News - February 2016

4-H makes first appearance at Arkansas STEM Festival

LITTLE ROCK — About a dozen Arkansas 4-H members joined about 1,000 students from around the state Friday morning at the second annual Arkansas STEM Festival, organized by the LISA Academy of Little Rock.

Irrigation tips, potential for cost savings to be reviewed at sessions

LITTLE ROCK. – Workshops in Jonesboro and Stuttgart will provide producers a chance to hear details that were compiled from irrigation water management demonstrations last year on cooperating farms in the state. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is sponsoring the events.

Herbicide use tops agenda at April 28 Forestry Field Day

HOPE, Ark. – Like any other crop, timber needs to be managed to ensure a healthy stand that’s not being outcompeted for water and nutrients by weeds or other undesirable plants. Proper use of herbicides by non-commercial forest landowners is the topic of the April 28 Forestry Field Day at the Southwest Research and Extension Center. 

New herbicide formulation offers additional tools for cotton farmers

LITTLE ROCK — Cotton growers in Arkansas and elsewhere will have a new weapon at their disposal this season in the battle against PPO-resistant pigweed. 

Arkansas Farmers’ Market Association pushing for more vendors, paid managers

LITTLE ROCK — As farmers’ markets continue to grow in popularity throughout Arkansas, members of the Arkansas Farms’ Market Association want to make sure those markets are firmly rooted in their communities, members of the association said during their annual meeting this month. 

TAX TIME: Survey finds adults more likely to save than splurge with tax refund

LITTLE ROCK – When tax time turns into a refund windfall, adults are more likely to use the money to save or pay down debt than to go on a spending spree, a survey by the National Endowment for Financial Education finds. 

AFMA Announces Arkansas Best Market Partners 2016

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Farmers Market Association announced three winners of the “Arkansas Best Market Partners 2016” contest at the organization’s annual meeting, held Feb. 10 at the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension headquarters in Little Rock.

Arkansas cotton acreage likely to increase in 2016, experts say

KEISER, Ark. — After a year in which total harvested cotton acreage dropped to a record low — about 205,000 acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture — the crop may be poised for a rebound in 2016, agronomists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture said earlier this month. 

TAX TIME: Stretch tax refunds with smart saving 

LITTLE ROCK ­— A tax refund can feel like a personal stimulus package. And although it’s tempting to use it right away, saving some or all of it can pay dividends down the road, said Laura Hendrix, assistant professor of family and consumer science with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. 

February is the time to fertilize cool season grasses 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Even though the winter landscape in may seem to be asleep, cool season forages are saying: “feed me.”

Extension to offer series of spray clinics in February, March 

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will deliver a series of six half-day spray clinics at locations throughout Arkansas in February and March.

Arkansas Discovery Farm’s story to be profiled at Mid-South Farm and Gin Show 

LITTLE ROCK – Successes at a cotton and corn farm where University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture personnel are measuring efficiencies will highlight a panel and be recognized with an award at the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show on Feb. 26-27 in Memphis, Tennessee. 

Strawberry initiative e-book cited as best by horticulture society

By FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Success in the Field, an e-book published by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture detailing the accomplishments of the second phase of the National Strawberry Sustainability Initiative in 2014-15, has been recognized as the outstanding research/extension publication by a professional organization.

Arkansas dries out, gives farmers a chance for fieldwork

LONOKE, Ark. – As the calendar counts down to spring, Arkansas farmers are taking advantage of late winter dry weather to get some field work done ahead of planting.

Woodland ownership workshop for women set for March 3-4

LITTLE ROCK – Understanding the weather and market pressures involved in owning woodlands is at the heart of the Women Woodland Owners Workshop set for March 3-4.

Feb. 11 Irrigation tech meeting has sessions for newbies, advanced users

STUTTGART, Ark. – Whether new to computerized irrigation aids or an advanced user, the Feb. 11 Irrigation Technology meeting at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Rice Research and Extension Station has sessions for both users.

Lace up those walking shoes: Walk Across Arkansas begins Feb. 15

LITTLE ROCK – Walk Across Arkansas, an eight-week public health initiative that begins Feb. 15, is encouraging schools to take part, said LaVona Traywick, an associate professor of gerontology for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

25 years of education flourishes at Arkansas Flower and Garden show

LITTLE ROCK — While the spectacular gardens, vendors and how-to talks may change, one thing has remained a constant through the 25 years of the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show: it funds scholarships for students and grants for beautification projects.

The kindest cut: Learning to prune fruit trees, vines, canes

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. – Pruning is an essential skill for anyone with a fruit crop, no matter if it grows on a tree, a vine or a cane.

Thaxton, Center for Food Animal Wellbeing director, inducted into Poultry Hall of Fame

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Yvonne Vizzier Thaxton, professor and director for the Center for Food Animal Wellbeing, a unit of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, was honored at the International Poultry and Processing Expo and inducted into the American Poultry Hall of Fame on Jan. 27. 

Film provides water-saving advice for Delta producers, picks up award

STUTTGART, Ark. – At two hours it’s longer than most theatrical releases, but a film that was produced with University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture support will provide farmers tips on saving water and money using Computerized Hole Selection that will make it worth their while to sit through the full feature. 

P. Allen Smith to speak at 25^th anniversary Arkansas Flower and Garden Show

LITTLE ROCK — Gardening and lifestyle guru P. Allen Smith will be part of the speaker lineup at the 25^th anniversary Arkansas Flower and Garden Show on Feb. 26-28 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

‘Homegrown Profits 2016’ workshop coming to Little Rock, offers producers info on marketing

LITTLE ROCK — Farmers, nutritionists and anyone else interested in learning about marketing and expanding profits for specialty crops will want to attend Homegrown Profits 2016: Expanding & Diversifying to Maximize Profits, the Feb. 22 workshop hosted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Arkansas Farm Bureau.

Chinese decision on Roundup Xtend is good news/bad news for Arkansas soy growers

LONOKE Ark. – China’s decision to allow imports of dicamba-tolerant soybeans is bittersweet news for Arkansas producers struggling for weed control options in both their soy and cotton crops.

Wild in the streets: when coyotes come calling in the city

LITTLE ROCK – If a coyote shows up in the backyard of your urban or suburban home, the question isn’t what the animal is doing in town. With all the resources that a city has to offer, why wouldn’t coyotes take up urban life?

What the groundhog sees: Not so much winter or spring, but delicious looking things in your garden

LITTLE ROCK – Groundhogs have nationwide fame for their alleged ability to predict the coming of spring. However, their presence in your yard will predict whether you – or them -- will get to enjoy the fruits of your gardening labors.