News - January 2017

Workshops for outdoor business owners & landowners coming to two locations

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansans interested in earning additional income from farm or agricultural land, recreational property or timberland are invited to either of two workshops from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture in partnership with Mississippi State University and the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute in February and March.

Div of Ag wheat breeder one of 15 seeking genetic secrets to high-yield wheat

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Producing enough wheat to keep up with a growing global population has been a constant struggle for farmers and a challenge to wheat breeders. A University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture professor has joined the International Wheat Yield Partnership, a global a program zeroing in on the genes that regulate wheat yield.   

Talks on gardens, trees, birds and bees headlining speaker topics at 2017 Arkansas Flower and Garden Show

LITTLE ROCK — Some of the region’s top experts on horticulture, botany, pollination and other topics will be featured speakers at the 26^th annual Arkansas Flower and Garden Show, taking place at the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock on Feb. 24-26.

Spring edition of Walk Across Arkansas begins Feb. 26

LITTLE ROCK – Are all those holiday indulgences weighing you down? The spring edition of Walk Across Arkansas, which begins Feb. 26 and runs through April 22, may help improve the numbers on your scale.

Blackberry school offers growers a chance to step up their growing, marketing game

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas fruit growers will have the opportunity to brush up their skills on the cultivation, harvesting and marketing of blackberries in 2017 through a series of four hands-on classes offered by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Soil fertility clinic set for Feb. 15 at Arkansas State University

LITTLE ROCK – Cover crops, soil amendments and the effect of soil sample timing on nutrient concentration are among the topics on the agenda for the 2017 Soil Fertility Clinic, set for Feb. 15 at Arkansas State University.

James Moore remembered as a giant in fruit production, gifted, caring teacher and mentor

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – James N. Moore’s handiwork appears on every continent save Antarctica and he achieved some of the highest honors in his profession. Yet Moore remained firmly grounded -- almost unassuming -- but could not hide what his students and colleagues called greatness.

4-H Center’s Feland Hall renovated, re-dedicated for Arkansas youth development

FERNDALE, Ark. – The legacy of one family is helping benefit hundreds of others in Arkansas through the revitalization of a multipurpose building on the grounds of the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center.

Cartwright delivers keynote at Arkansas Crop Management Conference

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Across the broad swath of scientific disciplines on display at the 2017 Arkansas Crop Management Conference, one concept consistently emerged as a common thread: integrated pest management.

Arkansas scientists use genetic tools to help U.S. spinach producers meet growing demand

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — From a plant scientist’s point of view, farmers are locked in a biological arms race with nature. For spinach, the greatest threat comes from a disease called downy mildew, caused by the pathogen Peronospora effusa.

Little Red River Beef Cattle Tour scheduled for March 28

ROSE BUD, Ark. – Cattle producers can gain valuable insights from fellow producers and their operations during the March 28 Little Red River Beef Cattle Tour.

2017 River Valley Beef Cattle Conference

BARLING Ark. – Supplements, cost-cutting management tactics and expected progeny differences are on the agenda for the 2017 River Valley Beef Cattle Conference, set for Feb. 22 at the Ouachita Livestock market in Danville.

‘Noisy,’ ‘sillier’ 4-H brand of yoga spreads from Arkansas to 16 states, helps kids improve concentration

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A unique brand of yoga developed by the Arkansas Extension Service is now helping youths in nine states improve their ability to concentrate, as well as their flexibility and balance. And it all started with a call from a school counselor.

Extension Get Fit helps Arkansans live healthier

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Imagine a certified fitness program without a high membership cost, or the intimidation of a slick gym; one led by someone you know in a venue as close as your church or school. That’s the formula for Extension Get Fit, a program that’s already making an impact on the amount spent on healthcare in Arkansas. 

BCRET 2016 Q4 report posted

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The team conducting research on water quality in the Big Creek tributary of the Buffalo River has posted its report for the final quarter of 2016, summarizing its work from October to December.

Agriculture awards honor leadership, accomplishments in research and extension

ROGERS, Ark. — Outstanding efforts in research, education, support and other categories within the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture were recognized Friday at the Agriculture Awards Luncheon. 

2017 production meetings now in full swing throughout state

CARLISLE, Ark. — The first of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s annual series of production meetings began this week, as agronomists and other experts visited farmers and industry consultants across Arkansas to give their assessments of both the year that was — and the year that will be — for the state’s largest industry.

35 Arkansans join 900-person National 4-H Congress in Atlanta

LITTLE ROCK – Thirty-five Arkansas 4-H State Record Book winners were among the nearly 900 youth who gathered in Atlanta for the annual National 4-H Congress, a premier leadership event for senior 4-H’ers.

Carson scholarship application deadline March 10

LITTLE ROCK – College-bound high school seniors planning to pursue a degree in horticulture or other agriculture-related fields are eligible to apply for a $1,000 scholarship named in honor of extension horticulture specialist Janet Carson.

Upcoming sprayer clinics scheduled across state

LITTLE ROCK — Experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will be conducting a series of instructional clinics across Arkansas, intended to keep growers abreast of the latest technical and regulatory changes in spray application technology.

Moore takes reins as director of Div of Ag’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — There’s no rest for the new Director of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Poinsett County family has strong showing in soybean yield contest

HARRISBURG, Ark. — When it comes to soybean yields, it is hard to compete with a county like Poinsett, or a family like the Wrays.

Feb. 28 Pigposium III puts resistant pigweed in spotlight

LITTLE ROCK – Herbicide resistant pigweed, one of the biggest problems Mid-South farmers are wrestling, takes center stage at Pigosium III, set for Feb. 28 at East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City.

B.R. Wells inducted to Agriculture Hall of Fame

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The late Bobby R. Wells, a world-renowned rice expert and University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture researcher, will be among five individuals inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame in March.

Workshops to add depth to turfgrass conference

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — The Arkansas Turfgrass Association Conference and Trade Show is scheduled to take place Jan. 12-13 at the Hot Springs Convention Center. The deadline for pre-registration is Wednesday, Jan. 4.

Resistant weeds, variety selection, land values on agenda for 2017 Tri-State Soybean Forum

DUMAS, Ark. – Resistant weeds, variety selection and land values are among the topics on the agenda for the 61^st annual of the Tri-State Soybean Forum scheduled for Jan. 6 in Dumas.