News - January 2019

Arkansas releases high-quality, thornless blackberry with excellent flavor

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — Caddo, a blackberry packing a little name and a mouthful of flavor, is a high-quality thornless variety from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s fruit breeding program.

University of Arkansas Arthropod Museum moves collection to roomier home

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The thousands of shelled, winged and multi-legged arthropods squeezed into a room in the University of Arkansas’ agriculture building will soon have roomier digs from which to feed to curiosity and stoke the awe of visiting schoolkids and adults.

Legacy ranching, quality genetics among concerns identified in Arkansas beef industry assessment

LITTLE ROCK – The first industrywide assessment survey of Arkansas beef producers in more than a decade finds producers are most concerned with who will follow in their footsteps, how their current operations may be able to expand and the cost of equipment, land and a high quality herd bull.

From cattle to watermelons, 2019 Division of Agriculture field days scheduled

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station has eight field days scheduled for 2019, covering topics as varied as cattle, row crops, turfgrass and watermelons.

Leading scientists to discuss latest diet and exercise research at symposium

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.— Nutrition researchers will compare notes and build collaboration in their efforts to combat obesity and improve human health during the second annual Center for Human Nutrition Research Symposium: The Science of Diet and Exercise to discuss the interplay between diet and exercise.

First Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association winter meeting set for February

LITTLE ROCK – The first Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association Winter Conference is scheduled for Feb. 16 at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service state headquarters.

Workshops offer Arkansas producers food safety education

LITTLE ROCK – To help Arkansas producers stay up to date on food safety precautions and prepare for upcoming regulatory deadlines, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is hosting several spring Produce Grower Training Workshops.

Division of Agriculture study examines global benefits of public plant breeding programs

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – In the decades since land grant universities first began developing hardier strains of rice, corn and other agricultural commodities, the benefit to growers has been clear: Increased yield, disease resistance and greater profitability, made widely available through taxpayer-funded research. A new study, co-authored by four University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture experts, looks at how such programs benefit consumers around the world, as well.

Forest Resources Center associate director receives Forestry Educator Award

MONITCELLO, Ark. – Matthew Pelkki, associate director of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Forest Resources Center, has received the Forest Educator Award from the Ouachita Society of American Foresters.

Hundreds of Arkansas youth plan to celebrate 4-H Day at the Capitol Feb. 12

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Hundreds of Arkansas young people will descend upon Little Rock Feb. 12 for 4-H Day at the Capitol.

Division of Agriculture experts to speak at upcoming Soybean Association conference

LITTLE ROCK — Experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will be among those speaking at the Arkansas Soybean Association’s annual business session and seminar on Jan. 16 in Stuttgart. 

Division of Agriculture recognizes high achievements in research, extension, education

FERNDALE, Ark. — The highest achievements in research, outreach, education, support and other efforts were recognized Friday during the Arkansas Agriculture Awards, honoring excellence from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural Food and Life Sciences. 

Wet winter weather likely spells shortages for Arkansas lumber mills, industry

MONTICELLO, Ark. – Timber harvests in Arkansas dropped off steeply in the final month of 2018, as heavy and persistent rainfall throughout much of the state made the process increasingly difficult and expensive.

Irrigation/water management schools planned for 2019

STUTTGART, Ark. – Arkansas crop producers who want to get a better handle on their water use in the 2019 growing season will have several opportunities through a series of irrigation/water management schools.

‘Farms and fun’ webinar to cover liability in agritourism Jan. 16

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – While the growth of the agritourism industry could mean extra income for farmers, it could also mean an increase in risk.

RockCity Hacks gives high school coders a pro-style venue to show their skills

LITTLE ROCK – Students in grades 9-12 can give their coding skills a real-world workout during the RockCity Hacks, April 27-28.

Wisconsin scientist to try his hand at Arkansas weeds

LONOKE, Ark. – The newest University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture weed scientist said he expects to rack up more than a few miles of field walking as he learns more about the issues faced by farmers in the Mid-South.