News - December 2014

State plant board approves new pesticide crop systems

LITTLE ROCK -- Arkansas growers may have access to two new technologies for combating pigweed and other persistent broadleaf weeds as early as the 2015 growing season, after the Arkansas State Plant Board approved the use of two forms of genetically modified crops and their attendant pesticides for use in Arkansas.

New Farm Bill voted top Arkansas ag story of 2014

LITTLE ROCK – The sweeping changes and challenges wrought by the 2014 Farm Bill made it the choice for the year’s top Arkansas agriculture story in a poll of editors and those who work in the industry. 

Top 2014 Arkansas ag stories - List

LITTLE ROCK – Here are the top 10 agriculture stories in Arkansas for 2014 based on a poll of editors and those who work in the industry:

2014 Arkansas peanut production down, but high quality

LONOKE, Ark. -- Despite cooler average temperatures throughout the year in Arkansas, peanut crop yields in the northeastern corner of the state were strong, with higher-than-expected quality throughout.

Roller coaster weather in 2014 leads to record cotton yield, near-record year for rice

LITTLE ROCK  -- 2014 appears to have been a record year for rice growers in Arkansas, with cotton close behind.

Arkansas interest grows in sorghum

LITTLE ROCK – Grain sorghum is cultivating fans among Arkansas farmers as a tool in the battle against resistant pigweed, its ability to grow in non-irrigated fields and attractive commodity prices. 

Cooler weather timed right helped push soybeans to new yield record 

LITTLE ROCK  -- A relatively cool summer and fortunate timing have led to record Arkansas soybean yields in 2014

Outlook good for 2015 wheat crop after two years of record harvests

LITTLE ROCK – Winter wheat planting wrapped up in Arkansas a few weeks ago with the 2015 crop looking good as it emerges with no pressing issues. The situation is optimistic after the state posted its second consecutive record yield, reaching 63 bushels per acre over a 395,000-acre harvest for 2014, up from 62 bushels the previous year.

Youth excel in 4-H Citizenship quiz bowl

MOUNT IDA, Ark. -- There’s nothing like a little competition to make any subject more interesting. 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service funds available to help farmers protect stream banks

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Farmers and ranchers have another opportunity for funding to help fence stream and river banks to reduce the impact of livestock on streambank erosion, says Dr. David Fernandez, Cooperative Extension Program livestock specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. 

New Year, new challenge: Tax filing season

LITTLE ROCK – The new year brings a new challenge for consumers: tax filing season. 

Linda Palmer to bring story of Arkansas’ champion trees, personal journey to Flower Show

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Every tree has a story and so far, artist Linda Palmer has told 23 of them. 

Holiday spending: Avoid ‘comfort shopping’ 

LITTLE ROCK – A moment of comfort shopping to relieve holiday stress can create more problems than it solves, said Laura Connerly, assistant professor for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. 

Sustainable systems, risk management on Horticulture Industries Show agenda

FORT SMITH, Ark. – Sustainable agricultural systems, risk management and social media marketing are among the topics on the agenda for the Jan. 16-17 Horticulture Industries Show, to be held at the Fort Smith Holiday Inn City Center. 

Ag Day rice, soybean production meeting set for Jan. 5 at Lonoke Ag Center

LONOKE, Ark. -- Extension rice and soybean agronomists, weed, soil and plant pathology experts will be on hand Jan. 5 for the annual Ag Day at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Ag Center in Lonoke. 

 Rural Life Conference set for Feb. 27

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – The 59^th annual Rural Life Conference will be Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the opening session at 8:45 a.m. The conference theme is “Innovations and Opportunities: Sustaining Farmers, Families and Communities.”

Division of Agriculture to help develop regional Food Innovation Center

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  -- The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will work in partnership with three Arkansas communities in an effort to make locally grown produce more locally available under a new federal initiative.

Plant of the Week: Ilex opaca American Holly

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The eastern states have three native broadleaf evergreen trees – live oak, southern magnolia and American holly. Of these the former two have become staples of the American landscape where they are hardy, but American holly (Ilex opaca), never hit the big times because it is so disgustingly slow growing.   

Application deadline for Carson scholarship is March 10

LITTLE ROCK -- The application period for the $1,000 Janet B. Carson Scholarship for Arkansas high school graduates has opened and the deadline to apply is March 10. 

Get engaged in a local water quality discussion

LITTLE ROCK -- Community members still have time to RSVP for a forum on water quality in the Strawberry River area. 

Animal Science Day celebrates the role of livestock and pets 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Natural horsemanship, livestock judging and a dog agility demonstration were among the ways the bond between humans and animals was celebrated during the first annual Animal Science Day. 

A new holiday tradition: Christmas goat

PINE BLUFF, Ark. -- Looking for a different centerpiece for the Christmas holiday meal? Why not consider goat, asks David Fernandez, Cooperative Extension Program livestock specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. 

Number of Arkansas Christmas tree farms cut by half 

LITTLE ROCK -- Santa may have fewer Arkansas-grown trees to stow his presents this year, with the latest Census of Agriculture showing the number of Christmas tree farms in Arkansas declining sharply from 59 in 2007 to just 29 in 2012.