News - December 2016

Top Arkansas ag stories of 2016

LITTLE ROCK — 2016 proved a difficult year for many Arkansas growers. Severe flooding in August impacted production to the tune of an approximately $50 million crop loss, and an unprecedented political season cast doubt on the future of international trade agreements and farm subsidies.

Andrew Sharpley elected society president for 2017

MADISON, Wisc. — Andrew Sharpley, professor, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, begins his duties as president of the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Jan. 1.

Arkansas agriculture: 2016 review and 2017 preview

LITTLE ROCK –  The impacts of a 2016 growing season that may have cost crop farmers up to $50 million in losses due to wet weather, plus the pressures of lower commodity prices, may prompt changes in Arkansas’ row crop landscape for 2017, said extension faculty from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Neither was the livestock side of farming immune to dark clouds.

Division of Agriculture’s specialty rice program approaches release of two aromatic lines

STUTTGART, Ark. — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s specialty rice program, seated in the Rice Research and Extension Center in Stuttgart, is planning to release two varieties of aromatic rice in the coming years, researchers said this month.

Strawberry initiative seeks input from growers, industry

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and its partners in the National Strawberry Sustainability Initiative are seeking input from growers as the multi-state research program enters a new phase of study.

YEAREND: 2016 weather propelled commodity market rollercoaster 

Greening of Arkansas committee names 2016 grant recipients

LITTLE ROCK — Nine communities across Arkansas learned this week that they will receive a combined total of about $17,500 in grant funding through the Greening of Arkansas Grant Program.

Arkansas youth to mark 4-H Day at the Capitol on Feb. 16

LITTLE ROCK – More than 300 members of the Arkansas 4-H Youth Development program are expected visit Little Rock on Feb. 16 for 4-H Day at the Capitol.

Making sense of the 2017 Arkansas Legislative session 

LITTLE ROCK -- A flurry of new state laws will be proposed in January as Arkansas representatives and senators go back to the Capitol for the 2017 legislative session. Trying to keep up with hundreds of potential laws can seem overwhelming, but there are several ways the average Joe can follow along during the session.

Arkansas Flower and Garden Show to focus on “Local Roots” in February

LITTLE ROCK — In just two short months, the state’s largest annual botanical show, the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show, will again open its doors to welcome flower and garden lovers from across the Mid-south.

Picking a Christmas tree? Gloves, measurements, eyeballs needed

HOPE, Ark. – Gloves, measurements and a good eye are among the tools needed to select the best Christmas tree, said Jon Barry, extension forester for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Real Christmas trees: A growing trend

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  – While some spent Thanksgiving weekend Black Friday shopping, others went Christmas tree shopping.

Arkansas winter production meeting schedule posted

LITTLE ROCK – Between fall harvest and spring planting is the time that crop production experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture tour the state presenting new research findings to the state’s producers.

Jan. 10 Lonoke-Prairie-Pulaski meeting puts rice, beans, corn, sorghum production in spotlight

LONOKE, Ark. – The annual Lonoke, Prairie and Pulaski County Ag Day and winter crop production meeting is set for Jan. 10 at the Carlisle First United Methodist Church.

ExCEL program, Vines Center earn top honors from Arkansas Business

FERNDALE, Ark. – Grass, sunshine and water balloons aren’t the usual management tools for building a better workforce, but those very ingredients are what helped lift the ExCEL program and the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center to “Best Team Building Center” status for the eighth time among readers of “Arkansas Business.”

Jonesboro conference to focus on cover crops, soil health and water management

LITTLE ROCK — Three of the most important aspects of modern farming will be the focus of the upcoming Southern Agricultural Cover Crops, Soil Health and Water Management Conference, scheduled for Dec. 13-14 in Jonesboro.

Media advisory: Holiday photo opp

Members of the Perryville High School 4-H Club will be packing meals for those in need this holiday season at 9 a.m. Monday. Members of the club raised $2,000 for the project.

Cooperative Extension Service honors standout employees

LITTLE ROCK — Faculty and staff with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service met in Little Rock on Monday morning to honor their own, recognizing standout achievements during the 2016 Excellence Awards.

Annual horticulture show opens Jan. 13

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Building healthy economies with local and regional food systems will headline the topics presented at the 36th annual Arkansas-Oklahoma Horticulture Industry Show Jan. 13-14 in Fayetteville.

Invasive disease, invasive beetle affect source of gumbo’s filé and root beer

LITTLE ROCK — An invasive beetle carrying an invasive disease is a threat to the tree whose leaves provide gumbo’s filé and whose below-ground parts provide the unique bite to root beer.