News - March 2015

Department of Agriculture report forecasts strong increase in milo, declines in wheat, cotton

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas growers are doubling down on grain sorghum in 2015, while pulling back sharply from wheat and cotton, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture released Tuesday.

Arkansas Master Gardener training program accepting applications through May 11

LITTLE ROCK — If you’re looking to take your green thumb to the next level, the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Master Gardener program is now accepting applications to become a trained volunteer. Participants will be given the training to sharpen their horticultural skills, and the mission to share their knowledge with others.

UA-Monticello to host national soil judging contest 

MONTICELLO, Ark. – You can’t celebrate the International Year of Soils without getting your hands dirty. No one knows that better than members of the nearly two dozen teams that will compete in the national soil judging contest hosted by the University of Arkansas at Monticello April 19-24.

White-blossomed pear has dark, thorny invasive side

LITTLE ROCK – With angelic white blossoms that transform the spring landscape, flamboyant foliage in fall and abilities to tolerate air pollution and resist disease, the Bradford pear became a favorite choice in commercial and home landscapes.

Forestry workshop to focus on forest management’s effects on water quality

LITTLE ROCK — Forest land owners will have the opportunity to learn how forest management practices can affect water quality in their area at the 2015 Forestry Workshop and Field Day.

Backyard poultry workshops in De Queen, Huntsville-SUB

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  –  Two additional backyard poultry workshops have been scheduled at De Queen and Huntsville for flock owners who want to learn more about raising their birds, including protecting them from avian flu.

April 21 field day focuses on technology, techniques for beef production

BATESVILLE, Ark. -- Native warm-season grasses, feed additives and de-worming in beef cattle production are among the topics on the agenda for the April 21 field day at the Livestock and Forestry Station. 

Tillage radishes defeated by dense soil, but hold promise as winter nutrient lay-away

MONTICELLO, Ark. -- Research radishes at the Southeast Research and Extension Center have found that the only way to grow is up.

Connerly: How to making the most of your refund

LITTLE ROCK -- So far this year, about 40 million tax refunds have been issued with an average refund amount of $3,120; according to the Internal Revenue Service. Carefully consider how your refund might be used, said Laura Connerly, assistant professor for family and consumer economics with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Rainey selected president of Southern Agricultural Economics Association

ATLANTA – The newly selected president of the Southern Agricultural Economics Association said he’d like to see the group increase its visibility and engagement as a profession address mounting challenges in the face of increased scrutiny.

Successful forage harvest means making the most of good weather

LITTLE ROCK — The window for harvesting leafy forage hay in the Southeastern United States can be fickle and narrow, so growers need to be prepared to make the most of good weather when it comes.

Choosing the right grazing methods helps growers maximize forage yields

LITTLE ROCK — With the grazing season in almost full swing, University of Arkansas forage experts are reminding growers to consider which grazing methods will best help them get the most out of their forage stands and pastures.

New animal identification requirements now in effect

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – A new animal identification numbering system took effect March 11, said David Fernandez, Cooperative Extension Program livestock specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Hundreds of 4-H members fill state Capitol halls

LITTLE ROCK – Hundreds of Arkansas 4-H members from across the state filled the halls of the state Capitol on Wednesday, learning about leadership from members of the Legislature, the state auditor and Gov. Asa Hutchinson. 

Ark Livestock & Poultry Commission to offer 1-day certification for blood testing licenses

LITTLE ROCK — Experts with the Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will offer a series of one-day classes to certify participants as private or commercial blood testers for Pullorum-Typhoid in poultry.

4-H Trail Run/Walk set for April 11

LITTLE ROCK – If your asphalt-weary running shoes are craving some new action, get off the beaten path in the 2015 4-H 5K set for April 11.

4-H Day at the State Capitol set for March 18

LITTLE ROCK  -- Arkansas youth will have the opportunity to meet their state legislators and gain a better understanding of how democracy works during the March 18 “4-H Day at the Capitol.”

Arkansas Forage & Grassland Council spring tour set for April 24

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Despite drought, flood and everything in between, some Arkansas livestock producers have been able to reach grazing seasons of 300 days or more.

