LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is reminding producers of important resources and protections available during the fall harvest season. These include the Arkansas Grain Grading Act, the Department’s slow pay hotline for grain sales, voluntary smoke management guidelines, and roadway safety awareness.
Grain Grading Protections
Enacted in 2019, the Arkansas Grain Grading Act applies to all grain warehouses in the state. Under the law, warehouses and dealers engaged in grain grading must have their programs and graders certified by the Department. All grading must follow the Official United States Standards for Grain established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Producers are guaranteed several protections, including:
- Timely grading: Warehouses must grade and sample each delivered load within 24 hours.
- Sample retention: Any sample with more than a four percent reduction must be kept for at least two days.
- Right to dispute grades: Producers may request a regrade by an official grading agency. The reissued grade becomes the official result, and requests must be made within two days of the original grade.
The Department currently certifies 34 grain companies across 64 locations in Arkansas, covering corn, soybeans, and wheat. Inspectors conduct regular and random checks during harvest and respond to producer inquiries, complaints, or concerns.
Slow Pay Hotline
Producers experiencing delayed payment of more than 30 days for grain sales may contact the Department’s slow pay hotline at (501) 219-6308 for assistance.
Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines
Producers planning post-harvest residue burning are encouraged to follow voluntary smoke management guidelines. These practices help minimize smoke impacts on neighboring properties and communities while supporting safe and effective land management. The guidelines can be found on the Department’s website here.
Roadway Safety
With more equipment on Arkansas roadways during harvest, the Department urges both producers and the public to use caution. Producers should ensure equipment is properly marked and lit, while motorists are reminded to be patient and attentive when sharing the road.
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