LITTLE ROCK, AR –The Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board approved $1,266,859 in funding for 28 research and promotion projects at its February 2–3, 2026 meeting. The approved projects will support the growth and market development of Arkansas’s corn and grain sorghum industries.
“The Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board plays a vital role in supporting our state’s corn and grain sorghum farmers,” said Trent Dabbs, Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board Chair. “By investing assessment dollars into research and promotion efforts, the board helps provide the tools and resources producers need to improve profitability and long-term sustainability.”
The board received 46 total proposals requesting more than $2.1 million in funding. Of those, eight promotion projects totaling $180,182 and 20 research projects totaling $1,086,677 were approved for fiscal year 2027. The request for proposals was open from December 5, 2025, to January 9, 2026. Funding decisions are made by board members at open public meetings.
Promotion projects selected for funding are as follows:
National Corn Growers Association – $29,500
Supports research, promotion, and education efforts to expand domestic and international markets for U.S. corn, including ethanol, trade, and emerging uses.
U.S. Meat Export Federation – $8,600
Supports international market development for U.S. beef and pork, strengthening global demand for livestock products that rely heavily on U.S. corn.
U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council – $77,082
Supports international market development for U.S. corn, ethanol, and related products through education, trade promotion, and relationship-building in more than 70 countries.
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture – Arkansas Irrigation Yield Contest – $10,000
Provides cash awards to recognize efficient irrigation practices and promote water conservation among Arkansas producers.
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture – Arkansas Future Ag Leaders Tour – $5,000
Supports a statewide leadership and professional development program for high school students interested in agricultural careers.
Ag Learning Center at Four States Fairgrounds – $10,000
Expands hands-on agricultural education programs that increase student awareness of corn and grain sorghum production and economic impact.
Arkansas FFA Foundation – Investment in the Future of Arkansas Agriculture – $25,000
Supports agricultural education, career readiness, and leadership development programs for Arkansas FFA members and students.
Arkansas 4-H Foundation and Arkansas FFA Foundation – Joint Education Program – $15,000
Supports youth participation in the 2027 Commodity Classic to enhance student understanding of crop production, innovation, and advocacy.
Research projects selected for funding from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are as follows:
Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Performance Test – $42,491
Provides unbiased performance data on corn and grain sorghum hybrids to support informed variety selection and improved yields.
Arkansas Discovery Farm Program – $33,526
Supports water quality monitoring and conservation research to evaluate best management practices and develop educational resources.
Comparison of Corn Management Production Systems – $51,000
Evaluates low-, medium-, and high-intensity management systems to identify practices that maximize yield and economic returns.
Agricultural Biologicals for Arkansas Crop Production – $23,948
Supports development and evaluation of microbial biofertilizers and biopesticides tailored to Arkansas production systems.
Stand Counting Application Using Drone Imagery – $19,674
Develops and validates digital tools to improve stand assessment and replant decision-making using aerial imagery.
Refining Corn Hybrid Maturity and Planting Date Recommendations – $32,537
Improves guidance on hybrid selection and planting timing to help producers manage weather-related planting delays.
Management Options for Corn Nematodes – $60,856
Evaluates treatment strategies and monitoring tools to reduce yield losses caused by corn nematode infestations.
Corn and Grain Sorghum Research Verification Program – $138,500
Verifies research-based production recommendations through on-farm trials and economic analysis.
Research Studies Series Publication – $4,800
Supports publication of an annual summary of board-funded research projects for producer and public access.
Corn Gluten Meal for Sustainable Food Packaging – $45,900
Develops biodegradable food packaging materials using corn by-products as alternatives to PFAS-based products.
Improving Nitrogen Management – $82,078
Evaluates nitrogen application rates and timing to improve fertilizer efficiency and reduce production costs.
Fine-Tuning Potassium Recommendations – $77,437
Refines potassium fertilizer guidelines and tissue testing methods to support sustainable nutrient management.
Disease Resistance in Corn and Grain Sorghum Hybrids – $25,000
Identifies high-yielding, disease-resistant hybrids to reduce fungicide use and improve profitability.
Insect Pest Management Strategies – $39,989
Develops control strategies for soil-borne and invasive insect pests, including the corn leafhopper.
Sorghum Bran Wax Development – $43,267
Explores environmentally friendly methods to produce industrial wax products from sorghum bran.
Weed Control in Short-Stature Corn Hybrids – $83,840
Evaluates herbicide programs to manage resistant weeds and prepare for emerging corn hybrid technologies
Biological Control of Aflatoxin – $43,000
Develops improved biological control tools to reduce aflatoxin contamination in corn production.
Improving Irrigation Technology – $198,834
Enhances irrigation scheduling and monitoring systems using soil moisture sensors and digital tools.
Gossypol for Feral Swine Control – $30,000
Evaluates fertility control methods to reduce feral swine populations and minimize crop damage.
Corn and Grain Sorghum Enterprise Budgets – $10,000
Develops flexible enterprise budgets to help producers evaluate alternative production practices.
The board is funded through a one-cent-per-bushel assessment on corn and grain sorghum grown in Arkansas. The assessment is collected at the first point of sale or when grain enters the U.S. Department of Agriculture loan program.
The board consists of seven members who are practical producers of corn or grain sorghum in Arkansas. Members are appointed to two-year terms by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
Learn more about the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board on the Department’s website here.
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Media Contact: Ayden Duncan, (501) 813-6012
[email protected]