News - April 2015

$2 million will benefit ultra-modern Foundation Seed Facility

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board has directed $2 million to help construct an innovative Seed Foundation Facility at the state’s Rice Research and Extension Center in Stuttgart. The facility will assist scientists and researchers to bring new higher yielding, high quality rice varieties to market so Arkansas farmers can profitably grow rice that meets worldwide demand.  

2015 Rice Expo Recipe Contest renders rice a blank canvas for the culinarily creative

WYNNE, Ark.  -- Think of that rice in your pantry as a blank canvas on which to create a dish that could win the 2015 Arkansas Rice Expo Recipe Contest. 

Heavy Rains in north of state shift lead in rice planting to south

LITTLE ROCK — Continuing spring rains throughout Arkansas have put rice growers behind their planting schedule, particularly in the northern half of the state, experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture said this week.

Chesapeake Bay visitors credit Arkansas research with moving water quality science forward in U.S.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — During a visit to an Arkansas Discovery Farm in Washington County, Ann Swanson and Rona Kobell saw how Jeff Marley cooperates with University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture scientists to measure and document the effectiveness of best management practices for controlling phosphorus from chicken litter.

Pasture weed control time is now

PINE BLUFF, Ark – The extremely wet spring has kept many ranchers out of their pastures so now is the time to control pasture weeds. It may not be too late to control buttercup, the first weed to emerge, wild garlic or wild onion and thistles, said David Fernandez, Cooperative Extension Program livestock specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. 

Big Creek Research and Extension Team releases 1st quarterly report for 2015

LITTLE ROCK — The Big Creek Research and Extension Team, tasked by former Gov. Mike Beebe in 2013 to monitor soil and water quality near a large-scale concentrated animal feeding operation in Newton County, released its first quarterly report of 2015 Friday.

April is the time to get spring-calving beef heifers ready to breed.

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Most cattle producers breed their cows in June so they will calve in March and April, but heifers should be bred 20 to 30 days before the rest of the herd, said David Fernandez, Cooperative Extension Program livestock specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. That means breeding season is only a month away. 

Bumpers College students honored at annual event

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences recognized student achievements Thursday (April 16) at the University of Arkansas. The students were honored during a banquet at the Verizon Ballroom at the Arkansas Union.

Alpena High School senior wins Soybean Science Challenge Award

LITTLE ROCK — A 17-year-old Alpena student used a study of light intensity and its effects on three major Arkansas crops to win the state-level Soybean Science Challenge Award earlier this month. 

Winter Kill fungus high in recreational catfish ponds, absent in commercial fisheries

LITTLE ROCK — Although Cooperative Extension Service researchers said Arkansas experienced higher-than-average rates of the fungus known as Winter Kill in catfish in recreational and farm ponds throughout Arkansas this winter, the fungus is not expected to affect commercial production of the fish.

Want better pastures? Get on the AFGC bus April 24

LITTLE ROCK – How did two very different cattle operations manage to eke out 300 days of grazing or more? Hear it straight from the owners April 24 during the 2015 Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council’s spring bus tour. 

First stallion service auction a success for 4-H, UA horse judging program

LITTLE ROCK — A stallion service auction that benefited the 4-H equine program and the University of Arkansas horse judging team went so well that planning is underway for a second one.

Rain slows row crop planting again, but boosts NW forage growth and ‘skeeters

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Monday’s rain has been a boon for dry hay meadows in northwest Arkansas, but will keep row crop growers out of the field again, county extension agents for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture said on Tuesday.   

Business workshop for landowners scheduled May 14 at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute

PETIT JEAN MOUNTAIN, Ark. — Landowners, farmers and hunting clubs wanting to branch out and earn extra income by offering recreational and other activities for visitors are encouraged to attend a Business Workshop for Landowners on Thursday, May 14, at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute atop Petit Jean Mountain.

Grass tetany likely to be seen throughout spring season due to rain, cool temps

LITTLE ROCK — Although the disease known as grass tetany typically peters out by April, Arkansas cattle ranchers should keep an eye out for the disease well into the late spring months this year, due to heavy rains and cool temperature trends in the region. 359 words.

Warmer temperatures mean increased water needs for cattle 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As summer approaches and high mid-day temperatures become the norm, cattle producers should give extra attention to making sure their herds have plenty of water to deal with extreme heat for the next several months. 405 words.

April is Financial Literacy Month

Lower Ouachita-Smackover Watershed stakeholder meeting cancelled; new date TBA

LITTLE ROCK — The Lower Ouachita-Smackover Watershed stakeholder forum scheduled for April 14 has been cancelled and will be rescheduled.

Moms on the Farm tour offers glimpse into food production process

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- On April 21, the fourth annual Moms on the Farm Tour will provide attendees with a better understanding of how farmers provide consumers with the food they feed their families as they tour local farms in the Northwest Arkansas area.

Purple boxes high in campus trees trap, help monitor destructive insect

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Purple prism-shaped boxes are hanging high in the branches of three trees on the University of Arkansas campus.

County Extension offices around Arkansas to partner with USDA for grant writing workshops in support of local food producers

LITTLE ROCK — Trainers with the Cooperative Extension Service will be conducting a series of grant-writing workshops around Arkansas to help potential applicants navigate the federal grant application program for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program.

Extension hosting local forum to help community identify priorities in the Lower Ouachita-Smackover Watershed

LITTLE ROCK — People who live, work, recreate or own property in the Lower Ouachita-Smackover Watershed are invited to participate in an April 14 forum on water quality. The forum, hosted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, is an opportunity for the public to identify water quality issues or concerns, and their community’s priorities for addressing water pollution.

April is the time to treat ash trees for killer beetle

LITTLE ROCK -- Homeowners who want to save their ashes need to treat those trees for emerald ash borer now through mid-April, say insect and tree experts for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. 

APAC to open satellite office in NW Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK -- The Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center, which last year helped clients obtain nearly $24 million in government contracts, is expanding into one of the nation’s fastest growing economies – northwest Arkansas.

June 4 CED conference promotes breakthrough thinking

LITTLE ROCK – Fresh thinking and bold action is key to community and economic development in an environment of rapid change, and will be highlighted at the 2015  Breakthrough Solutions Conference on June 4. The purpose of the conference is to provide community and regional leaders with insights, tools, and solutions that they can use to create communities that are vibrant, sustainable, and resilient.

Prevent grass tetany on lush spring pastures

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Grass tetany is a common problem in livestock usually prevalent in the early spring grazing season, said David Fernandez, Cooperative Extension Program livestock specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Sheep and cattle are more susceptible than goats.

Feral hog problems in Arkansas described as ‘World War III’

LITTLE ROCK – Damage from Arkansas’ feral hog population has become problematic that one north Arkansas farmer describes it as “World War III.”

End-of-March storms put planting behind in spots, more storms coming

PIGGOTT, Ark. – Heavy rain from Tuesday’s storms have prompted some delays just as Arkansas’ row crop planting season is getting underway, Cooperative Extension Service personnel said Wednesday.