News - June 2014

Weekend storm system leaves thousands of Arkansas crop acres under water (Update)

LITTLE ROCK — Thousands of acres of Arkansas farmland was under water Monday in the wake of a weekend storm system that dumped up to 10.4 inches of rain in parts of eastern Arkansas.  

Weekend storm system leaves thousands of Arkansas crop acres underwater

LITTLE ROCK — Thousands of acres of Arkansas farmland was under water Monday in the wake of a weekend storm system that dumped up to 10.4 inches of rain in parts of eastern Arkansas.  

2014 farm bill panel headlines Arkansas Rice Expo Aug. 1 in Stuttgart 

STUTTGART, Ark. - The 2014 Farm Bill and a discussion and workshop on its potential effects on crop producers will take center stage at the Arkansas Rice Expo, Aug. 1 at the Grand Prairie Center.  

Plan fall marketing strategy in early summer 

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Livestock producers should take advantage of any slack time during early summer to plan their fall marketing strategy, says Dr. David Fernandez, Cooperative Extension Program livestock specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Producers have a variety of options. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. 

Native warm-season grasses to offset the ‘summer slump’  

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Native warm-season grasses, such as switchgrass, eastern gamagrass, little or big bluestem, and indiangrass can be the answer to fill production gaps caused by summer dormancy of cool-season grasses. 

Tomatoes at the Trotter to reveal new heirloom tomato varieties; four-course tomato dinner 

MONTICELLO, Ark. - The fourth annual “Tomatoes at the Trotter,” on Thursday will light up the taste buds with culinary twists such as Georgia Streak creme brulee with bacon, caramel and whipping cream.   

Lloyd Warren, longtime entomology professor and administrator, dies at 98 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Lloyd O. Warren, 98, of Fayetteville, who served as a longtime faculty member in the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and as director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, died Sunday. 

Wheat harvest rolling, some test weights off due to wet spring

PIGGOTT, Ark. - Arkansas farmers took advantage of a week of dry weather to get the winter wheat harvest rolling, and while yields are decent, the wet spring took its toll on grain fill.

Kidd earns The Poultry Federation’s Industry Leader of the Year Award

LITTLE ROCK - Mike Kidd, director of the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has been named the 2014 Industry Leader of the Year by The Poultry Federation.

West African delegation to visit Arkansas on June 22-28

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Representatives from West Africa will visit Arkansas June 22-28 as part of a USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture grant to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Office of International Programs and Studies.

Div of ag writers, publications earn APW awards

LITTLE ROCK - Publications from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture were honored for excellence this month by Arkansas Press Women.

Behind the scenes men named to Bradley County Tomato Hall of Fame

WARREN, Ark. - The Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival, running continuously since 1956, has inducted Bradley County Extension Staff Chair John Gavin and former chamber of commerce director Buddy McCaskill into its Hall of Fame.

Wet pastures bring new problems to livestock producers

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Soaked pastures bring new problems for livestock producers, says David Fernandez, Cooperative Extension Program livestock specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Campfires, talent shows, games, and mock legislative session? Youth Citizenship and Leadership Camp

LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas youths ages 13-17 are invited to broaden their knowledge about government structure, develop leadership skills, and become an engaged citizen through a free six-day camp held from June 22-27.

Recent storms cause ‘greensnap’ in Arkansas corn crop  

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Storms, rain and high winds that rolled through Arkansas in  recent days damaged parts of the state’s corn crop in a couple of ways. One is “greensnap,” which happens when the corn stalk snaps at a node due to high winds. The other problem is when corn plants blow over but don’t snap. The bigger problem is with greensnap. 

June 18 seminar in Little Rock focuses on winning government contracts

LITTLE ROCK - Everyone has heard about some fortunate companies that managed to land government contracts, but most don’t have a clue about how to jump into that lucrative market. 

June 12 Blackberry Field Day: More than just fruit 

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. - There’s more at stake than fruit at the June 12 Blackberry Field Day. It’s an intensive, 360-degree look at the best ways to manage growth, insects, diseases and the marketing of a crop that helps put food on the table for farmers.  

Four faculty honored by American Association for Agricultural Education

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Three faculty members in the Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology Department at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture have received top honors from the American Association for Agricultural Education. A fourth faculty member in the department has been installed as the organization’s national president. 

New weevil gnawing at Arkansas soybeans 

MARVELL, Ark. - Arkansas soybean growers are facing a new enemy - the pea weevil - an insect that hitched a ride from Europe in a legume used as a cover crop.  

Deadline to submit rice recipe is June 10 

HELENA, Ark. - June 10 is the deadline to submit your best, crowd-pleasing rice dish to the 2014 Arkansas Rice Expo Recipe Contest.  

Rainfall plus warm weather equals mosquito-breeding season

LITTLE ROCK - Last week’s warm-weather rain marathon has provided perfect conditions for the least favorite aspects of the Arkansas summer: mosquitoes.