News - November 2015

Mineral leases: What you need to know about lease end, water quality and your estate plan

LITTLE ROCK – Mineral leases can provide additional income, but they also come with additional responsibilities. Hear the industry, regulatory and legal perspectives at a workshop Dec. 17 in Searcy.  

 Avian flu workshop prepares first response teams

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A four-day workshop hosted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has prepared 34 USDA Veterinary Service personnel to be first responders in the event of an avian influenza outbreak.

Division of Agriculture administrator hits the deck – and hard: 24 hours on an aircraft carrier

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Rick Roeder was shot and captured on the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Navy did it all.

Mississippi State University to host Tri-State Soybean Conference

STONEVILLE, Miss. — The Mississippi State University’s Delta Research and Extension Center will be hosting the Tri-State Soybean Forum on January 8, 2016 in the Capps Entrepreneurial Center on the Stoneville campus. 

Kickstart Cleveland County releases community development plan

RISON, Ark. — Kickstart Cleveland County, a grassroots organization dedicated to improving and revitalizing Cleveland County and its communities, published the 2015 Strategic Blueprint and Action Plan on Nov. 19.

Full bellies, good vibes on the menu for ‘Dining In Day’

LITTLE ROCK — Each year, families across Arkansas gather around the dinner table for Thanksgiving to enjoy a home-cooked meal. With planning, that treasured family time can be a daily event, said Rosemary Rodibaugh, professor-nutrition with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. 

Food Safety for the Holidays

LITTLE ROCK -- From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, the holiday season is filled with gatherings around a table or buffet. While nothing’s better than a plate full of our seasonal favorites, without a little forethought, those turkey and trimmings can be sources of illness waiting to infect the next holiday party-goer. 

Holiday Budget Control: Spending Less, Without the Stress

LITTLE ROCK -- 'Tis better to give than to receive. But when your holiday budget quickly becomes a thing of the past due to overspending and credit cards that reach their limits, it’s hard to feel the “better” part of gift giving.  This holiday season’s goal should be more about joy and less about a New Year’s resolution to pay off Christmas debt. 

Keeping Fit Despite Winter Chill

LITTLE ROCK -- When the cold weather and holiday season hits, it’s easy to ditch those exercise routines you’ve developed since last year’s New Year’s resolutions. The winter chill and a packed schedule of festivities can leave little time (or desire) to step out the door for that morning run. But we need to reframe the way we think about exercise during the winter months, Lisa Washburn, Assistant Professor of Health for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said. 

Taking the stress out of preparing the perfect turkey

TEXARKANA, Ark. — As Thanksgiving approaches, we want the star of the show to be the turkey. With just a little know-how, you can prepare a stress-free turkey. 

First frost means hold the grazing on johnsongrass

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Temperatures are expected to fall below freezing across much of Arkansas by this weekend, which should prompt cattle producers to use caution before allowing livestock to graze fields of johnsongrass. Prussic acid (hydrocyanic acid) can result from the frost and can be toxic to the livestock. 

High winds, heavy rains do minor damage, but will have little impact on harvest

LITTLE ROCK — Heavy, record-setting rains saturated fields and caused creeks to swell in Arkansas this week, delaying winter wheat planting but coming too late in the season to damage most fall-harvested crops, Cooperative Extension Service personnel said.

Frost is coming, so put a blanket on it

SEARCY, Ark. – The National Weather Service at Little Rock has issued a frost advisory from midnight Friday until 9 a.m. Monday and that’s the cue for gardeners to protect their plants. 

Former Faulkner County 4-H member named national FFA president 

LITTLE ROCK — Taylor McNeel, a Southern Arkansas University student and long-time 4-H member, will serve in 2016 as the national president of the Future Farmers of America. 

Webinar series to cover rice markets

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Rice markets and associated technology will be the topics of three installments of the Food and Agribusiness Webinar Series on Nov. 12 and 19. The online events are free and presented by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Farm Service Agency. 

Application period open for Janet B. Carson Scholarship 

LITTLE ROCK – High school seniors looking toward earning a degree in a plant-science related field have an opportunity to apply for the $1,000 Janet B. Carson Scholarship, awarded annually by the County 76 Master Gardeners. 

Cattle conference to feature regional experts

TEXARKANA, Ark. – Arkansas cattle producers will have the opportunity to catch up on new developments in the business at the Four States Cattle Conference on Dec. 8 at the Four States Fairgrounds in Texarkana. The conference will run from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. 

Extension seeking community facilitator as CDC project expands to Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK — Cooperative Extension Service administrators are seeking qualified applicants to help implement obesity-reduction strategies in four Arkansas counties as part of an ongoing project funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Leucine serves an important role for health, but needs to eaten as part of a complete protein

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Bodybuilding enthusiasts sometimes seek out leucine as a supplement for making their muscles bigger. The general public is less aware of its usefulness as a functional ingredient in protein that provides health benefits. 

Kudzu bugs spread to 7 counties in Arkansas; too late to damage state’s soybeans

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Poinsett is the latest county to see kudzu bugs, bringing the number of Arkansas counties in which the pest has spread to seven. 

EQIP Cost Share Funding for Efficient Use of Poly Pipe

PINE BLUFF, Ark. –Improving irrigation efficiency and reducing dependence on ground water for irrigation are top priorities of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Fortunately for Arkansas producers, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to implement irrigation practices through its cost-share programs. 

Hit the trails, start training at home; exercise isn’t costly

LITTLE ROCK – There’s no need to be wary of a personal fitness program because of the costs of gym memberships or exercise equipment. Fitness routines can cost little to nothing if people look for the right options, said Laura Hendrix, assistant professor of family and consumer sciences at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Take a closer look in the fridge; wasted food costs consumers money

LITTLE ROCK – Food waste not only adds up in the landfills – it’s the single largest component that ends up there – but it also is costing the average family of four $1,480 a year. Individual households contribute to the 90 billion pounds of edible food that go out with the trash annually.

Upcoming conference to discuss nutrient management, edge-of-field monitoring

MEMPHIS — Producers throughout Arkansas and neighboring states have an opportunity to learn about the latest developments in nutrient management and edge-of-field monitoring at an upcoming conference sponsored by the Soil and Water Conservation Society.