodies of water by state agencies. If a state agency would like to institute a moratorium, approval must be obtained from the Arkansas Legislative Caucus or Joint Budget Committees

• Senate Vote: Yea – 22, Nay -0, Not voting - 1, Present - 1

• ACA position: Priority legislation, strongly support 

  
  

HB1740

• Sponsor/s: Representative Kendra Moore and Senator Steve Crowell

• Committee of Jurisdiction: State Agencies

• Introduced: 3/11/2025 

• House Vote: Yea – 94, Nay - 0, Non-Voting - 3, Present - 3

• Senate Vote: 

• Bill Synopsis: Aims to exempt specific agricultural information from the Freedom of Information Act of 1967. This would protect records such as certificates of veterinary inspection and personal information related to animal electronic identification tags from public access.

• ACA position: Support

  
  

HB 1594

• Sponsor/s: Representative DeAnn Vaught and Senator Tyler Dees

• Committee of Jurisdiction: Judiciary

• Introduced: 2/26/2025 

• House Vote: Yea – 91, Nay – 0, Non-voting - 4, Present - 5

• Senate Vote:

• Bill Synopsis: The bill aims to establish a sales tax exemption card for farmers. This card is designed to streamline the process for farmers to claim sales tax exemptions on qualified purchases.

• ACA position: Priority legislation, strongly support 

Stay Connected

The Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association remains committed to supporting our producers, advocating for industry needs, and fostering leadership within our community. Stay tuned for updates, and don’t forget to share this post with fellow cattle producers!

The second round of renewal cards should have hit your mailboxes a few weeks ago so be sure to renew your ACA membership. Here’s to a great April!