News - March 2018

Early planting surges ahead, even as rain makes for slow work in some parts of state

LITTLE ROCK — Even as the rains of late winter and early spring still kept field work at a standstill through some parts of Arkansas, corn and rice growers around the state managed to make headway, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Arkansas Foundation Seed Program helps feed the world

STUTTGART — Arkansas continues to lay claim as the nation’s rice production leader, but agricultural researchers with the University of Arkansas System Division of are always working to improve the crop.

Arkansas honey production jumps 35 percent in one year

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas honey production leapt by 35 percent in 2017, reaching about 2.2 million pounds, a figure not seen in the state in at least a decade.

Horticultural field day to focus on healthy plants, healthy diets

HOPE, Ark. – The 2018 Horticultural Field Day is scheduled for May 17 at the Southwest Research and Extension Center in Hope. The day-long event will include a symposium of experts speaking on subjects from blackberry breeding and watermelon production to pest management and disease identification.

NASS ‘Prospective Plantings’ report forecasts acreage gains for rice, corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans; peanuts flat

LITTLE ROCK – Rice is expected to pick up 170,000 acres for the 2018 growing season in Arkansas, but continued rain here and drought in South America may shift that forecast in favor of soybeans, say extension agronomists and an economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Switchgrass may offer potential for native grass in pastures

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The unrealized promise of a biomass industry aside, switchgrass offers many advantages for land owners thinking about adding a native grass to their pastures, said Dirk Philipp, forage researcher and associate professor of animal science for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Options available when missing early weed control window in bermudagrass pastures

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The optimum window for weed control in bermudagrass pastures is January through March, but if you’ve missed that window, there are options available.

It’s a garden. It’s a water filter. It’s a bioswale!

SPRINGDALE, Ark. – It might look like any other garden with mulch, stones and plants, but the bioswale at Springdale’s Recycling Drop-Off Center has secret powers: it acts like a sponge to reduce stormwater runoff and help keep stormwater clean.

Mobile app helps growers identify corn ear rot, mycotoxins

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — “Mycotoxins,” a mobile app developed by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture can help corn growers spot dangerous mycotoxin issues and learn what to do about them.

Batesville Station hosts weaning, stocker health workshop April 17

BATESVILLE, Ark. – Calf health, weaning strategies and the Beef Quality Assurance program are among the topics on the agenda for the April 17 Weaning and Stocker Health Workshop at the Livestock and Forestry Research Station in Batesville, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Pesticide drift litigation, ethics among hot topics at 5^th annual ag/environmental law conference June 7-8

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Litigating pesticide drift issues, ethics for ag practitioners and ag tax for farmers and agribusinesses are among the hot topics on the agenda for the fifth annual Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference, set for June 7-8 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Biodegradable plastic, biofuels among 2018 Soybean Science Challenge regional winners’ projects

LITTLE ROCK – Biodegradable plastic, biocontrol of aphids, biofuels and the relationship between hybridization and chloride uptake were this year’s winning Arkansas Soybean Science Challenge projects at four regional science fairs. 

Alumnus returns to lead Arkansas soybean breeding program

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Leandro Mozzoni returned to the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture with the goal of accelerating the Arkansas soybean breeding program.

Division of Ag rolls out first of cover crop infographic series

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – As spring planting approaches, so is the time to deal with winter cover crops. This spring, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is rolling out a series of infographics to help cover crop users with their decision-making.

Siebenmorgen receives Distinguished Service Award for contributions to rice industry

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Terry Siebenmorgen, director of  the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Rice Processing Program, received the Rice Technical Working Group Distinguished Service Award at the organization’s biennial meeting last month in Long Beach, Calif.

Homemade remote-controlled submersibles battle it out in 4-H SeaPerch Challenge on March 31

LITTLE ROCK – Fifteen 4-H teams from six counties across Arkansas will be engaging in an underwater battle of sorts on March 31 as part of the SeaPerch Challenge to be contested in the pool at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center.

Pocket-sized ‘Profile’ gives big picture of Arkansas agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A pocket-sized guide that provides the big picture of Arkansas’ largest industry is now available online.

As grasslands remain saturated, pasture managers face shrinking options for winter weed control

PERRY COUNTY, Ark. — Even as southeasterly winds have managed to dry the grasslands in Perry County, Cooperative Extension Service agent Kevin Lawson knows that one dry week is not the last word in this wet winter.

Bob Scott named director of Rice Research and Extension Center

STUTTGART, Ark. — Dr. Bob Scott, extension weed scientist since 2002, will become director of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Rice Research and Extension Center near Stuttgart on April 1.

Meetings set to discuss forming blackberry growers association

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will hold a series of meetings around the state to present information about developing an Arkansas blackberry growers association.

Extension beekeeping expert recognized by apiary society

LITTLE ROCK – Jon Zawislak, extension entomologist and apiary expert for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, will receive the Roger A. Morse Award at the annual conference of the Eastern Apicultural Society this year.

Heavy rains impacting critical window for burndown, fertilization in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK – The steady and significant rainfall experienced by much of Arkansas in late February and early March is tightening a critical window for fertilizing winter wheat in northern Arkansas counties, and delaying herbicide “burndown” operations in others, agricultural agents and other experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture said this week.

Before heading to the field, take the time to make sure your equipment’s up to the task at hand

LITTLE ROCK – As winter begins its bumpy transition to spring throughout Arkansas, many producers are readying to prep their fields for planting season.

Division of Ag analysis: Retaliatory tariffs on ag could mean a $383M economic hit for Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – If trade partners inflict a 25 percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. soy, rice, corn, and grain sorghum, Arkansas could take a $383 million hit in overall value-added to its economy, according to an analysis released Thursday by economists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Breathe it in: Division of Ag releases second aromatic rice variety

STUTTGART, Ark. — ARoma 17, a new aromatic long-grain rice from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, offers exceptional rough rice yields with good milling yields.

Beef Quiz Bowl: More than a contest; it’s career preparation

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – It may look like a contest, by the Arkansas Beef Quiz Bowl does more than just send teams home with something more than a trophy. Competitors earn preparation for a career.

Pecan grafting workshop rescheduled for April 14

BEEBE, Ark. – The semi-annual pecan grafting workshop, which is offered every other year by the White County Cooperative Extension Service, has been rescheduled for Saturday, April 14, 2018.

U Arkansas livestock team return as reserve champions from Dixie National Livestock Show

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The eight-member University of Arkansas Livestock Judging team won overall reserve championship team honors at the Dixie National Livestock Show, the largest pro rodeo east of the Mississippi.

Tax refund? Don’t be tempted to go on a shopping spree

LITTLE ROCK – Eager to spend that tax refund on something? Laura Hendrix, associate professor-personal finance and consumer economics, for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has two words for you: Stop. Wait. 

Batesville 4H member collects hundreds of stuffed animals for local hospital patients

BATESVILLE, Ark. – Anyone who’s ever taken the 4H pledge knows the value — and the pervasiveness — of community service projects. The very fabric of the organization is woven by strengthening surrounding communities through involvement, good works and sincere efforts. And while most 4H community service projects last a few months to a single school year, others unfold over a much longer period of time