News - April 2017

As rice planting surges ahead of five-year average, growers hope to avoid rainfall woes

LITTLE ROCK – Even in the best of years, the need for “just enough, not too much” rainfall is a tough tightrope to walk for row crop farmers throughout Arkansas and beyond. But in this year, with profit margins for rice already thin and a large percentage of 2017’s planned rice acreage already planted, garnering adequate rainfall is more critical than usual.

Extension financial literacy program an ‘eye-opener’ for high school students

MENA, Ark. – It was a typical day at Mena High School — students flooded the hallway on their way to class, the bell rang and the day began. All was normal, except the seniors of Mena High gathered in the school cafeteria to learn a life skill with which most adults struggle.

Verma: Ag, biological engineers’ society seeks to develop a scorecard to assess global food, water, energy gaps

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Knowing the scope of a problem is critical to devising a solution, especially when the problems are continent-sized, said the Arkansas-based past president of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

Alfalfa requires careful nutrient management for maximum benefit

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Alfalfa makes a quality forage or hay crop, but its growth habits require careful nutrient management, said Dirk Philipp, forage researcher for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Training to outline federal labor standards in reforestation

MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello School of Forestry and Natural Resources will host a two-hour training session Wednesday, April 26, designed to outline applicable labor laws and the most common issues associated with the reforestation industry.

Livestock field day focused on fescue

BATESVILLE, Ark. – When it comes to raising livestock in Arkansas, one word commonly straddles the line between “friend” and “enemy”: fescue.

Plan for a successful rice harvest with modern irrigation technology

LITTLE ROCK – The key to success is often rooted in a solid plan, and experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are encouraging Arkansas rice producers to start that plan with the technology known as Multiple Inlet Rice Irrigation, or MIRI.

Close encounters of the wildlife kind: That seemingly alone deer or baby bird may not be

LITTLE ROCK – Spring is a time of fledgling birds, nesting cottontails and a rise in human-wildlife interactions as people hit the hiking trails, run the bush hog or are puttering around in the backyard. 

2017 Q1 Big Creek report posted online

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The 2017 first quarter report from the Big Creek Research and Extension Team has been posted and submitted to the governor’s office and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.  

Re-imagining your community/region is theme of June conference

LITTLE ROCK – The man whose transformative work helped Des Moines, Iowa, earn the headline “How America’s Dullest City Got Cool,” will be the keynote speaker for the 2017 Breakthrough Solutions Conference and Art Show, June 7-8 in Little Rock.

Conference tackles financial, legal issues in down agricultural economy

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In any given crop year, success depends on a triangular relationship between farmers/landowners, agricultural lenders and agricultural lawyers, said Harrison Pittman, director of the National Agricultural Law Center at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Arkansas 4-H helps develop the next generation of veterinarians

LITTLE ROCK— A 4-H program geared toward preparing Arkansas youth for a career in the veterinary field goes well beyond dogs, cats and horses, giving participants a look into the realm of exotic animal medicine, food animal medicine and wildlife medicine.

Arkansas peanut acreage inches higher, as market prices remain favorable against stagnant row crop prices

LITTLE ROCK — As peanut market prices continue to offer a reliable toehold for Arkansas growers struggling against depressed commodity prices, acreage for the sandy-soiled legume continues to expand incrementally one season to the next.

‘Walk in the Woods’ field tour on woodland management set for May 16

LITTLE ROCK – Managing woodlands isn’t as simple as just watching the trees grow. Learn more about the sometimes complicated webs of wildlife, woods and marketing during the Women Owning Woodlands Field Tour on May 16 in Wrightsville.

Food Science doctoral student wins 2017 AOCS award

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Sarah Mayfield, a University of Arkansas food science doctoral student in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and supported by the U of A System Division of Agriculture, has won the American Oil Chemists' Society Analytical Division Student Award for 2017.

Ouachita County agent uses social media as an educational platform to reach thousands

CAMDEN, Ark. – Give Addie Wilson a minute and she can give you a lesson that will last the rest of your life.

Beekeeping course set for Little Rock in May

LITTLE ROCK – Jon Zawislak travels the state spreading the joy and how-tos for would-be beekeepers.

Heads up to hunters, hikers, homeowners: Ticks are looking for you and your pets

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Turkey hunters heading into the woods may want to bring along another weapon: tick repellent. 

Free online how-to course for backyard, hobby poultry flock keepers

LITTLE ROCK – As the number of backyard poultry flocks grows in the United States, so have the number of questions from those new to the field. The Cooperative Extension Service has developed an online course to help guide neophytes through the need-to-know’s on growing and maintain a healthy flock.

Master Gardener plant sales blossom across the state

LITTLE ROCK — Between April showers and May flowers, one of Arkansas gardeners’ favorite perennial phenomena blooms, as Master Gardener programs in counties across the state begin holding their annual plant sales.

Start early to establish native grasses

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Native grasses can be challenging to establish in cultivated pastures, but they offer alternative summer grazing, buffer strips to protect streams or improved wildlife habitat.

Arkansas 4-H goes to Washington

LITTLE ROCK— Five 4-H’ers packed their bags and headed to the National 4-H Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland, this week to share ideas and form recommendations in guiding future national 4-H youth development programs nationally and in their communities.

Calling Arkansas 4-H alumni: Raise your hand and be counted!  

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas 4-H alumni, it’s time to raise your hand. If you do, it could mean up to $20,000 to the organization of your youth.

Mowing 101: How to have your best lawn yet

LITTLE ROCK) -- April showers bring May flowers, but they also bring green grass and lawn mowing season.

Extension entomologists, graduate students honored by entomological society

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two extension entomologists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, along with four graduate students in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, were recently honored at a meeting of the Southeastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America.

Rain dampens planting plans for some Arkansas farmers

PERRYVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas farmers who were geared up to start planting this week, will have to give way to a rain delay, said county extension agents for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Rice planting begins in nation’s top rice state

LITTLE ROCK – Rice planting in Arkansas has begun in earnest, as growers in the nation's top rice-producing state seed their fields beneath dark skies and intermittent rains.

Versatile grain to star in Rice Expo recipe contest

LITTLE ROCK – One of the most widely eaten grains in the world will have the starring role in the sixth annual Rice Expo Recipe Contest, whose entry deadline is June 16.