News - April 2020

Handwashing important to avoid COVID-19 virus, but don’t forget that smartphone

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — So, you slipped out of COVID-19 isolation to pick up a few essentials at the grocery. You observed social distancing, wore a mask and, after you returned home, you washed your hands. But what about your smartphone?

Virtual field walk explores winter cover crops for no-till watermelon production

KIBLER, Ark. — Watermelon growers can see the results of no-till production in watermelons at a May 15 virtual field walk from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Vegetable Research Station near Kibler.

Panic-buying causes surge in cattle marketing, but feedlot placements drop

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  — COVID-19-fueled panic buying prompted a sharp rise in fed cattle marketing, but feedlot placements have slowed in parallel to meat processing, according to an economic impact report from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Bermuda injury: A cold case?

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas pasture managers, cattle producers and other growers may be noticing their bermudagrass turning purple — and are trying to root out the cause, John Jennings, extension forage specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said.

Ag labor in a global pandemic: What agribusinesses must know to survive COVID-19

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – In a profession subject to heavy stresses from weather and the markets, the COVID-19 pandemic is throwing another major obstacle in the way of agricultural producers and others in the food supply chain.

New Arkansas long-grain rice variety offers high yields, resistance to most blast races

STUTTGART, Ark. — Jewel, a new mid-season, long-grain rice variety from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, offers high yields and resistance to most known blast races.

Extension Homemakers Council clubs launch online campaign to provide 1 million meals

LITTLE ROCK — The current COVID-19 pandemic may have forced a change in plans, but it hasn’t deterred members of the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council from their goal of raising enough money to provide one million meals to Arkansans struggling with food insecurity.

COVID-19 trips up apparel, textile sales, effects ripple into cotton market

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  — Rice prices continued to grow slowly, while the shadow of COVID-19 continued to loom darkly over the world’s cotton industry, according to a report Monday by agricultural economists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Arkansas veterinarians pitch in to help healthcare workers on the COVID frontlines

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas veterinarians have pitched in to help healthcare workers on the COVID-19 frontlines, an effort that began with a donation from some future veterinarians.

Meat production, chick placements fall with shuttering of food service outlets

LITTLE ROCK — The COVID-19 pandemic is hammering U.S meat production two ways: strangling demand from shuttered food service operations and shutdowns of meat processing facilities, said John Anderson, economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Planning, preparation and precaution keys to safe grocery shopping

LITTLE ROCK — Getting groceries has become significantly more complicated in the time of COVID-19. Lines can be long and supplies short, and consumers worry about getting sick. The good news is that there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

2020 Arkansas Irrigation Yield Contest now open to entries

STUTTGART, Ark. — The availability of water is one of the most important issues concerning farmers and agronomists in the coming century. Despite heavy rainfalls in recent years, growers and researchers alike know that underground aquifers are relatively low, and the farmers of both today and tomorrow are best served by making the most efficient use of available resources.

Research-based video explains importance of potassium for Arkansas row crops

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Potassium, or potash, is an important nutrient for Arkansas’ major row crops, and a deficiency of it can significantly reduce yields at harvest.

COVID-19 survey seeks to assess community challenges, highlight successes

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service is surveying Arkansas communities about their major challenges facing their communities and how communities are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 and Agriculture: Federal regulatory changes addressed in April 22 webinar

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – From inspections to transportation, concerns over a safe and continuous food supply have caused numerous federal agencies to implement regulatory changes in agricultural production.

Three lesser-known tomato varieties to be showcased in 40-county extension demonstration

LITTLE ROCK — This spring, Cooperative Extension Service agents in 40 counties will be growing and testing three less common tomato varieties known for their disease resistance. Agents will be evaluating them for plant health, ease of management, fruit production, fruit quality, and flavor. Some counties have multiple sites, bringing the total demonstration sites to 44.

U of A System Division of Agriculture, Clinton School team to release rural infrastructure survey results, recommendations April 21

LITTLE ROCK — The recommendations from a study of Arkansas’ rural infrastructure conducted by students from the Clinton School and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service will be released April 21, through a free webinar.

Multiple databases available to help Arkansas pesticide applicators avoid sensitive crops, beehives

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas pesticide applicators working row and field crops now have a powerful tool to help them better avoid unintentional spraying over herbicide-sensitive crops and beehives.

COVID-19’s impact on forest products industry could linger into 2021

Division of Agriculture works with local brewery to improve carbonization of craft beer

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Improved carbonation techniques from the University System Division of Agriculture could pay bubbly dividends for craft beer brewers in Arkansas.

10,000 face masks and counting: Extension Homemakers Council members work to fill community needs

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council organizations have a long history of organizing and taking action, especially during times of crisis. As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, EHC clubs found a new way to serve their communities: sewing cloth face masks that can offer some protection to those who have to be out in public.

‘The Deal with Dicamba’: Dicamba-related litigation to be discussed in April 15 webinar

The National Agricultural Law Center will host a free webinar discussing several prominent dicamba lawsuits, and what the outcome of each suit could mean for dicamba use in the United States. 

Local farm produce safe to buy, safe to eat

LITTLE ROCK — Strawberry season has arrived and with it a whole new way of purchasing farm goods. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, farmers are finding ways to deliver their goods while minimizing contact between customers.

Division of Agriculture releases 3-minute videos explaining on-farm COVID-19 safety measures in English, Spanish

LITTLE ROCK — While many businesses have closed or moved employee interactions online, much of the world depends on farmers remaining on the job — and in the field.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has released two videos explaining practical, common-sense safety precautions for anyone working in an agricultural production environment. One video is in English, the other in Spanish.

Another tough year for Arkansas winter wheat

LITTLE ROCK — While planted acreage for winter wheat in Arkansas rebounded to 160,000 acres in 2020 — up from 2019’s record low of 110,000 acres — the state’s growers were still met with an unrelenting challenge, as intermittent rainfall throughout the year saturated fields.

Report: COVID-19’s impact on Arkansas economy includes ag labor, supply chain disruptions  

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas agriculture and the state’s rural areas may face the potential for significant disruption in supply chain, labor and government services due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a multi-sector economic impact released by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

COVID-19 pauses signature gathering for proposed ballot issues

LITTLE ROCK – Canvassers who rely on spring festivals and events to collect voter signatures needed to put constitutional amendments and state laws on the ballot are seeing these opportunities disappear during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Division of Agriculture to broadcast virtual field walk for strawberry research

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — Strawberry growers and other specialty crop producers will have the opportunity to learn about the latest findings in strawberry cultivation research during an April 20 virtual strawberry field walk from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

‘Caring during COVID’: Cooperative Extension coordinates individual conservation efforts through social media campaign

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — While social distancing during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on many volunteer activities, individuals can still make a difference in their environment and communities.

2020 planned rice acreage increases year-over-year, but falls short of analysts’ expectations

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas growers intend to plant about 1.39 million acres of rice in 2020, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released Tuesday. The acreage is a rebound from 2019’s 1.15 million acres, but still shy of 2018’s 1.44 million acres. The modest increase surprised some analysts, who expected acreage as high as 1.5 million acres, given prevailing market conditions.