Farm Bill decision aid labs scheduled for Jonesboro, Wynne

JONESBORO, Ark. – With the March 31 deadline for Farm Bill base and yield updates and election of Agricultural Risk Coverage or Price Loss Coverage looming, there are two labs set for Tuesday and Friday for farmers to get hands-on experience with a web-based decision aid. 

Avian influenza not a risk in properly cooked poultry

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  –  There is no danger of contracting the current strain of avian influenza from eating properly cooked chicken because heat destroys pathogens.

Backyard poultry workshops scheduled for March

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  –   A series of workshops is being scheduled for backyard poultry flock owners who want to learn more about raising their birds, including protecting them from avian flu.

NRCS honors APAC’s Max Franks

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Natural Resources Conservation Service has honored Max Franks at its annual conference.

After mild Jan., Feb. ice, March rains expected to impact only the earliest of planters

LITTLE ROCK — Despite heavy statewide snowfall and ice during the second half of February, as well as heavy rains the first week of March, most Arkansas row crop farmers will not likely face delays in the 2015 planting season, University of Arkansas System agronomists said.

UpStreamArt painters selected; murals to begin soon

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Don’t think it’s graffiti if you see an artist painting on the sidewalk over the next couple of weeks – he or she may be painting with the UpStream Art project. The 2015 UpStream Art Project has made its final selection of local artists to paint murals on storm drains for the purpose of water quality education. Artists submitted designs to the project committee in February and the finalists were submitted to city mayors or city councils for approval. All art must be completed by May. 

Center of Excellence for Poultry Science provides course work in baking arts

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Food technologists from companies across the United States are attending a 40-hour, five-day hands-on workshop including instruction on baking theory and ingredient function. Baking Arts Fundamentals is being held March 9-13 at the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, a unit of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

USDA Risk Management Agency head to visit UA campus

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Brandon Willis, administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency, will speak to students at 10:15 a.m. Friday, March 20, at the Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences Building at the University of Arkansas. 

UA System’s Division of Ag offers poultry biosecurity workshops

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  –  Following the confirmation of avian flu in Arkansas, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is scheduling a series of workshops to help backyard poultry flock owners protect their livestock.

Ricke Chosen as American Society for Microbiology Distinguished Lecturer

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Steven C. Ricke, who holds the Donald "Buddy" Wray Endowed Chair in Food Safety in the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and serves at the director of the Center for Food Safety, has been selected as an American Society for Microbiology Distinguished Lecturer. He will serve two years in the position and will deliver lectures at society's meetings around the nation during that time.

Div of Ag animal science researcher honored for sustainable forage production

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Dirk Philipp, associate professor of animal science, was recently honored with a Merit Award for his work in sustainable forage production and livestock management to minimize environmental impact. The award was presented by the American Forage and Grassland Council.

4-H Day at the State Capitol rescheduled to March 18

LITTLE ROCK  -- The 2015 4-H Day at the State Capitol has been rescheduled for Wednesday, March 18. All county clubs that were previously registered and confirmed to attend should start making arrangements to attend the event. 

Pesticide receives emergency approval to control sugarcane aphids in sorghum

LITTLE ROCK  -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week authorized the Arkansas State Plant Board to issue an emergency use label for Transform WG, a pesticide regularly used for insect control in Arkansas cotton, to control sugarcane aphids in grain sorghum.

UPDATE: Cover crop workshop set for March 12 at Stuttgart

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  – Using cover crops to manage soils takes the spotlight at the Cover Crop Workshop March 12 at the Rice Research and Extension Center in Stuttgart.

Additional Farm Bill webinar and workshops added in March

LITTLE ROCK  -- University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture experts will be delivering four additional decision aid workshops, as well as an additional online webinar, for the 2014 Farm Bill over the next two weeks.

Arkansas Irrigation Expo set for March 10 at Stuttgart

LITTLE ROCK – Organizers have set a new date – March 10 –  for the Arkansas Irrigation Expo.

$5 million Tyson gift lifts new Agriculture Research Center

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Tyson Family and Tyson Foods, Inc. have made a substantial gift toward creating a first-of-its-kind agricultural research center in Arkansas – one of the most consequential gifts to advance water quality and sustainability research in the state’s history.