News - June 2018

NASS Acreage: Arkansas’ soybean, corn, cotton, rice acreage increases in 2018

LITTLE ROCK — The nation’s No. 1 rice producer added even more acres this year, and its soybean growers planted the most acres since 1997, according the Arkansas numbers from Friday’s Acreage Report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Arkansas researchers receive USDA grant to train food science cybersecurity professionals

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Two Arkansas researchers have received a grant to train food science cybersecurity professionals.

2018 4-H Governor’s Award finalists named

LITTLE ROCK – Four people, including a pair of sisters, have been named finalists for the state’s highest 4-H honor, the Governor’s Award.

Hardy sheep helps animal science researchers study forage and its byproducts

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Dorper sheep, a hardy breed with a healthy appetite, are helping animal science researchers at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture examine forage and ruminant digestion.

Solar technology is heating up in Arkansas agriculture

LITTLE ROCK – Fields across Arkansas seem to be sprouting solar panels as multiple growers take advantage of the one thing they can count on: the sun.

Use of UAVs, aerial imagery in row crop production part of July 19 Rohwer field day

ROHWER, Ark. — Use of drones and drone imagery to tackle row crop production issues is on the agenda for the July 19 Rohwer Research Station Field Day in Desha County.

For Extension personnel, heat is just part of the job

POCAHONTAS, Ark. – For extension personnel with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, heat is just part of the job.

Start planning the back-to-school family budget now

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Even if back-to-school expenses seem far away, it’s never too early to learn to budget for needed clothing and school supplies, said Mary Ann Kizer, Jefferson County extension agent for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Get Connected to free online child care courses

LITTLE ROCK – Educators and those who provide child care can have access to a convenient, no-cost online resource for professional training through Best Care Connected and Guiding Children Successfully.

Applications due Aug. 3 for program to help rural regions build local economies through retail, hospitality industries

LITTLE ROCK — Create Bridges, a two-year pilot program to help rural regions grow their economies through the retail and hospitality industries is seeking participants, with applications due Aug. 3.

June 26, 2018

Arkansas Row Crop Helpline makes timely recommendations a text message away

LITTLE ROCK — Growers seeking timely information on current crop, weather and other information can sign up to receive text alerts when new audio messages are posted, relevant to specific crops of interest. 

June 25, 2018

Fascinating fungi: Victor Ford shines light on unique component of the ecosystem

LITTLE ROCK -- One University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture employee is broadening the public’s understanding of a modest, but essential element of the ecosystem.

June 25, 2018

Double Your Dollar project doubles food buying power for SNAP, Sr-FMNP participants

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program can double their buying power at northwest Arkansas farmers markets through the 2018 Double Your Dollar project.

June 22, 2018

Researcher tackles problem of toughness in white meat chicken

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – As the popularity of white meat chicken has risen, so have instances of tough, flaky and hard filets known as “woody” breast meat. Why that happens and how to detect and process the meat is a puzzle Casey Owens Hanning is working to solve.

June 21, 2018

Slaton appointed assistant director of Ark Agricultural Experiment Station

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Nathan Slaton, head of the Arkansas Soil Testing Lab, has been appointed assistant director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station effective July 1.

June 20,2018

Tree shade finishes sub-PAR on putting green turfgrass

FAYETTEVILLE — Golf course shade trees may be welcomed by Arkansas golfers, but they’re sub-PAR on the putting greens.

June 19, 2018

NWA Farmers Market Trail celebrates diversity of markets in July

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Northwest Arkansas farmers market patrons are encouraged to visit area markets in July with a passport program that can make them eligible for prizes.

June 19, 2018

As Arkansas cotton acres rebound, so do gin numbers

LITTLE ROCK – The number of active cotton gins in Arkansas rose to 33 in 2017, paralleling an increase in cotton acres, according to statistics from the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Green tomatoes offer health benefits and more

LITTLE ROCK – Green tomatoes may not be your first “go-to” when grocery shopping, but don’t count them out, either.

Peach Workshop set for July 12    

CLARKSVILLE, Ark.— Experts in peach production will gather at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Fruit Research Station near Clarksville to discuss the latest research and technology available to solve some of the major problems peach growers face in Arkansas.

