News - December 2019

New blackberry from Division of Agriculture achieves pinnacle of flavor

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — Ponca, a new blackberry variety from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, offers the pinnacle of flavor from one of the world’s leading public blackberry breeding program.

Extension entomologists work to improve rice defoliation thresholds

STUTTGART, Ark. — Extension entomologists are developing a new percentage-based threshold for insect defoliation of rice that can help eliminate unnecessary applications of pesticides.

Solar leases: National Ag Law Center guides outline what you need to know

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – With a spike in the solar industry, many landowners are leasing their property to solar developers as a form of extra income. However, these specialty leases present some unique legal concerns.

Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council volunteers give gifts of warmth to hospital-bound

LITTLE ROCK – Santa and his helpers will make a stop at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences on Dec. 17 with a gift from the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council for each patient: a soft warm blanket to keep.

YEAREND: Despite late planting for some, cotton outlook bright at end of 2019

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas cotton growers may remember 2019 as one of their better years, despite a downward revision of expected yields, said Bill Robertson, extension cotton agronomist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

YEAREND: As a difficult harvest draws to a close, economists look on the bright side

 LITTLE ROCK — From soybeans to rice, corn to peanuts, 2019 has been a challenging year for many, if not most, Arkansas growers. Continuous intermittent rains postponed winter fieldwork or outright made it impossible. Widespread delayed planting gave way to temperamental weather patterns throughout the growing season, which at last concluded in generally delayed harvests.

YEAREND: Arkansas peanut crop dodges a bullet after soggy fall, late-season freeze

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas peanut growers faced harsh weather challenges in 2019, including weeks when the rain never seemed to end and a late-season deep freeze.

Better forage through soil sampling

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.— Soil testing can help spot forage nutrient deficiencies that aren’t necessarily obvious to the eye, said Dirk Philipp, associate professor of animal science for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Riparian buffers are especially sensitive during winter

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Livestock owners should take extra steps to ensure the integrity of stream buffer zones that become more vulnerable to damage in the winter, said Dirk Philipp, associate professor of animal science for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Lab-produced meats face legal hurdles, consumer acceptance challenges

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — What do you call a food product made of animal muscle fiber when no animals were used in the making of it?

Incoming ag economics head Anderson brings diverse experience

UNDATED –  John Anderson, who will join the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture as head of the Department of Agricultural Economics/Agribusiness on Jan. 2, 2020, is not one to pass up a learning opportunity.

Jonesboro regional chamber names Division of Agriculture rice research director ‘2019 Ag Business Person of the Year’

JONESBORO, Ark. — The Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce has named Tim Burcham, director of the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, as their 2019 Ag Business Person of the Year.

Hemp production meeting set for Dec. 19

LITTLE ROCK – The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will host an informational meeting on Thursday, Dec. 19, for producers interested in growing hemp.

Horticulture graduate students win awards at annual meeting

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Tyler Carr and Eric De Boer, graduate students in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, earned recognition after making presentations at the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America annual joint meeting in San Antonio, Texas, in November.

Division of Agriculture and UAM forestry professor wins research award

MONTICELLO, Ark. — Benjamin Babst, an assistant professor with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture based in Monticello, has been honored with the 2019 Ouachita Society of American Foresters award for forestry research.

Statement from Mark Cochran, head of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

Division of Agriculture researchers publish article on swine gut microbiome

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A team of animal science researchers from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture have published their findings from a longitudinal study of the swine gut microbiome. 

Pioneering plant pathologist Joe Fulton dies at 102

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Joseph P. Fulton, pioneering plant pathologist, retired professor and plant pathology department head for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, died Nov. 26, 2019. He was 102.

Division of Agriculture releases Lynx, a high-yielding medium-grain rice variety

STUTTGART, Ark. — Lynx, a new medium-grain rice variety from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, offers high yields and early maturity.

Cooperative Extension Service seeking Pulaski County participation in local food survey

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service is asking Pulaski County residents in seven zip codes to make their experiences known and help shape the future of local food in urban areas.

Extension Service honors excellence, innovation among peers

LITTLE ROCK — Faculty and staff at the Cooperative Extension Service have improved techniques for animal and forage management, provided speedy and accurate plant diagnoses, and helped young ranchers succeed in their ranching operations.  

Workshop offers entrepreneurs training in starting a food business

LITTLE ROCK —The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will host a workshop on Saturday, Dec. 7, for entrepreneurs interested in starting food businesses.

Divorce on the farm: Fact sheet series addresses family law issues in agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – From animal issues to child support, divorces in farm and ranch families present unique challenges that can have a significant impact on agricultural operations. To address some of these unique challenges, the National Agricultural Law Center has published a fact sheet series discussing family law in agriculture.