News - April 2021

Atmosphere, options and safety at the top of consumers’ list

LITTLE ROCK — A friendly atmosphere, options, and safety measures were southwestern Arkansans’ top three values in choosing which restaurants and stores to frequent, according to the results of a recent survey conducted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Researchers find food insecurity heightens vulnerability to anxiety, depression during COVID-19 pandemic

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Families worried about having enough food during the COVID-19 pandemic are at three times the risk of experiencing anxiety or depression than those that have lost jobs, according to research by three Arkansas agricultural economists.

MONTICELLO, Ark. — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the University of Arkansas at Monticello have announced Michael Blazier as the next Dean for the UAM College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources and Director of the Arkansas Forest Resources Center. He will assume his duties July 1. 

New animal science video series features ‘Docs Talking’ Stock’

LITTLE ROCK — Animal science specialists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture have a new monthly video series — “Docs Talking Stock” — to share recommendations and updates on animal issues important to Arkansas producers.

Vertical farming on the rise: Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and 80 Acres Farms enter research agreement

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Vertical farming business 80 Acres Farms has entered into a collaborative research agreement with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station to advance the science of vertical farming.

Division of Agriculture forage expert to serve as co-investigator for $1 million sustainability grant

LITTLE ROCK — A forage expert with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will serve as a co-investigator for a $1 million grant project designed to promote sustainable agriculture throughout the Southeast.

Cooperative Extension Service offers online produce safety workshop to fruit, vegetable growers

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will offer an online produce safety training workshop May 5-6 to educate fruit and vegetable producers about federal rules. 

Shew expands spatial technologies focus to Fulbright, Bumpers, Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Aaron Shew, the incoming associate director of the Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies, will be taking on tasks as broad as his background.

Food engineer aims for circularity of world food systems

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Ebenezer Miezah Kwofie sees food production and consumption as linear, with waste products leaking out all along the line. He’d like to turn that line into a loop to create a more sustainable food system worldwide.

Coleman Creek clean-up, rain garden demos, woodland walk planned for extension’s Earth Day festivities

LITTLE ROCK – The Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, will celebrate Earth Day with “green” events that promote sustainability efforts and conservation of resources.

As cold front nears, extension experts urge homeowners to cover ornamentals, fruits and vegetables

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Horticulture experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are urging Arkansans — particularly those in the northwestern third of the state — to take early precautions to protect fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants ahead of a cold front expected to hit the state Tuesday night.

Doctoral student Gann named American Society of Plant Biologists Ambassador

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Peter James Icalia Gann, a University of Arkansas doctoral student, has been selected to serve as an ambassador for the American Society of Plant Biologists.

Possible freeze event heading toward Arkansas late Tuesday

LITTLE ROCK — A cold front bringing freezing temperatures to much of Arkansas is expected to arrive late Tuesday night, the National Weather Service warned on Monday.

The possible freeze event may pose a threat to both horticultural production and the heading wheat crop, as well as other agriculture throughout the state, experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture said.

Greenway Equipment makes donation valued at $2 million for NE Rice Research and Extension Center

HARRISBURG, Ark. — The new Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center in Poinsett County is getting a $2 million boost from Greenway Equipment.

Message in a bottle: Researchers evaluating Arkansas’ wine grapes 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In a quiet lab at the Milo J. Shult Agricultural Research and Extension Center, surrounded by wine glasses, Renee Threlfall and John Clark spent time listening — listening for the aromatic and flavor notes Indulgence, Dazzle, Opportunity and Enchantment wines were playing on their palates.

2021 corn, rice planting progress stronger than 2020, but still behind average

LITTLE ROCK — Corn and rice growers were off to a strong start, planting 24 percent and 13 percent of total planned acreage, respectively. While the numbers were still well behind the five-year average for those crops at this point in the season, they still made for a marked improvement over 2020, nearly doubling year-to-year progress for mid-April.

Are chickens vegetarian?

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When you watch birds in the wild, you’ll see them gobble up insects in addition to scratching for seeds. Chickens grown for food production also get a diet that includes animal proteins, said Mike Kidd, professor, poultry science for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Food engineer joins Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Bumpers College

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Picture this: As you walk to your car after work, you select a meal from a smartphone menu of your favorites and press “send.” By the time you get home, your food is waiting for you in a 3-D printer. Sound like science fiction? Wait … it gets better.

Reducing feral hog populations key to minimizing fiscal, environmental impact

TEXARKANA, Ark. — In an agricultural state such as Arkansas, the substantial damage feral hogs do to row crops is well known, and the financial impact is easier to estimate. Most damage estimates, however, include only the crop itself, said Jennifer Caraway, staff chair for Miller County Cooperative Extension Service office.

Fuel prices, scarcity rising thanks to weather-disrupted production

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Drivers are noticing higher prices at the pump thanks to weather-related production disruptions, according to an analysis published Friday by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Grant funds Arkansas scientists research on medicine patch for cattle

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — An Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station animal scientist and two University of Arkansas chemical engineers earned a $500,000 grant to continue research in pain management for cattle during routine procedures.

Registration open for in-person 4-H summer camps

FERNDALE, Ark. — It’s springtime, and parents’ thoughts naturally turn to finding summer camps for the kids. The Arkansas 4-H Youth Development program is ready to help with a variety of award-winning day and overnight camps, with registration now open.

Manage cool-season perennial grasses now for a successful grazing season

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With spring temperatures on the horizon, many ranchers and pasture managers are looking to their calendar, deciding when to turn cattle out for grazing or planning that first cut of hay.

Division of Agriculture seeking answers in feral hog survey

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, in partnership with the state’s Feral Hog Task Force, is seeking input from Arkansans regarding their experiences with feral hogs.

Division of Agriculture names Daniel Rivera director of Southwest Research and Extension Station effective May 16

HOPE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has appointed Daniel Rivera director of the Southwest Research and Extension Center. 

Corn, cotton and soybean markets surge as USDA reports 2021 planting intentions

LITTLE ROCK — As world markets slowly unfurl from the global knot of the COVID-19 pandemic, futures markets for both soybean and corn responded in a powerfully positive manner Wednesday to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual Prospective Plantings Report.