Arkansas 4-H member to sing anthem at Washington Nationals game after performance at Arkansas Governor’s Mansion

LITTLE ROCK – A spontaneous rendition of the Etta James standard “At Last,” at the Governor’s Mansion has thrust Arkansas 4-H member Tania Kelley into a bigger spotlight: singing the national anthem for the Washington Nationals on June 22.

 Arkansas farmers growing oats for small, out-of-state markets

LITTLE ROCK – Farmers in a state whose acres are dominated by soybeans, rice, corn and cotton have carved out a few acres to serve a niche market.

AEHC: 26 Homemakers recognized for 50, 60, and 70+ years of membership and service

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — The Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council honored several long-standing members for 50, 60, and 70 years or more of outstanding service at the Annual State Meeting.

Iowa community developer speaks at Breakthrough Solutions Conference

LITTLE ROCK – Breakthrough Solutions, a partnership program of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Community and Economic Development unit, is offering answers to Arkansas communities concerned about dwindling populations.

Property assessment webinars to begin June 22

LITTLE ROCK — With help from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Community and Economic Development Unit, Arkansans will have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of property assessment.

Roeder retires June 30 as associate director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – As he built a career as associate director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Rick Roeder also spent 16 years building the facilities and relationships that make the experiment station a global leader in ag research.

U of A tick study continues to monitor presence of ticks and disease as Longhorned tick confirmed in Benton County

LITTLE ROCK – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week that researchers have confirmed the presence of the Longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) in Benton County, Arkansas.

In the Works: Division of Agriculture rice research center for northeast Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK – As rice acreage expands in Arkansas, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is working on a research center to enhance production techniques best management practices for the grain in areas north of I-40 and west of Crowley’s Ridge.

Arkansas rice still on track despite storms, difficult spring

LITTLE ROCK – As the nation’s No. 1 rice producer, Arkansas can have an outsized effect on U.S. rice production one year to the next, depending on fates largely tied to the weather. And 2018 is shaping up to be anything but simple — or predictable.

McCrory to begin bootstrap effort to ease hunger, build local food economy

McCRORY, Ark. – A small Arkansas delta town where more than a fifth of its population is a client of the local food pantry, is embarking on an effort next week to ease its people’s hunger and help energize its economy.

Current Miss SAU to tout values of 4-H in bid for Miss Arkansas title

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas 4-H is sure to be a topic of conversation during this year’s Miss Arkansas Scholarship Pageant, as one contestant makes the organization central to her platform.

Maintaining control of Johnsongrass

LITTLE ROCK – Some blessings are just one stray seed away from being a curse, as anyone who’s tried to keep forages separated can tell you. And Johnsongrass, known to be an outstanding forage in and of itself, is the perfect example.

Shoulders earns career award; Johnson named Fellows Chair at Agricultural Education National Meeting

FAYETTEVILLE — Kate Shoulders received the Outstanding Early Career Award, and Don Johnson was elected chair of the Academy of American Association for Agricultural Education Fellows at the organization's recent national meeting in Charleston, South Carolina. 

APAC offers free, valuable service for small business owners to prepare for the federal fiscal yearend

LITTLE ROCK — According to the Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center, small business need to prepare the federal fiscal yearend. 

Solitary bees could be more efficient than honey bees, researchers say

LITTLE ROCK – Consider yourself warned, honey bees: the solitary bee may steal your spotlight.

Backyard beauties: 31 counties participate in tomato demonstrations that could increase tomato sizes

LITTLE ROCK — Extension agents are going the extra mile to educate homeowners about a simple gardening practice that could result in larger tomatoes this summer.

Short-lived storm wreaks havoc in Colt; most agricultural areas in NE Arkansas expected to recover quickly

FORREST CITY, Ark. – A short-lived weather event late Saturday night wrought intense destruction on Colt and several other developed areas but appears to have left most farmland unscathed.

After an April of freeze and frost, first tomatoes come in for southeast Arkansas

BRADLEY COUNTY, Ark. – With one phone call on May 27, the question of whether Arkansas would have any tomatoes of which to speak in 2018 was answered. 

Outdoor workers should take safety precautions this summer

LITTLE ROCK – Summer comes with a heavy workload for outdoor workers in Arkansas — along with heat advisories, ticks and other outdoor risks.