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Arkansas Feed Overview

The Arkansas Feed Program, managed by the QCC Section of Plant Industries Division of the AR Department of Agriculture, ensures that commercial feed sold or distributed in Arkansas meets labeling, quality, and safety standards to protect consumers, livestock, and fair commerce.  

Anyone selling, offering, or distributing commercial feed in or into Arkansas must hold or obtain an AR Feed Facility License from this program.  

Commercial feed products include but are not limited to livestock feed, pet food, and feed ingredients.

For questions, email [email protected] or call (501) 219-6340.

Feed Facility Licenses

Licenses are issued on the standard calendar-year basis and expire December 31 each year.

  • WHO MUST OBTAIN A LICENSE:
    • Anyone who manufactures, distributes, or sells commercial feed in Arkansas must hold a Feed Facility License from this program.
  • APPLICATION PROCESS & FEES:
    • Forms for this program are located below.
    • Submit a “FEED FACILITY APPLICATION FORM,” providing $10.00 for the Licensing Fee.
    • Budget your operations accordingly accounting for the minimum $10.00 quarterly tonnage fee.
  • OTHER NOTES:
    • Arkansas does not require pre-approval of feed labels.
    • A Feed Facility License covers an unlimited number of feed products.

Arkansas Feed Law & Rules

  • STATUTORY BASIS:
    • The AR Feed Law of 1977 outlines the requirements for feed facility licensing by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.  
  • FEED FACILITIES LICENSING:
    • Facilities involved in commercial feed sales or distribution within Arkansas must be licensed. Licenses expire December 31st annually.
  • FEED LABELING REQUIREMENTS:
    • Each commercial feed product in Arkansas must abide by labeling requirements. Information required to be on a product’s label: Product name & brand name, quantity weight statement, guaranteed analysis, ingredient statements, manufacturer information, directions for use, precautionary statements,
    • Please review the entire Feed Law and associated Rules etc.
  • TONNAGE REPORTING & FEES:
    • Licensed Feed Facilities are required to submit quarterly tonnage reports detailing all feed sold or distributed during that quarter.
    • Quarterly Feed Tonnage Reports are due within 45 days of each quarter’s end.
  • EACH FEED CONTAINER MUST SHOW ANALYSIS:
    • Any feed sold or distributed within or into Arkansas shall have on its container or on the immediate packaging the required labeling information.
      • If the labeling information is not on the immediate container, it must be displayed on the outer container or wrapper.
    • Please review the entire Feed Law and associated Rules for required labeling information.
  • RECORD-KEEPING & DEPARTMENT INSPECTION:
    • The Department reserves the right to inspect or audit the books of any manufacturer, manipulator, or its agents to determine accuracy of company records.
    • Retain commercial feed company records for up to three (3) years, making documentation available for inspection upon request.

Department Rules Webpage

Please review the entire Act and associated Rules. Ensure you pay close attention to all labeling requirements.

Feed Program Forms

All licensed feed facilities must submit quarterly tonnage report forms detailing the amount of feed sold or distributed.

Quarterly Feed Tonnage Report Forms are due within 45 days of each quarter’s end. Quarterly reporting periods end March 31, June 30, September 30, & December 31.

Late tonnage reports may result in late fees, see penalties information below.  

FORM SUBMISSION: Feed program forms may be submitted via email to [email protected] or via post mail to the Department of Agriculture.

  • Forms submitted via email: Payments to the program may be made using the online payment portal link below.
  • Forms submitted via post mail: Mail your check or money order with the associated form to the Department.

Feed Program Fees

  • FEED FACILITY LICENSE: $10.00/year
  • QUARTERLY TONNAGE FEE: $0.30/ton (a minimum $10/quarter is required)
  • FEED EXEMPTION LICENSE: No tonnage fee required for feed mixed and used solely for the license holder’s own livestock or poultry. (Must still hold a Feed Facility License if selling/distributing to others.)

ONLINE PAYMENT PORTAL

Online Payment Portal Instructions:

  1. Complete all fields in the payment portal, ensuring your name matches the name on your submitted application. Make sure no information is left blank.
  2. When prompted to search for a product, search for “FEED.”
  3. Select the product line needed: “FEED FACILITY LICENSE,” “FEED TONNAGE REPORT,” or “FEED EXEMPTION LICENSE.” 
  4. For quarterly tonnage payments, calculate your tonnage amount for all feed sold/distributed within the state for the month. Set the total quantity to reflect the total tonnages distributed for that quarter.
  5. For feed facility licenses, pay the $10 licensing fee. 
  6. For feed exemption licenses, pay the $10 licensing fee.  
  7. If you need to make late fee payments, follow instructions within the payment portal for “feed late fees.”
  8. Scroll to the bottom of the page, click “update,” and verify the Total Amount.
  9. Click “Pay” and enter your Card/Billing Information. 
  10. Retain the payment confirmation information with your files. You may be asked to provide a Receipt or Confirmation Number.

Enforcement, Penalties, & Violations

Program inspectors collect feed samples statewide and submit them to the Department’s Laboratory Services Division for complete analysis. Results are compared to the guarantees listed on the feed label.

  • Deficiencies are reported to both the retailer and the manufacturer.
  • The Department may issue a Stop-Sale Order on affected products until corrections are made.
  • Manufacturers have 30 days from the date of report to dispute findings.

Penalties may apply for late reporting, unpaid fees, mislabeling, or selling non-compliant feed.

Resources

Feed Resources: