News - June 2020

Arkansas corn and cotton acreage fall; soybeans and rice make gains

LITTLE ROCK — A global health crisis and its attendant economic impacts, unusually wet weather and an ongoing trade dispute with China had a discouraging effect on Arkansas growers’ acreage decisions for some key crops in 2020, even as farmers went all in on others.

Pent-up demand breaks loose as consumer spending rose in May; still below pre-pandemic levels

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  — Consumer spending rises as states reopen, but levels remain below pre-pandemic levels, according to an economic analysis released Monday by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Cereals & Grains Association names research paper by UA doctoral student, Division of Agriculture faculty editor’s pick

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A paper written by a doctoral student and faculty of the department of food science in the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the U of A's Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences has been named an “editor's pick” by the Cereals & Grains Association.

Scholarship established to honor retiring extension director Rick Cartwright

LITTLE ROCK — Friends and employees of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture honored outgoing Cooperative Extension Service director Rick Cartwright June 26 with a $40,000 scholarship endowment created and named in honor of him and his wife, Lynette.

Arkansas 4-H’er wins national beekeeping essay contest

LITTLE ROCK — Libby Majors, a member of Saline County 4-H, won first place in the 2020 National 4-H Beekeeping Essay Competition and will soon have her work published in a quarterly magazine.

UA System Receives $10 Million Gift to Create, Support Fryar Price Risk Management Center of Excellence, Endowed Professorship

LITTLE ROCK — A $10 million donation to the University of Arkansas System from the Fryar Family Charitable Foundation will be used to create and support a center that will provide analysis and education on issues of price risk management in agriculture, finance and energy.

Division of Agriculture’s DD50 Rice Management Program now offering text, email alerts

LITTLE ROCK — Rice growers enrolled in the DD50 Rice Management Program can now receive text and email alert reminders for six major milestones throughout the growing season.

Division of Agriculture entomologist on mission to save Arkansas’ bees

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Forget murder hornets. Arkansas bee populations face plenty of life-threatening perils that are already here, shrinking their numbers and causing colonies to collapse. But all is not lost, because Neelendra Joshi is on a mission to save Arkansas’ bees.

Scott selected as Arkansas extension director

LITTLE ROCK – Bob Scott has been named director of Arkansas’ Cooperative Extension Service, the organization that delivers the education outreach portion of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s land grant mission. 

2020 elections and COVID-19 impacts on ag primary topics for Mid-South Ag/Environmental Law Conference

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The potential impacts of 2020 elections on agricultural policy, the already felt impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic on the agricultural economy and more were focal points for speakers at this year’s Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference.

Dicamba ruling, EPA cancellation order discussed in June 24 webinar

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A federal appeals court ruling that prompted the Environmental Protection Agency’s cancellation of three dicamba-based herbicides has not only drawn new attention, but also is raising questions about use of existing stock. A webinar June 24 will examine its implications.

Arkansas 4-H announces 2020–21 state ambassadors

LITTLE ROCK – The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has selected 22 Arkansas 4-H members as ambassadors to represent the organization statewide for 2020-21. Ambassadors collaborate with the division’s Cooperative Extension Service to plan and facilitate 4-H events throughout the year, representing 4-H at various activities such as fairs, donor events, awards programs and community and state events.

Division of Agricuture food scientist recognized by 2 professional organizations

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Navam Hettiarachchy, University Professor of protein chemistry in the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s department of food science, has been recognized and honored by two professional organizations.

USPOULTRY grant funds animal welfare research for Tyson Foods, Division of Ag

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The U.S. Poultry and Egg Association awarded a $110,000 grant through its USPOULTRY Foundation to fund research addressing animal welfare in commercial broiler farms.

As pandemic continues, crop scouting schools take to the web

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service has long offered an annual crop scouting school, in which agronomists and other extension experts discuss techniques for identifying and controlling pest and disease pressures in various crops, including soybeans, rice, cotton, corn and others.

Virtual tour offers up-close look at conservation efforts at northwest Arkansas farm

LITTLE ROCK — Jeff and Marsha Marley have implemented conservation measures at their poultry and beef farm in Elkins to protect and conserve water resources. They use grassed waterways, aerated pastures, and farm ponds that help reduce nutrient runoff — just a few of the efforts documented through their participation in the Arkansas Discovery Farms program.

Update on COVID-19 and agricultural law covered in June 17 webinar

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – In a field already disrupted by weather disasters, depressed commodity prices and trade disputes, COVID-19 had proved to be yet another obstacle for those in agriculture.

Study: COVID-19 effects on Arkansas unemployment rates vary by county; urban rates outpaced rural

LITTLE ROCK – The effect of COVID-19 on Arkansas’ unemployment rate in April varied by county, but also turned the typical rural versus urban unemployment rate trend on its head, according to a study released by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Using cattle to overseed a pasture ‘the old-fashioned way’ means low germination rates

LITTLE ROCK — It is perhaps the oldest, most “natural” way to distribute plant seeds across a field: allow cattle to graze, roam freely, and let nature take its course.

LeadAR opens applications for next leadership class

LITTLE ROCK — LeadAR, the state’s premier leadership program, is searching for its next class of leaders. 

Team effort in Hot Spring County combines 3-D printing, creativity, elbow grease to make protective face shields for first responders

MALVERN, Ark. — An idea that germinated between the stacks of books at the local library and nurtured by donated materials and good old-fashioned elbow grease, blossomed into the creation of more than 350 face shields to protect for first responders and others in Hot Spring County during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Season’s first box of tomatoes heralds harvest on the way

WARREN, Ark. — Fans of Arkansas grown and harvested tomatoes, rejoice. The first box of the season has been delivered.

Arkansas people, places inspire young 4-H photographers

LITTLE ROCK — Sevier County 4-Her Monica Rivas didn’t have to look far to find inspiration for a winning photo. Her black and white photo of trees along the Cossatot River won Best in Show in this year’s Ross Photography Contest, sponsored by Arkansas 4-H and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Arkansas’ beef processors face labor, marketing challenges, study finds

LITTLE ROCK – Marketing and finding labor are among challenges facing the state’s beef processors, according to a study from the Public Policy Center of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Fitbits and AI — technology may help improve quality in chicken meat

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Have you ever wondered if your Fitbit could get you a better chicken dinner? It sounds far-fetched, but that’s not far from what Casey Owens, Qinghua Li and Yan Huang are proposing.

Mid-June: Plant pumpkins soon for Halloween arrival

LITTLE ROCK — Pumpkins, once grown mainly for food, are valued just as much today for their decorative uses. Whether you plan to have pumpkin pie or a homegrown jack-o-lantern this fall, the time for planting is fast approaching, and timing is key. Plant too early and you’ll end up with a rotten pumpkin. Plant too late and frost may damage your pumpkin.