News - January 2018

Forage workshop set for March 13 at Batesville Station

BATESVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas ranchers can learn to get the most out of their pastures at Forage Forward, a workshop set for March 13 at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Livestock and Forestry Station here.

New LeadAR class brings changes to 34-year-old program

LITTLE ROCK – New changes are coming to LeadAR, the state’s premier leadership program.

Division of Ag annual bestsellers can help you manage weeds, pests and diseases

LITTLE ROCK – New editions of the most-referenced annual publications from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are now available for online download and through your local Cooperative Extension Service office.

U.S. Ag Secretary Perdue visits Arkansas, praises land grants, stresses importance of NAFTA

LITTLE ROCK – Extension, research, and the land grant system as a whole are essential to keeping U.S. agriculture competitive globally, U.S. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue told members of an industry roundtable gathered at the Governor’s Mansion.

Robertson a new addition to the C.A. Vines 4-H Center team

FERNDALE, Ark. — An Arkansas native with nearly a decade of experience in the hospitality industry has been hired as the marketing specialist for the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center – an opportunity his heart couldn’t pass up.

BCRET posts 2017 Q4 report

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

First irrigation water management school set for Jan. 30 at Jonesboro

STUTTGART, Ark. – Learn to make the best use of your irrigation this growing season through schools being offered by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

River Valley Beef Cattle conference Feb. 14 at Russellville

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Cattle health, marketing and pasture weed control are among the items on the agenda for the 2018 River Valley Beef Cattle Conference set for Feb. 14 in Russellville.

Four counties come together to help cattle farmers prep for the spring

SALEM, Ark. – Four Arkansas counties are coming together once again to help farmers prepare their herds for the upcoming spring season.

Water, soil and pests hot topics at annual crop management conference

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Hundreds of growers, consultants and other agriculture industry professionals gathered this week in North Little Rock to learn about the latest research and findings in soil health, pest management and other aspects of modern farming in the state at the Arkansas Crop Management Conference.

DASH: Ranked best diet

LITTLE ROCK – As millions of Americans commit to becoming healthier versions of themselves in the new year, U.S. News and World Report released its rankings of the best diets. The DASH diet took the top spot as the best diet overall. The ranking is based on nutritional value, short and long-term weight loss effects and how easy it is to follow.                           

New Discovery Farm in Phillips County marks program’s turn toward soil health

LITTLE ROCK – The Discovery Farms project, which began in Arkansas about eight years ago, will expand to Phillips County in 2018, collecting data and testing conservation recommendations on its first farm in close proximity to the Mississippi River.

Division of Agriculture honors accomplishments in research, extension

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — High achievements in research, education, support and other efforts were recognized Friday during the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Bumpers College Agriculture Awards Luncheon.

Combine, irrigation system two of the largest donations to Cooperative Extension Service 'in recent memory'

LITTLE ROCK – The Cooperative Extension Service has received two of the most valuable non-cash donations “in recent memory,” said Brian Helms, Director of Stakeholder Relations for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Ag innovation, sustainable crop practices, soil health top agenda at Jan. 31 conference in Jonesboro

JONESBORO, Ark. – Initiatives for innovation and sustainability are top of the agenda for the 20^th annual Arkansas Soil and Water Education Conference set for Jan. 31 in Jonesboro.

Go easy on the salt: Winter walkways, safety and water quality

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – When wintry precipitation creeps into the forecast, shovels should be the first choice for keeping walkways safe and slip-free, say water quality experts for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Cold snap spells good news for Arkansas growers who took beating from red banded stink bugs in ‘17

LITTLE ROCK – As temperatures across Arkansas muddled about at or below freezing much of the last two weeks, one could almost hear entomologists throughout the region raising a glass to the seasonal demise of the red banded stink bug.

Jefferson County production meeting to cover major commodities, economics and pests

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Extension agronomists and other experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will provide the latest findings on research into corn, soybeans and rice during the Jefferson County crop production meeting, scheduled for Feb. 8 at the Waterfront Building in Pine Bluff.

Arkansas Turfgrass Association’s 30^th annual meeting draws nationally known speakers

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The 2018 Arkansas Turfgrass Association’s annual trade show and conference, set for Jan. 11-12, isn’t just for landscapers and golf course superintendents — there are nearly 20 experts delivering the latest in knowledge for many aspects of the industry, including “Sports Field 101,” a half-day seminar for coaches, and much more.

Nine communities to receive 2017 Greening of Arkansas grants

LITTLE ROCK — Nine communities across Arkansas will receive a combined total of $15,000 in grant funding through the Greening of Arkansas Grant Program. 

Poultry feed efficiency research has implications for human health

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Poultry scientist Walter Bottje wanted to know what impact mitochondrial activity in chicken cells had on a bird’s ability to convert food into muscle.