News - December 2015

Holiday generosity pays off during tax season

LITTLE ROCK ­— From colleges and churches to food banks and foundations, the holiday season is a time for charitable giving. And, although doing good is its own reward, those donations can come in handy around tax season, said Laura Hendrix, assistant professor of family and consumer science with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

RSVP by Jan. 6 for Tri-State Soybean Conference 

STONEVILLE, Miss. – Agronomists, economists and other crop experts from Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi are expected for the 60^th annual Tri-State Soybean Forum set for Jan. 8.

Winter production meetings offer credits for crop consultants

LITTLE ROCK — Crop consultants can earn continuing education credits at the annual winter production meetings held by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service.  

Arkansas fruit production survives a year of wild weather

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — With some variations in production amounts, Arkansas growers enjoyed a relatively positive crop cycle in 2015, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture experts said.

‘Tis the season for identity theft, consumer fraud

LITTLE ROCK — Sleigh bells aren’t the only thing ringing this time of year. Cash registers are, too – and that’s music to the ears of cybercriminals and other perpetrators of consumer fraud, said Laura Hendrix, assistant professor of family and consumer science with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Land-use diversification can aid profitability of southeastern cattle producers 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – It’s not unusual to find cattle grazing on farms across southeastern states. It would be more unusual to find farmers in the region who have large cattle operations by national standards or who earn significantly large segments of their income from cattle.

Jack Perkins, retired longtime animal science professor, dies at 81

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Jack Perkins was a quiet, unassuming man whose influence in the livestock industry is being made loud and clear through the 6,000 students who are living the lessons taught in his classroom.  

Pest experts fear EPA delisting may impact Arkansas grain sorghum quickly

LITTLE ROCK — Entomology and pest experts have voiced concern that a mid-November decision by a federal court to reject the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s approval for the insecticide Transform will soon leave grain sorghum crops vulnerable to sugarcane aphids if the insects develop resistance to the only other insecticide currently labeled for the job. 

Deadline for Growers of Greens Jan. 1, 2016

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Once again growers of spring and fall greens have a Jan. 1 deadline to enroll in the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). The Jan. 1, 2016 deadline is earlier than deadlines for growers of other crops.  

Probably not a record year for Arkansas soybeans, but production still steady; a harder year for winter wheat

LITTLE ROCK — 2015 is unlikely to prove a record year for Arkansas soybean production, experts at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture said, but don’t count the cash crop as down and out, either. 

2015 a strong year for Arkansas peanuts

LITTLE ROCK — Peanuts in Arkansas enjoyed their strongest numbers in four years as some growers in the Delta shifted acreage away from cotton.  

Weather presents biggest challenges to rice, cotton in 2015

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Weather presented the biggest hurdles to rice and cotton growers in 2015, said University of Arkansas crop specialists.  

Pecans bring big flavor, versatility to the holiday table

TEXARKANA, Ark. — Some say peh-kahns’, others say pee’-kans. But everyone agrees that the humble pecan is irresistible and indispensable during the holiday season, said Carla Hadley, Miller County extension agent with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.  

Holiday cookies are a delight, when prepared right

TEXARKANA, Ark. — Baking cookies is a time-honored holiday tradition, but it can be difficult to get that recipe just right. For cookies that family, friends and neighbors will ask for every year, take some tips from the pros, said Carla Hadley, Miller County Extension agent with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

NASS forecasts all-time low cotton harvested acres

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas may see a new record low for harvested acres of cotton this year, the National Agricultural Statistics Service said on Wednesday. However, no one seemed surprised. 

Upcoming soil fertility meeting aims to help growers maximize profit

STUTTGART, Ark. — Growers throughout Arkansas are invited to learn how to test and improve the quality of their soils at a soil fertility meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 15 at the Rice Research and Extension Center in Stuttgart.

NRCS funds Division of Agriculture conservation project

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The right choice of a winter cover crop in rice fields can reduce erosion and soil compaction while improving soil nitrogen available for the plants, said Trent Roberts, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture soil scientist.

Ag Day meeting set for Jan. 4  at Lonoke Ag Center

LONOKE, Ark. – For more than five decades, Bono farmer Jimmy Leon Perkins lived by a simple saying:  “Farming is changing every day and change is required to stay farming.”

2016 River Valley Beef conference: Antibiotics, pasture weeds, market concerns

LITTLE ROCK -- Feeding antibiotics, pasture weeds, market concerns and selection of replacement heifers on the agenda for the 2016 River Valley Beef Cattle Conference set for Feb. 16 at the I-40 Livestock Auction in Ozark. 

Drummer-turned-landscape architect Billy Goodnick joins lineup for silver anniversary show

LITTLE ROCK – What made author and teacher Billy Goodnick trade in his studio drumming career for landscape architecture? Blame it on the bonsai. 

Loss of Enlist Duo cuts already thin weed-fighting arsenal for bean farmers 

LITTLE ROCK —  With the possible loss of the herbicide Enlist Duo, Arkansas soybean growers may find their already thin weed-fighting arsenal whittled down to one option: crop rotation. 

Arkansas: Record rain strands last of soybeans, delays final winter wheat planting 

LITTLE ROCK – Four days of record rainfall in Arkansas left behind flash floods, road closures, and for farmers, stranded soybeans and unplanted winter wheat, said extension agents with University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.