Latest quarterly report from Big Creek Research and Extension Team now online
By Dave Edmark
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Jan. 15, 2016
Fast Facts:
- Team has been monitoring Big Creek since 2013
- Information covers area around hog farm near Mount Judea
(204 words)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Big Creek Research and Extension Team filed its latest report Friday, Jan. 15, monitoring conditions in Big Creek, a Buffalo National River tributary in Newton County. The fourth quarterly report details conditions at the creek in the area near C&H Hog Farms, a large-scale swine concentrated feeding area near Mount Judea.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture team has been collecting data at the creek since September 2013 after being commissioned by then-Gov. Mike Beebe to take on the project. Its latest quarterly report, covering data collected from October to December 2015, is online at http://bit.ly/Q4BCRET2015.
Team leader Andrew Sharpley, professor of crop, soil, and environmental sciences, said the monitoring is scheduled to continue at least through the current fiscal year that ends June 30, pending the renewal of funding for further activity. “This is the third year of what we hope will be five years to assess the water quality in Big Creek,” he said.
The team is analyzing water samples for the potential presence of E. coli, nitrates, phosphoros and suspended solids. Sharpley noted more monitoring over a longer time is needed to compile an accurate assessment of the farm’s impact on the creek’s water quality.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu
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