is a powerhouse in the U.S. poultry industry, which stands as the state’s leading agricultural sector. This robust industry provides over 40,000 jobs and accounts for 40% of Arkansas’s total agricultural cash receipts.
Broilers form the largest segment of the state’s poultry production, with farms across 53 of Arkansas’s 75 counties contributing to this output. In 2023, Arkansas proudly ranked third nationally in broiler production, yielding over seven billion pounds of broiler meat.
Turkey production also holds significant weight, with Arkansas ranking fourth in 2023 by producing over 540,000 pounds of turkey meat. This sector is primarily concentrated in the northwestern and north-central regions of the state.
Furthermore, Arkansas secured the tenth national spot in 2023 for the value of its egg production, generating over 3.8 million chicken eggs. Egg-producing operations are largely found in the northwestern and southwestern parts of the state.
Overall, poultry is raised on more than 6,000 Arkansas farms, contributing to one in four agricultural jobs. The industry benefits from the presence of numerous prominent poultry and egg companies within the state.
Arkansas’s poultry extension personnel are an invaluable asset, consistently supporting the industry through annual short courses, workshops, and seminars for commercial enterprises. Their educational efforts cover critical areas such as:
- Biosecurity
- Poultry breeder management
- Food safety
- Poultry production
- HACCP-based inspection
- Hatchery management
- Lighting and ventilation
- Poultry processing
- Poultry health
- Water quality
The applied and basic research programs conducted by poultry extension are nationally and internationally recognized, providing crucial insights and information that drive innovation and improvement across the industry.
