News - July 2017

Cartwright named director of Arkansas Extension Service 

LITTLE ROCK – Rick Cartwright has been named director for the Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

Arkansas native returns home to join RREC as entomologist

STUTTGART, Ark. — Arkansas’ crop farmers just got a little more help in their annual struggles against hungry insects.

Division of Agriculture provides assistance, input in Berryville’s economic development

BERRYVILLE, Ark. — A northwest Arkansas community whose town hall fronted by has a classic Southern gallery and porch is taking steps toward a goal of economic growth that also preserves the qualities cherished by its residents.

Extension faculty win at Poultry Science Association Meeting

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Members of the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science with University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture received awards at the 106th Annual Poultry Science Association Meeting in Orlando, Florida.

Newport grower benefits from MarketMaker, farm-to-school and FSA programs

NEWPORT, Ark. — Anyone familiar with modern farming techniques can tell you that many growers are eager to incorporate the latest available technologies into their operations in an effort to increase productivity and profit.

Dicamba tops Aug. 8 field day at NE Research & Extension Center

KEISER, Ark. – University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture weed scientists will be tackling one of the most heated issues in Arkansas agriculture – dicamba – at the Aug. 8 field day at the Northeast Research and Extension Center, an event that will be capped by guest speaker U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford.

Ex-U.S. Rep Stenholm to talk Farm Bill as Rice Expo keynote speaker

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The developing 2018 Farm Bill will be front and center as a co-author of past bills takes the stage Aug. 4 at the Arkansas Rice Expo in Stuttgart.

July 27 webinar offers update on rice prices, Arkansas crop update

Application window for Greening of Arkansas grants now open

LITTLE ROCK –  The grant application window is now open for communities hoping to beautify a local public space through the 2018 Greening of Arkansas grant program.

Scientists investigate intersection of salt, insect stress in soybeans

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Studying plant stresses under controlled conditions in a laboratory or greenhouse is one thing. But what happens when those plants get to the field where environmental stresses are unleashed? 

Morawicki Speaks on Sustainability, Food Waste at International Event

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Ruben Morawicki, an associate professor of food science with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and U of A’s Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, recently presented speeches on food sustainability and food waste in Japan. 

Tastemakers: 2017 Rice Expo Recipe Contest judges

LITTLE ROCK – The sixth annual Arkansas Rice Expo Rice Recipe contest will see two returning judges and one new addition to the lineup during the Aug. 4 competition.

Drone use in ag highlights Aug. 17 Pine Tree Field Day

COLT, Ark – Unmanned aerial vehicles – more popularly known as drones – have great potential as workhorses in agriculture. Their use is among the demonstrations scheduled for the Aug. 17 Pine Tree Field Day.

Statement on dicamba from the U of A System Division of Agriculture

Rohwer Research Station sets agricultural field day Thursday (July 20)

ROHWER, Ark. — A University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture field day Thursday (July 20) will demonstrate research findings and new technology for corn and grain sorghum, soybeans, rice and cotton production.

Arkansas wheat production looking stronger in 2017

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas wheat production is experiencing a slight uptick from its long-term low, according to a July 12 crop production report from the U.S Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The forecast for state’s 2017 winter wheat production jumped to 7.17 million bushels — 18 percent higher than the June forecast and 15 percent above last year’s actual production. The report also forecast a yield of 55 bushels per acre, with about 130,000 acres for harvest.

After more than a decade of stormwater education, Extension takes lead in addressing regional flooding

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – By now, producers across Arkansas, particularly in the northeastern counties of the state, are familiar with the efforts of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Cooperative Extension Service to help farmers and ranchers prepare for, attenuate and recover from the effects of seasonal rainfall and out-and-out flooding.

Former plant pathology department head celebrates 100^th birthday

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Joseph P. Fulton, retired professor and former head of the department of plant pathology for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, celebrated his 100th birthday July 14 with family, colleagues and friends.

 Four finalists named for Arkansas 4-H Governor’s Award

LITTLE ROCK – Youth from Benton, Izard, Washington and White counties have been named finalists for the Governor’s Award, the highest honor bestowed on a 4-H member in Arkansas.

 Miss America, Fred Grooms to speak at 2017 Arkansas 4-H State-O-Rama

LITTLE ROCK – Miss America, Savvy Shields, and motivational speaker Fred Grooms will be inspiring youth at O-Rama, three days of state-level competitive events for Arkansas 4-Hers. 

Kirkpatrick appointed interim department head of entomology, plant pathology

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Terry L. Kirkpatrick, professor of plant pathology for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has been appointed interim head of the University of Arkansas’ departments of entomology and plant pathology.

Arkansas Plant Health Clinic: Saving producers money, headaches

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — No one wants to let go of a beloved member of the family any sooner than they have to — even if that member has woody roots, seasonal fruits or flowers that bloom in spring. The Arkansas Plant Health Clinic is here to help.

Health tips in Arkansas: What the Division of Agriculture is doing for nutrition education

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In a state with some of the highest rates of diabetes and obesity in the nation, health educators — including those with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture — know they’ve got their work cut out for them.

AWRC conference to address water in agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Agricultural uses of water will be a central topic of discussion at this year’s Arkansas Water Resources Center conference.

Joint Ag Committee recommends in favor of proposed dicamba use/sale ban; ALC executive subcommittee votes to take no action

LITTLE ROCK – A proposed emergency rule that places a ban on the use and sale of dicamba in Arkansas and expedites increased penalties for infractions is set to go into effect July 11, following actions by two legislative committees on Friday.

Researcher aims to help difficult relationship between golf, earthworms

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Anglers love earthworms. Gardeners love earthworms. Golf course superintendents and golfers, not so much. 

Extension educators ready new crop of agents to serve their counties

JONESBORO, Ark. – As summer in Arkansas hits full speed and growers begin to turn their thoughts from planting and look ahead toward harvest, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service is focused on readying new agents to best serve the needs of constituents in their respective counties.

Roberts earns Early Career Award from Soil Science Society

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Trent Roberts, an Assistant Professor of Soil Fertility and Soil Testing with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the U of A's Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, has received the Early Career Award from the Soil Science Society of America.

Baum named chair of APS Nutrition Physiology Research Interest Group

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Jamie I. Baum, assistant professor of nutrition for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has been named chair of the of the Nutrition Physiology Research Interest Group for the American Physiological Society.

Legislative committee defers dicamba decision to Friday

LITTLE ROCK – The executive subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council on Wednesday deferred a decision on the proposed ban on the sale and use of dicamba until Friday.

Soybeans, cotton up, rice down in USDA acreage report

LITTLE ROCK – After a tumultuous spring of heavy rains and flooding, Arkansas soybeans and cotton returned to acreage numbers not seen in the state in several years, while rice acreage — and its estimate harvest — dropped by nearly a third from last year, according to a crop acreage report published Friday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.